The Canadian Health Act requires you to be a resident to be covered. A resident, as far as the Health Act AND the US/Canadian Tax treaty is defined as being resident > 183 days. (or is 181?) And most condo's are rented in month blocks, or 3 month blocks. The most miserable three months in parts of Quebec and Ontario is from October 1st->March 31st. So the 'snowbirds' as they are nicknamed, really need to be out of the country (i.e. the USA) on March 31st for a lot of reasons. Air Canada plans for it, that's why there was a 747 on those particular days. Normally it was an L1011 or DC-8 if memory serves correctly. Matthew On Nov 30, 2003, at 9:31 AM, Liam Tully wrote: > I think its to do with the fact the "snowbirds" hospital/medical > insurance > coverage expires on that date, or has it got something to do with > income > tax - cant remember which.... I DO know, it has nothing whatsoever to > do > with seat cushions! > > Liam. > YVR. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Michael C. Berch" <mcb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 1:25 AM > Subject: Re: Seat Cushion Question > > >> OK... I'll ask: what's the significance of March 31? >> >> --Michael >> >> On Saturday, November 29, 2003, at 07:16 PM, Matthew Montano wrote: >>> I've heard of a story with an AC 747 leaving on March 31st from Tampa >>> to Toronto. They couldn't confirm the forward starboard door was >>> closing correctly. They deboarded about 50 pax in and around the door >>> and were about to get on their way when the blue-haired crowd (anyone >>> who knows the flight will understand why March 31st is important) >>> started whispering that it was to prevent people from being sucked >>> out >>> the door in an emergency.