Just breaking now on Sky News. Any other info?

Are they union jobs? Would be interesting, considering SRB's recent "advice" to Boeing.

News link: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Bus...Ryanair_Cut_Jobs_As_Recession_Hits

Article also glosses over Ryanair's similar intentions.

Not a good day at all for aviation in the UK and Ireland..
SR-Technics are to close their Irish plant and 1200 jobs on the line-Ryanair axing in Dublin..

It's a logical step to protect the core business. We had a brief today detailing what will happen and when. Suffice to say everyone feels threatened, some more than others. However, I think everyone understands that there has to be cuts and that these things happen, but all anyone can do is carry on until we find out who and when.

We're in pretty good shape if we can make savings and this recession doesn't continue more than a couple of years. Those at risk will find out shortly who they are and then, who knows?

Lets face it, anyone believing airlines can carry on as they are without making cuts are looking in a very rose tinted glass. With pax numbers dropping, routes will be pared down and aircraft maybe laid up. This in turn reduces the staffing requirements and maintenance required.

Just have to hope my position is safe, although I doubt it.

Andy   

Quoting Skidmarks (Reply 4): With pax numbers dropping, routes will be pared down and aircraft maybe laid up. This in turn reduces the staffing requirements and maintenance required. Just have to hope my position is safe, although I doubt it.

Well I hope your job is safe Andy. But it confuses me slightly, shouldn't the downturn be an ideal time for airlines to get aircraft nearing C/D checks through these whilst they'll not going to be missed as much, then in a year or two's time (when hopefully things have picked up) they'd be in a stronger position fleet wise?


Dan  

Quoting PlymSpotter (Reply 5): it confuses me slightly, shouldn't the downturn be an ideal time for airlines to get aircraft nearing C/D checks through these whilst they'll not going to be missed as much, then in a year or two's time (when hopefully things have picked up) they'd be in a stronger position fleet wise?

you would still have an excess of Pilots / Cabin crew etc during that couple of years.

Quoting Skidmarks (Reply 4): It's a logical step to protect the core business. We had a brief today detailing what will happen and when. Suffice to say everyone feels threatened, some more than others. However, I think everyone understands that there has to be cuts and that these things happen, but all anyone can do is carry on until we find out who and when.

Why don't you guys go out on strike to protest the cuts?

Quoting Khobar (Reply 7): Why don't you guys go out on strike to protest the cuts?

And what would that achieve? Nothing. Management will do what they like knowing full well they have workers over a barrel, because they are worried about their own jobs.

NZ1

I imagine other airlines will have to follow suit soon!

Quoting Khobar (Reply 7): Why don't you guys go out on strike to protest the cuts?

And what would that do, cause untold havoc to passengers and cause the airline to loose money, at a time when it needs it!!!

Its only a matter of time until the airline I work for offers vol redundency or other options to save them money, as will a lot of airlines.

Strike action will do nothing but make the situation worse!!

Quoting LHR380 (Reply 10): Strike action will do nothing but make the situation worse!!

although your airline try it every year...

Quoting Myt332 (Reply 11): although your airline try it every year...

2 years and strike free, though there were attempts lol

I wonder if Capt Sully's job would be safe.....didn't Sir Richard just offer to double his salary if he left US Airways and joined Virgin Atlantic?

I love Virgin Atlantic and wish them success in finding ways to survive the recession.

However, like the famous incident a few weeks back with the gent from India complaining about food, I have to say that I've noted a definite decline in the proudct, which I very much hope is not part of the plan to save money. A few weeks ago I was riding in upper class LHR-ORD and the food on offer was - honestly - not better than BA economy, except that it was served on china instead of plastic. The seats were hard and scruffy and the old IFE (tiny screens/bad reception) didn't help. The Clubhouse at Heahtrow is also showing a lot of wear...

As usual, the real pleasure was the crew who were outstanding as always. I'm hoping Virgin can find a way to maintain a good product without debasing themselves to the service standards of the US carriers across the Atlantic...

Cairo

Does anybody know which airports these cuts will come at?

I would imagine LHR will see some loss being the major hub. I wonder if it will have an effects on routes that are planned, cancellations etc

Quoting Skidmarks (Reply 4): It's a logical step to protect the core business. We had a brief today detailing what will happen and when. Suffice to say everyone feels threatened, some more than others. However, I think everyone understands that there has to be cuts and that these things happen, but all anyone can do is carry on until we find out who and when.

sorry for being cynical, but did Virgin Atlantic not say to their employees on 28th Jan they would implement a pay freeze to avoid any redundancies?
http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1134282.php?mpnlog=1

seems a bit hypocritical to me that one minute they tell there staff 'no redundancies if they take a pay cut', but now they do both!?? its like they win on both accounts

Quoting NZ1 (Reply 8): And what would that achieve? Nothing. Management will do what they like knowing full well they have workers over a barrel, because they are worried about their own jobs.

How so? If they are union then they can apply pressure to the airline by shutting them down. The airline is in business to make money - that's why they are calling for layoffs. If you threaten to cut off their lifeline they'll be willing to talk.

Or so the party line goes, no?

Quoting LHR380 (Reply 10): And what would that do, cause untold havoc to passengers and cause the airline to loose money, at a time when it needs it!!!

That's right - cause havoc to passengers and cause the airline to lose money - that's the point to make them rethink their plans.

I'm really just wanting to know if Virgin is a union shop or not.

Quoting Khobar (Reply 17): How so? If they are union then they can apply pressure to the airline by shutting them down. The airline is in business to make money - that's why they are calling for layoffs. If you threaten to cut off their lifeline they'll be willing to talk. Or so the party line goes, no?

Do you think they want to lay people off? They are doing it for a reason.

Suppose they did go on strike. They shut down operations, thus losing more money, and then announce that they will need to lay off even more people than originally announced because of the loss of revenue during the strike.

Quoting Beaucaire (Reply 3): Not a good day at all for aviation in the UK and Ireland..

Not a good WEEK for Irish aviation:
~ FR cut 100 jobs 5 routes at SNN
~ SR Technics (formerly TEAM Aer Lingus) cuts 1200 at DUB
~ FR cuts 500 at DUB
~ Announcement of possible end to government-subsidised PSO domestic flights which may lead to the demise of Aer Arann

Quoting Jkudall (Reply 18): Do you think they want to lay people off? They are doing it for a reason. Suppose they did go on strike. They shut down operations, thus losing more money, and then announce that they will need to lay off even more people than originally announced because of the loss of revenue during the strike.

That never happens. Strikes are beneficial and necessary - ask F9Animal (I think that's right).  

So, is Virgin a union shop? The answer is, apparently, yes. So, in essence, SRB is firing a bunch of people who are accepting of their fate "for the good of the company".

So why didn't SRB expect and call for the same from the Boeing machinists? Makes him look like a ...well, fill in the blank.