REX boss resigns!

[The PM]

Just spotted on smh.com :
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Rex-boss-Geoff-Breust-resigns/2007/11/12/1194766559889.html

"Regional Express Ltd is set to lose its managing director, Geoff Breust, who has resigned after four years at the helm of the regional airline.
Mr Breust resigned on November 7 and will serve out a four-week notice period, the company said.
Chief of staff Jim Davis will stand in until a new leadership structure is formed.
Rex deputy chairman John Sharp said that, during Mr Breust's tenure, the airline had been transformed from the brink of bankruptcy to the most successful regional airline in Australia.
"It is with great regret that the board accepted Geoff's resignation," Mr Sharp said.
"However, we have to respect his desire to take a well-deserved retirement after more than 30 years of service in both government and the private sector."
Rex flies to 25 destinations a week, operating about 1,300 flights.
The company is made up of Regional Express, air freight and charter operator Pel-Air Aviation and Dubbo-based airline, Air Link.
© 2007 AAP"

[dreamjob]

Hmmmm, interesting times ahead for the REX group!

[training wheels]

J"It is with great regret that the board accepted Geoff's resignation," Mr Sharp said.
"However, we have to respect his desire to take a well-deserved retirement after more than 30 years of service in both government and the private sector."

In one sentence, he says, he resigned, and then in the next sentence he says he retired. There's a big difference between the two, so which is it? :confused:

[Level Ridiculous]

I just wish the CEO of Air-Link would follow in GBs footsteps. What an egotistical moron. Nice shiny aeroplanes, (would be more impressive if the pilots werent expected to work a full roster as well as keep their aeroplanes squeaky clean) and therefore working well beyond 38 hours of duty every week. Add to that they are paid the GA award when apparently they are supposed to be a regional airline. Add to that the pilots are more than occasionally verbally abused by the man with the outstanding people skills (as Krusty 34 so aptly put it). Add to that no allowances (a full reimbursement system) and therefore the absolute base pay and its not exactly the best situation if pilot retention is the current objective.

[The Kavorka]

How many more rats will desert the sinking ship.....???????????

[aircraft]

In one sentence, he says, he resigned, and then in the next sentence he says he retired. There's a big difference between the two, so which is it?
In order to retire, you first have to resign.

People resign from their occupations all the time. On any day in Australia there would be over a thousand people announcing their intention to resign.

Approximately how old is this gentleman?

[chief wiggum]

Someone call the press!!!!
Breaking story - "Imminent CEO shortage!!!!" and " Geoff was poached by old age!!!"

[Pundit]

Geoff's departure is not Geoff's wish.

The Rex DChair is a very close friend of Gary T.

Could he be clearing the decks for the big boy to come on board?

Could this be a signal that Rex is about to really expand?

[The Kavorka]

Expand into what...last I looked they were shrinking by the day!!

[KRUSTY 34]

Geoff has always publicly toed the company line. The little gem about flights being cancelled everytime a pilot calls in sick is just one case in point. Despite what aircraft says, that little statement was designed to deflect responsibility for this crisis.

My opinion..... Geoff probably no longer has the stomach for all the bull****! Personally, I wish him all the best. Even the best people in an organisation are limited if they have their hands tied.

At the recent Asia Pacific lovefest, the Chairman gratefully received the award for the best regional airline! During his acceptance speach he made mention of REX's growing of the regional market and the maintenance of these essential services to the bush. He touched on the fact that these services had been cut to many communities over previous years, and that REX, (being the white knight) had been instrumental in growing and re-establishing many of them.

All very true!

Now, consider this... At a pilot meeting back in August, the question was asked, "what will happen when we get to the point, that due to reduced pilot numbers, we can no longer build a roster?" The REX chief of staff answered that because of REX's low level of debt, and its favourable "critical mass", they will simply shrink the business! We are now seeing this come to pass. But, you 'aint seen nothin' yet!

This strategy by which REX are going to deal with the crisis, will ultimately gut the services to regional Australia. QF Link could come in to fill the void, but they are facing the same problems as REX! The extent to how much the bush will lose, remains to be seen? If the numbers stated by the REX chief of staff, 1800 pilots over the next 2 years, are to be relied upon, then the reduction in regional services will be enormous.

In all of this the retention of exiting pilots has never been a consideration. That of course is the perogative of REX management. The total and complete discounting of this option will make a mockery of the Chairman's recent acceptance speech. He has shown that he will have no hesitation in sacrificing the air services to these regional centres rather than pay the current market price for labour!

[AN Flyer]

IMHO, my respects for the man. Had the opportunity to have a beer with him in the KD days. Given Rex's current problems and the enormous weight that must be on his shoulders, I have no issues (or accusations) with seeing him retire. No shame in this at all.

Now - Gary T taking the chair? - another matter entirely :ugh:

[Two Wheeler]

If it was your choice, good move Geoff you have lasted longer than all thought. Try and enjoy a quieter life away from this B......t.
Where this airlines goes now, who knows???

[Raider1]

First met Geoff a long long time ago when we were allocated ajoining rooms in a Govt hostel in Canberra for new recruits to the public service, strait out of the education stream.
Later on, had limited contacts with him during my AN days. But a good guy.
All the best in retirement Geoff.

[Level Ridiculous]

I say good riddance to deadwood. In my time at Air-Link after the Rex buyout, never once did Breust or anyone else from Rex management come to Dubbo and even check out the operation, working conditions etc.

Reason: couldnt give a sh!t as long as Hitler (DM) was turning a profit.
Breust spent time at Air-Link after the collapse of Kendell and saw first hand the level of disrespect dished out to pilots and to a lesser extent all the staff and the overall shyte working conditions. However when in a position to make changes did absolutely nothing to correct any of the misgivings. Good riddance, I hope he feels completely responsible and embarrassed about how it has all ended. Its called karma.

[Under Dog]

Gee wizz your really goin to upset "AIRCRAFT" with statements like that.

Regards The Dog

[B A Lert]

In order to retire, you first have to resign.

Wrong, wrong and wrong. Aircraft needs to repeat kindy. :ugh::ugh::ugh:

[aircraft]

Wrong, wrong and wrong.
Why not say why it is wrong as part of your post? Perhaps you could enlighten us now.

[indamiddle]

could someone show aircraft how to use a dictionary? pleeeeease

[A Yak From Yemen]

Just answer this and only this aircraft, which company do you work for.

[indamiddle]

hi to a yak from yemen,
aircraft is that thick he couldn't have a job except in a sheltered workshop.

[The PM]

Many people in sheltered workshops are capable of good accurate work on a consistent basis.I view a previous post as a slur against people who work in sheltered workshops......:}

[aircraft]

B A Lert, indamiddle and A Yak From Yemen,

I have checked the dictionary and found that my understandings of the words resign and retire are correct. So, I am curious as to what you are all on about.

Do tell.

[indamiddle]

i hereby unreservedly apologise to all people who work in sheltered workshops

[A Yak From Yemen]

Make a good politician, can't answer the kweshtun.

[Level Ridiculous]

Id almost put money on it that 'aircraft' is on the Rex Board. There'll probably be no posts from it (surely from another planet), over the next few days as it'll be busy wasting company money at the Rex board meeting. Cant you just imagine it as they all crap on about it's everyone elses fault and not theirs. Cant wait to hear more enlightening posts in a couple of days from 'aircraft'. Maybe you could post the minutes and give us all a good laugh. :)

[STLTH]

My man Level Ridiculous, I could not agree with you more about DM. I only met the guy for an hour and I could see what he is like, poor people skills you say, what people skills. Let me tell everyone my story, just so as everyone can see that L.R is not crapping on. I flew my way to Dubbo for a job interview, and not a short distance let me tell you, and expensive. I was confronted by a man who I thought was DM but infact it was his sidekick and the name escapes me, who seemed nice enough till he was along side you know who then one DM became two.

I have never in my life felt so uncomfortable as I did during that interview, not one f*%$# smile, not one F*&^% joke to calm the nerves down, wait for it, no people skills what so ever. Not once did they ask me about who I was, whats my background, what are your goals, you know, those kinds of questions, just all technical. For all he knows he may think he has a good pilot that knows all the technical side of things, but he could be a complete physco, but then again that might suit him. I believe I would of been able to perform much better than I did if I was made to feel comfortable and just be myself. I mean is that not the aim, otherwise how will you know what the person is REALLY like, F*&^% W#$%%.

After all that I was told I'd get al call in regards to the outcome of the interviews in a weeks time but no one called of course, I called them. One of the girls answered the phone and told me that DM would get back to me, yeah right, I'm still waiting, waiting for Two and a half months now. After all the expense i went to and the distance I travelled the P^&*$ did not ahve the decency to pick up the phone and tell me how things went, well what was I expecting, I dont know.

Its a shame a company which has such great potential to do so much better possibly to have a more happier crew if the CP was someone else like GB at REX. I had the pleasure of meeting one of the pilots on my way out, seemed like a great guy and I feel sorry he is working under such a guy as DM.

Let me end with one last thing. I know we all want to get to our ultimate goals as fast as possible and fly the dream machines, but we need to make it clear to some operators that we did not pay all this F#$%^ money to be disrespected and treated like slaves, as opposed to be treated like professionals. Let us make them think twice before they mistreat us, there is plenty of jobs out there, especially now, if they dont give you what you deserve and I dont mean royalties, but just be fair, tell them that you wish to work for a professional company and go somewhere else. What is the point indoing this job if we are not going to be happy doing it.

I think that's enough for now, peace out my fellow winged brothers, hope to see all of us smiling one day.

[RYAN TCAD]

....and welcome to the GA zone! Sounds like you've only got a few more years of that to go!

But seriously, good luck indeed mate. There are truly so many wankers out there that suffer from big man small dick syndrome in GA and beyond it's not funny.

The past 20-30 years of too many pilots / not enough jobs is starting to turn.

Karma is a wonderfull thing.... trust me :)

[capt available]

STLTH,

Could not agree more with you. Had a very similar experience about 3 years ago. did my homework and after about 6 months of pestering got an interview. hired a twin and flew all the way out there. needless to say it started at 11 and went through till after 3 in the arvo!

Dragged me out to the aircraft i came up in and proceeded ear bash me on how i had the nerve to take an aircraft up to dubbo and for an interview. mate its not my plane, i only hired the cheapest dam thing i could get my hands on.

Cut a long story short, i left the interview nearly 4 hours later drenched in sweat feeling like i shoul just end it all and lop myself.

in the end got another job and for a company that was a pleasure to work for.
does not surprise me at all to hear that he and another pilot ended up having a punch on mid-flight.

hope everyone has or will stay clear of the place and ends up getting there dream job................:ok:

[Level Ridiculous]

Glad to hear you got a great job. You seriously dont know how lucky you were to not work at Air-Link. Whilst we seem to be transgressing form 'Rex Boss Resigns' its good to hear some serious negatives about good old DM. He seems to be proud of his reputation in the industry, i.e. A hard man. It goes so much beyond him being a hard man. TRUTH: He's an egotistical monster that takes great pride in putting those around him down to make himself feel important. One of the most pathetic self-righteous fools anyone could hope to meet, let alone work for. There is such a thing called karma and his day is coming. No one gets off scott free in this life. good to hear from you Capt Available.

[Pundit]

Spot on level, he made so many of the other so called hard men look like as though they had soft sides!

And believe me I worked with him.

[pill]

Once saw big Dave throw a mobile phone(a while ago,when they were big) over 3 chieftains parked wing tip to wing tip, mid call. I won't comment on the people skills but he does have a good arm. Happy Days.

[Ralph the Bong]

:sad:

With such a reputation as a snarling, slavering, raving madman, why has CASA allowed him to continue in his role as a CP and a multi-crew captain? Surely someone with such anger management issues should not be in such a position.

I would advise anyone who works with someone who exhibits these behaviours to record observations of bizarre events in a diary. These observations should then be passed on to the Director of Aviation Medicine at CASA who has the power to order a psychiatric evaluation, if deemed warrented.

These diaries can also form what is known as 'contemporaneous' evidence that can be used in a coronial inquiry or any court hearing, should the worst ever happen.

[Level Ridiculous]

Excellent post my friend. I think anyone who has ever worked for the knob has kept a diary and are just waiting for something to start. Potentially at some stage he will make a mistake or rip it up the wrong person and finally the authorities might start to delve a little deeper which is when the diaries may start to arise. Its a bit hard to say you didnt do something or behaved in an untoward manner when every pilot that ever worked for you says you did and has it documented. There was a case of a 767 driver that came to Air-Link after the dispute and got it good from the psychopath and promptly reported it to CASA. He informed them of the cockpit antics and mind games etc. The pilot in question told CASA he (DM) was a psycho and not fit to be a pilot, let alone training or CP and it was investigated by the authority and it caused the #1 tosser quite a bit of stress. But as usual they never asked current or ex employees whether they had ever encountered or witnessed such behavior so he was able to keep his business and go on his merry psychopathic way and it continues today. Anyway Air-Link probably wont exist in 6 months or like Rex it will be half the size as all the 1900 captains have left or are in the process of leaving and he cant work out why. Could it be the fact the man has 27 personalities and none of them know how the other one has behaved so he honestly thinks he treats his staff OK.
POSITIVE: Pilots market, jobs galore. Anyone left at Air-Link, no one really cares what he thinks of you so get the resumes out and look after #1. HAPPY DAYS:)

[tenfouroldmate]

Could this be a signal that Rex is about to really expand?

In reply to Pundit looking foward to a positive furure for REX; I can not see prosperous times ahead for an airline whose management is unable to maintain its current role of pilots while working them excessive hours (don't be foolish enough to believe F & D time limitations are adheared to), 6 days a week on substandard salaries.:ugh:
Their pilots are leaving in masses and nothing is being done by Rex management to reverse this trend let alone stop it. The cadets may come but what about the captains? There is no longer an abundance of pilots experienced enough for this type of job... that's left and right seat positions. :confused:

[KRUSTY 34]

10,4, ol mate,

Once again it is so bleeding obvious it hurts!

I believe the dictionary states: "A mistaken belief in one's surroundings, and/or situation........"

DELUSIONAL!!!!

[apache]

Are they still cancelling flights ? and if so, how many per day/week etc?

[tenfouroldmate]

If Mr B needs or wants to resign then so be it. Good luck and best wishes.

What now becomes the problem as far as maintaining moral for it's employees (in particular the pilots) is the typical attitude and thus comment made by "management" on local news not so long ago; some of the regional councils are becoming increasingly frustrated by the late arrival or cancellation of flights to and from Sydney. Mr S could not help but have a dig at pilots for calling in sick at the last moment as part of management's problems. Possibly so but...
Let's look at some possible reasons for these sick days:

Rostered on for 6 day periods
Max and/or exceeded duty times
Being called in from annual holidays to work
Base wages (sure, it's the award but we all know it is far from realistic nor ample especially for those living in capital cities)...Just to start.
Having said all that, those pilots that go out for a night out together socially then call in sick the next day do not help their cause.:sad:

Summing up: Pilots that are looking for a raise in salary and better working conditions best keep their heads down- I believe the pilots' award wage is due to be reviewed within 12 months. Work hard and wisely, maybe the wait will be worth it! :ok:

[Hugh Jarse]

10-4:

Your 2 middle points: The pilot has an equal responsibility to adhere to
CAO48. I find it difficult to understand/believe that REX would knowingly cause or incite these blokes to do otherwise.

A quick call to the Sydney CASA airline office would sort that out quick sticks....

When on annual leave, you can just say no.

End of story.

[KRUSTY 34]

Agreed Hugh,

It's important in all of this that people do not go off on emotional tangents. Rex do not roster their pilots in violation of CAO 48, and they do not (certainly to the best of my knowledge) place undue pressure on pilots to work during leave or on their days off. The terms and conditions of the EBA are quite clear. It is by "mutual" consent.

What they do now, and they really have little choice in the matter, is to roster crews to the MAX of both CAO 48 and the EBA. Quite legal. With the reduction in lifestyle however, and the rapidly growing opportunities elsewhere, it is little wonder that people will move on, and continue to do so untill such time as the situation at REX improves?

The only way to slow and eventually begin to reverse this trend is to make REX a viable alternative. Something that REX management have so far shown a complete unwillingness to do.

And so be it. The end result will be the inexorable decimation of a once great company!