Skytrans hiring again.
Hey, Maybegunnadoo (or whatever...),
Just because you disagree with me (and quite a few others) doesn't make me a sad sack of anything - my suggestion for you would be to attack the football and not the man.
Translation - stick to the issue and tell us why we are wrong on logic and fact rather than simply engage in childish name calling. Your attitude is what gives our profession a bad name.
Sounds to me like you would fit in well at skytrans, logging ICUS under the desk of AS or MS or SW...
However, great to hear that you know some people at skytrans. Good for you. I know some people at Qantas as well, but I don't purport to be an expert on their issues to the level that I'd slag off at any contributor to the numerous threads covering their issues.
As I've stated many times earlier, I know many good people at skytrans too, but am afraid they'll get hurt (figuratively or literally) by the Company approach. My credibility is that I actually worked there for a time. You, on the other hand, cannot claim that, methinks.
Once again, if you have some opinion based on something other than personal attacks at contributors, go ahead.
Oh, by the way, depression is a fairly serious matter, I have known many affected by it for real - so I take aversion to your infantile reference to the support groups out there for it.
Glad I've never flown with you - far too arrogant, and making snap decisions based on little knowledge...
Just because you disagree with me (and quite a few others) doesn't make me a sad sack of anything - my suggestion for you would be to attack the football and not the man.
Translation - stick to the issue and tell us why we are wrong on logic and fact rather than simply engage in childish name calling. Your attitude is what gives our profession a bad name.
Sounds to me like you would fit in well at skytrans, logging ICUS under the desk of AS or MS or SW...
However, great to hear that you know some people at skytrans. Good for you. I know some people at Qantas as well, but I don't purport to be an expert on their issues to the level that I'd slag off at any contributor to the numerous threads covering their issues.
As I've stated many times earlier, I know many good people at skytrans too, but am afraid they'll get hurt (figuratively or literally) by the Company approach. My credibility is that I actually worked there for a time. You, on the other hand, cannot claim that, methinks.
Once again, if you have some opinion based on something other than personal attacks at contributors, go ahead.
Oh, by the way, depression is a fairly serious matter, I have known many affected by it for real - so I take aversion to your infantile reference to the support groups out there for it.
Glad I've never flown with you - far too arrogant, and making snap decisions based on little knowledge...
Last edited by Flying Bear; 24th Aug 2012 at 08:12.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have we found the problem?
Again, well put Flying Bear. I was forced to respond by I Phone last night and did not to want to offend my guests by taking enough time to text all I wanted to say.(that is a generational thing)
I think we may have hit on why some operators are allowed to get away with what they do. In response to the ill-thought snipe regarding Beyond Blue I will say that I am not depressed but I do despair for the profession I once loved.
It is the individuals that are appearing in the industry now (and there were a few in the past) that appear as a god-send to operators who willingly revert to the lowest standard possible to retain their AOC. They are the ones who would sell their own grandmothers to pay for the opportunity to pay for an endorsement, accept less than they, by their position are due, turn a blind eye to regulatory indiscretions and back stab to their employers anyone that complains. Some operators love them. They will gladly fly overloaded and bust flight and duty times take a u/s aircraft just to gain an advantage over their so-called colleagues in the eyes of their employers.
I know this is nothing new but it appears to be happening more often now and as these individuals progress through their careers they drag the standard of the profession further and further into the mire. I won't say it is a generational thing because there were creeps of this ilk of my vintage and I have two sons that have been raised not to behave that way, but it does appear to be more prevalent.
As a society we have cultivated them, "it is not about winning", give them a medal just for competing. "It is not about them meeting a standard but how hard they tried" and other such dribble. As I said, operators love such individuals because they will not take a stand except to manoeuvre behind their colleagues and drag the standards down to the level they can meet. In doing so they make it twice as hard for others to stop the rot.
But rather than dwell on these stains on the profession of pilot and give them more time than they are worth, lets celebrate those that have drawn the line in the sand and stood fast behind it. Maybe time for a new thread along those lines. Who wants to start?
I think we may have hit on why some operators are allowed to get away with what they do. In response to the ill-thought snipe regarding Beyond Blue I will say that I am not depressed but I do despair for the profession I once loved.
It is the individuals that are appearing in the industry now (and there were a few in the past) that appear as a god-send to operators who willingly revert to the lowest standard possible to retain their AOC. They are the ones who would sell their own grandmothers to pay for the opportunity to pay for an endorsement, accept less than they, by their position are due, turn a blind eye to regulatory indiscretions and back stab to their employers anyone that complains. Some operators love them. They will gladly fly overloaded and bust flight and duty times take a u/s aircraft just to gain an advantage over their so-called colleagues in the eyes of their employers.
I know this is nothing new but it appears to be happening more often now and as these individuals progress through their careers they drag the standard of the profession further and further into the mire. I won't say it is a generational thing because there were creeps of this ilk of my vintage and I have two sons that have been raised not to behave that way, but it does appear to be more prevalent.
As a society we have cultivated them, "it is not about winning", give them a medal just for competing. "It is not about them meeting a standard but how hard they tried" and other such dribble. As I said, operators love such individuals because they will not take a stand except to manoeuvre behind their colleagues and drag the standards down to the level they can meet. In doing so they make it twice as hard for others to stop the rot.
But rather than dwell on these stains on the profession of pilot and give them more time than they are worth, lets celebrate those that have drawn the line in the sand and stood fast behind it. Maybe time for a new thread along those lines. Who wants to start?
Last edited by flying-spike; 25th Aug 2012 at 00:06.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
Age: 69
Posts: 2,976
Received 102 Likes
on
59 Posts
flying-spike; One of the most eloquent and sensible posts I have seen on a thread which started out well but seemingly as usual for many threads of this type, quickly degerated into a slag fest!
The third, fourth and fifth paragraphs should be noted carefully by everyone.
And include me standing behind that line.
The third, fourth and fifth paragraphs should be noted carefully by everyone.
And include me standing behind that line.
Last edited by Pinky the pilot; 25th Aug 2012 at 04:34.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lisbon
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maybedoapoo, from another Skytrans thread you posted in
Not sure if the SIM ride is that easy going these days. They hired a proper HOFO earlier this year and you actually have to show skill and ability to pass.
Excellent company to work for. Management try very hard to do the right thing. Sim in Melb on Ansett Dash 8/102. Get your scan VERY much up to speed and if given power/attitude settings stick to them religiously. Interview is all the usual and very friendly. Goodluck
Last edited by Cactusjack; 25th Aug 2012 at 12:27.
FS - right there with you, in concept - just don't want to expose the good guys to cheap shots from many contributors to this site...
You have well stated my thoughts on where the industry has gone - you sound like check and trainer who actually gives a toss about those you are responsible for / to, rather than a "box ticker" who panders to the bean counters / management (AS - you getting this?). Given it's a skytrans thread, based on my experience there, you wouldn't have lasted long.
Wonder if they've had a paradigm shift - let's see... Cactusjack - the MOFO to whom you allude, who seems interested in standards and not just the pretence of them in favour of the bottom line, has he lasted more than 6-9 months??
You have well stated my thoughts on where the industry has gone - you sound like check and trainer who actually gives a toss about those you are responsible for / to, rather than a "box ticker" who panders to the bean counters / management (AS - you getting this?). Given it's a skytrans thread, based on my experience there, you wouldn't have lasted long.
Wonder if they've had a paradigm shift - let's see... Cactusjack - the MOFO to whom you allude, who seems interested in standards and not just the pretence of them in favour of the bottom line, has he lasted more than 6-9 months??
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lisbon
Posts: 995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wonder if they've had a paradigm shift - let's see... Cactusjack - the MOFO to whom you allude, who seems interested in standards and not just the pretence of them in favour of the bottom line, has he lasted more than 6-9 months??
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: YBBN
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks as though HOFO may again be in transition, tarmac whisper around BNE GA have Wilds moving all APNG senior managers into Skytrans. Accountants and lawyers already in place and COO on the way. APNG failed under this team competing against a government airline in a third world country. Talair, Flightwest scenario again?
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bali
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks like a nice sweet fruit actually. Why are their SkyTrans haters here? I think you should move our life on. The people in the remote communities have it much better with a Dash than a bloody Metro, The are doing a much better job for the customer than the dead McAir. 
I think you may need professional help if you are so twisted over a bad experience with a single employer. Move on Sunny Jim, help is available, my condolences that you are now back in GA.
I think you may need professional help if you are so twisted over a bad experience with a single employer. Move on Sunny Jim, help is available, my condolences that you are now back in GA.
Diddly - normally I wouldn't pick up on poor grammar or spelling, but a cursory reading of your post makes you an easy target and compromises your credibility.
You haven't even correctly written the company name, so I'll take it that you don't have any significant relationship with them. Thanks for the wind up, though.
Given that there are quite a few critics of that company here, perhaps you might acknowledge that are possibly some issues. You do make a valid point, though, which I'll concede - Skytrans provide a better service to regional Queensland than ever there was before, but I can tell you that the Skytrans service is supported like never before by the State Government. This makes it easier for Wild's mob to succeed than their predecessors. However, as far as the public is concerned, a Dash is better than a Metro and at least the service has been continuous without the company going broke. Provided that the OTP is reasonable, the product is quite okay. I especially thought that the inflight catering was top notch.
The "front of house" staff working for Skytrans is actually the best thing that they've got - mostly good people doing their level best for the clients / passengers.
If you re-read the earlier posts you'll find that the criticism of this company is leveled at internal issues - staff management philosophies, flight standards and regulatory compliance concerns. If the HOFO post is a revolving door, that ought to indicate something...
Heaven forbid the solution is to translate APNG into FNQ.
You haven't even correctly written the company name, so I'll take it that you don't have any significant relationship with them. Thanks for the wind up, though.
Given that there are quite a few critics of that company here, perhaps you might acknowledge that are possibly some issues. You do make a valid point, though, which I'll concede - Skytrans provide a better service to regional Queensland than ever there was before, but I can tell you that the Skytrans service is supported like never before by the State Government. This makes it easier for Wild's mob to succeed than their predecessors. However, as far as the public is concerned, a Dash is better than a Metro and at least the service has been continuous without the company going broke. Provided that the OTP is reasonable, the product is quite okay. I especially thought that the inflight catering was top notch.
The "front of house" staff working for Skytrans is actually the best thing that they've got - mostly good people doing their level best for the clients / passengers.
If you re-read the earlier posts you'll find that the criticism of this company is leveled at internal issues - staff management philosophies, flight standards and regulatory compliance concerns. If the HOFO post is a revolving door, that ought to indicate something...
Heaven forbid the solution is to translate APNG into FNQ.
Last edited by Flying Bear; 30th Aug 2012 at 05:32.
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Olympic Dam
Age: 60
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Glitter coated turd
Justa Dash
Correct. The past 20 months has seen consecutive HOFO's and safety people coming and going like a revolving door. This is never a good sign and indicates troubles below the surface. 2 years of shennanigans and CASA hammerring is taking it's toll. They call themselves HICAP but are still living the GA dream.
They are moving senior APNG people into Skytrans because the Wilds are desperate to sell Skytrans off, likely to TOLL, or float the company APNG style. Don't forget Simon loves his money above all else and he can see the window of opportunity to sell is closing fast, he is scared of having what happenned in PNG happen here. 60% of their work and revenue is Rio Tinto, with Rio now scaling back the revenue stream is shrinking. 20% of the revenue stream is the DTMR contract, and with 'Can Do Campbell' taking the slashing blade to everything, including the RPT subsidies this revenue stream is also eroding fast.
Never mind, combine that with a fleet of third world purchased 30 year old Dash 8's which even the pilots are scared of and you see a potential investment in, well, crap!
The CFO was recently shifted sideways to make room for the CFO from APNG (loyalty is not one of SW or the CEO's strong points), and this is seen as part of the float/sell off plan.
The current COO, the laughing stock of FNQ is likely to also be shifted shortly to make way for a new one which they are secretly scouting for (maybe Toomey will apply).The CEO, or the 'Book Keeper', aka out of the Untouchables, will reign until the float/sell off, which is scary indeed. Perhaps SW should have listened to his wife and not promoted the CEO up from CFO in the first place as he isn't doing a good strategic job.
Flying Bear
A great concern indeed. After the APNG crash some senior fighting took place in CASA as some wanted APNG banned from flying in to AUS and some were more concerned about potential political fallout. Either way, when you have the same menatlity running both airlines the same way it makes you wonder doesn't it? APNG's claim to fame is crashing Twin Otters and Dash 8's. That might work in PNG but it won't work in Australia. But the Wild's don't care, it's all about money and prestige, life means very little and is merely an unnecessary evil that gets in the way of making money.
Either way, SW will continue to strut around in his silk shirts like a prized rooster, a smokescreen for what is underneath while his senior footstools continue to obey his each command.
I feel for the good frontline people getting rogered by this mob.
Buyer beware.......................................
Looks as though HOFO may again be in transition, tarmac whisper around BNE GA have Wilds moving all APNG senior managers into Skytrans. Accountants and lawyers already in place and COO on the way. APNG failed under this team competing against a government airline in a third world country. Talair, Flightwest scenario again?
They are moving senior APNG people into Skytrans because the Wilds are desperate to sell Skytrans off, likely to TOLL, or float the company APNG style. Don't forget Simon loves his money above all else and he can see the window of opportunity to sell is closing fast, he is scared of having what happenned in PNG happen here. 60% of their work and revenue is Rio Tinto, with Rio now scaling back the revenue stream is shrinking. 20% of the revenue stream is the DTMR contract, and with 'Can Do Campbell' taking the slashing blade to everything, including the RPT subsidies this revenue stream is also eroding fast.
Never mind, combine that with a fleet of third world purchased 30 year old Dash 8's which even the pilots are scared of and you see a potential investment in, well, crap!
The CFO was recently shifted sideways to make room for the CFO from APNG (loyalty is not one of SW or the CEO's strong points), and this is seen as part of the float/sell off plan.
The current COO, the laughing stock of FNQ is likely to also be shifted shortly to make way for a new one which they are secretly scouting for (maybe Toomey will apply).The CEO, or the 'Book Keeper', aka out of the Untouchables, will reign until the float/sell off, which is scary indeed. Perhaps SW should have listened to his wife and not promoted the CEO up from CFO in the first place as he isn't doing a good strategic job.
Flying Bear
Heaven forbid the solution is to translate APNG into FNQ.
Either way, SW will continue to strut around in his silk shirts like a prized rooster, a smokescreen for what is underneath while his senior footstools continue to obey his each command.
I feel for the good frontline people getting rogered by this mob.
Buyer beware.......................................
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I heard that
Well I heard a rumour that Skytrans actually ceased to exist a couple of years ago, and all that’s left now is a weird kind of space time shadow of days gone by.
I also heard the 6 aircraft in Brisbane aren’t operated by 70 odd staff who enjoy going to work and cracking jokes in the crew room. I also heard they don’t have husbands/wives and kids and mortgages and have worked at a thousand different jobs with a thousand different people in and out of aviation. And that the other 8 aircraft dotted around the country aren’t operated by hundreds of other similar folk, who realise that older aircraft can pose a challenge at times, though they do their utmost to provide a safe environment for their passengers and crew. I also heard that there isn’t any ongoing recruitment to replace those that decide to use the skills acquired to take them to just about every corner of the world or that some choose to stay with the company having found a nice balance in life. I also heard that never in aviation has every employee been completely satisfied and that some have stepped aside, been coerced into stepping aside or been simply pushed out of the way, and that there are many and varied reasons for each.
And finally I heard that never on Prune has anyone ever had an agenda.
I also heard the 6 aircraft in Brisbane aren’t operated by 70 odd staff who enjoy going to work and cracking jokes in the crew room. I also heard they don’t have husbands/wives and kids and mortgages and have worked at a thousand different jobs with a thousand different people in and out of aviation. And that the other 8 aircraft dotted around the country aren’t operated by hundreds of other similar folk, who realise that older aircraft can pose a challenge at times, though they do their utmost to provide a safe environment for their passengers and crew. I also heard that there isn’t any ongoing recruitment to replace those that decide to use the skills acquired to take them to just about every corner of the world or that some choose to stay with the company having found a nice balance in life. I also heard that never in aviation has every employee been completely satisfied and that some have stepped aside, been coerced into stepping aside or been simply pushed out of the way, and that there are many and varied reasons for each.
And finally I heard that never on Prune has anyone ever had an agenda.
Last edited by the distant future; 4th Sep 2012 at 21:58.
SW had it delivered to him on a plate. JW senior was the brains behind the whole aviation enterprise idea because JW junior had an idea that he might like to fly aeroplanes. Junior was more interested as a hobby, but senior decided there should be a return on his investment so hence MBA was born with a dubiously viable enterprise operating a Buccaneer which was later sunk. Expansion then included a Grumman Goose, a Grand Commander and an Excaliber Queenair- the first aircraft to make them money. SW was sorting through your tax files at this point but drafted in. VW was married to head of PNG ops for CH which had the rotary contract for Chevron. Sadly JW junior passed away. The rest is history. Resource contracts followed. Talair folded and the ex tax-man became king. JW senior has gifted a lot to his family. He is a noble man.
And finally I heard that never on Prune has anyone ever had an agenda
But it wouldn't be pprune without people sledging operators in one thread, then asking why no one will respond to their thread about good operators/experiences in another...
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SE Asia
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maisk Rotum; SW also saved the company's bacon after others had embarked on expansions into Dash 8-200s into Indon and Do 228 fleets. If not for SW's skills the company would have fallen over in the 1990s. Talk to those involved at the time and they will tell you that SW's skills when he came back in charge saved the day. Credit where credit is due.
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maskim and distant future you are right of course. Good accurate telling of history and sage advice.
I hope tho' that SW can repeat the deeds of past. Remember the group of companies lost an aircraft in Madang and times have changed. The industry are viewing the group with scepticism, questions such as,"what if that had been on my charter?" I am sure have been floated around many board rooms.
I personally hope that it can be improved and move forward. The W's are a good family. The old man has Parkinsons disease and looks very frail, he is a hell of a nice generous man.
The plantation model is failing. The managers that SW employs are lacking in direction, SW knows it, just he has to find a solution.
Let's hope that a sensible outcome can be found, even I feel if it means a scaling down of operations to some degree.
CHE
I hope tho' that SW can repeat the deeds of past. Remember the group of companies lost an aircraft in Madang and times have changed. The industry are viewing the group with scepticism, questions such as,"what if that had been on my charter?" I am sure have been floated around many board rooms.
I personally hope that it can be improved and move forward. The W's are a good family. The old man has Parkinsons disease and looks very frail, he is a hell of a nice generous man.
The plantation model is failing. The managers that SW employs are lacking in direction, SW knows it, just he has to find a solution.
Let's hope that a sensible outcome can be found, even I feel if it means a scaling down of operations to some degree.
CHE