Gulf Air Developments
Join Date: Sep 2003
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My little birdie told me today that the Sheraton Hotel was jam packed with Gulf Air Cabin crew applying for Emirates, as they were having a walk in interview. Not only did we lose good pilots recently 
but it seems that our hosties are leaving too for greener pastures. Little do I blame them as they are living under the fear and scrutiny of being fired.
Well done, to those responsible for the low morale our crew are in today and helping the giant companies win our best assets, OUR CREW
but it seems that our hosties are leaving too for greener pastures. Little do I blame them as they are living under the fear and scrutiny of being fired. Well done, to those responsible for the low morale our crew are in today and helping the giant companies win our best assets, OUR CREW
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: "como todo buen piloto... mujeriego y borracho"
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There is a philosophy that says that the best time for looking for a job is when you don't need one.
The rumor circulating is that the Company is looking to further reduce staffing, however a significant amount of this will come from the reduction of cabin crew in the near future. So for the FA's that have their contract renewal coming up in the weeks ahead, I appreciate their concern and think it is normal for them to want to look at other options just in case their contract is not renewed. I would be doing the same if a similar rumor was about pilots.
I agree with you that the Cabin Crew are the Company's greatest asset. Moreover, I believe that these front-line employees actually carry the Company. It is unfortunate that they don't get more credit on a regular basis, which I think is due.
The rumor circulating is that the Company is looking to further reduce staffing, however a significant amount of this will come from the reduction of cabin crew in the near future. So for the FA's that have their contract renewal coming up in the weeks ahead, I appreciate their concern and think it is normal for them to want to look at other options just in case their contract is not renewed. I would be doing the same if a similar rumor was about pilots.
I agree with you that the Cabin Crew are the Company's greatest asset. Moreover, I believe that these front-line employees actually carry the Company. It is unfortunate that they don't get more credit on a regular basis, which I think is due.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Alas, the great western way of doing things are slowly catching up to this part of the world as well. Work, work, work, work and get payed as little as possible because if you are not willing to do the job, someone else will for cheaper, so shut up and get to work! Boys and girls, unfortunately, once again the west has spoiled it for everyone else, thank you Southwest!!!!!! 
because of you we are all now suffering and downgraded to just bus drivers, oh wait a minute, they actually have better conditions!
because of you we are all now suffering and downgraded to just bus drivers, oh wait a minute, they actually have better conditions!
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Get ready for AA's new cost saving idea-overtime at 85hrs.
Direct entry Capts on the Embraer & A320 due to such poor planning from the boys upstairs that without them our airplanes will be grounded.
The resignation rate is picking up once again. The office are still in a state of shock after 18 in 1 week.
Hold onto your hats ladies & gents cuz this is going to be a year to remember.
Direct entry Capts on the Embraer & A320 due to such poor planning from the boys upstairs that without them our airplanes will be grounded.
The resignation rate is picking up once again. The office are still in a state of shock after 18 in 1 week.
Hold onto your hats ladies & gents cuz this is going to be a year to remember.
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Work, work, work, work and get payed [sic] as little as possible because if you are not willing to do the job, someone else will for cheaper, so shut up and get to work! Boys and girls, unfortunately, once again the west has spoiled it for everyone else, thank you Southwest!!!!!!
1) Southwest airlines invests a great amount of energy into building and maintaining relationships between employees. This is a defining aspect of the airline’s corporate culture that allows it accomplish the feats that it does.
2) Southwest regularly gets named on such prestigious lists as Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work for in America.”
3) Contrary to popular belief, many of Southwest’s employee groups are unionized. The airline is definitely not a non-union shop.
4) Although the airline is a low-cost airline, it is not a low-pay airline. Pay and benefits is at par or better than other US airlines, including some of the legacy carriers.
If I had a US Green Card I would have been knocking hard on Southwest’s doors years ago, leaving no stone unturned in trying to get in.
You might find books such as “Nuts!” or “The Southwest Airlines Way” interesting reading on how things are done at that airline. Many airlines have tried to emulate this culture, with varying degrees of success.
Join Date: Feb 2007
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It will be a year to remember but if AA and fleet office introduce 85 hr overtime it will be the nail in the coffin for all pilot-managment cooperation. AA should stop worrying about things that have nothing to do with man power and crewing, maybe our CP should remind him what his actual job is CREW PLANNING!!!!! Anyways 85 hr OT will kill morale and if introduced guarantee no flying on days off.
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I will speak only for myself by saying that I would not mind, in principle, with flying an 85-hour month.
And perhaps even more, if only we could pull out some of the stupid stops that really keep Gulf Air from being a more productive airline, increasing pilot morale, and wasting money unnecessarily. I am talking about restrictions such as not allowing more than 8 days off a month (as a rostering restriction). Some low-cost airlines, which enjoy greater productivity and efficiency, have pilots flying between 80-100 hours off a month while they enjoy as much as 15 or 16 days off a month because their roster blocks are productive. On the other hand, in order to meet the not more than 8 days off a month roster, I have one DOH turn, followed by an AUH turn the next day, then a STBY. I have often heard that we are “short” on pilots, but with these types of rostering practices it does not surprise me that we would be "short" on pilots.
If I “time out” in flying the maximum number of hours/duty time allowed by the regulations, give me days off (not Forced Leave) so that I can really relax, enjoy recreation activities, and really recuperate rather than nickel and diming me for the next month with a mix of single short-haul turn around days and STBY days.
Give me some rostering options were I can have more than 8 days off a month, the ability to have 4 or 5 days off in a row, increased options to build a block and I will be better rested, more motivated, and happy to fly more hours. Because all of a sudden I would be able to enjoy a better lifestyle. It is a balance between “work hard” and “play hard.” Some pilots want to fly more (they need extra money). Some guys prefer flying less and spending more time at home. Some love the long sectors. Some dread it.
The technology exists to better entertain all of these preferences; other airlines, with tighter budgets and less office staff, are making it happen. The question is whether the airline is would be open to making these changes to enjoy the long-term benefits.
Alas, I believe this horse has already been flogged to death in the past.
And perhaps even more, if only we could pull out some of the stupid stops that really keep Gulf Air from being a more productive airline, increasing pilot morale, and wasting money unnecessarily. I am talking about restrictions such as not allowing more than 8 days off a month (as a rostering restriction). Some low-cost airlines, which enjoy greater productivity and efficiency, have pilots flying between 80-100 hours off a month while they enjoy as much as 15 or 16 days off a month because their roster blocks are productive. On the other hand, in order to meet the not more than 8 days off a month roster, I have one DOH turn, followed by an AUH turn the next day, then a STBY. I have often heard that we are “short” on pilots, but with these types of rostering practices it does not surprise me that we would be "short" on pilots.
If I “time out” in flying the maximum number of hours/duty time allowed by the regulations, give me days off (not Forced Leave) so that I can really relax, enjoy recreation activities, and really recuperate rather than nickel and diming me for the next month with a mix of single short-haul turn around days and STBY days.
Give me some rostering options were I can have more than 8 days off a month, the ability to have 4 or 5 days off in a row, increased options to build a block and I will be better rested, more motivated, and happy to fly more hours. Because all of a sudden I would be able to enjoy a better lifestyle. It is a balance between “work hard” and “play hard.” Some pilots want to fly more (they need extra money). Some guys prefer flying less and spending more time at home. Some love the long sectors. Some dread it.
The technology exists to better entertain all of these preferences; other airlines, with tighter budgets and less office staff, are making it happen. The question is whether the airline is would be open to making these changes to enjoy the long-term benefits.
Alas, I believe this horse has already been flogged to death in the past.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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does the newsletter make sense to you,
........
Due to the above and in line with the fleet restructuring, as per the transfer policy, and in accordance with the company requirements it has been initially decided to transfer Embraer Gulf Air Line Captains/first officers back to the A320 to cater for the unexpected sudden shortage, and as of the start of February the Embraer fleet shall be manned by direct entry captains and first officers.
The Command Upgrade Programme will continue on the Embraer Fleet, and depending on the company requirements and the direct entry recruitment progress it might be stopped and reactivated back on the A320 fleet by Sep 2011.
..............
so if all gulfair line captains and first officers are coming back to A320, who will be upgraded in Embraer?
........
Due to the above and in line with the fleet restructuring, as per the transfer policy, and in accordance with the company requirements it has been initially decided to transfer Embraer Gulf Air Line Captains/first officers back to the A320 to cater for the unexpected sudden shortage, and as of the start of February the Embraer fleet shall be manned by direct entry captains and first officers.
The Command Upgrade Programme will continue on the Embraer Fleet, and depending on the company requirements and the direct entry recruitment progress it might be stopped and reactivated back on the A320 fleet by Sep 2011.
..............
so if all gulfair line captains and first officers are coming back to A320, who will be upgraded in Embraer?
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Panama Jack is seeing things as we did 1974 to 2000.
Interestingly "All" the subjects he mentions above were first raised with management as far back as 1976 and later every year until 2000...they are incapable of understanding crews problems and not interested at all in "humanizing" crews lifestyles...the SOP answer being basically... If you do not like it leave.
Interestingly "All" the subjects he mentions above were first raised with management as far back as 1976 and later every year until 2000...they are incapable of understanding crews problems and not interested at all in "humanizing" crews lifestyles...the SOP answer being basically... If you do not like it leave.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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By the way at Gulfair, overtime hours (beyond 75 hrs block time) are paid at a reduced hourly rate (30bd/hr for Capt, 20bd/hr for FO). This is approximately 66% of our basic hourly pay (monthly basic divided by 75hrs as per contract). We are already accepting to work for less than our basic salary for hours beyond 75hrs so AA is thinking: Since the pilots are already accepting to work for less than their basic salary in overtime without complaining (even being happy for some), why wouldnt they accept to work for free for an extra 10hrs???
We should be paid time and an half beyond 75hrs (60bd/hr for Capt, 45bd/hr). Lets all talk to our union representatives about this great idea as soon as possible! Wait a minute, do we have a union????
A cheap whore
We should be paid time and an half beyond 75hrs (60bd/hr for Capt, 45bd/hr). Lets all talk to our union representatives about this great idea as soon as possible! Wait a minute, do we have a union????
A cheap whore
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The "unexpected shortage" was foresaw by everyone except the people who are paid to plan ahead for these events.
All along the maestro of crewing AA has been saying that we actually have too many pilots & that the only reason we get into high hours is cuz we fly on our days off.
All along the maestro of crewing AA has been saying that we actually have too many pilots & that the only reason we get into high hours is cuz we fly on our days off.
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In fairness to "crew planning", the overall fleet plan has been changed to maximize operational efficiency,and several unexpected departures have thrown a wrench into the plan as well..all crew planning can do is react and make adjustments to changes in the master plan...long after we sign out and head for the barn, those poor chaps are working feverishly to keep flights crewed, and airplanes moving...
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COMM.
the main problem with Gulf Air is COMMUNICATION, they are unclear and all the command upgrade is a show to keep the FOs(my personal opinion ),someone from the office starts the rummers then it will spread.
the last letter from OPS was not that clear.why they need to transfer pilots (FO)to 320 from ERJ. if the CMD will continue on ERJ until SEP
everybody knows AA and his way of disrespecting pilots. most of the pilots not happy with what AA is doing. still you see him in the office. everybody knows why . wing A can not touch AA
the last letter from OPS was not that clear.why they need to transfer pilots (FO)to 320 from ERJ. if the CMD will continue on ERJ until SEP
everybody knows AA and his way of disrespecting pilots. most of the pilots not happy with what AA is doing. still you see him in the office. everybody knows why . wing A can not touch AA
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I agree with you all over these matters,
1) Everyone EXCEPT the ones on the 3rd floor knew the shortage was just a matter of time, yet, nothing was done to prevent it.
2) The letter we got from 1st floor was nothing special, once again it's just a way of trying to "officially" give out some info so that we don't say things like "there is no communication"
3) Overtime, no overtime, ..., well, if this 85hrs is really going through, then can I suggest that the locals bring up the fight just as they did 3years ago and get conditions to improve! Expats can't do much as they don't have the same bargaining power as the locals.
4) Why is the command still being done on the ERJ when they will be filling out the positions with direct entries? Who took this absurd decision?!!!!!!!!! So let me guess, pissing of the people the first time by putting a gun to their head and telling them either you take it or leave it was not enough?! Boy, they will never learn!
5) What 48 second officers program? Didn't QA get all of them? Who are they kidding?
Oh well, we are not the ones payed 6k-10k BD/month in order to think. So ... guess we just have to suck it up until the locals get enough and start punching back. Boy, come on, punch back!
1) Everyone EXCEPT the ones on the 3rd floor knew the shortage was just a matter of time, yet, nothing was done to prevent it.
2) The letter we got from 1st floor was nothing special, once again it's just a way of trying to "officially" give out some info so that we don't say things like "there is no communication"
3) Overtime, no overtime, ..., well, if this 85hrs is really going through, then can I suggest that the locals bring up the fight just as they did 3years ago and get conditions to improve! Expats can't do much as they don't have the same bargaining power as the locals.
4) Why is the command still being done on the ERJ when they will be filling out the positions with direct entries? Who took this absurd decision?!!!!!!!!! So let me guess, pissing of the people the first time by putting a gun to their head and telling them either you take it or leave it was not enough?! Boy, they will never learn!
5) What 48 second officers program? Didn't QA get all of them? Who are they kidding?
Oh well, we are not the ones payed 6k-10k BD/month in order to think. So ... guess we just have to suck it up until the locals get enough and start punching back. Boy, come on, punch back!