XL Airways
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sussex
Age: 49
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Just picked up on this thread.
I can see the basis of all the points made by both abra and Lou Stulewater, I just hope they don't end up with married rosters any time soon.
IMHO: The Company is obviously in a state of serious flux. Just one quick look around home base will show you that it's by no means the worst case in the Industry, past or present.
With regard to the earlier discussion of Command prospects: I can only guess at the posters' current Ranks, but I would personally rather fly with guys and girls who offer constructive critiscism when neccessary but see the overall gameplan. This gameplan is clearest to me when I look at the name listed next to my Bank Balance's biggest monthly Credit.
I have a great deal of professional respect for many of the leavers and can understand their motivation to depart.
What does bother me, as previously stated by others, is the fact that the gameplan in terms of fleets, commands etc appears to be anything but transparent. I appreciate that it may be as it is due to a number of semi-controllable external factors.
However, to quote an unknown Sergeant as his shellshocked Officer marched his Parade towards a sheer cliff:
"Please say something, Sir, even if it's only 'Goodbye' ".
313 (aka 250)
I can see the basis of all the points made by both abra and Lou Stulewater, I just hope they don't end up with married rosters any time soon.
IMHO: The Company is obviously in a state of serious flux. Just one quick look around home base will show you that it's by no means the worst case in the Industry, past or present.
With regard to the earlier discussion of Command prospects: I can only guess at the posters' current Ranks, but I would personally rather fly with guys and girls who offer constructive critiscism when neccessary but see the overall gameplan. This gameplan is clearest to me when I look at the name listed next to my Bank Balance's biggest monthly Credit.
I have a great deal of professional respect for many of the leavers and can understand their motivation to depart.
What does bother me, as previously stated by others, is the fact that the gameplan in terms of fleets, commands etc appears to be anything but transparent. I appreciate that it may be as it is due to a number of semi-controllable external factors.
However, to quote an unknown Sergeant as his shellshocked Officer marched his Parade towards a sheer cliff:
"Please say something, Sir, even if it's only 'Goodbye' ".
313 (aka 250)
Last edited by Threethirteen; 26th Jul 2007 at 10:41.
Beacon Outbound
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: "Home is were the answer machine is"
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thru Storm but contract is not what was given to me in interview.
Bet you the response when you asked the company was 'but you'll be taking home more this way compared to being employed'.
Just don't forget to pay tax when you are employed through the Isle of Man or wherever. One day the tax man will find out and you'll pay double.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: lgw
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I say you chaps, all this banter about the people running the airline not talking to the pilots, not asking their opinions, and treating them like chaps who were hired just to fly aircraft backwards and forwards... oh hang on - you were hired to fly the aircraft backwards and forwards. And jolly well you do it too, one of the most efficient flying bus driver fleets in Europe. You can all be jolly proud of that. But as for running the company - well now that is the job of bean counters, desk jockeys, numpties and crewing assistants. And with the new broom sweeping through on the top floor the future looks like somewhere that may end up being just a tad more successful.
So what say we bury our gripes, work a little bit harder (and lets be honest - most of us could), link arms and sing the company song...
Cue trumpets...
So what say we bury our gripes, work a little bit harder (and lets be honest - most of us could), link arms and sing the company song...
Cue trumpets...
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: North of Watford
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Sadly I'm of the humble opinion that XL is ultimately doomed. While part of the Avion Group they never made money, the costs of the ACMI arrangement meant that they involved themselves in a debt for equity swap to pay AAI'S bill 40 % first year then 40% next The Avion Group then sold back to XL in a management buy out a dead duck that is a long wayfrom making a profit. The writing is on the wall guys. XL have had a torrid year to date with horrendously unreliable 75 and 76's probably caused by inadequate maintenance in put. This obviously cannot go on. Next Feb the company might not even exist. The stats do not point in a particularly favourable direction.
Join Date: Jan 1999
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A very negative post above!
All I see is full aircraft running with delays normaly the result of external factors. With the apauling summer that the UK has been having filling aircraft is not a problem so we just have to trust the sales people have got the price right.
Despite the profits of doom I expect to see XL around for a good few years yet because I am assured that I am near the top of the Airbus list! ( off to Toulouse tomorrow to check the place out )
All I see is full aircraft running with delays normaly the result of external factors. With the apauling summer that the UK has been having filling aircraft is not a problem so we just have to trust the sales people have got the price right.
Despite the profits of doom I expect to see XL around for a good few years yet because I am assured that I am near the top of the Airbus list! ( off to Toulouse tomorrow to check the place out )
Join Date: Jul 2005
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LST next week, Barcelona for line trg in september.
If not, mayby your polish is up to standard?
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: South of the River
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"If not, mayby your polish is up to standard? "
Maybe the Berlitz guide you might need is Hungary.....
you had better Wizz off down the road and get one.
Daft Wader
Maybe the Berlitz guide you might need is Hungary.....
you had better Wizz off down the road and get one.
Daft Wader
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: GATWICK
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Firstly, I have to admit that i'm not a pilot, but I do work for XL. So, I can't comment on the various posts regarding promotions to L/H seat/A330 fleet and the fairness of it (or not).
However, I can comment with a substantial degree of accuracy on the plans of the company and their rationale behind them.
As a company, we have to review our operation and ensure that resources we have are the correct ones to enable the company to move forward profitably, so ensuring all our livelyhoods.
As we all know the B757/767 fleet has had more than it's fair share of problems. These aircraft are all over 20 years old now, and the time is coming for them to be moved to new pastures.
The reason that nothing has yet been said with regard to the future of the
B757/767 fleets is that at the moment, nothing is set in stone. These discussions are very complex and take a long time, but, take it from me, some of them would involve wet leases to some fairly exotic locations.
Also bear in mind, that by this time next year we will have taken delivery of brand new 2x B737-900's with 4x A330-200's following by spring 2009.
As far a business goes, we simply have to become a more efficient company. Third party tour operators who can commit to supporting us are dwindling in number. Five years ago, there were around 200 who could commit to allocated seat blocks, now there are probably only 50.
In addition, the publics perception that, dynamic packaging gets them a better deal (not necessarily true) means that more and more book on t'internet and we therefore have to change as the market changes.
Nobody likes uncertainty when it comes to jobs/wages etc, but things are not as bad as some on this thread seem to believe.
cheers
However, I can comment with a substantial degree of accuracy on the plans of the company and their rationale behind them.
As a company, we have to review our operation and ensure that resources we have are the correct ones to enable the company to move forward profitably, so ensuring all our livelyhoods.
As we all know the B757/767 fleet has had more than it's fair share of problems. These aircraft are all over 20 years old now, and the time is coming for them to be moved to new pastures.
The reason that nothing has yet been said with regard to the future of the
B757/767 fleets is that at the moment, nothing is set in stone. These discussions are very complex and take a long time, but, take it from me, some of them would involve wet leases to some fairly exotic locations.
Also bear in mind, that by this time next year we will have taken delivery of brand new 2x B737-900's with 4x A330-200's following by spring 2009.
As far a business goes, we simply have to become a more efficient company. Third party tour operators who can commit to supporting us are dwindling in number. Five years ago, there were around 200 who could commit to allocated seat blocks, now there are probably only 50.
In addition, the publics perception that, dynamic packaging gets them a better deal (not necessarily true) means that more and more book on t'internet and we therefore have to change as the market changes.
Nobody likes uncertainty when it comes to jobs/wages etc, but things are not as bad as some on this thread seem to believe.
cheers