QF and QLink big announcement?????
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If thats it it'll have ZERO effect on retention. Offer career paths to all, not only cadets.
Probably too late to stop 20+ senior captain's jumping ship now. Theyll have start dates by early Dec if all goes to plan.
Heard the pool of pilots is gettin shallow.
See youse!
PS. VOTE NO
Probably too late to stop 20+ senior captain's jumping ship now. Theyll have start dates by early Dec if all goes to plan.
Heard the pool of pilots is gettin shallow.
See youse!
PS. VOTE NO
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OK, more Q400's - the special new reliable model, the Q400"r" 
thats good news I guess.
What about attracting experienced drivers to fly them though?
I suppose they won't cost much to operate if they aren't able to fly them...
thats good news I guess.
What about attracting experienced drivers to fly them though?
I suppose they won't cost much to operate if they aren't able to fly them...
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Wynsock they can't even get the existing pilots to stay let alone attract experienced ones.
Was talking to one of the blokes the other day in the crew room (well known here.)He said "they gotta make pilots want to stay, not want to leave."
Wise words and pretty simple ay.
See youse!
Was talking to one of the blokes the other day in the crew room (well known here.)He said "they gotta make pilots want to stay, not want to leave."
Wise words and pretty simple ay.
See youse!
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Reading this and other posts make me rather glad in a roundabout way that MD and BD kicked me out of EAA.
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As an aspiring pilot, reading this thread makes me wonder..
Are there any flight crews that actually enjoy working for the regional airlines?
In my current GA job I can't wait to get out, QantasLink has always been a goal... Is QLink a good start into an airline career? or should I stick it out and wait for VB or J*??
Are there any flight crews that actually enjoy working for the regional airlines?
In my current GA job I can't wait to get out, QantasLink has always been a goal... Is QLink a good start into an airline career? or should I stick it out and wait for VB or J*??
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Alidad
lets not turn another thread into a personal slinging match. How about we maintain some maturity and professionalism.
Back on track................
The big announcement is a yearly retention bonus, increasing over a 3 year period and subject to tax.
A nice gesture but sadly no where near enough to slow or stop the exodus.
lets not turn another thread into a personal slinging match. How about we maintain some maturity and professionalism.
Back on track................
The big announcement is a yearly retention bonus, increasing over a 3 year period and subject to tax.
A nice gesture but sadly no where near enough to slow or stop the exodus.
Redsnail gains bucket loads of credibility for owning up to her past misfortunes.
I remember when she left NJS, I thought back then that she demonstrated a lot of character, and she still is.
I am pleased people like her have made a go of their careers.
Unfortunately we are not all perfect, Alidad.
I remember when she left NJS, I thought back then that she demonstrated a lot of character, and she still is.
I am pleased people like her have made a go of their careers.
Unfortunately we are not all perfect, Alidad.
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A small amount of money. Unfortunatley the retention package has had the opposite effect. Those that were thinking of leaving will now have made up their mind to leave. I dont know how QFLink expects to crew all those new 400's. The will be no crew retention. Only an exodus that was being led by FO's and will now be joined by Captains.
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Big announcement.......
A former CFO is spending a lot of time talking to GD.
Could it be he is coming back to his old role allowing Pete to take an operational role as head of an expanded QF Regional as part of his development for taking on the big job?
A former CFO is spending a lot of time talking to GD.
Could it be he is coming back to his old role allowing Pete to take an operational role as head of an expanded QF Regional as part of his development for taking on the big job?
WOW!!! More Q400s
and a retention bonus!! OMG!
I've just cancelled my VB and JQ and EK and CX interviews and now I'm gonna stay.
I wanna fly the Q400 with its "jet like speeds".
and a retention bonus!! OMG!I've just cancelled my VB and JQ and EK and CX interviews and now I'm gonna stay.
I wanna fly the Q400 with its "jet like speeds".
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Retention bonus........
The only probable effect a retention bonus will have is to make life more comfortable for those pilots who want to stay, for personal or professional reasons.
Jetconnect, in 2002 I think it was, included a retention bonus in the pilot contract; $15,000 for Capt'ns and $9,000 for F/O's.
Since that time there has been a turnover of crew of something like 120 pilots. With a starting number of about 40, increasing to 80 odd, that would perhaps be a percentage turnover of about 200%.
Has the retention bonus worked??? Yes, for some - they timed their departure so their resignation became effective days after receiving their bonus and "walked " with a smug grin.
For others, like myself, no - we left within weeks / days of receiving $15g, but staying was not a career option!!!!!!!
The bonus of course, was not pro-rata and the stated attitude of the Company was, "if we don't have to pay it, that will go towards training replacement crew".
Interesting to note that the bonus had no affect when it came to retaining either Kiwi or Oz crew.
Of course, Qlink, Sunstate and Jetconnect have a common General Manager.
If sub-continental arrogance was replaced with an appreciation and respect for the skills and experience of the flight crew within the said organizations, and a realistic remuneration package was offered, perhaps "retention bonus" would not need to be considered.
Role on....
Jetconnect, in 2002 I think it was, included a retention bonus in the pilot contract; $15,000 for Capt'ns and $9,000 for F/O's.
Since that time there has been a turnover of crew of something like 120 pilots. With a starting number of about 40, increasing to 80 odd, that would perhaps be a percentage turnover of about 200%.
Has the retention bonus worked??? Yes, for some - they timed their departure so their resignation became effective days after receiving their bonus and "walked " with a smug grin.
For others, like myself, no - we left within weeks / days of receiving $15g, but staying was not a career option!!!!!!!
The bonus of course, was not pro-rata and the stated attitude of the Company was, "if we don't have to pay it, that will go towards training replacement crew".
Interesting to note that the bonus had no affect when it came to retaining either Kiwi or Oz crew.
Of course, Qlink, Sunstate and Jetconnect have a common General Manager.
If sub-continental arrogance was replaced with an appreciation and respect for the skills and experience of the flight crew within the said organizations, and a realistic remuneration package was offered, perhaps "retention bonus" would not need to be considered.
Role on....
Alien Role,
The reason the retention bonus isn't as effective as it should be, is because it is inadequate!
I agree with you that airline managements need to remunerate their professional pilots appropriately, and make genuine efforts in terms of appreciation and respect.
After years of, "if you don't like it, there's the door", $15K for a captain isn't going to cut it. After years of pay for your own rating, substandard wages, and even open contempt, is it any wonder that pilots are moving on when the opportunities present. And the opportunities are coming left right and centre!
I don't have a problem with the retention bonus idea, or the non pro-rated aspect of it. If you're miffed because you missed out, well tough. It obviously wasn't enough for you to stay, and you made a career choice. Hense my point!
Regional operators need to offer at least $30K for captains, and $20K for F/O's. Jet operators at the lower end of the food chain such as "Jitconnict" will have to offer substantially more. Otherwise they are just wasting their time and money!
The opportunities for experienced pilots will grow dramatically over the next several years, and those that do not rethink the value of their flightcrews will have nobody to blame except themselves.
The reason the retention bonus isn't as effective as it should be, is because it is inadequate!
I agree with you that airline managements need to remunerate their professional pilots appropriately, and make genuine efforts in terms of appreciation and respect.
After years of, "if you don't like it, there's the door", $15K for a captain isn't going to cut it. After years of pay for your own rating, substandard wages, and even open contempt, is it any wonder that pilots are moving on when the opportunities present. And the opportunities are coming left right and centre!
I don't have a problem with the retention bonus idea, or the non pro-rated aspect of it. If you're miffed because you missed out, well tough. It obviously wasn't enough for you to stay, and you made a career choice. Hense my point!
Regional operators need to offer at least $30K for captains, and $20K for F/O's. Jet operators at the lower end of the food chain such as "Jitconnict" will have to offer substantially more. Otherwise they are just wasting their time and money!
The opportunities for experienced pilots will grow dramatically over the next several years, and those that do not rethink the value of their flightcrews will have nobody to blame except themselves.
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Krusty
AGREED! Those operators who cannot afford to pay the extra will just have to ramp up the training department or be gone. I beleive the aviation industry is alive and very healthy at the moment and, as with many other professionals such as Doctors & Nurses, pilots are in demand.This should continue for at least the next 18 months.
The only thing that needs to be realigned is the remuneration. The thing is I dont believe we are excessively short of pilots. It's just that there isn't so many around that half are working as refuellers etc.
All in all a good healthy industry!
AGREED! Those operators who cannot afford to pay the extra will just have to ramp up the training department or be gone. I beleive the aviation industry is alive and very healthy at the moment and, as with many other professionals such as Doctors & Nurses, pilots are in demand.This should continue for at least the next 18 months.
The only thing that needs to be realigned is the remuneration. The thing is I dont believe we are excessively short of pilots. It's just that there isn't so many around that half are working as refuellers etc.
All in all a good healthy industry!
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In the meantime....another one bites the dust.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Pla...506335197.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Pla...506335197.html
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It seems that QF might get their hands on a few more Q400's rather expeditiously, after Scandinavian Airlines has decided to IMMEDIATELY and PERMANENTLY ground and retire their entire fleet of 27 (23 for mainline and 4 for Widerĝe) Q400. This may be unprecedented in the airline industry - to permanently and voluntarily retire an entire fleet - but SAS have had an incredibly bad run with this aircraft, being launch customer. So I suppose in the end they've just had a gutful!
AP
Airline Pulls Turboprops From Fleet
Sunday October 28, 12:59 pm ET
By Malin Rising, Associated Press Writer
Crashes After Landing Gear Malfunctions Prompt Airline to Pull Turboprops From Its Fleet
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -- Scandinavian Airlines said Sunday it will pull Bombardier Q400 turboprops from its fleet after a series of crash landings caused by landing gear malfunctions.The decision came a day after an SAS turboprop with 44 people on board crash-landed in Denmark when part of its landing gear collapsed, with one wing scraping the ground in a shower of sparks. All passengers and crew were evacuated safely.
The same type of plane, also known as Dash 8, crash-landed twice last month and SAS temporarily grounded its fleet of turboprops. No one was seriously injured.
"Confidence in the Q400 has diminished considerably and our customers are becoming increasingly doubtful about flying in this type of aircraft," SAS chief executive Mats Jansson said in a statement.
The airline said it would replace its 27 turboprops, made by Canada's Bombardier Inc., with other types of aircraft in its fleet, as well as with leased aircraft. SAS warned that it would have to cancel flights "in the period immediately ahead," but did not say how many. The turboprops represented some 5 percent of SAS's total fleet.
The airline had already canceled about 50 flights Sunday and Monday with turboprops after Saturday's emergency landing at Copenhagen's airport.
Bombardier, which has said there are some 160 of the Q400 planes worldwide, recommended airlines to continue flying the aircraft, saying there appeared to be no link between the Saturday's crash-landing and previous incidents involving SAS turboprops.
"According to preliminary information, the incident involved the main right-hand landing gear, which failed to fully extend for landing," Bombardier said in a statement.
However, the SAS board decided to permanently remove the planes from service at an emergency meeting on Sunday.
The airline has said it would demand $78.25 million in compensation from Bombardier for costs and lost income for accidents involving the turboprops. It wasn't immediately clear if SAS would make additional claims after Sunday's decision.
Associated Press Writer Karl Ritter contributed to this report.
AP
Airline Pulls Turboprops From Fleet
Sunday October 28, 12:59 pm ET
By Malin Rising, Associated Press Writer
Crashes After Landing Gear Malfunctions Prompt Airline to Pull Turboprops From Its Fleet
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) -- Scandinavian Airlines said Sunday it will pull Bombardier Q400 turboprops from its fleet after a series of crash landings caused by landing gear malfunctions.The decision came a day after an SAS turboprop with 44 people on board crash-landed in Denmark when part of its landing gear collapsed, with one wing scraping the ground in a shower of sparks. All passengers and crew were evacuated safely.
The same type of plane, also known as Dash 8, crash-landed twice last month and SAS temporarily grounded its fleet of turboprops. No one was seriously injured.
"Confidence in the Q400 has diminished considerably and our customers are becoming increasingly doubtful about flying in this type of aircraft," SAS chief executive Mats Jansson said in a statement.
The airline said it would replace its 27 turboprops, made by Canada's Bombardier Inc., with other types of aircraft in its fleet, as well as with leased aircraft. SAS warned that it would have to cancel flights "in the period immediately ahead," but did not say how many. The turboprops represented some 5 percent of SAS's total fleet.
The airline had already canceled about 50 flights Sunday and Monday with turboprops after Saturday's emergency landing at Copenhagen's airport.
Bombardier, which has said there are some 160 of the Q400 planes worldwide, recommended airlines to continue flying the aircraft, saying there appeared to be no link between the Saturday's crash-landing and previous incidents involving SAS turboprops.
"According to preliminary information, the incident involved the main right-hand landing gear, which failed to fully extend for landing," Bombardier said in a statement.
However, the SAS board decided to permanently remove the planes from service at an emergency meeting on Sunday.
The airline has said it would demand $78.25 million in compensation from Bombardier for costs and lost income for accidents involving the turboprops. It wasn't immediately clear if SAS would make additional claims after Sunday's decision.
Associated Press Writer Karl Ritter contributed to this report.
Last edited by Carpetbagger; 4th Nov 2007 at 03:50.