Is Gulf Air up to its old tricks?
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Is Gulf Air up to its old tricks?
There have been a few ‘incidents’ at GF recently that makes one wonder whether the lessons of GF 072 (the crash that occurred because two locals could not fly a visual approach at night) have been forgotten.
Firstly, a Gulf National pilot undergoing Command upgrade training was written up by three expat Check/Training Captains as being unsuitable for Command.
The next thing is that the individual concerned is running around with four bars.
When one of the C/T Captains who was rather vocal about the situation, was asked how this could have happened, he said that the Chief Pilot for that aircraft type was of the same nationality as the new Captain, and that the relevant training records must have either been altered or shredded.
Secondly, a couple of weeks ago an A330 had an engine failure after departing LHE. At the time the closest airport was KHI, but the Captain elected to continue initially to MCT then to AUH, the aircraft’s scheduled destination; two hours on one engine in, I believe, a non-ETOPS aircraft.
The crew were both locals and the Captain apparently refers to himself as "xxxx”. (Happy Vfenext?) He also visited a local (Bahrain) school recently to talk to students about being an Airline Pilot, and in response to a question about female Pilots, replied that females were not “strong enough” to be pilots.
Lastly, recently a 767 hit a number of birds on departure from DAC. They continued to AUH (5+ hours away) with rather noticeable engine vibration. On arrival at AUH, one engine was found to have some rather damaged fan/compressor blades. And guess what? Nationals in the cockpit again!!
Another area of concern is what is the regulatory authority doing about this?
If it were the US, in case No.2 paricularly, the FAA would have probably shredded the Captain’s Airman Certificate by now.
I do not work for GF, but this information came from a very credible source. If someone has solid evidence that any of the above is not correct, I will happily edit or withdraw this post.
Firstly, a Gulf National pilot undergoing Command upgrade training was written up by three expat Check/Training Captains as being unsuitable for Command.
The next thing is that the individual concerned is running around with four bars.
When one of the C/T Captains who was rather vocal about the situation, was asked how this could have happened, he said that the Chief Pilot for that aircraft type was of the same nationality as the new Captain, and that the relevant training records must have either been altered or shredded.
Secondly, a couple of weeks ago an A330 had an engine failure after departing LHE. At the time the closest airport was KHI, but the Captain elected to continue initially to MCT then to AUH, the aircraft’s scheduled destination; two hours on one engine in, I believe, a non-ETOPS aircraft.
The crew were both locals and the Captain apparently refers to himself as "xxxx”. (Happy Vfenext?) He also visited a local (Bahrain) school recently to talk to students about being an Airline Pilot, and in response to a question about female Pilots, replied that females were not “strong enough” to be pilots.
Lastly, recently a 767 hit a number of birds on departure from DAC. They continued to AUH (5+ hours away) with rather noticeable engine vibration. On arrival at AUH, one engine was found to have some rather damaged fan/compressor blades. And guess what? Nationals in the cockpit again!!
Another area of concern is what is the regulatory authority doing about this?
If it were the US, in case No.2 paricularly, the FAA would have probably shredded the Captain’s Airman Certificate by now.
I do not work for GF, but this information came from a very credible source. If someone has solid evidence that any of the above is not correct, I will happily edit or withdraw this post.
Last edited by EAN36; 21st Aug 2004 at 05:18.
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The fact you don't work for gulf air says it all. You don't have all the facts and are basing your comments on one side of a very complex series of events. Why not wait til the results of the various findings and start a thread then, when you know the truth. But of course that would spoil your chance to stir it up for everyone wouldn't it! Any speculation here is just that and unfair to all concerned.
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If we all relied on facts we wouldn't be on a 'rumour network'.
The post was a fair one, based prima facie on someone who does know the circumstances. Let it run & perhaps we will get to know more...
The post was a fair one, based prima facie on someone who does know the circumstances. Let it run & perhaps we will get to know more...
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If it is true then heads should roll. In my experience with GF, no one gets away with a poor performance, in sim or on line, even if you have "friends" in high places. No one, least of all GF, wants another accident, and I think the training dept has gone a long way in trying to achieve that.
Still, a rumour network is one thing, but rumour mongering is quite another. Certainly if what EAN36 is true, then how come it isn't all over the airline by now? I certainly haven't heard anything. If as you say, the a/c was flown back from DAC with high engine vibn, as a result of bird-strike, then for definate the crew will be going to the office in short time.
Still, a rumour network is one thing, but rumour mongering is quite another. Certainly if what EAN36 is true, then how come it isn't all over the airline by now? I certainly haven't heard anything. If as you say, the a/c was flown back from DAC with high engine vibn, as a result of bird-strike, then for definate the crew will be going to the office in short time.
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Being part of Gulf Air I have heard that the above is basically correct of course there is more to the story. Those concerned have been and/or will be dealt with so they say. How they do this is yet to be seen unfortunately people who know people do get favouritism, especially in this area. As to the upgrades rumoured but gulf air no longer keeps records as per the new AQP.
Most “local” pilots are very capable pilots but some are defiantly are not. I would guess the same ratio in any race.
Most “local” pilots are very capable pilots but some are defiantly are not. I would guess the same ratio in any race.
Last edited by Bedouin; 21st Sep 2004 at 03:50.
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Where there's smoke there's combustion.
What better forum to out a little smoke than this one? Definitely smells like a rat (could be a mouse; I'm not qualified to discern the difference) here.
I nearly fell out of my chair (it was a lighter moment) when I read vfenext's "Why not wait til the results of the various findings and start a thread then, when you know the truth." What a delightfully blinkered view of the world you have, my man!
It all comes down to the old adage that you can't have two systems; one for the locals & one for the expats. It's got zilch to do with racism. Sure that drum gets rolled out and the xenophobes amongst us beat it with enthusiasm but as long as the company (not just Gulf Air) and it's management or appointed officers turn a blind eye or shred evidence of malpractice because of a miscreant's social or cultural background or because of concern that airing such evidence would bring disrepute to the company then they are going nowhere but backwards in their pontificated efforts to improve safefy.
Let me make it very clear that I embrace the fact that the great majority of Gulf Nationals are very competent pilots who maintain the standards set by the various companies. What I'm on about is those that don't maintain these standards or those that trangress such standards and whose actions are ignored or concealed by management because of their social standing.
It may appear to some, that folk such as EAN36 are troublemakers, but this site will encourage whistleblowers who have credible evidence of corruption in organizations to post their rumours here. All in effort to excise such malpractice with a goal of improving standards and acceptable practice in what is clearly not an honest world.
4HP
What better forum to out a little smoke than this one? Definitely smells like a rat (could be a mouse; I'm not qualified to discern the difference) here.
I nearly fell out of my chair (it was a lighter moment) when I read vfenext's "Why not wait til the results of the various findings and start a thread then, when you know the truth." What a delightfully blinkered view of the world you have, my man!
It all comes down to the old adage that you can't have two systems; one for the locals & one for the expats. It's got zilch to do with racism. Sure that drum gets rolled out and the xenophobes amongst us beat it with enthusiasm but as long as the company (not just Gulf Air) and it's management or appointed officers turn a blind eye or shred evidence of malpractice because of a miscreant's social or cultural background or because of concern that airing such evidence would bring disrepute to the company then they are going nowhere but backwards in their pontificated efforts to improve safefy.
Let me make it very clear that I embrace the fact that the great majority of Gulf Nationals are very competent pilots who maintain the standards set by the various companies. What I'm on about is those that don't maintain these standards or those that trangress such standards and whose actions are ignored or concealed by management because of their social standing.
It may appear to some, that folk such as EAN36 are troublemakers, but this site will encourage whistleblowers who have credible evidence of corruption in organizations to post their rumours here. All in effort to excise such malpractice with a goal of improving standards and acceptable practice in what is clearly not an honest world.
4HP
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I made my comments about waiting for any findings to be published in the interest of fairness to anyone involved. I am quite sure if anyone here were involved in an accident or incident they would hate to be "judged" by a rumor network. It's almost always forgotten in these forums that the law still stands with regard to slander. This means that just like TV, radio or newspapers this information is being published in the public domain. Somebody must be responsible if lies are being told about people. In this case the publisher is PPRUNE, who will be only too happy to hand over your details should action be taken. So this is why you must be sure about the truth and not hide behind the fact that this is a place for rumormongering. The biggest offence of all is to mention names or nick manes which our original poster has already done. Read it and weap but it's the way it works.
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Hey Guys
I have just got back and plugged into my own rumour network. The 330 incident seems true although the "Capt" is not a Gulf National, if fact he is not even Arab, but does tend to blend in very well.
Obviously cannot say who it is but it will all come out in the wash
"Fore"
I have just got back and plugged into my own rumour network. The 330 incident seems true although the "Capt" is not a Gulf National, if fact he is not even Arab, but does tend to blend in very well.
Obviously cannot say who it is but it will all come out in the wash
"Fore"
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Hmmmmmm
As you say I must check my sources.
I am obviously thinking of a different incident cause the guy I am thinking of would appear to be in a spot of bother as well
Watch this space
As you say I must check my sources.
I am obviously thinking of a different incident cause the guy I am thinking of would appear to be in a spot of bother as well
Watch this space
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Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha 
The most odious prick who ever wore 4 bars and insisted that you should "just call me Captain" has just been demoted to First Officer. Ha Ha Ha
He was the one responsible for flying the 330 all the way to Abu Dhabi on one engine and he is lucky he still has a job. People have been fired from GF for far less than that.
Still, what goes around comes around, there were hoots of delight and derision last night at the golf club he once was so proud to be a member of
As you may have guessed he was not one of the most popular of people.
Can't wait to bump into him and his intolerable wife just so I can call him FO ********
The most odious prick who ever wore 4 bars and insisted that you should "just call me Captain" has just been demoted to First Officer. Ha Ha Ha
He was the one responsible for flying the 330 all the way to Abu Dhabi on one engine and he is lucky he still has a job. People have been fired from GF for far less than that.
Still, what goes around comes around, there were hoots of delight and derision last night at the golf club he once was so proud to be a member of
As you may have guessed he was not one of the most popular of people.
Can't wait to bump into him and his intolerable wife just so I can call him FO ********
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Sirwa, make the most of it, I hear the demotion is only for 2 years. Shame I cannot say the same as you to said (gentle)man as he barely even aknowledges me these days. All I got in Geant last weekend was a sullen nod of his head. Oh well, guess that's what happens when one plays 18 better than him!
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Sirwa, better get a move on! Said 'Pilot' appealed against the 2-year deal and VPO has reduced it to just 8 months! 8-months for what would have had the ETOPS on the 330 removed (if GF actually had it of course!) and DGCAM were going to pull the AOC if no action was taken. Disgusting! He shoud get 8-months for being a lousy golfer (and he is) let alone a 'worrying' pilot!
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The reduction in the demotion time does not surprise me, or anyone in the company. After all, the A320 pilot who was demoted some time back has yet to fly on the right seat – he is on leave of some sort till his time is over.
Also, it won’t surprise me if the A-330 Captain in question had exactly 8 months of leave as credit in his leave bank. There is no other plausible reason for him to have the two year demotion reduced to an odd figure like 8 months. He can now take leave for the 8 months and resume flying as a Captain when the leave ends.
Re his golf abilities: Heard he had dubious abilities with a golf club in the Bahrain Duty Free, as well.
BTW, I just heard this one. A B-767 was stuck in the Far East with a No-Go snag, when the MCC decided to issue the pilot a ‘Waver’ for that item, which he declined. The HOFO was pressed into the action. He blasted the pilot over the phone, asking him to fly the plane down to the Gulf, when it was clearly a no-fly situation. The First Officer was witness to the blasting. The pilots chose to ignore the HOFO, and are now seeking a full inquiry into the incident, which obviously will not take place as the HOFO would be in a tight spot.
Anyone care to confirm this one or add to it?
Also, it won’t surprise me if the A-330 Captain in question had exactly 8 months of leave as credit in his leave bank. There is no other plausible reason for him to have the two year demotion reduced to an odd figure like 8 months. He can now take leave for the 8 months and resume flying as a Captain when the leave ends.
Re his golf abilities: Heard he had dubious abilities with a golf club in the Bahrain Duty Free, as well.
BTW, I just heard this one. A B-767 was stuck in the Far East with a No-Go snag, when the MCC decided to issue the pilot a ‘Waver’ for that item, which he declined. The HOFO was pressed into the action. He blasted the pilot over the phone, asking him to fly the plane down to the Gulf, when it was clearly a no-fly situation. The First Officer was witness to the blasting. The pilots chose to ignore the HOFO, and are now seeking a full inquiry into the incident, which obviously will not take place as the HOFO would be in a tight spot.
Anyone care to confirm this one or add to it?
