Angel >> Air Canada pilots While the U.S.-based Air Line Pilots Association asked Washington to allow pilots to carry sidearms into the cockpit, the Air Canada Pilots Association expressed serious reservations about the idea. Pointing out the dangers of an accidental discharge in a pressurized cabin, or the possibility of hijackers overpowering pilots and seizing the pistols themselves, the pilots union stated they prefer by far the strengthening of outside security enough so pilots can do their job safely--which is flying and landing large, delicate planes. Federal Transport Minister David Collenette has categorically ruled out arming pilots.

Insect >> Layoffs Lots of big job cuts this week: Air Canada, 9,000--5,000 of which are directly related to the 911 attacks; Bombardier, 3,800--with more possibly to come next spring; Air Transat, 1,300--also as a result of the attacks; GM, 1,100 at its Ste-Thérèse plant. Air Canada had announced 4,000 layoffs in August, and the drop in demand for Camaros and Firebirds has hovered over the GM factory, the muscle cars' North American birthplace, for years. The bugaboo spectre of a recession seems to be turning into a depressing reality.