April Fool’s Day brought the best out of the Comox Valley Airport, as YQQ introduced an ultra low-cost carrier — Fly YQQ — via a news release.
The airport commission claimed it had raised $20 million from “an unnamed source” for a Boeing 737-700 series jet to make runs to Hawaii.
Pilots were to be drawn from retired air force and airline pilots in the Comox Valley, who would donate their services in exchange for trips to Hawaii.
While the commission claimed ticket sales — $150 for the cheapest ticket — could start as early as this summer, it started to sound fishy when they announced “checked bags, carry-on luggage and sitting next to your children will cost extra,” that “Fly YQQ will not carry an entertainment system, but volunteer flight attendants will be trained to lead sing-alongs” and that standing-room-only seats would be available.
Victoria’s Bay Centre used its Facebook page to announce it would be opening a new outdoor swimming pool in 2016.
Noting that “with new ownership comes new uses for the Bay Centre,” the plans called for a 100-foot pool to be located on the food-court patio. It would include a 500-foot enclosed waterslide that would start from 20 feet above the roof top, twist around the perimeter of the Bay Centre and land beside the Fort Street fountain.
We should have known it was too good to be true when it was pointed out that pool parties would start on April Fool’s Day next year.
Meanwhile, on Twitter, Fortis B.C. (@FortisBC) tweeted that “your natural gas commodity rate is going down, details on your bill insert” with the hashtag “Not #AprilFools.”
Saanich police (@SaanichPDclssgt) tweeted “If you’re #distracteddriving on your e-device & see @SPD_Traffic behind you, chances are it’s no #AprilFools joke $$$.” The Saanich police did get in on the foolery, though, tweeting that the department’s costumed mascot Ace would join a regional mascot unit.
VicPD Chief Frank Elsner exercised a little police-integration humour of his own at @chiefelsner: “Looking fwd to the media conference @Saanichpolice HQ this morning at 10 a.m. as we announce the Capital Region Aviation Patrol.”
