Big Willie met with BALPA today and has confirmed that as the OFT have given the nod the deal will now be signed.

Meanwhile, outside, there's a robin sitting on the fence and the kids next door have built a snowman. A very festive scene. Lets hope that when Mr French opens his belated christmas present, he's not too disappointed to find that the parcel is now only half full.

Thanks BC.

Exactly what I meant. Did not intend to cast aspersions on existing FYBEs.

Id say that the CAA will want to take a long hard look at resulting experience/competency levels.

So how much more loot did Willie have to bung into the hamper to pursuade French to go ahead??

Thirty million?

Fifty million??

Regarding experience levels remaining at Bacon, I have a very good friend there who is trying hard to ignore the apparent buffoonery all around him while he gets on with his life.

With lots of quality wide body command time and training experience he is not too concerned about running to join the low cost ratrace.

So Ghengis, there's at least one you won't have to worry about! :rolleyes:

I think the Fat Lady is about to sing!
For what it's worth, a very reliable source tells me the the Fromage has been severely b0llocked regarding his communication skills (mind you, that's a Crab Ginger Beer for you) with prospective Slices of Bacon, and the resulting exodus from the frying pan into the fire. Best of luck is all I can say, it will be interesting to be reading coments on here in six and twelve months; I genuinely regret the amount of quasi bad mouthing which has gone on here, I'm sure it's done no good for anyone, but has enabled Jim to prise even more moolah away from Willie. There's professionalism and skill on all sides, surely otherwise people would not be retained in employment - LPCs would be failed, never mind line checks! The trouble is that insecurity of any description breeds disunity, and then we suffer in our small collectives, and look round for someone to blame. Aviation's a funny old world isn't it. I still look forward to flying with more of my old mates, some of whom are already on board, and seem to be enjoying it. After all, a big shiny jet was not what we all wanted when we decided to become regional pilots in the first place, so the original objective is still on the table with Flybe. Jim is only doing his job, and even the Fromage to the best of his ability (?) as are we all. Here's to some definitive good news soon!:)

Nothing wrong with the Q400 on the right routes. It’s load carrying ability and short strip performance sounds impressive, but I have my doubts about it’s suitability on long routes. JF was very quick off the blocks to call the EMB 145 a 90’s aeroplane. The difference is though it can climb well above the 25,000ft limited cruising altitude of the Q400 and although it is a little tricky on running costs due to overheads v pax seats, if it is run on the higher yield major city routes, it can be a winner. Its fuel consumption is similar to the 400 and on longer routes, possibly less. BMI regional don’t appear to think of it as a 90’s machine. More on the way and an endless supply of no cost fully trained and experienced rashers to fly them. :ok:

The 400 would be ideal on routes into near Europe and domestic, but it is certainly not ideal for Vienna, Madrid or Milans. Who needs to sit in the middle of Cbs and ice for two hours when the 145 or any other jet will be cruising well above in smooth air. (Sorry, any other jet apart from the 146).

Like many others who chose the regional lifestyle, I don’t mind going back to a prop if it’s on sensible routes, but I am certainly not going to hang around if JF tries to use it on European “long-haul”. There are alternatives and you don’t need to spill your coffee.

As for the fromgage, let him get on and manage something if that's what he thinks is for him, but he has to learn that he is not god and cannot do ten jobs at once. FO to Fleet Manager, new type converson TRE TRI TRof everything under the sun, head of recruiting, chief negotiator.... in two years, - not really on. := But then that was the old Bral way, managers had to boost their pay with evey add on they could think of. Shame they didn't just pay them properly and train them for one or two roles at a time.

08/02 Cancellations
 

Approx figs.
13 sectors due tech
18 sectors due crew shortages
35 sectors due weather

oh...

approx 23 sectors uncovered 09/02 due crew shortages.....wait until March!!!

I can't believe some of you are debating the pros and cons of jets vs turboprobs and the operating ceiling of the Q400.the merger of Bacon and Flybe will create a disfunctional airline with an embittered workforce and an incompatible fleet which will mirror all the failings of BAconnect which has lead to this dreadfull situation we now have, being repeated once again.this deal is bad for Flybe and as for Bacon,Willie threatens to close it down if the merger doesn't go through.i pity the resulting monster that will be created and don't hold out much hope for it's long term future.if the merger does take place,which seems more and more likely as time moves on,i can only suggest to those that can move to pastures new,don't hang about too long.we are approaching another very sad day in the history of British aviation.whoever would have thought it would come to this?

I see that a well-known flight crew recruitment company is fishing for 146/RJ crews... now I wonder who that could be for... ;);)

Just been on the news that the bird flu strain H5N1 may have entered the food chain. I know Bernard Mathews is a close friend of the Walker family and supplies Turkeys to Flybe staff including Aircrew as a Christmas gift each year. It has been reported that the majority of consumers will be unaffected if the Turkeys have been cooked properly, however a risk exists and consumers are being warned to be vigilant. Questions have to be asked if there is a connection between the high sickness level in Flybe and Bernard Mathews Turkeys.

Yet more "Gobbledegook" from Hudson.

But he is oh so funny isn't he...err wait...no he isn't. Fool, stick to flying in very straight lines not looking out of the window.

P.S. I've never had a Turkey.

Hudson, you are correct about the high levels of sickness amongst the Flybe crews. Unfortunately it is the poisioning due to faulty engine and APU seals allowing oil to enter the airconditioning system that seems to be the problem.
Constant headaches, dizziness, frequent Flu/cold like symptoms to name but a few.:oh:

The turkey theory is far funnier though.

Never mind Hudson, your wit is too rapier-like for many of your constituents. I liked it though. The turkey is so emblematic of the problems facing flybe...

Only those in Exeter got Turkeys for Christmas. The rest of us had to make do with the Turkey who came from Bacon to take over the training dept. Spends his time changing Bacon paperwork to flybe headers. Oh and telling us just how crap we really are. :{

Oh come on now Bob, he's not that bad - he can do the job properly! He's in a different league to the Fromage - at least he's a pilot!:}

Bermuda said

"the merger of Bacon and Flybe will create a disfunctional airline with an embittered workforce and an incompatible fleet which will mirror all the failings of BAconnect which has lead to this dreadfull situation we now have, being repeated once again.this deal is bad for Flybe and as for Bacon,Willie threatens to close it down if the merger doesn't go through."

Disagree

The workforce will just get on with it - as usual. The only failings of BACON were the twats at the top - Evans, Witts, Eadon, Hutchings & Co and the link with BA. Rumour has it that French could not afford the cost of not completeing the deal and that Willie will use BACON to give him a bloody nose if he tries to wriggle!

Its not a rumour Mr Spaceman, Willie W is directly quoted from a meeting with our reps two days ago.

He made it clear that if FLYBE try to wriggle out of the deal he will be out for blood and, most interestingly, would use BACON aggressively to deal that bloody nose.......!!! His view is that legally FLYBE are on the hook and have got to complete the deal.

He also said that if the deal fell over BA would protect all its slots and routes and ,contrary to what FLYBE think, they would not be able to pick them up for nought.

That I find a very odd statement because

1 It implies that BA would hang on to the company if French pulls out

2. How the hell does he think BA could suddenly succeed in pulling BACON out of the mire

I am confused and have more than a sense that this will end in tears all round.

As for FLYBE I am more and more convinced that this deal will be a disaster and is just too big for them. They dont have the skills or the capital to make it work.

(PS Id say their new advertising campaign for Q400 pilots smacks of desperation!)

Just how would Walsh protect the Bacon routes if the reports of the rapidly dwindling pilot workforce and a probably nonexistant 'backroom' are true? I would suggest that Walsh needs this deal more than flybe. Walsh needs to offload an albatross while flybe, although the collapse might mean a setback to expansion by a couple of years, can carry on regardless. Sounds as if it is entering the brinkmanship phase. What's the advice always given? If it's a bad deal then walk away. flybe will survive but Bacon is beyond economical repair; come back and pick over the wreck in 6 months time.

Turkey is fitter, leaner and better for you than BACon;)

Turkey is artificially fattened using water and chemicals. Flavour is enhanced via artificial flavourings, and coloured using poisonous artificial colouring. Bacon is as lean as it gets, a bit streaky, and at the moment, very poorly packaged!

Joining Flybe
 

I will be joining Flybe in a couple of weeks, a Direct Entry Command on the Q400. I have been reading this thread with great interest and amusement, at times. I would very much like to here from current Q400 Captains and /or Training Captains. For what it's worth i am very happy and positive about this new path in my career and I believe the BA Connect merger will be very good for Flybe.

"I would suggest that Walsh needs this deal more than flybe"

See noifsorbuts post above

French in for a bloody nose!!

I will be delighted to see this deal collapse.It was doomed from its conception.I still cannot believe that so called industry professionals could ever see it being a sucess.frightening really to witness the leadership of these two companies,methinks my pet iguana could do just as well.Jim french has done a good job so far and has high expectations for Flybe,they can be realised,but not by absorbing Baconnect.Steady expansion,right aircraft,profitable routes,he won't go far wrong.As for Bacon,if BA put the money where it's needed,address the cost base,rationalise the routes and motivate the staff,they too can operate as a profitable outfit.as stated many times on here before,a clearout from the top is long overdue !

Signing Soon?
 

Been told today possible signing of deal is 14th? Another St Valentine's Day Massacre!

'Roses are Red My Love, Violets are Blue, Jim's on his way you guys, Beware of the Screw' ! :uhoh:

Bacon has been slaughtered for no reason (well actually there is a reason - get BA out of the regions) - to add it to Flybe is no good for any of us.
I heard that Andrew (Stroppy) Strong is turning up at MAN on Tuesday (chaperoned by weasel Simon Witts) - so is Strong going to be Strong and appear at other venues? - or just one of the more militant bases? (Not aware of any other base visits yet - please correct me). Maybe he will have to leave early with an urgent train to catch (just like at the CC meeting at EXT?).
I'm not working that day - just might take a drive and go and challenge him over a number of pertinent issues - like Scheduling, Pensions, Turboprops, Dash sitting in Canada waiting for crews, WW refusing staff travel to rashers(not Flybe's issue but will certainly impact on them by even more resignations within 6 months), lifestyle, t/ps are better than jets for long European runs (!) etc etc (just talk to the pax Mr Stroppy and you will get a very different answer re the latter).
So just where did Mr Strong come from? Is he a Walker inheritee? Or just another teaboy made good (we have/had lots of those at Bacon)?
Edited to say that following a little more research -Strong used to be Flybe Engineering Director (as recent as 2004). What is it about these engineering manager types? Yet another of these folk who can speak the speak but can't do the job, and earn zero respect. Wittless was the same - Engineering manager KLM UK, then parachuted in as Head of Engineering BRAL, suddenly crawls up TDLF's arxe and next thing you know appears as Tim's replacement over and above Hutch. And talking of useless engineers at flybe there is always le grande fromage with his x,000 hours but all as an engineer and none of it actually pole-ing...... But of course we all respected him as a manager? (actually not even in Brymon days when he was a grovelling FO)

Roadshow moves on................
 

FYI Blackcap, the Boys are Back in Town in Brum on Wednesday, the feather dusters are out making everything pretty! Mind you with 2 Engineers visiting, perhaps they should just smear everything with engine oil, after all, dirty stuff for dirty deeds...

.........and as for our BACON boy, WITLESS does sum him up. I mean if he had any (wits I mean), Willie would surely have given him the Cityflyer job rather than him having to be Jim's lapdog during 'transition'! :*

Well - BRUM - another stroppy base for Mr Stroppy to sort out.

Witless must be crapping himself trying to get a back door into Waterside. But (as far as I'm aware) he isn't related to Hutch or Phelan - so stands no chance.

Unless..........
 

Blackcap,

Pertinant view about Simon Le Witt trying to get back to Waterside, wonder if Hutch or the Pretty Boy have any more Sisters he could woo??:D

...brothers would probably do as well - sure he isn't that fussy :suspect: . Keep it in the family whatever! :yuk:

Blackcap, So Le Fromage came to us to be a Fleet Manager from doing what at Brymon/BACE exactly?

No wonder one of my colleagues (ex-Brymon) walked out of the door as soon as Le Fromage arrived!

It would be so much easier if JF & WW at a meeting just dropped there trousers and compared gonads!! cos thats all they are doing at the moment seeing who has the biggest set of nads with all this macho posturing.I for one am sick to death with this whole sorry saga ,when will they realise that the workforce are really beyond caring what happpens, we just want some action! JF just buy it will you, or WW just close it down but for god sake get something happening! Because very soon you wont have a company to buy or sell.

Propellers
 

For Hudson Bay and the like, aeroplanes fly using powerplants, be they propellers, turbo-propellers, turbo-jets or rockets. Having just retired after 45 years of flying, starting on the Jet Provost and then progressing through the Gnat, Hunter and Jaguar in the RAF - then following with the Boeing 737, 757 and 767 in the civil world, I came to age 60 with a proud history of aviation, enjoyed to the full. I was then given the opportunity to continue that love affair, with a post flying the ATP and then the Dash 8. I have to say that those last few years, flying propeller driven aircraft, were some of the happiest and most rewarding of my airborne career. Enjoy the flying while you can, whether it is propeller driven, jet powered or a glider !!

Maxclimb
 

I'm currently a Q400 Captain with Flybe. What can I say. I really enjoy the job. Good routes, good variety, great crew, interesting and challenging aeroplane and you're pretty much left to your own devices during your working day. Granted you don't get paid as much as others (it aint far off now) but I earn more than enough to enjoy my life the way I want to live it. The new scheduling agreement, due to be unvailed soon, should be a big improvement on the old one.

The best flying job I've had.

X767, thankyou and well said. I'm glad there are pilots like you out there to temper the 'Jets are best' philosophy!

The Q400
 

X767
Hi there - still keeping your eye on us! Hope you are well, you are still missed.

Chesty - I will be pleased to join you - good post!

Steepclimb - forgive a CC member replying to your post, but I am due to start training with flyBe soon; my first CC job. I've also been very disillusioned by some of the posts and have to say yours was a VERY welcome addition.

In my very limited experience, I also applied to BMI, BA, Virgin and Astreus. However, the whole process including assesment day with flyBe was head and shoulders over the others - they came across as a really professional outfit which is why Ive chosen to join them over a couple of others I had offers from.

Looking forward to it :D

Stepclimb,

"others on my course have come from backgrounds of flying spanning over 30 years and they are equally impressed with the standards at flybe."

Does that include the DOUBLE ones ?:ugh:

More cancellations Monday 12 Feb due crew shortage......no way to run an airline.The passengers deserve better than this.About time those in charge took responsibility and sorted this mess out,assuming they are capable of course ??

3 canx at BRS so far today, and another battering from some very angry pax. Same as Sat and Sun, it was like GroundBunnie day all over again.

Pax comment of the day so far "I'll be a lot happier when you lot are finally gone"

Any mention of a reduced sched anywhere?

Rgds GB

Anyone know if our rosters are coming out today?