FlyBe axing jobs
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: England
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cloud1, exactly how many "managers" are making up that 20% from the massively top heavy management?!
As far as free drinks go how does that compare to JFs million pound interest free loan? Just another case of the staff subsidising the business.
There's cost saving then there's just plain stupid.
As far as free drinks go how does that compare to JFs million pound interest free loan? Just another case of the staff subsidising the business.
There's cost saving then there's just plain stupid.
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Europe
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cloud1, your statement under the title 'restructuring' is factually incorrect, the problem is you have believed the management spin.
The guy who complained flight times are anti business is having a giraffe if he thinks the orange lot are. Oh, he lives in Exeter, quiet backwater when it comes to the schedule, but who lives there anyway other than company yes men...
And you really should pay attention when you say you should be asked
questions, ain't you seen the endless surveys the cabin crew thrust at you?
All flights from the Republic of Scotland leave and arrive at 'business friendly times'
The guy who complained flight times are anti business is having a giraffe if he thinks the orange lot are. Oh, he lives in Exeter, quiet backwater when it comes to the schedule, but who lives there anyway other than company yes men...
And you really should pay attention when you say you should be asked
questions, ain't you seen the endless surveys the cabin crew thrust at you?
All flights from the Republic of Scotland leave and arrive at 'business friendly times'
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cabin baggage
Generous for the type of aircraft mostly used on domestics. Plenty of bags available on the market: Cabin Luggage, Hand Luggage, Flight Bags & Wheeled Holdalls from Luggage Superstore. - Page 1 of 15
I found several on the web which fit in FlyBe sizes so what is the problem. This is not an advert and there are many sites selling cabin bags
Generous for the type of aircraft mostly used on domestics. Plenty of bags available on the market: Cabin Luggage, Hand Luggage, Flight Bags & Wheeled Holdalls from Luggage Superstore. - Page 1 of 15
I found several on the web which fit in FlyBe sizes so what is the problem. This is not an advert and there are many sites selling cabin bags
FlyBe however has (rather sneakily in my opinion) reduced its allowance by 1 cm to 55 cm thereby ensuring the "standard" size bag such as mine and most others doesn't fit.This then adds an extra £14 per sector on top of what are already higher fares than their competitors.
That being said, as a pilot myself who has worked for another airline who failed to adapt in a ruthless and cut-throat market place (too little too late), I know the frustration the employees must be feeling!
Last edited by Aldente; 11th Mar 2013 at 09:18.
Tabs please !
The guy who complained flight times are anti business is having a giraffe
Let's take a recent example. Anyone living west of Swindon has a number of choices that avoid the schlep up to Heathrow. Within the last month or thereabouts, I had to go to Newcastle for the day on a Wednesday. Now Flybe do have a service that goes from Exeter. The problem is that the BE703 leaves at 12:15 arriving 13:40 meaning that a couple of hours of work can be done at a push. So how do you get home ? There is a problem in that the only flight of the day is the BE702 leaving Newcastle at 10:25 so that means a night in a hotel and Thursday is a write-off. The same problem would also apply in the reverse direction.
So, let's look at EasyJet. The 08:45 from Bristol delivers me to Newcastle at a reasonable 09:50. I can be in the office at 10:30 and leave at 17:00 to have dinner in the airport before getting the 18:50. You are now probably speculating what the demand on this route is so I'll enlighten you. EasyJet have two Airbus flights on a Wednesday and three on a Thursday in either direction. I can only comment on the flights I took but the load factors were well over 90%.
You ask about Flybe
ain't you seen the endless surveys the cabin crew thrust at you? (sic)
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Europe
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Private Fraser, if your local airport is Bristol why are you going on about Exeter, strange 
What are you on about? 
You ask about Flybe
Quote:
ain't you seen the endless surveys the cabin crew thrust at you? (sic)
Well it isn't very likely, is it ?
Quote:
ain't you seen the endless surveys the cabin crew thrust at you? (sic)
Well it isn't very likely, is it ?
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nothing sneaky aldente, just the size of the overhead lockers
An extra 1 cm makes no difference to stowing the cabin baggage but it does conveniently allow FlyBe to levy an extra £13.99 per sector which affects my decision making process if I have a choice!
Last edited by Aldente; 12th Mar 2013 at 07:06.
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cloud1's post states
"Right then ladies and gents.....
Restructuring
Ok, so many jobs are being cut or outsourced and this has affected 10% consisting of crew, ground and office staff and engineers and 20% management. It is not ideal but the intention is to reduce overheads in areas which are perceived as either over staffed (and yes this really is the case in some areas) or where the roles are no longer required.
Drinks
Free drinks have been offered for a long long time at Mr Walkers request. To make so many cuts but still offer free Kenco is ludicrous and a petition was set up in Exeter to remove the free drinks. Kettles will be provided to out stations and I am sure the crew and ground staff can rustle a few quid to cover coffee and tea. If on an airport standby bring some tea bags and there is no issue. If this really is a problem I would suggest these people need to get out more and see what problems are affecting the real world.
Fares
They are expensive and Flybe do need to wake up and review their pricing strategy. However this can not be said for every route.
Cabin baggage
Generous for the type of aircraft mostly used on domestics. Plenty of bags available on the market: Cabin Luggage, Hand Luggage, Flight Bags & Wheeled Holdalls from Luggage Superstore. - Page 1 of 15
I found several on the web which fit in flybes sizes so what is the problem. This is not an advert and there are many sites selling cabin bags
We are suppose to be representing professionals here instead it's just another opportunity to moan, complain, slag off call it whatever but its not constructive and does not help."
Oh dear your post is dillousional and typical of those who prefer to keep their heads in the sand and listen to what they are expected to know rather than what is actually happening.
In terms of your restructuring comments, you are so ill informed that its laughable.
The exact percentage of pilots made redundant is not confirmed but it will be in excess of 10% of the totals. The cabin crew have been hit hard at some bases and less so at others but 10% total is not far wrong. The engineers are another matter and an area we should be concerned about. The line engineers who we deal with every day have seen the numbers at the bases not being outsourced cut by an average of 50%, the line engineering management has been cut by approx 60%, the hangar engineering is around 10%. I would doubt very much if we see anything like 20% cuts in senior management where we have become top heavy.
In terms of the free tea and coffee. In the rest area of the training academy there may well be a case for charging but in the work areas if this is part of the plan to restructure the business then i am fearful of the future as there are much much bigger issues that dwarf any savings made in this area.
The fares are too high and can be said for every route our fares are uncompetative.
Cant argue with your points on cabin baggage the allowances are more than some other regional operators give.
"Right then ladies and gents.....
Restructuring
Ok, so many jobs are being cut or outsourced and this has affected 10% consisting of crew, ground and office staff and engineers and 20% management. It is not ideal but the intention is to reduce overheads in areas which are perceived as either over staffed (and yes this really is the case in some areas) or where the roles are no longer required.
Drinks
Free drinks have been offered for a long long time at Mr Walkers request. To make so many cuts but still offer free Kenco is ludicrous and a petition was set up in Exeter to remove the free drinks. Kettles will be provided to out stations and I am sure the crew and ground staff can rustle a few quid to cover coffee and tea. If on an airport standby bring some tea bags and there is no issue. If this really is a problem I would suggest these people need to get out more and see what problems are affecting the real world.
Fares
They are expensive and Flybe do need to wake up and review their pricing strategy. However this can not be said for every route.
Cabin baggage
Generous for the type of aircraft mostly used on domestics. Plenty of bags available on the market: Cabin Luggage, Hand Luggage, Flight Bags & Wheeled Holdalls from Luggage Superstore. - Page 1 of 15
I found several on the web which fit in flybes sizes so what is the problem. This is not an advert and there are many sites selling cabin bags
We are suppose to be representing professionals here instead it's just another opportunity to moan, complain, slag off call it whatever but its not constructive and does not help."
Oh dear your post is dillousional and typical of those who prefer to keep their heads in the sand and listen to what they are expected to know rather than what is actually happening.
In terms of your restructuring comments, you are so ill informed that its laughable.
The exact percentage of pilots made redundant is not confirmed but it will be in excess of 10% of the totals. The cabin crew have been hit hard at some bases and less so at others but 10% total is not far wrong. The engineers are another matter and an area we should be concerned about. The line engineers who we deal with every day have seen the numbers at the bases not being outsourced cut by an average of 50%, the line engineering management has been cut by approx 60%, the hangar engineering is around 10%. I would doubt very much if we see anything like 20% cuts in senior management where we have become top heavy.
In terms of the free tea and coffee. In the rest area of the training academy there may well be a case for charging but in the work areas if this is part of the plan to restructure the business then i am fearful of the future as there are much much bigger issues that dwarf any savings made in this area.
The fares are too high and can be said for every route our fares are uncompetative.
Cant argue with your points on cabin baggage the allowances are more than some other regional operators give.
Last edited by Jetdriver; 30th Mar 2013 at 12:03.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I give it til mid-summer (assuming of course the company doesn't curl up its toes and die in the meantime) and this will be the Flybe "oops, we overdid it and now we're recruiting" thread.
Clueless as they are untrustworthy.
Clueless as they are untrustworthy.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The end is near I feel - that sinking feeling.
The management still seem to believe that the reason that Flybe are loosing lots of ££££ is primarily down to the economy and APD. I will let them off the hook a bit because the economy is poopoo and APD is way too high but all you seem to get from Exeter is "the business model is not broken its ALL someone else's fault.
The managements complete lack of responsibility for the airlines current situation is very worrying. Unless we get a severe management shake up and new blood brought in I fear that this will be Flybe UKs last summer.
I will put my house on us not being able to operate a full summer schedule.
As was mentioned in a previous post we will have nowhere near enough line engineers - they are all leaving - things are already beginning to fall apart and it's only March.
Come May or June as the summer schedule kicks in more and more aircraft will be grounded due to overrunning engineering tasks and the airline will begin to implode.
What a great cost saving strategy - phase 1 - cut costs by removing frontline operational staff just in time for summer - the only time we make any money -
awesome!
Phase 2 - make do with what is left over and collapse in the winter
The management still seem to believe that the reason that Flybe are loosing lots of ££££ is primarily down to the economy and APD. I will let them off the hook a bit because the economy is poopoo and APD is way too high but all you seem to get from Exeter is "the business model is not broken its ALL someone else's fault.
The managements complete lack of responsibility for the airlines current situation is very worrying. Unless we get a severe management shake up and new blood brought in I fear that this will be Flybe UKs last summer.
I will put my house on us not being able to operate a full summer schedule.
As was mentioned in a previous post we will have nowhere near enough line engineers - they are all leaving - things are already beginning to fall apart and it's only March.
Come May or June as the summer schedule kicks in more and more aircraft will be grounded due to overrunning engineering tasks and the airline will begin to implode.
What a great cost saving strategy - phase 1 - cut costs by removing frontline operational staff just in time for summer - the only time we make any money -
awesome!
Phase 2 - make do with what is left over and collapse in the winter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: In transit
Age: 70
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ride the Fire I agree with much of what you say, but as you are (apparently) an employee of the company, aren't you creating a self-fulfilling prophecy in that anyone who reads this will be reluctant to book Flybe, driving customers to the competition? I am just planning some of my May-August travel, including at least 4 trips to/from JER and GCI. Your words do not give me much confidence in booking with Flybe (admittedly I probably wouldn't do so anyway given a choice) but I am even less likely to do so now.
It looks as if Condor Ferries will be getting a greater portion of my CI travel spend than in the previous years.
It looks as if Condor Ferries will be getting a greater portion of my CI travel spend than in the previous years.
Last edited by Capetonian; 30th Mar 2013 at 18:42.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: England
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The management have been getting away with not managing for so long I think everybody expects it now, standby by for golden hand shakes (or is it parachutes? I dunno) for them.
They've chopped the wrong people IMO. The airline would keep running without most of management on a day to day basis. No pilots, cabin crew or engineers and it stops immediately.
They've chopped the wrong people IMO. The airline would keep running without most of management on a day to day basis. No pilots, cabin crew or engineers and it stops immediately.
RidetheFire is absolutely right.
there is a mass exodus of pilots too on the cards here
After the jet guys depart? Maybe I'm too pessimistic but I don't see bright perspective for Q400 drivers looking to abandon the sinking ship.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Botswana
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Clandestino being rated on the Q400 isn't some kind of death knell for employment prospects. It is a heavy EFIS equipped turboprop that cruises just below average jet speed. Flydubai are happy to take Q400 drivers and if you open your mind and go outside the comfort zone a little there are other employers that will give the chance for a move onto Jets. Q400 pilots are not as doomed as you think.
Last edited by RexBanner; 31st Mar 2013 at 06:18.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ride the Fire:
Not a bright post on a forum inhabited by customers and journo's.
I also believe that it is unfounded; yes we are having some tough days and could have perhaps done more earlier, but at least we have started a turnaround now. So, I'll take that bet, is it a nice house?
Not a bright post on a forum inhabited by customers and journo's.
I also believe that it is unfounded; yes we are having some tough days and could have perhaps done more earlier, but at least we have started a turnaround now. So, I'll take that bet, is it a nice house?
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Here, there, everywhere
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not a bright post on a forum inhabited by customers and journo's
As horrible as the current times are, the head count reduction is the first pro-active move from the top we've see in a very long time.
I've just been trawling some of the facts and figures from previously released updates to the city. It is true we've exhausted every excuse in the Excuses for Airline CEO's Handbook, apart from one; "we could have done more". We appear to be focused entirely on revenue per passenger, rather than other metrics. This results in an incorrect pricing profile at the point of booking. One of the biggest complaints I hear from friends, family and our customers.
We should worry about filling the aircraft at every opportunity. An empty seat flown can never be resold, it's gone forever.
That said, we are teetering on the edge between profitability and loss. All is not lost. If we can get our pricing sorted, I'm confident we'll weather this storm.