COMED AVIATION (The ONLY thead to remain)

[Ex Bandit Driver]

It is with regret that as of midnight 19th feb 2001 all flight crew contracts are terminated.

This is due to three main reasons.

1. Many months of penis based decision making.

2. Being shafted

Fortunately, we all saw it coming and many have banged out already, and most of those who stuck it out have other offers on the table, or other lines of income.

To my former colleages, it has been a pleasure flying,drinking ,fighting,and vomiting with you all.

To the ground staff who seem oblivious to the fact that an airline with no aircraft or pilots is going nowhere, i wish you all the best in your quest for employment.

I'll have a large Gin, Goodnight.



[This message has been edited by PPRuNe Towers (edited 20 February 2001).]

[PURPLE PITOT]

Guess i'll have a large gin too.

I was the weakest link, Goodbye!

[Hang the Bandit]

What a sad, unexpected end to a company which was a pleasure to work for.
It's going to be hard to find a company which treats it's pilots in the same unique, caring way :rolleyes:

[Willy Jazz the cans 2]

PP---I guess I'll see you at the bar then!

Good luck to all the guys down there in getting something else, it's a shame it had to come to this.

.....in fact, leave the bottle :)

------------------
I'm on my way!

[DogsBolx]

I guess we all saw it coming. I should have baled out earlier but decided to hang on and show a bit of loyalty to a fledgling company that had given me my first break.

Really enjoyed flying with you guys, it was a pleasure.

Hope I never have to fly an approach like that again {CR!}

No penguins? {PA!}

Have a large one on me and see you in HK {Mr B!}

Best of luck to you all! :)

[old boy]

Sorry to hear it guys well all miss you on the Rock. If you ever get over here the drinks are on me!

[PURPLE PITOT]

Hey towers, your editing has decimated EBD's original post, is it because the culprits advertise here?

We all know the truth, and truth is no libel

In fact the evidence is still at the back of their hangar reg G-ODUB

[This message has been edited by PURPLE PITOT (edited 20 February 2001).]

[Knight Rider]

Feel sorry for the guys on the ground, they genuinely believed in the company.

Pity it was run by a moron

Oh well, another one bites the dust...

I've got nothing to do with Comed, but can I come to the bar as well ?

[Freighterman]

Purple Pitot...do you have anything lined up?

[PPRuNe Towers]

Pitot,

Geniunely sorry for all those now out of work.

Were happy to reinstate the allegation made just as soon as ex Bandit Driver provides full name and address along with documented evidence.

Regards from the Towers
Rob Lloyd
[email protected]

[Knight Rider]

Sorry for being stupid here, but why are Comed still operating this morning if the contracts have been terminated, in addition their ground staff are still running about in various locations ??

[PURPLE PITOT]

Got a letter this morning saying pretty much what EX B D said in the original post.
As of midnight we are all out of a job.
I understand the one remaining A/C did the morning rotation then flew off for maintenence. Don't know if it is coming back, but we have been offered work on an ad hoc daily rate( and a !!!!ty one at that).

****ty Death all round really.

[touch&go]

Yes there was a Bandit flying this morning, I was a pilot on the flight........ only trying to do my bit while the on, off takeover goes through.

[Topper]

Are they still flying, is it just a company name change ?? If so do they still operate the pax & post flights from Dublin.

[PURPLE PITOT]

It's official, were dead in the water.

The wake is being held in the comed bar on thursday night, all are welcome.

For further details contact Rob Bridge, Ops Mgr on 01253 349072 ext20

I'll be the one dribblingin the corner.

[KYGMSY]

Is this definitely the end for R M ?

I mean he has made more come backs than Frank Bruno.

[dada]

WELL WHAT EXACTLY HAS HAPPENED ?

[HongKongPhooey]

Flugpants, thanks for the false sentiment, but I don't think you know what you are talking about with respect to Mr R M.

Whatever he is perceived to be in business, he has given many people a solid start in aviation, that valuable first step so many fail to give.

So many of his peers and associates have nothing but bad words to say, yet will reap the consequences of their opinions at Blackpool, an airport already subsidised heavily by the tax payers.

This man kept the jobs of 70 or so people, when most would have folded.

I work for Robert, but dont pretend to know him like a friend, yet afford him the respect he is due.

If you dont know him personnaly or work for him, please keep your tittle tattle to your self.

[AquaPlane]

Was the scheduled operation run as a separate entity to the flight school and bar, or has the whole of Comedy not smiling anymore...?

It's a great shame, if there's one thing that could be said of Robert, he worked his ar$e off on that operation and he was the one that had the balls to try it in the first place. Surely some credit is due...?

Aq

[G-SKIP]

It's a shame, gives takes some of the opp from Manx on the Rock,

I never did get my bottle of Whiskey for helping Brett out over Christmas

good luck to all involved

[flugpants]

HongKongPhooey
Not really your business to adjudge my opinion or indeed factual experience of dealing with RM. Sure he may of worked his *rse off......however....the masterminds of the Great Train Robbery also worked their arses off planning and conducting their operation.....some get away with it - some dont.....they are not all nice people - FACT!

[dada]

have heard that 2 influential south african businessmen may be putting some cash in.
anyone know the sp on arhevbin fayed and bybeiev rhibodie ?

[G-SKIP]

Found this in the local paper
__________________
MANX AIRLINES COULD STEP INTO COMED GAP


MANX Airlines is set to capitalise by setting up its own Belfast service if Comed Aviation fails in its bid to draw up a rescue package.
Comed’s flights between Blackpool and Belfast and the Island were grounded on Wednesday, as well as its flights between Blackpool and Dublin, after Blackpool airport impounded its aircraft saying it was owed money.

The airline apparently stopped trading on Tuesday night and its bosses were in crisis talks as the Manx Independent went to press to see if a rescue package could be put together.

Stunned customers were greeted at its check-in desks with notices saying that Comed flights had stopped due to ‘no aircraft being to the airline’.

A company spokesman said she would be in a better position to comment on whether flights would resume by this afternoon (Thursday).

Manx Airlines immediately took action to capitalise on any gap in the market.
‘We do have plans to start the [Belfast] route,’ saidcommercial director Mike Bathgate.

‘We heard the news on Tuesday night and have been looking at ways in which we can provide the right amount of capacity.

‘We will be announcing a plan fairly soon but we have got a lot of re-jigging and re-planning and reallocating of airlplanes to do.’

There are no plans to take up the Blackpool route at present, although the possibility of offering a weekend service may be considered at a later date.

Mr Bathgate added: ‘We believe Belfast definitely needs extra capacity. If Comed don’t start flying, we havegot to fill the gap and we will, it is just a matter of finalising the details.’

It is believed another, unnamed airline is also considering taking over some of the routes.

Comed apparently stopped trading on Tuesday evening and Blackpool airport impounded its three Embraer Banderante E110 aircraft because it was owed a ‘considerable sum of money’, for a variety of things, said an airport spokesman, including fuel and landing fees.

‘It is in Comed’s hands,’ said the spokesman. ‘They will have to present something new to the airport, which would be considered.’

He added: ‘It is very disappointing for the airport because we have supported the airline’s development which we saw as part of the development of the region over a long period and it is particularly galling that the company should experience difficulties which, so far, they have been unable to resolve at a time when demand on their flights is actually very high.

‘There is another airline looking at the routes and they are prepared to take over some of them and that would include the Isle of Man, from Sunday.’

The spokesman would not say which airline had expressed an interest.

Airport director Philip Pain said: ‘I have spoken to Comed at Blackpool and they confirmed they don’t have any airplanes and that situation is not likely to change in the immediate future.’

Comed operated three return flights between the Isle of Man and Blackpool and the Isle of Man and Belfast on week days, with two return flights each day at weekends.

It employs about 70 staff, including a handful who work in the Island, and it is not clear what will happen to them.

As well as scheduled services, Comed also gave flying lessons and operates charter flights.

A Douglas man who did not want to be named said a friend from Blackpool was due to fly back there with Comed on Tuesday afternoon but was told the flight was delayed due to fog.

Passengers were later told they would be flying to Liverpool with Manx Airlines and transport was arranged to take them to Blackpool, but when they arrived in Liverpool there was no transport and they couldn’t get through to Comed.

In the end five passengers shared a taxi fare to Blackpool.

The friend called Comed on Wednesday to get her money back and was initially asked if she was from a newspaper. When she explained she wasn’t she was advised to claim the money back through her credit card.

The notices at check-in desks advised customers to contact their insurance company for a possible refund or to write to Comed.

[Tarmach]

Does anyone know whether Comed's fleet of PA28's are still operating and its flying school- or has that stopped too? All ive heard is of the airline and the bandits- or should that be bandit!

Will the flying school be taken over by some other school?

[Justin Abeaver]

Very sad news.

I hope you all get fixed up soon.

For Instructors, I hear that Hunting are always on the lookout for people at Barkston Heath in Lincolnshire. The pay is in the mid £20Ks I beleive.

[Tarmach]

Heard today on the news that the company has called in the administrators.

[KYGMSY]

I've heard that Platinum are taking over the routes on their J31's.

[Tarmach]

Yes i heard that too. Mr R M is going to fight them all the way- so he should too. They are still his routes at the moment!

[Ron A way]

Ah well, guess I can hang up the bicycle clips now then eh ???

[Aeronaught]

This is a message to all the people who insist on bad mouthing our leader "Murgie".

It is easy to hide behind electronic gadgetory and make derogatory comments about other people, at least he has the stones to back up what he says. Why don't you give it a go and see if you can cut-it!

To all the loyal people of Comed.....
It seems that all the dead wood has burnt, or run off, and we are left with the good stuff. Lets go forward and show all the doubting Thomas's that we can do it!!!!!

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND.......!

p.s. to all the invertabrates, feel free to comment on what i've said "facium et facium if required".You can find me at Comed Aviation,Blackpool Airport.

[Tarmach]

Yes, as a long standing paying customer at Comed I have the up most respect for 'Murgie' and his empire.

I totally agree with Aeronaught, long live Comed and its spirit.

Ad infinitum,

Tarmach!

[dada]

yes, big it up for big rob's the job bob the
blob. respect.

[pilot999]

Platinum Air J31 in IOM today, and Blackpool.

[Bottoms Up!]

Reports say that the company allegedly owes around £400,000.

Because of the Comed Bandits radio fit, the CAA permitted the aircraft
to be flown on commercial services in Daylight VMC only. Nice way to
run a winter's Irish Sea passenger network.

Understand that no money had been handed over re. the purchase of the
ANT maintenance, hangar and flying school operation. So that might
survive if the original owners are able to put it back into use, pending
a new sale. Hope this is true.

[Tarmach]

What Comed bought ANT as well!! I heard rumours that they were going to, but the sale actually went through!!!

So ANT may go as well as Comed, leaving just Westair and blackpool Air centre??

Where can I find this report, Bottoms Up??

Tarmach.

[This message has been edited by Tarmach (edited 26 February 2001).]

[Canadian]

Does anyone have any more info on the state of affairs at Comed? Are they still trying to get a rescue package together, or is it really an end for the Bandits?

[JP5A]

The deal with Comed and ANT fell through.
Keith's wife and family will continue to run the operation as they have done for years.
Lets wish them every success.

[Aeronaught]

In reply to questions asked on Pprune;

Myself and a few other loyal employees are waiting for a the outcome of a meeting, to decide which road to take.COMED is not dead and buried,not by a long way!!!!!!!!!

Thankyou all the people who have wished us luck. :)

[Relaunch]

Does any one out there know where the topic Comed Blackpool has gone?

Last seen here this morning

[Sick Squid]

Relaunch, most likely the thread was deleted by the person who started it; it has not been transferred to Administration for review, which would be the normal course of events if a moderator took action on it, I've checked that one.

Sick Squid
Rumours and News Moderator.

[batemanisbad4u]

Sick Squid, by all accounts it hasn't been removed by the thread starter & the moderator has had nothing to do with it, it seems from your information. All a big mystery!!! bannerman wouldn't have had anything to do with it's removal would he? after all he was mainly getting the justified bad press (which is music to my ears :) :) :)

Come on R.M. get those routes back.

[wassuupp]

Go on (RM) we are all behind ya!!! Lets see those blackpool skys filled with comed aircraft not the other attempts of flying schools that are about backstabbin'....
Comed Flight Training School hereeee weeeee gooooooo. And as for the rest of the others on the airport start pulling your tongues out of (GE) arse as you're breath is starting to stink.. (GE) go back and read ya "books" if ya no what I mean?????

[mav22]

I have heard many people complain that they have lost lots of money when Comed went bust! The question is how much money did you actually lose? I have heard of a couple of people who have lost sums of around £15000. I personally have lost £2000

[Know It All]

So, come on then, who are the losers in all this lot?
The Airport is owed £664,000 but intend to get this back from the owners of the private aircraft that are impounded.
Multiflight at Leeds is owed about £250,000 but intend to sell the Bandit they impounded to recover their money.
Windmill investments Ltd possibly wont get all his money, but he will get some.
The receivers come out quite nicely.
The solicitors do quite nicely.
ANT appear to have had a windfall.
So we are then back to all the individuals with relatively small amounts in tickets and prepayments etc,
EXCEPT the owners of the impounded aircraft who could lose umpteen thousand pounds worth of aircraft and some are also being pursued for debts from the receivers.
So what do Wassuupp and Mav22 have to say to these people - Oh it's Ok I'm sure there are many people who have lost more money etc from Comed going bust than you! Well thanks a bunch to all those that say "Well Done RM"!

[Relaunch]

Mav 22.
I suggest you ring xxxx xxxxxx and speak to the new Comed, I personaly have had a credit to my account from the old Comed.

If Mr M had no loyalties then he could of got up and gone back in feb, after speaking with him today he assures me that the Comed empire will continue and grow, and any Club members who had money not used will be credited to their new account at 50% and charge no membership!.

Well done RM continue, and sod the back stabbing wannabees that will never bees!

[This message has been edited by Sick Squid (edited 24 May 2001).]

[lee1]

Relaunch, I spoke to RM last week, well he rang me. I was not offered any of my 4K back only flying at cost, I will be speaking to him in the next day or two,don't see how you got your money and I was told there was no obigation to give my money back. Are you being serious.

[atprider]

Maybe if the above is true perhaps Mr Murgatroyd ought to publish the above phone number in an Isle of Man newspaper advising those on the Island,who are owed money to contact "new" Comed and claim their refund ?

[atprider]

Sorry, my last is now on a new page, "the above" of course being Relaunch's invitation for creditors to claim their rightful dues. Personally I think that before "new" comed grows any, all who are owed should ring
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
And demand their money back before he does another runner with any new gotten gains.

[This message has been edited by atprider (edited 24 May 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Sick Squid (edited 24 May 2001).]

[lee1]

Got to agree with u there. If 1 person has got their money back all I know is I will be trying my hardest to get my 4k back.

[Sick Squid]

Do not publish telephone numbers as part of what may be construed as an incitement to harrassment please. I do not care what your agenda is on this one, good-guy, bad-guy, whatever, do not use PPRuNe in this manner as it opens the people who run the site to potential legal action.

Think through the further consequences before you post.

Sick Squid
Rumours and News Moderator

[wassuupp]

When some companies fold, its normally the Managing Directors fault, but people need to understand that it is not (RM) fault... At least (RM) is back on his feet building Comed back to what it was, what a guy to offer a 50% credit from old accounts to the new Comed. Trust me hardly any directors in companies would do that they would just sod off and ignore the situation, (RM) aint.. Give the man a break and stand by him and RESPECT him for what he is doing. Just remember rome wasn't built over night nor will the the new comed, everything takes time, but it will happen. Yet again good luck (RM)

[Private Owner]

"batemanisbad4u" fancy picking a user name that is INCORRECT! Surely the individuals you are trying to refer to are called Bateson?
I have known both father and son for 16 years, and have to say that you obviously haven't taken the time to get to know them.
And as for the comments on this board about "SON OF BATE" well I for one have to say that he obviously has far more integrity of character than most! I have flown many hours with this guy and would challenge anyone to match his abilities.
As for the rest of it, well jealousy is a bad trait! This is a forum not an oppertunity for those with a gripe to slag off others, lets try and stay professional about it all!!!

[wassuupp]

Private Owner you say its a forum well done excellent observations.. Just a shame your observation skills dont extend to judge of character .. By the way thats not slagging anybody off ie (bateson)just expressing my opinion which I have every right to do because after all this is a forum aint' it..

[This message has been edited by wassuupp (edited 25 May 2001).]

[batemanisbad4u]

Private owner! you are quite entitled to let us know your opinion re peoples characters etc but to try & defend someone who has been shafting people & laughing behind their back for far to long now, more then your 16 years in fact speaks volumes about your assessment skills, you obviously don't sit on B.A's interview panel.If you bothered to read all of the thread you would see that your views are held in a minority (very nearly of one), the same statement goes for the name (read back), obviously you are new on here (or changed from????)so on this occasion I shall overlook your discretion, however I can't guarantee that i shall be so generous next time http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/frown.gif

[Oily-Bird]

Just hang-on a minute here - I would like to associate myself with private owners comments, therefore not a minority of 1!!

As I said in another thread, I can't believe the amount of jealousy and envy aimed at a succesful businessman that seems to be coming out from a few obviously VERY closely connected with RM.

[Private Owner]

Well how great must it be to be as correct about everything as "batemanisbad4u!". As the MD of a Plc, upto speed on MBO's, markets etc, it is my humble opinion having examinined the facts and figures, that you endeavour to support a man who is about to wander off into the sunset with every sheckle he has managed to aquire! And guess what B4U? Some of it is yours!!!
So maybe it would be in your best interest to stick to what you know best until we "MEAT" again!? Then again in light of the state of the current situation in you prefered field you may go and put you "FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH" again!!!!!!
Blue Skies, Kiss Kiss.

[batemanisbad4u]

Well private owner (name says it all hey!!!) you couldn't be further from the truth, yes some pennies were due from the old Comed,like I had already stated, but the pre-paid orders I have had this week & spin off from the break up has more then made up for my small losses, long may it continue I say.What's does it feel like to be ripped off by Bannernman for at least 16 years & even after that time & being told by one & all you still let him have your pants down.....maybe "private owner" you like it that way :)

"some fell on stoney ground"

[Relaunch]

Congratulations robert, well done
for thoes who are unaware, Mr M took possesion yesterday of the former Comed offices,The Flying school is open for business as will the famous Bar today, a small maintenance company, and soon an AOC with single engine, PA23, & PA31.
Bannerman I know you are as jeleaous as ever and I can only suggest you swallow in your own self pity!
Give the lad some credit for staying power and leave him alone, your moment of glory is short lived, watch them grow,
Comed is back and ready for business.

[Willy Jazz the cans 2]

Bannerman, your moment of glory may well be short lived, but stick around, I'm sure there'll be plenty more, I just hope that he doesn't take as many people down with him next time.
Staying power is one thing, but flogging a dead horse is quite another!
I wonder how long the AOC will take, I'm sure the Authority can't wait to see them back in action. Third time lucky eh? :rolleyes:



------------------
I'm on my way!