Virgin Pacific 777
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: OzMate
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oldhasbeen, (and a few other VB pilots) you seem a bit worried about pilots coming back from the sandpit and crewing the 777, if it eventuates. Well, I gotta tell you mate, it's all true. I know AT LEAST 18 experienced 777 Capts (not just Aussies, but others who have the right to immigrate, and would tomorrow) just waiting to haul ass back to Oz. Forget the tax and all the rest of the crap, they are just waitin to go home, and I have heard that they have a rep talkin to the VB management about a deal. Wish they would give me the job of recruiting on a commission basis, I'd be rich...... Don't ya just love it Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!
Virgin Pacific
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney
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Airbus or Boeing, it's not going to matter, it's just an aeroplane! And 2dotsright, I think someone should call Localiser on you, I do care who gets this flying and I hope it's VB pilots, I am just being realistic about the whole situation, they told us last EBA, "you will get the Pacific flying", and guess what, we didn't, and guess what, we are not going to get it this time either.
Don't fall into the trap and vote in CRAP 371, VB pilots will never see the cockpit of a 777 or A340, bet my wonderful pay on it.......! Ha Ha. EK boys, the time is close for you, watch the adverts!
Unite, stand tall and maintain the rage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Don't fall into the trap and vote in CRAP 371, VB pilots will never see the cockpit of a 777 or A340, bet my wonderful pay on it.......! Ha Ha. EK boys, the time is close for you, watch the adverts!
Unite, stand tall and maintain the rage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Join Date: Sep 1999
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To those who think guys wouldn't leave EK for "crap conditions" in Aussie, you are wrong. The guys who will turn up are not the guys who went to EK recently and haven't yet made their fortunes, but the EK old-timers who have had enough of living overseas as expats, and will return to OZ for the lifestyle as they have learned that lifestyle is the only thing that counts.
I know many guys in EK who would happily return downunder to fly a less glam aircraft for less money and poorer conditions, just to get back home.
Direct entry commands on aircraft they already have type ratings on are what would tip the balance for them.
I know many guys in EK who would happily return downunder to fly a less glam aircraft for less money and poorer conditions, just to get back home.
Direct entry commands on aircraft they already have type ratings on are what would tip the balance for them.
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back to basics
The question was posed near the beginning of this thread, and I am still unsure of the answer, which was along the lines of:
If VB pilots fly the wide-body international routes, how can VB pay them any more than they get now due to J* widebody pay being close to what a VB NG pilot already receives?
I don't have the numbers in front of me, but is it likely VB will pay a small premium to it's existing pilots (and pay for their ratings + bond period) just to give them a chance to fly the new operation?
The other way might be a new company, but haven't heard a whisper about that. VB management are very good at keeping secrets, so perhaps hearing nothing is a sign...
There is always beer.
If VB pilots fly the wide-body international routes, how can VB pay them any more than they get now due to J* widebody pay being close to what a VB NG pilot already receives?
I don't have the numbers in front of me, but is it likely VB will pay a small premium to it's existing pilots (and pay for their ratings + bond period) just to give them a chance to fly the new operation?
The other way might be a new company, but haven't heard a whisper about that. VB management are very good at keeping secrets, so perhaps hearing nothing is a sign...
There is always beer.
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
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Originally Posted by Rich-Fine-Green
Habster:
My money is on USA routes before Asia.
QF makes huge $$ on the pacific routes. Most flights are high l/f.
My money is on USA routes before Asia.
QF makes huge $$ on the pacific routes. Most flights are high l/f.
Nunc est bibendum
And if they get longer ranging 777s then they could even consider other options than LAX and cut QF off at the knees. QF has talked for many years about direct DFW but don't have an aircraft with the legs. A few 777-200LRs to DJ and all of a sudden, QF may be well behind the 8 ball for services to DFW, ORD and JFK!
It may actually prompt QF management to get off their back sides and do some expansion beyond LHR, FRA and LAX!
It may actually prompt QF management to get off their back sides and do some expansion beyond LHR, FRA and LAX!
Join Date: Nov 2002
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My info says the ports flown to will be all VS ports such as LAX, SFO, ORD, SHA and NRT to utilise the incumbent infrastructure. The VS offices and management are all in place.
A nice link up to the VS network and SFO to the Virgin America network.
A nice link up to the VS network and SFO to the Virgin America network.
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Or Keg, QF could fight back like they use to !!!!
A simple question?
Why does QF stop-over in SIN, BKK & HKG on flights to Europe?
Because they do not have the range to fly directly to Europe, correct?
Why does QF not fly direct to Chicago, Orlando & Dallas?
Because they do not have the range to fly directly to these ports, correct?
So surely the bean counters and operations people have looked at stop-overs, correct?
Simple answer is, they do and it's LAX but.
I wonder if anyone has ever thought about NAN as the stop-over?
Whilst Chicago & Orlando may be a bit too far range wise, Dallas would be an easy fit - I'd rather a 1 hour fuel stop in NAN and then flying straight into Dallas anytime over the delays in LAX. And surely it could be as simple as say, 3 less flights a week into LAX?
Air Pacific come on board with flights ex BNE that connect with the NAN flights - surely that's not hard.
It's just a thought and raised because of the comments above about Virgin beating QF to some other ports.
Bet some old timers would love a few nights at the old Mocambo again?
Gee it even brings back memories for us old and Ex staff who had great weekends in NAN - remember QF 3 Friday night at 19:00 - be in the pool at midnight in NAN - back on QF 4 at about 5:00am on Monday - they were the days.
But then again, maybe the bean counters have it under control, let Air New Zealand do some of the flying?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/...441242187.html
A simple question?
Why does QF stop-over in SIN, BKK & HKG on flights to Europe?
Because they do not have the range to fly directly to Europe, correct?
Why does QF not fly direct to Chicago, Orlando & Dallas?
Because they do not have the range to fly directly to these ports, correct?
So surely the bean counters and operations people have looked at stop-overs, correct?
Simple answer is, they do and it's LAX but.
I wonder if anyone has ever thought about NAN as the stop-over?
Whilst Chicago & Orlando may be a bit too far range wise, Dallas would be an easy fit - I'd rather a 1 hour fuel stop in NAN and then flying straight into Dallas anytime over the delays in LAX. And surely it could be as simple as say, 3 less flights a week into LAX?
Air Pacific come on board with flights ex BNE that connect with the NAN flights - surely that's not hard.
It's just a thought and raised because of the comments above about Virgin beating QF to some other ports.
Bet some old timers would love a few nights at the old Mocambo again?
Gee it even brings back memories for us old and Ex staff who had great weekends in NAN - remember QF 3 Friday night at 19:00 - be in the pool at midnight in NAN - back on QF 4 at about 5:00am on Monday - they were the days.
But then again, maybe the bean counters have it under control, let Air New Zealand do some of the flying?
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/...441242187.html
No
But there are a bucket load of A340s coming off the line soon that were originally destined for the Middle east, and are now not being taken up.
Seems that EK do not want the existing version as the enhanced HGWs are due in about 24 months, and EK have indicated that they will defer delivery until the improved one's are available.
First one could be available in under 4 months, with delivery of one every six weeks to follow.
I reckon SRB has got a good deal on the surplus builds, and they will tide VB over until they can secure production slots for the T7's thet desperately want.
Plainmaker
But there are a bucket load of A340s coming off the line soon that were originally destined for the Middle east, and are now not being taken up.
Seems that EK do not want the existing version as the enhanced HGWs are due in about 24 months, and EK have indicated that they will defer delivery until the improved one's are available.
First one could be available in under 4 months, with delivery of one every six weeks to follow.
I reckon SRB has got a good deal on the surplus builds, and they will tide VB over until they can secure production slots for the T7's thet desperately want.
Plainmaker
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Ex QF, I'd reckon ex-Nadi you could get JFK direct - so none of that clearing-customs-in-the-first-port caper before NY.
That is said, of course, in ignorance of any payload restrictions ex-Nadi due wx or runway etc. so I'm preparing my flame-proof suit here.
Keg,
You're nothing if not an optimist, mate. And far too logical.
That is said, of course, in ignorance of any payload restrictions ex-Nadi due wx or runway etc. so I'm preparing my flame-proof suit here.
Keg,
You're nothing if not an optimist, mate. And far too logical.
Plainmaker
An EK B777 captain told me that they were so happy with the performance of the B777-300ER that Emirates were considering disposing of all other types and consolidating their fleet down to two types - A380's and B777's (various versions). Your post contradicts what this guy was saying. Is your source recent and accurate?
An EK B777 captain told me that they were so happy with the performance of the B777-300ER that Emirates were considering disposing of all other types and consolidating their fleet down to two types - A380's and B777's (various versions). Your post contradicts what this guy was saying. Is your source recent and accurate?
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Inside word on Emirates fleet planning is that the A345's WILL go. The problem is that with all this expansion, EK needs every hull they can lay their hands on. So they will be here for a while.
The A343's are here to stay as they have proven extremely cheap to operate plus they cost next to nothing to buy. They are looking for more A343's. Ex Virgin ?
The big regret apparently with the A330 is that they didn't get A333's. The center tank on the A332 is never used. Don't be surprised to see them replaced by the T7.
Why wouldn't Branson take some of the 600's that EK is now thinking of "deferring" ? Good way to start his OZ operation.
The A343's are here to stay as they have proven extremely cheap to operate plus they cost next to nothing to buy. They are looking for more A343's. Ex Virgin ?
The big regret apparently with the A330 is that they didn't get A333's. The center tank on the A332 is never used. Don't be surprised to see them replaced by the T7.
Why wouldn't Branson take some of the 600's that EK is now thinking of "deferring" ? Good way to start his OZ operation.
Information is very recent (as in the last three weeks) and from the horse's (manufacturer's) mouth.
Don't deny that EK is looking at not taking up the 340's they are commited to, but they sought deferral from Airbus to 'wait' for the 340E as part of the sweetner to not lose deposits. That excuse may seem a bit lame, but I am told that the spare hulls coming through are being offered at very attractive finance arrangements if the new owners/operators agree to sign quickly so that EK doesn't do it's dough.
There has been a lot of shuffling to re-allocate the hulls (specific build numbers I do not have in front of me), but given that part of one of our businesses is driven by operators taking up airframes, and the requests we have had to re-prioritise product, to me indicates some very fluid activity that confirm the VB 340 rumour.
I cannot disagree with the EK captain's comment. The 777 is liked by virtually every operator as it's economics are brilliant. But from a fleet perspective, given EK's expansion plans, their establishment in the A330 and their route network, I do not see EK commiting to a 777/380 demographic in the medium term. The 330/340 mix works for them while they are expanding and cannot get enough 777 hulls.
The only issue remains about VB eventually getting 777's. Seems the economics of the 340's now on offer more than make up for the premium that would need to be paid to get 777's in a reasonable time - SQ are not about to gift half a dozen or so, nor is any-one else going to release production slots.
Plainmaker
Don't deny that EK is looking at not taking up the 340's they are commited to, but they sought deferral from Airbus to 'wait' for the 340E as part of the sweetner to not lose deposits. That excuse may seem a bit lame, but I am told that the spare hulls coming through are being offered at very attractive finance arrangements if the new owners/operators agree to sign quickly so that EK doesn't do it's dough.
There has been a lot of shuffling to re-allocate the hulls (specific build numbers I do not have in front of me), but given that part of one of our businesses is driven by operators taking up airframes, and the requests we have had to re-prioritise product, to me indicates some very fluid activity that confirm the VB 340 rumour.
I cannot disagree with the EK captain's comment. The 777 is liked by virtually every operator as it's economics are brilliant. But from a fleet perspective, given EK's expansion plans, their establishment in the A330 and their route network, I do not see EK commiting to a 777/380 demographic in the medium term. The 330/340 mix works for them while they are expanding and cannot get enough 777 hulls.
The only issue remains about VB eventually getting 777's. Seems the economics of the 340's now on offer more than make up for the premium that would need to be paid to get 777's in a reasonable time - SQ are not about to gift half a dozen or so, nor is any-one else going to release production slots.
Plainmaker
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All does not appear well at Airbus at the moment. Yet another happy customer ? 
Emirates Airlines delays $4.2 billion Airbus deal
MENAFN - 02/04/2006
(MENAFN) Emirates Airlines confirmed that it will delay its $4.2 billion Airbus A340-600 order to give the European manufacturer time to come up with an enhanced version of the aircraft, and said the new development would not hinder the carrier's ambitious growth plans, Khaleej Times reported.
The divisional vice-president for Emirates Corporate Communications, said that the UAE national carrier has already placed orders worth $30 billion for new aircraft, including 21 Boeing 777s and 45 A 380 super jumbos to sustain its rapid pace of growth and fleet expansion.
The official said that the Dubai-based carrier is only interested in an enhanced version of the plane, and added that the company has been in contact with the Airbus manufacturer with this request and we are looking to defer the delivery of these orders until the manufacturer comes back with clearer plans about an enhanced version of the aircraft.
Emirates Airlines delays $4.2 billion Airbus deal
MENAFN - 02/04/2006
(MENAFN) Emirates Airlines confirmed that it will delay its $4.2 billion Airbus A340-600 order to give the European manufacturer time to come up with an enhanced version of the aircraft, and said the new development would not hinder the carrier's ambitious growth plans, Khaleej Times reported.
The divisional vice-president for Emirates Corporate Communications, said that the UAE national carrier has already placed orders worth $30 billion for new aircraft, including 21 Boeing 777s and 45 A 380 super jumbos to sustain its rapid pace of growth and fleet expansion.
The official said that the Dubai-based carrier is only interested in an enhanced version of the plane, and added that the company has been in contact with the Airbus manufacturer with this request and we are looking to defer the delivery of these orders until the manufacturer comes back with clearer plans about an enhanced version of the aircraft.