Gulf Air Developments
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Clearly those in charge are under a lot of pressure to perform and as is to be expected the incompetent and inept revert to the standard GF tactic of bullying. "Accept the new fleet or resign", which I believe a number have already done. Several Captains, some with 15 years on the 330/340 have been given 12hrs notice to be on a so called 320CCQ course that itself was none existent at the time and according to the relevant manager was not approved. This made all the more galling due to the fixed seniority list, in favour of the usual suspects, making Captains with 3 months in the seat more senior to those with a decade or more of service. Now we hear those Capt's have been told they will fly the 330 as well apparently due to approaching crew shortages on the big bus from which they have been summarily removed.
FO's have been treated even more harshly taken off assessments for Command to be put on the EMB (with an as yet undisclosed bond to follow) for another 18 months or more with no end in sight. Again I hear several have resigned and more are about to, who can blame them.
As always the knee has been firmly jerked and now we will live with the consequences as our Management Pilots try to sort out the ensuing debacle. In short another well thought through plan, well communicated and agreed put into action by professional managers worthy of the name. When will we ever learn. It is desperately disheartening, the standard of management is truly appalling as we again stumble and fall from crisis to crisis. What will be the plan for tomorrow. God only knows.
FO's have been treated even more harshly taken off assessments for Command to be put on the EMB (with an as yet undisclosed bond to follow) for another 18 months or more with no end in sight. Again I hear several have resigned and more are about to, who can blame them.
As always the knee has been firmly jerked and now we will live with the consequences as our Management Pilots try to sort out the ensuing debacle. In short another well thought through plan, well communicated and agreed put into action by professional managers worthy of the name. When will we ever learn. It is desperately disheartening, the standard of management is truly appalling as we again stumble and fall from crisis to crisis. What will be the plan for tomorrow. God only knows.
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MaffiFaloos,
None of the 8 sent down have more than 7 years on the 330/340 & the most senior has been in the company 14 years. The seniority list hasn't been played with, it's just that it's based on the date of first final line check you do in the company, reguardless of which seat it's in. Fair or not I guess it depends who you are.
Several Captains, some with 15 years on the 330/340
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Dear Mestopholies, like you those of us who have been at this game a few years are tired of fighting and accept that "thats just the way it is", however to put you straight, at least two of the Capt's have been on the 340 since July 1999. Whichever numerical system you use that puts them in the left seat of a heavy, when some that remain as so called seniors, were at best being given the basic "this is an aeroplane" speech. This was not always the case. Captains seniority was primarily based on the generally accepted model of "time in the seat". This was changed not so long ago for reasons best known to those in power at the time thus making some Capts senior to the TRE who has just signed his license before the ink is dry. Sensible? Some would say not. What to do yanni.
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MaffiFaloos, I was only disputing your claim that some had been in the left on the 330/340(it would have to have been the 340) for 15 years but from July 1999 until now(if my math doesn't fail me) is not quite 15 years.
No seniority list is perfect. Personally I liked the old points system but that was changed to help certain people transfer to the 330/340. The "time in seat" seniority works perfectly as long as there are no direct entry captains,which I am sure you know is not the case. So in this case an fo would have to throw away all the time he spent sitting in the right whilst guys joining & delaying upgrades would be senior.
Life's not fair
No seniority list is perfect. Personally I liked the old points system but that was changed to help certain people transfer to the 330/340. The "time in seat" seniority works perfectly as long as there are no direct entry captains,which I am sure you know is not the case. So in this case an fo would have to throw away all the time he spent sitting in the right whilst guys joining & delaying upgrades would be senior.
Life's not fair
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Mafifaloos...Why does a TRE have to necessarily be senior??
The previous system in place made me senior to folks who had twice the time serving as a productive flight deck crewmember, how could that be fair?? This seniority system in place is about as fair as it gets..
The previous system in place made me senior to folks who had twice the time serving as a productive flight deck crewmember, how could that be fair?? This seniority system in place is about as fair as it gets..
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I have to agree with Ironbutt, so far in my GF career the seniority list is legitimate. Maybe there has been some dishonest movements. But not in my time.
I am quite upset about my career movements, being a lowly FO. I signed on with a bond hoping and expecting a full career.
The company now looks like it can not offer me that.
I am now having to weigh up the fact, that I love living in Bahrain, and my desire to work for a fully functional airline. GF is defiantly not on of those.
Good luck to all in your personal decisions.
I am quite upset about my career movements, being a lowly FO. I signed on with a bond hoping and expecting a full career.
The company now looks like it can not offer me that.
I am now having to weigh up the fact, that I love living in Bahrain, and my desire to work for a fully functional airline. GF is defiantly not on of those.
Good luck to all in your personal decisions.
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Our MNL honeymoon is finally over.
Today PAL has announced 4 weekly nonstop B 744 operated MNL RUH MNL flights effective March 28th 2010.
Config is 383Y and 50J. They will take away a lot of our market share from RUH to MNL as well as that of EK/EY/CX and QR.
Today PAL has announced 4 weekly nonstop B 744 operated MNL RUH MNL flights effective March 28th 2010.
Config is 383Y and 50J. They will take away a lot of our market share from RUH to MNL as well as that of EK/EY/CX and QR.
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Panama Jack
I'm afraid you're quite right, PJ. I hate to say that Majali's intentions and immediate plans are really Gulf Airs last remaining cards at hand. The situation has been left to fester for too long that the options are now really quite limited.
The Gulf Air glory days of yore are history. To make recovery bearable, I suggest that the bitter facts be accepted and swallowed so we can move forward with what is left.
....other forum members who are having troubles grasping the basic economic concepts in our industry. Amongst other things, gives a good overview of revenue management programs and clues on such perplexing puzzles of why a full airplane does not necessarily mean a profitable flight.
The Gulf Air glory days of yore are history. To make recovery bearable, I suggest that the bitter facts be accepted and swallowed so we can move forward with what is left.
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Good , now it will be easier to Non rev to Manila
But if you are a Gulf Air non-rever, the self-ticketing agreement with PR is an ID75 for standby travel. Get ready to spend some pesos, siiiiiiir.
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The Gulf Air glory days of yore are history. To make recovery bearable, I suggest that the bitter facts be accepted and swallowed so we can move forward with what is left.
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Well that is exactly what it is. Everyone has been picking at this company like crows until it is bone dry. At the end of the day, only the Bahrainis stand to lose out on an airline.
But as PJ has pointed out, major financial, structural, and cultural reforms are needed and needed now. It is not too late until the fat lady sings. Good luck GF.
But as PJ has pointed out, major financial, structural, and cultural reforms are needed and needed now. It is not too late until the fat lady sings. Good luck GF.
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So Sal-e,are you suggesting that Mr M.is on the right track?I seriously hope not.Evidence to the contrary is obvious for all to see,just open your eyes.Positive thinking is good but realism is better.
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Not suggesting that at all. All I'm saying is that with the current state of affairs of Gulf Air, there is not much choice for whoever it is sitting on the chair, Majali or anyone.
Losing up to a million a day is as real as this gets. It is about time that proper control of revenue and a balanced book takes place. As someone mentioned before, no one can afford to run an airline badly, no one at all.
Losing up to a million a day is as real as this gets. It is about time that proper control of revenue and a balanced book takes place. As someone mentioned before, no one can afford to run an airline badly, no one at all.
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It is worse than that Sal-e. In 2009, Gulf Air losses averaged considerably more than $1 million USD per day.
Given all of the circumstances and challenges faced, I am not sure whether this airline is simply cursed or a complete basket case. In any case, it is a sad state of affairs for employees who care.
Given all of the circumstances and challenges faced, I am not sure whether this airline is simply cursed or a complete basket case. In any case, it is a sad state of affairs for employees who care.
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Biased Opinions here..
I couldn't help but notice how biased, negative and cynical most people in this thread are.
Look people, I don't work for Gulf Air, never have. In fact, I'm not a pilot. Looking at this from outside, I can tell you one thing. Gulf Air is an extremely sick entity in dire need of DRAMATIC change. In the midst of change, soul-searching and prioritization, LOTS of people are going to be disappointed, angered and perhaps enraged. This is ALL a part of the process.
Pilots, cabin crew, Bahraini employees who think they have a divine right to get a job and income in return for nothing, are against Majali. But ALL of this process started by him is a REAL plan that requires pride to be let go, sacrifices and yes, a LOT of lay offs involving some of the disgruntled people on this board.
Majali is an airline management veteran with a very clean record. Coming from Jordan, a country of limited resources, he understand where Bahrain is coming from. He knows very well that any turn-around plan cannot be modeled on Emirates, Qatar Airways or Etihad.
To come here and say 'this man is out to destroy the airline' is pure ignorance. To respectfully disagree with him is another thing. The man is betting that the only way to SAVE Gulf Air and maintain a national carrier for the Kingdom is through his plan. You either accept it or get on with your life, resign or simply Don't fly Gulf Air like me (until they fix their house).
Peace.
Look people, I don't work for Gulf Air, never have. In fact, I'm not a pilot. Looking at this from outside, I can tell you one thing. Gulf Air is an extremely sick entity in dire need of DRAMATIC change. In the midst of change, soul-searching and prioritization, LOTS of people are going to be disappointed, angered and perhaps enraged. This is ALL a part of the process.
Pilots, cabin crew, Bahraini employees who think they have a divine right to get a job and income in return for nothing, are against Majali. But ALL of this process started by him is a REAL plan that requires pride to be let go, sacrifices and yes, a LOT of lay offs involving some of the disgruntled people on this board.
Majali is an airline management veteran with a very clean record. Coming from Jordan, a country of limited resources, he understand where Bahrain is coming from. He knows very well that any turn-around plan cannot be modeled on Emirates, Qatar Airways or Etihad.
To come here and say 'this man is out to destroy the airline' is pure ignorance. To respectfully disagree with him is another thing. The man is betting that the only way to SAVE Gulf Air and maintain a national carrier for the Kingdom is through his plan. You either accept it or get on with your life, resign or simply Don't fly Gulf Air like me (until they fix their house).
Peace.
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ok Global let me have a Guess!
So you are not a pilot and not a gulf air staff but still love Majali....Hmm
so you must be one of those consultant that we see in costa coffee every day who are paid milloions to come up with the brilliant plan of opening 20 new destinations with out carrying out a single study on any.
or I could be wrong, you could be our new embrare sales agent.Did you know that your airplane designer forgot to put cargo holds in your cheap aircraft so no wonder its cheap to run with 5 tons of max payload.
your full of wisdom post is not new as most of us had the exact same sentiments, but we were wrong so you are too.
So you are not a pilot and not a gulf air staff but still love Majali....Hmm
so you must be one of those consultant that we see in costa coffee every day who are paid milloions to come up with the brilliant plan of opening 20 new destinations with out carrying out a single study on any.
or I could be wrong, you could be our new embrare sales agent.Did you know that your airplane designer forgot to put cargo holds in your cheap aircraft so no wonder its cheap to run with 5 tons of max payload.
your full of wisdom post is not new as most of us had the exact same sentiments, but we were wrong so you are too.
