Royal Brunei - Night of the long knifes
 

Rumour that several senior directors have been sacked by new chairman and that many more jobs are to go in an effort to make the airline lean and mean. New DFO as well. Comments from anyone in the know?

I have heard the same story. New boss is going through the place with a fine toothed comb.. .. .The DFO is retiring, that is why he is leaving. The Chief pilot to take over his job.

"Long knives...". .Those in the know say more to come (or go!) on Monday...

Yup,this coming Monday,more announcement for cuts and cuts and more cuts.

Update:. .. .Latest rumour is that all expat pilots are to lose their supplemental allowance, distinct possibility of outbasings which will mean no housing allowance, no expat allowance, no schooling allowance and you pay tax on whats left.. .. .Only rumour, but if true its time for you guys to jump ship I think.

THINALBERT, My understanding is that most of the expat pilots at BI have been asking for out basing for years, especially the Australians.

More than the jobs and conditions of ex-pat pilots at stake here. Expat engineers and other staff also at risk. What about the locals (their country, their airline)? We expats could probably find jobs, even in the current environment. Moving is hassle but possible.... .Local staff have fewer options and a lot has been invested in their training. Spare a thought for them.. .From my point of you, any cut in allowances or conditions (and don't forget, it is all rumour!) would make my position both untenable and unviable. . .Wait 'till Monday. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 17 March 2002, 01:11: Message edited by: Bus429 ]</small>

Outbasings,outbasings.........now thats a good idea!

B772, Not sure about that, but in the present climate I suggest that its a bit like turkeys voting for christmas.. .. .Its all to do with dollars at the end of the day.. .Lets just wait and see. Good luck to all of you at RBA.

Blacksheep - I went to the session this morning and I have to say confidence is not high. Time to update the CV...

Blacksheep - latest missive from Dreamhouse indicates that certain contractual conditions have been breached.

......and why does the Executive director need a copy of the boyz hours???Didnt know he knew the front from the back!

Any truth to the rumour that 3 F/Os and a junior captain with a senior dad have just been binned?

Yes, it is true & what a sad way for them to learn. It is never pleasant (been there, had it done), but these are all people, just like you and me. What an atmosphere to work in. What or who is next & when?

I think the way in which they learned should be related. Early today, a local news web site posted a copy of an article from the Borneo Bulletin explaining the drastic (IMHO, doomed) measures to bring the company back from the brink. Attached to this article was a list of those already made redundant (local + expat). Also on the list were the names of several in Flight Ops who, it now transpires, had no idea they were to be sacked within the next six weeks. This was soon printed off and was doing the rounds. The company panicked, killed internet access throughout the company (at least in Brunei) and took steps to have the post removed. The list, need it be said, should not have been seen by many! There was also a portion of text, at the bottom of the list, referring to the savings after gratuity and re-patriation costs but no figures followed. I know one of the pilots on the list. He had long-term plans for his family based around his staying with RBA. Bad enough to have been dumped (and my sympathies to all) but to have learned this way demonstrates crass and inept control.. .RBA have also chosen to break both company regulations and contracts without negotiation. They have given themselves the impossible target of a year to break even. There seems to be a great deal of panic at the top. This situation is apparently unique. Nothing of this nature has happened in the history of RBA and they seem to have a problem handling it. The few that hate expats are bound to revel in all this.. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />

Oh dear,. .. .I still have many expat friends working with RBA, and I wish you all the very best of luck in what must be an absolutely awful time. I knew things were bad but I had no idea that they had gone this far.. .. .Why didnt senior management listen and act years ago. They must have seen this coming. And why punish expats for the failings of senior bruneian management.. .. .Are you still employing hundreds of locals in a job creation exercise.

Ive heard the toll also involves expat Engineers.A sad loss my friends.

THINALBERT. .. .It is time for them also, I heard the DFO and CP were in that position for more than 15 year, (permanent seat) bad example, corruption, colition and nepatism

Bus 429, please advise website re article.. .Very sorry to hear this. .Regards

Sad news, check these links out.. .. .<a href="http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/fri/mar22h25.htm" target="_blank">http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/fri/mar22h25.htm</a>. .. .<a href="http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/fri/mar22h25.htm" target="_blank">http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/fri/mar22h25.htm</a>

I think this is the article ,no names though.http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/fri/mar22h25.htm

Maybe it's all too much!

Cosmo, could you e-mail me?

A parody is called for here in this sad day for the airline, Yet another Brunein brain fart in the making.. .. .unfinished but options open for the ending..... .. .To be added to Frank Sinatra's song 'MY WAY'. .. .and now the time is near. .and so we face our final flight call. .and now this much is clear . .they screwed it up of this we're certain. .they lived a shallow life. .boy racing up the Tutong highway. .but more much more than this. .they fu..ed it their way. .success they've had a few . .but then again too few to mention. .and as they fumbled through. .Geoff went and blew the whole damn budget. .Planes he bought a few. .and travelled each and every skyway. .but more much more than this. .he spent it his way.. .. .I've run out of inspiration for the rest, about as much as the Brunei management. We've seen it coming. Maybe they've waited until MF has gone so no one can fight on the side of the pilots. No one has fought harder for the rights and privaledges of BWN based crews. Good luck MF. And good luck to the rest.

Fingers crossed, folks, everyone at the Towers is on your side. Hope this resolves for everyone in RBA.. .. .£6

To all postees,. .Many thanks for your support. However, may I request that we refrain from insulting Bruneians? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" /> While it may be a convenient way of venting frustrations, it is neither civilised nor polite. Furthermore, it does not help! I have Bruneian friends and they are great people.. .I would agree, however, with any negative opinion regarding the way the whole exercise has been conducted. As stated earlier, it is apparent that the contract means nothing to the board. Even if the amounts are relatively small, the principle counts. It is also apparent to me that they don't care. We were assured, earlier in the week, that there would be no further redundancies for the forseeable future. It is obvious we cannot take them at their word. The leaked document proved that further plans are in hand. I can confirm that some of flying staff mentioned in the leak have now been taken off flying duties pending their departure, proving that it was not merely a proposal.. . . . <small>[ 24 March 2002, 00:31: Message edited by: Bus429 ]</small>

Bus429, a small question--. .As I know nothing about RBA...could it be that management wants to downsize the company, so is selectivly terminating contracted aircrew...or are they trying to nationalise the positions?. .And, if either or both are correct, is not management justified in their actions?. .OR, are they just being stupid?

A bit of all of the above.

Suprise suprise, 411A admits he knows nothing.. .. .And here I was thinking that all the other members were wrong.

Why dont you guys who dont work for RBA and dont live in Brunei go dirty your own nest and leave us alone

I would like to second that BB and Bus429 I could not agree more. . .. .The easiest way to get everyone's back up and perpetuate the "them and us" syndrome is to continue slagging each other off. It is a Bruneian Company that we work for and we are here as guests until we are no longer needed. We need to co-exist, not to antagonise. The moment that the "we are holier than thou" arguments start, everyone is on a loser. . .. .It's a very sad and difficult situation that we find ourselves in and for sure it has been handled very badly, however lets not lower ourselves to the same unacceptable level. What is the point in providing ammunition to those who are waiting to use it against us? Let's not tar everyone with the same brush, however, this isn't just a little hiccup that will easily go away. I for one feel rather unsettled.

I did my 757 type rating at RBA in 2001. I loved the place. . .. .Subsequent to that I have been threatened with redundancy, which for now has been averted thank christ.. .. .I know how you feel guys, and I wish you the very best of luck.. .. .I trust you will survive.

bus429 - another of your accurate and characterisitilly mature comments regarding apportioning blame, well put indeed. As you are likely aware, the finger pointing happens everywhere in times of crisis and I guess you people there are no different. My thoughts are with you all in very worrying and unsettleing times and I hope it all works out for you and your families !

Nilnoted - email your details. Have we met?

Off the topic, sorry, but can anyone tell me who is that lovely lady that reads the ATIS in Brunei with the wonderfully soft, sexy and seductive voice? It's so good it almost sounds put on!

I agree with BB its, your country RBA pay them (the expat)till they no more needed, now its the time we see how the Bruneians wil go, by them self. MF seated to long in RBA he can go back to England enjoy the money he earn for so long without looking, even to other asean people around, we know the only pilots may work for RBA only from Risworth, with a certain nationality only (like the time before Mandela in S. Africa)

Blacksheep,. .As Quelch use to say, construe!! . .You'd have to be a Billy Bunter fan to understand this!

Interesting that you should say that QNH1013.. .. .I have heard that she is better suited for Radio than Television, if you get my drift.. .. .Happy Landings

Tak boleh kerjalah RBA hanja untuk orang puteh, dan malay hanya boleh kerja kotor saja, begitu naseb orang terjajah

Blacksheep & Broer,. .C'mon, fellas! . .Broer, this post was/is intended to highlight a difficult situation at RBA. It was not intended to become a forum for your gripes against RBA. Like the rest of the expats here, we had to satisfy certain criteria to join. If you really want to work at RBA, why not convert your licence to one recognised by RBA? Good luck with whatever course you choose!