Knx Operators Hire Over The Top?

[fujifilm]

I heard through the vine that a certain KNX operator has begun hiring new pilots over the heads of older time experienced pilots.

I bet the old boys are not all to happy.

Also I have noticed when I fly into KNX from time to time the standard of airmanship has dropped from the good old days.

Has anyone else heard this?:uhoh: :confused:

[StraightnLevel]

Was this certain person employed to fly the night freighter???

[fujifilm]

Only an observation from my visits to KNX over the past year or so. Was having a beer with an old mate and we both agreed that it would not have gone on in our day.

[Raingauge]

Maybe they are hiring more experienced pilots to ensure next season isn't has bad for them as this one was. You can't have multiple accidents every year. Another thing they could do is raise the level of check and training (or create a check and training program), because from what I've heard the general standard has droped this year.

[the wizard of auz]

Theres a new CP there isnt there? maybe that might help.

[Aunt Mavis]

Hi Boysngirls

Confucius say...

"People in Glass Houses"



With Love


Mav

[smokedapole]

Slingair has been in turmoil ever since those nasty circuit heros, AKA the Jandikot Generals showed up. The check and training went way downhill as soon as the big boys from Jandy & Meridin rolled into town. March on the clowns

[airstream]

From what I have heard Slingair have obtained long term contracts that require pilots to have a certain amount of multi time and experience, which mean't they had to look outside the company or turn the contracts down.


The rumours that I have heard sound like alot of s@$t spoken over a few beers to me and unless you know how the operation is truly run then dont critisize a proud Australian company that has given alot of pilots a start in aviation.

[Raingauge]

No doubt they have given alot of pilots a start in the industry. Broke evey rule in CAO 48 to the extreme but we'll let em go on that one.
I wouldn't think they'd be to proud of the past 7 or so months. Enough trouble for them to start their own "Air Disaster" series. (avail at all good newsagencies early 2004!!)

[europilot]

...is an interesting person.... And I had the pleasure to meet him... I also met the two former chief pilots of Sling Air and they are both reasonable and cool people, nothing like the General...plus Sling Air is supposingly one of the best GA companies to work for... But here is my story....

I (200 hrs/CPL-IR) went to Knx in March 2003 to find my first job, why??? Because I heard KNX is the place to be and everybody gets his/her first job there... Luckily the General granted me an interview which lasted 30 seconds. He offered my a job on the ground as a refuller and as a human answering machine for the first seasons amd flying the year after; He promised me to call me for a check ride... he never did... I left 3 messages a week for about 4 weeks, but nobody had the honesty and the pride to call me to say "sorry, come back next year..." This reflects the (lack of) professionalism of sling air... And the General. At the end Sling Air is just a normal average GA company... very disappointing...but that's just the way they treat you there.... But more to come about professionalism....

In regards to "hiring over the top" I know that there are very capable line pilots with a couple hundred multi bashing around in a C210 carrying bundles of tourists through the bungles every day... Why??? Because to get on the twins the general's philosophy is to be one of the general's henchmen... The requirements are to be from Perth and preferably without any charter experience.... I do realize that the C310 crash doesn't really help progression of pilots, but experience doesnt save anybody... A Duchess went down in Sydney about a year ago; the pilot was over 60 years and had 20000+ hours...and it was a pilot error.

There is also that interesting "3-chick policy". For some reason (I am not sure if this is again a General's thing) Sling HAS to maintain a stock of 3 pilot-girls every year... preferably blond and with big tits... The general seems to have a thing for girls and suddenly drops the minimum requirements to 200hrs... Most likely at the end of this year the general might have to amend this policy because excess wear and tear on undercarriages and nose wheels do cost money... (Pls dont get me wrong, I feel sorry for the girls who did the nosewheelers and the wheels-up last season though...because I think it is more a check and training issue on the General's behalf) and by the way as previous people posted here on this forum... CAO 48 - it simply does not exist in KNX...

The locals in KNX are very special as well... Mostly working class people by choice - predominately from Perth who couldn't make a living in a big city - decided that the only way out is the "Grand Escape" to go to KNX to find work at Tuckerbox or Coles filling up shelves for the rest of their lives... Maybe they make it to the check out supervisor or so, but who knows.... When you get a job there and if you are from the big city and possibly know more then they do... make sure you do not expose your excess knowledge and experience, as you are only a threat to them and you only make enemies...just do your job and shut up. KNX neither likes change nor people with Uni degrees...

I lived in a hostel dorm for a 100 bucks a week, sharing my room with 7-9 other unemployed pilots...everybody watches his mobile very closely and when it rings...everyone holds their breath because it might be the General...and ...ahhh...no .... Oh ****, it's just the folks ringing...

The only excitements are the open air movies every Saturday nite and the weekly piss-up at the local pub...with the general the main attraction of course...enjoying himself in company of his henchmen...who make sure he gets enough drinks. If I remember right, he prefers Carlton Cold...although he likes being surrounded by unemployed pilots because it must give him some form of satisfaction and give him a feel of being very powerful, please dont waste your money on him, you wont get a job by buying him a beer in the pub.

Guys with 200 hours pretty much dont have a chance in KNX... I am glad I didnt get a job there and I would never go to KNX ever again to look for work... I got out of there 3 months after my 30 second interview and got a job in the outback somewhere else and I am very happy where I am and what I am doing.... I did meet great people though who shared the same believes and thoughts as I did and still do about this special place...

[roach trap]

I have to agree the General is a Tosser and so are his yes men

[airstream]

Europilot does it ever occur to you that just maybeeee there are alot of pilots out there trying to get work and Slingair cannot employ everyone I bet they get hundreds of emails weekly. At least the General spoke to you. Even if you did not get a start consider yourself lucky and just maybeeeee he has you on file for next season.

You know its people like Reachtrap and Raingauge that are small minded W#$#$rs and bag aviation, is it because you are out of work or maybe your present employer treats you bad and you have nothing better to do but critisize other companys.

So maybe you three Whinges should get out of the industry and get mummy and daddy to pay for another career.

[sancho]

It doesent matter if the boss is a tosser or you think he is or isnt.

If you have the required qualifications and interview well and can fly well enough on the checkride you will get the job.

Otherwise quit whinging all of you....it is doing yourselves no service, particularly if prospective employers are viewing this post and may (possibly) know who you are. It wont help you any in the next job, and you are in danger of becoming the w@nker you despise yourself.

Bribery (beers) at the pub will not get you a job, maybe a check ride only, YOU ALONE and your ABILITY determine if you get the job.

End of rant.

[High Altitude]

It all boils down to wether or not you can fly a plane.

Unfortunatley over the years I have learnt that just because you have a liscense doesn't mean you can fly a plane...

Which takes us straight back to the training issues.......

[europilot]

to airstream and sancho

I did pay for my own training... mummy and daddy didnt pay a cent... what I am trying to say is that KNX is NOT the place to be for a 200hr pilot... at peak times we counted over 50 unemployed pilots, towards june it went down to about 15-20. as far as I know Sling did not hire a 200hr MALE pilot this year and alligator only hired 2.

I am NOT pissed off at sling air because I didnt get a job; I do understand that they cant hire anyone and that SARS and the Iraq war didnt help this year, it's the way the whole recruitment was handled this year.. I expected more professionalism from one of the leading GA companies in OZ, and that is I believe the General's fault/achievement.

I got out in June and landed a charter job in a single only a couple of weeks after my departure... and so did most of the people who left KNX before or after me. Young pilots who are doing their training DO NOT have any idea what will happen to them to get their first job... If anybody wants my advice, I will be the first person trying to talk them out of going to KNX, there are better places around such as Alice, Katherine, Oenpelli, Gove, Groote Eyland and the west coast of WA,... with less competition.

[Perpetual_Hold_File]

Europilot

Is this a wind up?

No one owes you anything because you have a licence and a uni degree.

He promised me to call me for a check ride... he never did... I left 3 messages a week for about 4 weeks, but nobody had the honesty and the pride to call me...

You're not the first pilot to not get a call. Companies like this get dozens of calls, resumes and walk ins every day. Just because you met the bloke doesn't mean that your a special person, no matter what you might dream lying in bed.


The paragraph that really brands you an over indulged, pathetic, egotistical and short minded brat, who though barely out of flying school looks down on all;

Mostly working class people by choice - predominately from Perth who couldn't make a living in a big city - decided that the only way out is the "Grand Escape" to go to KNX to find work at Tuckerbox or Coles filling up shelves for the rest of their lives... When you get a job there and if you are from the big city and possibly know more then they do... make sure you do not expose your excess knowledge and experience, as you are only a threat to them

Well you have just exposed your LACK of knowledge, experience and intelligence. You're a threat to no one.

Good luck. You’ll need it.

[airstream]

Europilot again you are wrong I am a 220 hour pilot and never made it to KNX this year but a friend of mine did and got a start with Slingair and he only had 205 hours and yesssss he tells me that the general employed 8 pilots this year hours ranging fron 205 - 350.
He also tells me that the training and checking within the company is to very high standard he tells me if you are preparing for a line check you had better do your homework.

So maybe you should check your facts before you critisize a highly respected company.

[Northern Chique]

From my three years in Kunnas, I came to learn that the operators pick personality, learnability and preparation. I saw soooo many pilots come up with absolutely zip preparation and demanded a job... needless to say they still didnt have one by the end of their stay.

As the saying goes, shake a tree.... the operators pick the best for business at the time. If it works out for the operator and the pilot great, if not, it occasionally gets expensive for both the pocket and the reputation. Hours ranged that year for a start at 400-500 hours average, sometimes a little less. In the scheme of things 200 hours is a mere drop in the pond with so much more to learn and places like this are great for doing so with varied conditions, remote but not too remote, and a great support network from everyone involved up there. It is acknowleged however that a lack of experience can and does bring people undone.

I had a ball there, learned heaps, made friends, and found my aviation feet so to speak, but the following was observed; agro. arrogance and bloodyminded mudslinging gets little attention. Tourists and Kununurra are not for everyone. Maybe the CP's can see something that you cannot, or refuse to see. Accept that its time to either reassess, try another avenue or do an attitude check.

For anyone heading anywhere in life you have to plan prepare preview review.... this applies to aviation careers also. I suggest research on the company(ies), have maps, charts, relevant documentation, appropriate wear and leave your opinion in the car with the mobile. There is nothing worse than doing an interview and the chaps(esses) phone rings....

[Raingauge]

airstream.

You poor misguided fool. I'm not out of work, and get treated rather well. I think the award for GA pilots is a bit of a joke, but thats not my employeers problem.....and I am treated withing the guidlines that the award provides, which is more than what I can say for Slingair pilots.

I have never worked for a KU based company (thank goodness), but know enough guys that have to know what goes on up there.

I was mearly pointing out that a ground loop, wheels up, total plane wreck and who knows what else that has happened this year would mean that the standard had droped this year. If your suggesting that this dosen't indicate a drop in standard then I'd have to say the standard isn't very good then, is it?

Slingair simply have to lift their game. That is not a winge...just a fact.

As for my mummy and daddy paying for another career for me.....what was the first one they paid for??? And by the way, I've got a few to many hours to give the flying thing away...but thanks for your concern:ok:

[airstream]

Raingauge Raingauge !!!!!!!!!

Lets look at the facts do you really know how and why the accidents happened or do you automatically blame the T&C system within an organization.

Again its little S$#TS like you who always assume and know best !!!!!!!

Also are you telling me that you have never had a incident during your very short flying career and if you have did you straight away blame your company C&T or just maybe your company doesn't have a C&T system in place.

As for the pay pilots get within Slingair I do believe they get the award so there you go again shooting your little low life mouth again just like I see you do to other companies when there is an incident you seem to know the facts before the actual company concerned does.

I will give you some good advise talk sense on PPrune and stop bagging various companies about what you assume.

I think you like throwing large rocks in glass houses.

[exmexican]

Europilot,
Whilst I agree with most of your observations regarding KNX, ease up on the locals.
If you pigeon hole them as a pack of un-educated, Perth failures, it just shows how few of them you got to know. Next time you sneer at the "working class", try fixing your own septic system. There are people in town who earn far more and own more city real estate than you ever will, just because they spotted a market that happened to be in KNX.
If you consider that you have an excess of knowledge and experience as a 200 hr, mid 20's CPL then you are dreaming.
Do you understand why locals avoid the pubs in season? Because they're full of large mobs of shiny CPL's fresh from the city, full of beer and bad manners. Take a look at it from their perspective, a pilot licence doesn't make you a better human being than them. How many locals did you ever have a beer with?
As for having few excitements, an hour of two wheel driving will take you to many beautiful spots locally. Open you eyes, open you mind.
As for the General, he battles on, learning like the rest of us.
You wont be missed, dozens like you pass through every year.

[europilot]

exmexican,

I didnt make myself clear... I am happy for the handful who came 20-30 years ago and now own half of KNX... they did well and certainly know what they are/were doing... I was refering to the people who got their over the last couple of years...and think that they will make the great living... I met plenty of them...and I was warned before I got there...

Now I am in a REAL country town with REAL country people, not "country people wannabees"... and I am enjoying it and having beers with them...

In regards to "excess knowledge" I was talking about non-aviation stuff, as a 200hrs cpl guy I know nothing about flying and I am aware of that... but in other fields such as building, pizza-making, IT, marketing... a couple of mid/late 20 year old pilots might have some knowledge which could benefit and improve a local's bussiness... but unfortunately the locals in KNX dont like that...

[nick murry]

I was another bloke that got there pants pulled down this year at kunners and can totally understand how a few pilots on this thread feel.

I was also surprised to observe the lack of professionalism that this well respected company showed...(with regards to interviews)

If you are booked in for an interview and travel 3000km for the sole purpose. Cop a call The night before on your phone that says "thanks for coming up but no thanks" << not even from the man himself but that cute little secretary :)
It’s quite easy to get fired up. But yeah I know Its GA!!! Comes with the job.

As europilot said, there were some good times and good people waiting for work living in an illegal modified cold room. A list of contacts from my time there is already proving handy.

F*&k Matrix 3 is out and im 1000k away from a cinema, :)

g'day

[waynoscheckman]

:8 You are a big bunch of complaining idiots.

Who cares if 4000 pilots come through knx every year and 3998 get the ****s and leave. At least we get to pick the best out of whats left and also know who has the heart to stay on and battle it out over the season. They are the pilots that really want the job, not the ones that turn up and stay for 3 months, demand a job and then piss off because they have the s$#@. I think you all need to grow up a little bit and stop thinking that the aviation industry owes you...................

wcm

[grrowler]

airstream,
He also tells me that the training and checking within the company is to very high standard he tells me if you are preparing for a line check you had better do your homework. What is your 205 hour mate comparing it to? His flying school?? :confused:
All the pilots I know that have gone through sling have left with good hours in the log book, but no commercial sense whatsoever. Their C&T might look good on paper, but pose a practical operational scenario to them and they have no idea.

[Ski Guru]

bunch of sissys complaining
pretty easy to slag off a big group of people that have passed through those doors over the last twenty years grrowler.
:ouch:

i haven't met em all, but i've met enough to know that your way off grrowler

anyways its snowing.

[Raingauge]

Airstream.

Do I know the facts....yes.

Am I a little $H!T......no.

Has my carrer been "very short"....I've seen alot shorter.

Wasn't talking about Slingair pay....don't know and don't care what they pay their pilots.....what I do know is they do a damn lot more than what CAO 48 or any dispo allows them to.

Thanks for all your great advice, but I don't live in a glass house, and will throw what ever I like!

Maybe when you get out of your little bubble up there, or someone pops it for you you'll see that what I am saying is true, and that is that Slingair haven't had the best year....thats all. They are the facts....hope you don't mind them too much:ok:

[druglord]

airstream,
I'd have to side with raingauge on this. I think if you ask any of the pilots in the Kimberley I think all would tell you that Broome Av, Golden Eagle, Geikie, Alligator, whatever's in Wynumn these days, KLP, Polar, are all much more desirable destinations than slingair. I've had too many friends screwed by the place to put a recommendation in for it.

[roach trap]

Airstream(or should i say yes man)

I payed for my own training and are working so your little insults are a joke. Ever thought that some of these comments are coming from people still in KNX that know a Tosser when they see one

Cheers you sad little man

[airstream]

Roach Man a little testyyyyyy arn't we

Have you had a chance to meet the tosser in Knx, just maybe he might be a nice guy or are you comparing yourself as a tosser and automatically think everyone is a tosser like yourself.

Your name says it all roach so watch out no one steps on you.

I think enough is enough lets stop having our little gripes and end this subject about KNX. Im sure everyone has had there little gripe.

How about leaving Slingair alone does anybody think that maybe the company used to treat its pilots bad, and maybe things have now changed for the better this includes CAO 48 and pay ect ect everybody seems to be judging Slingair on how it used to operate and not on how it operates today.

Why don't current pilots with Slingair comment.

[grrowler]

Ski Guru,

Just going off the pilots I know mate, I think I said that in my post.

I'm sure there are stacks of great pilots to have come through there, I'm just saying I don't think they would have picked up their commercial sense from sling.
Again, going off what I have experienced they seem to operate their aircraft without knowing, or even questioning why they are doing things.

[roach trap]

Airstream

I don't know which part of my post was testy. Yes i agree lets get comments from those working or have worked for the general and his little lap dog Airstream. Ever thought that some of them may have already made comments i think it is time to pull your head from your a$$ and have a look around

[the wizard of auz]

Why don't current pilots with Slingair comment.
Mate, you can bet ya bottom dollar that at least one is. ;)
Aint that right General???? and while I'm addressing you, General,
Have ya had a yarn with ya mates in perth lately? Made up any good yarns coz you just havn't got a clue lately????

[slice]

waynoscheckman == Wayno ?????????


:=

[MAXX]

jees,

I left KU about 3 years ago and if this is the current attitude to all the companies ,things have really fallen.

What a shame it used to be a really good spot for new pilots,there were a good bunch of pilots when I was there,and some of the CP'S weren't too bad either.

[Northern Chique]

Hey MAXX! wondered when you would show up! I tend to agree with you. Did a trip back this year with the folks just to show it off and AA was very much the enjoyable place it was. Pizza, nibbles and drinks on a Friday still happily going on. Was great place and good folks there.

[MAXX]

northern chique,
from what i am hearing along the grape vine from reliable sources(one thats sitting next to me as i type this)is that things are nowhere near as good as they were going back a few years ago.

a real shame to see a good training ground go to rack and ruin.

[Willie Nelson]

lips shut for a little now boys.......might be a good idea!

[Northern Chique]

Such a shame if thats the case. Took a trip over to Kunnas in June. Seemed like the tourists had better places to be so the numbers were down a bit perhaps but caught up with some old faces who seemed to saying the same things.... such a shame...

[Vapour Trader]

To all of you out there who seem to have a problem with GA in Knx.........build a bridge and get over it you bunch of low time, shoulders shine to bright, two bar slags. I have been in the game now approx 6 years and whilst I have had to battle my way up in the game, I have realised that's all it is. WA is a large place my friends but when it comes to you guy's it's very very small, so why don't you P:) ss of back to where you came from and leave the JT generals alone. I am a proud JTG and find it funny that anyone would ridicule a place rather than a particular company. You guys have real issues and half of you don't know what your on about anyway. Get a life or get out or in my case Fu:mad: off because I wouldn't give you a job............and we all know who your names are really, don't we????

Kissy kissy

vapour x

[MAXX]

VAPOUR,

I myself have been in the game for 14 years and as you say I also have had to work hard to get where i am.(dont wear gold bars anymore or reflective raybans).

I dont know really whats happening in Kununurra anymore,only what i hear along the grape vine.I was a Chief Pilot down there for a few years myself and my earlier comments were not to be in anyway a put down on the current generals(as they now appear to be called)but mearly an opinion on the current atitudes of the millions of low time pilots looking for work in kununurra.

Wheather their attitudes are justified or not seems to be a matter for certain managers and senior pilots to consider.

HAPPY FLYING

[Vapour Trader]

Cheers MAXX

Glad to see someone with the right attitude!
Jeez, I have seen a steady rise in commercial pilots flooding the market with there "somebody owes me everything" crap over the last few years and it's true they do head up to KNX and places like it looking for that golden seat. I only hope they keep there attitudes and daddies money with them where it belongs.

Really guy's come on, this site used to be so helpfull and we all stuck together and helped when there was something to be gained from a situation but I guess that was when you were all in nappies and glueing your fingers together hanging your best made up in the ceiling.

Let's not make up sh:mad: and also have a little respect for the ones that got off there asses in the first place to get up here and finally plonk there arse in a seat, and also wish the best of luck to the ones in the future for having the balls to drive here in the first place rather than sending piles of A4 through the mail......do Australian post a favour..............stop it.

Vapour x

[MAXX]

I understand what your saying vapour,

some of the young pilots going up through KU are smart asses who think the world owes them a flying job just because mummy and daddy paid for their licence and daddy knows a check and training capt in qantas who can get him a job after 12 months in the bush.some of the guys just couldnt understand that you couldnt employ everyone.(one pilot who had been to see myself and the owner a number of times actually bailed me up infront of the supermarket after he found out he wasnt going to get work that season. HE ACTUALLY THREATENED TO KNOCK MY HEAD OFF IF HE DIDNT GET A JOB,ILL NEVER FORGET HIS NAME!!)

HOWEVER (an this is a big however)

most of the guys and girls coming through when i was there were pretty good,down to earth hard workers with their heads screwed on the right way,and most have moved on to bigger and better things having gained some good knowledge from their 2 or more years apprenticeship in the kimberely

I mostly look back on the place with fond memories,we had a really good team and the guys and girls from both major companies usually mixed very well,it would be a real shame if one of the good training groundS for pilots went to hell.

I suppose thats best left up to attitudes of all staff and managers to generate a proffessional ,effective and safe work atmosphere.

BEST OF LUCK

[Vapour Trader]

Maxx

Once again you are sooooo right. Believe me, I'm not kissing your arse here but it is good to have someone finally say something good about KNX

Cheers mate


vapour

[Raingauge]

JT Generals.....the first thing I would have done was get rid of that nick name......such a crack up.

Just remember that a general in the GA army isn't even a private where the big boys play.

Now get down and GIVE ME 20!!!;)

[the wizard of auz]

Yup your dead right Vapor, some people do know alot of names, thing is, when they get up there and start doing things they shouldnt, they earn the name they get.
I never went up there looking for work and still managed a bad reception (although that was saved untill after I left).
KNX aint the be all and end all of aviation............. but some seem to think it is. also some of us are quite happy being in GA (as much as a bugga of a industry it is) and dont really think the sun shines out of certain individuals bums (coz we are happily employed).
they are only little fish in the big picture, and they wanna remember that........... no better than alot of people that don't hold the high and mighty CP position. (its a mugs position anyway) some of us have more experiance than they are ever going to get and don't carry on like they do.

Have a Bonza day!!!!! ;)

[airstream]

Wizard of Aus!!!!!

I work out of Jt and Perth and your name come up the other day and it seems you still owe a certain aviation company money from when you did your ( fixed wing ) commercial licence I was informed you did the old runner after you finally got your licence does this bring back any memories.

Not bad for a guy who claims he has a good name in aviation
Maybe you can confirm or deny
:D

PS: Feel free to contact the certain aviation company Im sure he would love to talk to you.

[the wizard of auz]

Mate, you are absolutely correct!. I didnt do a runner though, I caught him trying to rip me off (along with all the others he tried to do the same to) and decided to take the legal path (coz thats what he kept threatening me with( or rather his hench man)).
I am still waiting............ He knows who I am, where I am and when I am in YPJT. we even share the same maintanance facility.
he has seen me on several occasions, even spoken to me on several occasions, but never mentioned anything about it.
Go figure!!!
I left the ball in their court ;)
Can't see what this has to do with anything though ????
I certainly aint embarresed about it, If that was you aim........ strewth mate, I quite often get applauded for sticking to my guns by most of the people that know this particular operator. very astute business man with few people skills, but hey, it takes all sorts to make a world.
(I might just add, it was a quite insignificate amount and nowhere close to the amount he tells every one it was. it was a principle thing really).
you can ask about if you wan't (seeing as though your so interested in my business) I dont have any other dramas on the whole field where, I might add, I do spend significant amounts of time/money.
Oh, I already had my licences, just added the com bit to it.

Balls in your court airstream. :\

Have a Bonza day!!! ;)

[drshmoo]

Mr Airstream,
Have you an alias given to you by lord Jandy General himself as the "regs man"? If so congrats on new job. Didnt see you before we both left town.

Europilot~ too many logged hours in the tav bottleshop hey? A funny man such as I remember you, will have no worries eventually getting a job as you claim to have got (well done).
Ease Up on Wayno. He's preoccupied by restricting his circuits to 7nm radii when doin his beloved circuits.

To the KNX faithfull Shmoo will be in town for farewell drinks next week. See you in both hangers for a few beers

Dr Shmoo

[OpsNormal]

Yo shmooman, where ya heading? Long time no speak!

[oldrecruit210]

Things have taken a turn for the worse. The pressure is apparently getting too much for Lord Gen JT.

After a few drinks at the local, he got wound up at a local pilot not under his reign and threatened to "take things out side". Some of his "yes men" defused the situation and seemed quite humble for the rest of the evening.

Rumour has it that then events of the past year are taking there toll of Lord Gen JT and it may not be long before he follows the course of his operations manager and takes stress leave and possibly even medication.

This raises the question as to whether or not he is still a "fit and proper" person to hold the position of CP as required by the authority.

Assault of a fellow pilot over "phantom" work related issue would suggest "NO".

It is becoming hard to be proud to work for an organisation that is being brought into such shame.

[Checkerboard]

Having been up in the Kimberly's myself earlier this year and experienced it all first hand and having read all these posts I thought I might put in my 2 cents worth.

To all the guys and gals that went up to KNX looking for work this year I take my hat off to you. It takes a fair bit of courage to venture out of the comfort of the city and drive 3,000 kms to look for your first job and not being to sure what you are getting yourself into. To those that having not got a job and still choose to stay there, got a job at the pub or servo and wait it out I also take my hat off to you.

To the 11 guys I meet living in the converted coldroom paying $100 each a week to live in what was nothing short of 3rd world accommodation I understand where alot of the frustration comes from.

But a few points need to be made

i) The "general" as you want to call him was in a tuff position himself earlier this year. He was also just starting the job, feeling his feet etc. With so many guys all knocking on the door looking for work how can he distinguish between 40 of you all with 200 hours? He has to make some decisions and there is no way he could spend time with all of you. Dont hold it against him for that, he also had alot of other tasks to complete.

ii) It has been said here before, KNX is really not a good place to look for work if you only have 200 hrs. You all end up looking like a flock of sheep and your chance of standing out and getting hired amounst all the others is very slim. Your better off going to the smaller towns where there are a couple of operators and NO pilots waiting for a job. That way the companies WILL get to know you and when a position comes up you will be the only one there so you will be it!

iii) While all of you sat in KNX waiting by your phones there was a couple of jobs going only 100k's down the road but no one ever came to see us apart from the 2 people that made the effort to leave KNX and come and say hello, they both got the jobs!

Think outside the square and dont give Wayno such a hard time,he has a tough job.

[airstream]

Checkerboard

How true your words are, I think with a company like Slingair and how big the operation is the general!!! has alot on his mind. Like you said considering how he was chucked in the deep end at the beginning of the season and how he has created alot of new changes people don't realize this takes time.

Give him a chance :ok: