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bmi Regional

Old 30th Oct 2008, 16:59
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No reason why Flybe could not get rid of the BMI Regional EMB 145 's, like they did at BA Connect - it may explain why Flybe still have a load more Q 400's yet to come.
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Old 31st Oct 2008, 14:16
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No reason why Flybe could not get rid of the BMI Regional EMB 145 's, like they did at BA Connect
True, but sadly, Flybe's retirement of the 145 at Connect, together with Jimbo's unskillfully worded welcome letter which ran along the lines of "if you don't like what we fly #### off" resulted in the loss of a very high proportion of experienced crews.

Timing and market conditions would make it harder for BMIR guys to get out if they wanted to, but rumour has it that the Dash's are going to be slower arriving than originally planned, so there may not be a particularily fast transition to the Q400.

You never know, Jimbo may have even learned some additional man management skills beyond FIFO, so that crews would actually feel motivated to stay....

Whatever, good luck to all the BMIR boys and girls for the future and hope you get a firm plan asap.

OAP
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Old 31st Oct 2008, 17:20
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My goodness me, the armchair critics already have us sold off to Flybe. Highly unlikely that regional would be flogged to the likes of Flybe (who are in bed with London Airways). More likely that regional gets into bed with Lufthansa Regional in some form or another. Swiss were not carved up to help the opposition so unlikely that regional/bmi will too ?? Besides, Lufty have positioned themselves to be a business orientated airline...oh yes and so too have regional....albeit smaller scale ! Of course it might all change tomorrow.

As for recruitment, expect things to be a bit quiet until the takeover stuff has all been sorted out. but you never know.......

JB

ps sunning myself on the beach before I race at the weekend. who the ells that chap hamilton anyhow.
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Old 31st Oct 2008, 19:43
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Actually, Jenson, it was an article in The Scotsman newpaper published yesterday which had prompted speculation. What ever happens, frankly, is out with our control. I wish all the guys at BMI, Baby, and Regional all the very best in these somewhat uncertain times, I have quite a number of friends working in all three divisions of Midland.

oapilot, as an ex member of BA Connect, myself, I have no problem working for Flybe whatsoever, perhaps JF's letter 18 months ago was to the point, but at least he put his cards on the table and you know where you stand. Slightly of thread, for me Flybe works well , I have a stable roster, we operate modern eco friendly aircraft and we make money for the Company. Anyway, I am not prepared to enter into a debate, but wish all at BMI well.
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Old 1st Nov 2008, 15:25
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Flatspin, glad you are happy, and I know quite a few who are the same as you.
Was merely pointing out that (IMHO), I don't see Flybe going down the route of buying a jet based regional operation in the hope retaining crews (market conditions aside) as they migrate them to tprops. I stand by my comment that the letter caused a lot of pilots who were undecided, to get away as quickly as possible. Without BAs £100m bung, the aquisition would not have been a good move, and I suspect LH would not be quite so willing to hand out cash.
BMIR seems to be a very viable and successful regional operator, and hopefully LH will want to have a regional presence in the UK which will hopefully be good news for all those at BMIR.
oap
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Old 1st Nov 2008, 17:15
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Any more news regarding recruitment, recent and pending interviews and the rumoured TR courses. Or has it all been halted due the lufty deal?

Last edited by woofly31; 2nd Nov 2008 at 18:25.
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Old 1st Nov 2008, 17:16
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oap, Yes there are a lot of happy and contented guys who came to Flybe from BA Connect, and they were a few who went to BACF, Netjets and Globespan and I am sure they are all happy with their decision. I agree, with you 100% that without BA's bung as you call it, for £100 million, which, acording to the Financial Times, was closer to £150 million by the time BA had agreed to cover the BRAL pension deficit, without that I guess the deal would have fallen through and BA would have been facing, I believe, about £450 million in closure costs. Anyway, its all water under the bridge now!

We shall see, over the coming months what happens to BMIR etc, and as I said earlier, I wish the best for all concerned.
FF
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Old 1st Nov 2008, 18:31
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Let's not forget that before bmi Regional became British Midland Commuter they were a successful little independant outfit called Business Air.
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Old 1st Nov 2008, 18:54
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they were a successful little independant outfit called Business Air.
Err...successful? They were close to going out of business!

YS
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Old 2nd Nov 2008, 01:48
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It seems regional will soon be Flybe, thanks to SMBs recent put option
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Old 2nd Nov 2008, 07:14
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Well something must be going on since SMB was observed lurking around Aberdeen a few months ago.

An interesting comparison to use is Air Dolomiti which is a regional airline that has been wholly owned by Lufthansa since 2003. One significant aspect is that all the Italian domestic routes have disappeared and Air Dolomiti is purely a feeder for Lufthansa. If Regional is to exist in the Lufthansa empire then this is bound to be the shape that it takes and this will potentially see a major change to its current route network. If Regional can play an active role in helping to feed the the bmi/Lufthansa network then there could be a role for Regional. With MAN probably being the exception, bmi Regional operate no routes of their own that help to compliment bmi Mainline/Lufthansa so expect big changes if Regional is to stay!

However whilst there might be a glimmer of hope for Regional, I suspect that Baby is a foregone conclusion and it will not be staying in the Lufthansa network.

Last edited by Mister Geezer; 2nd Nov 2008 at 07:45.
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Old 2nd Nov 2008, 11:26
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Yippee! That means Dash 8s for us if we are lucky enough!

Joy
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Old 2nd Nov 2008, 13:03
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Mr Geezer,

Why do you think that BMIbaby is a foregone conclusion regarding not being part of the Lufthansa network? We are all speculating at the moment and trying to second guess what may happen regarding this take over!

SMB may run 'Baby' on his own, especially with the selling of his shares and being cash rich. Nobody knows what may or may not happen! I'm sure we will find out in due course, probably next year I would imagine.

I just hope that we all get to keep our jobs no matter who owns us!
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Old 2nd Nov 2008, 16:30
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If bmi baby could be used to increase traffic flow to LHR, FRA or MUC then it could have a significant role to play. After all, if it cannot directly compliment and feed the Lufthansa/bmi mainline network then why would Lufthansa wish to continue with bmi baby?

I have friends in both Regional and baby and I hope both both parties prosper from this deal. I rate baby highly as a low cost airline and they do deserve to do well so I hope my prognosis does not turn out to be accurate!
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Old 3rd Nov 2008, 04:22
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My understanding is that one of the next two EMB's due to join us over the next few weeks has been cancelled.

Have heard that a 'freeze' is in place for all expansion etc within the BMI group. Hardly surprising.

Personally I hope/believe that BMIR will be kept as a UK based feeder airline into LHR, CGN, MUN and FRA to serve Luftys current and future routes. They seem to be doing well with Air Dolomiti. Lets hope Regional get the same treatment.

SSS
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Old 3rd Nov 2008, 14:01
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How many new Aircraft were planned, was it 2 or 3? And is there sufficient crew for these additions. Peple have been posting that they have interviews in the comming weeks, or have just been interviewed and awaiting a sim assesment. Will the current Pool be used up to cover current crew and operational requirements at bmir?
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Old 3rd Nov 2008, 14:27
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Rumour has it...3 were planned. 1 has arrived (G-EMBN), 1 knocked on the head and no news yet on the third.

I really don't know about recruitment though. Seems as though BMIR are still a little undercrewed (though the powers that be will tell you otherwise) Everyone is pretty busy, 6 new F/o's about to hit the Line. Haven't heard about the other 2 (?) planned courses though.

Things tend to happen at the last minute (don't they always!) and so if you are in the holding pool and REALLY want to work BMIR then just make sure you keep your options open and your phone on. Have heard that many new recruits (past and present) have been asked to start within a week or so, but it's anybodys guess really just if and/or when.

SSS
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Old 3rd Nov 2008, 14:51
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Thanks for the update sss.

Last edited by woofly31; 3rd Nov 2008 at 16:32.
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Old 4th Nov 2008, 11:23
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It seem to me that throughout bmi Regional's entire existence that their requirements in terms of crew and aircraft have always conflicted with bmi Group policies. Whenever they need more of either they're prevented from having them. Perhaps they would be better off out of the bmi Group.

I can confirm sss's theory on lastminute decisions, I know several people (including myself) who have been contacted as little as 1 week before the required start date.
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Old 4th Nov 2008, 12:37
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It seem to me that throughout bmi Regional's entire existence that their requirements in terms of crew and aircraft have always conflicted with bmi Group policies. Whenever they need more of either they're prevented from having them. Perhaps they would be better off out of the bmi Group.
Humm, well not the full picture. If they were still independent (assuming they had survived as Business Air which I think would NOT have been the case) they'd still be flying props to Shetland and night freights...joy

The problem with the short notice is nothing to do with Bmi and everything to do with Regional management.

I'd assume things will stay a little quiet for the next few months until the dust settles.
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