ANSETT....what made it a GREAT airline?
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
Thread Starter
I liked the one about "Blackjack", taxi-ing out in MEL with the window of the Diesel 9 open, left elbow protruding, and the ADF tuned to the races - during a check (with Duff Gen, I think.)
Then there was the story of Karl Muskie, who had responded to that Pommie clerk - his name escapes me at the moment - that he had also fought in the WW2 over England....in Messerschmitts!!!
I think poor old Captain Zero was diagnosed with a degenerative disease, wasn't he?
Dusty Lane, and his pal, Mal, were a couple of other names which if mentioned, usually drew tales of yore from the generation ahead of mine (I think I managed to get both of their names in my log book as a young whipper snapper.)
Does anyone from BNE know what became of Ron Herbert? His story of leaving Oz against his doctor's advice (as a matter of fact, he told me that his doctor told him that if he did go to Lourdes, the only way he'd return would be in a pine box) was nothing short of a miracle, coming back home completely clear,
Anyone game to mention Trish, and her little black book??
(A4G, to date you've made only 3 posts - ALL of which are about "that year". The title of Brad Norrington's book, Sky Pirates, in fact, refers to Hawke Murdoch, Abeles, Strong & Co.
That's one helluva chip you're carrying around
)
Then there was the story of Karl Muskie, who had responded to that Pommie clerk - his name escapes me at the moment - that he had also fought in the WW2 over England....in Messerschmitts!!!
I think poor old Captain Zero was diagnosed with a degenerative disease, wasn't he?
Dusty Lane, and his pal, Mal, were a couple of other names which if mentioned, usually drew tales of yore from the generation ahead of mine (I think I managed to get both of their names in my log book as a young whipper snapper.)
Does anyone from BNE know what became of Ron Herbert? His story of leaving Oz against his doctor's advice (as a matter of fact, he told me that his doctor told him that if he did go to Lourdes, the only way he'd return would be in a pine box) was nothing short of a miracle, coming back home completely clear,
Anyone game to mention Trish, and her little black book??
(A4G, to date you've made only 3 posts - ALL of which are about "that year". The title of Brad Norrington's book, Sky Pirates, in fact, refers to Hawke Murdoch, Abeles, Strong & Co.
That's one helluva chip you're carrying around
)
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Ahhh Trish, Kap... I do remember her. (I was the one bloke in the airline who wasn't in her ****book!!!) After she left, she wrote to one of the long time FAs and told her she had got a job in a warehourse. Straight-faced, the FA said "And she can't even spell it right!"
This is more like it, these sorts of stories do the once great airline and the people that made it better justice than the usual brawl.
Oz2
Oz2
short flights long nights
Simple for me. At the age of 6 I was standing at Perth Airport and saw a Ansett-ANA 727 arrive. From that day on, I wanted to be an Ansett Pilot. I did achive that dream, and gave the company 150%. I really mean it, I wanted to be part of the Ansett family, and give all I had. I loved that airline, and its family.I would have done anything for it. And did, like loadind bags onto a SYD bound 727 one afternoon ex Darwin, because we have a staff shortage!!! I loved helping out!!!
But then 1989 and the end.
Well I love my new airline, but I miss Ansett
SOPS
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So, should we start with the story of Maurie cleaning the windscreen of the F27 in Alice Springs back in 72, or there abouts
Oh I'm sure it was a hell of a tale but you know we are more interested in nintendo these days than grandpa's old re-hashed tales of glory. "The older I get the better I wuzzzz".....
"Hey kiddies d'ya want Unca Amus to tell yuz a story about the old daze???"
"Puh-leeeeeez don't, we'll be good!"
"Okay kiddies, now.... hey SHUT UP AND LISTEN.... now, where wuz I ... oh yer... well there I wuz, back when men were men and......ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......snort.......fart.....z zzzzzz..."
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A4G,
Sorry if I identified you incorrectly. It's just that your posts all referred to that particular year and I may have made an inaccurate assumption.
Wiley & Kap,
The names that you mention bring back memories. Like you, Wiley, I was not included in Trish's black book - I spent a long time on freighters!
The WW II pilot who trained me on DC 9s mentioned one of our leaders' names when he advised me: " Don't let anyone tell you that this a/c is gutlesss on one engine. It's got enough power to taxy over a wheel chock - ask Dusty!" Apparently, he got up the F/O for not calling a thrust above 50% N1.
Sorry if I identified you incorrectly. It's just that your posts all referred to that particular year and I may have made an inaccurate assumption.
Wiley & Kap,
The names that you mention bring back memories. Like you, Wiley, I was not included in Trish's black book - I spent a long time on freighters!
The WW II pilot who trained me on DC 9s mentioned one of our leaders' names when he advised me: " Don't let anyone tell you that this a/c is gutlesss on one engine. It's got enough power to taxy over a wheel chock - ask Dusty!" Apparently, he got up the F/O for not calling a thrust above 50% N1.
Grandpa Aerotart
Airhag some of us like good ol' yarns. They're funny and remind us of those days before the C**ts Against Sensible Aviation outlawed fun...
So why don't you **** off!!
So why don't you **** off!!
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
Thread Starter
Some of us are entitled to our "Senior moments", air-slag 
I'd be interested in that one, Amos - haven't heard it.....one of the better ones from not long before "The War", was of a certain Rat with the Gold Teeth (TRWTGT), deploying the slide on a 767 during a turnaround in SYD,,,"I've got hidden microphones and cameras, and handwriting experts investigating this defacing of the bulletins I've issued"...little did he know it was one of those who returned with him to The New Order (following his stint on the B707 in Honkers)
Gordon Hailes...was the name of the Pommie I was trying to think of earlier - ex-RAF chappie, you know..pip pip.
I'd be interested in that one, Amos - haven't heard it.....one of the better ones from not long before "The War", was of a certain Rat with the Gold Teeth (TRWTGT), deploying the slide on a 767 during a turnaround in SYD,,,"I've got hidden microphones and cameras, and handwriting experts investigating this defacing of the bulletins I've issued"...little did he know it was one of those who returned with him to The New Order (following his stint on the B707 in Honkers)
Gordon Hailes...was the name of the Pommie I was trying to think of earlier - ex-RAF chappie, you know..pip pip.
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Ahh Gordon Littlehailes (Kap) I remember well the day as intake F/O's (he really put the fear of the almighty into F/O's particularly junior ones) one of our BNE intake F/O's had to go to him and "beg" for a green ticket or some such. Not being familiar with the proceedure he enquired as to the correct course:
The advice "go see Mr Sleet" he will fix it.
And instant severe CB occurred in the small office when Gordon was addressed as Mr Sleet .
All the rest of his intake mates peering out of the crewroom laughing so much our ribs ached.
The advice "go see Mr Sleet" he will fix it.
And instant severe CB occurred in the small office when Gordon was addressed as Mr Sleet .
All the rest of his intake mates peering out of the crewroom laughing so much our ribs ached.
Last edited by FarQ2; 14th Sep 2004 at 08:51.
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Kap - a reply, despite my expectations of this being hi-jacked, once again, by those unable to do other then verbally abuse anyone in disagreememt with them. This is addressed to you; amos/RTA and that w@nker Obie I intend to ignore from now on.
I was not employed on a "base + penalties" basis, and had no annnual increments, nor shift-loadings, nor public holidays, nor overtime. When I worked a week-end, it was exactly as any other day. If a public holiday landed on my working day, no benefit to me, if it was on my day off, then I accrued a day in lieu. If it was necessary for me to work overtime, I did it, not too often, fortunately. I had no shift loadings, although the HR department latterly tried to "deconstruct" my salary in order to reduce leave-loading entitlement. As a shift-worker, I was entitled to 5 weeks annual leave, like all the others, what was your annual leave entitlement?
My salary increases, when they were available, were negotiated by the ATOF(Airlines Division), which became the ASU(Airlines Division), not a particularly militant organisation, either of them.
Any more questions?
Kind regards,
TheNightOwl.
I was not employed on a "base + penalties" basis, and had no annnual increments, nor shift-loadings, nor public holidays, nor overtime. When I worked a week-end, it was exactly as any other day. If a public holiday landed on my working day, no benefit to me, if it was on my day off, then I accrued a day in lieu. If it was necessary for me to work overtime, I did it, not too often, fortunately. I had no shift loadings, although the HR department latterly tried to "deconstruct" my salary in order to reduce leave-loading entitlement. As a shift-worker, I was entitled to 5 weeks annual leave, like all the others, what was your annual leave entitlement?
My salary increases, when they were available, were negotiated by the ATOF(Airlines Division), which became the ASU(Airlines Division), not a particularly militant organisation, either of them.
Any more questions?
Kind regards,
TheNightOwl.
WHy would I like to see Qantas disembowelled? Simple! Qantas is Sydney-centric and does not give other Australian cities a fair go in terms of direct international flights.
The result is that Sydney has had a disproportionate share of Australian inbound tourism ever since the 70's .
If Qantaas was gone, then it would be possible for niche players to provide more direct flights to other capital cities.
To put it another way, I'm sick of travelling into Sydney and staying on the ground for three hours while the aircraft is cleaned and maintained. Before I can get to where I'm going.
It is a conspiracy and I was present at a meeting when the conspiracy was exposed.
Qantas can go **** themselves.
The result is that Sydney has had a disproportionate share of Australian inbound tourism ever since the 70's .
If Qantaas was gone, then it would be possible for niche players to provide more direct flights to other capital cities.
To put it another way, I'm sick of travelling into Sydney and staying on the ground for three hours while the aircraft is cleaned and maintained. Before I can get to where I'm going.
It is a conspiracy and I was present at a meeting when the conspiracy was exposed.
Qantas can go **** themselves.
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
Thread Starter
Yes TNO, the blood still pumps strongly on both sides of the pilot group, in many, when mention of "that year" is made.
Obviously with you too, as it seems to solicit a response from you, albeit from a slightly different perspective.
Vive la difference!
In the entire history of Ansett it was undoubtedly the second biggest "shake-up" for the Company, following the coup by the Murdoch/Abeles partnership that sabotaged Sir Reg's plans to "appoint" an heir apparent (Sir Charles Court from W.A., wasn't it?).
It broke poor old Reggie's heart, to see those two vultures wrest control from him.
So YOU were indeed fortunate, TNO, to be allowed what was formerly the accepted norm - to have your union negotiate on your behalf:
....Abeles, Murdoch & Hawke, decided in "that year", that THAT was not to be the norm, starting with us.
Have you noticed how widespread "individual contracts" have since become?
(Does the "Who will be next" A4 mean ANYTHING AT ALL to you yet?).
Annual leave was 6 weeks for us - we are also shift workers, providing a service 24-7-365 (unlike the Philippines, where the entire airline shuts down on XMAS Day ).
That 6 weeks is comprised of the usual 4 weeks, + 1 day for each Public Holiday....total of 42 days.
However, most workers in Oz fare FAR, FAR better off - as am I, now.
Because, although I receive only 30 days A/L per year, I can take these 30 days in splits, and combine them with my monthly "Off" days.
In the Ansett of old, you didn't receive an extra credit for the "Off" days, in the month in which the "Vacation" days were taken, eg, if I were to take the entire month of September as "Vacation", then I lost 30 days - EVERY other worker has his standard "Off" days deducted from his "Vacation" days, which means he loses only 20-22 days.
My guess is YOU fell into that latter category, TNO?
And back to FQ2 - yes, "Sleet", that was his nickname - I'm certain that TNO must have known him (being from the same tiny island!! )
Obviously with you too, as it seems to solicit a response from you, albeit from a slightly different perspective.
Vive la difference!
In the entire history of Ansett it was undoubtedly the second biggest "shake-up" for the Company, following the coup by the Murdoch/Abeles partnership that sabotaged Sir Reg's plans to "appoint" an heir apparent (Sir Charles Court from W.A., wasn't it?).
It broke poor old Reggie's heart, to see those two vultures wrest control from him.
So YOU were indeed fortunate, TNO, to be allowed what was formerly the accepted norm - to have your union negotiate on your behalf:
My salary increases were negotiated by the ATOF(Airlines Division), which became the ASU(Airlines Division),
Have you noticed how widespread "individual contracts" have since become?
(Does the "Who will be next" A4 mean ANYTHING AT ALL to you yet?).
Annual leave was 6 weeks for us - we are also shift workers, providing a service 24-7-365 (unlike the Philippines, where the entire airline shuts down on XMAS Day
).That 6 weeks is comprised of the usual 4 weeks, + 1 day for each Public Holiday....total of 42 days.
However, most workers in Oz fare FAR, FAR better off - as am I, now.
Because, although I receive only 30 days A/L per year, I can take these 30 days in splits, and combine them with my monthly "Off" days.
In the Ansett of old, you didn't receive an extra credit for the "Off" days, in the month in which the "Vacation" days were taken, eg, if I were to take the entire month of September as "Vacation", then I lost 30 days - EVERY other worker has his standard "Off" days deducted from his "Vacation" days, which means he loses only 20-22 days.
My guess is YOU fell into that latter category, TNO?
And back to FQ2 - yes, "Sleet", that was his nickname - I'm certain that TNO must have known him (being from the same tiny island!!
)
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Night Owl,
May I enquire how I have upset you? I have not addressed you at all in any of my posts except to support the right that you have to express a difference of opinion. For me to now be shut out by you I find odd.
Is it my stance re 1989 that "divorces" me from your retorts and discussion? I certainly hope not, as we established that difference of opinion, and respected each others difference, in PM's.
Sorry to have to ask it, but I honestly did not see what I have posted to be lumped into the ignore basket. As I say so often, and Kap imitated above, Vive la Difference!
To each his own I guess.
May I enquire how I have upset you? I have not addressed you at all in any of my posts except to support the right that you have to express a difference of opinion. For me to now be shut out by you I find odd.
Is it my stance re 1989 that "divorces" me from your retorts and discussion? I certainly hope not, as we established that difference of opinion, and respected each others difference, in PM's.
Sorry to have to ask it, but I honestly did not see what I have posted to be lumped into the ignore basket. As I say so often, and Kap imitated above, Vive la Difference!
To each his own I guess.
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
Thread Starter
And so it's "fun" to remember some of the "characters" of Ansett, but I guess we really took for granted the men who MADE Ansett THE great Company that it was.
From this pilot's point of view, there are a few names that have stood the test of time as being MEN of Integrity, diligence, knowledge, and honesty, who helped MAKE Ansett.
In no particular order - except of course for RMA - I'd like to suggest that these men made Ansett the success it was (with a Brissie bias, of course!!), and who maintained a solid standard:
Sir Reginald Miles ANSETT
Captain Henri W. Theunissen
Captain John Withecomb
Frank Pascoe
Captain John Raby
Captain Ron Brennan
Captain Max Read
Captain Chris Denaro
Captain Rod Harmer
Captain Peter Stone
There were heaps of others with whom I had a "casual acquaintancy"... Capts Jack Hailey, Phil Coney, Terry Breen, Brian Gessell, Brian Thomas, Grahame Thomas, Mark Kentwell.......to name but a few who attempted to set my misguided notions straight (to little or NO avail!!).
Thank you, Gentlemen.
You are ALWAYS in our thoughts - "for better - or for worse!!" Cheers!!
[Edit: You're quite correct, Amos, it's an insult to the other very fine gentlemen named here, to associate them with those 2.
My apologies.]
From this pilot's point of view, there are a few names that have stood the test of time as being MEN of Integrity, diligence, knowledge, and honesty, who helped MAKE Ansett.
In no particular order - except of course for RMA - I'd like to suggest that these men made Ansett the success it was (with a Brissie bias, of course!!), and who maintained a solid standard:
Sir Reginald Miles ANSETT
Captain Henri W. Theunissen
Captain John Withecomb
Frank Pascoe
Captain John Raby
Captain Ron Brennan
Captain Max Read
Captain Chris Denaro
Captain Rod Harmer
Captain Peter Stone
There were heaps of others with whom I had a "casual acquaintancy"... Capts Jack Hailey, Phil Coney, Terry Breen, Brian Gessell, Brian Thomas, Grahame Thomas, Mark Kentwell.......to name but a few who attempted to set my misguided notions straight (to little or NO avail!!).
Thank you, Gentlemen.
You are ALWAYS in our thoughts - "for better - or for worse!!" Cheers!!
[Edit: You're quite correct, Amos, it's an insult to the other very fine gentlemen named here, to associate them with those 2.
My apologies.]
Last edited by Kaptin M; 15th Sep 2004 at 11:46.
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KaptainM
A question was asked re Captain Zero.
I wanted to be sure of my reply post.
I contacted , "Blackjack "today and he confirmed that my thoughts were correct
VALE. Captain Zero, Capt. M. K.,
He passed away between 4 to 5 years ago,.
A guy in his own right, that had the ability to reduce the guys to tears, he was a comical, friendly guy.
Never flew with him though, Same, types, different times, but plenty of contact at the AFAP.
I wonder if he pressed the "0 " button,to get back to the clouds.
Cheers
robroy
I wanted to be sure of my reply post.
I contacted , "Blackjack "today and he confirmed that my thoughts were correct
VALE. Captain Zero, Capt. M. K.,
He passed away between 4 to 5 years ago,.
A guy in his own right, that had the ability to reduce the guys to tears, he was a comical, friendly guy.
Never flew with him though, Same, types, different times, but plenty of contact at the AFAP.
I wonder if he pressed the "0 " button,to get back to the clouds.
Cheers
robroy
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My heroes of Ansett (BNE bias as well!)
Dave Francis
Justin Angus
Brian Kearney (look what he's done in Virgin)
Tony Fitzsimons (always good for a laugh and piano recital)
John Whiteman
Dick Sara (RIP)
Rex Brusch
Scruffy Makin
Peter Gibbes
Col Griffin
Percy Trescize
Dick Holt
ALL the Bushies and Air Q pilots!
And all the FE's!
And of course, RMA...
Dave Francis
Justin Angus
Brian Kearney (look what he's done in Virgin)
Tony Fitzsimons (always good for a laugh and piano recital)
John Whiteman
Dick Sara (RIP)
Rex Brusch
Scruffy Makin
Peter Gibbes
Col Griffin
Percy Trescize
Dick Holt
ALL the Bushies and Air Q pilots!
And all the FE's!
And of course, RMA...
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Well, Shag, because you asked ...I would suggest that M might reconsider Pat Feeney's name in his little diatribe!
Feeney being a Super Scab, and all that!
And to you I would say...watch your step or else I'll mention Gooney Birds and Wright Cyclones, and that will get right up your nose!!
And Hey!...RTA, don't get too concerned with that Donkey the Owl, he's been having you and M on for too long now with his pathetic little PMs to both of you. He hates your guts, and my guts, and he knows that I know that, and he knows that you don't know that, yet!
So, wise up guys...he's a pathetic scab loving loser!
Ignore him and hopefully he'll go away!
Kind Regards,
amos2
Feeney being a Super Scab, and all that!
And to you I would say...watch your step or else I'll mention Gooney Birds and Wright Cyclones, and that will get right up your nose!!
And Hey!...RTA, don't get too concerned with that Donkey the Owl, he's been having you and M on for too long now with his pathetic little PMs to both of you. He hates your guts, and my guts, and he knows that I know that, and he knows that you don't know that, yet!
So, wise up guys...he's a pathetic scab loving loser!
Ignore him and hopefully he'll go away!
Kind Regards,
amos2