Excel Airways
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: uk
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I think its great how other airlines ( not the overcharging ones) have rallied and helped get the pax and crews home,
what I can not understand, and please correct if im wrong here,
phil wyatt has managed to save his own backside and his two other XL airlines, germany and france?? where are they in this rescue of XL uk pax and crews?
If he is so sincere, why are those planes not saving the backsides of his pax and crews, especially the ones without the ATOL bonding to protect.
The media should be investigating all the suspect issues surrounding this?
what I can not understand, and please correct if im wrong here,
phil wyatt has managed to save his own backside and his two other XL airlines, germany and france?? where are they in this rescue of XL uk pax and crews?
If he is so sincere, why are those planes not saving the backsides of his pax and crews, especially the ones without the ATOL bonding to protect.
The media should be investigating all the suspect issues surrounding this?
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Good luck XL crew & passangers
I travelled with XL once before, was a very good airline. These are dark times, we hope to see an upturn in the aviation cycle sometime newxt year. All i know is that, I am currently doing my IR and something tells me that my chances of getting a job att the end in the UK are getting slim.
My deepest sympathy to all XL crew and passangers. I hope it all works out for you.
My deepest sympathy to all XL crew and passangers. I hope it all works out for you.
Join Date: Aug 2008
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I really feel for XL staff - i was due to travel next month with you guys and have travelled before and really thought the XL service was great.
Loosing my holiday was gutting, but 1700 out of work is far much worse.
This country sucks
Loosing my holiday was gutting, but 1700 out of work is far much worse.
This country sucks
Join Date: Mar 2004
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XL France and Germany are not involved in the rescue of UK Crew and Pax, as if they land into the UK , the aircraft will also be impounded. Hence why we flew to Paris on the 330 on Friday morning.. hope this helps..
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Barbiegirl,
Could'nt then in that case, XL F and G, Help with the long hauls from SFB and carribean back to Paris, at least it would be easier and less expensive for the unprotected pax and crews to get back home from paris??
Could'nt then in that case, XL F and G, Help with the long hauls from SFB and carribean back to Paris, at least it would be easier and less expensive for the unprotected pax and crews to get back home from paris??
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Bristol
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XL Not looking so good
Pretty vile commentary by Roger Lewis on Page 4 of today's Sunday Express. Not a lot of caring thought or sympathy for the many XL employees (ex) in that diatribe.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: uk
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carbis22, i guess thats now an issue for them to decide, the pax now in SFB are not 'stranded' as such, they will return on their original return dates albeit with another carrier..
On Friday morning, the support shown to us by our French colleagues was overwhelming, they arranged for us to get back to the UK... Whilst we flew back (and at this point we UK crew knew we were technically unemployed), they did not know if the collapse of the company affected them or not and it was only when we landed they were told they were safe....I have the upmost respect for XL France for looking after us in Paris. I would be surprised if there was a name change on the cards though!!!
On Friday morning, the support shown to us by our French colleagues was overwhelming, they arranged for us to get back to the UK... Whilst we flew back (and at this point we UK crew knew we were technically unemployed), they did not know if the collapse of the company affected them or not and it was only when we landed they were told they were safe....I have the upmost respect for XL France for looking after us in Paris. I would be surprised if there was a name change on the cards though!!!
Last edited by barbiegirl; 14th Sep 2008 at 13:04.
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Sunwing Airlines of Canada and XL
I am one of the Sunwing pilots that was operating for XL on a C-reg aircraft. I am extremely sad to be going back home in the next few days. This was not my first summer flying for XL and I have worked along-side some fantastic and dedicated XL employees (cabin crew, operations, local management...)
Fortunately I still have a job and life for Sunwing will go on but I am sad for all those who are not so fortunate. The relationship between Sunwing and XL has always been very very good and I wouln't be surprised if Sunwing offered employment to many from XL.
Good luck to everyone.
Fortunately I still have a job and life for Sunwing will go on but I am sad for all those who are not so fortunate. The relationship between Sunwing and XL has always been very very good and I wouln't be surprised if Sunwing offered employment to many from XL.
Good luck to everyone.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Nice to see Bruce the Iron Maiden Captain speaking up on behalf of his Airline and putting his two pennys worth in to rescue the XL pax. Getting back from SSH at 0800 in the morning, then back for a night KGS, that's hard work.
Sure Astreas will do very well from it all
Sure Astreas will do very well from it all
Join Date: Jun 2006
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quote; I think its great how other airlines ( not the overcharging ones) have rallied and helped get the pax and crews home,
Booked Direct oh dear no ATOL
Well i have a slightly different view having been stranded here in Fue by the XL collapse
British Consulate : NOT INTERESTED
Axa Insurance : NOT INTERESTED
Xl Local Agents : NOT INTERESTED
So have had to pay for ryanair flights via Dub to Man @ huge cost ...
Wait till I hit UK soil ::: there will be blood and fur flying with the useless b,stards who failed to supply what I have paid for..
Rant over now wheres that San Miguel
good luck to all the other affected parties
Booked Direct oh dear no ATOL
Well i have a slightly different view having been stranded here in Fue by the XL collapse
British Consulate : NOT INTERESTED
Axa Insurance : NOT INTERESTED
Xl Local Agents : NOT INTERESTED
So have had to pay for ryanair flights via Dub to Man @ huge cost ...
Wait till I hit UK soil ::: there will be blood and fur flying with the useless b,stards who failed to supply what I have paid for..
Rant over now wheres that San Miguel
good luck to all the other affected parties
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: uk
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greatoaks,
this is what I was trying to say, where are XL france and germany in all this, even if you had been provided free carrige to paris, cdg, and had to make your own way from their, alot more availability from CDG and probably at alot lower cost.....
Why was Xl leisure boasting a 2 billion profit in nov 06, and less than 2 yrs on, alledging 140 million in debts, why is xl germany and xl france ok??
Dont get me wrong I truly feel sorry for all the crew and pilots, whoever will have financial loss from this sudden onset situation, however some serious questions need to be answered here?
The CEO will probably be financially ok, two more airlines to run, someone like an investigative journalist needs to dig deep to find out more, as quite frankly it stinks, alot!!
You along with people that have lost their jobs and income, should demand more answers?? and have every right to be angry and demand the explanations you are entiitled to.
Why is their no official gov law, that the alledged 3rd biggest charter airline does NOT have to have ATOL coverage?
And having read some of these posts, i.e one pilot stating he still has NOT officially been told he is unemployed speaks for itself, its a disgrace of a company, better of out of business, and you folk are better of finding new employment.
It just was not done in a very nice way, XL at best was a one hit wonder airline, once tried not many go back, shocking...
Sorry if this is an unpopular post, we are all entitled to our say, and do honestly feel for all involved.
this is what I was trying to say, where are XL france and germany in all this, even if you had been provided free carrige to paris, cdg, and had to make your own way from their, alot more availability from CDG and probably at alot lower cost.....
Why was Xl leisure boasting a 2 billion profit in nov 06, and less than 2 yrs on, alledging 140 million in debts, why is xl germany and xl france ok??
Dont get me wrong I truly feel sorry for all the crew and pilots, whoever will have financial loss from this sudden onset situation, however some serious questions need to be answered here?
The CEO will probably be financially ok, two more airlines to run, someone like an investigative journalist needs to dig deep to find out more, as quite frankly it stinks, alot!!
You along with people that have lost their jobs and income, should demand more answers?? and have every right to be angry and demand the explanations you are entiitled to.
Why is their no official gov law, that the alledged 3rd biggest charter airline does NOT have to have ATOL coverage?
And having read some of these posts, i.e one pilot stating he still has NOT officially been told he is unemployed speaks for itself, its a disgrace of a company, better of out of business, and you folk are better of finding new employment.
It just was not done in a very nice way, XL at best was a one hit wonder airline, once tried not many go back, shocking...
Sorry if this is an unpopular post, we are all entitled to our say, and do honestly feel for all involved.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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<<<
Why was Xl leisure boasting a 2 billion profit in nov 06, and less than 2 yrs on, alledging 140 million in debts.....
>>>
Not to go off topic too much, but while there is terrific flying and technical expertise on this website, there is poor understanding of business and finance. It's perfectly normal for a business to be profitable and to carry debt at the same time.
Why was Xl leisure boasting a 2 billion profit in nov 06, and less than 2 yrs on, alledging 140 million in debts.....
>>>
Not to go off topic too much, but while there is terrific flying and technical expertise on this website, there is poor understanding of business and finance. It's perfectly normal for a business to be profitable and to carry debt at the same time.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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golf charlie,
Am expecting the vast amount of people affected, will have little expertese in business finance or accounting, as most dont have understanding of ATOL regs, however it does not change the fact, that they have all been done out of jobs and cash...
They are entitled to answers, other than the obvious.
Am expecting the vast amount of people affected, will have little expertese in business finance or accounting, as most dont have understanding of ATOL regs, however it does not change the fact, that they have all been done out of jobs and cash...
They are entitled to answers, other than the obvious.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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I agree, Carbis, and while I have no inside track on this, by any standards there do appear prima facie to be some questions to answer on this specific case. But there have also been many statements in and around the forum during the current crisis which, as I said, and I'm sorry, do reveal poor understanding of business and accounting in general. Another example are the many statements about Airline A or B or C which may or may not have two billion quid in the bank : these are meaningless statements taken out of context unless there is wider knowledge of debt, assets, the overall balance sheet, profit or loss, cash flow etc. etc. Identifying specific malfeasance is thus all the harder. Out.
Join Date: Nov 2007
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XL / Travelcity Direct
I really feel for all the staff and hope they get new employment. I have been there twice with Ground handling.
I have flown with Travelcity Direct for the last 5 years and was due to go again next year, staff were always friendly and I enjoyed flying with them.
Although staff within Xl / Travelcity Direct are effected it goes all the way down the chain. Sanford will be a ghost town, 10 flights a week is a lot of custom to loose and each flight I have been on has been full.
There is the staff at Travelcitydirect in Florida, baggage handlers, cleaners, caterers and Dollar rent a car. This will cause a big impact on employment in Florida, as well as the UK and all European bases that XL.com flew to.
Hope you all find new employment.
I have flown with Travelcity Direct for the last 5 years and was due to go again next year, staff were always friendly and I enjoyed flying with them.
Although staff within Xl / Travelcity Direct are effected it goes all the way down the chain. Sanford will be a ghost town, 10 flights a week is a lot of custom to loose and each flight I have been on has been full.
There is the staff at Travelcitydirect in Florida, baggage handlers, cleaners, caterers and Dollar rent a car. This will cause a big impact on employment in Florida, as well as the UK and all European bases that XL.com flew to.
Hope you all find new employment.
Join Date: Jul 2003
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carbis22, XL did have ATOL cover. An ATOL is there to cover package holiday business not flight only business. It's one of the things that ABTA has been trying to correct with the pillocks that the UK people elected into government for the past few years but there aren't any votes in getting airline pax to pay an additional £1 per flight to cover airline failure. There are votes, however, when you make people think that they are contributing to "green" issues by charging an additional £5 in APD.
Good old Gordon
Good old Gordon
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Hi sorry, no im not an accountant to be honest or a travel expert, although these are valid questions that people may present,and what is present in the public domain, was trying to say people should push a little more for their answers, instead of just excepting, being treated like trash.
I also understood that XL.com offered package holidays, but was also not represented by ATOL? or this is how the media presented it anyway.
I myself was once one of those passengers stranded at a foreign destination, and its not a nice experience, whether your pax or crew.
It would seem that some GOV rules do need to be put in place, whereby this type of situation can be avoided for pax and crews... what that would be I do not know either?
any ideas anyone??
I also understood that XL.com offered package holidays, but was also not represented by ATOL? or this is how the media presented it anyway.
I myself was once one of those passengers stranded at a foreign destination, and its not a nice experience, whether your pax or crew.
It would seem that some GOV rules do need to be put in place, whereby this type of situation can be avoided for pax and crews... what that would be I do not know either?
any ideas anyone??
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult
Join Date: May 2007
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This link to the ATOL (CAA) site explains the situation regarding protection
Failure of XL Leisure Group in the UK | ATOL
In short package deals are protected, flight only bookings aren't
Failure of XL Leisure Group in the UK | ATOL
In short package deals are protected, flight only bookings aren't
Join Date: May 2003
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Ok I apologise if I did sound crass about 1700 jobs not being a big issue. One job is a big issue if it is your job.
There are industries much harder hit at the moment with significant job losses where the customers for XL and the like come from.
I once did work in an insolvency practice and it can seem a brutal business.
There are industries much harder hit at the moment with significant job losses where the customers for XL and the like come from.
I once did work in an insolvency practice and it can seem a brutal business.