Layoffs at Skywest
Originally posted by topend3:
If you are going to be a tad egotistical in writing at someone else then for gawd sake learn how to construct a decent post (now think back all those years ago about what the teacher told you about the big letters at the start of each sentence), and please keep your finger on the pulse of what is happening instead of keeping your head buried in the sand wont you? 
I now live in dear old insular NSW after many years in the North of the country and yet through people I keep a close connection with in the mining industry of Queensland I knew just after Christmas that BHP-B were going to drop a nasty turn early in the new year. It was no big secret.
Wiz. You keep calling it as you see it son!
All the best,
OpsN.
i think your post wiz smacks of not really having a handle on what is happening? how many mines are closing down? how many people are getting laid off?
I now live in dear old insular NSW after many years in the North of the country and yet through people I keep a close connection with in the mining industry of Queensland I knew just after Christmas that BHP-B were going to drop a nasty turn early in the new year. It was no big secret.
Wiz. You keep calling it as you see it son!
All the best,
OpsN.
Ravensthorpe shutting down WEF this morning.
Sorry Icarus - happened today. Talk back radio in Perth full of it.
As I said, I believe that the shutdown will be completed by June 30 2009.
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A little bird just told me from his sources in the gold mining sector that the word is Rio Tinto owes Skywest a very large sum of money for services rendered and has not paid their bill which is putting considerable financial pressure on the airline.
This may be contributing to the recent layoffs and turmoil being spoken of in this thread
This may be contributing to the recent layoffs and turmoil being spoken of in this thread
London Stock Exchange - Generic Search
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I am astounded by the panic merchants and some bad will towards this airline.
I have many friends who work there, most have deciced to forgoe(sp) big airline jobs to live in perth and work with many, amd I say many, talented people in a company which has held the ground in working conditions and lifestyle whilst other organisations (ands lets be frank) -other pilots ,have whittled away the working conditions of our industry.
In twenty years of flying , I am yet to see such a high majority of reasonably satisfied air crew which can still take a smile and a joke to work.
To you you easterners- when you can fly in WA amd have your fellow pilots pass on valuable information and technque without holding it back like you have a patent on it- you will truely be in good company- and ironically-in a good company, a spirit of flying lost in many parts of the so called devopoed part of Australia.
To M.H, Hang in ther mate ( don't know the cicumstances but you will allways be welcome in my home.) To the old boys. don't believe the ****.
By the way, I missed out on my interview at Skywest. So I'm sure I can be pretty objective.
All the best you crazy carny folk
I have many friends who work there, most have deciced to forgoe(sp) big airline jobs to live in perth and work with many, amd I say many, talented people in a company which has held the ground in working conditions and lifestyle whilst other organisations (ands lets be frank) -other pilots ,have whittled away the working conditions of our industry.
In twenty years of flying , I am yet to see such a high majority of reasonably satisfied air crew which can still take a smile and a joke to work.
To you you easterners- when you can fly in WA amd have your fellow pilots pass on valuable information and technque without holding it back like you have a patent on it- you will truely be in good company- and ironically-in a good company, a spirit of flying lost in many parts of the so called devopoed part of Australia.
To M.H, Hang in ther mate ( don't know the cicumstances but you will allways be welcome in my home.) To the old boys. don't believe the ****.
By the way, I missed out on my interview at Skywest. So I'm sure I can be pretty objective.
All the best you crazy carny folk
NJS bucking the FIFO trend
National Jet Systems Buys 2 BAE 146s from BAE
(January 29, 2009) -- National Jet Systems (NJS), Australia's largest provider of contracted air transport services, has purchased two BAe 146-200s from BAE Systems Regional Aircraft.
Both of the two Series 200 aircraft, (msn E2097 and E2107), have been on lease to NJS for a number of years. Although the carrier had the option to return the aircraft at the end of the current lease period, it has elected to keep both aircraft to continue servicing its valuable 'fly-in, fly-out' (FIFO) contracts on behalf of Australian mining companies.
Source : BAE Systems
(January 29, 2009) -- National Jet Systems (NJS), Australia's largest provider of contracted air transport services, has purchased two BAe 146-200s from BAE Systems Regional Aircraft.
Both of the two Series 200 aircraft, (msn E2097 and E2107), have been on lease to NJS for a number of years. Although the carrier had the option to return the aircraft at the end of the current lease period, it has elected to keep both aircraft to continue servicing its valuable 'fly-in, fly-out' (FIFO) contracts on behalf of Australian mining companies.
Source : BAE Systems
Mach0.82 you beat me to the draw. Operators who can afford to own aircraft outright, or have the clout to lease them at power by the hour rates are going to cut the guts out of those stuck with last year's lease rates.
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Hi everyone, I read this thread from start to finish after my brother e-mailed me the link. Getting this thread back on track, I worked for Ansett (12+ yrs) and AN MKII. I was also then fortunate to work for XR in the early days post AN collapse...so I have seen alot and was heavily involved with the corporate product and charter ops including new jets (at that time). It is sad to hear of anyone losing their jobs, I have been there! It would also be very sad to ever see XR in trouble. What I can say is that when I worked for XR I spent much effort trying to convince the then senior mngt that whilst charter can be profitable in the right conditions, it is very risky business and with much competition. Also, when the chips are down, as they are now, you can lose big $$$ simply by putting too many eggs in the one basket (contract charter). I was dealing with very lean figures just to win the business - it just didn't make sense. Additionally, in my honest opinion only, it is not sustainable to operate as both charter operator and RPT. You can only be one or the other. When I say this I mean, for XR, the focus should always have been to be RPT and to build and maintain the network, if you lose one contract/account, you will always have others there to support the route including the general public (VFR - Visiting, Friends and Relatives) and only take on charter IF there is an available aircraft, crew etc to operate the adhoc charter...but never at the expense of your core business. This message was pretty much ignored. Whilst I reviewed potential new jet routes there was talk of the KGI-MEL route. I advised them this was not sustainable based on historic data and research. XR have since canned this route but not after losing $$$. This route was tried by AN years ago - you should learn by yours and others mistakes. Another issue I had was convincing senior mngt regarding corporate business, the then CEO (and others) did not believe in catering for the corporate customer by providing incentivised airfares. The GET route being the jewel in the crown was one of them. Convincing senior mngt that relying on protection of routes by the WA Govt was potentially a bad idea - again, ignored. XR is a great airline but has maintained its concentration on contract charter to the detriment of it's own viability - this drive being recommended by staff who came from 'other' operators in the charter game and convincing the board that this was the future for XR. I hope the latest market downturn helps them understand the risks involved and truly hope XR fly straight and level from this point on. Stay out of the contract charter game - it is too risky, too many operators and too cut throat. Again, only my opinion.
Good luck XR and all the best to the dedicated staff behind the scenes - it is the people who make a great airline, look after them.
Good luck XR and all the best to the dedicated staff behind the scenes - it is the people who make a great airline, look after them.
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Av8tor_WA
Well said, with the current senior management and board I have the fear that these issues will continue. They have discounted charter operations to get the bussiness and with a drop off in RPT revenue and some bad strategic decisions eg KGI/MEL, which has resulted in the current problems.
Well said, with the current senior management and board I have the fear that these issues will continue. They have discounted charter operations to get the bussiness and with a drop off in RPT revenue and some bad strategic decisions eg KGI/MEL, which has resulted in the current problems.
Actually tossa I am not sure the current economic climate is defined as a recession...this would require two successive quarters of negative economic growth...but you would know that...
Yes I would know that thanks. But before you get to that point you will see a marked down turn in business and for an airline that means passengers which is what you are observing.
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I heard DJ are not doing to well either. Time will tell with XR, but one would suggest they are going to be in the red in the near future. However with Fuel coming down it should balance it out a bit.