How long do you reckon AN will last

[EireannAN]

Last night I was at a New Years party with a lot of ex AN staff who have been made(voluntarily and involuntarily) redundant as well as there being several staff who were offered positions within the new AN. Suprisingly most of them feel very uncertain about ANs future. Of course all the staff who were made redundant feel (maybe even hope) that AN will not survive the first 12 months. The staff who took voluntary redundancy are glad they seized the moment and are using the money to start their own businesses etc and they also feel that it probably wont last the distance. What suprised me most was that the staff who have been retained reckon that these 2 investors from the US will get it up and running and it will have a good chance of going back to its former glory BUT they still aren't going to take out any loans etc and will save every penny they earn just in case. Of course there were a couple who are going in blindly saying "She'll be right mate".

Who are these 2 blokes from the US that have convinced the new troops they're gonna turn the airline around and what is this condition about having to resign from AN to get a job in the new AN? I should have asked but was too tipsy. Does that mean they don't get any of their entitlements carried over? Will the accrued LSL/AL be paid out by the administrators? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[Balinda]

I tossed my coin and came up with heads.
I hope it does last.(Ansett that is)

AN drivers are not alone in wondering about their job security, I know I am not convinced that I will be doing what I am in more than 12mths time.

[Bush Tucker Man]

The New Years Eve party i was at, everyone was quite confident.

[backspace]

All entitlements are carried over to the new company including an amount (75 or 80% or something around that) of the redundancy payment. Obviously the redundancy is not paid to the individual unless subsequently made redundant by the new company.

[TheNightOwl]

EirannAN: I can't speak for the pilots' agreement, but those of us who are non-flyers and joining the new AN have to resign from AN#1 and, presumably, become "new-hires" for AN#2. It appears to me the reason might be to prevent any entitlement to "carry-over" of service to date and, hence, no continuance of service in terms of LSL and possible future Staff Travel entitlements.

Current AL and LSL entitlements will be carried over, as will Redundancy terms, TIL and Z-day accruals, but those are the only terms we have been given so far. We should find out more later this month.

I'll keep you posted, provided Woomera still considers this acceptable.

Kind regards,

TherNightOwl.

[Air Ace]

For Australia and a lot of great Aussie workers I sincerely hope AN does survive and prosper. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[backtrak]

for my two bob's worth.
VB have three weeks of cash left in the kitty.
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[Whiskery]

Hey backtrack - it's not April Fools Day mate. Should have taken it easy on the woobla last night - take a couple of Panadol and a few Berocca and call me in the morning!!!!!!

[cabin secure]

EireannAN:The two guys they are referring to David Bonderman and Bill Franke.
Bonderman is the Chairman of Ryanair & a Director of Continental.
Franke was CEO of America West from 1993 to Aug 2001 & is Chairman of Airplanes Group plc ( a large aircraft finance entity). I believe he is primarily responsible for bailing Am West out of Chapter 11.
I'm also led to believe Bonderman was responsible for getting Continental financially back on top! And what he has done at Ryanair speaks for itself.
So can't think of two better guys to bring us back from the dead!
<img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Buster Hyman]

Well, I think it as an entity will do quite well. However, this is only dependant on how flexible the ACTU have allowed the staff's award to become. I can imagine the returning AN staff bemoaning how good the management was before Sept 2001, when compared to the new mob!

The sad thing is, that aviation in Oz has changed forever. We were probably the last bastion of the romantic era of air travel. It was a great career to get into, it paid very well, the punters were in awe of us & the fancy toys we got to play with and, lastly, the Australian flying public were treated to an exceptional experience. Great service, frequency, benefits, they weren't treated like cattle (not that they thought so!) and, most importantly, they enjoyed the benefits of the safest aviation industry in the world BAR NONE!

Yes, Ansett will survive, but our industry as we know it won't. I used to love my job, now, I can't get out of there quick enough! Good luck to all who stay & fasten your seat belts! <img src="frown.gif" border="0">

[Kaptin M]

[quote]"VB have three weeks of cash left in the kitty."<hr></blockquote>

A little malicious slander there, backtrack?

[T]

It never ceases to amaze me that people like backtrack who obviously don't understand the principles of management of working capital and cash flow burst into print in these forums as soothsayers of reknown. No wonder so many aviation businesses go belly up.

Virgin are doing very nicely thank you on an undergeared balance sheet with strong cash flow and consequent good asset cover. The accountants are not at all nervous, it is a well run business with low overheads relative to its competition and a good marketing team.

Me thinks aviators should stick to what they know and leave management to those skilled in the craft.

[Bush Tucker Man]

Hot RUMOUR doing the rounds at Qantas today is that Virgin have only three days left.I am offering no comment other than passing a rumour on which is what this forum is all about.

[Flat Side Up]

Kap M,
Don't you think it is a little inconsistent remarking on bactrack's comment when, after all, over a significant period, you made numerous posts along the same lines wishing AN ill.

I wish no airline ill at any stage because I realise that many good and loyal employees will suffer as well as the associated ancillary industries.

But you are right, malicious rumours are inappropriate no matter to which airline they relate.

[ 03 January 2002: Message edited by: Flat Side Up ]</p>

[Eastwest Loco]

From a frontline perspective, the punters are very nervous about booking AN/KD as many were badly burned. Our office is offering the AN alternative particularly where they are cheaper with no hesitation but as Insurance no longer covers carrier collapse it is hard to sell the white winged wonder.

We NEED AN to be viable but it will be a little while before Joe Public is comfy enough to accept they are rock solid. Speed that day.

As for DJ - the $5.00 fare stunt backfired badly. Couldnt get onto the website - couldnt get them on the phone. My clients that have flown with them have loved their friendly attitude and on time performance (apart from VH-CZQ which is apparently setting unserviceability records).

I have NO inside information, but do worry when $5.00 fares (with regular priced returns)enter the market just before a GST installment is due. Is anyone else getting VQ flashbacks?

I have advised my staff to offer all 3 and let the client decide. The last thing we need is another carrier collapse.

Find me Echo Whiskey Alpha - Bravo - Charlie and Delta - get me some green and yellow duco and lets get into the wayback machine Sherman!


Best all

EWL

[Bush Tucker Man]

QF management is of the opinion that if either Ansett or Virgin do not go under, then both will.