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Problems at Brindabella?

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Old 1st Dec 2013, 22:06
  #21 (permalink)  
 
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This all sounds pretty serious to me
Are Casa being gentle with Brinda rather than apply the Barrier treatment
They are going for the same result, just in a different manner. Though some past and present members of (now) Brindy upper management would seem to have either played into CASA's hands, and other have done their level best to financially break the company... After the IV "long haul" speech of 2012 it was odd to see him parachute out so quickly. The signs were there and (take it from someone who has owned and run a business previously), the massive amount of mid to upper level dis-organisation and deliberate vagueness of information (and occasional mis-information) that was given to employees is, and will never be, any way to treat an employee group that relies upon a strong, cohesive management structure to feed their families long term.

I cannot imagine Jeff and Lara would be all that happy seeing what remains of their blood, sweat and tears for so long ending this way. I visited the gate at Sydney last night for a quick catch-up with the guys there..... One solitary flight in the system for today.... That isn't going to get too many staff (or even Jeff) paid...

I feel for those staff involved and hope the current situation ends well for them.

Horatio, I would imagine it would soon be dining upon satay frog legs if not already...

Last edited by OpsNormal; 1st Dec 2013 at 22:30.
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Old 2nd Dec 2013, 03:27
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Kevin Humphries is the State member for Barwon - check out the whinging on his F-book page about Brindy's services to Moree:

Kevin Humphries

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Old 2nd Dec 2013, 08:06
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Do you blame them Horatio? Moree had Qlink and both the local and state government handed the contract to Brindy and promised them 3 flights a day, with a J41. Since then they regularly cancel the flight without notice, or downgrade to a Metro, some days in this shutdown they haven't had a flight in days. I think I'd be feeling a bit peeved in those situations as well!

They had a professional well run operation, they now have Brindy!
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Old 2nd Dec 2013, 21:44
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No Puff - I don't blame them. I have worked in customer service of some sort all my life and I have never before worked for a business that took such a "fuggem!" attitude to the satisfaction of their clients.

We at Pelican hoped that there would be a different attitude at Brindys and it would dilute the French/Vietnamese influence, but no apparently not.
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Old 2nd Dec 2013, 22:06
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Losing their QF support is akin to drinking poison. In a couple of weeks the low pax season kicks in with the costs much the same but the revenue going south. Not a good combo. The guess the CBA will be watching with interest>>
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 04:31
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CBA

The guess the CBA will be watching with interestMore than interested, Korda Mentha are there now along with a bus load of CASA people. Doesnt look good

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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 05:37
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Is it possible CASA are there to see the progress of the other grounded aircraft? or is it more serious?
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 05:54
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Any truth to the rumour that the pilots were required to take out a personal bank loan, guaranteed by the company, to fund their training?
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 06:12
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Not a good look if the Ansett twins are hanging about their office? And CAsA there in droves isn't a good thing either.

Anyone know if they have been paying cash for their fuel? That is usually the icing on the cake and the potential death knell.
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 06:35
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Serious?

How serious does it get when the web site lets you book a flight on their whole network for a flight tomorrow or any other day, take your money on a credit card and only have a couple of aircraft flying
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 06:47
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There's a notice on my employer's online travel booking site (ASX20 company) specifically instructing staff *not* to book on Brindabella despite flights allegedly being available

I'm guessing we must have had some people getting caught away from home without a flight back.

Last edited by bankrunner; 3rd Dec 2013 at 07:15.
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 09:22
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Krusty, yes that was what the company brought in around twelve months ago for new hires and for crews transitioning onto the J41 from other fleets and/or The Duck.

Management reasoning? Instant cashflow for the training over in the USofA (the loan was facilitated by the company with the credit provider and was repaid on behalf of the employee whilst still employed) and if the pilot left within the duration of the bank loan then the company got to wipe its hands of the loan and pass the debt onto the pilot to service the remainder of.

A different (novel) way of enforcing a training bond. The employer got quick cash, the employee got an endo paid for (if s/he stayed the full term), the only downside for the company was the interest repayments which from what I understand would have been partially if not fully tax deductable anyway.

What satisfactory answer was not forthcoming from the company back then was what happened to signed-up employees loans if the company went bust....
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 10:13
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Krusty, if a pilot walks and the company has guaranteed the loan then the company has a problem. They'd have to chase the borrower if the guarantee was called.

Not a good look if KM and CASA rock up. KM will be there at the behest of the bank I imagine.
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 10:49
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Krusty, TBM,

The loan arrangement was actually one of the things Brindy did well, and one of the best mechanisms for funding training that I've come across.

The candidate took out the loan - lets say $20K over three years - or whatever it was. The company then made the repayments. No cost to the candidate, unless they walked prior to end of the agreed term.

No capital outlay. Endorsement at no cost, unless you change your mind. Seems pretty fair to me.

Inbound
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 12:24
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It was $33,000/$35,000 for a J41 type rating over 3 years.
Only Sim remaining is in Florida, with poor visuals.
Pity what's happened, as Brindy had potential... obviously lost it's way & those in charge don't have the mustard.
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 19:15
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IOD,

Whether the funding of the training was the best you've seen or not, it unfortunately begs the question.... How solid is the organisation in the first place if it has to rely on this sort of thing to train its pilots?

Now I'm not across the reasons for Qlink being dumped in favor of Brindy at Moree, but it seems to me that once again a regional community has been screwed over by political incompetence!
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Old 3rd Dec 2013, 22:20
  #37 (permalink)  
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Another J41 U/S in Moree, down to 1 BNE-based J41.
All J32's parked up.

Can't be good news...

Hope they can get their house in order before time/money runs out.
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Old 4th Dec 2013, 03:46
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Angry

Whether the funding of the training was the best you've seen or not, it unfortunately begs the question.... How solid is the organisation in the first place if it has to rely on this sort of thing to train its pilots?
Krusty,

You know very well that a pilot will say anything to get into that first turboprop job. At Pelican (where this scheme originated before the merger of the 2) we were burnt time and again by pilots promising to give a 2-year return of service who would fk off after 12 months.

How long can a company keep shrugging its shoulders and baring its cheeks again and again and again?
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Old 4th Dec 2013, 04:59
  #39 (permalink)  
 
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- By being an employer people don't WANT to leave after 12 months.....
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Old 4th Dec 2013, 06:32
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If you looked after your staff you wouldn't need a bond!!
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