Pacific Blue with no crew?

[Breaker Morant]

Rumour has it that the crewing contracts for PB have been terminated and that they have no crew (Pilots or Flight Attendants) after the twentieth of August.

What's happening? I am in the middle of doing a 737 rating for a job!:sad:

[SOPS]

Are you trying to say they have shut the airline down? No crew = no flights, the beancounters may love the thought of not having to pay ( even the $1.40 an hour they already pay) to crew the flights, but I would suggest that with no crew, the aircraft cannot fly themselves. But in this day and age, and this enviroment, nothing would surprise me........scene at bar..."Mate..I have just had a great thought how to improve my bonus, pay off the second holiday home in Hawai, get the bigger boat and lease my own jet...I will sack all the crew, that will save a hell of a lot on the bottom line!!"..."Bloody Hell..why did i not think of that!"::ugh:

[horserun]

Hey BM,
I have heard that pac blue are getting rid of the service providers (i.e. Rishworth and Conair), and are taking the employment in house.

So chill, sounds like a positive.

[mattyj]

bout bloody time..Rishworths should change to a field theyre suited to..like warehouse and logistics recruitment

[go_soaring]

Sweet, so would this mean more coin if this is the case??


go_soaring! instead

[Cypher]

Nothing from Rishworths.. have only heard if affects Con Air....

[oldhasbeen]

blahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!

[SilverSleuth]

There will be No more coin for Rishworth PB guys. There is talk of not renewing some contracts. VB has told its pilots that there is 4 aircraft going to PB and will be wet leased with VB crew. About to put out expressions of interest to its pilots for sacondments to NZ.

[KRUSTY 34]

Just like the rush for a secondment to VOZ....

[porch monkey]

There never was a "secondment" to Voz krusty. To go there meant giving up what you had at VB. IF it is a secondment to some Pacific flying, they may well get some takers, as long as it is on present VB money and allowances.

[PBN]

The PB contracts are being tossed in favor of some other arrangement, then one can assume that the airline is in some sort of talks with it crew re various employment models/options and Finally some more $$ .:ok:
I would have it a guess that any VB guys operating on PB routes, receiving a pay slip twice that of there Kiwi cousins, may end up causing more than one or two problems between the two groups. If the roll was reversed and VB needed to crew an additional 50% capacity overnight, I'm sure the thought of foreign crews operating VB routes at twice the pay would unsettle a wasps nest............:=

[Cloud Cutter]

They were in talks regarding employment models, but VB have put an end to that citing fuel prices etc. So it's status quo for the foreseable future I believe.

I would hope VB crews think twice about the industrial situation of their poor cousins before considering these secondments. Although something tells me they won't.

[dirty deeds]

Sorry to say lads, there are blokes at VB that would sell their mother and fly for nothing. They will have no trouble at all crewing these aircraft with VB crew, no problems at all. The only thing that may stop VB from crewing these aircraft is their EBA which only covers Domestic Ops in Aus, its on page one of the document! Yet as usual, the Feds will roll over and take it like a W@#$E. I can see it now, "If we can cover VAus pilots, you can have the VB crews for wet lease". :rolleyes:

[SilverSleuth]

Dirty sometimes you speak things rationally sometimes you just speak !!!!! buddy. WHO do VB guys owe anything to regarding PB? I think you should probably look at the PB history of start up etc before tossing that one around.

PB contractors are that.. contractors. The fact is VB are sending 4 A/C over there that cannot be crewed by PB due numbers. Therefore the crew will be going also. Of coarse it is on current conditions for VB guys. It is a secondment. It may surprise a few but this is not new either. Not long after PB first started and heap of VB drivers went over there for 8 months. The AFAP knew that then and know now also, They put out a letter this week about it. They will not put a fight up as it is not taking PB jobs. It is increased capacity that cannot be crewed by them. As for pays well sorry but if you sign a contract you are accepting your individual conditions despite what anyone else has. (A good warning for future VA guys actually) As for causing a stir thats nonsense. Nothing will happen at all. Infact nearly all PB crew have applications with VB anyway.

[PBN]

PB are getting 2 more aircraft before year end, and another two early next year. Most airlines would be able to cope with that, just hire a few more pilots. For the benefit of others, PB are having huge problems retaining crew, due to the conditions offered. Over the last 6 to 8 months ALPA have been negotiating full time jobs, not contracts, and better conditions. Hence the reason for this thread in the first place. http://www.pprune.org/forums/d-g-reporting-points/317863-pacific-blue-about-park-aircraft.html?highlight=pacific+blue
The attrition rate is so bad, they would have huge issues even crewing one additional 737 with in 2 months.
SilverSleuth very correct VB crew are not taking jobs from PB crew, but they will be removing any of negotiation ability they had. I think its a very thin sheet of ice they walk on, whilst ALPA are actively in negotiations with the airline. Lets face it, it doesn't help. As for the past when PB borrowed 6 VB pilots for 4 month over the winter of 2005, that was then, (start up faze) this is now, in the 5th year of operation. As I said earlier if PB guys operated VB routes even without taking jobs from the current stable, there would be hell to pay.............plain and simple. :ugh:

[Cloud Cutter]

I can see where you're coming from, but would hope that things are seen a little differently now PB is a well established airline, and the crews are doing their best to negotiate an employment agreement. I believe there will be a formal request made by ALPA to AFAP regarding this, but I don't think it will have much effect.

Infact nearly all PB crew have applications with VB anyway.

That's not true though. Maybe 10% would. All would if they didn't mind moving to Aus. It would be fair to say nearly all PB crew are looking for work elsewhere.

[Chocks Away]

It would be fair to say nearly all PB crew are looking for work elsewhere..

Yes! ...and here-in lies PB's crewing problem!

Much better coin to be had everywhere else, including even the smaller Jitconnect local operation now!
Road show after road show... alot of apologies and "information flyers/handouts"... they don't pay your rising food and power bills!

Pay more and you'll retain more, especially given PB's very healthy profit last year!

Let's hope you get better T&C's with all this.

VB it seems don't even have enough crew themselves, given all the cancellations and route combining going on, let alone to crew four planes in NZ.

[KRUSTY 34]

Sorry PM, you're absolutely right. I should have used the inverted commas with my "secondment".

It's interesting though that with all the crewing issues these days airline managements still expect pilots to simply "bend over and take it". When finally the last of them refuse to do it, we may see some improvement in T&C's.

[Howard Hughes]

Krusty, I don't think it is a case of airline management expecting it, more like pilot's keep offering themselves up! Take a look at V Oz, heaps of people willing to work for $53,000 PA, not many said NO!:rolleyes:

Please can I have the rough end of the pineapple this time!;)

[On Guard]

Generally speaking PB pilots have no issue with VB crewing a/c UNTIL PB can crew them. However it is going to cause an issue the longer this wet lease continues.

While this is what we have been told I suspect VB is more of a long term solution. PB could crew the a/c but do not attract enough suitable applicants. Pay is not the major issue attracting applicants, 42K NZD plus expenses for a rating is.

I hope the VB pilot group do take account of these issues as I am sure if the shoe were on the other foot the s**t would hit the fan. PB pilots are being fairly good about this recognising it is for the long term good of the company.

To the guy doing your rating- don't panic there will be a new contract sorted on the same conditions.

[PO Prune]

More a storm in a teacup then? I was getting worried I would spend all this moeny and not have a job.

Thanks all.

[PammyAnderson]

To the guy doing his endorsement. If you are signing a contract you have nothing to worry about as long as your happy with the terms in your contract. But if your contract says can be axed with 2 days notice well you can;t really whinge if it happens when you agreed to those terms. (and i hope that doesnt happen by the way.) In terms of PB guys etc not bothered by VB crewing their OWN planes. Well thats tough titty! Its Virgin aircraft they can do whatever they want. Even if thats for the long term. As someone else said I really think some people forget what the term contractor means. It gives you nothing except what you personally agree to by choice. Thats fact and thats life.

[air command]

can't see what the big deal is... VB has 4 surplus aircraft with crew to fly them.... why wouldn't VB send pilots along on secondment?? And I don't think it will be a long term option in any case... as noted at the recent VB management roadshow: PB exists because it offers a lower cost base. So as soon as PB can find its own pilots, you will no doubt see the VB boys sent home to OZ ASAP.
Anyway, rumour here is, that it might turn out be a "route secondment" rather than a "pilot secondment" i.e some/all of the 4 aircraft may do the Pacific Island runs (ex-Australia) from Australian bases, not NZ bases.

[Yusef Danet]

So we're concerned that lower paid NZ based pilots could resent higher paid Aus based pilots flying VH registered 737s from Australia to a handful of countries that are not New Zealand?

Eh? I would be concerned if someone came along and took my place for less money, but if I were to be 'overcut' I would consider it an opportunity to bring my own conditions up closer to the higher of the two.

Myths I have to dispel: The front page of VB's pilot EBA does not restrict its coverage to domestic operations, nor did the previous. It only mentions "737" and "Embraer". This document is publicly available. Point google at it.

Virgin Blue has not *lately* cancelled or consolidated flights due to pilot shortages. Broken aircraft certainly, economic convenience I suspect but not pilot shortage. 737 leave is on offer and it's a rare E-Jet pilot who gets any overtime.

[dirty deeds]

Yusef,

Looked up google

1.2.3
This agreement applies to pilots employed by Virgin Blue who fly Boeing 737 or Embraer aircraft in Virgin Blue's Australian domestic operations.

Sleuth, did I hit a raw nerve? :)

[wirgin blew]

I would imagine that it will be day trips for BNE based flight crew to places like Fiji and Vanuatu? The new work rules would allow such flying and may actually keep 737 drivers busy instead of giving them more grey days as flying decreases over the coming months. It also cuts out more overnights which cost money. Two PB crews overnighting in BNE cost $1.5k x 7 days = $10.5k p/w x 52 = $546K saving per annum by doing this.
If the pilots and cabin crew have the hours to do this flying and your already paying them a salary anyway why wouldn't you do it?
BG is looking to cut costs anyway he can to offset the price of fuel.

[Yusef Danet]

Dirty Deeds

you are quite right. I concede that point, but I'm sure the wording deliberately defines VB pilots without excluding the possibility of us flying intl ops. If I added a Fiji run to my roster I would still be a "pilot employed by Virgin Blue who fl[ies] Boeing 737 aircraft in Virgin Blue's domestic operations".

[dirty deeds]

Yusef,

I understand Fiji is a Commonwealth country, but is Fiji an Australian domestic port? Where does it end, is Christchurch and Australian domestic port? Is L.A. an Australian domestic port? If Bali appeared on my roster I would have to assume I was now employed on VB flying International routes on a Domestic EBA, it looks fairly clear cut to me, unless I am not getting something?

[always inverted]

At the end of the day you are all contractors, I hope you all remember what that means...
No job security...

[Yusef Danet]

Deeds

I am not suggesting for a moment that Nadi, Christchurch or anywhere else are Aus domestic ports, just that the authors of the EBA cleverly phrased it as "pilot employed by Virgin Blue who fl[ies] Boeing 737 aircraft in Virgin Blue's domestic operations". Just because I may fly in VB's domestic operations, it doesn't mean I am limited to domestic operations exclusively.

[empacher48]

By the sounds of it, its just the guys at Conair that are getting the axe. But it seems to be Conair who has pulled the plug.. See the story here:

Pac Blue staff in limbo over jobs - New Zealand's source for business, stock market & currency news on Stuff.co.nz (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4623114a13.html)

[Yusef Danet]

...and on the same day VB pilots are invited to express interest in secondment to PB AKL base, 8 capts, 4 FOs required for up to 6 months to help PB cope with the increase in flying from late Aug 08.

At this stage conditions are not clear other than "Virgin Blue base salary"

Also possible is VB pilots operating intl flights ex Aus from Nov 08.

Keep the information flowing, people.

[Chocks Away]

(Note;written prior to seeing the above post)

Yusef: If Dirty Deeds above didn't make it plain enough for you, you need to go back to start, and do not pass Go, as you just don't understand it.

International flying is NOT Domestic flying.
The two have very different requirements and rules, which each International country you land in, expects you to meet.
There's no "Ooops, just gone past Coffs... think I'll visit Norfolk or Tonga today."
Once you leave Australian Domestic airspace, it is very specific and NOT ambiguous. You are employed specifically to fly International flights, as you are employed specifically for Australian Domestic flight.
EBA's are just as specific.

No one could disagree with you saying: "I would be concerned if someone came along and took my place for less money, but if I were to be 'overcut' I would consider it an opportunity to bring my own conditions up closer to the higher of the two.

...and that's what the crew there are trying to do but PBN and Silver Sleuth sumit up:

SilverSleuth very correct VB crew are not taking jobs from PB crew, but they will be removing any of negotiation ability they had. I think its a very thin sheet of ice they walk on, whilst ALPA are actively in negotiations with the airline. Lets face it, it doesn't help.

[SilverSleuth]

Well unfortunately thats tough luck. Its a fact of life that the VB crews are more interested (as they should be) in the job security of its own pilot group not that of the contractors that were brought in to do the flying that was promised to the VB crews in the first place for half the wages. There is no malice or bad intentions but in the end the survival and security of the VB pilots is their concern. As someone else said you take a contract you take the risk. VB crew don't owe anything to PB crew.
Infact I dont think its out of the question that Vb crews could possibly be doing all the PB flying in the near future. But again I think you will find most Vb crew would have the attitude thats only the flying they were promised (to their faces) anyway.
Personally I would rather see all PB crew intergrated into VB and I think no one else would mind either (long as they go in as FOs, plus they still need EMB fos). In the end time will tell i guess.


ps Yes VB crew will be operating internationally from Nov also

[dueweno]

And there in one post are almost all the reasons pilots find themselves in the position that is sooooo often discussed on this forum

[On Guard]

Thanks for your support Silver. There is such a thing as professional integrity which you seem to be lacking. So you won't mind when the shoe is on the other foot if we come over and take your work as we are contractors and can do what we want?

Sad thing is we would not do that to our 'fellow colleagues', we would talk to your group first.
BTW No prob with VB crew coming over, just a problem with your attitude.


Thanks

[Cypher]

Cheers for that Sleuth..

I see the world owes you a career and everything else that goes with it...

If you talked to any of the PB pilot group which I'm sure you haven't, I don't think you'd find any that would knowing fly an Virgin Domestic route... they know better than that...

The flying which you are so eager to point out, that 'should have' been given to the VB pilot group is there.. in the form of V Australia. If you don't like getting paid $50 K for being a Cruise F/O (which is pityful) then thats your tough luck....

[empacher48]

Well.. I'm pleased to see there is some solidarity in the profession of a pilot worldwide..:yuk:

As an up and coming pilot looking at one day moving into an airline, I can say that I am pleased that all my workmates are looking at stabbing me in the back, and generally shafting me.. I don't think it is the airlines inserting pineapples into me as is mentioned on here, but it's the other pilots that do that instead!!

Thanks guys.. I'll remember the words written on here by Sleuth et al for the future.

[PBN]

Well done Sleuth, it takes a special type of person to express them selfs in that way :E I can only suggest an attitude adjustment mate:ugh: Work together people and you will get what you seek.

[NO LAND 3]

"Promised" is an emotional and manipulative word. Used to great effect by the female in any relationship. Usually with little basis in fact but difficult to argue with due to its vague nature.

[PammyAnderson]

I have to be honest here. I don't know sleuth but what has he said that is so bad? That VB guys would want to protect their own jobs ahead of contractors! Mmmm Thats fair enough isnt it? seriously? I bet the same would be said for any Q or cathay or any other airline driver when it came to there own jobs... No????

He did say didnt he, that he like many would have no prob of PB guys joining virgin? Didnt he?.....Mmmmm not much wrong with that either that i can see?

He expressed his own opinion that if that happened that they or anyone joining the company should join as FOs.... Mmmm gotta say i cant see any Q Tech crew member disagreeing with that policy?

Be honest guys those are pretty standard views across the board from any driver in regards to their job in any airline. ... Seriously is it not?

In regards to this thread itself. Well he is saying that VB guys don't owe anything to the PB guys. He didn't wish them bad health or anything like that, infact he made the point there was no malice intent (did he not?).
Just in regards to THIS issue believes it is virgin flying anyway. And lets be honest it is and the reality is they can crew it how they want with who they want. Be it contractors or Vb crew.

Again not really out to defend him but broken down what he said on THIS subject is pretty factual and this solidarity and likewise talk is nonsense. No one is under cutting anyone. The planes and crew are being redeployed on their own routes and they can fly it how they want. NO???? :confused:

[DeltaT]

I keep reading about "huge numbers" of pilots leaving PB, so I asked them on their open day this week. The answer I was given was 5 pilots last year and 2 this year. Is this really that huge? Or does it seem that way when looking at the proportion of total pilots they have?

[PBN]

DeltaT surly you have mates in PB if your off to open days. So with that in mind, they have no doubt given you the lowdown on attrition at PB. If PB did tell you what you say, then it just shows what a lying bunch of A$$H0!$ they are. Take my word for it mate, double figures in the last 6 months. Last year around 20 or so. This year would have been a whole lot more if J* stopped recruitment.

[DeltaT]

The attrition rate I have given above does come from what I was told at the open day, no lie! I do know 1 pilot in PB, however, he is never home for me to talk to him haha. Though he only joined recently.
I thought the open days were also to get more pilots for these new planes coming.

[Dashim]

Lol ... Oh god you Virgin boys crack me up!
You can't be serious...
Thanks for the laugh ... Now back to reality... your too expensive!

[tallyho77]

that was very well said !
why is pb getting vb planes ?
CHEAP LABOUR

[porch monkey]

Why was PB created in the first place? CHEAP LABOUR. Anyhow, you are getting VB planes, and you're also getting the VB crew. Not so cheap labour in that case.

[tallyho77]

all pb planes have ZK on the tail .
Im sure vb pilots wont mind spending the xtra wonga they get on a NZATPL ? gosh :D

[Yusef Danet]

tallyho...

there are plenty of 737s in PB paint on the VH- register, and there is nothing to stop Pacific Blue (Aus) flying them internationally. Pacific Blue (NZ) operates many flights as a wet lease to PB (Aus).

Flights from Aus to Fiji/Vanuatu/Indonesia can be easily operated by the VB pilot group as "Pacific Blue (Aus)".

NZ ATPLs will be issued under the TTMRA.

[porch monkey]

So Tallyho, I guess all the NZ pilots here in Oz have parted with their extra coin for their Oz ATPL? Thought not.......

[tallyho77]

thats right PB pilots fly both zk and vh tails no matter what the letters on the side say.we are the "international airline of virgin blue" and sometimes we call ourselves polynesian blue,our motto WE FLY FOR LESS !Its very glamourous especially the "back of the clock ETOPS flights"
yes ttmra would provide a nzatpl( if you had to lower yourself to fly a ZK) but you will pay for it with all that extra money! just use a portion of your international bypass pay eh wot:ok:

[tallyho77]

porshe munkey,yes all nz pilots in that great country of yours have paid for their own atpl but they are all on secondment and will be rushing back to be at one again with the wonderful PB "international airline of virgin blue" DA DA:)

[porch monkey]

Now I am laughing. You're hilarious....

[Chocks Away]

DeltaT, Of course you're "going to be fed candy" on an open day.
They have them to attract people, not turn them away after finding how many actually have left and why.:ugh:
At least half are awaiting to see what T&C's are put on the table right now, before they to stay or go.
Don't be naive.

The other comments simply show a lack of understanding about PBs' history, International A.O.Cs and aircraft regos. It's got nothing to do with it's paintwork by the way.

[Kermit750]

The guys are right, some of the emotion in here is Logie winning stuff.

Sleuth!!! Really mate? At what point did you lose your dignity? VB Pilots do, rightly so protect their own interests, and you've done a damn good job at that. To get paid the way you do in a company with such a troubled horizon is damn good work. Some would say its tantamount to digging your own graves, but your looking after your family.

But to try and slay PB Pilots just because they made the decision to take the opportunity to fly a jet in a country which has, on the whole the most appauling T&C's across the board. Remember whose decision it was to manage PB off shore. VB Management. It had its advantages, they did it. Not the pilot group. And to suggest the PB pilots are nothing more than contractors. We are on contracts, mate, but they are far from individual.

Look at the facts. YOU get paid a whole lot more than US. Your Management placed PB in NZ, Not US. A whole bunch of PB pilots are looking to the future with a large amount of uncertainty, and you still need to be attack? Just back off some and let your Union do the talking.

I sincerely hope your views are not representive of VB Pilots on the whole. Its a sad old world for the average Aussie Bloke if it is.

[porch monkey]

They have done the talking. The aircraft are coming. The aircrew to fly the ones you cannot are also coming. Whether you like it or not, whether I like it or not.

[pegasusfury]

Sounds like the 89 pilots dispute brewing up again.
Union mgt doing deals behind closed doors again?

You all hav fun now - ENJOY THE STEW!

[KittyBlue]

IMHO i believe that Virgin Blue will include Pacific Blue crew into the fold as Virgin Blue employees. Full control in hiring and firing will be provided solely by management without a third party.

There will be 2 aircraft that will possibly be wet leased to the PB arm for international ops, with Virgin Blue crew, operating on behalf of PB.

Similar to many other areas of DJ, they initially had direct employees and those contractors just in case the trial period was not successful, so they would not be burdened with a full compliment of employees to pay out. Its smart business. Now they know the options and their abilities, checked out the scene, they can go ahead with expansion.

[lesgo]

Just out of curiosity, what is the pay for a PB FO?

[porch monkey]

Lesgo, !!!!E!!
Pegasusfury, Nothing like '89.

[pegasusfury]

You Ozzis think the world owes you a living and aviation is a god given right to 'Bluey'.

I look forward to the day when all of Oz is the next Sahara.

:}

[greenslopes]

Hey Pegasus, lets see how you sheilas go in the Lympics.Hah ha ha ha!!!

[porch monkey]

I look forward to the day when the cousins and the colonials don't have to pull you lot out of the !!!!.:}

[Neeewman]

Bout 95k including allowances for a +500 f.o (nz ;( . its the same price for big mac and a beer though- duty free helps !commands pretty quick, and despite the post,indications are that the new agreements are going to start things moving in the right direction, Super,better staff travel and another pay increase coming. if the classic flyers and the NG blokes can agree on how to operate the A/C- it will be a nice little number if you like no sandpits ,no polution etc:ok:

[BIKKERDENNAH]

CHOCKS AWAY

advanced hair yeah yeah

[Cloud Cutter]

Neeewman

You forgot to mention being expected to work for free on your days off..... Careful.

[Neeewman]

er yes, bit of a deal breaker that one. my friend says he won't be signing if thats the case...
Bikerdenah- gotta be a gulf lad, salute!

[Chocks Away]

BIKKERDENNAH; :} Haven't heard that for awhile :)... howz yours? :ok:

No favours there on their behalf ("pay increase") as they are only transferring the commission Conair got, to the workers and doesn't come close to this years CPI, let alone the previous years. $4.20 Kiwi DTA... is nothing. How do you cope with your current exchange rate?
+$6000 NZD at best (=$90,000NZD total).
$41,000 AUD for a Boeing NG rating now (yes?)... the figures don't stack up, especially when VB f/o earns more than PB Capt. :ugh:
Oh, I see above: expected to work RDO free? Yeh right. Just like I hear V want.
No wonder you're short.

[Swanrider]

You're right there!:D
It was an option to come home, prior to their introduced "F.m.S" (Fatigue mis-management system) and their 2 chances at catching up with standard pays around the region but alas.:rolleyes: We're not that desperate (nor stupid).
Plenty more 73 jobs going elsewhere on better terms. Heck, even jetcon.

[Cloud Cutter]

Oh you mean the Fatigue Maximisation System, yep it's a goody!

[Capt_CheeseDick]

2 more Senior Check & Trainers + 2 more F/o's just walked out the door.

You keeping count DeltaT?

[Chocks Away]

:} and they're advertising new routes/expansion!?:confused:
Must be being crewed by "ghostriders" :) ?

[cjam]

Where are they going ya reckon?

[Chocks Away]

Melbourne - Auckland is being advertised and more Gold Coast & Brisbane runs on their Websites.

[NoN1]

The PB Office Workers will further cover up their mis-management skills by importing more VB pilots if required. It is never, ever, their fault.

[horserun]

Well this is a postive move, I see PB have taken the recruitment in house.

Virgin Blue Recruitment: Attention (http://www.bfound.net/detail.aspx?jobid=66239&CoId=43&rq=4)

And call me a simple man but the pay isnt that bad too.

Whats the cost of the rating? Do they have salary sacrifice??

[empacher48]

The rating is AUD$33000, works out to be about $43000 NZ, no salary sacrifice. (as far as I am aware).

[horserun]

$43k!!
F**k that. Still got a bit to go before I will apply

[empacher48]

I do apologise, since I last worked it out the exchange rate has changed. Its now about $40K

[horserun]

$40k is still to rich for me.
Cant I just give them a kidney or something?

I cant afford that and being off work for 7 weeks for the rating.

[haughtney1]

I cant afford that and being off work for 7 weeks for the rating.

7 weeks? surely there must be some mistake......

you could build a 737 in 7 weeks:=

Most initial jet type ratings should take between 4 and 5 weeks..my first jet rating took 4 weeks at Alteon.

[horserun]

Im a bit slow....These things takes me a bit longer.

[hot tuna]

Good news on direct recruitment :ok:, although Rishworth still have the vacancy on their website :(, so perhaps a gradual transition across from contractors. Some really capable senior trainers have recently walked away from PB...I don't think it's a happy camp :(

[Capt_CheeseDick]

Yes 2 more "Checkers" have walked etc.
Another Capt just walked too...

PBN on 20 July: "Take my word for it mate, double figures in the last 6 months. Last year around 20 or so."

What is the count now Delta-T ?

[DeltaT]

:8
mmm, from late last year, plus your 3, that would now make 10

[Chocks Away]

Alot more than that champ:}

[PBN]

DeltaT

FACT
I just went through the April 08 phone list and found 9 Capt MIA. I counted 47 Skippers less 4 management pilots, leaves me with 44 minus the 9 is over 20% attrition IN 4 MONTHS. I have not taken into account any F/O's or anyone else who left prior to April 08. I have included recent upgrades as part of the 44. Them the facts people. As the forum title suggests Pacific Blue with no crew.:ugh:

[DeltaT]

Well my phone aint ringin to offer me a job...

[porch monkey]

Guess things aren't that desperate after all then huh?

[go_soaring]

From the Terms and Conditions on PB's online application form, 'Initially Flight Crew will be based in Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand and Pacific Blue may allocate Flight Crew to alternate bases to meet operational requirements'..

Has anyone been lucky enough to be based in Brisbane? or is this just a carrot?


go_soaring! instead

[craka]

Any news on salary sacrifice?? The application form hints at it? are there too many fellas/lass's coming back with the NG rating. or too many people with 40 - 45 k depending on how the oz $ feels.

[Swanrider]

Brisbane = heard no (Go VB if u want that)
Salary sacrifice = no (foreign idea to N.Z.)

20% attrition IN 4 MONTHS.:} ouch!
40-45 for the rating - :}:} double ouch!

[pegasusfury]

Looks like the boys in Swan Hill or the Master in London should take a closer look at the monkey management in that lil ol island east of Tassie.

Never seen Sir R put up with crap like is going on in CHC.:E

[PitterPatter]

This may've been covered earlier.
Did I hear something about an ex Eagle pilot heading back to the 1900 from PacBlue:rolleyes:?

[hot tuna]

Blimey - thats a sad indictment, returning to EAGLE. Something tells me RB doesn't give a flying fig, unless it costs him money or there's a smoking hole.

[DeltaT]

Lots of changes happening at Pac Blue from what I am finding out. PB helping you out with the type rating isn't off the ground yet so no info on that.
I did hear (and yes treat it as heresay) that PB have recently put some pilots in Brisbane, but they are still on NZ$ pay. -Which I guess stops the other pilots from complaining.

[cjam]

And VB are putting 15 or so pilots up in NZ to fly PB a/c for the next 6 months? why don't they just base the VB guys out of BN?

[Swanrider]

an ex Eagle pilot heading back to the 1900 from PacBlue?
Correct:ok:

Cjam, about 75% of the flying happens out of Auckland, 24 hours a day 7 days a weeek.

Yes, Brisbane is a major hub but it seems they are needed for rostering out of Auckland with the early starts and back-of-the-clock schedules there.

Why not a Brisbane base for all, then? Terms and conditions are 1 issue, being on VB's patch I guess another?

:confused:

[DeltaT]

wholly crap, back to Eagle after Pac Blue, now that says something