Geoff''s love letter.
Jetsbest & Longjohn, well said. I was going to post before but apathy got in the way, not a letter I'd bother re-reading that's for sure.
Woodeye and you bunch of merry men, keep up the good work. Looks like some runs are starting to get up on the board as the other team has started slagging again.
Woodeye and you bunch of merry men, keep up the good work. Looks like some runs are starting to get up on the board as the other team has started slagging again.
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I'm sorry, but I've lost all faith and trust in management. Remember prior to the last EBA how they said that if we voted yes, we would be considered for a role in Jetstar International? Once the yes vote came through, it was never offered nor mentioned. Executive management never come out and praise the staff, it's always bash, bash, bash. Now they want to make the pilots more efficient by flying more. I have some mates on the 744 who are staring at 900 hours. I believe some second officers even ran out of hours. How much more efficient do they want? Then at the other end of the spectrum, management would appear to have placed too many pilots on the 737 and there hours are subsequently low. Now that's hardly the fault of the pilots is it?
It will be interesting to see what happens to the A330 pilots hours once those aircraft are seconded to Jetstar. Will the slack be taken up by training on the A380?
Instead of blaming the staff all of the time perhaps management should take stock and look at the way they manage the company.
It will be interesting to see what happens to the A330 pilots hours once those aircraft are seconded to Jetstar. Will the slack be taken up by training on the A380?
Instead of blaming the staff all of the time perhaps management should take stock and look at the way they manage the company.
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One thing at QF is, that is always the staff who actually have something hands on to do with the flight who are not efficient enough (ramp, cleaning, cust serv, pilots and fa's). It doesn't matter what these people do it is never good enough for management, they always want more. Over time I have become more militant towards the company because of this. You never hear of management becoming more efficient.
So hopefully the pilots do well out of this and don't roll over as GD would like. Just my 2 cents worth.
So hopefully the pilots do well out of this and don't roll over as GD would like. Just my 2 cents worth.
Nunc est bibendum
Same crap, different day.
I think all this comes down to Newtons first (or is it third, I can never remember) law of physics. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
I wonder if Geoff can't work out why AIPA have gone 'cold' on the company? Perhaps it was because the company went 'cold' on the pilot body a long time ago. Geoff can't understand why we do the things we do? The answer is looking at him each time he looks in the mirror- although there are a few other places where he could see if if he looked hard enough!
I'm not yet an Army of One but by gee the company just loves pushing me closer to the line in the sand where I and a number of others will become a lot more potent than that one!!
I've tried a search for the thread that explains the 'army of one' title but I can't find it. If anyone else can, please post it up. 
I think all this comes down to Newtons first (or is it third, I can never remember) law of physics. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
I wonder if Geoff can't work out why AIPA have gone 'cold' on the company? Perhaps it was because the company went 'cold' on the pilot body a long time ago. Geoff can't understand why we do the things we do? The answer is looking at him each time he looks in the mirror- although there are a few other places where he could see if if he looked hard enough!
I'm not yet an Army of One but by gee the company just loves pushing me closer to the line in the sand where I and a number of others will become a lot more potent than that one!!
I've tried a search for the thread that explains the 'army of one' title but I can't find it. If anyone else can, please post it up.
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I am an Army of One (or 2, or 300, ...)
I am an army of One - A Captain in the Continental Airlines army.
For years I was a loyal soldier in Gordon's army. Now I fight my own war.
I used to feel valued and respected. Now I know I am mere fodder.
They (CAL) used to exhibit labor leadership. Now they exploit legal loopholes.
They used to enjoy my maximum. Now they will suffer my minimum.
I am an army of One.
I used to save CAL a thousand pounds of fuel per leg; finding the best FL, getting direct routing, throttling back when on-time was made, skimping during ground ops, adjusting for winds, being smart and giving the company every effort I could conjure. Now, it's "burn baby, burn".
I used to call maintenance while airborne, so the part would be ready at the gate. Now, they'll find the write-up when they look in the book.
I used to try to fix problems in the system, now I sit and watch as the miscues pile up.
I used to fly sick. Now I use my sick days, on short notice, on the worst day of the month.
I am an army of One.
I used to start the APU at the last possible moment. Now my customers enjoy extreme comfort.
I used to let the price of fuel at out-stations affect my fuel orders. I still do.
I used to cover mistakes by operations. Now I watch them unfold.
I used to hustle to ensure an on-time arrival, to make us the best. Now I do it for the rampers and agents who need the bonus money….but this too may change.
I used to call dispatch for rerouting, to head off ground delays for bad weather. Now I collect overs, number 35 in line for takeoff.
I am on a new mission - to demonstrate that misguided leadership of indifference and disrespect has a cost. It's about character, not contracts. It's about leading by taking care of your people instead of leadership by bean counters (an oxymoron). With acts of omission, not commission, I am a one-man wrecking crew - an army of One. My mission used to be to make CAL rich. Now it's to make CAL pay.
When they furlough more pilots than the rest, pilots that cost them 60 cents on the dollar - I will make them pay.
When they under-staff bases and over-work reserves to keep pilots downgraded, down-flowed, or downtrodden - I will make them pay.
When over-booked customers are denied boarding system wide, while jets are parked in the desert - I will make them pay.
When they force pilots, who have waited 12 years to become captains, to be FOs again - I will make them pay.
When they ask CAL pilots to show leadership at Express, and then deny them longevity - I will make them pay.
When they recall F/As for the summer, just to furlough them again in the fall like migrant workers - I will make them pay.
When they constantly violate the letter and spirit of our contract - a contract that's a bargain by any measure, and force us to fight lengthy grievances - I will make them pay.
My negotiating committee speaks for me, but I act on my own. I am a walking nightmare to the bean counters that made me. Are you listening? This mercenary has a lot of years left with this company; how long can you afford to keep me bitter? I'm not looking for clauses in a contract, I'm looking for a culture of commitment and caring. When I see it, I'll be a soldier for CAL again. Until then, I am an Army of One…And I'm not alone!
I am an army of One - A Captain in the Continental Airlines army.
For years I was a loyal soldier in Gordon's army. Now I fight my own war.
I used to feel valued and respected. Now I know I am mere fodder.
They (CAL) used to exhibit labor leadership. Now they exploit legal loopholes.
They used to enjoy my maximum. Now they will suffer my minimum.
I am an army of One.
I used to save CAL a thousand pounds of fuel per leg; finding the best FL, getting direct routing, throttling back when on-time was made, skimping during ground ops, adjusting for winds, being smart and giving the company every effort I could conjure. Now, it's "burn baby, burn".
I used to call maintenance while airborne, so the part would be ready at the gate. Now, they'll find the write-up when they look in the book.
I used to try to fix problems in the system, now I sit and watch as the miscues pile up.
I used to fly sick. Now I use my sick days, on short notice, on the worst day of the month.
I am an army of One.
I used to start the APU at the last possible moment. Now my customers enjoy extreme comfort.
I used to let the price of fuel at out-stations affect my fuel orders. I still do.
I used to cover mistakes by operations. Now I watch them unfold.
I used to hustle to ensure an on-time arrival, to make us the best. Now I do it for the rampers and agents who need the bonus money….but this too may change.
I used to call dispatch for rerouting, to head off ground delays for bad weather. Now I collect overs, number 35 in line for takeoff.
I am on a new mission - to demonstrate that misguided leadership of indifference and disrespect has a cost. It's about character, not contracts. It's about leading by taking care of your people instead of leadership by bean counters (an oxymoron). With acts of omission, not commission, I am a one-man wrecking crew - an army of One. My mission used to be to make CAL rich. Now it's to make CAL pay.
When they furlough more pilots than the rest, pilots that cost them 60 cents on the dollar - I will make them pay.
When they under-staff bases and over-work reserves to keep pilots downgraded, down-flowed, or downtrodden - I will make them pay.
When over-booked customers are denied boarding system wide, while jets are parked in the desert - I will make them pay.
When they force pilots, who have waited 12 years to become captains, to be FOs again - I will make them pay.
When they ask CAL pilots to show leadership at Express, and then deny them longevity - I will make them pay.
When they recall F/As for the summer, just to furlough them again in the fall like migrant workers - I will make them pay.
When they constantly violate the letter and spirit of our contract - a contract that's a bargain by any measure, and force us to fight lengthy grievances - I will make them pay.
My negotiating committee speaks for me, but I act on my own. I am a walking nightmare to the bean counters that made me. Are you listening? This mercenary has a lot of years left with this company; how long can you afford to keep me bitter? I'm not looking for clauses in a contract, I'm looking for a culture of commitment and caring. When I see it, I'll be a soldier for CAL again. Until then, I am an Army of One…And I'm not alone!
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Maybe someone should write a letter to Geoff.
Interesting that we only get these letters when AIPA actually stands up to Geoff, who lets face it, doesn't give a schmick for the careers of even guys like Jake and the rest of the "Peace in our time" mob.
Interesting that we only get these letters when AIPA actually stands up to Geoff, who lets face it, doesn't give a schmick for the careers of even guys like Jake and the rest of the "Peace in our time" mob.
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It felt so good to get a letter from Geoff. P*ssed off and nothing he can do about it except turn up in the Federal Court with a team of expensive lawyers. If he's got a case why is he so red faced.
The best part is the knowledge that he's p*ssed off at the fact that the pilots union is showing a bit of mongrel at last. Considering his view that we are all a bunch of soft cocks, it must be bugging him no end.
Oh, and I hope his lackey gets my address right next time.
The best part is the knowledge that he's p*ssed off at the fact that the pilots union is showing a bit of mongrel at last. Considering his view that we are all a bunch of soft cocks, it must be bugging him no end.
Oh, and I hope his lackey gets my address right next time.
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If he was pissed before at AIPA, wait till he reads the latest shorthaul EBA update. WOW, I would love to be a fly on the wall for that!
I nearly fell of my chair myself AND I am fully behind the new and improved association.
Great stuff and can't wait the fin reveiw article where the company's paid editorial team put the pro QF spin on it and try to make the staff the baddies. Again.
I nearly fell of my chair myself AND I am fully behind the new and improved association.
Great stuff and can't wait the fin reveiw article where the company's paid editorial team put the pro QF spin on it and try to make the staff the baddies. Again.
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Yeah, Well!!...this "army of one" nonsence is all well and good but which of you turkeys has got the guts to become an army of one!
No takers?...why am I not surprised!
Different era, different people!
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Amos, I agree.
It's a heart warming tale but is totally unsuited to todays reality.
The bureaucrats are not interested in such things.
The only answer is to play the game on their paddock. This hasn't happened for a long time (if ever, the company used to have to play on our paddock) however times are a changin' and based on the flurry of letters this week, i'd say its game on.
It's a heart warming tale but is totally unsuited to todays reality.
The bureaucrats are not interested in such things.
The only answer is to play the game on their paddock. This hasn't happened for a long time (if ever, the company used to have to play on our paddock) however times are a changin' and based on the flurry of letters this week, i'd say its game on.
Its got to be time for you guys to take a quantum leap and start looking after yourselves AS A GROUP.
Whether you think your union in mired in 60's rhetoric (don't think so - AIPA's never stood up for themselves, hence the CEO's belittling term 'softc*cks') or intelligent strategists (don't think so either given the J* blunder) whatever you're doing, it clearly aint working.
GD and his ilk are out to get you (and any other soft targets that will improve their CV's and better their chances of positions on other boards etc), that should be very evident by now.
For those few that gullibly follow their routine of "we've all got to knuckle down and make sacrifices in these challenging times" - get wise. They are laughing at your naivety and you're falling for it hook, line and sinker. Do you not see the hypocrisy in the fact that they are getting salary increases and bonuses beyond all historical precedent?
Don't like pshyco-babble but you lot need a paradigm shift. AIPA and the AFAP need to get back together, eat humble pie and then mend fences with the J* Pilot Group. You then need to invent some form of unique industrial action AS A COHESIVE GROUP that bites yet still complies with the new industrial crules.
Otherwise what choice do you have? Forever watching your conditions of service decline, yet the only way you retalliate is to bitch at each other on PPRune. Not very useful that technique. Don't work in Oz at present but only writing because I hate seeing my profession reduced to this level.
Mangling another awful cliche but 'United you may stand, divided you are already falling'. Time for a radical change in your handling of this issue folks.
Whether you think your union in mired in 60's rhetoric (don't think so - AIPA's never stood up for themselves, hence the CEO's belittling term 'softc*cks') or intelligent strategists (don't think so either given the J* blunder) whatever you're doing, it clearly aint working.
GD and his ilk are out to get you (and any other soft targets that will improve their CV's and better their chances of positions on other boards etc), that should be very evident by now.
For those few that gullibly follow their routine of "we've all got to knuckle down and make sacrifices in these challenging times" - get wise. They are laughing at your naivety and you're falling for it hook, line and sinker. Do you not see the hypocrisy in the fact that they are getting salary increases and bonuses beyond all historical precedent?
Don't like pshyco-babble but you lot need a paradigm shift. AIPA and the AFAP need to get back together, eat humble pie and then mend fences with the J* Pilot Group. You then need to invent some form of unique industrial action AS A COHESIVE GROUP that bites yet still complies with the new industrial crules.
Otherwise what choice do you have? Forever watching your conditions of service decline, yet the only way you retalliate is to bitch at each other on PPRune. Not very useful that technique. Don't work in Oz at present but only writing because I hate seeing my profession reduced to this level.
Mangling another awful cliche but 'United you may stand, divided you are already falling'. Time for a radical change in your handling of this issue folks.
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Business 101: Step X - Drive down costs. It's one of the fundamental aspects of business management in a strategy to remain perceptionally competitive.
QF managers are going to continue to target costs until they hit a wall and then they'll push again anyway. It's in their training and the corporate group-think of the current crop of managers. Get used to it. Unless you designate a line in the sand as a group, you're going to have your wages and benefits continually cherry picked.
Make it a personal battle and you'll come out the losers.
QF managers are going to continue to target costs until they hit a wall and then they'll push again anyway. It's in their training and the corporate group-think of the current crop of managers. Get used to it. Unless you designate a line in the sand as a group, you're going to have your wages and benefits continually cherry picked.
Make it a personal battle and you'll come out the losers.
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Just A thought.
Maybe it is true, they have to reduce costs dramatically for the airline to survive.
Good and large airlines do go broke, it has already happened once in the last 5 years in this country.
Maybe it is true, they have to reduce costs dramatically for the airline to survive.
Good and large airlines do go broke, it has already happened once in the last 5 years in this country.
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Qantas is in serious trouble. If the current BBB+/A2 rating is downgraded, the company will have junk bond status. The down grading from stable to negative overnight is very serious.
With over $20 Billion worth of orders out there, it is time for drastic action.
Qantas is headed down the path of other former great airlines, PanAm, Eastern, Ansett. The issues are not different. History is a great teacher, start reading it, and I suggest you start reading the "jobs vacant" section as well.
With over $20 Billion worth of orders out there, it is time for drastic action.
The A380 order should be cancelled wie
All A330's should be transferred to JQ together with their route structure to take advantage of the lower cost structure
The 787 should all go to the mainline and replace the 767's and A330's
B737's should be replaced with the A320 family (319 / 321) and this network transferred to Jetstar
Order 747-9 aircraft to replace the A380 and 744 types. Forget 777's
Reduce training costs by introducing direct entry Captain's (the same as SIA and other safe airlines do)
Outsource 60% of cabin crew to labour hire companies or immediately introduce AWA's to address poor productivity, efficiency and standards.
Lobby CASA for 1:50 cabin crew in line with world practice.
Outsource maintenance. Reality not emotional debate in needed here
Outsource airport functions as per the Jetstar model. The last outsourcing attempt was flawed, true competion is required
Down size the corporate functions by at least 15% wie
Remove the duplication introduced in the last reorganisation. Prior to the re org, QF had 23 Group General Managers, how many does it have today? ..twice as many you say ..check again
All A330's should be transferred to JQ together with their route structure to take advantage of the lower cost structure
The 787 should all go to the mainline and replace the 767's and A330's
B737's should be replaced with the A320 family (319 / 321) and this network transferred to Jetstar
Order 747-9 aircraft to replace the A380 and 744 types. Forget 777's
Reduce training costs by introducing direct entry Captain's (the same as SIA and other safe airlines do)
Outsource 60% of cabin crew to labour hire companies or immediately introduce AWA's to address poor productivity, efficiency and standards.
Lobby CASA for 1:50 cabin crew in line with world practice.
Outsource maintenance. Reality not emotional debate in needed here
Outsource airport functions as per the Jetstar model. The last outsourcing attempt was flawed, true competion is required
Down size the corporate functions by at least 15% wie
Remove the duplication introduced in the last reorganisation. Prior to the re org, QF had 23 Group General Managers, how many does it have today? ..twice as many you say ..check again
Get rid of the Boston Consulting Group - BCG - and their $25m annual price tag. They are expensive brain dead leeches! If you need to know the time, check your own watch.
Tough times require tough responses. Qantas is a sheltered workshop. It has the lowest staff morale of any major Australian company, indeed in the world, yet it has the lowest staff turnover rate. Completely overhaul the HR department.Qantas is headed down the path of other former great airlines, PanAm, Eastern, Ansett. The issues are not different. History is a great teacher, start reading it, and I suggest you start reading the "jobs vacant" section as well.
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Come the inevitable world wide economic downturn where would I rather be?
JetStar? Just had 2nd B'day
Section 35 REDUNDANCY
2-3 yrs service=6weeks severence pay.
Virgin?
Section 27 Stand Down
Legalese gobblygook which means see JetStar only worse.
Qantas?
Sections 12/15/16
Costs the company lots to furlough/ downsize the pilots ranks.
It would appear to me Airline Managements collectivly around the world will be asking "Where did they all go" (the pilots that is)
Who the "Effing hell in their right mind is going to pay a fortune to get a job that is heading towards crap pay ,crap conditions,minimal training,
treated like a leper, no job security, etc, etc.
Is it just me, or is this the beginning of the end?
JetStar? Just had 2nd B'day
Section 35 REDUNDANCY
2-3 yrs service=6weeks severence pay.
Virgin?
Section 27 Stand Down
Legalese gobblygook which means see JetStar only worse.
Qantas?
Sections 12/15/16
Costs the company lots to furlough/ downsize the pilots ranks.
It would appear to me Airline Managements collectivly around the world will be asking "Where did they all go" (the pilots that is)
Who the "Effing hell in their right mind is going to pay a fortune to get a job that is heading towards crap pay ,crap conditions,minimal training,
treated like a leper, no job security, etc, etc.
Is it just me, or is this the beginning of the end?
And while you're at it Lagrange,
Can you get rid of the BANDY LEGGED LITTLE FERRET IN HR with the swelled head and muscular tongue (from years of workouts ars*licking Chief Pilot's butt holes)?????????
Can you get rid of the BANDY LEGGED LITTLE FERRET IN HR with the swelled head and muscular tongue (from years of workouts ars*licking Chief Pilot's butt holes)?????????