QF SELECTS A321s for "SKIMPY"!!
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QF SELECTS A321s for "SKIMPY"!!
Senior excutive Alan Joyce, heading the formation of QFs extra low budget off-shoot, has inadvertently revealed a deal with Airbus is on the table. 35 new Airbus A321s (stretched 320s) are on offer as a result of the new connections and rapport established between QF and Airbus by a former AN pilot manager now with QF.
The new extra low cost airline, code named "Skimpy", is seen as an excellent opportunity to train up crews for the 330s and 380s.
Many experienced Airbus crews are current and available and the larger and mostly superior A321s have a huge passenger appeal and lower operating costs (plus container cargo capability, Cross Crew Qualification with the A330s/ A380 Etc, Etc..) when compared with the 737. A new Simulator is part of the deal, however the former AN A320 sim/training CBT is still available for initial training. QF already employs three former AN Airbus Management/check pilots in its A330 program.
The aircraft can also be utilized as freighters, to tap into the lucrative Asia Pacific freight market and the Asia Pacific International leisure destinations. "Fresh" indeed!!
Mr Joyce has basically adopted the VB blueprint, where pilots will be required to pay for their own endorsement, saving thousands in start up costs. However, somewhat different to QF where very inexperienced pilots or cadets are recruited as SOs and VB where jet experience is not required, "Skimpy" will require experienced airline jet pilots. Cabin crew/ground staff recuitment will be "personality" based, in an attempt to improve QFs sad passenger service record.
Mr Joyce expects many staff from a former Airline, renowned for Safety and excellent passenger service, to apply.
The new airline is expected to "take-off" in March 2004.
The new extra low cost airline, code named "Skimpy", is seen as an excellent opportunity to train up crews for the 330s and 380s.
Many experienced Airbus crews are current and available and the larger and mostly superior A321s have a huge passenger appeal and lower operating costs (plus container cargo capability, Cross Crew Qualification with the A330s/ A380 Etc, Etc..) when compared with the 737. A new Simulator is part of the deal, however the former AN A320 sim/training CBT is still available for initial training. QF already employs three former AN Airbus Management/check pilots in its A330 program.
The aircraft can also be utilized as freighters, to tap into the lucrative Asia Pacific freight market and the Asia Pacific International leisure destinations. "Fresh" indeed!!
Mr Joyce has basically adopted the VB blueprint, where pilots will be required to pay for their own endorsement, saving thousands in start up costs. However, somewhat different to QF where very inexperienced pilots or cadets are recruited as SOs and VB where jet experience is not required, "Skimpy" will require experienced airline jet pilots. Cabin crew/ground staff recuitment will be "personality" based, in an attempt to improve QFs sad passenger service record.
Mr Joyce expects many staff from a former Airline, renowned for Safety and excellent passenger service, to apply.
The new airline is expected to "take-off" in March 2004.
Last edited by E.P.; 27th Aug 2003 at 14:15.
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Sorry........forgot to mention.
Leasing and other bits and pieces.
SIA wants to join the party down under and make some money.
VB has said no, so who do you turn to?
"Al" et al,
really snappy replies there kids. Which part doesn't fit your immensely knowledgable airline aviation forecast??
GT-R
Gee let me guess, err, um........ you're young, stupid and inexperienced, oh and Daddy bought you a nice 737 endorsement. Kooool!!
SIA wants to join the party down under and make some money.
VB has said no, so who do you turn to?
"Al" et al,
really snappy replies there kids. Which part doesn't fit your immensely knowledgable airline aviation forecast??
GT-R
Gee let me guess, err, um........ you're young, stupid and inexperienced, oh and Daddy bought you a nice 737 endorsement. Kooool!!
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(This'll get 'em going... )
EP -
You mention 'passenger appeal'.
The only time I've heard 'Airbus', 'passenger' and 'appeal' in the same sentence is when I hear punters 'appealing' to the airline not to be put on a Scarebus.
You say A321s are 'superior' - to what, exactly?
If it ain't a Boeing, I ain't going...
EP -
You mention 'passenger appeal'.
The only time I've heard 'Airbus', 'passenger' and 'appeal' in the same sentence is when I hear punters 'appealing' to the airline not to be put on a Scarebus.
You say A321s are 'superior' - to what, exactly?
If it ain't a Boeing, I ain't going...
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Tailgunner........
You would rather reside in the UK than OZ and fly on (as a consultant) a 737 than an A321...............
"Jen-nee an me arr juss like pees'n'karots..."
Well thank you Forest. Life really is like a box of chocolates.
"Jen-nee an me arr juss like pees'n'karots..."
Well thank you Forest. Life really is like a box of chocolates.
Last edited by E.P.; 27th Aug 2003 at 22:53.
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I thought Airbuses were supposedly a Piece of S....
Qf ones especially, but maybe not Airbus's fault - more someone who got paid a big bonus's fault.....
things like:
*wrong config - not enough galley space for international catering
*floors too weak, requiring structural mods for business seats
*overhead bins to small - weak, and break frequently
*crappy middle seat in business class
*side seats angle inwards and pax cop trollies in legs
also - frequent (similar to) dutch roll/ oscillations - during flight and taxi - due to odd airbus flight regime/aerodynamics - causes people in arse end to feel sick and gives front end of plane (premium pax area) a rough ride
- fleet commonality (via flight computers giving same feel across types) doesnt really work to well.
-metals are laminated together, not riveted (like boeing) - causes moisture between laminates and results in corrosion.
And lastly - they are the are simply cheap and nasty Hyundai's of the sky. You get what you pay for.
Qf ones especially, but maybe not Airbus's fault - more someone who got paid a big bonus's fault.....
things like:
*wrong config - not enough galley space for international catering
*floors too weak, requiring structural mods for business seats
*overhead bins to small - weak, and break frequently
*crappy middle seat in business class
*side seats angle inwards and pax cop trollies in legs
also - frequent (similar to) dutch roll/ oscillations - during flight and taxi - due to odd airbus flight regime/aerodynamics - causes people in arse end to feel sick and gives front end of plane (premium pax area) a rough ride
- fleet commonality (via flight computers giving same feel across types) doesnt really work to well.
-metals are laminated together, not riveted (like boeing) - causes moisture between laminates and results in corrosion.
And lastly - they are the are simply cheap and nasty Hyundai's of the sky. You get what you pay for.
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Hey notice how it is only the pilots who have never flown Airbus who bag em. Ask a pilot who has loads of experience on both Airbus and Boeing which is the better consept.
Oh and ask boeing why they are in a pannic about their loss of market share to Airbus.
Oh and ask boeing why they are in a pannic about their loss of market share to Airbus.
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If what you say is correct, EP, it sounds like a winning idea. A 321s are very cost effective to purchase/lease and operate, much more so than Boeings of similar size. The type is quite prolific in Asia and in Europe. AN had options on 10 A 321s at one stage but converted these into firm orders for the 320.
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I understand Mr Joyce will have something to say on the matter shortly.
Blueloo
You and GT-R should get together. Just imagine the awesomely powerful and intelligent conversations you could indulge in!!
Blueloo
You and GT-R should get together. Just imagine the awesomely powerful and intelligent conversations you could indulge in!!
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E.P. - whats this - "Dirty Nappies at 5 paces" - please try to avoid the personal attacks, after all this is just a rumour network. Your entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to my rumour-mongering.
Let me draw you to what BIK said: As these are anonymous forums the origins of the contributions may be opposite to what may be apparent. In fact the press may use it, or the unscrupulous, to elicit certain reactions.
Let me draw you to what BIK said: As these are anonymous forums the origins of the contributions may be opposite to what may be apparent. In fact the press may use it, or the unscrupulous, to elicit certain reactions.
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You gotta admit, it makes sense.
Buy a heap of new Boeings, train everyone up on them, then go out and get a heap of new Airbuses and go into competition with yourself
I mean, really, what is wrong with you cynics
Buy a heap of new Boeings, train everyone up on them, then go out and get a heap of new Airbuses and go into competition with yourself
I mean, really, what is wrong with you cynics
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Here we go again, ring any bells people? An Australian Airline with a management hosting a sprinkling of Kiwi's, a CEO who advocates breaking the company model into smaller groups ( silos), each of these groups being financially reponsible for their own profits and costs, a list of different A/C types longer than your arm ( including the cheaper Airbus ) I just hope they learnt something from the mistakes made in the past, interesting times ahead.
Yeah, yeah. AO was also going to usher in the new era whereby QF pilots would take it in the shorts and all you lo cost vandals would take their jobs! As stated elsewhere the deal is done. Maybe we are not as expensive or as inflexible as some think.
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vortsa, as far as i know Lufthansa and a few others managed to do something similar with quite a great degree of success. I'd say it all comes down to the way it's managed at the end of the day - time will tell in that department, but surely it's too early to write the idea off altogether simply because other carriers have cocked it up?