Excel Airways
Join Date: Jan 2001
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This is also having a knock on effect further down the food chain. Take a trip over to the Wannabe's forum and have a read there.
Lots of people like myself right in the middle of our training at the moment - too far on to quit, but even less hope of a job at the end now that several hundred type rated experienced pilots are now back in the job market - not just from XL, but all the others and could be another year or 2 before it picks up again !!.
This is having a massive knock on effect throughout the whole airline industry, from bottom to top, and those off to the sides too.
Best of luck to all the XL staff.
Lots of people like myself right in the middle of our training at the moment - too far on to quit, but even less hope of a job at the end now that several hundred type rated experienced pilots are now back in the job market - not just from XL, but all the others and could be another year or 2 before it picks up again !!.
This is having a massive knock on effect throughout the whole airline industry, from bottom to top, and those off to the sides too.
Best of luck to all the XL staff.
Chrisbl
A golden rule, if ever you are going to apologise, just apologise and leave it at that. An apology followed by a 'But' (or a word/phrase to that effect) negates the apology in the first place.
What industries?
A golden rule, if ever you are going to apologise, just apologise and leave it at that. An apology followed by a 'But' (or a word/phrase to that effect) negates the apology in the first place.
There are industries much harder hit at the moment with significant job losses where the customers for XL and the like come from.
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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As SLF on an XL flight last weekend down to CAG (6th Sept) from LGW, on my honeymoon no less, I'd just like to say that all the crew were excellent and made us feel really comfortable - best wishes to you all for the future. The pilot( i think !) gave one of the funniest pre-flight briefings I've ever heard, at the same time getting his point across about safety and how passengers should conduct themselves.
many thanks,
many thanks,
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Here at Air Seychelles we leased a 767-200 from XL a few months back. XL were doing our maintainence as well. Now all you can see at the airport is that 767 gathering dust in the northern most parking area. Its a shame, but it looks like the new plane isn't going to be off the ground any time soon.
The very best of luck to all the people who have been hit by job losses and all the passengers who were stranded.
The very best of luck to all the people who have been hit by job losses and all the passengers who were stranded.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Anybody miss the report a while back that KPMG wouldn't sign off their accounts? The easiest way to boost profits is( at year end) fill your warehouse with "Borrowed stock" the auditors think its yours even though the invoices have a ROT ( retention of title) or "forget" to post a load of invoices to the purchase ledger. Hey Presto- artificial profits ( erm- why is the overdraft going up when we have made millions?)-- off to the bank now to borrow more based on the accounts. Obviously no upstanding travel company would ever do this- certainly not XL. Ever, , ever------------ good luck to all you pilots and CC. I dont think there is another career where you pay for you own training and then get treated so badly. I am working on a scientific experiment that will ultimately be able to remove the gene that makes people want to be pilots- you'll be richer, less tired and not subject to the management Yahoo's , at ever increasing intervals
Last edited by dope05; 15th Sep 2008 at 19:42.
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Reference earlier comment re aircraft operating repat flights. 13th September - Omni DC10 noted as operating UK repatriation flight (Manchester?) at Sanford. Gatwick flight operated under Monarch code using LuzAir L1011 Tristar CS-TMP.
Don't forget that it's not just airline crews that have lost their jobs either - all the Travel City staff in Orlando met the same fate, so I understand. And some were still there, manning phones and trying to help the crowds at the airport bless 'em, unpaid and with no obvious way of returning home.
Repercussions go even further of course - staff at Dollar Rentacar said that 70% of their business was through Travel City XL. And Orlando's property rental market was in a mess before all this started - this certainly won't improve matters.
Don't forget that it's not just airline crews that have lost their jobs either - all the Travel City staff in Orlando met the same fate, so I understand. And some were still there, manning phones and trying to help the crowds at the airport bless 'em, unpaid and with no obvious way of returning home.
Repercussions go even further of course - staff at Dollar Rentacar said that 70% of their business was through Travel City XL. And Orlando's property rental market was in a mess before all this started - this certainly won't improve matters.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: UK
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A little hope Kiss flights was started today CV's to -
Kiss Flights,
7th Floor Norfolk House,
South Terminal, Gatwick Airport,
West Sussex, RH6 0NN
Kiss Flights,
7th Floor Norfolk House,
South Terminal, Gatwick Airport,
West Sussex, RH6 0NN
When are you guys going to learn ? When the administrators find out Mr Crocodile Tears is behind this venture, it'll be a case of KISS your a**** goodbye ! He owes a lot of money to a lot of people !!!
Good luck with that one
CG
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I'm with charterguy on this one... what the H$ll Is PW playing at if he's going to try and start up another airline.. Undercutting yet more people in the same business?? Well,..sorry to say but we've seen where that got you in your last attempt...Absolutely NOWHERE.... Its upsetting to think that so many people have lost their jobs and will be very lucky if they get paid... yet their managment will probably get their money...and try to do it all over again....Surely people will think twice about signing up with someone like him in the future... At least that's what we can hope...
Good luck to all of you in this difficult time... !!
Rob.
Good luck to all of you in this difficult time... !!
Rob.
Join Date: Jun 2006
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A former XL employee
I sent this to the BBC on Sunday, they responded by asking me for an interview which I declined. As the BBC failed to publish it I thought I would paste my letter on here.
"As a former XL employee I am appalled at some passengers lack of thought
for those of us who lost not only our jobs but possibly our homes and
our lives as we know them.
As passengers you will have been inconvenienced and many have had their
one and only holiday this year ruined, but when they do get home, which
they will eventually by the good will of other airlines they come home
to life as normal!
I am even more appalled at the media coverage highlighting this.
When the British car manufactures, Rover collapsed and put thousands of
people out of work the media focused on them and how their lives were
effected, there was little mention of the thousands of Rover owners who
would possibly be inconvenienced.
I am saddened by the lack of thought and lack of British spirit. XL
employed some fabulous people who put their heart and soul into their
jobs so the British public could have amazing holidays.
We found out just like the passengers, through media coverage, I am yet
to receive anything from my former company, we are all owed money having
worked half of September and many of us receive part of our salary a
month in arrears. There is no money left in the pot for us, we will
never see what WE worked hard for and there will be no redundancy pay
outs.
A little bit of recognition would be greatly received, we are not the
bad guys we are the victims in all of this."
Best of luck to all my former colleagues and a thank you for all the kind thoughts!
"As a former XL employee I am appalled at some passengers lack of thought
for those of us who lost not only our jobs but possibly our homes and
our lives as we know them.
As passengers you will have been inconvenienced and many have had their
one and only holiday this year ruined, but when they do get home, which
they will eventually by the good will of other airlines they come home
to life as normal!
I am even more appalled at the media coverage highlighting this.
When the British car manufactures, Rover collapsed and put thousands of
people out of work the media focused on them and how their lives were
effected, there was little mention of the thousands of Rover owners who
would possibly be inconvenienced.
I am saddened by the lack of thought and lack of British spirit. XL
employed some fabulous people who put their heart and soul into their
jobs so the British public could have amazing holidays.
We found out just like the passengers, through media coverage, I am yet
to receive anything from my former company, we are all owed money having
worked half of September and many of us receive part of our salary a
month in arrears. There is no money left in the pot for us, we will
never see what WE worked hard for and there will be no redundancy pay
outs.
A little bit of recognition would be greatly received, we are not the
bad guys we are the victims in all of this."
Best of luck to all my former colleagues and a thank you for all the kind thoughts!
Join Date: Jan 2008
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You mean Kiss Flights? From their website:
This seems to be a package / flight only booking company, the flights booked with Viking Airlines. The first section of the T&C covers in detail over two pages "Your Financial Protection".
This seems an unethical way to promote a business!
Kiss Air was indeed launched by Jim Welch, but IIRC that was back in 2001. I guess it never got off the ground?
Your contract for the flights is with Kiss Flights, Kiss Flights is a registered trading name of Meridian Aviation UK Ltd and is registered in England and Wales having Registration Number 3544683 and having its registered office at 7th Floor, Norfolk House, South Terminal, Gatwick Airport, West Sussex, RH6 0NN.
In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking.
Kiss Air was indeed launched by Jim Welch, but IIRC that was back in 2001. I guess it never got off the ground?
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Kiss....
Sounds reasonable, (or not) now Mr.Crocodiletears and his friends are making even more money since Viking Airlines, the Swedish carrier, now operates for the CAA to bring XL passengers back to the UK.
Viking which is owned by the same devastated people, and is the airline to be re-branded to KISS Airlines.
Viking is already preparing to recieve some of the ex. XL 738's in November.
Viking which is owned by the same devastated people, and is the airline to be re-branded to KISS Airlines.
Viking is already preparing to recieve some of the ex. XL 738's in November.
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1flygirl
I note that you state in your letter that you are appalled at some passengers lack of thought .....
I heard of the demise of XL whilst on holiday and very shortly after the initial announcement. I can assure you that my initial thoughts were for the welfare of all XL employees and particularly those 'down line' at the time. I can only imagine the stress involved in finding yourself unemployed under such dreadful circumstances.
As you say, for the unfortunate passengers it is just a mere inconvenience when compared with the potentially life changing upheaval for the employees.
Having had the pleasure of travelling with XL (and Excel Airways) many times in the past few years, I have a high regard for the professionalism at XL and sincerely hope that you all find suitable alternative employment in the very near future.
May I extend a very public thank you to all XL staff for your services in the past.
I heard of the demise of XL whilst on holiday and very shortly after the initial announcement. I can assure you that my initial thoughts were for the welfare of all XL employees and particularly those 'down line' at the time. I can only imagine the stress involved in finding yourself unemployed under such dreadful circumstances.
As you say, for the unfortunate passengers it is just a mere inconvenience when compared with the potentially life changing upheaval for the employees.
Having had the pleasure of travelling with XL (and Excel Airways) many times in the past few years, I have a high regard for the professionalism at XL and sincerely hope that you all find suitable alternative employment in the very near future.
May I extend a very public thank you to all XL staff for your services in the past.