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Rex Cancel More Flights

Old 8th Feb 2008, 17:52
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Rex Cancel More Flights

Well it looks like REX would rather cancel flights than address attrition rates. Where will it end? Are they going to go broke rather than address the turnover?

Interesting the comments regarding QantasLink.

http://www.rex.com.au/corp_info/Show...id=168&page=MC


Rex Announces Network Changes Due to Pilot Shortage
Friday, 8 February 2008


Regional Express (Rex) has today announced a number of network schedule changes as a result of the continuing pilot shortage.

Rex will suspend services between Melbourne and Griffith, effective 25 February 2008, as a direct result of the pilot shortage that the airline – and Australian aviation industry as a whole – currently faces. The suspension of the Melbourne to Griffith route will have flow-on effects for other Griffith flights, with a reduction in the frequency of Rex services between Sydney and Griffith expected.

Rex has also announced a postponement of the Maryborough to Brisbane route. This service, suspended in November 2007, was due to recommence on 16 March 2008 but will now recommence in September at the earliest.

As a consequence of the severe pilot shortage, services between Sydney and Cooma, originally scheduled to recommence on 19 May 2008, will now resume on 6 June 2008.

Highlighting the pilot shortage in Australia, Rex Chief Pilot Chris Hine said, “No airline in the world can withstand a 60% annual attrition rate of its pilot strength without catastrophic damage and the fact that we have only suspended 6% of our services is a testimony to the dedication and sacrifices of our staff and the rapidity of management’s response to this severe crisis.

“In response to the pilot shortage, Rex has started its own pilot school and the first batch of 16 cadets, handpicked from 1,600 applicants, will graduate in July 2008. Thereafter we will have about 20 new pilots every three months, largely sheltering Rex from the massive recruitment of our trained pilots by the main airlines.”

Mr Hine warned that the situation will get worse in the year ahead with all three major domestic carriers – Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue – set to embark on aggressive fleet expansion in addition to the start up of Tiger Airways.

Mr Hine elaborated on this, adding “Not all regional airlines have Rex’s ability to fund their own cadet programme and flying academy. I expect to see a bloodbath amongst the regional operators in the months ahead. Even QantasLink will not be spared as evidenced by its recent reduction in services to ports such as Dubbo, Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Newcastle and Tamworth. I foresee many regional operators not making it through 2008.”

Commenting on Rex’s latest suspension of services, Mr Warrick Lodge, Rex General Manager of Network Strategy and Sales said, “This decision has been very difficult given the level of support we have received from the Griffith City Council, the Maryborough City Council and the broader local communities. Rex will go to great lengths to be committed to communities that support us and fully embrace the partnership approach.

“Unfortunately it is often the newest routes that understandably have the lowest passenger loads. We would normally have persevered two years to build up the new routes but given the severity of the pilot crisis, we do not have the luxury of time and we need to make the painful decision now in order to preserve the integrity of the larger network.

“We would like to return to these routes in the future, but this remains largely subject to the pilot situation and the level of local support,” Mr Lodge added.

Passengers holding reservations on any suspended service should contact the Rex Customer Contact Centre on 131713 for a full refund. Griffith to Melbourne passengers also have the option of transferring across to the Griffith to Sydney service with no additional charge.

Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of 37 Saab 340 aircraft on 1,300 flights weekly to 24 destinations from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The Rex Group comprises Regional Express, air freight and charter operator Pel-Air Aviation and Dubbo based regional airline, Air Link.
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Old 8th Feb 2008, 18:26
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largely sheltering Rex from the massive recruitment of our trained pilots by the main airlines.
Oh no it won't!!

They will quickley have a whole lot of sprog F/Os and no Captains for them to fly with!!

Besides which, Qantas is taking guys with 700hrs, which equals one of their Cadets + 1 years flying the line. I guarentee the pay differential would mean the Cadet being ahead within 2 years, so they are just spending money producing fodder for the airlines.

For 150K I would seriously consider giving up my O/S wide body command to fly a Turbo-prop, provided I was based in a regional centre, and I know a lot of people with similar views.

If you need appropriatley qualified employees, pay competitive salarys!!
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Old 8th Feb 2008, 20:29
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Wizofoz.

That is the only thing that will save this situation now! Back in April last year I predicted that this would all come to pass. It wasn't rocket science back then either, the numbers simply didn't add up. I submitted a plan (fully funded) that would have reduced the attrition of the senior guys to a trickle. Management politely told me that I didn't know what I was talking about, it was all in hand and that they had plans to address it. Hell, even some of my collegues were reluctant because they didn't want to be seen as greedy opportunists!

From the press release:

"In response to the pilot shortage, Rex has started its own pilot school and the first batch of 16 cadets, handpicked from 1,600 applicants, will graduate in July 2008. Thereafter we will have about 20 new pilots every three months, largely sheltering Rex from the massive recruitment of our trained pilots by the main airlines.”

Delusional nonsence! The first batch of cadets haven't even flown yet!

Of course this subject has been done to death. The problem is that it will not end untill such time as REX dies, or REX management bite the bullet and actively attempt to retain staff.

Wizofoz. Your figure of $150K is close to the mark. I would see something akin to $100K P/A + $50K retention every 12 months for captains. $60K P/A + $30K retention for F/O's as being the minimum required!

Over the next 12 months REX will lose half of its current captains. This will result in the latest schedule cuts looking insignificant by comparison. REX will have no alternative than to attempt to hire Direct Entry Captains. Commands at REX are currently running at less than 8 months! So anyone starting today is virtually a DEC with some preceeding RHS experience. The problem is that many of the new hires, and all of the cadets do not meet the min experience required for command!

So, if true DEC's are to be considered then the above remuneration would be a minimum to even attract an interest in the current environment. Of course these pilots would still have to be trained, checked etc..., and guess what, there will be nobody left to train them!

The cost of my original proposal was $6.25 added to the ticket price. Unfortunately the benchmark has now been raised. See Surveillance Australia. I estimate for this to work, it would now cost the travelling public approx $15 per ticket to save the airline.

So what's it to be REX. $15 on the ticket price, or collapse?
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Old 8th Feb 2008, 20:34
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Wizofoz,

So you'd sell out for a lousy $150 k?! We can make that flying a Cessna! Glad to see you're setting yourself up to sell out the local boys back in Oz when you return.
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Old 8th Feb 2008, 20:41
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Try some perspective Chris.

He's talking $150K for a turboprop gig. Not widebodied command! Whilst that sort of money is definitely what's needed, it is way short on what REX are currently offering.

And you didn't mention what type of Cessna! If it's the little old bugsmasher that we all cut our teeth on, then I'm sure many others here would like to know the details.
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Old 8th Feb 2008, 21:16
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Being new to this forum am amzaed at the bitterness of some towards others here. It's rife in almost all the threads that I have had the chance to read/follow.
Are we not all meant to be of the same race? You would think that there was an invasion from another planet the way some act here. I've been looking at the possability of going to REX (& others), or at least applying but am not so sure if just 10% of what is said here is true about REX for Eg.

F
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Old 8th Feb 2008, 22:37
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Watch Rex scream "FOUL" if another regional airline serious about retaining pilots steps in and starts flying their routes. It can't be far away. Some beancounter has run the numbers and will have it sussed on the best time to make a play. The local councils must be screaming.
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Old 8th Feb 2008, 22:39
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Chris Hine said, “No airline in the world can withstand a 60% annual attrition rate of its pilot strength without catastrophic damage
Yes it can - pay 'em more money!

Where's the fcukin cash, Neville?
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Old 8th Feb 2008, 23:53
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Lodown.

That idea has been floated before.

Unless the new operator is willing to pay $150K for Capts and at least $90K for F/O's, then they will have the same problems as REX. Not to mention the start up costs.

Untill such time as operators, all operators, start competeing for labour, it will be the travelling public, especially those of the regional centres that will pay the price.

As I said before, REX can stop the rot in it's tracks. If it costs the travelling public $15-$20 dollars a ticket, big deal. The alternative will be no air service at all!!
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 02:02
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So-long,

Long ago was correct...in the early '90s that was true. Most F/Os at the regional are well over US$50k in their first year. Trip rig, extended day rate, holiday pay and overtime all make it much more appealing than you would first think. I spoke with a regional jet captain that I went to university with here in Pittsburgh and he made US$110k last year, he hasn't been there long.

See, some of you see a published pay scale and assume base is all that's offered. This is America mate, don't come here if you want to be a slacker!

Is it your management that's coming up with this? I made nearly $40 k in the very early '90s as an F/O on a turboprop in JFK and that's when it was US$0.68 to the AUS $1.00. Corrected for inflation it's about the same.

No, we weren't required to pay for training either, that's another rampant lie that's now made its way back by way of the Impulse guys. Only the ones that couldn't get hired with the decent regionals bought a job!
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 03:06
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AAAAHHHHHHHH Chris, you pop up here as well now.

What was that comment regarding the Impulse boys not being able to get a gig in " THE DECENT REGIONALS".

I assume by this you mean EAA and Kendall/Hazo's/Rex(after all Impulse was a NSW operation.)

On another thread(which you have been vehemently attacked and justifiably so) EAA was a joke according to you.

Mate, you wouldn't know sh1t from chocolate pudding.

Something about putting one's foot in one's mouth
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 04:09
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Krusty, Norman et al ,

I was one who critisised Mr Higgins, and he is the well rounded type of individual who, if critisised, is happy to turn into a troll/flamer and spout ****e at anyone who dared not to bow to his wisdom.

Hence I'm a sell-out for saying 150K is fair for a T-prop, while in the Land Of The Free, they are all just fine for taking 110K for flying a Jet.

Barking? Sure!

But let's not feed the trolls, eh?
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 04:19
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...........mmm $100,000 salary plus $50,000 bonus for captains!

Where have I seen that money on offer?

Surveillance Australia !!!
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 04:27
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150k flying a Cessna

Quote- So you'd sell out for a lousy $150 k?! We can make that flying a Cessna! Glad to see you're setting yourself up to sell out the local boys back in Oz when you return.

Dear MR Chris Higgins
I think your statement is amazing sir!!! Unless, of course it is true!!!! 150k flying a Cessna.???

Please tell me where, I will go.

150K Aussie dollars, or is that 150K US dollars?????
150K$ Aussie = (
http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi ) = $134,144.16 USD

So that means in the US, people fly Cessna’s for 134K US, or do they fly Cessna’s for 150K in Aussie,

I need to pay off loans, out my ears, please tell me MR Chris Higgins where these jobs are, because I will go, and fast like a thirsty horse to a water trough

thank you Kindly
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 04:29
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Shark.

See post #3 above, 2nd last paragraph. I gave reference to the Surveillance Australia offer. They have set the new benchmark. If REX and the other regionals decide to compete, it will have to be a similar offer.

If they don't, then they may as well close the doors.
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 04:36
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Surveillance Australia !!!
And, as such, have had interest from VERY experienced Australian pilots currently OS (Not me on this occastion, as none of the bases suit.) Goes to show, make the right offer, and they will come!!
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 05:02
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Wiz I'm a fellow sand slave looking for exits. Do you know how the bonus works with this contract? Ta.
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 06:57
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Surevillance

As I understand it they are also about of offer fly in fly out deals from any capital city in Australia (for those who don't want to locate to a base).

If Rex lose 20 experienced Captains to SAPL is that game, set and match?
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 07:19
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In the early 90's a FO job on a Saab with Hazo's or Kendalls was the dream job, join the line at the respective CP door.
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Old 9th Feb 2008, 07:23
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There was just quite a long story on the ABC news about Rex, not enough pilots they claimed, then one person at the end saying they need to pay more, of course they didn't let anybody know what they are actually paid!
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