Virgin Nigeria
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Hey guys,
As Nijasea has said the problem is NOT the expats, Not racism and surely Not the pilots in general.
The management team that VK has are a mess to say the least.
Unfortunately, Vk is now in a spiral nose dive. Recovery will only happen with an injection of some Arik kind of money, and the complete overhaul of the current management starting with HR.
The greatest problem a man can have, is NOT knowing he actually does have one!
The people in Vk right now do not admit there is a problem and that it's chocking them to death!
They all seem to sell the sugar-coated story that all is well at the moment.
Hopefully, the smart ones will see the light and get out now whilst the chance to get re-hired is still a plausible move.
It would be sad to find some 'under the tree' as was once a reference for unemployed Pilots in Lagos.
Like i said before, its time to pack your bags, dust your CV's and move on boys!!
Vk has done its share, sadly, its one of those carriers that will be remembered in folktale.
As Nijasea has said the problem is NOT the expats, Not racism and surely Not the pilots in general.
The management team that VK has are a mess to say the least.
Unfortunately, Vk is now in a spiral nose dive. Recovery will only happen with an injection of some Arik kind of money, and the complete overhaul of the current management starting with HR.
The greatest problem a man can have, is NOT knowing he actually does have one!
The people in Vk right now do not admit there is a problem and that it's chocking them to death!
They all seem to sell the sugar-coated story that all is well at the moment.
Hopefully, the smart ones will see the light and get out now whilst the chance to get re-hired is still a plausible move.
It would be sad to find some 'under the tree' as was once a reference for unemployed Pilots in Lagos.
Like i said before, its time to pack your bags, dust your CV's and move on boys!!
Vk has done its share, sadly, its one of those carriers that will be remembered in folktale.
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Join Date: Apr 2003
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Hi
Sources tell me that some Pilots have been paid this month, does anyone have any details on what the selection policy of VK is when it comes too who they wish to pay.
cheers
FP
Sources tell me that some Pilots have been paid this month, does anyone have any details on what the selection policy of VK is when it comes too who they wish to pay.
cheers
FP
Join Date: Aug 2004
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FP
if you don't work for VK anymore or ever did (don't really care), do you think it's a professional attitude to bring up the order of pay considering the airline is (as we hope) trying to get it's cr@p together.
Would it make a huge difference in your life who got paid first or not.This is a site to air views and make comments not a place for a personal vandetta against an airline or persons in the airline.
BTW I dont work for VK.
if you don't work for VK anymore or ever did (don't really care), do you think it's a professional attitude to bring up the order of pay considering the airline is (as we hope) trying to get it's cr@p together.
Would it make a huge difference in your life who got paid first or not.This is a site to air views and make comments not a place for a personal vandetta against an airline or persons in the airline.
BTW I dont work for VK.
l
Join Date: Jun 2006
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sincerely VK!
Naijasea you are right, VK problem is poor decision made by management; the B763, ever readiness to sort out none-ops probs and very slow to sort ops probs. Instead of fixing the Long haul acft, they were busy developing products to cussion the killer machine. This products milked VK big time and product owners fed the milk from.
the reality is there and can be fixed if the management refocuse on the bizness and stop Spending jamboree as was the case before.
Also if they close some products and sections which are money draining and focuse on lifting pax from point A to B and ontime, 95% of their probs is solved.
Most of the decision that took VK to this slump was caused by none aviation directors who were not checked in their excesses and this affected the morale of the Ground and Ops staff.
VK can survive bcos the traveling naija public loves VK but flt delays sent them away; with improved otp, they will be back.
Sincerely if VK STOP unnecessary expenses, VK will be there for a very long time.
the reality is there and can be fixed if the management refocuse on the bizness and stop Spending jamboree as was the case before.
Also if they close some products and sections which are money draining and focuse on lifting pax from point A to B and ontime, 95% of their probs is solved.
Most of the decision that took VK to this slump was caused by none aviation directors who were not checked in their excesses and this affected the morale of the Ground and Ops staff.
VK can survive bcos the traveling naija public loves VK but flt delays sent them away; with improved otp, they will be back.
Sincerely if VK STOP unnecessary expenses, VK will be there for a very long time.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Virgin Nigeria - What's the latest ?
It seems there are a lot of comments regarding the day-to-day issues of pay, HR and living conditions, however does anyone have any info on the longer term prospects ?
We all know about the near-miss a week or two ago when the aircraft lessors arrived in Lagos intent on siezing their aircraft because the Bank apparently 'forgot' to pay that months installment !! VK Management were able to bring themselves back from the abyss on that ocassion - but what about this month ?
Many thanks !
We all know about the near-miss a week or two ago when the aircraft lessors arrived in Lagos intent on siezing their aircraft because the Bank apparently 'forgot' to pay that months installment !! VK Management were able to bring themselves back from the abyss on that ocassion - but what about this month ?
Many thanks !
Join Date: Mar 2006
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latest with VK
Though it's an old story, but it's good to be proved wrong sometime. And VK proved me wrong! I did predict that unless there's a radical change in management strategy, the long haul operation will not survive past 31st December 2008. The HR lady was surprised when I told her that on my exit interview, but I did add that, the airline had all the potential for success any organisation could hope for except management strategy and group synergy.
Well, it did survive past that date, even if by only 27 days.
Now back to the future.............
From current evidence, it appears that VK is in a situation where:
"A B737 on take off roll on a wet runway, losses one engine after V1 and just before VR noticed the other engine fire....."
They're unsure whether to risk the overun by aborting well after V1 and degraded braking, or to rotate and hope the engine on fire survives a low level circuit in rain ( some even hope the rain will help put out the engine fire).
In either case, it is not going to be pleasant.
To make mattters worse, they're delaying taking "the vital decision! Meanwhile, the fire rages and what's left of the runway further diminishes!
I shall leave the riddle as it is and Consult my crystal Balls, even I will need more than one Ball!
Well, it did survive past that date, even if by only 27 days.
Now back to the future.............
From current evidence, it appears that VK is in a situation where:
"A B737 on take off roll on a wet runway, losses one engine after V1 and just before VR noticed the other engine fire....."
They're unsure whether to risk the overun by aborting well after V1 and degraded braking, or to rotate and hope the engine on fire survives a low level circuit in rain ( some even hope the rain will help put out the engine fire).
In either case, it is not going to be pleasant.
To make mattters worse, they're delaying taking "the vital decision! Meanwhile, the fire rages and what's left of the runway further diminishes!
I shall leave the riddle as it is and Consult my crystal Balls, even I will need more than one Ball!
Last edited by DRPAM007; 7th Mar 2009 at 21:09.
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The coast now seems to be getting clear (hopefully) with the appointment of Capt Dapo Olumide as deputy CE0 as announced yesterday, while vk also announced that it will take delivery of 2 ejets in april to commence abuja-accra,kinshasa,and banjul,and increase more frequencies to other cities.
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I do hope that is a good thing, because I expected him to be made MD by the twilight of last year. Like all mortals, Olumide is no angel; but it's time we see a Nigerian (fully, half or even 1/16th caste) succeed in running a world class airline in Nigeria.
I fear that VK might be ruined beyond economical repairs, and then Handed over to Olumide, to be left holding the bag.
It still beats my imagination what on earth Conrad is still doing in VK. Why has he not been fired for gross incompetence or in my opinion economic sabotage and subterfuge of an iconic commercial venture?
There has been no logic in the madness that has pervaded the (management) decision making machinery in VK.
There is definitely the irony of tunnel vision at Play here; VK did try to motivate by offering good working conditions, but that only went as far as the Board, HR and senior management level (details of salaries and perks will require another volume).The top cats maybe motivated, but they have definitely failed to provide motivation and leadership to rest of the workforce.
A good salary to the pilot workforce is not enough to make a company an "employer of Choice."
Common sense dictates that in order to gain any sort of competitive advantage in airline business, All departments must understand the company mission and strategy ; and most importantly how their (departments) activities are required to actively enhance the "integrated-marketing approach" towards the achievement of the organisational goals.
Can VK clearly point out to a differentiating factor it has over the competition?
So far there no proof of management commitment to the company vision.
In a service industry, to get and stay ahead of the game, ALL activities must focus on either "the Customer", "the Product" or both!
After painting such a despondent scenario, I still think there’s still a silver lining behind these dark clouds.
But the clock is still ticking........!
I fear that VK might be ruined beyond economical repairs, and then Handed over to Olumide, to be left holding the bag.
It still beats my imagination what on earth Conrad is still doing in VK. Why has he not been fired for gross incompetence or in my opinion economic sabotage and subterfuge of an iconic commercial venture?
There has been no logic in the madness that has pervaded the (management) decision making machinery in VK.
There is definitely the irony of tunnel vision at Play here; VK did try to motivate by offering good working conditions, but that only went as far as the Board, HR and senior management level (details of salaries and perks will require another volume).The top cats maybe motivated, but they have definitely failed to provide motivation and leadership to rest of the workforce.
A good salary to the pilot workforce is not enough to make a company an "employer of Choice."
Common sense dictates that in order to gain any sort of competitive advantage in airline business, All departments must understand the company mission and strategy ; and most importantly how their (departments) activities are required to actively enhance the "integrated-marketing approach" towards the achievement of the organisational goals.
Can VK clearly point out to a differentiating factor it has over the competition?
So far there no proof of management commitment to the company vision.
In a service industry, to get and stay ahead of the game, ALL activities must focus on either "the Customer", "the Product" or both!
After painting such a despondent scenario, I still think there’s still a silver lining behind these dark clouds.
But the clock is still ticking........!
Last edited by DRPAM007; 7th Mar 2009 at 21:15.
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There's obviously some power tussle going on,unfortuantely its consuming the company up rather rapidly.
Its obvious some powers that be want Dapo as MD,for new ideas and push forward but some powers are also are fighting this hard!
Now if Dapo gets his way can he deliver?is there anything left to deliver?
What is clear the present management,or whats left of it needs a Dcheck,or better still replacement.
Its obvious some powers that be want Dapo as MD,for new ideas and push forward but some powers are also are fighting this hard!
Now if Dapo gets his way can he deliver?is there anything left to deliver?
What is clear the present management,or whats left of it needs a Dcheck,or better still replacement.
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VK
AS Our uncle oduks says, Its a Long race,and hes still in the Gym. Even Virgin Nigeria is out of the long haul market, and b3 is still operation to LHR. same environment, same equipment. Its a big shame. Dapo Has nothing but "Using Reserve Fuel" "hmm" I wonder how b3 He does it?
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Dapo might be a good manager but unless things change drastically he will be left as the man who sunk Virgin Nigeria and after such a colourful career he should really think well about what he is looking for. Conrad and his cronies are already planning the next big step onto another part of the planet to run down another hopeful startup.
Why didn't the core investors insist VA send a vice president ops from atlantic to initially start the ball rolling rather than send a junior (whatever) to gain experience by trial and error. The world aviation industry is in a decline at the moment when it recovers other airlines in Nigeria will be looking to replace their leaving expat crews, guess where they will find them if things don't move forward. As Skygod said B3 is still operating Y? Simple his admin dept is the smallest staffed dept in his company unlike VK (take a hint).
Lots of friends there.
Guys I hope for the best and believe it can survive.
Why didn't the core investors insist VA send a vice president ops from atlantic to initially start the ball rolling rather than send a junior (whatever) to gain experience by trial and error. The world aviation industry is in a decline at the moment when it recovers other airlines in Nigeria will be looking to replace their leaving expat crews, guess where they will find them if things don't move forward. As Skygod said B3 is still operating Y? Simple his admin dept is the smallest staffed dept in his company unlike VK (take a hint).
Lots of friends there.
Guys I hope for the best and believe it can survive.
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Changes within VK..a step in the right direiction.
There is absolutely no doubt that Dapo can deliver. The question is
"will he be provided with the environment that will be conducive to success, or will he need to arrest the current decline and then create the neccessary environment that will give the ailing carrier the much needed shot in the arm ".
A synthesis willbe something in this vein:
i. .......Get the management out of the woods; may need to coalase the current size to a workable team backed by able line managers.
ii........... Review business model considering the current market condidtions.
iii............Bring out a robust a viable strategy.
iv........... Secure required funding.
I think the (iv) item may be the hardest to achieve considering the state of global finances and the current IATA's assertion that 2009 will present airlines with the most challenging revenue situation in the last 50 years.
If VK can beat Ariks target of direct flights across the Atlantic by July ( LOS-JFK), then there is a chance VK will not only survive but may even recapture the top dog position in Nigerian aviation.
(This remains in the realms of hypothesis..only time and Pprune will tell.)
"will he be provided with the environment that will be conducive to success, or will he need to arrest the current decline and then create the neccessary environment that will give the ailing carrier the much needed shot in the arm ".
A synthesis willbe something in this vein:
i. .......Get the management out of the woods; may need to coalase the current size to a workable team backed by able line managers.
ii........... Review business model considering the current market condidtions.
iii............Bring out a robust a viable strategy.
iv........... Secure required funding.
I think the (iv) item may be the hardest to achieve considering the state of global finances and the current IATA's assertion that 2009 will present airlines with the most challenging revenue situation in the last 50 years.
If VK can beat Ariks target of direct flights across the Atlantic by July ( LOS-JFK), then there is a chance VK will not only survive but may even recapture the top dog position in Nigerian aviation.
(This remains in the realms of hypothesis..only time and Pprune will tell.)