Rex dropping routes, Pilot shortage or ticket sales.
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Rex dropping routes, Pilot shortage or ticket sales.
While the boom is still going strong in WA, NSW & VIC are slipping into recession. Unemployment rising, taxes up, productivity down for most manufacturing operations and of course the drought.
Is it truley the crewing issues that are causing REX to abandon ALL of these routes. Not wanting to go into the 'pay and conditions' tangents, or is it more like ticket sales and profitability that may just be taking tole.
Things have changed over the last ten years for sure but is all the publicity over PILOT SHORTAGE in the eastern statesmore a tac to try and lure more lambs to THE OLD SLAUGHTER HOUSE of the Haso's days with promises of quick progression and big money
OR a hangover from the old days of, 'If in doubt, blame the pilots".
It seems too convenient to keep blaming the shortage such a public way. Perhaps is all true and the managment are just making the best of this bad situation by getting some free publicity when these press releases are let out in perhaps sensationalised ways.
Dose anyone have info on the 'bums on seats' of those routes as a % of capacity?
Just one of my many theorys.
Fett
Is it truley the crewing issues that are causing REX to abandon ALL of these routes. Not wanting to go into the 'pay and conditions' tangents, or is it more like ticket sales and profitability that may just be taking tole.
Things have changed over the last ten years for sure but is all the publicity over PILOT SHORTAGE in the eastern statesmore a tac to try and lure more lambs to THE OLD SLAUGHTER HOUSE of the Haso's days with promises of quick progression and big money
OR a hangover from the old days of, 'If in doubt, blame the pilots".
It seems too convenient to keep blaming the shortage such a public way. Perhaps is all true and the managment are just making the best of this bad situation by getting some free publicity when these press releases are let out in perhaps sensationalised ways.
Dose anyone have info on the 'bums on seats' of those routes as a % of capacity?
Just one of my many theorys.
Fett
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Don't recall that there was EVER a lure of "quick progression" or "big money" in the Hazo days.
As a matter of fact, whilst commands at REX are running at 6 months, there really could only be one faster way for "quick progression"... and that is via direct entry command.
the doom and gloom of not wanting to pay pilots more, is a stubborn attempt by management to "save face" by NOT admitting that they have stuffed a once great company by screwing the employees with terms, conditions, respect and lifestyle- all of which were a drawcard for a career in a regional.
As a matter of fact, whilst commands at REX are running at 6 months, there really could only be one faster way for "quick progression"... and that is via direct entry command.
the doom and gloom of not wanting to pay pilots more, is a stubborn attempt by management to "save face" by NOT admitting that they have stuffed a once great company by screwing the employees with terms, conditions, respect and lifestyle- all of which were a drawcard for a career in a regional.
Spot on as usual apache.
On the topic of the thread, REX's yield and load factors over the past 2 years have been the envy of the industry. The economic management and rebuilding of the business is something to be truely proud of. So IMHO, the profitability of REX's market has never been greater.
Unfortunately the economic prowess that led to the pheonix rising from the ashes appears to have been in vain. My only conclusion is that the axiom taught at the Singapore school of business makes no provision for the retention of irreplacable labour (something perhaps not considered a possibility) as having any place in the running of such a business.
Believe me the customers are there (although many are becoming p!ssed off). It is this lack of pragmatism however in a most unusual and dynamic labour market that will see the crippling of REX.
On the topic of the thread, REX's yield and load factors over the past 2 years have been the envy of the industry. The economic management and rebuilding of the business is something to be truely proud of. So IMHO, the profitability of REX's market has never been greater.
Unfortunately the economic prowess that led to the pheonix rising from the ashes appears to have been in vain. My only conclusion is that the axiom taught at the Singapore school of business makes no provision for the retention of irreplacable labour (something perhaps not considered a possibility) as having any place in the running of such a business.
Believe me the customers are there (although many are becoming p!ssed off). It is this lack of pragmatism however in a most unusual and dynamic labour market that will see the crippling of REX.
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Krusty,
Your last is a very insightful post indeed, well said.
A Singaporean businessman may well be expected to have an Asian business mind. I have ample opportunity to observe Asian business practises closely. Most managers in Asia are used to dictating the Ts & Cs on their own terms and see this as their birthright. No Asian business person alive today knows what it is like to experience labour shortages within Asia. If one labourer or group of them object to the terms and conditions they receive, they are gone and replaced before lunch time. Simple as that. 'Labour relations' is limited to do what the boss says and you can come back tomorrow.
WRT REX, it seems that LKH has the Asian business mind - no surprise there, it may also be that the following may be included in his list of mistakes:
1) Inaccurate or missing due diligence WRT labour relations in Australia;
2) Failure to hire management that will complete the picture for him. In other words, who in the company will stand up and disagree if they see the big picture slightly differently. Hiring 'yes men' is the fastest way to kill a good business.
As I have mentioned before Krusty, at my age and living in Albury, REX was my career goal. I'd be very happy to be a REX Captain at the Albury base. I still hope the company pulls through - or that whoever buys/replaces them has an Albury base.
ABX
Your last is a very insightful post indeed, well said.
A Singaporean businessman may well be expected to have an Asian business mind. I have ample opportunity to observe Asian business practises closely. Most managers in Asia are used to dictating the Ts & Cs on their own terms and see this as their birthright. No Asian business person alive today knows what it is like to experience labour shortages within Asia. If one labourer or group of them object to the terms and conditions they receive, they are gone and replaced before lunch time. Simple as that. 'Labour relations' is limited to do what the boss says and you can come back tomorrow.
WRT REX, it seems that LKH has the Asian business mind - no surprise there, it may also be that the following may be included in his list of mistakes:
1) Inaccurate or missing due diligence WRT labour relations in Australia;
2) Failure to hire management that will complete the picture for him. In other words, who in the company will stand up and disagree if they see the big picture slightly differently. Hiring 'yes men' is the fastest way to kill a good business.
As I have mentioned before Krusty, at my age and living in Albury, REX was my career goal. I'd be very happy to be a REX Captain at the Albury base. I still hope the company pulls through - or that whoever buys/replaces them has an Albury base.
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Very valid points about oriental managements treating the workers as a commodity that can be discarded and replenished as ordained by them the rulers.
There is also another effect that makes discussion and appreciation between management and pilots problematic. The cause of this is that pilots really live in two different worlds depending on whether they are on the ground or flying.
Every pilot will know that, once the doors are closed and engines have been started, the world becomes most harmonious. From the moment the aircraft moves under its own power everybody involved works together to make the flight a success. The pilots try to make their way through inclement weather (if around), the ATCO's arrange for clearances, different flight levels, shortcuts. etc. Every communication is polite and friendly. It is really an ideal world without conflict...! Of course the view from the fligh deck can also be quite magnificient at times. It's just wonderfull...
The managers are not aware of this "pilots world" and how free of conflict it is. Their world is much more aggressive. They think nothing of sinking their closest associate if it could move them "forward" so to speak. They promote the gutless yes-men and eradicate the critical thinkers. Workers are tools and pilots especially are often seen, or at least displayed as, overpaid princesses. Managers can take decisions that benefit them personally but have an (often excessive) cost to the business. Often they don't really care because their focus in on moving up the ladder or squeezing cash out of the business, not on being responsible for the integrity of the product.
This thinking is completely alien to pilots. Most cannot for the life of them understand why a management would do something contrary to the legitimate needs of the company. It is because they spend so much time in their perfect world...... of which the "groundpeople" have no knowledge.
There is also another effect that makes discussion and appreciation between management and pilots problematic. The cause of this is that pilots really live in two different worlds depending on whether they are on the ground or flying.
Every pilot will know that, once the doors are closed and engines have been started, the world becomes most harmonious. From the moment the aircraft moves under its own power everybody involved works together to make the flight a success. The pilots try to make their way through inclement weather (if around), the ATCO's arrange for clearances, different flight levels, shortcuts. etc. Every communication is polite and friendly. It is really an ideal world without conflict...! Of course the view from the fligh deck can also be quite magnificient at times. It's just wonderfull...
The managers are not aware of this "pilots world" and how free of conflict it is. Their world is much more aggressive. They think nothing of sinking their closest associate if it could move them "forward" so to speak. They promote the gutless yes-men and eradicate the critical thinkers. Workers are tools and pilots especially are often seen, or at least displayed as, overpaid princesses. Managers can take decisions that benefit them personally but have an (often excessive) cost to the business. Often they don't really care because their focus in on moving up the ladder or squeezing cash out of the business, not on being responsible for the integrity of the product.
This thinking is completely alien to pilots. Most cannot for the life of them understand why a management would do something contrary to the legitimate needs of the company. It is because they spend so much time in their perfect world...... of which the "groundpeople" have no knowledge.
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!
Geez Timber..............what the f*ck are you smoking?
and
REALLY? 
Well..............you got the last one right at least. 
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!
Every pilot will know that, once the doors are closed and engines have been started, the world becomes most harmonious.
...It is really an ideal world without conflict...!
This thinking is completely alien to pilots.
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!
Nice bit of rhetoric Timber.
Quote:
"This thinking is completely alien to pilots. Most cannot for the life of them understand why a management would do something contrary to the legitimate needs of the company. It is because they spend so much time in their perfect world...... of which the "groundpeople" have no knowledge."
So what are you saying? Pilots are naive to the real world, and management are simply the ruthless assholes we all think they are.
As the year moves on, I guess we'll see just how naive we are. As for the other half of the equation, well It seems we all agree on that one!
P.S. Thanks SIUYA, beat me to it!
Quote:
"This thinking is completely alien to pilots. Most cannot for the life of them understand why a management would do something contrary to the legitimate needs of the company. It is because they spend so much time in their perfect world...... of which the "groundpeople" have no knowledge."
So what are you saying? Pilots are naive to the real world, and management are simply the ruthless assholes we all think they are.
As the year moves on, I guess we'll see just how naive we are. As for the other half of the equation, well It seems we all agree on that one!
P.S. Thanks SIUYA, beat me to it!
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I am saying that both pilots and managements are products of their environment. The pilots spend a lot of the time in a much nicer environment... so across the board they are much nicer individuals, but not always understood by mere mortals.
Last edited by Timber; 15th May 2008 at 23:43.
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so across the board they are much nicer individuals, but not always understood by near mortals.
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I think Timber was just saying that management and Pilots roll in different worlds with different ideals.
Also its mere mortals not near mortals - just a hint
Also its mere mortals not near mortals - just a hint
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Different ideals is spot on.
Most pilots would do the job for nothing at some stage in their lives.
Management types!
Would Geoff Dixon work for nothing. I have never met a manager
without an agenda, either money hungry or power mad.
Although the occasional ex-pilot manager does it to hide his
inadequate flying abilities.
After nearly 40 years flying and being able to retire I still would
do a trip a month for nothing, how many managers would!
Some of the guys I fly with were not born when I started with
my present company, I must be crazy. Perhaps manager material.
Most pilots would do the job for nothing at some stage in their lives.
Management types!
Would Geoff Dixon work for nothing. I have never met a manager
without an agenda, either money hungry or power mad.
Although the occasional ex-pilot manager does it to hide his
inadequate flying abilities.
After nearly 40 years flying and being able to retire I still would
do a trip a month for nothing, how many managers would!
Some of the guys I fly with were not born when I started with
my present company, I must be crazy. Perhaps manager material.
Ok Timber, whilst we're all feeling warm and fuzzy, and undoubtably you are an individual with an opinion. What do you see as the most effective way of dealing with REX's woes?
Genuine question.
Genuine question.
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I see now REX needs a CFI/Chief Pilot for their training academy, with the successful applicant given a chance to join the illustrious ranks of Regional Express after a said time.....
Now, who wouldn't take up this wonderful oppertunity, come'on what are you all waiting for.......the chance of a lifetime I say!!!!!!!!!
Hang on.......what's that noise????????????
Oh it's just the WHEELS FALLING OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But don't worry, the cadets will be ready by June.............2011
Now, who wouldn't take up this wonderful oppertunity, come'on what are you all waiting for.......the chance of a lifetime I say!!!!!!!!!
Hang on.......what's that noise????????????
Oh it's just the WHEELS FALLING OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But don't worry, the cadets will be ready by June.............2011
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....now that's funny 'news'
I wouldn't mind betting folding money that there has been the odd 2 or 3 hosties up the pointy end of a SAAB over the years, getting to know the 'cockpit' in advance probably
CW
I wouldn't mind betting folding money that there has been the odd 2 or 3 hosties up the pointy end of a SAAB over the years, getting to know the 'cockpit' in advance probablyCW
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I know a few ex REX pilots who tell the tale of the "so called cockpit tour" I never did believe them ...... Just tales of the sky if you ask me. There isn’t even room up the front of the SAAB for an extra set of Jepps approach plates let alone a hostie!!