Gulf Air Developments
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behramjee,
I understand that these 757's were sold to DHL Bahrain. One of these airframes was involved in the infamous mid-air collision with a TU-154 near Überlingen, Germany 1 July, 2002.
We have at least one Captain who was involved in that operation flying the 757.
I understand that these 757's were sold to DHL Bahrain. One of these airframes was involved in the infamous mid-air collision with a TU-154 near Überlingen, Germany 1 July, 2002.
We have at least one Captain who was involved in that operation flying the 757.
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The 757 came from Ansett and it operated in conjunction (joint venture - JV) with DHL; CEO for DHL at the time became Head of Cargo for GF eventually before leaving to be CEO of Ethiopean Airlines.
The aircraft did BAH-SHJ-BRU if I remember correctly with the odd 'charter' or special flight - it took all the BCCI paper work/files to Europe from AUH for the court trial.
The aircraft was not designed for 'normal' cargo; the floor was not strengthened, it did not have a main deck bulk head of a type to allow dangerous goods either. It was an aircraft designed for the parcel services not your run of the mill general cargo; thus it was a bit of a loss leader for GF and hence the pull out of the JV with DHL. DHL did of course make it work for them.
Another "worthy business plan" from the brains that ran (and some still do) the airline at the time.
The aircraft did BAH-SHJ-BRU if I remember correctly with the odd 'charter' or special flight - it took all the BCCI paper work/files to Europe from AUH for the court trial.
The aircraft was not designed for 'normal' cargo; the floor was not strengthened, it did not have a main deck bulk head of a type to allow dangerous goods either. It was an aircraft designed for the parcel services not your run of the mill general cargo; thus it was a bit of a loss leader for GF and hence the pull out of the JV with DHL. DHL did of course make it work for them.
Another "worthy business plan" from the brains that ran (and some still do) the airline at the time.
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EK flew an A 332 to KIX never an A 333 as it never had one. The longest A 332 flight is CDG-NRT I believe with AF. A 332s have a longer flying range capability versus the A 333 by approximately 3 more hours. Even TK used to use them on IST-ORD.
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Arabic translation of the word "slave".
Still no rosters.
Is it possible that this incompetent continues with this behavior and no one says anything?
Who is protecting him?
Does our CEO knows that this guy is unable even to drink a coffee?
Maybe they want a hot summer!
upset but pink! In the palace!
Is it possible that this incompetent continues with this behavior and no one says anything?
Who is protecting him?
Does our CEO knows that this guy is unable even to drink a coffee?
Maybe they want a hot summer!
upset but pink! In the palace!
DIRECTOR
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Icarus GF had just the one B757 freighter when I was at GF. I flew it as well as the B767.
Usual was as you say to BRU via Sharjah.
Two nights in the Brussels Hilton on excellent allowances thanks to Steve Coyle.
Always felt sorry for the DHL crews when we arrived in our shiny B757 around 3am after an easy 6 hour flight to see them halfway through a 4 sector night in a B727 or Electra. They all looked pasty faced and at deaths's door drinking soup from a machine in their crew room.
Usual was as you say to BRU via Sharjah.
Two nights in the Brussels Hilton on excellent allowances thanks to Steve Coyle.
Always felt sorry for the DHL crews when we arrived in our shiny B757 around 3am after an easy 6 hour flight to see them halfway through a 4 sector night in a B727 or Electra. They all looked pasty faced and at deaths's door drinking soup from a machine in their crew room.
Join Date: May 2010
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hello chaps,
I have a couple of questions and it would be great if could answer those .does gulf air has the E-190 aircraft?
and i had thought that they learned that the embraer are not fit to go to Athens. And also why are the embraers always grounded? And it goes without saying that the airline is being mismanaged as 333s are arriving and no one cares to recreuit any pilots or FA according to a poor captain stuck in GF.
I think a good idea would be if any one of you who still works for GF get the news that they are being taken to the embraer should hand in their resignation letter. As i know that for a fact that it would ruin your flying life if you run after the jungle jets.The airline would of been in a better shape ,leaving the thing as they are and proceeding with the initial plan as morals of the employees are now record low due to number of different plans which includes shrinking the airline.
I have a couple of questions and it would be great if could answer those .does gulf air has the E-190 aircraft?
and i had thought that they learned that the embraer are not fit to go to Athens. And also why are the embraers always grounded? And it goes without saying that the airline is being mismanaged as 333s are arriving and no one cares to recreuit any pilots or FA according to a poor captain stuck in GF.
I think a good idea would be if any one of you who still works for GF get the news that they are being taken to the embraer should hand in their resignation letter. As i know that for a fact that it would ruin your flying life if you run after the jungle jets.The airline would of been in a better shape ,leaving the thing as they are and proceeding with the initial plan as morals of the employees are now record low due to number of different plans which includes shrinking the airline.
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Any information on what the Company's plans with respect to crewing the Embraer?
About a week ago I heard that they were approaching mid-seniority level FO's on the A320. Then I heard they are hitting high-seniority widebody FO's again, leaving FO's at all seniority ranges nervous and anxious in its wake. No clear policy announcement from the Company either on career progression after one gets sent to the Embraer, including issues of career progression after a possible upgrade on the type or those who do not upgrade.
Unfortunately, this means that pilots who are otherwise happy at Gulf Air are eyeing other companies because of uncertainty about their future career path. People love to read mysteries, not live them. Dialogue, discussion and clear details about career progression would do a lot to dissolve these fears.
Am I right with the impression that the last pilot meeting was while Chris Cain was still COO?
About a week ago I heard that they were approaching mid-seniority level FO's on the A320. Then I heard they are hitting high-seniority widebody FO's again, leaving FO's at all seniority ranges nervous and anxious in its wake. No clear policy announcement from the Company either on career progression after one gets sent to the Embraer, including issues of career progression after a possible upgrade on the type or those who do not upgrade.
Unfortunately, this means that pilots who are otherwise happy at Gulf Air are eyeing other companies because of uncertainty about their future career path. People love to read mysteries, not live them. Dialogue, discussion and clear details about career progression would do a lot to dissolve these fears.
Am I right with the impression that the last pilot meeting was while Chris Cain was still COO?
Last edited by Panama Jack; 28th May 2010 at 18:59.
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I am a high seniority FO on the 330/340 and I have tried everything to get out of this EMB course including high level emails all to no avail. I am forced on the next course. You do not have the right to refuse the course and must sign a 10000 BD bond. The upgrade policy is as per OMA. I have this in writing.
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I think it´s about time to have an informative pilot meeting. Just to clarify which is going to be the plan (if there is any), which "seniority" is going to be consider for the fleet plan, because seems to change with the wind direction.
The last meeting was on November, if I am not wrong, and we were told that Meetings were going to be held every 3 months.
Let´s see if the 3rd floor guys agenda could have the chance for it.
The last meeting was on November, if I am not wrong, and we were told that Meetings were going to be held every 3 months.
Let´s see if the 3rd floor guys agenda could have the chance for it.
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just curious has anyone actually walked in and sat down with the HOFO? i was told he is being very straight forward if u take the time to sit down with him. anyways a clear policy would be nice but sometimes i think they are just trying to make it day by day. 
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Not a single one of the Ops managers has any idea what the plans are for GF hence they can only plan on a day to day basis. The total lack of communication from the CEO leaves everyone stumbling around in the dark. The only thing that is for sure is that Mr Majali is doing his best for us to sign up for as many Embraers as possible & could not care less about the running of GF.
Also a little birdy told me that with the recent divestment of Iraqi Airways the powers that be might jump on the band wagon & are thinking that could be the best option for GF.
Also a little birdy told me that with the recent divestment of Iraqi Airways the powers that be might jump on the band wagon & are thinking that could be the best option for GF.
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You are not too far off, Mephistopheles.
As I understand it, the Government has made it very clear that they are expecting certain financial performance targets to be reached (a significant reduction of losses) otherwise they will euthanize the Falcon. Consequently, we are seeing Management scramble to find and implement ways and methods to reduce costs . . . techniques which, IMHO, should have been adopted YEARS ago (but the Company was too comfortable or unmotivated, or both).
There are a number of companies who have met their end this way. Unfortunately, what I perceive as the major obstacle is the corporate culture and mentality. For one, some people just don't believe it could happen. Secondly, the experience of working a lean and efficient operation just isn't there. I see real effort being made by the Company, but in the end, changing behavior and mindsets is probably one of the most difficult things to do. But in this area, Gulf Air seemingly hasn't addressed the most fundamental concept-- getting employee buy-in. Communication (of the two-way type) is inconsistent and infrequent. Without buy-in, no amount of directives or instructions will have a long-lasting, positive effect. It seems (to me) to be an essential ingredient to any successful corporate turn-around.
As I understand it, the Government has made it very clear that they are expecting certain financial performance targets to be reached (a significant reduction of losses) otherwise they will euthanize the Falcon. Consequently, we are seeing Management scramble to find and implement ways and methods to reduce costs . . . techniques which, IMHO, should have been adopted YEARS ago (but the Company was too comfortable or unmotivated, or both).
There are a number of companies who have met their end this way. Unfortunately, what I perceive as the major obstacle is the corporate culture and mentality. For one, some people just don't believe it could happen. Secondly, the experience of working a lean and efficient operation just isn't there. I see real effort being made by the Company, but in the end, changing behavior and mindsets is probably one of the most difficult things to do. But in this area, Gulf Air seemingly hasn't addressed the most fundamental concept-- getting employee buy-in. Communication (of the two-way type) is inconsistent and infrequent. Without buy-in, no amount of directives or instructions will have a long-lasting, positive effect. It seems (to me) to be an essential ingredient to any successful corporate turn-around.
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Pilot Meeting Now
WE SHOULD DEMAND A PILOT MEETING, NOW!!!!!!!!!!
there is no way that this can go on without seeing the faces of our managers telling us they dont know what's going on?
or do they?.........
Why doesnt the current COO organise a meeting, at least Cris Cain did so!
what are u hiding? .
The pilots have historically been very insistent in knowing how our airline is doing. As Well prepared people who only defend their value on the market. How much are we worth? we are worth our experience plus TR which we gain through work, which often is contaminated by bad habits of our superiors (and even sometimes by ourselves). to within a certain ignorance of the situation of our airline, we can accept, but there comes a time when the situation becomes unsustainable.
It necesary to inform us of what they know and do not know. It is important, because the result of these meetings is simply a greater respect for the companies. Knowing that our superior tells us, is important.VERY IMPORTANT. Think about it Mr. COO, wouldn't you like a meeting if I was the COO?
340FO
there is no way that this can go on without seeing the faces of our managers telling us they dont know what's going on?
or do they?.........
Why doesnt the current COO organise a meeting, at least Cris Cain did so!
what are u hiding? .
The pilots have historically been very insistent in knowing how our airline is doing. As Well prepared people who only defend their value on the market. How much are we worth? we are worth our experience plus TR which we gain through work, which often is contaminated by bad habits of our superiors (and even sometimes by ourselves). to within a certain ignorance of the situation of our airline, we can accept, but there comes a time when the situation becomes unsustainable.
It necesary to inform us of what they know and do not know. It is important, because the result of these meetings is simply a greater respect for the companies. Knowing that our superior tells us, is important.VERY IMPORTANT. Think about it Mr. COO, wouldn't you like a meeting if I was the COO?
340FO
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The idea of the Bahrain government liquidating Gulf Air has been floated a few times before but,as was posted, it has now become a very real & possible option since the Iraqis have just done it in order to regroup & if it proves to be successful for them then Bahrain will follow suit. That is probably the reason for no comms from the CEO.
Demand a pilot meeting? What for? No one, not even the CEO will give it to us straight.
Demand a pilot meeting? What for? No one, not even the CEO will give it to us straight.
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I started running a small business ( which i cannot not mention for the security of my identity) five years ago. and the thing that i have learned is:
1. good communication with the employee allows the workers to understand the current situation that the company is facing.
2. Its not that you make the profit .But it how you make that profit.
for example :I flew with Gf in Y class from LHR to bahrain. I was shocked that only dinner was served while the passengers were left hungry as they were hoping for breakfast. And it was obviously another cost cutting scheme.But the thing they can do to cut costs is by learning from other airlines. as when UPS has made a procedure when a plane starts its starts coming for an approach, the engines are kept on idle to reduce wastage of fuel and the plane some what glides.
I have forgotten the name given to the procedure.
1. good communication with the employee allows the workers to understand the current situation that the company is facing.
2. Its not that you make the profit .But it how you make that profit.
for example :I flew with Gf in Y class from LHR to bahrain. I was shocked that only dinner was served while the passengers were left hungry as they were hoping for breakfast. And it was obviously another cost cutting scheme.But the thing they can do to cut costs is by learning from other airlines. as when UPS has made a procedure when a plane starts its starts coming for an approach, the engines are kept on idle to reduce wastage of fuel and the plane some what glides.
I have forgotten the name given to the procedure.