Geoffery Thomas...again
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From todays West....
Its as if he's trying to piss you off!
Qantas pilots demand more pay, better digs
GEOFFREY THOMAS AVIATION EDITOR EXCLUSIVE, The West Australian
Updated January 26, 2012, 2:20 am
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The Qantas pilots' union has increased its demands on the airline in arbitration hearings before industrial relations watchdog Fair Work Australia to include superior first class accommodation - or better - and travel upgrade priority ahead of the airline's chief executive.
They also want undercover parking at their home airport.
Whereas the engineers' union moderated its demands to reach a deal with Qantas, FWA documents leaked by pilots indicate the Australian and International Pilots' Association has taken a more demanding stand on behalf of its long-haul members.
Last year, Qantas forced the long-running and bitter industrial dispute with three key unions to FWA arbitration by grounding its fleet and locking out staff on October 30.
The grounding resulted in 447 flights being cancelled and disrupted the travel plans of 70,000 passengers.
After a weekend of deliberations, FWA terminated all industrial action, ending the crippling stand-off.
However, after 21 days the unions and Qantas could not reach agreement and the dispute is before FWA for binding arbitration.
Industry observers had suggested that the unions would moderate their demands because FWA would be less accommodating than Qantas.
The engineers' union reached an agreement in December.
The pilots' demands are outlined in a 275-page, 105,000-word document that has its origin in the late 1950s when the airline negotiated the transitionto the jet engine.
The document lays out what the first-class menu should be for pilots away from home and insists on three, three-course, meals a day.
The AIPA is seeking a 3 per cent pay increase and an upward reclassification of some pilots, allowing them to fly larger planes than they currently fly and raising their salaries by about $40,000 each.
It is also insisting that Qantas cannot code-share on Jetstar flights to typically tourist destinations.
Yesterday the AIPA and Qantas declined to comment on specifics.
A Qantas spokesman said: "The most important thing for our customers is that none of the three unions which caused industrial unrest last year can take any industrial action for up to four years."
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has previously warned that the pilots' demands over codeshare flights would spell the end of Jetstar.
GEOFFREY THOMAS AVIATION EDITOR EXCLUSIVE, The West Australian
Updated January 26, 2012, 2:20 am
tweet
The Qantas pilots' union has increased its demands on the airline in arbitration hearings before industrial relations watchdog Fair Work Australia to include superior first class accommodation - or better - and travel upgrade priority ahead of the airline's chief executive.
They also want undercover parking at their home airport.
Whereas the engineers' union moderated its demands to reach a deal with Qantas, FWA documents leaked by pilots indicate the Australian and International Pilots' Association has taken a more demanding stand on behalf of its long-haul members.
Last year, Qantas forced the long-running and bitter industrial dispute with three key unions to FWA arbitration by grounding its fleet and locking out staff on October 30.
The grounding resulted in 447 flights being cancelled and disrupted the travel plans of 70,000 passengers.
After a weekend of deliberations, FWA terminated all industrial action, ending the crippling stand-off.
However, after 21 days the unions and Qantas could not reach agreement and the dispute is before FWA for binding arbitration.
Industry observers had suggested that the unions would moderate their demands because FWA would be less accommodating than Qantas.
The engineers' union reached an agreement in December.
The pilots' demands are outlined in a 275-page, 105,000-word document that has its origin in the late 1950s when the airline negotiated the transitionto the jet engine.
The document lays out what the first-class menu should be for pilots away from home and insists on three, three-course, meals a day.
The AIPA is seeking a 3 per cent pay increase and an upward reclassification of some pilots, allowing them to fly larger planes than they currently fly and raising their salaries by about $40,000 each.
It is also insisting that Qantas cannot code-share on Jetstar flights to typically tourist destinations.
Yesterday the AIPA and Qantas declined to comment on specifics.
A Qantas spokesman said: "The most important thing for our customers is that none of the three unions which caused industrial unrest last year can take any industrial action for up to four years."
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has previously warned that the pilots' demands over codeshare flights would spell the end of Jetstar.
Its as if he's trying to piss you off!
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Why doesn't he print the Qantas claim?
A 3% wage rise structured to be an effective 3 year wage freeze in exchange for going to CAO 48 E (job losses for SO's and longer duty periods with less crew for everyone else) ... B scale for new pilots .... Pattern protection to be recovered over almost 4 months...... stripping away every other T & C earned over 45 years....
C'mon Geoffrey, why do you always tell HALF the story?
A 3% wage rise structured to be an effective 3 year wage freeze in exchange for going to CAO 48 E (job losses for SO's and longer duty periods with less crew for everyone else) ... B scale for new pilots .... Pattern protection to be recovered over almost 4 months...... stripping away every other T & C earned over 45 years....
C'mon Geoffrey, why do you always tell HALF the story?
He actually did respond to stuff here on Prune once, and in a straightforward manner too, but that was when discussions were somewhat more cordial. Why would swearing at somebody encourage them to participate any further in such a forum? I personally wouldn't bother if it was me on the receiving end.
Rightly or wrongly, GT believes that QF, like Pan Am etc etc cannot sustain its unviable workplace conditions in the face of competition from lower cost competitors and there is historical precedent to justify such a position.
My comments about QF club perks are simply because I can see no other reason a journalist would sink to such a level and bring such disgrace to the intergrity of journalism and everything it stands for.
If he did his homework, interviewed people from both sides himself, then wrote the article - I might not agree, but at least I'd respect him. It seems he thinks journalism involves clicking CTRL C on the little Irishman's press releases and then CTRL V on his newspaper front page.
Just once I'd like to read "I interviewed AIPA president Barry Jackson ...."
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Dick Smith cops a whale load of abuse, and is usually fairly good humoured about it, and he appears to be still hanging around here on occasion.
Yet Mr Thomas doesn't?
Even the mods on here don't appear to like Mr Thomas much from some recent comments I witnessed on another thread...
And I'm not convinced that he is even 50% correct with his shocking cut-and-paste effort in todays West Aust... Take this for example:
Someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't the SH EBA up soon? Aren't THEY a part of the Qantas defined "axis of evil"!
Not with that toxic gnome at the helm, I'm sure. And we would never be so lucky to see the end of that toxic airline anyway.
As for the rest of what he wrote. Hmmm.. Maybe 5% correct. That was the spelling.
Yet Mr Thomas doesn't?
Even the mods on here don't appear to like Mr Thomas much from some recent comments I witnessed on another thread...
And I'm not convinced that he is even 50% correct with his shocking cut-and-paste effort in todays West Aust... Take this for example:
A Qantas spokesman said: "The most important thing for our customers is that none of the three unions which caused industrial unrest last year can take any industrial action for up to four years."
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has previously warned that the pilots' demands over codeshare flights would spell the end of Jetstar.
As for the rest of what he wrote. Hmmm.. Maybe 5% correct. That was the spelling.
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Nor is Dick Smith a journalist but a bloke with an opinion, which he is perfectly entitled to have and express wherever he so chooses.
I really don't feel like re-reading the whole thing because it was soul-destroying enough the first time around, but that's also my recollection. It was a bit tougher than dealing with Mel and Kochie grinning and nodding along like a pair of car ornaments.
Journalists are expected to declare their interests or provide fair and balanced commentary. I know that's like expecting footy players to act like pillars of the community, but it's what's supposed to happen.
From the Australian Journalists' Association code of ethics:
1. Report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. Do not suppress relevant available facts, or give distorting emphasis. Do your utmost to give a fair opportunity for reply.
4. Do not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence.
Media Alliance Code of Ethics
None of us condone this behaviour, but the fact remains that GT obviously left PPRuNe not because of the odd swear word but because the questions got too hard.
Journalists are expected to declare their interests or provide fair and balanced commentary. I know that's like expecting footy players to act like pillars of the community, but it's what's supposed to happen.
From the Australian Journalists' Association code of ethics:
1. Report and interpret honestly, striving for accuracy, fairness and disclosure of all essential facts. Do not suppress relevant available facts, or give distorting emphasis. Do your utmost to give a fair opportunity for reply.
4. Do not allow personal interest, or any belief, commitment, payment, gift or benefit, to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence.
Media Alliance Code of Ethics
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I'm glad GT doesn't hang around here anymore. His opinions are biased ****e and not worth a pint of panther piss.
His 'articles' are classic examples of the 'toffee coated turd' - once you lick the top layer of toffee off it is pure ****e underneath.
He is QF's footstool and his newspaper articles are some of the most inaccurate published pieces of poo poo you will ever read.
My suggestion is to scan the article and if his name is attached, linked, or he is the author then do not read it, rather place it strategically in the toilet where it belongs.
His 'articles' are classic examples of the 'toffee coated turd' - once you lick the top layer of toffee off it is pure ****e underneath.
He is QF's footstool and his newspaper articles are some of the most inaccurate published pieces of poo poo you will ever read.
My suggestion is to scan the article and if his name is attached, linked, or he is the author then do not read it, rather place it strategically in the toilet where it belongs.
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For those interested 
GT can be seen spreading his word at the Claremont Community Centre on Thursday 9th Feb @ 9:45 on behalf of the Floreat and Districts branch of National Seniors Australia...... before a tasty morning tea. 
GT can be seen spreading his word at the Claremont Community Centre on Thursday 9th Feb @ 9:45 on behalf of the Floreat and Districts branch of National Seniors Australia...... before a tasty morning tea.
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Calling all spin doctors
I would rather see Gillard again getting pushed into her Comcar with her grotesque white tuckshop lady legs up in the air flashing her mop of bright red curly Ronald McDonald hair rather than listen to a single item of pony poo dribble out of GT's mouth.
Let him impress the pensioners with outrageous stories about exciting aviation non events in his usual sterile style. He will put all the old geezers to sleep while causing aviation people to barf up endless amounts of bile as he indulges himself in make believe stories so full of holes that you could fly one of his 'employers' A380's through it!
No thanks, no interest in watching him speak unless he gets unceremoniously bundled into a waiting car while the hostile crowd grab one of his shoes and defecate in it.
Let him impress the pensioners with outrageous stories about exciting aviation non events in his usual sterile style. He will put all the old geezers to sleep while causing aviation people to barf up endless amounts of bile as he indulges himself in make believe stories so full of holes that you could fly one of his 'employers' A380's through it!
No thanks, no interest in watching him speak unless he gets unceremoniously bundled into a waiting car while the hostile crowd grab one of his shoes and defecate in it.
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Why all the invective gobbledock?
GT is just a man with an opinion. Is this how you react when somebody has an opinion you don't like?
The rabid Qantas pilots don't like his opinions either, but when it comes to people that know something about airline economics, you won't find too many - anywhere in the world - whose opinions differ markedly from GT's.
GT is just telling it like it is, but this hurts some people.
GT has been an avid follower of aircraft and airlines for probably well over 20 years and has won many industry awards for his journalism. I personally will go out of my way to read a piece he has written, as I know it contains a certain wisdom.
I have some of his books. His book "Qantas Flightpaths" is jam full of information on every economic aspect of aircraft and airlines. Apart from a riveting read, this book would serve as a reference work. In fact, it should be a textbook for any professional entering commercial aviation.
gobbledock, your post implies that GT's writings are full of untruths and inaccuracies. How about you give some examples? I often ask for such examples during these GT-bashing threads but never get any.
GT is just a man with an opinion. Is this how you react when somebody has an opinion you don't like?
The rabid Qantas pilots don't like his opinions either, but when it comes to people that know something about airline economics, you won't find too many - anywhere in the world - whose opinions differ markedly from GT's.
GT is just telling it like it is, but this hurts some people.
GT has been an avid follower of aircraft and airlines for probably well over 20 years and has won many industry awards for his journalism. I personally will go out of my way to read a piece he has written, as I know it contains a certain wisdom.
I have some of his books. His book "Qantas Flightpaths" is jam full of information on every economic aspect of aircraft and airlines. Apart from a riveting read, this book would serve as a reference work. In fact, it should be a textbook for any professional entering commercial aviation.
gobbledock, your post implies that GT's writings are full of untruths and inaccuracies. How about you give some examples? I often ask for such examples during these GT-bashing threads but never get any.
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gobbledock, your post implies that GT's writings are full of untruths and inaccuracies. How about you give some examples? I often ask for such examples during these GT-bashing threads but never get any.
While you're there, for a bit of nostalgia, our 'Aviation Expert' went stealth when presented with this letter from the ALAEA fed sec. http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-reporting...on-expert.html
If you want credibility from a person who doesn't need to blow the 'Aviation Expert' trumpet, read Ben Sandilands. His articles are what intelligent, unbiased journalism is all about.
When I turn up to flightplan at my place of employment I'm handed a wad of weathers and notams which I peruse and along with the tips, suggestions and information I glean from consultation with a large number of professional people, endeavour to make relevant decisions that determine the progress of the flight.
When reading Mr Thomas's missives I get the impression he's only reading a selection of Notams from a single source. His information may be true in isolation, but its hard make quality decisions (write accurate articles) if you don't have, and more importantly use, all the information you can lay your hands on.
When reading Mr Thomas's missives I get the impression he's only reading a selection of Notams from a single source. His information may be true in isolation, but its hard make quality decisions (write accurate articles) if you don't have, and more importantly use, all the information you can lay your hands on.
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Cash for comment? Well perhaps a good look at a certain journo who appears to be a darling on these boards should be undertaken . Ever since the bow tie cut him of the gravy train, he has had a deep seated hatred for thr hand that once fed him so well.
