Flybe to aquire BA Connect. Crew thread. (No Spotters)-(Part 2)
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So the deal is done.
Funny, I feel absolutely no emotion at all apart from the greatest desire to see my leave date arrive in less than no time.
The pompous incompetent and utterly irrelevant David Evans who did so much to destroy what was good about the heritage of Brymon and Bral is now replaced with a bullying serial pilot hater in the guise of Jim French.
A plague on both of you.
That FLYBE will fail I have no doubt whatsoever. The road to that failure will be tortuous but one of the tracks which lead to it is the total contempt Jim French showed for his new workforce and his abject failure to do anything to encourage anyone of any quality or experience to stay on the flight deck.
Funny, I feel absolutely no emotion at all apart from the greatest desire to see my leave date arrive in less than no time.
The pompous incompetent and utterly irrelevant David Evans who did so much to destroy what was good about the heritage of Brymon and Bral is now replaced with a bullying serial pilot hater in the guise of Jim French.
A plague on both of you.
That FLYBE will fail I have no doubt whatsoever. The road to that failure will be tortuous but one of the tracks which lead to it is the total contempt Jim French showed for his new workforce and his abject failure to do anything to encourage anyone of any quality or experience to stay on the flight deck.
.they said the same thing wednesday night and we're still waiting for the tossers Join Date: Jan 2004
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Really? Where have we heard this before - on at least 6 seperate occassions... 
Anyway, maybe after 0800hrs tomorrow morning, the regional staff can start planning their lives.
Would also explain why numerous BHX and SOU flights from EDI are cancelled!
I hold my breath in anticipation
PS - Wonder if this is why Geoff Want (BA Director of Ground Ops AND Transition of BA services to T5) is paying us a once in a lifetime visit
Anyway, maybe after 0800hrs tomorrow morning, the regional staff can start planning their lives.
Would also explain why numerous BHX and SOU flights from EDI are cancelled!
I hold my breath in anticipation
PS - Wonder if this is why Geoff Want (BA Director of Ground Ops AND Transition of BA services to T5) is paying us a once in a lifetime visit
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Ghenghis
Not sure what your problem is... in my time in flybe, I worked directly with Jim French on a few occasions, and found him unfailingly polite, helpful, and competent. He never denigrated pilots (that seems to be an urban myth), and went out of his way to help solve issues that directly affected pilots. It is true to say that when dealing with pilots' issues (and other staff issues) he had his eye firmly on the bottom line, but then what manager doesn't? That is his job, if he doesn't do it properly, nobody has a job.
I have also never heard of Jim French bullying anybody, it always seemed to me that his management style was inclusive and open. I'm sure that he has had to speak firmly to people on occasion, but, once again, that is part of being a CEO.
Jim French inherited a complete shambles, and has done very well to turn it around in the short time he has had. The company was virtually dead when he took over, in fact I am surprised we survived that period - at one point, we were only hours away from closing the doors. It was Jim French that managed to buy us some time, pretty much through a sheer display of character, and that is the reason that everybody (including all the rashers) still has jobs.
Much as I hate to be thought of as a management sycophant, the truth is that the majority of the flybe management team have stepped up. Most of the key players were with flybe when it was Jersey European and not very big or complex, and they have had to drastically raise their game. Most have done so very well. Yes, there have been a few tossers (particularly in Flight Ops), but most didn't last long.
I'm sorry, Ghengis, that Jim didn't suck up to you sufficiently to entice you to stay. That isn't his job, as it happens, you can thank your own incompetent management for that - they are responsible for managing you until the deal is done. It sounds as though flybe is better off without you, and all your rasher colleagues that can't deal with their bitterness.
Flybe fail? I rather doubt it. But let's see what happens when they float. My guess is that they will go from strength to strength, and you will have missed a golden opportunity.
Not sure what your problem is... in my time in flybe, I worked directly with Jim French on a few occasions, and found him unfailingly polite, helpful, and competent. He never denigrated pilots (that seems to be an urban myth), and went out of his way to help solve issues that directly affected pilots. It is true to say that when dealing with pilots' issues (and other staff issues) he had his eye firmly on the bottom line, but then what manager doesn't? That is his job, if he doesn't do it properly, nobody has a job.
I have also never heard of Jim French bullying anybody, it always seemed to me that his management style was inclusive and open. I'm sure that he has had to speak firmly to people on occasion, but, once again, that is part of being a CEO.
Jim French inherited a complete shambles, and has done very well to turn it around in the short time he has had. The company was virtually dead when he took over, in fact I am surprised we survived that period - at one point, we were only hours away from closing the doors. It was Jim French that managed to buy us some time, pretty much through a sheer display of character, and that is the reason that everybody (including all the rashers) still has jobs.
Much as I hate to be thought of as a management sycophant, the truth is that the majority of the flybe management team have stepped up. Most of the key players were with flybe when it was Jersey European and not very big or complex, and they have had to drastically raise their game. Most have done so very well. Yes, there have been a few tossers (particularly in Flight Ops), but most didn't last long.
I'm sorry, Ghengis, that Jim didn't suck up to you sufficiently to entice you to stay. That isn't his job, as it happens, you can thank your own incompetent management for that - they are responsible for managing you until the deal is done. It sounds as though flybe is better off without you, and all your rasher colleagues that can't deal with their bitterness.
Flybe fail? I rather doubt it. But let's see what happens when they float. My guess is that they will go from strength to strength, and you will have missed a golden opportunity.
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aspaceman... Still in our world, sorry the Real World? Thought you would have poked off in your shiny little rocket to Uranus... But hey, a tin hat wont save you - not even a helmet - couldnt get one big enough to fit 
Shame that you hail from Birmingham... Its such a great city but I suppose there are always exceptions to the rule... As they say, you are never more that 10ft away from a rat in the big cities -I now know how true that is
Shame that you hail from Birmingham... Its such a great city but I suppose there are always exceptions to the rule... As they say, you are never more that 10ft away from a rat in the big cities -I now know how true that is
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If the deal is done,what a really sad day for british aviation.a second rate airline operating regional services...won't be too long before the passengers vote with their feet and take the train or drive.....revel in the glory ....enjoy while you can,because this set up won't be around for long.any of you left who can do better,make the move now,not when hundreds of pilots are chasing the limited opportunities on offer.still can't believe it......what a dreadful outcome.
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Bermudatriangle, couldnt agree more.
Ok flybe are a small outfit with limited routes and resources - in fact the last airline I expected to 'go for' BAConnect. Had heard that bmi baby were in fact preparing an offer and were pipped at the post by flybe when all this initially kicked off. However flybe have done it and I suppose we should at least wait and see how they fair... It may not be good at all for British Aviation, but time will tell - sooner maybe rather than later...
Its sad that BA have carved up more than a few airlines in recent times, with no regard to staff or passengers. Interesting how bullying is frowned upon in the workplace but ok in the grander scheme of things. (Big boy BA bullying the smaller companies).
Most of the 'out-of-business' airlines in recent years that have fallen by the way due to BA were actually very good at what they did, and had loyal following. BA came along and took over, taking away individuality, and customer focus. Dare I suggest mainly for the SLOTS!!!
No one with the exception of Sir Michael Bishop (bmi) and Sir Richard Branson (VS) has managed to survive in the UK airline business as long and as sustained but Iam sure BA wont stop their relentless quest for domination. However, with possible US airline ownership restrictions easing - who knows...
Ok flybe are a small outfit with limited routes and resources - in fact the last airline I expected to 'go for' BAConnect. Had heard that bmi baby were in fact preparing an offer and were pipped at the post by flybe when all this initially kicked off. However flybe have done it and I suppose we should at least wait and see how they fair... It may not be good at all for British Aviation, but time will tell - sooner maybe rather than later...
Its sad that BA have carved up more than a few airlines in recent times, with no regard to staff or passengers. Interesting how bullying is frowned upon in the workplace but ok in the grander scheme of things. (Big boy BA bullying the smaller companies).
Most of the 'out-of-business' airlines in recent years that have fallen by the way due to BA were actually very good at what they did, and had loyal following. BA came along and took over, taking away individuality, and customer focus. Dare I suggest mainly for the SLOTS!!!
No one with the exception of Sir Michael Bishop (bmi) and Sir Richard Branson (VS) has managed to survive in the UK airline business as long and as sustained but Iam sure BA wont stop their relentless quest for domination. However, with possible US airline ownership restrictions easing - who knows...
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A Pilot 
You must be having a laugh. Trying to bring a smile to our faces eh... Well to be honest you have succeeded
Who in their right mind would employ you to fly... Go on, do tell! I wouldnt let you fly my kite matey. Hopefully your flying skills are better than you 'Class 1' Foot in Mouth skills. Can hear you addressing the passengers now... What a thought...
You must be having a laugh. Trying to bring a smile to our faces eh... Well to be honest you have succeeded
Who in their right mind would employ you to fly... Go on, do tell! I wouldnt let you fly my kite matey. Hopefully your flying skills are better than you 'Class 1' Foot in Mouth skills. Can hear you addressing the passengers now... What a thought...
Last edited by tristar500; 4th Mar 2007 at 20:26.
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i meant whatever guy you had on your last trip bawbag. i think everyone could tell you were a glorryfied bus driver just by your arrogant attitude. i feel sorry that BA has so many narrow minded retards attempting to fly the aircraft or not if your on the (push my buttons i fly myself) airbus. i cant wait to hear what you have to say when BA goes the same way as VS. if you had half a brain cell you would have realised that. T5 doesnt have enough parking stands for the whole operation so you do the maths or get your mummy and daddy to help.
Gender Faculty Specialist
Bermudatriangle. You are, of course, entitled to your opinion albeit a very narrow minded one.
A second rate airline you may think it is, thankfully an opinion not shared by anyone with more than half a brain cell, but it is STILL an airline. I suspect that passengers who may have voted with their feet would have done so already. Go figure.
I know where I'd rather be.
A second rate airline you may think it is, thankfully an opinion not shared by anyone with more than half a brain cell, but it is STILL an airline. I suspect that passengers who may have voted with their feet would have done so already. Go figure.
I know where I'd rather be.
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Chesty,take it from me,Flybe is about as low as it gets....flying is just public transport...bus through the council estate for example.fares have hit rock bottom,so has reliability and service..things can only go from bad to worse as the airlines strive to cut costs to the core.UK domestic services have the disadvantage of having to compete with the train and even the car..by the time you have parked at the airport,checked-in,endured the ridiculous security checks,shoes off,belts off,false teeth out..then waited in the dreary lounges for your delayed flight to the back of beyond,one can only think.."why didn't i take the train"..or "I could have driven there by now !!".Most passengers who paid top dollar have long since deserted Bacon,due to the ever deteriorating punctuality and appaling level of cancellations/flight combinations.thr only market left is for bargain hunters,paying nothing and expecting everything...what with the EU passenger rights now in place,Flybe will be paying more in compensation than it earns in revenue.take it from me,the Uk domestic market is a dead duck,only losses long term....use your brain..take the train...i have said my piece.
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yeah transition it has turned into a bit of a slagging match . if you are one of 1000 people who are going to lose your job as result of the sale of BACON air when BA MAINLINE is still operating and we're MAINLINE staff then i feel that having somebody say we're "lazy,useless and overpaid" is out of order 
.i will defend myself and my hard working colleagues from a narrow minded glorifyed bus driver using any means possible .now if you have a problem with that you can slide on.
. if you are one of 1000 people who are going to lose your job as result of the sale of BACON air when BA MAINLINE is still operating and we're MAINLINE staff then i feel that having somebody say we're "lazy,useless and overpaid" is out of order .i will defend myself and my hard working colleagues from a narrow minded glorifyed bus driver using any means possible .now if you have a problem with that you can slide on.
strange to hear a pilot say that bitching doesn't help anyone since you are the best at doing it.