Royal Brunei
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Thin Albert,
While I do not disagree with your comments on the fleet office, they cannot be blamed alone.
The now departed CEO, whose inept slash and burn management style started RBAs downward slide 3-4 years ago.
Cutting all pilots, cabin crew, and engineers salaries to the bone, changing the slip patterns to minimum rest days down route, and leaving only 8 days off a month in Bwn, (never more), has lead to the fatigue so common on the Boeing fleet.
Yet this clueless manager has left, as is his policy, with his pocket full of cash, for someone else to sort out the mess, he is no longer responsible, so it will be the new CEO, DFO, chief pilot, fleet office that will have to carry the can when something happens, yes when, not if, as even some trainers have said, very low experience levels, heavy rosters, short slip patterns, and only 8 days off in Bwn a month resulting in fatigue on the Boeing fleet, and an ageing fleet with numerous defects.
Also by cutting pay, allowances and annual increments, unlike in the past, has made RBA a very temporary job prospect, with no-one ever contemplating staying long term any more, get the minimum experience required to move on. Although staff were very unhappy at RBA, there were little options available to move to in the past few years, but prospects are better now, and assuming options will remain, an exodus is about to start. The supplementary allowance increase just given is way too little, too late, in fact it would not even cover the increments and allowances cut over recent years.
Then you have the DFO, who should be the last line of defense to flight operations against dangerous and inept management. Unlike his predecessor, who many say, was there to line his own pockets, apparently he did have the spine to stand up against rogue management. Now you have castor, who is too spineless to stand up to anyone, and as his name suggests will meekly get pushed wherever by whoever. He never did fly much long haul before did he? now he doesn’t fly at all, he just wanders around the office waiting for some new policy to be pushed through by management unhindered.
The deputy DFO has jumped on the band wagon, recently publishing an order saying, when standbys are rostered before days off, you cannot refuse to fly, thus the meager 8 days off a month in Bwn, becomes 4 to make any sort of plans. These 4 are when you get back from Fra-Bkk then position Bwn and are too exhausted to do anything.
Perhaps if they stopped rostering standbys before days off, or in the middle of days off, there would not be a problem. Why not only roster standbys before a long haul so they could call you to operate an earlier long haul, (as that’s all the Boeing does)
You have the fleet office writing there own rosters, and intimidation through contract renewal threats, as mentioned.
Then there’s the training dept writing there own rosters, the only good training flight are 4 day Syd’s (2 sectors), 2 day Bne’s, not the 6 day Lhr’s (4 sectors), or 5-6 day Fra’s (4 sectors), is it any wonder the line pilots only do Fra and Lhr, with minimum days off in Bwn and down route and are so fatigued, thus it takes 6 months to train pilots to line.
We have certain trainers gloating about their pay, being on top capts increments, and just received a $2600 a month pay rise, saying they only fly 4 days Syd’s. This when pay increments have been stopped for all new capts for the last few years, not surprising line pilots are operating continually fatigued.
Do they realize AT LEAST a third of the Boeing fleet has applications with other airlines, both local and foreigners, and many more about to reach there 3000 hours command, ready to apply. One local capt and fo have already left, another local trainer rumored to be leaving.
They are so short of staff a few new pilots, whose behavior has been irresponsible, are kept on, unbelievable as they will have no option but to promote them at some stage as there will be no-one else with the required experience available.
They have advertised for UK license holders only to apply, yet the package, rosters, slip patterns, housing (allowance cut, you have to pay out of your own pocket if you want somewhere reasonable) are such that you would have to be desperate to join RBA if you had any jet experience.
It may be ready to implode.
While I do not disagree with your comments on the fleet office, they cannot be blamed alone.
The now departed CEO, whose inept slash and burn management style started RBAs downward slide 3-4 years ago.
Cutting all pilots, cabin crew, and engineers salaries to the bone, changing the slip patterns to minimum rest days down route, and leaving only 8 days off a month in Bwn, (never more), has lead to the fatigue so common on the Boeing fleet.
Yet this clueless manager has left, as is his policy, with his pocket full of cash, for someone else to sort out the mess, he is no longer responsible, so it will be the new CEO, DFO, chief pilot, fleet office that will have to carry the can when something happens, yes when, not if, as even some trainers have said, very low experience levels, heavy rosters, short slip patterns, and only 8 days off in Bwn a month resulting in fatigue on the Boeing fleet, and an ageing fleet with numerous defects.
Also by cutting pay, allowances and annual increments, unlike in the past, has made RBA a very temporary job prospect, with no-one ever contemplating staying long term any more, get the minimum experience required to move on. Although staff were very unhappy at RBA, there were little options available to move to in the past few years, but prospects are better now, and assuming options will remain, an exodus is about to start. The supplementary allowance increase just given is way too little, too late, in fact it would not even cover the increments and allowances cut over recent years.
Then you have the DFO, who should be the last line of defense to flight operations against dangerous and inept management. Unlike his predecessor, who many say, was there to line his own pockets, apparently he did have the spine to stand up against rogue management. Now you have castor, who is too spineless to stand up to anyone, and as his name suggests will meekly get pushed wherever by whoever. He never did fly much long haul before did he? now he doesn’t fly at all, he just wanders around the office waiting for some new policy to be pushed through by management unhindered.
The deputy DFO has jumped on the band wagon, recently publishing an order saying, when standbys are rostered before days off, you cannot refuse to fly, thus the meager 8 days off a month in Bwn, becomes 4 to make any sort of plans. These 4 are when you get back from Fra-Bkk then position Bwn and are too exhausted to do anything.
Perhaps if they stopped rostering standbys before days off, or in the middle of days off, there would not be a problem. Why not only roster standbys before a long haul so they could call you to operate an earlier long haul, (as that’s all the Boeing does)
You have the fleet office writing there own rosters, and intimidation through contract renewal threats, as mentioned.
Then there’s the training dept writing there own rosters, the only good training flight are 4 day Syd’s (2 sectors), 2 day Bne’s, not the 6 day Lhr’s (4 sectors), or 5-6 day Fra’s (4 sectors), is it any wonder the line pilots only do Fra and Lhr, with minimum days off in Bwn and down route and are so fatigued, thus it takes 6 months to train pilots to line.
We have certain trainers gloating about their pay, being on top capts increments, and just received a $2600 a month pay rise, saying they only fly 4 days Syd’s. This when pay increments have been stopped for all new capts for the last few years, not surprising line pilots are operating continually fatigued.
Do they realize AT LEAST a third of the Boeing fleet has applications with other airlines, both local and foreigners, and many more about to reach there 3000 hours command, ready to apply. One local capt and fo have already left, another local trainer rumored to be leaving.
They are so short of staff a few new pilots, whose behavior has been irresponsible, are kept on, unbelievable as they will have no option but to promote them at some stage as there will be no-one else with the required experience available.
They have advertised for UK license holders only to apply, yet the package, rosters, slip patterns, housing (allowance cut, you have to pay out of your own pocket if you want somewhere reasonable) are such that you would have to be desperate to join RBA if you had any jet experience.
It may be ready to implode.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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A big whinge, but like many pilots, no balls to take any action.
Everyone is relying on "someone else" to have the guts to take a stand, for fear of losing their job.
A lot of p!ss and hot air, but no substance!
As usual.
Everyone is relying on "someone else" to have the guts to take a stand, for fear of losing their job.
A lot of p!ss and hot air, but no substance!
As usual.
Join Date: Jan 1999
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15 Captains left in last few months. A lot more captains and FOs are waiting for start dates.
What is that if not action?
Work in the Fleet Office do we FW? Truth hurt?
What is that if not action?
Work in the Fleet Office do we FW? Truth hurt?
Join Date: Mar 2003
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And how has that helped resolve the problems being whinged about above?
All the Nancy boys who are there still continue to accept what's dished out to them, too afraid to speak up for themselves.
All the Nancy boys who are there still continue to accept what's dished out to them, too afraid to speak up for themselves.
Join Date: Jan 1999
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I think the whingers as you call them have given up hope of seeing the problems put right. They are now concentrating on getting out, leaving those who cause the problems to remain behind and reap the consequences of their own selfish actions and incompetence.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Current Affairs,
Im surprised the sacked capt is going to court in Bwn. Does he expect a fair hearing. I would have thought any judge taking his side (against RBA and therefore against the Bwn govt) would likely be dimissed.
Could he not take them to court in another country they operate to or have a office.
I wish him the best of luck though, I believe he was sacked for standing up for his duty as a capt not to operate fatiged or illegially, then he stood up against the intimadation by management until he was finally sacked.
Im surprised the sacked capt is going to court in Bwn. Does he expect a fair hearing. I would have thought any judge taking his side (against RBA and therefore against the Bwn govt) would likely be dimissed.
Could he not take them to court in another country they operate to or have a office.
I wish him the best of luck though, I believe he was sacked for standing up for his duty as a capt not to operate fatiged or illegially, then he stood up against the intimadation by management until he was finally sacked.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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RBA Management Disaster
Bravo Dark Clouds. Good On You.
Wish I had the time to post an in depth and factual report like yours. You said most of it, I fully agree.
FW You are expressing what management SHOULD DO. To take action and stand up for their staff, standards, safety etc etc etc.
The DFO and 767 fleet managers HAVE BROUGHT THE AIRLINE INTO DISREPUTE with their selfish attitudes and poor standards.
Soon 3 of them will be standing in the High Court to explain their victimization of a senior Capt who had the integrity they so lack.
The BOD need to install professional managers. Ra@#id it will not be long before the International Press gets to know whats going on. Not only are your senior pilots leaving, your passengers will soon be doing the same.
Wish I had the time to post an in depth and factual report like yours. You said most of it, I fully agree.
FW You are expressing what management SHOULD DO. To take action and stand up for their staff, standards, safety etc etc etc.
The DFO and 767 fleet managers HAVE BROUGHT THE AIRLINE INTO DISREPUTE with their selfish attitudes and poor standards.
Soon 3 of them will be standing in the High Court to explain their victimization of a senior Capt who had the integrity they so lack.
The BOD need to install professional managers. Ra@#id it will not be long before the International Press gets to know whats going on. Not only are your senior pilots leaving, your passengers will soon be doing the same.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Thinking Of Joining Royal Brunei?
Royal Brunei used to be an airline that senior, experienced pilots (usually Capts in their previous airline) would join RBA in their latter years to finish off their last years towards retirement.
Over the last few years, mismanagement has ment that Royal Brunei only attracts those with little to no experience. Joining to get a bit of jet time, and due to all the senior and experienced pilots leaving, picking up an early command.
Yup, their getting commands in RBA with little experience, experience levels not accepted in normal airlines.
The Training dept has lowered the standards, thought necessary in years past, struggling to replace those leaving.
Sadly, even these young Capts are now bailing out as soon as they get their hours up and reach the minimum that real airlines accept.
Over the last few years, mismanagement has ment that Royal Brunei only attracts those with little to no experience. Joining to get a bit of jet time, and due to all the senior and experienced pilots leaving, picking up an early command.
Yup, their getting commands in RBA with little experience, experience levels not accepted in normal airlines.
The Training dept has lowered the standards, thought necessary in years past, struggling to replace those leaving.
Sadly, even these young Capts are now bailing out as soon as they get their hours up and reach the minimum that real airlines accept.
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Yes well said Dark Clouds
You really have to question their logic bringing in f@$ter as CEO. What has he really achieved in the last 4 years.
Allowances cut, Annual increments stopped, flying excessive hours, fatigue. Yet the airline is still making a loss. Now that he has been pushed out they increase the supplementary allowance. I agree it is well short of the cuts he made, but there are rumors of increasing the hourly allowance, which has not changed for many years.
Will it be enough though, what 3 to 4 year captain, reaching 3000 hours command would consider staying with RBA, given he is still on first years captains pay and its never going to increase, or what new captain will stay beyond the minimum time before moving on.
The days off and call out issue stems from the past when they operated a few 737s, good salary, parties on the beach every Saturday night, flying club mentality, all great. Most airlines repay days off worked with two days off, or one day off and a cash incentive, RBA just give the days off worked, back another day. This may have been OK in the old days where the salaries were considered high, and there was plenty of goodwill between pilots and management, but management have certainly ensured this relationship has not continued.
The fact remains, f@$ter decimated flight ops, destroying any loyalty, goodwill, trust and any long term career prospects with RBA, and now even though he has been pushed on, all the other managers in flight ops remain. They have cut your pay and allowances before, worked you up to maximum duty hours, fatigued and with no lifestyle for three years, what makes you think they will not ignore your signed contract and repeat it all again soon if many pilots leave, Dark Clouds is correct, there is an increasing number of new captains reaching the experience levels sought by other carriers now. With jobs available there may be a shortage of pilots in RBA again, who would be happy to repeat the last 3 years again, how many would leave, given there are options.
There is plenty of distrust in management now, which way are they going to go. In the short term they can simply blame everything on f@$ter, 15 – 20 of the more experienced pilots leaving in the last few months alone (15 captains I read), more than likely many more, what will they do to stabilize the airline, and bring back their workers trust, or do they really care?
It baffles me, how bad does an airline CEO have to be, before no one will hire them, its seems, no matter how incompetent they are, after they get the push, and a huge bonus for failing, they get employed by some other idiot airline.
I’m speechless.
Allowances cut, Annual increments stopped, flying excessive hours, fatigue. Yet the airline is still making a loss. Now that he has been pushed out they increase the supplementary allowance. I agree it is well short of the cuts he made, but there are rumors of increasing the hourly allowance, which has not changed for many years.
Will it be enough though, what 3 to 4 year captain, reaching 3000 hours command would consider staying with RBA, given he is still on first years captains pay and its never going to increase, or what new captain will stay beyond the minimum time before moving on.
The days off and call out issue stems from the past when they operated a few 737s, good salary, parties on the beach every Saturday night, flying club mentality, all great. Most airlines repay days off worked with two days off, or one day off and a cash incentive, RBA just give the days off worked, back another day. This may have been OK in the old days where the salaries were considered high, and there was plenty of goodwill between pilots and management, but management have certainly ensured this relationship has not continued.
The fact remains, f@$ter decimated flight ops, destroying any loyalty, goodwill, trust and any long term career prospects with RBA, and now even though he has been pushed on, all the other managers in flight ops remain. They have cut your pay and allowances before, worked you up to maximum duty hours, fatigued and with no lifestyle for three years, what makes you think they will not ignore your signed contract and repeat it all again soon if many pilots leave, Dark Clouds is correct, there is an increasing number of new captains reaching the experience levels sought by other carriers now. With jobs available there may be a shortage of pilots in RBA again, who would be happy to repeat the last 3 years again, how many would leave, given there are options.
There is plenty of distrust in management now, which way are they going to go. In the short term they can simply blame everything on f@$ter, 15 – 20 of the more experienced pilots leaving in the last few months alone (15 captains I read), more than likely many more, what will they do to stabilize the airline, and bring back their workers trust, or do they really care?
It baffles me, how bad does an airline CEO have to be, before no one will hire them, its seems, no matter how incompetent they are, after they get the push, and a huge bonus for failing, they get employed by some other idiot airline.
I’m speechless.
Join Date: Jan 1999
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Friends in the abode tell me that RBA Flight Ops are urgently assessing the rostering requirements (shortage of cabin crew as well as tech crew) for B772 and/or B773 and are talking with Boeing about a deal.
Its maybe a step in the right direction but RBA will still find some way to cock it up.
Would anyone from the abode with first hand knowledge care to confirm the details.
Its maybe a step in the right direction but RBA will still find some way to cock it up.
Would anyone from the abode with first hand knowledge care to confirm the details.
If RBA are interested in the B777 it could be a long time before they could be introduced. There are no B777's available for some time, either new or used.
A better option may be to join the queue for the B787.
A better option may be to join the queue for the B787.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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Fozzie is now unemployable....even on Sesame Street.
Many went out on a limb to get him the job at Royal Brunei. That tree is now well and truly ppruned.
Pilots of the world have no fear ...this chap will be turning right whenever he boards.
Many went out on a limb to get him the job at Royal Brunei. That tree is now well and truly ppruned.
Pilots of the world have no fear ...this chap will be turning right whenever he boards.
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Thinking Of Joining Royal Brunei?
Adding to many woes, RBA cut the sick leave on full pay from 30 days to 7. Recently a SFO was terminated when he went over the limit.
A caring bunch of cowboys.
A caring bunch of cowboys.
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Hello there,
Two points.
The link from Gammon Flaps showing that a certain ex CEO of RBA is now boss of Air Astana shows nothing of the sort. It is a very intersting website, but there is no mention of RBA, Air Astana or an Australian brand of beer.
The other point refers to the latest rumours of B 777s getting painted in the colours of the flying banana.
Anybody who has been in the company for more than two weeks has heard that we are definately getting Cessna 172s, Concorde, Sonic Cruisers, A 380s, A 340s, A 350s, A 330s, A 321s, Boeing 747s, B777s, B 767 - 400s and Tiger Moths.
All these rumours have shot up the charts and lasted for about two weeks before fading into oblivion. Just Like songs by Rick Astley (who ???).
The B777 rumour has now lasted about 2 weeks.
What was Rick Astleys last number one hit single ??
Cheers
Two points.
The link from Gammon Flaps showing that a certain ex CEO of RBA is now boss of Air Astana shows nothing of the sort. It is a very intersting website, but there is no mention of RBA, Air Astana or an Australian brand of beer.
The other point refers to the latest rumours of B 777s getting painted in the colours of the flying banana.
Anybody who has been in the company for more than two weeks has heard that we are definately getting Cessna 172s, Concorde, Sonic Cruisers, A 380s, A 340s, A 350s, A 330s, A 321s, Boeing 747s, B777s, B 767 - 400s and Tiger Moths.
All these rumours have shot up the charts and lasted for about two weeks before fading into oblivion. Just Like songs by Rick Astley (who ???).
The B777 rumour has now lasted about 2 weeks.
What was Rick Astleys last number one hit single ??
Cheers
It makes some sad reading about your gripes guys. I though things were bad when I left but it seems to have gone from bad to worse.
Peter Foster has indeed taken the reins of Air Astana, an upwardly and fast expanding company. Having the pleasure of working along side 4L crews I can tell you they are being led by some of the best and open minded people (ex BA crews) that are not hindered by political narrow mindedness. A company which in a very few short years will become one of the leading aviation outfits to emerge from the former CIS
Some of you may remember me, some of you not. I had a fantastic time at RBA for over 10 years, I even though about coming back, still might. So wach out at the Yacht club or the sports club, you never know who may visit..
Peter Foster has indeed taken the reins of Air Astana, an upwardly and fast expanding company. Having the pleasure of working along side 4L crews I can tell you they are being led by some of the best and open minded people (ex BA crews) that are not hindered by political narrow mindedness. A company which in a very few short years will become one of the leading aviation outfits to emerge from the former CIS
Some of you may remember me, some of you not. I had a fantastic time at RBA for over 10 years, I even though about coming back, still might. So wach out at the Yacht club or the sports club, you never know who may visit..