Still flying after Ansett
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Still flying after Ansett
Wed "Sydney Morning Herald"
Still flying after Ansett
Flying high ... Ross Martin, centre, and Gary Staff, second from right, with Cambodian cabin crew from one of their flights. Photo: Valerie Khoo
One of the world's newest airlines is being kept in the air by a bunch of Australians, reports Valerie Khoo.
Last month, pilot Ross Martin landed a Boeing 737 aircraft in Cambodia. As captain, he delivered his usual arrival announcement over the public address system. At the end of his spiel, Martin concluded with "Enjoy your stay here and thank you for flying Ansett."
It seems that old habits die hard. After spending 17 years at Ansett, Martin found himself out of a job when the airline collapsed 18 months ago. Now, he's back in the air. "Of course I got straight back on to the PA," says Martin. "I said 'I'm terribly sorry, that was the airline I used to fly for. Thank you for flying Mekong Airlines'."
Mekong, Cambodia's newest airline, has been in the air for about 2 months. Following the collapse of Royal Air Cambodge, Cambodia has been without national carrier since October 2001. However, a consortium of Cambodian, American and Australian investors launched the airline in January this year, with an all-Australian management team.
The Boeing 737 is the airline's only aircraft, though it plans to obtain a second in the next few months. Its destinations, too, are limited, flying to Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Other Asian capitals are, however, in its sights.
Martin is just one former Ansett employee carving a fresh life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. However, there are a lot of familiar faces as all 11 pilots and engineers of Mekong are from Ansett.
A first officer, Gary Staff, who spent 31 years with Ansett, took labouring jobs in Australia before accepting a pilot's post in Indonesia late last year. In mid-February he was offered the job with Mekong and packed up within three days. "I wanted to be with the guys," says Staff.
The Australians are optimistic and enthusiastic about Mekong's future. The maintenance planner, Joe Marchese: "The guys here are working extremely hard. It's a very good feeling and to get something like this off the ground is pretty special. It can be hard because I miss my wife and son badly, but then the camaraderie here is fantastic.
"We talk about the old times and how good it was. We curse John Howard, John Anderson, Geoff Dixon and all those people responsible for our downfall." Marchese was with Ansett for 35 years.
Most of the pilots and engineers live in the same apartment building, a refurbished French colonial block in the heart of Phnom Penh. With unofficial drinks held nightly at 7 by the central swimming pool, they have a ready-made social life and posse of mates. "We call the apartment Club Med Cambodia," says engineer Mark Hinchliffe, formerly based in Perth. "And it's nice to bump into people you know when you come home."
Hinchliffe took occasional short-term contract work with light-aircraft operators after being with Ansett for 22 years. He says his decision to move to Cambodia came down to economics. "I didn't want to live away from my family but we either had to sell the house or move somewhere smaller, or I could get a regular income with the job up here."
Hinchliffe keeps in touch with his wife and two children through regular webcam sessions, but is also making the most of his stay in Cambodia. "Phnom Penh is still a bit of a cowboy town," he says. "There's a lot of excitement, traffic and a real feel of the Far East." Having bought a motorbike, he is planning short trips into the countryside and visits to the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat.
The Australians have given Mekong Airlines an instant history and corporate culture, echoing the halcyon days of Ansett. Marchese says: "The Ansett spirit is still alive; it re-emerged in this small pocket in Cambodia. We're like a family over here and it's like being brothers-at-arms - a bunch of Australians, away from home, scratching to make a living."
Still flying after Ansett
Flying high ... Ross Martin, centre, and Gary Staff, second from right, with Cambodian cabin crew from one of their flights. Photo: Valerie Khoo
One of the world's newest airlines is being kept in the air by a bunch of Australians, reports Valerie Khoo.
Last month, pilot Ross Martin landed a Boeing 737 aircraft in Cambodia. As captain, he delivered his usual arrival announcement over the public address system. At the end of his spiel, Martin concluded with "Enjoy your stay here and thank you for flying Ansett."
It seems that old habits die hard. After spending 17 years at Ansett, Martin found himself out of a job when the airline collapsed 18 months ago. Now, he's back in the air. "Of course I got straight back on to the PA," says Martin. "I said 'I'm terribly sorry, that was the airline I used to fly for. Thank you for flying Mekong Airlines'."
Mekong, Cambodia's newest airline, has been in the air for about 2 months. Following the collapse of Royal Air Cambodge, Cambodia has been without national carrier since October 2001. However, a consortium of Cambodian, American and Australian investors launched the airline in January this year, with an all-Australian management team.
The Boeing 737 is the airline's only aircraft, though it plans to obtain a second in the next few months. Its destinations, too, are limited, flying to Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Other Asian capitals are, however, in its sights.
Martin is just one former Ansett employee carving a fresh life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. However, there are a lot of familiar faces as all 11 pilots and engineers of Mekong are from Ansett.
A first officer, Gary Staff, who spent 31 years with Ansett, took labouring jobs in Australia before accepting a pilot's post in Indonesia late last year. In mid-February he was offered the job with Mekong and packed up within three days. "I wanted to be with the guys," says Staff.
The Australians are optimistic and enthusiastic about Mekong's future. The maintenance planner, Joe Marchese: "The guys here are working extremely hard. It's a very good feeling and to get something like this off the ground is pretty special. It can be hard because I miss my wife and son badly, but then the camaraderie here is fantastic.
"We talk about the old times and how good it was. We curse John Howard, John Anderson, Geoff Dixon and all those people responsible for our downfall." Marchese was with Ansett for 35 years.
Most of the pilots and engineers live in the same apartment building, a refurbished French colonial block in the heart of Phnom Penh. With unofficial drinks held nightly at 7 by the central swimming pool, they have a ready-made social life and posse of mates. "We call the apartment Club Med Cambodia," says engineer Mark Hinchliffe, formerly based in Perth. "And it's nice to bump into people you know when you come home."
Hinchliffe took occasional short-term contract work with light-aircraft operators after being with Ansett for 22 years. He says his decision to move to Cambodia came down to economics. "I didn't want to live away from my family but we either had to sell the house or move somewhere smaller, or I could get a regular income with the job up here."
Hinchliffe keeps in touch with his wife and two children through regular webcam sessions, but is also making the most of his stay in Cambodia. "Phnom Penh is still a bit of a cowboy town," he says. "There's a lot of excitement, traffic and a real feel of the Far East." Having bought a motorbike, he is planning short trips into the countryside and visits to the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat.
The Australians have given Mekong Airlines an instant history and corporate culture, echoing the halcyon days of Ansett. Marchese says: "The Ansett spirit is still alive; it re-emerged in this small pocket in Cambodia. We're like a family over here and it's like being brothers-at-arms - a bunch of Australians, away from home, scratching to make a living."
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Years ago, when we lived in a less enlightened, more insular, country, new arrivals to our shores were called 'w_gs' by our bigoted, uneducated masses. These days, these very people wear the tag with pride. I have many European friends who see it as not derogatory in any way - of course the delivery and tone can change that, but when delivered good naturedly, it's fine.
So with 'scab'. Who cares. It's no big deal, or any deal at all, to me or any whom I know, but only to the tiny minds who perpetuate the hatred and bigotry from which they are incapable of escape. What you guys should remember is that many of the FEs commenced training before the AFAP said it was OK to go back, so that would lump them into that group who are so despised by the world, and who will never work as pilots anywhere in the world again, and wear that terrible tag, and will do so for the rest of their happy lives.
You're right on one thing, beetlegoose, Nakry is still a good looker, but Lavann is in another class altogether, as is Linda.
Incidentally, we put on a party for them recently, and many of them thanked us for treating them like real people, and not 'poor people' as did another group of Australians a long time ago. Can't imagine who that bitter and twisted group were????
Casper, you're right! It was done by a lot of guys a long time ago, and but a few are happy with their decisions, flying equipment that they would never have had access to if they'd stayed in Oz. There are just a few malcontents though, recalcitrant, objectionable individuals who continue sling abuse because they f....ed up their lives by follwing the AFAP's ridciulous position and aren't happy flying a DC3 in Algeria. They're evident on pprune by their malicious, vindictive posts. They seem to gain some perverse satisfaction from beating themselves up and 'maintaining the rage'. You seem to be a well adjusted chap. Keep it up.
So with 'scab'. Who cares. It's no big deal, or any deal at all, to me or any whom I know, but only to the tiny minds who perpetuate the hatred and bigotry from which they are incapable of escape. What you guys should remember is that many of the FEs commenced training before the AFAP said it was OK to go back, so that would lump them into that group who are so despised by the world, and who will never work as pilots anywhere in the world again, and wear that terrible tag, and will do so for the rest of their happy lives.
You're right on one thing, beetlegoose, Nakry is still a good looker, but Lavann is in another class altogether, as is Linda.
Incidentally, we put on a party for them recently, and many of them thanked us for treating them like real people, and not 'poor people' as did another group of Australians a long time ago. Can't imagine who that bitter and twisted group were????
Casper, you're right! It was done by a lot of guys a long time ago, and but a few are happy with their decisions, flying equipment that they would never have had access to if they'd stayed in Oz. There are just a few malcontents though, recalcitrant, objectionable individuals who continue sling abuse because they f....ed up their lives by follwing the AFAP's ridciulous position and aren't happy flying a DC3 in Algeria. They're evident on pprune by their malicious, vindictive posts. They seem to gain some perverse satisfaction from beating themselves up and 'maintaining the rage'. You seem to be a well adjusted chap. Keep it up.
Bollocks. Don't normally comment on this stuff 'cos it's futile - minds are made up.
But let me correct an isuue or two with you sir. Karma? dunno. But having lost a house principally because of a selfish few back in those days (remember those who supported "the AFAP's ridiculous position" and then snuck off like snakes to jump in ahead of others on the seniority list) the ex Ansett persons' statement is rather amusing.
"I didn't want to live away from my family but we either had to sell the house or move somewhere smaller, or I could get a regular income with the job up here." Harsh as it may sound, to me that is irony in its purest form.
Political Correctness has it's deserved place. Calling somebody a "w0g" or whatevever else is certainly stupid because it's invariably discriminatory and based on something the recipient has little or no control over.
But don't try to parallel that ignorance in an attempt to unload the title to which you have earned. A scab is a scab, a title earned by actions of the recipients own choice. The term is not offensive and the definition is in the dictionary -"Person who breaks rules of his trade or group". If you screw your colleagues for your own personal selfish ends then fine, but don't bleat when somebody labels you the dictionary definition of what you are.
I actually think it's great people are getting on with their lives and really this whole '89 thing is a bit tired now (for crying out loud). But don't try to change history or facts. It's like saying in 10 years "Oh well Saddam really wasn't that bad eh". But he was a Class 1 pr1ck, no amount of time will alter that. And a scab is a scab no matter how hard you try to change reality.
Good luck to you sir in Pnomh Penh but please don't expect sympathy for your plight and don't try to sanitise the effects of your selfishness and minimise the reality of what you did and what the dictionary defines you correctly as.
Indeed, don't dwell on 1989, it's unhealthy I reckon BUT like the Japanese who have tried to sanitise the memory of their actions 60 years ago, I fear you are trying to do the same That IS something I get annoyed about.
Yes I know I'm a tosser for saying the above, it's a bit harsher than my usual dull posts and hope I don't cause undue offence etc etc.................... Whatever. My next input on the topic will probably be in 2013, such is the futility of input on this emotional subject anyhow. Just don't try to distort historical fact by alligning those who simply refer to you as you are with those who use discriminatory invective.
But let me correct an isuue or two with you sir. Karma? dunno. But having lost a house principally because of a selfish few back in those days (remember those who supported "the AFAP's ridiculous position" and then snuck off like snakes to jump in ahead of others on the seniority list) the ex Ansett persons' statement is rather amusing.
"I didn't want to live away from my family but we either had to sell the house or move somewhere smaller, or I could get a regular income with the job up here." Harsh as it may sound, to me that is irony in its purest form.
Political Correctness has it's deserved place. Calling somebody a "w0g" or whatevever else is certainly stupid because it's invariably discriminatory and based on something the recipient has little or no control over.
But don't try to parallel that ignorance in an attempt to unload the title to which you have earned. A scab is a scab, a title earned by actions of the recipients own choice. The term is not offensive and the definition is in the dictionary -"Person who breaks rules of his trade or group". If you screw your colleagues for your own personal selfish ends then fine, but don't bleat when somebody labels you the dictionary definition of what you are.
I actually think it's great people are getting on with their lives and really this whole '89 thing is a bit tired now (for crying out loud). But don't try to change history or facts. It's like saying in 10 years "Oh well Saddam really wasn't that bad eh". But he was a Class 1 pr1ck, no amount of time will alter that. And a scab is a scab no matter how hard you try to change reality.
Good luck to you sir in Pnomh Penh but please don't expect sympathy for your plight and don't try to sanitise the effects of your selfishness and minimise the reality of what you did and what the dictionary defines you correctly as.
Indeed, don't dwell on 1989, it's unhealthy I reckon BUT like the Japanese who have tried to sanitise the memory of their actions 60 years ago, I fear you are trying to do the same That IS something I get annoyed about.
Yes I know I'm a tosser for saying the above, it's a bit harsher than my usual dull posts and hope I don't cause undue offence etc etc.................... Whatever. My next input on the topic will probably be in 2013, such is the futility of input on this emotional subject anyhow. Just don't try to distort historical fact by alligning those who simply refer to you as you are with those who use discriminatory invective.
Last edited by Al E. Vator; 10th Apr 2003 at 15:12.
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Ok - let's get serious here.
We have a startup carrier with no representation in Australia.
I have a 1800 number up and operating - full IATA - License - and Travel Compensation fund membership.
Please advise who I talk to in order to get Australian representation for the carrier.
It would be good for my operation, which I have just bought out from the other partners and my great crew would be able to act as a wholesaler within Australia for Mekong.
Since Eeenie Weenie was pulled out from under me by a former incarnation of Ansett, I have been fretting for an Airline to cal "mine" again.
As for the Ansett Spirit - it is very much alive in my office. I traded a BA 747-200 model for a brass Ansett Australia business card holder the other day to go with my Ansett Airfreight wood and (simulated) pewter one, and second rank of the display of commercial airliner models in the office is all AN - total of 6 AN/KD with a 762 that lives at home in the Aussie flag livery.
Only the East-West treasures ride above them.
if anyone can help with contacts, please let me know at work email or here.
Work email is [email protected] - toll free in Oz is 1800067207 - fax and fone from overseas are ++61 364 233244 for phone ++ 61 364 233255 for fax.
Be well all
EWL
Ron Knight
We have a startup carrier with no representation in Australia.
I have a 1800 number up and operating - full IATA - License - and Travel Compensation fund membership.
Please advise who I talk to in order to get Australian representation for the carrier.
It would be good for my operation, which I have just bought out from the other partners and my great crew would be able to act as a wholesaler within Australia for Mekong.
Since Eeenie Weenie was pulled out from under me by a former incarnation of Ansett, I have been fretting for an Airline to cal "mine" again.
As for the Ansett Spirit - it is very much alive in my office. I traded a BA 747-200 model for a brass Ansett Australia business card holder the other day to go with my Ansett Airfreight wood and (simulated) pewter one, and second rank of the display of commercial airliner models in the office is all AN - total of 6 AN/KD with a 762 that lives at home in the Aussie flag livery.
Only the East-West treasures ride above them.
if anyone can help with contacts, please let me know at work email or here.
Work email is [email protected] - toll free in Oz is 1800067207 - fax and fone from overseas are ++61 364 233244 for phone ++ 61 364 233255 for fax.
Be well all
EWL
Ron Knight
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Pacific Airlines Vietnam might be able to give you some business.
http://www.pacificairlines.com.vn/
http://www.pacificairlines.com.vn/
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What a load of BS re AN, it was a small 2nd rate outfit by World Standards all it's life and after '89 was on a downhill slide until it speared over the cliff in 2001. RIP
Mismanaged from top to bottom even in it's Flight Dept. It's demise was predictable even before '89.
Casper was right all this was done 14yrs ago so to Wirraway we can do without this sort of "Horses.......t" because as AL E Vator said they are Scabs (Mr Staff exc) and always will be, they are the "gutter feeders" of the Aviation Industry.
My thoughts are that Cambodia is to good for them, perhaps downtown Bagdad or Outer Mongolia would be more appropriate.
Mismanaged from top to bottom even in it's Flight Dept. It's demise was predictable even before '89.
Casper was right all this was done 14yrs ago so to Wirraway we can do without this sort of "Horses.......t" because as AL E Vator said they are Scabs (Mr Staff exc) and always will be, they are the "gutter feeders" of the Aviation Industry.
My thoughts are that Cambodia is to good for them, perhaps downtown Bagdad or Outer Mongolia would be more appropriate.
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Hey these guys are bloody lucky to have a job, with a new airline, and away from the crap and competition they would have had to put up with here in OZ. I don't know much about what you guys bitch about but from what I have read you really need to grow up. Yes it may be an industry, but it is also a way of making a living, a job, career, a passion, and a means to an end. There are some of you pilots out there that get stuck into anyone who goes outside the comfortable stable that has been in place for decades. Please get real and move with the times. There are so many commercial pilots out there without a job, and I admire their will to go anywhere to find work. They are not the scabs. Have you ever thought about what you would do if you lost your career? By not supporting them, just critisizing them for obtaining work with other airlines, you are the unfortunate . From what I have read over the months here, many of you are just so scared of losing your conditions, negotiations with APIA, etc. It started with DJ, then the fall of Ansett and the start up of AO. Proof is here, not by all but certainly by some disheartened regular posters. What is your problem? The good old days are gone, finished, but not buried, yet, but it will happen. That is inevidble.
The point of this post is, hey, let pilots fly with whom ever they can obtain work with. You are still a team and should hold regard for each other. If you don't like the thought that your conditions may be changed, go on strike!! I'd like to see that!!
No offence to any of my Techies, it's just a minority of you bitch about things that will eventually happen, thats just the way it is these days, regardless of what you believe.
Sorry, I had to try to put an end to the bitch fight.
The point of this post is, hey, let pilots fly with whom ever they can obtain work with. You are still a team and should hold regard for each other. If you don't like the thought that your conditions may be changed, go on strike!! I'd like to see that!!
No offence to any of my Techies, it's just a minority of you bitch about things that will eventually happen, thats just the way it is these days, regardless of what you believe.
Sorry, I had to try to put an end to the bitch fight.
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Missleadfoot, right on girl. These 89ers are a pathetic bunch.
Al, it wasn't a pilot who said that he had to come here or lose his house. Try again.
Whoever it was asked for the photos, give me a week, and I should be able to mail you a few. It's a nice paintjob, and draws a lot of comments in this part of the world.
As for the title $cab, Al E Vator, you may have missed the point. I wear it proudly just as the w0gs of 30 years ago do today. Sorry, it's not derogatory to me, but rather a badge of common sense.
Perhaps you whould talk with Kaptin M who applied early and was rejected, and then became a tireless gladiator for the lost cause.
Al, it wasn't a pilot who said that he had to come here or lose his house. Try again.
Whoever it was asked for the photos, give me a week, and I should be able to mail you a few. It's a nice paintjob, and draws a lot of comments in this part of the world.
As for the title $cab, Al E Vator, you may have missed the point. I wear it proudly just as the w0gs of 30 years ago do today. Sorry, it's not derogatory to me, but rather a badge of common sense.
Perhaps you whould talk with Kaptin M who applied early and was rejected, and then became a tireless gladiator for the lost cause.
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
Good to see some of the old RAC cabin crew back at work again - you're right Betelgeuse, Nakry (like the rest of the ladies there) still looks stunning. Just a shame they have to fly with the dregs of aviation, rather than their own Khmer pilots.
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I seen the oter story on this on the oter forim an now i am realy intrested to take the job with Mekong when i see the foto an here what the phompenkid has go too say. seams like an easy job an a cheep place too live too, only 5 dollar for all you can eat an drink woo hoo. an the girls looks beutifull in the picture.
an so hear s my deal. if i can i will come an work for Mekong for 3,000 american dollar. my experience on 737 3/4/500 is totel time 6,000 hours an 4,000 is command time on 737. can u plse post the mane of the 3 owners an a adress in camboda to send me aplicaton too. thanx in advants.
Dexter.
an so hear s my deal. if i can i will come an work for Mekong for 3,000 american dollar. my experience on 737 3/4/500 is totel time 6,000 hours an 4,000 is command time on 737. can u plse post the mane of the 3 owners an a adress in camboda to send me aplicaton too. thanx in advants.
Dexter.