It seems Skytrans is taking the Kowanyama and Edward River route as of Monday 9th. Not sure if this is permenant or a short term deal. Also Qlink is starting their TSV-ISA run on the 9th as well.

Hope all you guys and girls who kept Macair up and running find yourselves new positions soon.

QLink actually starting TL-ISA 2nd March

I too am an ex employee. I am sadened by the demise of this company but moreso I am sadened that great people like BD, and others will be left without a job after giving so much to the place.

My fingers are crossed that these good guys and girls will be given jobs by whoever ends up taking over the flying! Best of Luck!

Correction Monday 9th Feburary '09 will be the first flight from CNS->ISA via TSV. Flights will be then changed from March to two seperate flight numbers as opposed to the interim same flight number.

QANTASLINK TO OPERATE INTERIM SERVICES FROM CAIRNS AND
TOWNSVILLE TO MT ISA FROM 9 FEBRUARY

BRISBANE, 6 FEBRUARY 2009

:

For details of the interim schedule, go to qantas.com, call 13 13 13 or contact your local travel agent.

Sorry to hear folks and best of luck to all.
I know it says 200 employees but how many of those were pilots?
Once again good luck.
DW

Can any one fill us in on the latest please.

It appears that REX have taken up the Osbourne (not sure of the spelling) mine contract. Initially, or so the rumour goes, the service will be crewed by Pelair pilots using surplus REX airline aircraft.

The problem is, Pelair aren't exactly flush with Captains (their T&C's being even worse than REX). Hopefully, REX will take things further to include some Macair RPT routes, and employ former Macair staff. Any expansion in this area would have to include Pilots and Cabin crew, as the current REX network is already stretched crewing wise!

Goodluck guys. Hope it turns around for you soon?

KRUSTY.

That sir, is a very interesting rumour indeed. Not to mention using dirty ole freight dogs to fly pax. I guess it worked for Jetcraft...

j3

j3pipercub.

If you are refering to the aircraft, they are in fact REX aeroplanes. The Pelair SAABs are not practically changeable back to pax config. Although it appears that Pelair pilots are flying them on a charter basis.

If the service is to be reliable however, we may see REX pilots rostered to fill the crewing gaps. That may come at a price because there are few gaps in the REX rosters, at least as far as Captains are concerned.:rolleyes:

I still fail to see why REX/ Pelair (aside from being cheap) hasnt clawed and battled through to snag the MacAir S340 captians..... ?

If they're so desperate for qualified captians why not grab/ help out the ones looking....

Good question. I'll make apoint to ask LKH when he arrives in town on Monday!

It should be remembered however that to legally fly REX RPT they must still jump through the hoops, and pass the checks. They will then have to sit in their place on the seniority list untill their number comes up. That could be as long as a year!

If it were me doing the hireing, I wouldn't be wasting any time. But heh! Who knows what goes through the minds of people who still think you can walk out the back, shake the tree, and out will fall all the pilots you need!

Wasnt suggesting that it would just "happen" but I would have thought REX would have been trying to pick up some qualified S340 captains...

It doesn't look good I'm afraid.

Only rumour of course, but it seems that Macair pilots have been told by REX that there are no positions for them.

From what I understand there are 2 options for REX with regard to Macair. REX could attempt to "take over" the airline as a going concern. This would require a considerable commitment and investment in the operation as a whole. If this were to happen, it would probably be the best outcome for Macair staff. These people would be the backbone of a recomencement of ops, and be eventually incorporated into REX, on what would hopefully be a datal seniority system. REX would be in their rights to rationalise routes and aircraft mix, but the end result should be a significant QLD presence.

Sadly it appears that REX are unwilling to show a commitment in this regard, and may be content to simply pick at the carcass. IMHO this is a shortsighted approach that will only serve to exacerbate REX's already significant crewing problems, not to mention the continueing disruption to the people of QLD and the now suffering Macair staff.

I hope I'm wrong. Hopefully REX will see the value of stepping up and saving Macair in it's present form, at least untill it can be incorporated down the track?

K,

Whatever decisions are made by REX about Macair must include looking at their current liabilities. It their debt is too high (as was the case with another smaller airline takeover considered by REX in Qld.) then it makes more sense to buy assets from a 'receiver' rather than take over the business (and its debts) from an 'administrator'.

Considering Macair was firstly accorded a $4.5Mill. 'top up' on their contract from the Govt and then within weeks they asked for another $7 Mill. (ex gratia) the ongoing liabilities may be considerable.

Furthermore, after the Flight West collapse, Sunstate (now Q.Link) picked up ALL the profitable RPT ports in regional Qld and the Macair 'business' as we can now see ultimately comprised a collection of unprofitable (and undersubsidised) minor RPT routes, FIFO work and charter. None of which appears to have been too profitable.

I know what the FO's would say.
Go join the far que and wait your turn like everyone else

"Thank you Sir. May I please have another?"

Don't get me wrong, I hope the lads get another job asap.

Pel-air T & C's
 

DE Capts a possibility although T & C's are strictly GA Award. A job though in these uncertain times!

reeealy? Heard pel-air laying off a few at tthe moment?

Poor Mr Dogger
 

Now that he can't be a poser at the steps of Macair aircraft, he can be a poser on the QFLink aircraft, and pay the same "rediculous high prices" (or more) than Macair charged. :=