Express Freighters Australia in a mess
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Express Freighters Australia in a mess
I hear all is not well within the Express Freighters Australia (EFA) camp, for those of you who don’t know EFA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas it was set up to operate the 737 freighters that have replaced the 727 freighters that fly with Australian Air Express (AAE) painted on them.
EFA is run by a junior QF manager who made himself very unpopular when dealing with QF pilots and had to be moved somewhere, well so the story goes, so he was moved to EFA.
EFA pilots are paid about half the wage of QF 737 pilots. Another example of QF screwing guys and putting them on an AWA, when an agreement could not be reached with QF pilots to operate the 737 freighter.
Now, I am only hearing second hand some of the problems there, so it would be interesting to hear first hand from someone within?
What I have heard to name a few things:
Ongoing Maintenance problems with all aircraft.
Captains expected ignore problems or forced to take a “managers” view of a MEL.
I’m told there was an air return after a Captain was intimidated during several telephone calls into taking an aircraft, the F/O was not happy about going in the first place.
Sounds like CASA need to look at this little bit of the QF operation. There have been several air returns caused by ongoing problems.
Not enough crew, pilots are asked to work on days off to cover flying.
Back of the clock(BOC) duty is rostered to the limit and pilots are asked to extend.
5 sector BOC being rostered, with unrealistic times, anyone who complains is given a cash payment to shut up and do it.
5 sector BOC, pilots asked to extend when it runs late.
Pilots are asked to extend even before the a/c departs.
Ongoing noise problems in hotels, causing rest issues; catering & transport problems.
Because word is out, they are having a problem getting experienced captains and have had to employ some very low time first officers.
Just when the guys thought it could not get any worse it has! They are now being rostered to pax to and from Perth on the Freighter !! rather than a business class seat on a QF aircraft.
High staff turnover, 4 Captains, all of them stayed less than 12 months + a couple of f/o’s have gone
There has been a recent change of Chief Pilot, from the QF CP (who used to look after it) and from what I hear he is turning a blind eye to this mess, for a smart guy, sounds like he is not being vey smart in this case, it will come back to bite him.
So any comments from those within?? Or has that junior QF manager managed to intimidate everyone? Methinks that might be the case, lets see what sort of response we get!
EFA is run by a junior QF manager who made himself very unpopular when dealing with QF pilots and had to be moved somewhere, well so the story goes, so he was moved to EFA.
EFA pilots are paid about half the wage of QF 737 pilots. Another example of QF screwing guys and putting them on an AWA, when an agreement could not be reached with QF pilots to operate the 737 freighter.
Now, I am only hearing second hand some of the problems there, so it would be interesting to hear first hand from someone within?
What I have heard to name a few things:
Ongoing Maintenance problems with all aircraft.
Captains expected ignore problems or forced to take a “managers” view of a MEL.
I’m told there was an air return after a Captain was intimidated during several telephone calls into taking an aircraft, the F/O was not happy about going in the first place.
Sounds like CASA need to look at this little bit of the QF operation. There have been several air returns caused by ongoing problems.
Not enough crew, pilots are asked to work on days off to cover flying.
Back of the clock(BOC) duty is rostered to the limit and pilots are asked to extend.
5 sector BOC being rostered, with unrealistic times, anyone who complains is given a cash payment to shut up and do it.
5 sector BOC, pilots asked to extend when it runs late.
Pilots are asked to extend even before the a/c departs.
Ongoing noise problems in hotels, causing rest issues; catering & transport problems.
Because word is out, they are having a problem getting experienced captains and have had to employ some very low time first officers.
Just when the guys thought it could not get any worse it has! They are now being rostered to pax to and from Perth on the Freighter !! rather than a business class seat on a QF aircraft.
High staff turnover, 4 Captains, all of them stayed less than 12 months + a couple of f/o’s have gone
There has been a recent change of Chief Pilot, from the QF CP (who used to look after it) and from what I hear he is turning a blind eye to this mess, for a smart guy, sounds like he is not being vey smart in this case, it will come back to bite him.
So any comments from those within?? Or has that junior QF manager managed to intimidate everyone? Methinks that might be the case, lets see what sort of response we get!
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5 sector BOC being rostered, with unrealistic times, anyone who complains is given a cash payment to shut up and do it.
If you have FACTS, go to CASA.
Whispering "T" Jet
I’m told there was an air return after a Captain was intimidated during several telephone calls into taking an aircraft, the F/O was not happy about going in the first place.
Back of the clock(BOC) duty is rostered to the limit and pilots are asked to extend.
5 sector BOC being rostered, with unrealistic times, anyone who complains is given a cash payment to shut up and do it.
5 sector BOC, pilots asked to extend when it runs late.
Pilots are asked to extend even before the a/c departs.
Back of the clock(BOC) duty is rostered to the limit and pilots are asked to extend.
5 sector BOC being rostered, with unrealistic times, anyone who complains is given a cash payment to shut up and do it.
5 sector BOC, pilots asked to extend when it runs late.
Pilots are asked to extend even before the a/c departs.
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If you are an insider, grow some testicles and go to CASA.
If you can not effect change from within, bring in the regulator.
If you do not and something goes pear shaped, how will you sleep at night knowing you may have made a difference.
J
If you can not effect change from within, bring in the regulator.
If you do not and something goes pear shaped, how will you sleep at night knowing you may have made a difference.
J
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Spot on Jaba. If the worst happens and someone could have done something to bring it to the attention of CASA it would be hard to live with one's self. The Gerbil is obviously still the only guy that thinks the Gerbil is a good manager.
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Will one of you lot with the FACTS report it this week coming and then report back to the PPRUNE Safety Board with the results of your work!
Then I won't have to worry about my freight any more
J
Then I won't have to worry about my freight any more
J
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Wow I dont know who you have been talking to but night freight is not for everyone. As an insider a few comments from one persons point of view.EFA is run by a junior QF manager who made himself very unpopular when dealing with QF pilots.
I cant comment as I was not there, How often have you seen a GM of a Airline take the time to take your calls, EFA does. I can say my experience with the GM has been a good one.
EFA pilots are paid about half the wage of QF 737 pilots
Sure not what I was used to when operating pax ops but it sure is not half,
Pay rise on the way (I will cross my fingers)
Ongoing Maintenance problems with all aircraft.
These Aircraft are high time and have been looked after outside the QF system for the last 5 yrs They need some TLC it may take some time for them to get back on track.
Captains expected ignore problems or forced to take a “managers” view of a MEL.
This is not my experience, if this was happening remember the Capt & Fo have the last word say NO.
I’m told there was an air return after a Captain was intimidated during several telephone calls into taking an aircraft, the F/O was not happy about going in the first place.
There have only been 3 air returns that I am aware of,
1 Changed taf conditions at Dest.
2. Door light on Dept
3. Minor problem with no Enginners at Dest crew decided to return.
All happened airbourne not pre departure.
Not enough crew, pilots are asked to work on days off to cover flying.
Worldwide the standard formula is approx 5 crew per AC we have this remembering we only operate mostly at night and not the larger daylight hours. Working on days off, Say No or grab the extra payment and Run.
Back of the clock(BOC) duty is rostered to the limit and pilots are asked to extend.
Sorry guys I dont see it. you either sign on between 1800 - 1900 and sign off between 0000 - 0300 or Sign on between 0000- 0400 and sign off around 0600.
The main exception is for the next few months a Perth return 0300 - 1245.
5 sector BOC
Quite within limits. Company is no longer blocking these duties.
Pilots are asked to extend even before the a/c departs.
I can only comment on my experience and I have not been asked.
Ongoing noise problems in hotels, causing rest issues; catering & transport problems.
1. Sometimes 2. Sometimes 3. We are allways feed but sure mix it up
4. Cairns can be a problem.
Because word is out, they are having a problem getting experienced captains and have had to employ some very low time first officers.
My personal favorite.
90% of the Captains are 10 to 15,000 hour pilots with Command time on B747 B777 B767 B737. The last pilot hired is a Senior Check and Training Captain from Qantas mainline who just retired and joined us.
With some of the most experienced training captians you will find in the industry.
Fo's sure a lot of them are low time they do a great job. All the major Airlines are hiring low time pilots as there is a current shortage of 2000 hr applicants.
Pax to and from Perth on the Freighter
To my knowledge this has happened once.
Since I have joined all my pax flights have been in QF Buss class including paxing to Perth.
High staff turnover, 4 Captains, all of them stayed less than 12 months + a couple of f/o’s have gone
My next favorite.
Most of the Captains were commuters and found a position in their home port. The last Capt to leave has left for a 777 Command (wouldnt you go?) Fo's a lot are being scooped up by QF as we are trained and checked to the QF standard.
Enjoy as life is short
Bottums Up
The last Capt to leave has left for a 777 Command
From what I hear, via the Townsville Refueller, the font of all knowledge, most of the allegations on this thread are surprisingly accurate.
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Just interested now that CC and CW have both entered the frey (speak about "fonts of all knowledge!" ) it seems as if - 60 and below - is the only poster marching to a different beat.
Whilst "an insider" I am unsure what his (her??..being politically correct) involvement is.
So: is everyone else wrong/60 has had a 'dream' run with the operation/they're management or a stooge/ etc etc????
Must say what little I've heard indicates the worst (or equal worst) CA pay of $120,000/year and that whilst maybe tenuously part of the QF group the mentality, approach and standards do not reflect well on QF.
Seems like, for whatever difficulties they have, if you have a burning need/desire to do night freight in 73's then Toll are the way to go!
Comments from anyone???
) it seems as if - 60 and below - is the only poster marching to a different beat.Whilst "an insider" I am unsure what his (her??..being politically correct) involvement is.
So: is everyone else wrong/60 has had a 'dream' run with the operation/they're management or a stooge/ etc etc????
Must say what little I've heard indicates the worst (or equal worst) CA pay of $120,000/year and that whilst maybe tenuously part of the QF group the mentality, approach and standards do not reflect well on QF.
Seems like, for whatever difficulties they have, if you have a burning need/desire to do night freight in 73's then Toll are the way to go!
Comments from anyone???
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Perhaps naive but, whats wrong with Australian Air Express??? I know 2 pilots that work freight (obviously) with them and have no real major issues....
Last edited by sthaussiepilot; 14th Sep 2008 at 07:55. Reason: Typo
