C'mon blokes what about BP Dave at Horn Island? I know he is not there any more but the guy couldn't do enough for you. Happy to refuel at any time day or night, efficient, and the bar fridge was always full of freezing cold Midstrength stubbies. Plus Raewyn's sausage rolls were a treat especially that thing she does with the chilli sauce...
He gets my vote hands down. How's it going over west Dave and what about the Bombers this year?!

How about Terry and Colleen at Queensland's most beautiful airport, Cooktown? I have an 100% unblemished record of a hang over after every visit to Cooktown.:D

AIR BP Meekatharra

Came out at 0200 on a saturday morning with a freindly smile, and even drove up and down the strip to chase the roo's away.

First class service from Shell, Alice Springs for 20 years.

Torres

The BIGGEST problem with going to Terry and Coleen's part of the world is that you don't want to leave.

Service with a G'Day and that great Nth QLD hospitality, what can I say.

And the airport...Well, again ,what can I say. The CS Botanical Garden pales into insignificance when compared to CKN Airport.

Ever time I see them I'm suprised that they are still there, I can't believe that over the years they haven't been head hunted by some serious Horticulture Centres.


Com Stall

I've dealt Crappy for last 7/8 years and state that, for all his brusqueness and running comments on the worlds problems' he'd give you his last 5 cents to help you out.

The inflight info I've recieved from him has been invaluble, (especially that unasked for in real CRAPpy Wx). He has always been there every time booked as a call out service.

He tends to treat pilots as he finds them.

How did he find you.............?.

:D

PS: I buy my soft drinks from "Little Crappy" - nice kid, Ah lakim.

alkell,

I don't work for Kendell but can tell you that it is not the pilots who decide whether to refuel at your location but the company administrative notices issued by management.

Except in special circumstances such as extremes of weather are when discretion can be used.

Tight turnaround times may also be an issue so I think you will find that the KD pilots do not have much say in the matter.

You will always get 5 star service from Mobil Rob in Rocky. Nothing is too much trouble especially when the US are in town for the Military games. Does a great impression of a yanky F18 driver.................:D :D

I think the fuel price (cities vs. regional) has a little more to do where fuel is uplifted than minimum turnaround times......

Gotta agree with black mariah about Crappy at Kowanyama, at times i can't be bothered listening to his polititical views but he's a good bloke, will do anything to help you, Just a pity his fuel is a bit exxey, otherwise I' d buy more off him, his young bloke is a nice kid, I also buy my drinks off him.
The few times I have been to Emerald, I must agree Richard is very good, would have to give him my vote.

Always get a great reception from the BP agents at Forrest.

Give em a call on the CTAF about 10nm out and they're waiting for you at the bowser. Also offer accommodation and meals at great rates and what better place to get real taste of the GAFA.

Mobil at Geraldton on the other hand. :mad: Does anyone know if they still charge the $40.00 callout fee after hours for each aircraft, regardless of how many are waiting in line? About time for a carnet self serve system there I think.

Islander Jock,

Yes the $40 callout fee still does apply at Geraldton, and to top it off you can be charged again in multiples in the same day if you didn't get you calculations right first time.

So Geraldton does not get my vote!:mad:

When I was with the RFDS in NQLD I always found the refuellers some of the most reliable people around. I think that they felt a part of the organisation through the service they provided.
The best are still John and the gals in CNS and Crappy at KOW. Always reliable and there to support us in our operation.

Of all the refuellers I use, Tom, the Shell refueller at Mackay is at the top of my list, always on time, available all the time and a cheerful, friendly bloke.
Don't use BP so can't comment on the girls at CS but they sure are nice to look at.
Crappy at KOW is OK in my book, helpful, and will even do a drive of the aerodrome to scare the birds away.:D

The Good.

Cairns Girls (and Gorgous George) get the thumbs up, always managing to squeeze us in before a GAM Shrike. Sherree is always so happy!

Air BP Dave from HID now in WA is without a doubt the best refuller on the face of the planet. Beers, Raewyn's Sausage rolls and 100 litres a side thanks Dave. An Absolute champ! Dont forget Clohe the dog either!

Crappy from KOW, always willing to offer a cup of coffee and a 3 hr chat about fu*ken beancounters.

Only been to Emerald once but agree with the rest of you that he is a true gentlmen. Had a cold cold water from his fridge on a warm day.

LHR refullers also always on time and friendly.

The Bad.

NTN - Never there and always late.

Boulia - Its all too much hassle to refuel you.

Brisbane Avgas (any flavour) - Hellllllllloooooooooooooo

Refuellers eh!

Coolangatta: SHELL - LIZ is very helpful, and service orientated.
Cairns: BP - All the gang are excellent.
Essendon: Hopeless, not service orientated!
Moorabbin: SHELL - Ian and guy's are excellent
Moorabbin: MOBIL/BP - When do you want it by? Were rather busy at present, we'll get there soon. You want what? When?
Worst service in Australia.
Adelaide: All very good with their limited resources
Bankstown: All try and do a good job!
Ceduna: Excellent in trying conditions.
Condoblin: The best for self service, help yourself leave the cheque in the box. Well done !!
Merimbula: Not bad
Brisbane International: All companies really test your patience!! Need to wake up there.
Tamworth: OK, and helpful
Melbourne International: Wake up !!
Mildura: Need a change of attitude.
Hamilton Island: Very good, cruisy, obliging!
Mackay: OK just dont call when RPT about to arrive (thats OK)
Latrobe Valley: Can't get to you quick enough !! Keep it up.
Launceston: By and large OK
Port Moresby: Very good once you have made contact
Bali: Very good and presentation excellent
Jakarta (Halim) Very good and presentation excellent
Alice Springs: Satisfactory mostly due to lack of trade
Perth International: Trying at the best of times ####

Moorabbin AGAIN: Agrhh !! :( :( :( Really need to wake up to themselves

Yes akell - settle SF - it aint the crews call as lasso said.

My vote for the grumpiest and most loved refueller in the one package goes to Spud Whitely at WNY - Saturdays in winter you had to call the Burnie Football Club to have him paged on many occasions. He hated overwings on F27-100's and us groundies had to do the wing walk in the end after he accidentally drenched SLF with JetA1 from the gun.

Little man complex wrapped up in a good bloke award goes to Billy Eder who did DPO refuelling. Threw bags with us whil the load was going in too. While they were refitting and piping the inground they gave Billy an ageing tanker.

He had a habit of cranking the pump up to max and the old girl finally threw the impeller blades inside.

BE looked at the guage that should have shown the load going into the WX F28 - quel domage - It was emptying back into the tanker at an alarming rate.

Paperwork coming awn!!!!!

EWL

Best by far was the bloke in Townsville who had the Commanche 400. Can't remember his name but turned up at the aircraft as soon as it had parcked with a hot coffee in hand. Great bloke.

The worst was from the same time, about 20 years ago. Fred and his wife in Horn Island. He had published times for refuelling and a $50 call out after hours. He was never at the airport during the published times, but always turned up 1 min into after hours, lunch time as well and would not refuel you until you handed over $50 cash. He could have 5 or 6 aircraft lined up and demand $50 cash from each aircraft, even if they where from the same company.

anyone know who is doing the fuel at groote Eylandt these days??? still george??? would be interesting to know...

O.K. Chaps
I used to be a refueller in a very small airfield in a very small town and I did all the after hours stuff so my boss actualy got to go home occasionaly.
I have haerd all the arguments about call out fees you could possibly imagine. Ill tell you for free thats what paid my wages. We had a 24/7 R.F.D.S base and after youve been called out six times in the middle of the night and then had to meet the tanker and do the R.P.T and all the routine refueller work you can work round the clock for days.
Thier was only two of us. If one of us got sick or had sick kids etc the other one did everything.
As someone already pointed out none of you pilots expect to work for free
Some fuel concerns are very small and the difference between a good week and breaking even is a couple of call outs. I agree that some refuellers use and abuse the system (dare I say it so do some Pilots Shock Horror)
But I also know of many( myself included) who didn't charge when we could have and also organised people to come and refuell if possible at times when we were already there(especialy for drums)


Having said all that I loved it it was a great job I drove tankers lifted stretchers, had cups of tea, met some great people did heaps of stuff never in the job description and I miss it now


Mrs Wheelbarrow
always told people that they would incurr call outs and left it up to them :)

Niles Crane ..

The refueller at Townsville was Elmer Sidler, and he owned a Commanche 400 VH-AMI

The Horn Island bum charged every contestant in the PNG Independance Air Race $50 opening fee on both inbound and outbound leg. I hope the miserable bastard rots in his grave!