Airlink Pilot strike balot
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Best thing this year?? You can tell him he's damn lucky to be forced to bypass that miserable route in his whole career!
I have few mates stuck out in the GA industry in SA, Its truly a scary place. They would give all of their left and most of their right to get into Link or any airline.
If the boys and girls at Link want there glory days back, do something about it!!
Join Date: Jun 2005
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I'm with Avi8tor on this one. I'm tired of moaning Airlink pilots. Type this into any search engine, 'free sample resignation letters', there are hundreds of examples to choose from. Do something positive, resign and get the marked moving again.
Join Date: Oct 2010
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Link is not the only KAK company out there, let me assure you. I know. Poor maintenance, incompetent, greedy,arrogant, ill-educated management, exploitation of the crew etc are all an integral part of this industry. Not enough crew stand up to it and challenge it. That's the problem in this industry in SA.
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Originally Posted by Avi8tor
I have few mates stuck out in the GA industry in SA, Its truly a scary place. They would give all of their left and most of their right to get into Link or any airline.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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What Gchang and Shrike said. This is an industry that regards BS as a legitimate business tool and we still roll over to let them tickle our tummies by eagerly lining up to pay for ratings and accepting crappy conditions as normal. We as crews have supplied them with the lube to thoroughly ream us and it's too late to complain now. The market is full of shiny new pilots happy to continue the rot so very little will change. Entropy at work and it's self inflicted, I'm afraid.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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I have to agree with SRT on this. Every wally who has handed over thousands for a type rating has contributed to the general dog show that is now the pilot job market. Companies know that pilots will do anything to get anywhere near a nice shiny aeroplane that goes fast and makes cool noises. What do you think they're going to do with that on their side?
I'm a link driver and I'm happy. The only thing that really troubles me on most days is the sound of whining pilots going on about how bad their lives are at link. The thing is, every one of us knows what we're getting into when we accept the job. The terms and conditions of employment are quite clearly stated in the employment contract and to the best of my knowledge everybody gets the agreed amount on time every month. There are shortcomings in certain areas; whether this is unique to link is another question. In my personal experience I have found that addressing the issue in a mature manner using the correct channels usually does the trick, but then again I'm probably not a particularly demanding individual. A little bit of give and take does go a long way.
One of the things I've learnt since joining link is the extremely contagious nature of negativity. It spreads like a fart in a lift and everybody gets it. If people are so unhappy then why don't they move on to greener pastures?
I'm a link driver and I'm happy. The only thing that really troubles me on most days is the sound of whining pilots going on about how bad their lives are at link. The thing is, every one of us knows what we're getting into when we accept the job. The terms and conditions of employment are quite clearly stated in the employment contract and to the best of my knowledge everybody gets the agreed amount on time every month. There are shortcomings in certain areas; whether this is unique to link is another question. In my personal experience I have found that addressing the issue in a mature manner using the correct channels usually does the trick, but then again I'm probably not a particularly demanding individual. A little bit of give and take does go a long way.
One of the things I've learnt since joining link is the extremely contagious nature of negativity. It spreads like a fart in a lift and everybody gets it. If people are so unhappy then why don't they move on to greener pastures?
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Defend the indefendible
I really enjoy reading the retorts by the people who defend Airlink's kak attitude towards their pilots. Fascinating! Why on earth (or in hell) would you want to defend them???
Join Date: Aug 2011
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I sure as hell will think twice about getting onto a Link aircraft again 
Not unless im the one flying it anyway...im with oompilot so anybody care to hand their job over to me?
Not unless im the one flying it anyway...im with oompilot so anybody care to hand their job over to me?
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Originally Posted by CharlieVictorSierra
...im with oompilot so anybody care to hand their job over to me?
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Unless you own your own business and you are your boss, everywhere is crap. I know for a fact that the insurance industry, banking industry and being involved in property are just as bad. That is just from experience within my family.
And what would you like pilots such as myself to do...hang their boots up and go work in an office because we are just suckers who would take a job at any airline and we should get our pitch forks out and go on strike. Come on man this is the real world...
Is there really NO good that comes from working at that place? Not one good thing...Im sorry I personally wouldnt refuse a job there. Is that soooo wrong that I be labelled a sucker and a traitor for actually being realistic?
And what would you like pilots such as myself to do...hang their boots up and go work in an office because we are just suckers who would take a job at any airline and we should get our pitch forks out and go on strike. Come on man this is the real world...
Is there really NO good that comes from working at that place? Not one good thing...Im sorry I personally wouldnt refuse a job there. Is that soooo wrong that I be labelled a sucker and a traitor for actually being realistic?
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Relax. I use the term 'sucker' (I didn't say traitor, nor did I imply it) as a bit of a joke (I was one too, and quite probably still am).The point is that anybody working there is perfectly entitled to bitch and moan as much as they like. There is nothing wrong in trying to improve your working conditions. Sitting back and saying 'Oh well it's all ok' if it isn't is futile. Warning others who may have some choice in the matter is fine. Diminishing the supply of applicants to Link (as if) will also have some positive effect. Part of the attempt to improve a place involves gauging current opinion amongst your peers, since effective action requires a degree of teamwork. Trying to get a bit of inertia going requires somebody to jump up and down and shout a bit - then maybe others will join in. Since Link's union appear ineffective, some people choose to do the jumping and shouting here. Others then tell them to shut up. Frankly, if all you want to do here is tell them to shut up, then you shouldn't have even opened this thread in the first place (not directed at you CVS, although you did say you agree with Oompilot).
Join Date: Aug 2011
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@Shrike200 That is fair enough sir and I agree with you 100%. I suppose I am wrong and being a bit selfish but for me it would be a choice to move my career along and get the ball rolling, so I will still be handing my CV in to them
. I wouldnt know where else to look initially as I am doing contract work now and frankly I dont want to be doing this my entire life...I dont know what the next step would be for me? SAX maybe? If there was another feasible realistic option then naturally I would go for that.
Anyway this thread is about people trying to evoke change to better their lives/work conditions and I am all for change!!
Good luck guys, seems like the only unions that ever work in SA are those that entice violence, rock throwing and tyre burning! Maybe they have a point....
. I wouldnt know where else to look initially as I am doing contract work now and frankly I dont want to be doing this my entire life...I dont know what the next step would be for me? SAX maybe? If there was another feasible realistic option then naturally I would go for that.Anyway this thread is about people trying to evoke change to better their lives/work conditions and I am all for change!!
Good luck guys, seems like the only unions that ever work in SA are those that entice violence, rock throwing and tyre burning! Maybe they have a point....
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Jumping up & down
I think jumping up and down is a rather healthy activity!
However, jumping up and down here on PPrune is not going to get ANY action or even a reaction from your guy's management, not positive anyway. Rather go public! Newspapers and civilian blogs are the way to go. If it's as bad for you individuals as I'm lead to believe, then it can't be safe really, which means the travelling public who pay for carriage (dearly) are entitled to know what's going on at Link. Or not? Is it right and correct for it to be kept secret from them too? Just asking.......
However, jumping up and down here on PPrune is not going to get ANY action or even a reaction from your guy's management, not positive anyway. Rather go public! Newspapers and civilian blogs are the way to go. If it's as bad for you individuals as I'm lead to believe, then it can't be safe really, which means the travelling public who pay for carriage (dearly) are entitled to know what's going on at Link. Or not? Is it right and correct for it to be kept secret from them too? Just asking.......
Join Date: Jun 2007
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I have held off getting involved in this bun fight about Airlink as I am not flight crew. However I have to say that I spent just over 12 happy and fruitful years with the company. My dealings with Rodger and, in the past, Barrie were friendly and enjoyable. Many aviation people have little experience of the challenges that face a small private airline in SA coupled with the demands of major investors who want their pound of flesh and you get a small idea of what Rodger faces on a daily basis. As has been said in this thread before Airlink is a great stepping stone up to the big time. Whether you are flying, in operations, in engineering, or just doing run of the mill commercial work the experience you gain there will stand you in good stead in the future. I left a few years ago and have had no contact with the company as I now live in the UK.
Join Date: Apr 2011
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Dudleydick, not ALL of us are in a position to just get up and leave immediately! Further, most of us DON'T have citizenship allowing us to get any kind of work flying outside of SA, short of contracts. Not a bad idea in hindsight!
Suitcaseman, whoever you are.........so we must simply sit back and accept Roger wiping his arse all over us and further, pay homage to him for allowing us to fly for Link because he doesn't need us anyway to operate the planes? This we must do for as little money or other reward too, because we're "lucky to have a job" and he gets filthy rich at our expense!HUH??? Up yours man!!
Suitcaseman, whoever you are.........so we must simply sit back and accept Roger wiping his arse all over us and further, pay homage to him for allowing us to fly for Link because he doesn't need us anyway to operate the planes? This we must do for as little money or other reward too, because we're "lucky to have a job" and he gets filthy rich at our expense!HUH??? Up yours man!!
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Suitcaseman, get a feel of most of the pilots for the last few months. Since the senior managers and in charge of the rostering have decided to make more and more and more money, all at the cost of the pilots, notice how the morale has elevated? Now that the venerable SL has left, walking into the sunset shaking his head, RF and his henchmen have been going wild! Watch this space on Prune, they won't believe the pilots, ever. This is going to cost everyone at Link their jobs, not just a few individual pilots.
in charge of the rostering have decided to make more and more and more money, all at the cost of the pilots, notice how the morale has elevated? Now that the venerable SL has left, walking into the sunset shaking his head, RF and his henchmen have been going wild! Watch this space on Prune, they won't believe the pilots, ever. This is going to cost everyone at Link their jobs, not just a few individual pilots.
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I hope you're wrong there. I've taken a plane "back to the hangar" once before. Not a nice feeling in the seat of your pants when ops tells you the next leg has been cancelled, just bring it to the hangar.......
