Rex; Pilot Exodus
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K34
Rex management are to blinded by their own ignorance and self-interest to notice any of the issues raised on this thread. Rex crew have to start working to rule. That is the ONLY way to make them sit up and notice!!
Rex management are to blinded by their own ignorance and self-interest to notice any of the issues raised on this thread. Rex crew have to start working to rule. That is the ONLY way to make them sit up and notice!!
Join Date: Sep 2003
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As an ex Hazo/Rex flightie, it is sad to see the morale so low. I travelled on a Rex flight a few weeks ago, and was told by the Captain who I know very well that staff were exiting in the droves due to many of the reasons mentioned in these posts.... Apparently the min rest overnights with a Broken Hill the next day are still happening... a very dangerous combination....
Here's hoping management and the Singaporians open their eyes soon, before it all comes crashing down in a big heap......Looks like I got out, just in the nick of time!! Really sad though, as once upon a time this was a great place to work............
Here's hoping management and the Singaporians open their eyes soon, before it all comes crashing down in a big heap......Looks like I got out, just in the nick of time!! Really sad though, as once upon a time this was a great place to work............
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Galley Girl, I completeley agree with your thread I really believe that REX has been in the past and still has potential in the future to be a great work place I am hoping that management will start to sit up and notice.
Your staff are your greatest asset a very basic buissness principle, it shouldnt always be about the bottom line!
If not EBA negotiations next year should prove to be interesting to say the least.
Your staff are your greatest asset a very basic buissness principle, it shouldnt always be about the bottom line!
If not EBA negotiations next year should prove to be interesting to say the least.
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... and I just spoke to a mate of mine who is high up in this company.
basically, if the following doesn't happen in the next 12 months, I owe every ppruner a carton of beer
:
- Guys with 500 hours will get a Chieftan, C402 C404 etc Job
- Guys with over 1000 hours (multi or no Multi) will get a turbo prop job.
Might I add, they will be calling YOU.
basically, if the following doesn't happen in the next 12 months, I owe every ppruner a carton of beer
:- Guys with 500 hours will get a Chieftan, C402 C404 etc Job
- Guys with over 1000 hours (multi or no Multi) will get a turbo prop job.
Might I add, they will be calling YOU.
I can’t imagine any applicant would have heard anything at all before applications close on May 5th.
The program for a July 2nd kickoff will be tight, given that it will take a couple of weeks to do all the interviews and advise the successful applicants, then give notice to former employer, presumably 4 weeks, ground school with a 20.11 wet drill two weeks, type rating endorsement, two weeks, ASIC Card application if it’s a company sponsored one before any non type rated new hire is ready to step foot in the aircraft.
It would need to be an F50 from day one and it is ideally suited to this route, particularly if Olympic Dam is still only 1600M in length If so, this would exclude the F100 going in there I would have thought.
The program for a July 2nd kickoff will be tight, given that it will take a couple of weeks to do all the interviews and advise the successful applicants, then give notice to former employer, presumably 4 weeks, ground school with a 20.11 wet drill two weeks, type rating endorsement, two weeks, ASIC Card application if it’s a company sponsored one before any non type rated new hire is ready to step foot in the aircraft.
It would need to be an F50 from day one and it is ideally suited to this route, particularly if Olympic Dam is still only 1600M in length If so, this would exclude the F100 going in there I would have thought.
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Xeptu,
Alliance were in Adelaide 10 days ago and interviewed a large number of REX pilots who had previously submitted CV’s before they advertised for crews in the Australian. If the Fokker 50 ground school is scheduled for mid to late May (2-3 weeks way) then those pilots should have been notified by now, in order for them can give the required notice.
The closing date listed in the Australian was the 4th of May, I guess any pilot who responded to the advert will not hear anything for a few more weeks, so Alliance must be running another ground school at a latter date for those pilots.
Alliance were in Adelaide 10 days ago and interviewed a large number of REX pilots who had previously submitted CV’s before they advertised for crews in the Australian. If the Fokker 50 ground school is scheduled for mid to late May (2-3 weeks way) then those pilots should have been notified by now, in order for them can give the required notice.
The closing date listed in the Australian was the 4th of May, I guess any pilot who responded to the advert will not hear anything for a few more weeks, so Alliance must be running another ground school at a latter date for those pilots.
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If I was the hirer, not sure if I would necessarily want a load of disgruntled ExRex in the new base. In which case rex may not lose that many. I'm sure applicants from all over the place have applied.
How they gonna go with experienced F50 crew. Thought the miners had min experience for type time??
How they gonna go with experienced F50 crew. Thought the miners had min experience for type time??
I'm surprised to hear that interviews have already been conducted. I'm curious when did alliance advertise for F50 crew prior to the current ad, given they only acquired these aircraft this year and to my knowledge are not yet operational.
Does it not defeat the purpose of advertising if you have already interviewed the applicants.
In any case, one of the key elements of that process is "what are they offering" pay and conditions wise. If anyone knows for sure and one could safely presume those that have been interviewed would therefore know that.
Does it not defeat the purpose of advertising if you have already interviewed the applicants.
In any case, one of the key elements of that process is "what are they offering" pay and conditions wise. If anyone knows for sure and one could safely presume those that have been interviewed would therefore know that.
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I have family that earn 60K answering phones in a call centre.... which I was completely horrified to learn just recently. In light of finding this out, I am actually a bit ashamed that I have accepted the T&C's at Rex in order to be employed.
I'm one of those $60K call centre jockeys (taking OT & super into account!), and it's a disgrace that the pay is so low, taking into account the skills and experience needed, not to mention the expense & hassle to get the licences, etc...... If a FO is paid around $40K, god knows how much (or little) the FA's are on........ it's a wonder they can attract anyone at all to work for them.
And the cleaning duties, UMs, if that was taken into an office setting ie making people empty their own bins & vaccum up at the end of each day, the union would be called in quick smart.
Mind you, having worked for Asian employers in the past, they are masters at getting the most out of their staff for the least amount of money, they won't pay you a cent more than they have to. Good luck guys.
I'm one of those $60K call centre jockeys (taking OT & super into account!), and it's a disgrace that the pay is so low, taking into account the skills and experience needed, not to mention the expense & hassle to get the licences, etc...... If a FO is paid around $40K, god knows how much (or little) the FA's are on........ it's a wonder they can attract anyone at all to work for them.
And the cleaning duties, UMs, if that was taken into an office setting ie making people empty their own bins & vaccum up at the end of each day, the union would be called in quick smart.
Mind you, having worked for Asian employers in the past, they are masters at getting the most out of their staff for the least amount of money, they won't pay you a cent more than they have to. Good luck guys.
I made a decision sometime ago not to pursue a carreer with the airlines.
I just wasn't prepared to put in the time effort and money and end up as an FO (maybe) on a Dash or Saab pulling $40k's a year. And the captains renumeration wasn't all that exciting either. That's all I've wanted to do my entire life (and still do).
But $40k's? You've got to be kidding me.
I've flown just on 900hrs in the last twelve months in GA (mostly in singles) and in the last 8 months have earnt what a FO on a Dash would take 3 years to pull in. And yes, I am lying straight in bed when I say that.
The income I derive from other sources is that far ahead of what a Saab or Dash captain earns I feel more than vindicated with the decision that I took. I have to say though that there is always a feeling of regret and emptiness knowing that I never achieved and now probably never will ,the one thing above all others that I've wanted to do since I was about 4 years old.
I'll never enjoy that spectrum of flying that some people here have experienced. And it really bugs me. If I want to go ahead and do it I've still got time, but the clock is counting down really fast now.
I now know exactly how I'm going to feel about this issue when I'm 85 y.o. and it annoys me.
A lot of the costs that an airline has to absorb it has no real control over (the price of fuel for example). But it does have control over what it pays its aircrew and in a lot of cases they're being screwed. As far as I can see, in real dollar terms wages have gone backwards over the last few years.
Unfortunately for me, the financial numbers no longer add up. I just can't afford to be sitting up the front at the pointy end of a Dash or a Saab. And that's a shame. It really is.
I just wasn't prepared to put in the time effort and money and end up as an FO (maybe) on a Dash or Saab pulling $40k's a year. And the captains renumeration wasn't all that exciting either. That's all I've wanted to do my entire life (and still do).
But $40k's? You've got to be kidding me.
I've flown just on 900hrs in the last twelve months in GA (mostly in singles) and in the last 8 months have earnt what a FO on a Dash would take 3 years to pull in. And yes, I am lying straight in bed when I say that.
The income I derive from other sources is that far ahead of what a Saab or Dash captain earns I feel more than vindicated with the decision that I took. I have to say though that there is always a feeling of regret and emptiness knowing that I never achieved and now probably never will ,the one thing above all others that I've wanted to do since I was about 4 years old.
I'll never enjoy that spectrum of flying that some people here have experienced. And it really bugs me. If I want to go ahead and do it I've still got time, but the clock is counting down really fast now.
I now know exactly how I'm going to feel about this issue when I'm 85 y.o. and it annoys me.
A lot of the costs that an airline has to absorb it has no real control over (the price of fuel for example). But it does have control over what it pays its aircrew and in a lot of cases they're being screwed. As far as I can see, in real dollar terms wages have gone backwards over the last few years.
Unfortunately for me, the financial numbers no longer add up. I just can't afford to be sitting up the front at the pointy end of a Dash or a Saab. And that's a shame. It really is.
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Horatio,
It is as bad as I mentioned earlier, to the point where QLink are asking J* to stagger the intake of crews recruited from QLink. Thereby preventing a mass exodus at any given moment which would potentially cripple QLink. Years back you needed thousands of hours to get a job with a regional, today they are taking on pilots with less than 1200 hours and the Q cadets have around 300 hours including maybe 100 multi. Baby sitting duties for captains? That's how the captains feel any how. QLink has had groundschools for 7 and only 1 turns up indicating that they have better options. Many guys have simultaneously been accepted by VB and J* and so having the leisure of selecting and the pleasure of rejecting instead of being rejected! Having said all of this you still have to jump through the hoops at interview/sim check etc. Good luck!
It is as bad as I mentioned earlier, to the point where QLink are asking J* to stagger the intake of crews recruited from QLink. Thereby preventing a mass exodus at any given moment which would potentially cripple QLink. Years back you needed thousands of hours to get a job with a regional, today they are taking on pilots with less than 1200 hours and the Q cadets have around 300 hours including maybe 100 multi. Baby sitting duties for captains? That's how the captains feel any how. QLink has had groundschools for 7 and only 1 turns up indicating that they have better options. Many guys have simultaneously been accepted by VB and J* and so having the leisure of selecting and the pleasure of rejecting instead of being rejected! Having said all of this you still have to jump through the hoops at interview/sim check etc. Good luck!
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Alliance Airlines
In regards to Alliance Airlines. They have already held interviews for Pilots in Adelaide, and Flight Attendants. Initial Flight Attendant interviews were held this week, with 1st/2nd interviews this week coming. Yeah Lucky, if the Flight Attendants missed the 1st interview on Thursday, they are holding another session this week.
The pilots whom have already been interviewed, are smart, they applied to Alliance before they advertised, as they knew the industry rumour, that Alliance was the preferred airline for Olympic Dam. By doing so this shows, initiative, dedication, being eager........An Airline would take this highly into account.
If I was Alliance Recruitment, I would hire most REX crew. Rex Crew work hard, are hands on, understand the way Olympic Dam is structured, know the passengers, the ground staff. For Alliance to start up a base in Adelaide, I think the initial intake should be REX crew, it will be easier from a management view. Management would know the REX crew understand the basics with Olympic Dam, the flight pattern, etc.
I use to work for Kendell/Rex. I am now base in Perth for Qantas Domestic, my partner is a pilot with Qantas International. This is why I highly regard REX ex FOM - if it wasn't for this person, giving excellent references to my boy, he wouldn't be working for Qantas.
REX crew ROCK! Alliance will be lucky to get you guys/girls.
Good Luck and Happy Flying.
Flyperth
The pilots whom have already been interviewed, are smart, they applied to Alliance before they advertised, as they knew the industry rumour, that Alliance was the preferred airline for Olympic Dam. By doing so this shows, initiative, dedication, being eager........An Airline would take this highly into account.
If I was Alliance Recruitment, I would hire most REX crew. Rex Crew work hard, are hands on, understand the way Olympic Dam is structured, know the passengers, the ground staff. For Alliance to start up a base in Adelaide, I think the initial intake should be REX crew, it will be easier from a management view. Management would know the REX crew understand the basics with Olympic Dam, the flight pattern, etc.
I use to work for Kendell/Rex. I am now base in Perth for Qantas Domestic, my partner is a pilot with Qantas International. This is why I highly regard REX ex FOM - if it wasn't for this person, giving excellent references to my boy, he wouldn't be working for Qantas.
REX crew ROCK! Alliance will be lucky to get you guys/girls.
Good Luck and Happy Flying.Flyperth
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Gassed Budgie, If you can derive other income while flying in GA then perhaps you could do the same while flying the SAAB/Dash 8 etc.
Personally, I can only speak from my own experience having just left aviation after 18 years and going back into the workforce outside of aviation. What a different world, employers valueing your contribution and bending over backwards to keep you happy - not to mention the amount of money you can make. Its funny a lot of people/pilots say that they are in aviation for the lifestyle (I was one of them). Hard to have a lifestyle without the money.
I have a lot of fantastic memories and experiences. It is a nice feeling to be out of the industry and all the bitterness that seems to follow it around. I feel like a whole new world of different interests and opportunities are opening up - and did I mention the money?
If you have made your decision I wouldn't get too het up about it. But just maybe you can have the best of both worlds - I feel like I have and have no regrets for my time as a pilot.
Just my two bobs worth.
Personally, I can only speak from my own experience having just left aviation after 18 years and going back into the workforce outside of aviation. What a different world, employers valueing your contribution and bending over backwards to keep you happy - not to mention the amount of money you can make. Its funny a lot of people/pilots say that they are in aviation for the lifestyle (I was one of them). Hard to have a lifestyle without the money.
I have a lot of fantastic memories and experiences. It is a nice feeling to be out of the industry and all the bitterness that seems to follow it around. I feel like a whole new world of different interests and opportunities are opening up - and did I mention the money?
If you have made your decision I wouldn't get too het up about it. But just maybe you can have the best of both worlds - I feel like I have and have no regrets for my time as a pilot.
Just my two bobs worth.
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flyperth,
Gallerina is spot on, there could be a big problem if Alliance take a load of disgruntled ex-Rex pilots at their new base. It could turn into an 'us' (REX pilots) and 'them' (non-REX). The REX pilots might want it done the REX way, while Alliance and the non-REX pilots will have their way.
With only one route, the base will be a small one. Two aircraft at say 3 crews per aircraft min (for start up) requires 12 pilots and 12 FA's So taking 2-3 REX pilots and 3-4 REX FA's would be a good mix. Remember the biggest aircraft most of the REX pilots have flown is the Saab. The are plenty of pilots out there who have flown the Dash 8-300, which is equal in size and has a similar engine to the Fokker 50. Plus there would still be a few around who have flown the Fokker 50 (ex-Ansett). You may also find that the current Alliance F100 FO's might be offered commands on the Fokker 50.
I agree with you with you regarding those who have already had interviews. They were smart, the rumour about Alliance and OLD has been floating around for months.
Xeptu,
How does that defeat the purpose of advertising? Alliance have to get 12 pilots endorsed or re-checked (if already F50 endorsed) by the end of June (8 weeks). It would be impossible to do all 12 at once, as I believe there is only one simulator in the area (SE Asia).
If Alliance already have suitable pliots on their books, dosen't it make sense to get them inteviewed and those that are successful, get them on a ground school and into the sim ASAP? And then use the add to locate other suitable pilots
Gallerina is spot on, there could be a big problem if Alliance take a load of disgruntled ex-Rex pilots at their new base. It could turn into an 'us' (REX pilots) and 'them' (non-REX). The REX pilots might want it done the REX way, while Alliance and the non-REX pilots will have their way.
With only one route, the base will be a small one. Two aircraft at say 3 crews per aircraft min (for start up) requires 12 pilots and 12 FA's So taking 2-3 REX pilots and 3-4 REX FA's would be a good mix. Remember the biggest aircraft most of the REX pilots have flown is the Saab. The are plenty of pilots out there who have flown the Dash 8-300, which is equal in size and has a similar engine to the Fokker 50. Plus there would still be a few around who have flown the Fokker 50 (ex-Ansett). You may also find that the current Alliance F100 FO's might be offered commands on the Fokker 50.
I agree with you with you regarding those who have already had interviews. They were smart, the rumour about Alliance and OLD has been floating around for months.
Xeptu,
How does that defeat the purpose of advertising? Alliance have to get 12 pilots endorsed or re-checked (if already F50 endorsed) by the end of June (8 weeks). It would be impossible to do all 12 at once, as I believe there is only one simulator in the area (SE Asia).
If Alliance already have suitable pliots on their books, dosen't it make sense to get them inteviewed and those that are successful, get them on a ground school and into the sim ASAP? And then use the add to locate other suitable pilots
How does it defeat the purpose, simply because Alliance won’t know how many suitably qualified applicants (ie. Type Rated) they will have to choose from until after May 4th, close of applications, Those that are type rated would not have applied early, they would not be currently living in Adelaide and for one solitary route 4 times a day for the next 3 years would want to know what the offer of employment is, at or before the time of interview.
The F50 is a marvelous aircraft, even by today’s standards, it is however no longer in production and that makes it a dinosaur. One would need to have serious motive as a long term Rex Adelaide based 340 Captain to make that move. The terms and conditions would need to be significantly better to compensate against the possibility of not being either adelaide based and or flying a redundant aircraft type after just 3 years.
So if these “large number of Rex Pilots have already been interviewed” the question still remains, “What is Alliance offering for these positions” the interviewed ones at least would have to know, if indeed they have been.
The F50 is a marvelous aircraft, even by today’s standards, it is however no longer in production and that makes it a dinosaur. One would need to have serious motive as a long term Rex Adelaide based 340 Captain to make that move. The terms and conditions would need to be significantly better to compensate against the possibility of not being either adelaide based and or flying a redundant aircraft type after just 3 years.
So if these “large number of Rex Pilots have already been interviewed” the question still remains, “What is Alliance offering for these positions” the interviewed ones at least would have to know, if indeed they have been.
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From what I've heard the pay is equal to or better than NJS Dash 8 pay, plus an overtime rate and progression onto the Fokker 100 once the airport at OLD is upgraded.
Sure sounds better than flying a Saab at REX with no career progression.
Alliance would know if they have suitably qualified applicants (ie. Type Rated),as anyone who has been reading pprune for the last 3 months or read the last two issues of Australian Aviation would have known that Alliance had purchased 2 Fokker 50's, with options on another 3, plus they also have another 3 F100's the way. These pilots would have aleady made contact with Alliance before they advertised.
I guess the Saab 340 must be a 'dinosaur', has it is no longer in production!
And yes interviews were carried out in Adelaide for pilots on the 18th and 19th of April! Flight Attendant interviews were held last week!
Sure sounds better than flying a Saab at REX with no career progression.
Alliance would know if they have suitably qualified applicants (ie. Type Rated),as anyone who has been reading pprune for the last 3 months or read the last two issues of Australian Aviation would have known that Alliance had purchased 2 Fokker 50's, with options on another 3, plus they also have another 3 F100's the way. These pilots would have aleady made contact with Alliance before they advertised.
I guess the Saab 340 must be a 'dinosaur', has it is no longer in production!
And yes interviews were carried out in Adelaide for pilots on the 18th and 19th of April! Flight Attendant interviews were held last week!
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Here we go...
I have been reading this thread over the last few weeks with two thoughts in mind:
That it is interesting, and that it is disappointing.
Interesting because many relevant points have been raised, and hopefully will be addressed, and disappointing because many posts are little more than gratuitous whining, or worse, character assassination.
For context, I am an FO, with less than two years with Rex, and can still say that they are the best company I have worked for. Yes maybe I’m still looking at things through rose coloured glasses. (albeit these days they are photochromatic Serengetis’).
What I would like to see is some mutually beneficial solutions suggested, feel free to disagree with mine, however have a think about it, and come up with some of your own. A discussion with solutions in mind is likely to have more impact than the standard “we should be paid more”.
Most of us know how much the bond is (not sure if disclosure agreements allow me to post it). And over two years it is fairly reasonable. The actual cost of training crew is probably higher than the bond we would be charged. (Taking into account instructor time, airfares for training, wages for “non-revenue personnel” , simulator time etc). From the company’s point of view, the cost of an FO is probably closer to 50-55k/annum for the first two years. For a company that still refuses to charge up front for training, is this really so abhorrent?
A couple of facts;
fact one. The company is reluctant to pay more, as staff will still leave for better things, and they then will have to be replaced (at cost).
fact two. Employees will leave because they can get better money/career progression elsewhere.
The bond is implemented to retain crew, however after two years, employees are not obligated to stay.
There are annual pay increases, to try to counteract staff leaving, however why not pay a retention bonus?
If it is going to cost 10-20k to replace a departed crew, why not offer to pay an extra 10k after 2 years additional service. This is cheaper than replacing the employee, and a 10k bonus would entice many to stay that extra time. You could argue that many crew would stay without a bonus, however just as many would leave before becoming eligible. Could this be a win/win prospect for crews and the company?
On a separate topic, yet just as radical, How about commencing Command training after two years service to stimulate and retain crew, and also promulgate a culture of knowledge. I am not saying the command training needs to be completed (until a slot is available) but think of the costs versus benefits.
-All initial endorsements are command, so there is no extra sim time (costs) required to conduct line training for FO’s in the left hand seat.
-Training Captains are paid an allowance for any month in which they do training, so if they are not training new FO’s or captains upgrading, why not utilise them to put senior FO’s in the left seat?
-An FO who has done 20 sectors in the left seat would be a better, more aware FO, able to assist/monitor the Captain more effectively, as he has real experience doing that side of the job.
-If the company requires Captains urgently (such as if several leave at once) there would be a plethora of FO’s who require minimum training time, and have had extra time contemplating what the job entails from a first hand perspective.
-FO’s who have been in the company for a long time, such as in melb or Adl where commands are slower, would at least have a sense of career progression, which would flow on to better morale.
Are there any negatives to this idea?
(ok, opening myself up to a barrage there...)
Here endith my story...
Happy flying to all.
I have been reading this thread over the last few weeks with two thoughts in mind:
That it is interesting, and that it is disappointing.
Interesting because many relevant points have been raised, and hopefully will be addressed, and disappointing because many posts are little more than gratuitous whining, or worse, character assassination.
For context, I am an FO, with less than two years with Rex, and can still say that they are the best company I have worked for. Yes maybe I’m still looking at things through rose coloured glasses. (albeit these days they are photochromatic Serengetis’).
What I would like to see is some mutually beneficial solutions suggested, feel free to disagree with mine, however have a think about it, and come up with some of your own. A discussion with solutions in mind is likely to have more impact than the standard “we should be paid more”.
Most of us know how much the bond is (not sure if disclosure agreements allow me to post it). And over two years it is fairly reasonable. The actual cost of training crew is probably higher than the bond we would be charged. (Taking into account instructor time, airfares for training, wages for “non-revenue personnel” , simulator time etc). From the company’s point of view, the cost of an FO is probably closer to 50-55k/annum for the first two years. For a company that still refuses to charge up front for training, is this really so abhorrent?
A couple of facts;
fact one. The company is reluctant to pay more, as staff will still leave for better things, and they then will have to be replaced (at cost).
fact two. Employees will leave because they can get better money/career progression elsewhere.
The bond is implemented to retain crew, however after two years, employees are not obligated to stay.
There are annual pay increases, to try to counteract staff leaving, however why not pay a retention bonus?
If it is going to cost 10-20k to replace a departed crew, why not offer to pay an extra 10k after 2 years additional service. This is cheaper than replacing the employee, and a 10k bonus would entice many to stay that extra time. You could argue that many crew would stay without a bonus, however just as many would leave before becoming eligible. Could this be a win/win prospect for crews and the company?
On a separate topic, yet just as radical, How about commencing Command training after two years service to stimulate and retain crew, and also promulgate a culture of knowledge. I am not saying the command training needs to be completed (until a slot is available) but think of the costs versus benefits.
-All initial endorsements are command, so there is no extra sim time (costs) required to conduct line training for FO’s in the left hand seat.
-Training Captains are paid an allowance for any month in which they do training, so if they are not training new FO’s or captains upgrading, why not utilise them to put senior FO’s in the left seat?
-An FO who has done 20 sectors in the left seat would be a better, more aware FO, able to assist/monitor the Captain more effectively, as he has real experience doing that side of the job.
-If the company requires Captains urgently (such as if several leave at once) there would be a plethora of FO’s who require minimum training time, and have had extra time contemplating what the job entails from a first hand perspective.
-FO’s who have been in the company for a long time, such as in melb or Adl where commands are slower, would at least have a sense of career progression, which would flow on to better morale.
Are there any negatives to this idea?
(ok, opening myself up to a barrage there...)
Here endith my story...
Happy flying to all.