OK, this has been bugging me. I kept thinking the thread would die, but as it hasn't...

Seems to me that Rex is actually celebrating Christmas. It's every other airline which has cancelled Christmas (i.e., business as usual). As Professional Pilots, isn't this something to cheer, rather than whinge about? We're paid salaries to work on public holidays, and Rex pilots get the day off anyway! Good on them!

(Pax & profitability definitely inconvenienced, true.)

Merry Christmas all,
O8

Oktas8. :D:D:D

Well said mate. That's the way we looked at it.

Was considered a bonus.

If they were say a charter operator maybe... but they provide a public service.. that is why it is "regular public transport"

The are not like the trains are they...
It's a private entity and they can do what they please. Good on them I say :ok:

REX had always operated on a very reduced schedule on Christmas Day with not all ports receiving a service, therefore, if it works out that REX makes a loss on this day why wouldn't you close and give all your staff the day off.

I for one will be enjoying the day off with my family.

Merry Christmas everyone !!

Maybe you are not someone by virtue of work or circumstances who needs to travel on Christmas day!!!... if an airline is providing regular public transport they have an obligation to the public they serve!

Last time I looked REX was not a "private entity"... they are a listed public company. Their stakeholder obligations do not stop at their shareholders... nor do they stop with their staff!

They have an public obligation to provide a service, even if a limited service!

They provide a scheduled service, if they don't schedule for Christmas day then they are not required to.
Yes they do. If not enough people want to fly on Christmas day that REX can't make a profit then it would be irresponsible for them to operate.

A few months there was an artical in the Kangaroo Island local paper criticising their decision not to operate on Christmas Day as the local ferry doesn't operate Christmas either, but funny how they didn't crititise the local ferry, which carries the marjority of traffic to that island. At least Wynard pax have the option on DPO or LST!

I'm another one who had been hoping this thread would fade away...
Regular public transport means that seats are available on flights operated in accordance with a published schedule to the general public. It doesnt mean that they are providing a "public service", merely that where the service is provided, it is available to the public. As it happens, the published schedule appears not to have any flights operating Christmas Day. For flights to be operated to every desired destination on every possible day, you'll be wanting a charter operator.

If there are no scheduled flights to your destination that day, you cant insist that "its a public service" - some routes operate some days but not others, and it seems that no routes will be operating Christmas Day. If Rex arent selling tickets on flights that day, and you cant book flights, thats the business decision made by them. Maybe it will affect profitability, or maybe its cheaper to shut down for the day and let the ops staff, ground handlers, pilots, flight attendants and all the other employees spend the day with their families. Alternatively if it boosts morale and improves staff retention it could be a net positive for the company without incurring the cost of running (potentially, I dont know) lossmaking flights that day? Whatever the reasons, it looks like the Rex staff get Christmas to spend the day with their families and friends rather than chucking bags on a 40 degree ramp or shuttling up and down the east coast! :D good on 'em, the more companies that take that attitude and let their employees have one day a year where absolutely everyone gets the day off to spend with family, the better.
Merry Christmas to all!

Good on Rex, it is only one day afterall.

Most people will be travelling over the weekend , and if you ain't made travel plans by now, well tough.

Having worked the last twenty or so Christmas days you don't get much thanks or any extra incentive for being at work!

It's a bizzare situation as a buddy of mine reckons there are a number of pilots from a NQ airline who are applying non stop to Rex??

Believe me when I tell you that consideration for their staff would not have been remotely entertained by REX management prior to making this decision.

If it is only a byproduct...

of that very decision, not to schedule flights on xmas day, what's the difference Jenna?

Nothing! Who cares what the bulk reasons were!

To the same point Jenna, no consideration to their catchment residents.

One flight would have been sufficient per port in my humble opinion.

EWL

Never has been a Christmas for any airline staff. In forty nine years of flying I only scored 15 at home. That's the job, that's always been the job. Hard on families, and a lonely time in a hotel for crew, even having some sort of lunch with other just as lonely crew, does not make up for the kids faces. But it the job, always will be for both aircrew and ground crew, part of the package. Make the best of everytime you score being home!:D

I agree "TG".....you couldn't be more correct> .......it's a shame though that society has to wait 'till xmas to enjoy a family get together,there's the sad problem commercialism means more than family:-(
I love my family & want to be with them 365 days a year, not just on the 25 th Dec where $$$ is the overriding feature of this ugly time:ugh:

Wmk2

TG. Yep well said. It is the job and we all know it. We all knew we may have had to work. We had to bid for it off. Was all a surprise when we found out we weren't operating. So whether is was for us (unlikely) or not. I couldn't give a damn. I'll be enjoying it. As for the punters who needed to travel. I'm sure they had time for alternate plans.

Cest la vie for everyone.

And a Happy Xmas to the whole lot of you, despite the dickheads that employ you, you have once more pulled of another year of little A/C incident (well other than the A380 and that was not the drivers fault). So here is to your training, your ability, your dedication. Australian Pilots and Engineers, you cannot beat em. Have a great one folks.:D