FUEL AGENTS - Best & Worst
As a visiting Pom pilot, I took on fuel at Windorah about 20 years ago. The agent then was Merv Ploger (Ploeger?) and I was told that the drill was to circle his house in the town a couple of times and then land. We did this, and his wife, presumably Bub, turned up in a ute with half a dozen kids in the back, still in their pyjamas (it was the middle of the morning), whom she proceeded to shout at non-stop while doing a friendly and efficient job of dispensing fuel. We asked where Merv was and she told us in no uncertain terms that he was on the verandah with a beer and had sent her out.
When we went through Windorah again a few days later, she came out again. The kids were still in their pyjamas (this time it was the middle of the afternoon) and she said in robust terms that Merv was still on the verandah with a beer.
Mrs Ploger and the Windorah terminal building were our introduction to Outback flying, and we loved it. Glad to hear that not much has changed.
When we went through Windorah again a few days later, she came out again. The kids were still in their pyjamas (this time it was the middle of the afternoon) and she said in robust terms that Merv was still on the verandah with a beer.
Mrs Ploger and the Windorah terminal building were our introduction to Outback flying, and we loved it. Glad to hear that not much has changed.
Last edited by Hew Jampton; 23rd Apr 2002 at 18:12.
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Sorry I didnt mean to infer the pick up of fuel by Kendell had anything to do with pilots, it is obviously a price concern, but if they wont support the locals we wont support them, simple.
On the subject of call out fee's, pilots never cease to amaze me about how so many whinge about having to pay for someone to come in out of hours (usually from the comfort of their bed) in the wee hours of the morning, might have only been home for 30mins and just fell asleep, and have to drag themselves out of bed again, get dressed, drive to airpot, unlock depot, check fuel in truck, refuel, do paper work, lock up and drive home again, then try getting back to sleep
and if your lucky maybe get woken up again for another fuel request. Why cant pilots understand the money is not worth the hassle, I would rather shut up shop and get a good night sleep, after taxes and expenses it is not worth it. So good on the guy for charging each plane out of hours for the call out, even if they are there at the same time, actually might be worth it for a change. And it might cover a very minimal amount of all the time we spend on call, and get interrupted when visiting a friend or out for tea, anmd dont get paid.
Bah Humbug to call out whingers.
On the subject of call out fee's, pilots never cease to amaze me about how so many whinge about having to pay for someone to come in out of hours (usually from the comfort of their bed) in the wee hours of the morning, might have only been home for 30mins and just fell asleep, and have to drag themselves out of bed again, get dressed, drive to airpot, unlock depot, check fuel in truck, refuel, do paper work, lock up and drive home again, then try getting back to sleep
and if your lucky maybe get woken up again for another fuel request. Why cant pilots understand the money is not worth the hassle, I would rather shut up shop and get a good night sleep, after taxes and expenses it is not worth it. So good on the guy for charging each plane out of hours for the call out, even if they are there at the same time, actually might be worth it for a change. And it might cover a very minimal amount of all the time we spend on call, and get interrupted when visiting a friend or out for tea, anmd dont get paid.Bah Humbug to call out whingers.
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Received from a PPruNer which needs to be passed on.
Moorabbin has got rid of two problem refuellers and replaced them with two energetic ones.
Our service has been sensational this side of Christmas. Not sure
how to have this logged on the right screen. So it would seem that
Coral sea's problem has been solved.
Moorabbin has got rid of two problem refuellers and replaced them with two energetic ones.
Our service has been sensational this side of Christmas. Not sure
how to have this logged on the right screen. So it would seem that
Coral sea's problem has been solved.
Join Date: May 2002
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Being a refuller, it's really interesting reading some of your comments, I think that the main problem is that the last thing you guy's think about when planning a trip is the fuel. So many times you see a pilot turn up to there a/c, stuff around for a while, talk some general crap with the bloke in the pilot shop or hangar, grab a drink, talk some more crap, then suddenly realise, OH **** I better order some fuel, just as the tanker is dissapearing up the tarmac to service 4 or 5 Qantas jets, because it's peak hour. When the refueller finally turns up, he's faced with an irate bloke that is jumping up and down who wants fuel, even though he's forgotten his carnet card and has no credit cards or cash, we however try to come to some sort arrangement, mainly to make sure the guy leaves the field. On the other hand there are some really nice comments out there and that's great to see.
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ALKELL,
Read your script here and on another thread about virtually the same thing, and would appreciate it if you could break with PPRUNE tradition and actually name the basta*d pilots who forced you into your job as a refueller. They have a lot to answer for by the sounds of things eh?
I really don't wish to add to your anxt, but that is the job you do and if it includes being called-out at all hours, then so-be-it. The real thruth is that if there was NO money in it - nobody would do it.
On another note; you mention that if there were no fuellies, then we wouldn't have a job...........this is a two-sided coin.........if we disappear then you don't have a job either.
Read your script here and on another thread about virtually the same thing, and would appreciate it if you could break with PPRUNE tradition and actually name the basta*d pilots who forced you into your job as a refueller. They have a lot to answer for by the sounds of things eh?
I really don't wish to add to your anxt, but that is the job you do and if it includes being called-out at all hours, then so-be-it. The real thruth is that if there was NO money in it - nobody would do it.
On another note; you mention that if there were no fuellies, then we wouldn't have a job...........this is a two-sided coin.........if we disappear then you don't have a job either.
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Ross at bp Kalgoorlie the best by far always pleased to help cant say the same about the airport manager absolute prick Forrest on the Nullabor and Shell Charleville were pretty close behind but that was surveying 5 years ago so maybe they have changed by now... sadly the bad ones vastly out out number the goodies laverton bp was amongst the worst .....roll on the carnet bowsers.....too easy!!!
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No problems with the job, mate. Greatest job going round, not to mention the pay, excellent roster and great people at the airport where I work.
I just can't stand people whinging and carrying on because they have to pay a call out fee, or ringing up in the middle of the night "just to see if you might be there (because I'm too lazy to use the bowser)". It's only the odd pilot you get this with, but it is annoying.
Like you say it's my job to refuel planes and I love it. Good to get irregular planes and meet some new people.
But common sense and common courtesy go a long way, and I must say I'm not my best at 0400 hours on 2 hours sleep. I'm a grumpy ****** then.
I just can't stand people whinging and carrying on because they have to pay a call out fee, or ringing up in the middle of the night "just to see if you might be there (because I'm too lazy to use the bowser)". It's only the odd pilot you get this with, but it is annoying.
Like you say it's my job to refuel planes and I love it. Good to get irregular planes and meet some new people.
But common sense and common courtesy go a long way, and I must say I'm not my best at 0400 hours on 2 hours sleep. I'm a grumpy ****** then.
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Air BP Forest - Definately the best I have been to.
They are happy to see you. In fact they are happy to see anyone being all the way out there!
Does anyone know where where Wayne (Duffy as we used to call him) in Port Hedland is ? He was there in 2000.
They are happy to see you. In fact they are happy to see anyone being all the way out there!
Does anyone know where where Wayne (Duffy as we used to call him) in Port Hedland is ? He was there in 2000.
OR SUMTHIN
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fuelling @ g.a.p.'s
Good to see things have changed at Moorabbin.
It seems they ( Mobil / B.P.) have got rid of the men with 20 questions and replaced them with some new blood.
Things good at present. Let's see if they can keep it up.!!!!
It seems they ( Mobil / B.P.) have got rid of the men with 20 questions and replaced them with some new blood.
Things good at present. Let's see if they can keep it up.!!!!
Life never looks so good 'til it's nearly over.!
Resurerecting an old posting:
QUOTE]Ian & Spike, the Shell refuellers at Moorabbin, get my thumbs up - always cheerful and helpful. Ian is always good for a laugh too - needs to have his cage rattled from time to time![/QUOTE]
Ian has recently retired and the business now run from Essendon. Spike stays on at Moorabbin.
We all wish Ian the very best of health and thank him for his great service over the years. Keep rattling that cage!!!!!!
BH
QUOTE]Ian & Spike, the Shell refuellers at Moorabbin, get my thumbs up - always cheerful and helpful. Ian is always good for a laugh too - needs to have his cage rattled from time to time![/QUOTE]
Ian has recently retired and the business now run from Essendon. Spike stays on at Moorabbin.
We all wish Ian the very best of health and thank him for his great service over the years. Keep rattling that cage!!!!!!
BH
