Troops returning from Helmand pay for own flights
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When trying to get a slot time into Brize, unfortunatly yes!! Its busy there you know.
Im not having a go at movers in total, without them the AT world would get nowhere. It's just thier minimal manning at the main UK hub will not allow aircraft to return early even when empty when techies would dearly like to get there hands on them.
Damn I bite easily on a sunday!
Im not having a go at movers in total, without them the AT world would get nowhere. It's just thier minimal manning at the main UK hub will not allow aircraft to return early even when empty when techies would dearly like to get there hands on them.
Damn I bite easily on a sunday!
Last edited by collbar; 22nd Aug 2010 at 17:25. Reason: Holding back on a bite!
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It's just thier minimal manning at the main UK hub will not allow aircraft to return early even when empty when techies would dearly like to get there hands on them.
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I seem to recall a while back the discussion about Brize's single runway. Well Brize also has 1 x Air Terminal, 1 x Inbound lounge, 1 x Outbound lounge. 1 Aircrafts worth of Buses and drivers. I,m sure there are enough movers to handle more than 1 Aircraft at a time. I'm sure the crews would love to entertain pax while they wait for the bus, terminal to become available. The facilities are dated as well as the aircraft.
Money needed all round
Money needed all round
Mr C H
Given the scenario implied, yes the Stn Cdr is in charge.....of the assets he has been given!
If he hasn't enough movers, so they are the station choke point, he can ask for some more - but until/unless he gets them he has to manage the situation he has inherited as best he can. Which may mean that availability of movers is the limiting factor on aircraft movements. Not ideal, not necessarily the movers fault, but possibly reality.
Of course I am just surmising this from comments that have gone before - I fully admit to having no personal knowledge of the situation at Brize.
Perhaps someone with more inside knowledge could enlighten us all - if its not consider a state secret?!
Given the scenario implied, yes the Stn Cdr is in charge.....of the assets he has been given!
If he hasn't enough movers, so they are the station choke point, he can ask for some more - but until/unless he gets them he has to manage the situation he has inherited as best he can. Which may mean that availability of movers is the limiting factor on aircraft movements. Not ideal, not necessarily the movers fault, but possibly reality.
Of course I am just surmising this from comments that have gone before - I fully admit to having no personal knowledge of the situation at Brize.
Perhaps someone with more inside knowledge could enlighten us all - if its not consider a state secret?!
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Well, well. 3 years after leaving the same old arguments/issues still doing the rounds. Tour lengths, R&R/no R&R, fwd dets at AKT, civ slips all underpinned by the constant reassurance that 'it is our number one priority'...but obviously nothing has changed. Successive OC 216s must surely be issued a special patch of brick wall specifically for banging their head against.
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Stopstart,
Perhaps twenty one six's continuous whingeing about flight safety is the reason we manage to avoid landing with our gear up at nearby airfields...God forbid we should try to ensure that we are as fresh as possible when flying the boys around the world. No one minds sleeping in a dump when there is no option, but when the option is there, why accept less? By your logic we should sleep in BFOTs at all times, and eat rat packs 24/7 365.
FT
Perhaps twenty one six's continuous whingeing about flight safety is the reason we manage to avoid landing with our gear up at nearby airfields...God forbid we should try to ensure that we are as fresh as possible when flying the boys around the world. No one minds sleeping in a dump when there is no option, but when the option is there, why accept less? By your logic we should sleep in BFOTs at all times, and eat rat packs 24/7 365.
FT
Champagne anyone...?
Re-read the post old girl and then have another go. A realistic and adult approach to Flight Safety is what keeps us all safe in this business. Bleating about the lack of fluffiness of your pillows in a FS report is what keeps the rest of us chortling. Talk me through your analogy again though as I don't quite follow. The Herc crew were fabulously well rested as they had probably had their feet up at home for the previous month or two prior to that "fateful" trip; I fail to see the connection? Perhaps too much "rest" is a bad thing? 
You said it yourself; "possible" is the operative word here. Sometimes that big old 5 star feather bed just isn't "possible".
I'll agree that any fool can be uncomfortable and the AT world is well known for it's "Checking In and not Digging In" approach to life but there is a limit and the actions of certain crew members I have had the misfortune to personally witness whilst travelling with you lot left me ashamed to be a member of the same Service. I'm not having a go at 216 per se by the way - I know people on the sqn who are just as embarrassed by the actions of a few as the rest of us are. I just strongly object to the misuse of the Flight Safety card.
Get over yourself and get on with your job.
PS. A big thank you from the rest of the AT world for ballsing up the rates/allowances "system" in AKR
we are as fresh as possible
I'll agree that any fool can be uncomfortable and the AT world is well known for it's "Checking In and not Digging In" approach to life but there is a limit and the actions of certain crew members I have had the misfortune to personally witness whilst travelling with you lot left me ashamed to be a member of the same Service. I'm not having a go at 216 per se by the way - I know people on the sqn who are just as embarrassed by the actions of a few as the rest of us are. I just strongly object to the misuse of the Flight Safety card.
Get over yourself and get on with your job.
PS. A big thank you from the rest of the AT world for ballsing up the rates/allowances "system" in AKR
Go on StopStart, I could do with a cheering up.
Would you mind telling us about one of these incidents where you were made to feel ashamed by a crews actions? Go on fella, let rip!!
Also: Allowances at AKT? whats going on there?
Would you mind telling us about one of these incidents where you were made to feel ashamed by a crews actions? Go on fella, let rip!!
Also: Allowances at AKT? whats going on there?
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EasyJet
Taken from the Cyprus Mail last week:
EasyJet offers ‘rescue fares’ for stranded troops
By Patrick Dewhurst Published on August 18, 2010
LOW-COST carrier easyJet said yesterday it was launching a special ‘rescue fare’ via Cyprus for British troops who are being delayed in getting home to the UK from the front lines in Afghanistan.
Those travelling via Cyprus can go to one of the island’s two airports - Paphos and Larnaca - between six to two hours before an easyJet flight and purchase a ‘rescue rate’ ticket, the airline said.
Tickets will be priced at £43 sterling and will include a kitbag at no extra charge, it added.
Paul Simmons, UK General Manager said: “This is about getting our troops home as soon as possible if things go wrong with their intended travel plans. The special time with friends and family is vital to those serving in the forces and we’re happy that we can help in some small way.”
It emerged on Monday that faulty RAF passenger planes were prompting some British soldiers transiting through Cyprus on their way home from Afghanistan, to buy their own tickets home on commercial flights.
The Telegraph reported the grounding of an RAF Tristar aeroplane in Akrotiri, which left more than 200 homebound British troops stranded for three days in Kandahar province.
The incident allegedly prompted “dozens” of subsequently returning troops to book EasyJet tickets from Cyprus back to the UK, so that they could spend their leave with friends and family.
One defence source confirmed 11 cases in which soldiers had booked commercial flights back to Scotland, because of anticipated disruption due to industrial action by French air traffic controllers.
While the threat of strikes has loomed large in recent weeks, a second defence source based in Cyprus confirmed it was problems with the “air bridge” – the route between Afghanistan, Cyprus and the UK - which prompted anxious troops to buy the “dozens of tickets.”
The source sought to reassure troops, saying this three day delay was “obviously a one off” and that the troops’ decision to book was not necessary, and that no returning soldiers would miss out on their rest and recuperation (‘R&R’)
UK ministry of defence spokesman Nick Manning confirmed this yesterday, saying “Acting upon the concerns of personnel who have experienced problems, the incoming Government has recently made significant changes to ensure they do not lose out on Rest and Recuperation as a result of disruptions to the air bridge.”
Manning said all troops affected by these disruptions would be granted additional post operational tour leave on a day-for-day bases.
Asked about the problems with the Tristar aeroplane, Manning said, “Tristar is a hard working aircraft, operating in tough environments which, unfortunately, can sometimes lead to unavoidable delays.”
Around 9,000 British troops are routed through Cyprus to Afghanistan every six months, with most returning troops remaining on the island for “decompression” at the end of each tour.
EasyJet said the ‘rescue fare’ would be available for a initial six week trial period and tickets would be offered subject to availability. The fare will be £43 sterling for a one way fare to any UK airport that easyJet flies to from Cyprus. Also tickets can only be purchased by troops transferring through Cyprus. The routes include: Paphos to London Gatwick, Luton, Bristol and Manchester, and from Larnaca to London Gatwick
EasyJet offers ‘rescue fares’ for stranded troops
By Patrick Dewhurst Published on August 18, 2010
LOW-COST carrier easyJet said yesterday it was launching a special ‘rescue fare’ via Cyprus for British troops who are being delayed in getting home to the UK from the front lines in Afghanistan.
Those travelling via Cyprus can go to one of the island’s two airports - Paphos and Larnaca - between six to two hours before an easyJet flight and purchase a ‘rescue rate’ ticket, the airline said.
Tickets will be priced at £43 sterling and will include a kitbag at no extra charge, it added.
Paul Simmons, UK General Manager said: “This is about getting our troops home as soon as possible if things go wrong with their intended travel plans. The special time with friends and family is vital to those serving in the forces and we’re happy that we can help in some small way.”
It emerged on Monday that faulty RAF passenger planes were prompting some British soldiers transiting through Cyprus on their way home from Afghanistan, to buy their own tickets home on commercial flights.
The Telegraph reported the grounding of an RAF Tristar aeroplane in Akrotiri, which left more than 200 homebound British troops stranded for three days in Kandahar province.
The incident allegedly prompted “dozens” of subsequently returning troops to book EasyJet tickets from Cyprus back to the UK, so that they could spend their leave with friends and family.
One defence source confirmed 11 cases in which soldiers had booked commercial flights back to Scotland, because of anticipated disruption due to industrial action by French air traffic controllers.
While the threat of strikes has loomed large in recent weeks, a second defence source based in Cyprus confirmed it was problems with the “air bridge” – the route between Afghanistan, Cyprus and the UK - which prompted anxious troops to buy the “dozens of tickets.”
The source sought to reassure troops, saying this three day delay was “obviously a one off” and that the troops’ decision to book was not necessary, and that no returning soldiers would miss out on their rest and recuperation (‘R&R’)
UK ministry of defence spokesman Nick Manning confirmed this yesterday, saying “Acting upon the concerns of personnel who have experienced problems, the incoming Government has recently made significant changes to ensure they do not lose out on Rest and Recuperation as a result of disruptions to the air bridge.”
Manning said all troops affected by these disruptions would be granted additional post operational tour leave on a day-for-day bases.
Asked about the problems with the Tristar aeroplane, Manning said, “Tristar is a hard working aircraft, operating in tough environments which, unfortunately, can sometimes lead to unavoidable delays.”
Around 9,000 British troops are routed through Cyprus to Afghanistan every six months, with most returning troops remaining on the island for “decompression” at the end of each tour.
EasyJet said the ‘rescue fare’ would be available for a initial six week trial period and tickets would be offered subject to availability. The fare will be £43 sterling for a one way fare to any UK airport that easyJet flies to from Cyprus. Also tickets can only be purchased by troops transferring through Cyprus. The routes include: Paphos to London Gatwick, Luton, Bristol and Manchester, and from Larnaca to London Gatwick
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A couple of days since I lasted posted and I will set the record straight on several items.
Movers (logistics officers) do have Stn Cdrs and the current Boss at AKT is one.
Brize can handle more than one aircraft at a time as advertised in there MOG and the main limiting factor isn't the number of movers but how many passengers can be handled by the terminal at any time, it was designed to handle one comet/VC 10 in and out with a max of 147 pax. It currently handles considerably more than that with very old infrastructure.
Movers are very much aware of the limitations this places on the ground crews and the knock on to servicing times and crew rest limitaions, we are also not willing to place the crews, GEs or pax in danger. Two legal documents for an aircraft are the load and trim and the flight servicing document. The first of these is signed for by a mover and the aircraft capt. (yes I know loadies can too!) the second signed by the GE/Techies and capt. We are part of the loop and aware of how much hard work goes into maintaining the frames and the crews.
It is a team effort to maintain the airbridge and we are all part of it. Something to be justifiably proud of considering how many 1000s of pax and tonnes of frieght that between us we move into and out of theatre with limited assets.
Next onto the stranded pax and Civ air option. The MOD deems it there responsibility to return all passengers to the UK and anyone seeking to travel at there own expense from any destination halfway down route will have to seek permission from someone fairly high up in PJHQ before they can do this. We will get them home and it is only a very small number of flights that are delayed. It is unfortunate that the few that are delayed, garner so much negative publicity.
As previously mentioned this isn't the place to air our dirty laundry and if you do experience a problem on a flight or at any of the airheads ensure that it is included in the Passenger Reporting Officers report. If you don't then it is never going to show any trends or create any change
Movers (logistics officers) do have Stn Cdrs and the current Boss at AKT is one.
Brize can handle more than one aircraft at a time as advertised in there MOG and the main limiting factor isn't the number of movers but how many passengers can be handled by the terminal at any time, it was designed to handle one comet/VC 10 in and out with a max of 147 pax. It currently handles considerably more than that with very old infrastructure.
Movers are very much aware of the limitations this places on the ground crews and the knock on to servicing times and crew rest limitaions, we are also not willing to place the crews, GEs or pax in danger. Two legal documents for an aircraft are the load and trim and the flight servicing document. The first of these is signed for by a mover and the aircraft capt. (yes I know loadies can too!) the second signed by the GE/Techies and capt. We are part of the loop and aware of how much hard work goes into maintaining the frames and the crews.
It is a team effort to maintain the airbridge and we are all part of it. Something to be justifiably proud of considering how many 1000s of pax and tonnes of frieght that between us we move into and out of theatre with limited assets.
Next onto the stranded pax and Civ air option. The MOD deems it there responsibility to return all passengers to the UK and anyone seeking to travel at there own expense from any destination halfway down route will have to seek permission from someone fairly high up in PJHQ before they can do this. We will get them home and it is only a very small number of flights that are delayed. It is unfortunate that the few that are delayed, garner so much negative publicity.
As previously mentioned this isn't the place to air our dirty laundry and if you do experience a problem on a flight or at any of the airheads ensure that it is included in the Passenger Reporting Officers report. If you don't then it is never going to show any trends or create any change
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Rusty Bullet Holes
Rusty,
Just to put the record straight, Logistics Officers are not 'Movers' per se. They are Logistics Officers with a Movements Q annotation (or so I'm told!!).
I have followed this thread and it dismays me that we all end up having a go at each other (again). Everyones works their hardest to ensure that every jet is prepared/loaded/unloaded/serviced on time and goes sausage side in a serviceable state in order to get everyone home/to Th on time.
Why, oh why must people continue to knock the system when everyone knows the true limitations of the airbridge.
On a lighter note, is it raining at home? Nark, nark.
LFOGOOTFW
Just to put the record straight, Logistics Officers are not 'Movers' per se. They are Logistics Officers with a Movements Q annotation (or so I'm told!!).
I have followed this thread and it dismays me that we all end up having a go at each other (again). Everyones works their hardest to ensure that every jet is prepared/loaded/unloaded/serviced on time and goes sausage side in a serviceable state in order to get everyone home/to Th on time.
Why, oh why must people continue to knock the system when everyone knows the true limitations of the airbridge.
On a lighter note, is it raining at home? Nark, nark.
LFOGOOTFW
