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View Full Version : Heavylift vs Volga-Dnepr


VdG
30th Aug 2001, 16:36
anyone in the know care to make an informed opinion on the merits or otherwise of working in ops for either of the above? ( at STN ) e.g.

* working conditions
* other staff and management
* pay and perks
* job security

VP8
31st Aug 2001, 11:23
Much of a muchness really!! Although Heavylift ops are being merged with Air Foyle ops to form a JV so they still have access to the Mighty An124 and are moving to new offices at Takely with a complete new ops setup. I don't know thr stae of recruitment at HLA but Af are full staffed at moment but VDA are recruiting for ops staff in this weeks Fright International

Brgds
VP8
;) ;) ;) :) :)

[ 31 August 2001: Message edited by: VP8 ]

Doctor Cruces
1st Sep 2001, 10:50
Worked for Happylift in an earlier incarnation. The pay was Cr*p and there were no perks.

Need to ask why VDA and Heavylift parted company in the first place. HLA have had their troubles with layoffs lately (see other threads)and their one aircraft to fly pax ACMI with only 3 crews is a joke (IMHO).

Think carefully before jumping on board HLA.

As to VDA, you would need to know their long term plans for the UK, but out of the two at the moment I would go for VDA.

(see also thread in R+N about HLA layoffs)

Doc C. :)

[ 01 September 2001: Message edited by: Doctor Cruces ]

Eagle18th
2nd Sep 2001, 13:13
Agree with Doc C. - my contact at HLA is looking for a way out, and everyone there seems nervous about where the redundancy axe will fall next. (See R+N).
The ACMI pax operation hasn't yet proved successful, and it looks like the A300F's won't be busy either this winter.
Money-wise, HLA have always been well below average, but although VDA are paying more, they seem to be looking for people with extensive ad-hoc cargo experience.
I imagine VDA have had a good response to their recent ad, so if you're interested I'd suggest you get your application to them asap.
With the global cargo market generally depressed at the moment, the outsize and other specialist operators may be the safest bet, so good luck.
Brgds Eagle18th :)

freightdoggy dog
8th Sep 2001, 00:05
The offices in Takely are PJs old Gaff from Translift days. Finger in every pie! :eek: