Are Virgin Flagging out?

[ShotOne]

Couldn't agree more, dallas dude. This trend to flags of convenience is bad news for flight crews of ALL nations. Look at what it has done for conditions of employment in the maritime world. The net result is that many seafarers are in effect stateless citizens as far as employment goes. Third world salaries for most crew members and if they want to sack you tomorrow morning, you're history. Got a problem with that? Just hire a Liberian or Bahamian legal team.

[blue-ice]

How come that american companies as well as US pilots are flying all over europe, but at the same time no europian pilots are allowed to fly in US. I say the same as has been said here before, yankee stay home, if you can not accept this on equal bases. You have been welcome in europe so far but where is your hospitality in return? I belive your time is running out. Look at Atlas and Polar.
Unfortunately, things do not go one way only.
It is a question of give and take, not only take !

-----------------------
ice

[partyreptile]

And now for something completely different;
Some informed commentary. I am very impressed by DALLAS DUDES grasp of history, although at times it does seem a bit myopic. As for THE GUV, why is it okay for the AACS shadow company pilots to operate in the EU/UK/JAA/JAR/ etc, while they hold U.S. licenses? Seems a little bit of a double standard, doesn't it?

"The pilot say there is a crack in the engine, but we take off anyway!"

[411A]

Those that are interested should take a look at AAI's present and past maintenance history, anyone remember their grounding by the UK CAA in '98?

[brokepilot]

WTHIDN
Are you a little bitter?
EU????? thats what you get.
In the US it's one country one coin!!!!

[CargoRat2]

TF-ABA a -200 is parked outside Cargolux' maintenance hangar in Virgin colours.

------------------
rgds Rat

[Paladini]

411A.....

CAA grounding of AAI in '98 had to do with bogus / questionably certificated parts as far as I remember. Caveat emptor! ANY AIRLINE CAN / has been bitten by this stray dog! Overall, their MX is pretty good considering to mix of folks they have on contract.

Was ramp checked at Manston several times post-'98' with NO discrepancies. They paid their dues!

[411A]

Paladini---
May be true..... but from the reports that I have received about the recent Haj operation in Nigeria, may well require a second look.

[Tarek Nor]

411A

Could it be that you have a bit of an axe to grind ?

T N

[411A]

Tarek Nor---
No axe to grind, just the facts. AAI maintenance has been on thin ice for a long time, according to rumours circulating lately. Maybe now (finally) they have their act together, but wouldn't bet the farm.

[ocelot]

VS did this to me last November(subbing air atlanta) who had their right to operate in the UK revoked for some time a couple of years ago.They might well be JAR Ops but they are not in the EC and as such should not be allowed to operate in the EC.Its like DHL using Ireland and Belgium for their AOCs ie two arms two legs ..have a validation..

[jokeair]

ocelot you have to brush upp on regulation in the EC and then try to say something. Iceland is not in the EU but like Norway it is in the EEC.

[blue-ice]

ocelot,

I would be more worried about non-europian companies operating in europe, than rather small operator as Air Atlanta Icelandic. ( Great airline though, in many ways I have to say ) If you look around enroute there are American companies all over the world now in all kind of colours. You name the airline in europe and you will find out that there are more Americans operating there than you care to know. The latest to surprise me, was parking next to Emerates B-747-400 in Hong Kong, just to find out it was Atlas operating for them.

Have you heard of Boooommeerraaang


regards,

ice

[Harvey SM]

VAA have leased the Air Atlanta aircraft simply because they do not have the aircraft to meet the demand. I don't think the pax would be too happy if VS were to canx services due lack of acft. Leasing other acft is common practice with many airlines. As far as I am aware they are JAA ops approved, and TF-ABA is a fine ship. Air Atlanta provides the flight deck (who gives a flying **** what nationality they are) and VS use their own cabin crew along with Air Atlanta using an IFS (I think??)
This operation is only temporary and upon further delivery of their new -400's, the lease with Air Atlanta should soon be phased out.

[NGJETMAN]

How many 400's are they getting, does anybody know ?

[pilotazo]

Flugpants, I agree totaly with you,

[Noddy Staltern]

VS have 6 new -400s arriving this year and one next. They were due to be replacing 4 P&W engined -200s. The -200s are still around though....

[Cyberbird]

Answer originally posted by WTHIDN:
"Very few of the Pilot's employed by Air Atlanta are EU citizens and are
mainly of U.S. origin. Totally unacceptable!"

------------------

Been There - Done that! Meaning:
That statement is definitively wrong!!
Right now - we're a bunch of mostly european pilots flying for EXCEL on ex
britannia aircrafts; Me- for example - being an ex Lufthans-Cpt. on Off-Shore
contract $$$$
very few of them are US (only on the Jumbo),
the most of 'em are from continental europe holding EU/JAR-licences under
icelandic endorsement;

If one of you want to do this job instead of us, feel free to apply! ...
meaning to leave Your lovely home & family behind You for half a year or so,
otherwise you are elligable for UK-taxes. And - of course - most of the
contracts are just summer contracts, with some chances of doing pilgrimage flights ex
MAN & LGW in winter;

Soooo - You don't like to do & live like that!?!? SO, DON'T COMPLAIN THEN
ABOUT US AND ENJOY YOUR BEER IN YOUR LOCAL PUB!!