One-Two-Go Grounded!
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One-Two-Go Grounded!
The DCA has finally revoked One-Two-Go's AOC due to public pressure over the fraudulent check rides and complete lack of credible training records.
Posted on the 12go website is the following message: * Due to an overhaul on our systems, passengers will be able to book for flights until 14 July 2008, One Two Go Airlines would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. Not clear English, but it still says it all. They are shut down.
See proof of fraudulent check rides and OG269's black box recording on the InvestigateUdom petition site timeline. (The checkride fraud is dated June 4, 2008. The blackbox info is June 12, 2008.)
Additional signatures on the petition for an open and transparent investigation into the crash of OG269 are always appreciated.
Posted on the 12go website is the following message: * Due to an overhaul on our systems, passengers will be able to book for flights until 14 July 2008, One Two Go Airlines would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. Not clear English, but it still says it all. They are shut down.
See proof of fraudulent check rides and OG269's black box recording on the InvestigateUdom petition site timeline. (The checkride fraud is dated June 4, 2008. The blackbox info is June 12, 2008.)
Additional signatures on the petition for an open and transparent investigation into the crash of OG269 are always appreciated.
Last edited by InvestigateUdom; 13th Jul 2008 at 21:36.
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Investigateudom
The message currently says
Has that been changed since you first saw the message?
* Due to an overhaul on our systems, passengers will be able to book for flights until 31 July 2008, One Two Go Airlines would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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The message was changed from 14th to 31st. Either they paid some money to the DCA or the order to revoke the AOC is still pending. Don't forget here in BKK such issues can be delayed for months if one has the right connections.
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Don't forget, the FAA is returning to Thailand soon to wrap up the IASA audit.
I wonder if revoking the AOC for fraudulent checkrides and failure to train and then postponing the revocation until convenient for the airline will help Thailand retain their category 1 rating in the US?
I wonder if revoking the AOC for fraudulent checkrides and failure to train and then postponing the revocation until convenient for the airline will help Thailand retain their category 1 rating in the US?
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There is absolultely no mention of any " grounding" in any news source...
My interpretation of the message would be that they are upgrading their online booking system.
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The slippery eel will do a deal. Brown paper bags go along way. Hopefully there pressure on TG will not allow this to happen as the audit from the FAA is just to much to gloss over with abit of tea money.
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Pressure on Udom-join it. Start emailing campaign to the DCA
As I know:
Udom has disappeared to China along with his daughter and family in order to avoid FAA and media: source OG cabin crew.
Flight attendents are also over their duty time. In addition F/A of OG can no longer fly on OX flights after FAA investigation. Many will lose their jobs.
If Thailand's status is downgraded TG will no longer be able to fly US.
A large amount of money has been paid to DCA to allow OG to remain flying despite the revocation order. Authorities are scared of the neg publicity and damage to an already fragile tourist industry should the airline be grounded (which incidently also carries the national colours).
As another post states Udom has been throught this before and is a very capable "greaser". The only hope is the attention of foreign media will now be his downfall. Have a look at the recent interview with him on the Austalian channel 9 sunday program where he is shown smoking in the office defending his airline at the same time. The program succeeds in making him look like the real creep that he is.
I think we should start emailing the DCA....
Udom has disappeared to China along with his daughter and family in order to avoid FAA and media: source OG cabin crew.
Flight attendents are also over their duty time. In addition F/A of OG can no longer fly on OX flights after FAA investigation. Many will lose their jobs.
If Thailand's status is downgraded TG will no longer be able to fly US.
A large amount of money has been paid to DCA to allow OG to remain flying despite the revocation order. Authorities are scared of the neg publicity and damage to an already fragile tourist industry should the airline be grounded (which incidently also carries the national colours).
As another post states Udom has been throught this before and is a very capable "greaser". The only hope is the attention of foreign media will now be his downfall. Have a look at the recent interview with him on the Austalian channel 9 sunday program where he is shown smoking in the office defending his airline at the same time. The program succeeds in making him look like the real creep that he is.
I think we should start emailing the DCA....
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bkkfly
As far as I remember if FAA downgrading the country from Cat 1 to Cat 2, it means that existing services can be maintained but no extra routes/frequencies until the problem resolved.
If Thailand's status is downgraded TG will no longer be able to fly US.
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Optimist?
Pom Pax, either you are one of them or a real optimist. No system upgrade takes 4 to 5 days. What they do is basically let the passengers believe that they still can fly until the date mentioned. The date gets updated based on the information OX receives from DCA. Initially it was the 14th, then it moved to 31st, now it says 21st. If DCA decides to postpone the release of the findings, you will see the message being updated.
Do you really think they would post a message saying: "as we are under investigation by the DCA and the chances are high that our AOC is going to be revoked soon, you can only make bookings until 21st July".
Do you really think they would post a message saying: "as we are under investigation by the DCA and the chances are high that our AOC is going to be revoked soon, you can only make bookings until 21st July".
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Udom has disappeared to China along with his daughter and family in order to avoid FAA and media: source OG cabin crew.
I suspect that 1-2-go will have it's AOC suspended for a short period, the furor dies down, then business as usual, once again.
Thai culture, like a leopards spots, do not change.
Time will tell if I'm right.
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We must stop Udom
Well yes I agree that's how things have happened in the past, in ThaiLieLand but you have a quite a determined group of people working on this and we aren't going to let that happen - are we???
It's easy to say "Oh, no one can change anything.." but that really isn't true.
More often than not, one woman can change everything- look at Candy Lightner in the US , she changed the entire aspects of driving drunk in America after losing her child to a drunk driver- she founded MADD
I think Bonnie Rind will do the same for Air safety and we must all help her .
Any idea when NTSB coming I'd love to talk directly to them??
I will compile a e mail list too ..
It's easy to say "Oh, no one can change anything.." but that really isn't true.
More often than not, one woman can change everything- look at Candy Lightner in the US , she changed the entire aspects of driving drunk in America after losing her child to a drunk driver- she founded MADD
I think Bonnie Rind will do the same for Air safety and we must all help her .
Any idea when NTSB coming I'd love to talk directly to them??
I will compile a e mail list too ..
N4790P
Bangkok Post 16 July 2008
Someone's telling porkies!!!
AVIATION
One-Two-Go ponders temporary grounding
Founder approaches 'a painful decision'
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
The founder of One-Two-Go Airlines is taking a long, hard look at the possibility of ceasing the budget carrier's flight operations in a damage-control exercise at a time of skyrocketing fuel prices and declining traffic demand.
Udom Tantiprasongchai told the Bangkok Post that he was seriously pondering whether to ground One-Two-Go "temporarily" on mounting cost pressures and poor business outlook.
"I'm not lying to myself about the reality of the situation. A painful decision needs to be made," he said.
One-Two-Go is one of the three Thai no-frills carriers, all of which are struggling with fuel prices that have doubled in the past year to above $170 a barrel.
Nok Airlines, 39% owned by Thai Airways International, is also facing troubles, since last July losing 114 million baht. Nok recently won a reprieve from shareholders to continue to fly after the management committed to a rehabilitation package including downsizing of operations, halving the fleet, and cutting salaries of senior staff.
With the package, Nok hopes to return to a break-even point over the next six months and turn a profit in the following six months.
Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia is fighting to curtail losses this year, adopting some methods that are unconventional for low-cost carriers, to boost revenues and keep seats filled even it means they do not offer any profit margin.
The no-frills carrier could be in the red again this year but hoped the losses would be less than in 2007, chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld has said.
Mr Udom's plan to suspend One-Two-Go was also influenced by a sense of betrayal from his two local rivals, which earlier agreed to adopt a survival package a few weeks ago but failed to follow through.
It was agreed that the trio would avoid price-cutting while increasing fuel surcharges, raising fares, reducing capacity and dropping low-traffic routes.
Mr Udom said domestic fares needed to go up by 30% from current levels to about 2,500 baht per leg.
The average domestic fares charged by Thai Airways International is roughly 2,200 baht, compared with 2,000 baht for One-Two-Go, and 1,500 baht for Thai AirAsia and Nok Air.
Fuel surcharges would need to increase to better reflect high fuel prices. Starting on July 5, One-Two-Go raised its fuel surcharge by 100 baht to 850 baht a leg. Fuel now accounts for 70% of its total operating costs, according to Mr Udom.
The higher percentage of fuel is due to its use of eight ageing and fuel-thirsty MD 80 series jets.
"In this kind of environment, anyone can go (bust) anytime," he said.
As a prelude to to a more drastic decision, One-Two-Go has cut frequencies on several routes, with the number of Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Bangkok-Phuket flights down to 21 a week from 28, Bangkok-Hat Yai halved to seven a week, while those to Chiang Rai and Nakhon Si Thammarat are down from seven to two flights per week.
Mr Udom said he was considering the futures of 700 employees working for One-Two-Go in case of a shutdown, though he did not rule out retrenchment possibilities.
Options for the employees could include accepting severance pay, leave-without-pay arrangements, and enrolling in some training courses.
The closure of One-Two-Go, which started flying in December 2003, may not be for good, he said. "If the situation improved with fuel prices being lowered and the profitability outlook was better, we could be airborne again."
Mr Udom declined to detail the financial impact that the airline industry downturn had had on One-Two-Go, saying only, "We are financially sustainable."
But he insisted that the parent carrier, Orient Thai Airlines, would continue to operate, flying chartered services and scheduled flights to Hong Kong and Incheon near Seoul.
Earlier this year, Orient Thai branched out into freight service by creating the country's first dedicated cargo carrier, Orient Thai Cargo, deploying two used Boeing 747-200Fs, acquired from Japan Airlines.
Someone's telling porkies!!!
AVIATION
One-Two-Go ponders temporary grounding
Founder approaches 'a painful decision'
BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA
The founder of One-Two-Go Airlines is taking a long, hard look at the possibility of ceasing the budget carrier's flight operations in a damage-control exercise at a time of skyrocketing fuel prices and declining traffic demand.
Udom Tantiprasongchai told the Bangkok Post that he was seriously pondering whether to ground One-Two-Go "temporarily" on mounting cost pressures and poor business outlook.
"I'm not lying to myself about the reality of the situation. A painful decision needs to be made," he said.
One-Two-Go is one of the three Thai no-frills carriers, all of which are struggling with fuel prices that have doubled in the past year to above $170 a barrel.
Nok Airlines, 39% owned by Thai Airways International, is also facing troubles, since last July losing 114 million baht. Nok recently won a reprieve from shareholders to continue to fly after the management committed to a rehabilitation package including downsizing of operations, halving the fleet, and cutting salaries of senior staff.
With the package, Nok hopes to return to a break-even point over the next six months and turn a profit in the following six months.
Meanwhile, Thai AirAsia is fighting to curtail losses this year, adopting some methods that are unconventional for low-cost carriers, to boost revenues and keep seats filled even it means they do not offer any profit margin.
The no-frills carrier could be in the red again this year but hoped the losses would be less than in 2007, chief executive Tassapon Bijleveld has said.
Mr Udom's plan to suspend One-Two-Go was also influenced by a sense of betrayal from his two local rivals, which earlier agreed to adopt a survival package a few weeks ago but failed to follow through.
It was agreed that the trio would avoid price-cutting while increasing fuel surcharges, raising fares, reducing capacity and dropping low-traffic routes.
Mr Udom said domestic fares needed to go up by 30% from current levels to about 2,500 baht per leg.
The average domestic fares charged by Thai Airways International is roughly 2,200 baht, compared with 2,000 baht for One-Two-Go, and 1,500 baht for Thai AirAsia and Nok Air.
Fuel surcharges would need to increase to better reflect high fuel prices. Starting on July 5, One-Two-Go raised its fuel surcharge by 100 baht to 850 baht a leg. Fuel now accounts for 70% of its total operating costs, according to Mr Udom.
The higher percentage of fuel is due to its use of eight ageing and fuel-thirsty MD 80 series jets.
"In this kind of environment, anyone can go (bust) anytime," he said.
As a prelude to to a more drastic decision, One-Two-Go has cut frequencies on several routes, with the number of Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Bangkok-Phuket flights down to 21 a week from 28, Bangkok-Hat Yai halved to seven a week, while those to Chiang Rai and Nakhon Si Thammarat are down from seven to two flights per week.
Mr Udom said he was considering the futures of 700 employees working for One-Two-Go in case of a shutdown, though he did not rule out retrenchment possibilities.
Options for the employees could include accepting severance pay, leave-without-pay arrangements, and enrolling in some training courses.
The closure of One-Two-Go, which started flying in December 2003, may not be for good, he said. "If the situation improved with fuel prices being lowered and the profitability outlook was better, we could be airborne again."
Mr Udom declined to detail the financial impact that the airline industry downturn had had on One-Two-Go, saying only, "We are financially sustainable."
But he insisted that the parent carrier, Orient Thai Airlines, would continue to operate, flying chartered services and scheduled flights to Hong Kong and Incheon near Seoul.
Earlier this year, Orient Thai branched out into freight service by creating the country's first dedicated cargo carrier, Orient Thai Cargo, deploying two used Boeing 747-200Fs, acquired from Japan Airlines.
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Update
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']The crew centre informed us Udom has gone to China along with his daughters. Interestingly, several pursers and senior attendants were sent on an all expenses paid trip to Singapore. This was to avoid FAA investigators as initial investigations have revealed that OG crew were often rostered to fly OX and vice-versa. Most OG cabin crew are not certified to fly 747 and OX are not certified to fly MD's (or trained on safety equipment). (I the Phuket crash the surviving female attendant was OX not OG!!!) this has never come out.
For the record it's not true that OG has lost its AOC. It is still under consideration by the DCA. I have spoken with Khun Chaisuk at the flight standards bureau at the DCA who told me that it is under consideration and the decision will be released on Monday. However Thai DCA is totally corrupt and I have no doubt with money paid to the right people OG will continue to fly (should Udom want it to).[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']On the day of the Phuket crash, pilot Arief had already completed 5 or more sectors. He had commenced at 5:00am. He was also fasting as it was the month of Ramadan and had not eaten anything since before dawn. Obviously this too was a contributing factor that I don't believe has yet been investigated.
My friend who was cabin crew on the flight and survived told me that she was paid not to tell the DCA how many sectors she had completed that day as it was over the regulated limit. She too had commenced at 5:00am and completed 5 sectors and at the time of the crash she was asleep in the bulk head crew seat. She is now working in the crew centre as her injuries prevent her from ever flying again and Udom wants to keep her “contained”.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Further update: Several of OG’s MD’s have been parked away in HK.Is this to avoid examination? Crew on OX charter flight from HK to Phuket today called to say they had seen them parked along with the defunct HK airlines aircraft.[/FONT]
I hate to say this, but there is no way UDOM or OG/OX is going down. Udom has too many connections in Thailand and unfortunately Thailand is still too corrupt. Thai people working for the airline are too scared to speak out (piss the big guys off and you can just disappear here). Those who do speak out are the “farang” pilots who have already left back to the safety of their own countries and they are just branded as complainers. Face it, the reality is that OG/OX will fly until the next crash which only then will be Udom’s demise.
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']The crew centre informed us Udom has gone to China along with his daughters. Interestingly, several pursers and senior attendants were sent on an all expenses paid trip to Singapore. This was to avoid FAA investigators as initial investigations have revealed that OG crew were often rostered to fly OX and vice-versa. Most OG cabin crew are not certified to fly 747 and OX are not certified to fly MD's (or trained on safety equipment). (I the Phuket crash the surviving female attendant was OX not OG!!!) this has never come out.
For the record it's not true that OG has lost its AOC. It is still under consideration by the DCA. I have spoken with Khun Chaisuk at the flight standards bureau at the DCA who told me that it is under consideration and the decision will be released on Monday. However Thai DCA is totally corrupt and I have no doubt with money paid to the right people OG will continue to fly (should Udom want it to).[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']On the day of the Phuket crash, pilot Arief had already completed 5 or more sectors. He had commenced at 5:00am. He was also fasting as it was the month of Ramadan and had not eaten anything since before dawn. Obviously this too was a contributing factor that I don't believe has yet been investigated.
My friend who was cabin crew on the flight and survived told me that she was paid not to tell the DCA how many sectors she had completed that day as it was over the regulated limit. She too had commenced at 5:00am and completed 5 sectors and at the time of the crash she was asleep in the bulk head crew seat. She is now working in the crew centre as her injuries prevent her from ever flying again and Udom wants to keep her “contained”.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Further update: Several of OG’s MD’s have been parked away in HK.Is this to avoid examination? Crew on OX charter flight from HK to Phuket today called to say they had seen them parked along with the defunct HK airlines aircraft.[/FONT]
I hate to say this, but there is no way UDOM or OG/OX is going down. Udom has too many connections in Thailand and unfortunately Thailand is still too corrupt. Thai people working for the airline are too scared to speak out (piss the big guys off and you can just disappear here). Those who do speak out are the “farang” pilots who have already left back to the safety of their own countries and they are just branded as complainers. Face it, the reality is that OG/OX will fly until the next crash which only then will be Udom’s demise.
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bkkfly
I have to take issue with you on one point.
In Islam under special circumstances if one's work might be affected, the Ramadan fast can be broken. You may make up the time by continuing the fast later.
When I lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, our drivers, those commuting between Al Khobar and Kuwait, were allowed water and food during their journey as long as the fast was 'made up' later.
No-one can be sure that this was a contributing factor in the Phuket crash.
I have to take issue with you on one point.
In Islam under special circumstances if one's work might be affected, the Ramadan fast can be broken. You may make up the time by continuing the fast later.
When I lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, our drivers, those commuting between Al Khobar and Kuwait, were allowed water and food during their journey as long as the fast was 'made up' later.
No-one can be sure that this was a contributing factor in the Phuket crash.
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Xeque I take your point. You are right that no one can be sure fasting was a contributing factor but it also cannot be ruled out. Was Cpt. Arief fasting or not? I guess we will never know. What is known is that on the day he had already exceeded his hours.
On another note, isn't Udom so clever? now claiming the airline will be closed down but due to financial considerations. So far avoiding any mention of the AOC in the local press. Got to give it to the guy
On another note, isn't Udom so clever? now claiming the airline will be closed down but due to financial considerations. So far avoiding any mention of the AOC in the local press. Got to give it to the guy
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Xeque I take your point. You are right that no one can be sure fasting was a contributing factor but it also cannot be ruled out. Was Cpt. Arief fasting or not? I guess we will never know. What is known is that on the day he had already exceeded his hours.
On another note, isn't Udom so clever? now claiming the airline will be closed down but due to financial considerations. So far avoiding any mention of the AOC in the local press. Got to give it to the guy
On another note, isn't Udom so clever? now claiming the airline will be closed down but due to financial considerations. So far avoiding any mention of the AOC in the local press. Got to give it to the guy