SAA - Ex Managers
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Johan was not always the best liked SAA employee. Lots of crew disliked him intensely, but he did his job. He can only do better wherever he's going. SAA is pretty much doomed at this time.
The only thing at SAA that still functions superbly, is the cockpit staff, their training and their involvement with ALPA etc. For the rest, SAA is pretty much blown.
It is now patently clear that since 1996, SAA only went one way, in a death spiral. Why? Because of politics and the appointments of idiots. "Conman" Andrews and his big gabba "Saki" was the start of the demise. Its a shame, because now the tax payer is expected to foot the bill in the proposed "re-structuring" of the Company. Beaurocratic inefficiencies, affirmative action and "bandwagon managers", are the cause of SAA being in the position that it finds itself in now.
Unless our Government appoints really smart people that know aviation, its only gonna get worse. Exciled politicians know sweet f
all about aviation. Its a fact and another prooof of that is the demise of the SACAA under the boardship of previously exciled political "freedomfighters". Its a shame, a real shame. 
The only thing at SAA that still functions superbly, is the cockpit staff, their training and their involvement with ALPA etc. For the rest, SAA is pretty much blown.
It is now patently clear that since 1996, SAA only went one way, in a death spiral. Why? Because of politics and the appointments of idiots. "Conman" Andrews and his big gabba "Saki" was the start of the demise. Its a shame, because now the tax payer is expected to foot the bill in the proposed "re-structuring" of the Company. Beaurocratic inefficiencies, affirmative action and "bandwagon managers", are the cause of SAA being in the position that it finds itself in now.
Unless our Government appoints really smart people that know aviation, its only gonna get worse. Exciled politicians know sweet f
all about aviation. Its a fact and another prooof of that is the demise of the SACAA under the boardship of previously exciled political "freedomfighters". Its a shame, a real shame.
Last edited by clipboard; 21st Sep 2004 at 15:10.
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** clipboard **
Very nicely put. I couldn't agree with you more.
** The Claw **
Having gone back and read a load of your postings: a look in the mirror might reveal the one that has a lot to learn...?
Very nicely put. I couldn't agree with you more.
** The Claw **
Having gone back and read a load of your postings: a look in the mirror might reveal the one that has a lot to learn...?
DEOne
At least I have previous postings mate, the proof is in the pudding!
If you read my previous posts you would see that I predicted this outcome, and yes it has happend. Must be Colemans fault I suppose, or maybe Apartheid........
At least I have previous postings mate, the proof is in the pudding!
If you read my previous posts you would see that I predicted this outcome, and yes it has happend. Must be Colemans fault I suppose, or maybe Apartheid........
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The Claw..... I'm not sure I understand your posting. What do you mean that "Coleman is over rated"? Do you mean that SAA over rated him as a boss, or perhaps the SAA personnel did. Not sure what you actually mean......
As far as my personal opinion goes, Coleman Andrews screwed SAA into the ground. No one else but him. He started all the nonsense, blinded Saki with "Bull t baffles brains", and TOTALLY misled the Board. Remember, Saki knew absolute ZIP about running an airline. Then they appoint "Conman" Andrews, and SAA's worst nightmare begins.
André Viljoen tried to pick up the pieces after Coleman left, and he tried his best, but succeeded only partially. The damage done by Coleman was irrepairable. What made it worse, was the Governments choice to instill management that had no frigging clue how to run an airline, had NO knowledge of aviation, and on top they pulled gi-normous pay packages. With that came the designer clothes/shoes, the first class travel for the boys with their chicks (Sometimes wives) company credit cards and attendance to each and every convention, anywhere in the world, (does'nt matter) as long as the boys could be outside of SA. There was a standing joke at the company that some of these "high flying executives" tried to compete with Mbeki's absence from the country.
So one must ask oneself; "Is this sort of thing conducive to achieving success in a company?" You know the answer already!
As far as my personal opinion goes, Coleman Andrews screwed SAA into the ground. No one else but him. He started all the nonsense, blinded Saki with "Bull
t baffles brains", and TOTALLY misled the Board. Remember, Saki knew absolute ZIP about running an airline. Then they appoint "Conman" Andrews, and SAA's worst nightmare begins.André Viljoen tried to pick up the pieces after Coleman left, and he tried his best, but succeeded only partially. The damage done by Coleman was irrepairable. What made it worse, was the Governments choice to instill management that had no frigging clue how to run an airline, had NO knowledge of aviation, and on top they pulled gi-normous pay packages. With that came the designer clothes/shoes, the first class travel for the boys with their chicks (Sometimes wives) company credit cards and attendance to each and every convention, anywhere in the world, (does'nt matter) as long as the boys could be outside of SA. There was a standing joke at the company that some of these "high flying executives" tried to compete with Mbeki's absence from the country.
So one must ask oneself; "Is this sort of thing conducive to achieving success in a company?" You know the answer already!
clipboard
I respect your opinion, but really don't buy that any company would be so foolish as to allow a total outsider free reign. Especially someone with a dodgy past. If SAA was so stupid, then that only goes to prove that the rot had set in earlier. As for replacing him with a couple of dodgy "bean counters", how was this going to help? They certainly proved themselves at SAX, if SAA(read taxpayer) hadn't bailed them out, where would they be now? To say nothing about various other deals, such as catering etc. In my opinion they are no better than Coleman. Viljoen didn't succeed at all, and in time SAA(read taxpayer) will pay the price. Viljoen and JvJ, were very much part of the "boys and their toys", sitting there building their own little Empire.
The trouble is that SAA is rotten to the core, with many faceless people in the background pulling strings. The only thing that can save SAA is having accountability, and this will only be done when SAA is run as a private enterprise.
I also disagree about the pilots being the only department running superbly. Other departments are doing a fine job with what little they have. The fact that the pilots have aircraft to fly, say's loads. The best thing ever to come out of SAA is F.O.A.M ! ( SA's loss, the worlds gain, true pro's)
Clipboard, basically I agree with you! But be real, do you really think one man can cause what years of sanctions could not achieve? If this was so easy, then I'm sure that Branson will try to get him a job at BA
I respect your opinion, but really don't buy that any company would be so foolish as to allow a total outsider free reign. Especially someone with a dodgy past. If SAA was so stupid, then that only goes to prove that the rot had set in earlier. As for replacing him with a couple of dodgy "bean counters", how was this going to help? They certainly proved themselves at SAX, if SAA(read taxpayer) hadn't bailed them out, where would they be now? To say nothing about various other deals, such as catering etc. In my opinion they are no better than Coleman. Viljoen didn't succeed at all, and in time SAA(read taxpayer) will pay the price. Viljoen and JvJ, were very much part of the "boys and their toys", sitting there building their own little Empire.
The trouble is that SAA is rotten to the core, with many faceless people in the background pulling strings. The only thing that can save SAA is having accountability, and this will only be done when SAA is run as a private enterprise.
I also disagree about the pilots being the only department running superbly. Other departments are doing a fine job with what little they have. The fact that the pilots have aircraft to fly, say's loads. The best thing ever to come out of SAA is F.O.A.M ! ( SA's loss, the worlds gain, true pro's)
Clipboard, basically I agree with you! But be real, do you really think one man can cause what years of sanctions could not achieve? If this was so easy, then I'm sure that Branson will try to get him a job at BA
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Well Said Clipboard!
Agree with you 100%. SAA is now reaping the fruits of years of mis-mangement by a bunch of Clowns.
I have never met JvJ so cannot comment on his role.
I also believe that the SA government has a lot to answer for. They are the ones forcing unworkable ideas and people on SAA.
"Cry the beloved Company"
Agree with you 100%. SAA is now reaping the fruits of years of mis-mangement by a bunch of Clowns.
I have never met JvJ so cannot comment on his role.
I also believe that the SA government has a lot to answer for. They are the ones forcing unworkable ideas and people on SAA.
"Cry the beloved Company"
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S.O.S.
This thread just about explains why I am not where I used to be a couple of months back (and it was not SAA for those of you that don't know me). I could then...; and even now, see a flying paw-paw and I can see a fan...watch this space...but on the other hand, maybe...it's not a paw-paw...that's why I left...wherever I was then. 
As for JvJ, no comment, maybe he still remembers me...maybe not...anyway, good luck to Air Mauritius...if the rumour is true.:
Klippes en Kloues, your opinions may vary slightly, but I think you have this one nailed. So have the other guys that's posted here, Sortie III et al.
Did I see wrong or are the number of posts not displayed anymore? Suppose I'm still in the dogbox with the mods...
As for JvJ, no comment, maybe he still remembers me...maybe not...anyway, good luck to Air Mauritius...if the rumour is true.
:Klippes en Kloues, your opinions may vary slightly, but I think you have this one nailed. So have the other guys that's posted here, Sortie III et al.
Did I see wrong or are the number of posts not displayed anymore? Suppose I'm still in the dogbox with the mods...
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And now...?
What about AV not pitching at the "Commission" today to answer questions about unfair incentives (payments) to travel agents etc as lodged by Nationwaide against SAA?
AV broken down in Moz somewhere from MPM is what 702 said. Would SAA not like to use that one?! They never produce what you'd expect anyway...not from my experience ...
What about the Comair (BA) case against SAA for the same thing?
Travel agents ... incentives ... commission ... MP's ... Parlement ... Boeings ... Airbusses ... common thread (apologies for the pun) ... must be smoking my wine corks again ... must be because of just having thought about the SA CAA...
So much for the Scorpions apparently arresting some MP's today re the travel scam...
Now the Prezjet makes sense...you don't need SAA tickets for that and neither does the family...or friends, or... just saying...
AV broken down in Moz somewhere from MPM is what 702 said. Would SAA not like to use that one?! They never produce what you'd expect anyway...not from my experience ...
What about the Comair (BA) case against SAA for the same thing?
Travel agents ... incentives ... commission ... MP's ... Parlement ... Boeings ... Airbusses ... common thread (apologies for the pun) ... must be smoking my wine corks again ... must be because of just having thought about the SA CAA...
So much for the Scorpions apparently arresting some MP's today re the travel scam...
Now the Prezjet makes sense...you don't need SAA tickets for that and neither does the family...or friends, or... just saying...
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Now..now...now...?
Does this
thread have anyhting to do with this SAA - Ex Managers thread or vise versa? As usual..just askin'. J+v+J = GO???
Def: "GO" - get out now!
As usual...just askin'...again???. Flack jacket on...go!!!...(read the following in Afrikaans (check correct spelling for Afrikaans!)...gate toe troep!!!! 
By the way, I believe Coco Rico comes from Cape Town ...tropical what??? Not for long china...isn't part of china an island as well...no...mainland...island: confused:...that's the other china...not tropical...gazebo...no that's an afdak
...back to me corks.
Air Mauritius - not the ideal paradise!
J+v+J = GO???Def: "GO" - get out now!
As usual...just askin'...again???.
Flack jacket on...go!!!...(read the following in Afrikaans (check correct spelling for Afrikaans!)...gate toe troep!!!! By the way, I believe Coco Rico comes from Cape Town
...tropical what??? Not for long china...isn't part of china an island as well...no...mainland...island: confused:...that's the other china...not tropical...gazebo...no that's an afdak ...back to me corks.
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NATIONAL
Govt probes SAA bonuses
Wisani wa ka Ngobeni | Johannesburg
26 November 2004 10:26
advertisementThe government has launched an investigation into exorbitant incentive bonuses awarded to senior executives at the ailing South African Airways (SAA).
The probe was prompted by a complaint by the SAA Pilot Association (Saapa). The union, which represents about 700 SAA pilots, this week confirmed that it had requested the probe, but declined to divulge further details.
Saapa spokesperson Cathy Bill said the investigation was “private” and that the organisation’s legal adviser had advised her not to discuss details of the probe.
A senior pilot at SAA reportedly earns R600 000 a year. In 2002 Parliament noted that “there has been a very high rate of pilot drain by other air industries from elsewhere which offer them lucrative packages”.
According to SAA insiders, Saapa forwarded its complaint to Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin a few weeks ago. Erwin’s spokesperson, Gaynor Kast, said the minister was not aware of the probe or the complaint by Saapa. However, a senior official at SAA, who chose to remain anonymous, said he was aware of Saapa’s complaint to the Department of Public Enterprises.
A senior manager at SAA said the pilots are also concerned about the incentive scheme, which they do not benefit from, and SAA’s failure to give them departure packages similar to those awarded to senior executives when they leave the airline.
“My understanding is that Saapa wrote a letter to the minister requesting him to investigate SAA’s incentive scheme. My information is that the minister obliged,” he said.
One SAA insider told the Mail & Guardian: “Saapa has raised concerns about the inconsistencies as far as remuneration is concerned.”
He added: “The organisation is worried that people are being given huge incentive bonuses despite the company’s poor financial performance. The other problem is that ordinary staff members do not get the incentive bonuses.”
SAA and its parent parastatal, Transnet, have been struggling financially in the past few years. In August, the government replaced the boards of both SAA and Transnet following poor financial performance, driven largely by mounting losses from SAA’s hedging programme, devised for exchange rate movements.
Former SAA chief executive André Viljoen’s departure is widely believed to be linked to SAA’s hedging losses, which totalled R6-billion last year. The government was forced to intervene last year and to provide R7-billion in credit guarantees to cover the losses. In April Transnet was forced to recapitalise the struggling airline to the tune of R6,1-billion to help mitigate the losses related to the dollar-denominated hedge book.
During his tenure, Viljoen spearheaded a major management shake-up, which led to a reduction of the airline’s top structure.
Before the restructuring, the airline had 13 executive vice-presidents plus seven other senior managers reporting directly to the chief executive. The airline’s new leadership structure consists of six executive vice-presidents, who report directly to the chief executive. Some in the current SAA executive management and in the former board have taken significant flak for the losses.
It not clear how much was spent on the executives’ performance bonuses.
However, Viljoen, who earned R2,1-million a year, was given a performance bonus of more than R1-million as well as a R3,6-million golden handshake when he departed his office.
C&P from the Mail and Guardian.
Govt probes SAA bonuses
Wisani wa ka Ngobeni | Johannesburg
26 November 2004 10:26
advertisementThe government has launched an investigation into exorbitant incentive bonuses awarded to senior executives at the ailing South African Airways (SAA).
The probe was prompted by a complaint by the SAA Pilot Association (Saapa). The union, which represents about 700 SAA pilots, this week confirmed that it had requested the probe, but declined to divulge further details.
Saapa spokesperson Cathy Bill said the investigation was “private” and that the organisation’s legal adviser had advised her not to discuss details of the probe.
A senior pilot at SAA reportedly earns R600 000 a year. In 2002 Parliament noted that “there has been a very high rate of pilot drain by other air industries from elsewhere which offer them lucrative packages”.
According to SAA insiders, Saapa forwarded its complaint to Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin a few weeks ago. Erwin’s spokesperson, Gaynor Kast, said the minister was not aware of the probe or the complaint by Saapa. However, a senior official at SAA, who chose to remain anonymous, said he was aware of Saapa’s complaint to the Department of Public Enterprises.
A senior manager at SAA said the pilots are also concerned about the incentive scheme, which they do not benefit from, and SAA’s failure to give them departure packages similar to those awarded to senior executives when they leave the airline.
“My understanding is that Saapa wrote a letter to the minister requesting him to investigate SAA’s incentive scheme. My information is that the minister obliged,” he said.
One SAA insider told the Mail & Guardian: “Saapa has raised concerns about the inconsistencies as far as remuneration is concerned.”
He added: “The organisation is worried that people are being given huge incentive bonuses despite the company’s poor financial performance. The other problem is that ordinary staff members do not get the incentive bonuses.”
SAA and its parent parastatal, Transnet, have been struggling financially in the past few years. In August, the government replaced the boards of both SAA and Transnet following poor financial performance, driven largely by mounting losses from SAA’s hedging programme, devised for exchange rate movements.
Former SAA chief executive André Viljoen’s departure is widely believed to be linked to SAA’s hedging losses, which totalled R6-billion last year. The government was forced to intervene last year and to provide R7-billion in credit guarantees to cover the losses. In April Transnet was forced to recapitalise the struggling airline to the tune of R6,1-billion to help mitigate the losses related to the dollar-denominated hedge book.
During his tenure, Viljoen spearheaded a major management shake-up, which led to a reduction of the airline’s top structure.
Before the restructuring, the airline had 13 executive vice-presidents plus seven other senior managers reporting directly to the chief executive. The airline’s new leadership structure consists of six executive vice-presidents, who report directly to the chief executive. Some in the current SAA executive management and in the former board have taken significant flak for the losses.
It not clear how much was spent on the executives’ performance bonuses.
However, Viljoen, who earned R2,1-million a year, was given a performance bonus of more than R1-million as well as a R3,6-million golden handshake when he departed his office.
C&P from the Mail and Guardian.
