Yeah it was mr hat, got you guys talking though didn't it...
Lefty, you're a champ - wish there where more blokes like you, thank **** you got the balls to do something - best of luck.

Latest
 

So what is the latest with this mob. Have they filled their positions? Many new cadets or have they been able to get some experienced folks?

FRQ CB

Sounds like another organisation, a little further north than Perth :=

Im sure the pilots at this palce would DREAM of a 1600L phone call...more like 1800L-2000L and if your lucky you get a 0600 wheels up!

Of get to the airport for that 0600 departure only to find you need to re-fuel the aircraft, load 300-400kg of frieght on-board and then once the flight plan is complete find out that your either 200kg over weight or you need to stop off en-route to re-fuel (to depart below MTOW) and when you tell the boss this you get your head ripped off or told (mind you infront of the new guys, "nah that plane can take off easily over-weight I have done it many times"...coming from the CP of the company and owner)

As for the torpedo act, this is this companies specialty, amongst other HR/pay roll things.....:mad:

Ahh well word got out and even the east coast knows about this outfit... funny...


CMN :E

Network apparently have another 7 F100's coming and contracts almost signed. However with only 2 LAME's and however little Flight Crew they have its got me buggered with how they are going to support that ops? Also apparently that US airways one came guttered.

Now whats the Go with Alliance buying out Skippers for 25mill? Surely Stan isn't going to let go just yet?

Oh and for the person talking about Skywest, how are they going to manage any more contracts when they can't even service their current contracts? They just took 2 more routes off National Jet and they think they are going to be able to depart 6 F100's at the same time. Newcrest are seriously P!ssed at XR and really want to go back to NJS. I am sure RIO are going to find out the same.

At $13 million an airstrip i.e. to upgrade satisfactorily for jet ops. Short term skips and the dash still have a place in the mining sector, but for how long?
"Barrack" management are in the process of sourcing 2 jets of their own - cutting out the middle man so i'm led to believe.

The DHC8-300 comes with a APU or you will be changing batteries on a regular basis.

I would leave out claims of being told to fly "overweight" Lawsuit waiting to happen, and if you do - you are the PIC, Bucks stop with you :ok:

Never said the company TOLD the pilots to fly over-weight... I said the CP and owner brag about how it can be done and how they have done it (yes if you ask them they will tell you..."back in the day when I was flying I HAD to fly over-weight if I wanted a job") little do they know how healthy the industry is now...

I.e the "she will be right" attitude..

One might put it as an extremely poor safety CULTURE.... just an observation :8

Engineer aus

Correct me if I’m wrong? but skippers are currently operating at least 2 dash 300’s without APU’s and are conducting battery starts on a daily basis, yes some starts do get on the hot side, but hot starts are rare. Apparently the company does supply portable battery packs for such a start. My original comment regarding the APU relates to a mate who fly’s with this company (pax) and has commented on the lack of aircon on hot summers day at PH and at site, walking in to a hot cabin with no air until engine start. This may be fine at this time of the year but I find it hard to believe that a big company like this could be that tight and not supply APU power/aircon when operating into the remote sites that Skippers do.

ContactMeNow

I hope we aren’t talking about Skippers now, are we?

No, not skippers my friend...

Safety culture, hmmm lets see extinct comes to mind; if it exists its fake. Fortunately there a few of us that still have morals.

Skips Ops manual needs to be revised to reflect true way in which the company operates:-
Chapter 1. Schedule
Cahpter 2. Schedule
Chapter 3. Schedule

Apologies for the negativity
 

Sorry to kick a dead horse (you know to try and make it run again) but I'm quite keen to know if anyone can answer my previous question:

I went for an interview a while back but then (after spending considerable money and taking leave that I didn't actually have on the books) I was told that I didn't have the experience or qualifications that they required. I was quite annoyed as they knew full well what my experience and quals were when they invited me for an interview. Of course if I simply failed to impress at the interview I can understand that... but that's not the reason they gave.

Perhaps I'm being too cynical but I can't help but feel that they had some queue-jumper with a fresh CPL and a ticket from Fast Track who was going to cost less up front.

And saying, as many of my mates do, that I'd be better off at another company anyway is cold comfort when one has a family to feed.

FRQ CB

PS Again, sorry for the negativity.

PPS Who reckons they know who I am now? :)

FRQ CB,

Skips operate with a reactive management style, one minute they think they're on top of things, the next....

My guess is they found some cadet - you know the type, bank cheque hanging out of daddys pocket.

Probably a blessing in disguise, Family v ATSB, I know which one I'd choose.

If you lend someone $20-00 and you never see them again, it was probably worth it.

V1, im not sure where you are getting your information and I for one and sick and friggin tired of all this crap about cadets at skippers, so to all you knockers and know it all’s, the REAL number of cadets in Skippers over the last 12 months can be counted on 1 hand! Yes that’s right....there are none on the Bras fleet, 2 on the Dash fleet and 1 on the Metro fleet, now lay that against the direct entry intake of the past 12 months on the Dash and Metro fleets alone, 4 Captains (3 dash and 1 metro), and 7 FO’s (across both dash and metro, some of which will be capt’s at some stage) and that’s 3 out 11 of the starters that were cadets if you included the bras direct entry FO's the ratio is even greater. I happen to know pretty well all of the recent cadets and they are good people and good pilots (some even considered excellent), I have spoken to several Captains on both Metro and Dash fleets and these cadets you keep dumping on are all considered experienced and capable pilots. (I think there is one additional cadet in the holding pattern waiting for a cadet opening).
Additionally I have a family, and I am studying at UNI and I am making it work along with many other pilots at skippers.
Lastly, um which barrack sites would these jets you speak of be able to operate into? You said yourself its $13 mill to upgrade a gravel strip, cost to benefit’s says they wouldn’t do both, purchase and upgrade the strips so why would they do either?.

FRQ, I understand that all the negative ill informed advisors may be sending you a dark message but I for one enjoy working for the company, however I do agree with some previous advice from V1 Handing over, and that is to "wipe your own butt and don’t expect anyone else to" (I think that goes for cover you own as well), also join AFAP or the TWU (as advised by Lefty)( I think its good advice to do this no matter where you may work). I think as with all GA this company has its pros and cons but as I say I like it and I have been here over 12 months. With respect to the intake the only advice I can offer is that the company is always looking for good aircrew if you have been through the process I would keep in touch with the CP by email (available on the web site) and keep skippers informed of your current situation and advise your interest.

Skycapt or should i say more appropriately groundf/o,

They're the facts, like it or lump it.
Re the great debate "cadets" yeah there're some great guys but that doesn't mean they're aviators; instant aviator, just add water a sprinkle of salt and a Braz, dash or meatro endo, get your hand off it, how far up your preverbial is your head?

On a lighter note, I'm glad to see you've jumped on the CP's band wagon, the company needs more people like yourself in that respect, i hear RF likes a big mouth too. Watch your back, you can bet your last dollar he won't do the same for you.

12 Months hey, geees are you checked to line yet?

P.S. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there too, gideeup :ok:

V1, I am on nobody’s bandwagon and your information is again less than accurate, I am not grounded and have never been so, last week I flew in excess of 20 hours and flew 4 of 5 days, but if you could find your way clear of the bitter haze you live in you might actually be able to get some fact base information you might have a clue.
I notice you never manage to backup any of the info you had been posting when quizzed? So here is another chance to qualify your comments and offer some real information on Barack and these Jets and explain how an ROI (that’s return on investment) would work for the purchase of Jets and then the upgrade of gravel strips to justify a commitment to do both? Here is a little help the saving someone would need to make to have a 5 year or less ROI which is the most corp finance teams would usually approve is in excess of 5 mill a year that’s $96,150 a week after all costs is there that kind of saving from running your own jets? Try and get some kind of substance behind your rumours and stop diverting the attention from your lack of knowledge, don’t worry I don’t expect you to have any answers cause hey that just not what you do is it?
You seem to think you know me so you will know I have been stuffed around somewhat, am I bitter... nope, I truly love what I do, and truth is that I have not now nor never liked the path or what has happened to me since I joined but I accept it which is something you do when you are paid to work for someone, you suck it up and do what your paid for or you go some place else!, I chose to stay and accept it ( sure I might bitch about it to my friends from time to time but I don’t trash the company publicly for doing what they need or choose to do, [FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']its their prerogative ), I thank god I finally get to do something I truly enjoy, and you, just continue to take it all for granted and continue to think the world owes you. [/font]
If you really want to know what it feels like to be shagged go work 12 and 14 hours days 7 days a week in a thankless industry doing a job you don’t like but you have to do to earn money, like 6 in 10 west Australians who don’t get to do what they love for a job.

Lastly if you think you can run a company so much better for the sake of everyone GO AND DO IT!

V1 Handing Over,

I call your bluff,,,, whats my name then, you can use initials if you like.

Go on holidays for a week and look what I missed.

SkyCapt, you appear not to understand what is being spoken of here, as far as your claims:
, Really ?, how about they try getting a job elsewhere, you know in a company where you can not pay for your job.

Network getting 7 more F100's
 

Not sure if that is correct (seems a lot), but a large European agency is advertising for F100 Captains for a six month contract in Australia.....

Skycapt - finally someone with some intelligence on this site.
I'm sure you realise already this industry is still stuck in the old fashioned culture of "do your time living in a caravan washing the CP's car every morning and hoping to get 0.1 hrs doing a maintenance circuit in the 152".

Aviation is moving forwards, pushing every pilot through a GA apprenticeship is unsustainable for the growth of the industry, hence many companies have had to start cadet/traineeships to keep quality applicants filling the right hand seat. QFlink and Skipps are just two examples. Cadet and trainee schemes are also a response to the highly mobile pilot workforce - why recruit someone with 2000TT and 500multi when they will leave at the first opportunity, a cadet can be bonded and doesn't have the hours to go elsewhere for years to come - so which is the best choice from a manager's point of view?

The people that had to put up with the hardship of a GA apprenticeship are always going to be bitter about the new generation not having to do it.

AH, SDT you font of all things true and correct..... NOT, if you knew anything you wouldnt not have asked (why dont these cadets get a job elsewhere?), because some of these cadets are doing realy well, 1 recently went to an excellent and prestigious job , another has a couple of jet offers and is weighing up the options, this just goes to show that the program is finding valuable people, not just people who have simply done their time or logged some hours.

again what a valid input you have been.

Skycapt,

You just keep telling yourself that........

I will do SDT or again was it TP?, and you just continue to tell yourself that the comments you make here are worthwhile or of any value to anyone but yourself.
I again challenge you to utilise your superior knowledge and intellect on all thing aviation to solve the problems of this business and not just continue to point out the problems and failings.

skycapt 73 ......let go....the hate will destroy you!:E

Just a query Skycapt, why do you use large black font in your posts?

It does make them a little easier to read but it is not as effective as breaking up your longer posts into paragraphs.

Oh, and with the hate thing....just make room for it, breath out slowly and you'll be fine.:ok:

Skycapt.

SDT is onto something here...

You wana no what the problem with this business is; problems and failings are one of the same, people like you, who think they know everything & annoy the hell out of those of us who actually do.

Quote: "the team (using the term loosly) is only as strong as its weakest link".

Gentlemen, gentlemen, please can we keep this thread pure and confine our verbal attacks to the company? One common enemy here. :p

come on grab a seat and pull it alongside....

Might even get you some popcorn

The Australian Fri 18th July 2008


SKIPPERS

DASH – BRASILIA - METRO PILOTS
Skippers are seeking suitably experienced pilots to fill PIC and F/O positions on our expanding Dash 8, Brasilia & Metro fleets. Endorsed applicants are preferred, however applicants possessing multi-crew experience on similar types are also encouraged to apply.
Please visit XXXXXXXXXXXXX to view our entry criteria and lodge and application, or email your resume to: XXXXXXXXXXXX

Good luck!
Maybe if they follow in the footsteps of Surveillance Australia, regarding T&C’s, and sack half the current management, just maybe then they can attract type rated pilots!

Gosh!!!! rumor has it that one of the most experienced captains on staff told em to stick it and walked out.
Soooooo that would be five Metro's and three captains....... doesn't work out so well I guess. Now how are they going to service the up coming woodside contract when none of the current crop of metro captains meet the contract minimum requirements?..
Now where did I leave that spare 30K. I really wanna work there now they have all that room. :ok:

"told em to skick it and walked out"

What could have prompted such an out burst I wonder?

Nothing a Network/Skywest/National Jet/Alliance/Maroomba/Direct Air/Star Aviation cross hire won't fix.:E

Except that many operators will no longer do cross hires for them.

Too many times bookings have been made only to be cancelled two hours prior to departure. Not nice when other work was turned down due to the already made booking. Sure this is the nature of the business but it used to happen several times a week, sometimes 2 or 3 three times in a single day.

Has anyone recieved the CPI end of financial year salary increase as per para G5 of the AWA?

G5. The base remuneration rates payable under this agreement will be adjusted annually effective from the first pay period after the 1st July 2008. The rates will be adjusted by the CPI (12 months all groups) as published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

4.5%

Are AWAs still the go??
I believe you cant get the increase until the AFPA have done something to it unless the increase is from the last CPI adjustment before the latest.
Supposedly takes a while and at least long enough to nearly be forgotten about......and possibly not backpaid.........at least thats how it was a few years ago.

Word on the PER apron is 2 more clapped out Dash 8 100's coming soon. Ex Qantaslink apparently. Anyone know anymore? Where are they going to park them, let alone crew them, if it's true????

For a company that, according to PPRuNe, "isn't doing so great", the growth doesn't seem to be slowing?

Is it really growth?.......... Or is it a case of using aircraft that they have the most crew available for?. :E

flightidleflat - :D :D:D:D:ok: