Merged: Joe Eakins: Brave?....or....
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It is time...
A little bird just told me that Joe has been re-employed this arvo. That's the strong rumour.
Why ? Well, it is a first step towards safety inprovement in Australia. Most in the industry are accutely aware of the downturn of safety standards in Australia over the past decade. In regards to Joe's speaking out it may have been his voice spreading the message but in effect he spoke on behalf of thousands within the Australian aviation community who have in their own way been preaching their safety concerns but only for those voices to fall on deaf ears. If you want to call yourselves executives or CEO's then start listening to your frontline people. Form the working groups, meet with those who get their hands dirty and listen to the truth. Stop viewing any person under senior management level as a liability and start valuing everybody as an assett.
Without being specific to any particular country ( you be the judge), Airline CEO's pay attention - The vast majority of you are fed complete and utter false, ficticious and distorted facts by your senior management. Senior managers know that if they actually told you the truth they would likely be marched out the door and as CEO your hair would turn white overnight if you knew some of the real and actual facts about what is happenning in your organisation. When people speak out to the point that they lose their jobs you need to start thinking about the big picture. Is the guy speaking out a complete nutter ? Or are his factual concerns so scary that he would put his job on the line or even lose it in a desperate ditched attempt to prevent a major tragedy ? It just may be a 'Joe' who actually saves your organisation from one day suffering a tragedy, and it may be a 'Joe' who saves the organisation from becoming part of aviation history.
CEO's remember - the people like Joe and the Sunstate engineers are out there in the thousands, seeing, doing, acting every day of their lives, and they see the things that you simply do not see, they know the things that your senior managers try very hard to conceal from you every day, and usually quite successfully. If you actually knew how much is hidden from you on a daily basis you would hide your face in embarressment. Instead of sacking those who are speaking out in an effort to create a safer environment which translates to airline longevity start listening to their messages. Thousands of concerned aviators cannot all be wrong, do the maths ?
Safety is not achieved by huge ego's, arrogance, destroying your wokforce or by sacking those trying to actually help you even when it flies in the face of what you actually want to hear.
Do I personally know Joe ? Absolutely not. Never met the guy and never heard of him until the media headlines hit the newstand.
Do I personally know the Sunstate engineers currently under suspension ? No, I do not know any of them.
Do I support these people ? Damn straight. It is not for me to judge whether they 'obeyed company policy', or whether they 'followed the correct channels' to air their grievences, but 'desperate times deserve desperate measures', and just maybe this is the reason behind their actions.
It is time for all of us in this industry in one way or another to 'eat the proverbial s#it sandwich' and move forward.
What is done is done, the ball is moving, how the game is played out is yet to be determined. I call on Bruce to officially reinstate Joe (if this has not officially occurred), and I call on Alan to personally take a hand in reinstating the Sunstate engineers. The spotlight is on you CEO's and it is not going away in a hurry. Reinstate these men, talk to them personally and work with them personally, listen to them, and as a group fix the problems. Do it privately, and consider this - no media, no union, no mediator and no bulls#it. Bury the issue and work together to achieve safety. If not, and I have said it before, the clock is ticking and a major accident is inevitable, and as a CEO and the 'accountable person', do you want your legacy and reputation cannonised in that sort of historical event ??
Last edited by gobbledock; 17th Dec 2010 at 11:22.
Joe Eakins Reinstatement
Welcome back Joe.
Joint Media Statement by Jetstar and Joseph Eakins
Joint Media Statement by Jetstar and Joseph Eakins
The following public statement is issued by Jetstar Airways and Joseph Eakins. “Following discussions directly with Jetstar, I am pleased to accept the airline’s offer to be reinstated and immediately return to my role as an A330 First Officer,” Mr Eakins said. “I will return to Jetstar on the same employment arrangement and hold my previous level of seniority. “I welcome the opportunity to now rejoin my Pilot colleagues at Jetstar and be part of its future. “The unfair dismissal claim I had made against Jetstar has now ended. “My ambition is to have a long term career with Jetstar and I never intended my comments to bring into question the sound and proactive safety culture that exists within Jetstar. “I apologise for any inference that might have been drawn from my comments that I was questioning Jetstar’s safety culture because that was certainly not my intention. “I acknowledge that I made public statements in regards to Jetstar’s safety system and its safe flying operations, its Pan Asian network growth strategy and the level of remuneration of Jetstar Pilots
employed in Singapore that could mislead the public and had the potential to damage Jetstar’s reputation. “This is something I did not intend and which I regret doing and Jetstar has accepted my apology for this.
“Jetstar does have appropriate avenues for line Pilots like myself to effectively communicate to all levels of the airline. I am now aware of the best and most effective way to do this.” Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall said he welcomed Mr Eakins back into Jetstar and was pleased that we managed to resolve this matter following direct dialogue with Mr Eakins.
employed in Singapore that could mislead the public and had the potential to damage Jetstar’s reputation. “This is something I did not intend and which I regret doing and Jetstar has accepted my apology for this.
“Jetstar does have appropriate avenues for line Pilots like myself to effectively communicate to all levels of the airline. I am now aware of the best and most effective way to do this.” Jetstar Australia and New Zealand CEO David Hall said he welcomed Mr Eakins back into Jetstar and was pleased that we managed to resolve this matter following direct dialogue with Mr Eakins.
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Looks like some serious grovelling with pursed lips.
While he was at it maybe he could have also apologised for the stolen generation, the deaths of 'boat people', Wiki Leaks, interest rate rises and using the company toilet paper.
While he was at it maybe he could have also apologised for the stolen generation, the deaths of 'boat people', Wiki Leaks, interest rate rises and using the company toilet paper.
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Wow they really made him bend over and use the chap stick for that statement.
I bet they (pornstar) think they won getting him to basically grovel and retract his statement. In essence they probably did. How many other Jetstar FOs would say what they really think now. Arrrr what a great industry it now is...
I bet they (pornstar) think they won getting him to basically grovel and retract his statement. In essence they probably did. How many other Jetstar FOs would say what they really think now. Arrrr what a great industry it now is...
"Just sign this statement Mr. Eakins and you can enjoy the benefits of full time employment again."
"But I don't agree with that ****!"
"Do you wish to be able to support yourself and your family in the years to come?"
"Yes."
"Just here Mr. Eakins, on the dotted line."
"Ok."
"We knew you'd sign."
"Really, how?"
"Remember when you joined this company you paid $30,000 for the privilege of working for us?"
"Yes."
"That's how we knew you'd sign."
"But I don't agree with that ****!"
"Do you wish to be able to support yourself and your family in the years to come?"
"Yes."
"Just here Mr. Eakins, on the dotted line."
"Ok."
"We knew you'd sign."
"Really, how?"
"Remember when you joined this company you paid $30,000 for the privilege of working for us?"
"Yes."
"That's how we knew you'd sign."
I think a lot of us question the practice paying for training, however there is a clear difference between paying for some form of training and also paying for some form of training and also being competent.
I think what Joe was on about is the spreading practice of airlines asking new hires to fund their training costs. I think all pilots that are currently employed by airlines are not comfortable with that idea. He would not be alone in that view.
However I have faith that system that does the line training and then checks a new pilot to line. I do not think a new pilot would be checked to line unless they were safe. It should not matter if a person paid for their training after coming from a GA, or was employed having flown the type with another operator, they would both need to meet the same standard.
I know there has been a case discussed on pprune before of a pilot who paid for training with Jetstar, however was later deemed as to not meeting the required standard and had their employment terminated.
I am also aware of a number of international students that originate from a mid asia region that do not understand that they need to meet a standard to get a CPL. Paying the money, and getting the hours does not give an automatic pass.
So I guess my point is, it should not matter where you get trained, or who pays for the training, a pilot should always need to meet the required standard. Paying for training should not guarantee a job, rating, or licence.
I think what Joe was on about is the spreading practice of airlines asking new hires to fund their training costs. I think all pilots that are currently employed by airlines are not comfortable with that idea. He would not be alone in that view.
However I have faith that system that does the line training and then checks a new pilot to line. I do not think a new pilot would be checked to line unless they were safe. It should not matter if a person paid for their training after coming from a GA, or was employed having flown the type with another operator, they would both need to meet the same standard.
I know there has been a case discussed on pprune before of a pilot who paid for training with Jetstar, however was later deemed as to not meeting the required standard and had their employment terminated.
I am also aware of a number of international students that originate from a mid asia region that do not understand that they need to meet a standard to get a CPL. Paying the money, and getting the hours does not give an automatic pass.
So I guess my point is, it should not matter where you get trained, or who pays for the training, a pilot should always need to meet the required standard. Paying for training should not guarantee a job, rating, or licence.
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I acknowledge that I made public statements in regards to Jetstar’s safety system and its safe flying operations, its Pan Asian network growth strategy and the level of remuneration of Jetstar Pilots
employed in Singapore that could mislead the public and had the potential to damage Jetstar’s reputation. “This is something I did not intend and which I regret doing and Jetstar has accepted my apology
employed in Singapore that could mislead the public and had the potential to damage Jetstar’s reputation. “This is something I did not intend and which I regret doing and Jetstar has accepted my apology
I was so pleased when you first spoke out, I figured that finally one of you had some backbone. Now I'm proved horribly, publicly wrong.
Jetstar does have appropriate avenues for line Pilots like myself to effectively communicate to all levels of the airline. I am now aware of the best and most effective way to do this
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Anybody who contributed money to this sniveller has a right to be mightily p1ssed off.
Last edited by balance; 20th Dec 2010 at 19:27.
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Big Business ALWAYS wins. Congratulations Jetstar.
He's no Assange or Che Guevara!
But hey bills ain't going to pay themselves, so I can't begrudge him for that.
Certainly made a few ppruners look like fools myself included! Some even donated money. Jesus.
I say if you're going to speak out at that level make sure you believe in your cause first.
But hey bills ain't going to pay themselves, so I can't begrudge him for that.
Certainly made a few ppruners look like fools myself included! Some even donated money. Jesus.
I say if you're going to speak out at that level make sure you believe in your cause first.
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So basically all Joe wrote was lies? There is absolutely no safety issue at jetstar and they put safety first? What a load of horse sh$t!! to make it even worse they make Joe come out in the papers and make himself out to be a complete idiot who writes nothing but lies and basically makes out that pilots are just over paid snivling complainers. Just what Jetstar wanted. Now they can carry on with their perfect deception to the general public in Australia and new Zealand that they put safety ahead of money. What a joke.
Joe, I did have the upmost respect and support for you, but now I find it very hard to even stomach your name. This is exactly why this industry is f&$ked! No one has a spine. If you kept tackeling these guys there would have to be a change of culture and you would have got your job back. If fact it just blows my mind you even want to go back and work for these vermin. Now they will just carry on with their bullying unsafe culture.
As the great chopper Reid once said, harden the f&$k up Australia.
Joe, I did have the upmost respect and support for you, but now I find it very hard to even stomach your name. This is exactly why this industry is f&$ked! No one has a spine. If you kept tackeling these guys there would have to be a change of culture and you would have got your job back. If fact it just blows my mind you even want to go back and work for these vermin. Now they will just carry on with their bullying unsafe culture.
As the great chopper Reid once said, harden the f&$k up Australia.
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I've said it before and I truly believe it, as the evidence is overwhelming. pilots cannot be trusted to support one another.
Safety is a great catch phrase, in reality safety means protecting the bottom line, not lives.
This guy backed down in a big way, he was also one of the only ones o stand up to start with, before we hang Him, let's consider what we haone done and what we are prepared to do. That's correct, fcuk all, except complain on prune.
Jetstar is unfounately the breeding ground for the worst of it.
Safety is a great catch phrase, in reality safety means protecting the bottom line, not lives.
This guy backed down in a big way, he was also one of the only ones o stand up to start with, before we hang Him, let's consider what we haone done and what we are prepared to do. That's correct, fcuk all, except complain on prune.
Jetstar is unfounately the breeding ground for the worst of it.
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Can none of you red necks see through this?
Eakins doesnt believe a word of it.
Jetstar backed down 'cause they knew they would get spanked in FWA.
It also makes them look "gracious" in the senate inquiry.
Eakins doesnt believe a word of it.
Jetstar backed down 'cause they knew they would get spanked in FWA.
It also makes them look "gracious" in the senate inquiry.
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Jetstar backed down 'cause they knew they would get spanked in FAwA
If Jetstar and everyone knew that why didn't Joe follow through rather than put his name to a page of complete drivel?
I bet there will be more media coverage, sponsored by the " pox" with his backdown on it than the initial letter stating fact.
At the end of the day the "pox" management 1, pilots 0.
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I congratulate the man. He got his punch in and he took a few back. Anyone who reads the end of the story can read right through it in fact it makes those mongerals look even worse.
Waren it doesn't matter if Eakins doesn't believe a word of it, its in print and he has put his name to it. Jetstar management have come out of this basically without a scratch, and poor old Joe has come out looking second best. I also wonder how much support he has had from the J* pilot community. If they are all so concerned why wasn't there a united front? It doesn't make them look good at all.
Must admit i am a bit surprised by this press statement, and I believe unfortunately will do our push for unity and better conditions in Australia a great deal of harm. Another chance to highlight problems in our industry gone.
At least Joe initially had the guts to stand up! Just sounds as though he didn't have the support of his fellow pilots.
Must admit i am a bit surprised by this press statement, and I believe unfortunately will do our push for unity and better conditions in Australia a great deal of harm. Another chance to highlight problems in our industry gone.
At least Joe initially had the guts to stand up! Just sounds as though he didn't have the support of his fellow pilots.