Pixie in the Black

[Sharpie]

Today's Pos Guria states that Pixie will post a K45mil profit, the first for many years. Also, the report stated that Fokker100's will replace thje ageing 28's on the Cairns run from 2004.

Rumour has two of the F28 heavies downgraded themselves to the Dash 8. What do they know that the Drum doesn't?

[OzExpat]

If that figure proves to be accurate, I hope they get to keep it but I've got my doubts. Quite interesting though, that two of the F28 heavies have bid back to the -8! Reminds me of the panic that occured among some of the pilots when Rob Wood bid back off his F/O slot on the 707 to F28 command and, subsequently, resigned. Quite a few pilots were wondering if he knew something that they needed to know! :D

[chimbu warrior]

Sadly the pollies will ensure that the K54m does not weigh down the Pixie bank account for too long. I'd guess that when it comes to paying for F100's there will be a sudden "deficiency" in Pixie's funds, leading to another cash crisis (and possible opportunity to shaft the expat draivas).

It should be the most profitable and best-capitalised carrier in the world...........................

[Chimbu chuckles]

I think you'll find the two fellas who volunteered back onto the DHC8 are there to help the company out of a bind caused by a dramatic lack of experienced pilots who can train. Rumours flying of Pixie wanting to attract back some ex PX F28 drivers on short term contracts due cronic shortage on that fleet too.

Sharpie...you wouldn't know anything about how these shortages came about would you?:E

I hope the post courier report is accurate & I hope it, the profit, doesn't end up in the wrong hands...but I'm nothing if not an eternal optomist.:ugh:

Chuckles.

[Pinky the pilot]

Like Chuckles I'm an optimist ie the bottle is half full... (and thanks for the PM mate) but does this mean that there actually may be some hope for Pixie after all?????
Jeez I hope so!!

You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.

[TIMMEEEE]

Was watching a segment on the CNBC Asia channel last night about a proposed strike at Air Nuigini so that National wages would be brought up to the level of Expat wages.

Can anybody clarify or confirm this??

[Sharpie]

Timmeee

Have a look at Post-Courier Online or The National Online for the last couple of days. I think there is a story in there somewhere.

[OzExpat]

I have a lousy internet connection here (thru a switchboard), so I get a lousy linespeed. Can somebody please summarise the newspaper report for me? I can't believe that such a strike would succeed because Expat pay and conditions are enshrined in contracts that are worded to exclude nationals.

However, having said that, if it's ever likely to succeed, Pixie is the place for it... :sad: Unless the new CEO has "the right stuff"!

[troppo]

oz...there were a few others along similar lines but this was mondays national

hang on a minute...u wanted the strike one...
Air Niugini pilots go on strike

Air Niugini management yet to act on counter proposals

By JULIA DAIA BORE

NATIONAL pilots with Air Niugini have agreed to go on strike if further negotiations with airline management were unsuccessful, according to the president of the national pilots union, Peter Ansphil.
"There is looming strike action," he said, adding that the decision was reached at a meeting last Thursday evening.
It appeared the pilots union may be willing to accept a temporary 10 per cent pay cut if the airline management agreed to have a single salary scheme for local and expatriate technical flight crews.
A spokesman for the airline's management, while not discussing any details, said Air Niugini "would love to come to a compromise".
Mr Ansphil said a letter outlining the union's counter proposal for the solving of the dispute has been sent to the Air Niugini CEO with copies to Labour Department.
It outlined the following counter proposals:

Management and union agree by way of a Memorandum of Agreement to address the dispute in totality, including the issues of single line salary, with a view to signing a new award before February 28, 2004;


Accept management's offer of a 10 percent salary increase effective February 28, 2004 without condition of forgoing CPI adjustments;


Review overtime thresholds and rates by mutual agreement giving due consideration to aircraft fleet types and pilot numbers;


Reinstate concessional travel effective November 1 this year;


Effective on November 1, the National pilots revert back to normal roster work practice, that is working on days off by mutual agreement as per contract clause A/7/3; and


Union to liaise with Labour Department and continue with industrial proceedings.

The Management's proposal to the pilots were to:

Take a 10 percent cut effective from November 1 this year to February 28 next year;


Give a 10 percent increase effective November 1 with no CPI increase for three years;


Retain concessional travel; and


Increase the overtime threshold beginning from November 1.

Pilots at the union meeting last Thursday felt the airline management had not dealt with the issue in its totality or in a professional manner.
The union letter to the Labour Department said: "This union deems this as an insult to intelligence, totally unprofessional and counterproductive to good employer - employee relations.
"This is evidence of the arrogant attitude this union has had to deal with which has led the union to begin industrial proceedings."
It said it was mindful that industrial procedures laid down by the Labour Department had to be followed before any further action was taken by the Union.
The Labour Department, which intervened two and a half weeks ago in the dispute, had instructed Air Niugini management to meet with the union.
This had taken place on October 20 when proposals were tabled for consideration by both parties. No compromise solution was reached and the next step would be the holding of a "compulsory conference

[Beer Can Dreaming]

Not being racist but imagine if all the expats were to leave PX.
Now that would make for an interesting story.
Its sad to say but this once great airline just keeps going from bad to worse.

Bring back the Kaiser I say!!!!

[OzExpat]

Many thanks for that troppo, I now see the situation for what it is. This will definitely not go down well with the Expat pilots and I'm sure that there wouldn't be enough National pilots to fill the vacancies if all the expats vote with their feet. But why do I think that the B767 has something to do with this? :E

I don't know if you were around in 1985, or thereabouts, when the National pilots went on the warpath for something similar. They all threatened to resign and I believe that the expat pilots were encouraging them to do so! :p Well, the upshot of that was that quite a few National pilots DID resign and, to my uncertain knowledge, nothing was achieved - apart from the urgent need to recruit more expats! :}

Perhaps Sharpie can give us the full story of that episode?

[Taildragger]

Ahhhhhhhh..... Was this where I came in or similar.??
Expats voting with their feet I have been reading/experiencing for ages, so where re they.?? Retired to comfortable nice Naval Bases in the PI, or Comyfy exec/ambulance jobs, or Singapore Airline Golden Handcuffs, or down south....take your pick.
I am still mates with them all, but, hey, what changes....nix.
Pixie still moves along and the same issues surface, and the same Nationalistic Problems arise.....tch, tch, tch, tch.!!
Hey Chimbu.....you in BNE FEB.??? I am. (Cue for a pi** up)

[Sharpie]

Taildragger, I go along with you.

Yep! Over many years it is still the same roadshow, only the actors change. Even young Chuck voted with his feet for what? to fly the four enginned vacuum cleaner, to fly a modern french piece. No doubt if he had stayed reciting on centre stage, he'd be playing to the 76 audience. Ah that is life.

Taildragger. If by chance you decide to visit southern clines via PI let me know. there's a bed and a beer available.:{

[Sharpie]

:sad:
Keith Buxton.

Along with many others in PNG aviation I had the honour of knowng Keith 'liklikdokta' Buxton and the priviledge of flying him and his tourist parties around over a number of years from 1966. Sadly Keith did not make this year's Balus Klub reunion as the dreaded C got him.

For those interested, his memories live on in his book 'The Golden Years' that his daughter Michelle manages to still have a number of copies in stock. Donations from book sales go to Dwyer Childrens Fund.

Check-out www.keithbuxton.com

Contact. 'Unleashed'
POBox 451 Main Beach. Q. 4217.

[Taildragger]

Sadly, I shall be unable to be in the old PI this trip. Basically couldn't trust myself. I shall be on the high seas ex SIN to BNE by Cargo Ship. The romance of it all, the smell of the salty air, and viewing the golden rivet have lured me away from the pleasures of staff travel and jet lag. I shall be hanging around on the bridge, telling all who will listen that their navigation is dreadful, and striding around with a cutlass and bandana.
German ship with offiziers von der vaterland.....so the delights of the Wantoks Sports Bar will have to wait. Ta for the offer though....later perhaps.

[Chimbu chuckles]

Yes I voted with my feet...the 4 engined Gas chamber wasn't so great but the Falcon was, without doubt, the nicest pilot's plane I'll ever fly, after the Fokker of course :ok:

I have no regrets about leaving Pixie, although as I slid down the 14 localiser from Kubuna the last time with a blazing sunset chasing me it got a little too emotional for comfort.

I choose, these days to concentrate on the good memories of 13+ years in 'paradise'!!

The odd poke at Sharpie aside:ok:

I pulled out an old seniorty list the other day and was amazed to see how many have left...I'd be well onto the first page, and yes, very likely looking at a 767 slot.

But next Saturday morning I depart for Seattle to complete a 767 type rating so I'll be ensconsed in one of Mr Boeing's finest shortly anyway.

As far as national pilots getting the same pay there is no argument...they absolutely should!!

But then again there should be only one seniorty list and they should come under the same disciplinary regime too!!

While national precedence reins and the expats are 'just there to hold a seat warm for a local' then PX will never be other than a short term gig for the vast majority of expat pilots....only there because they are needed...like it or not that attracts a premium...but you'd never guess that looking at PX expat pay these days!!

Since long before I joined people have been saying things like "we may have hired our last expat" or "the cadet scheme blah blah" and yet they have never gotten any closer to full localisation of the pilot body, nor will they, imho, in my career time frame. The more motivated and talented nationals are now leaving at (probably), as a % of total numbers, a greater rate than expats.

For decades Pixie has been a political and, to some extent racial, ****fight....probably the two biggest impediments to success.

When the whitey bashing (at all levels) stops and ALL the pilots are on one seniorty list with equal pay and equal everything else then PX will be back on the high road again instead of just being the best jet flying school in the world.

Don't hold your breath though.

Chuck.

[Winstun]

While national precedence reins and the expats are 'just there to hold a seat warm for a local' then PX will never be other than a short term gig for the vast majority of expat pilots....only there because they are needed .....duh..:rolleyes:
If any of you take up (not almost) PNG citizenship and hand back in your Oz one, the good viewers may give some consideration to your chest (..and other :O ) beatings. Aussies are one of the few peoples left in the 21st century clinging to their colonial imperialistic ways of yesteryear...butting into everybody's business at every opportunity. All expat pilots should be on contract - with the contract making a contribution to training of national pilots. Any current expats should have the once only option to make a long term comittment to PNG with a citizenship grant along with which comes a PNG bonding / scheme (to ensure they are sincere). :ok: Despite the perception, airliner pilots are a dime a dozen, and the current expat whingers can be replaced at a moments notice. :hmm:

[FarCu]

Winstun, take up smoking again before you bust a blood vessal.

Have to agree with Chuckles, they should all be on equal pay with 1 seniority list. But of course we wouldn't want them to give up their housing allowances, travel allowances, phone allowances etc., would we?

And if you think it has been fun so far, wait for the ****fight that is soon comming re F100 commands.

[Taildragger]

Winstun ..... I had a look at your profile after your imperialistic expat etc etc etc etc whinge. Nothing there. Would be very interested to know a couple of things about you....
a) Are you a Pilot.??
b) If so, where do you fly
c) have you ever been in PNG.??

Nothing sinister....they are just questions. I would like to know how you can form these judgements. care to enlighten me.??

Chuckles .... Saw Tommy Emmanuel earlier this evening and have yet to re-enter the earths atmosphere. He sends his best to you. Quite simply IMHO...the best Guitar palyer in the world.
I have a Tommy Hawk cap for you....I bought it for you for saving my life. We are now quits...next beer is on you.!!
By the way... BNE 2-9 Feb. I shall be there and the first one is on me. You there.?? Otherwise CNS/SYD/AKL and why are you on a 767 course...who would employ you to drive that in SE Asia.??
Come to think of it....who would employ you.

[Winstun]

Nothing sinister....they are just questions ...:{ Boo hoo I would like to know how you can form these judgements. care to enlighten me.??..:rolleyes: Maybe you can enlighten me how some PPL, living in a sh*thole, with mediocre operations job can form any judgements? Or for that matter, the many half educated, low paid, redneck Oz pilots frequently drivelling on this forum? Not that it's any of your business...but that is a yes, all over, and yes. :ok:

[Taildragger]

Winstun.... Wow..certainly pulled your chain didn't I/We.?
*****ole.?? Where I live...you know nothing about me or where I live. Mediocre job.?/ Not mine buddy. Again your mouth seems bigger than your brain. Form opinions.?? I certainly have about you. By the way, what opinion was it of mine that you particularly object to.?? Out

[Pass-A-Frozo]

sharpie, Chimbu etc.,

Interesting to see so many pilots registering even before the internet or microcomputer was around :ok:

1969!! :E

[Taildragger]

Pass-a-wossname
Noticed that. I think it's something to do with BBS Pre Upgrade and BBS Post upgrade. Dunno to be truthful, but don't pay any attention to me....according to Winstun my opinion doesn't count for anything. I have only been in the business for 38 years and don't know **** all.
Chias

[Sharpie]

:cool:
Hey daddy-oh pass a frozo.

Mi no save long dispela samting yupela toktok. Mi save mipela wok dispela klub long taim bipo.

Sapos yupela gat cros long nem bilong mi, yumas toktok save long Keptin Danny na Womera!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Husat i singaut nem bilong mi??? :}

Woomera

[Chimbu chuckles]

Taildragger dude

Re BNE 2-9 feb. Depending on how quick things move post Seattle there is an excellent chance I'll be in Brisvegas about then. I'll have ta get ya up in my Bonanza shags!!!

Re Winstun;

I long ago put him on my ignore list since nothing he has to say is worth the time and effort required to read. Just click on his profile button and look down the bottom for 'add winstun to my ignore list':ok:

Even old Sharpie isn't on the list, for although we've had some ding dong disagreements on this forum from time to time, I still get a smile from reading his posts. I'm sure I've pissed him off severly, at least as often as he has me, but I'd still buy the old C**T :} a San Mig. Whether he'd buy one back exercises the mind on very rare occassions :ouch:

Re the 767;

Who? Well that would be telling!

Why? For the London layovers where I can partake of beverages in your fine company and perhaps partake of your C180 too:E

How? Well it proves the old saw about BSing some of the people all the time:E

I hope PX do get the F100...be an excellent replacement for the venerable F28. Shoulda been done years ago!!

I actually don't think they'll be too much heartache at PX over F100 commands. Between the F100 and the 767 crewing shortages everone will (mostly) get what they want, a few will get what they aren't quite ready for and the bulk of those will rise to the challenge admirably...expat or national.

Chuckles

[Sharpie]

Ahhh. nice words Simbu.! I'll even buy you a crate or two of san mig if you ever hit Subic.

Britannia Rules the Waves(air)

Rumour has it that the whole pixie 76 complement are stranded in Aoteroa due to the brits departure before the 76 was ready leaving a lot of angry pax around various countries.

[lucille]

This must be the final twist in the last chapter of PX...who would have ever imagined that they could ever make a profit...totally unbelievable....this is really in the realms of fantasy.

If true, Sharpie, does this mean that they only started making money since you left?....hehehe....and no, I am not asking if there is a connection.

PX making money, Sharpie & Chuckie buying each other beers..has the world gone crazy? Next you'll be telling me that the speed of light is no longer a constant or that Winstuns IQ has risen above room temperature.

As you guzzle those San Migs...think of my poor parched throat out here in the dunes...

Winstun, Whoa! easy, dude!!... -- yes racism is indeed ugly - and its not unidirectional. A fact you might like to contemplate in the unlikely event that you find your navel is of no longer an intellectual challenge.


Happy Daze.........

[Taildragger]

On that subject, has Winstun dropped off the planet.?
Has he decided to give up.? Pity, I had just started to wind him up a wee bitty.

Chuckles A London layover and a C180 ....heaven.!!
Brewers are on Red Alert ... Six pots off in January to be replaced, and I am in the Land Dunnunda till early March, by then the weather here should have risen above absolute zero.
:ok: Chias

[Uncle Aunty]

I know this is a bit old news now, but the reason PX was able to make such a stellar financial performance last year was due to pessimistic accounting predictions on the Kina/US$ rate for 2003.

I'm not sure what they eventually hedged at, but given the Kina went as low as $0.18 in November 2002, their budgetting for 2003 couldn't really have been much higher.

As it was 2003 saw the big K closer to 27/28 cents, so the budget figures turned out to be a lot better than anyone thought... hence the K45million profit.

The big question is what they've hedged on for 2004...? Anyone?