Sponsor Message:
Civil Aviation Forum
My Starred Topics | Profile | New Topic | Go To Top | Help | Search 
New Zealand Aviation Thread #36  
User currently offlineZkpilot From New Zealand, joined Mar 2006, 2691 posts, RR: 4
Posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 6271 times:

Welcome to the New Zealand Aviation Thread #36.
The last thread took 21 days to reach 200 posts. 777ER is in hiding again so heres the thread.  Wink

In the previous thread the discussion involved:
- a crazy notion about an AT7 to NRT (which turned out to be NLK)
- new air services agreement with Sth Africa
- RNP approaches into ZQN and the differences between the airlines into ZQN
- DUD and INV ops
- NZ 777 upgrades to save 1.5% fuel burn
- EK switching aircraft making AKL Airbus only
- Ongoing speculation about Mt Cooks AT7 replacements
- NZ looking to move forward its order for 77W
- VA new Oz-LAX services and how they might affect NZ
- Toll offloading its DJ stake and possibility of NZ buying it.
- Victoria Beckham (she looks scary to me!)
- UAs future in this region
- B1900D replacement soon? (unlikely however)
- NZ domestic food offerings
- EKs flight changes as well as its 10across Y seating on 777
- NZ upgrading 763ERs
- Commerce Commission investigating airlines for price-fixing on freight
- and not forgetting aparently there is a Mrs NZ1 on A.net  Wink

Oil prices have had their biggest shortterm fall in a decade over the past few days... hopefully that keeps prices down some.

Let the discussions continue....


46 types. 21 countries for me and counting
210 replies: All unread, showing first 25:
 
User currently offlineNZ1 From New Zealand, joined May 2004, 1617 posts, RR: 18
Reply 1, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 6265 times:

From the last thread:

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 221):
Quoting NZ1 (Reply 204):
Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 200):
If mrs NZ1 (if there is one?) was on A.net then NZ2 would surely be her title but since shes not (so far as I know) then props to you mate.

There is a Mrs NZ1 on a.net, but I won't divulge her user name,

how clandestine of you Wink
Is she a regular poster in the NZ av thread?

Used to be, but got sick of all the bs that happens from time to time...lol



ZKSUJ - I wasn't having a go at you re the vege chips. I was trying to be a smart ass. Sorry if YOU took it the wrong way.

NZ1


Good things take time
User currently offlineZKSUJ From New Zealand, joined May 2004, 6365 posts, RR: 8
Reply 2, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 6262 times:

Anyone in customer service know how PAX are reacting to the Air NS strikes? Are the reactions better than anticipated?

User currently offlineZKSUJ From New Zealand, joined May 2004, 6365 posts, RR: 8
Reply 3, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 6261 times:



Quoting NZ1 (Reply 1):
ZKSUJ - I wasn't having a go at you re the vege chips. I was trying to be a smart ass. Sorry if YOU took it the wrong way.

Cool man, sorry for the misunderstanding

User currently offline777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 8473 posts, RR: 13
Reply 4, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 6246 times:



Quoting Zkpilot (Thread starter):
777ER is in hiding again so heres the thread.

Nah not in hiding, just couldn't be bothered starting a new thread at midnight last night.

From the previous thread:

Quoting NZ1 (Reply 208):
Its not like you hop on a bus from AKL to WLG and get given food/airpoints etc etc

Intercity/Newmans actually offer points if your a 'ClubWay Member' on their cheapest fares

Quoting NZ747 (Reply 220):
Quoting 777ER (Reply 207):
Yes, which is a digusting amount to serve any pax. Have you tried their lollie bag yet?

A disgusting amount? You can't go less than 1 hour without eating? If your going to be that picky, why not buy something to eat at the airport cafe (plenty of variety) and eat it on the plane. It will prob be the same price, if not cheaper, than the extra airfare increase Air NZ would have to charge for a meal/ greater snack service.

Yes I can go without food for more then 1 hour. Eating at the airport is now getting too expensive as they put their prices up. Nearly $10 for just a pie and coke or chips and coke! I'm finding that recently I'm buying the more expensive fares, so its perfectly fair that customers buying more expensive fares expect a far better service, instead of a cheap packet of 4 lollies that even a 4 year old wouldn't like to get served, so maybe its time NZ gives its higher fare payers a pie, sandwich or slice of cake on each domestic flight! Maybe its time NZ starts treating it customers with respect cause after all its us pax who are helping to pay their employees/managements wages and putting food on their employees tables. We wouldn't be getting slightly more better service if it wasn't for DJ entering the domestic market.


Don't forget to check out my youtube movies in my profile!
User currently offline777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 8473 posts, RR: 13
Reply 5, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 6241 times:

Pac Blue staff in limbo over jobs

Many of 200 Pacific Blue cabin crew and pilots fear they will not be rehired by the airline after August 19.


That is because it terminated the services of their contractor, Kaiapoi-based Contract Air Services, yesterday from that date.

Speculation is rife among the staff that the budget carrier will redeploy staff from its Australian parent, Virgin Blue, as it cuts back its own services and delays aircraft orders, reducing the number of staff required.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4623114a13.html

Three-day air strike takes toll


Air Nelson staff have made 10,000 phone calls to passengers as it deals with a three-day pilots' strike.


The strike, smack at the end of the school holidays, follows a year of unsuccessful negotiations.

The strike runs from midnight Thursday night until midnight on Sunday, affecting 250 flights. Most of those have been cancelled and passengers put on other Air New Zealand flights or chartered flights.

The Tasman Makos rugby team was among those affected by the strike, with the team forced to charter a plane to make it to Auckland for its warm-up match against Counties-Manukau.

New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association executive director Rick Mirkin - who was not available for comment Friday - earlier said pilots wanted a pay rise and a change to rostering which currently only allowed them one weekend off a month.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4622923a13.html

I personally feel this strike at this time just shows how selfish the pilots and unions are. It appears to be common practise to have stikes at important times

Qantas cuts 1500 jobs
Shuts US, London call centres

Qantas says it will cut 1500 jobs across the world to try to offset the rising cost of jet fuel and challenging conditions in the aviation industry.


The national carrier has also scrapped plans to hire another 1200 workers in the new financial year and will retire 22 older aircraft from its fleet of 228.

Chief executive Geoff Dixon said the aviation industry is facing a major crisis and Qantas needs to ensure its future.

"The jobs to be cut will be principally concentrated in non-operational areas, although operational positions will also go," he said in Sydney.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4622940a13.html


Don't forget to check out my youtube movies in my profile!
User currently offlineCchan From Cook Islands, joined May 2003, 686 posts, RR: 1
Reply 6, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 6237 times:



Quoting Zkpilot (Thread starter):
Ongoing speculation about Mt Cooks AT7 replacements

When can we expect an announcement?

User currently offline777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 8473 posts, RR: 13
Reply 7, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 6232 times:



Quoting Cchan (Reply 6):
When can we expect an announcement?

I believe the board are meeting around July 28th, so around then


Don't forget to check out my youtube movies in my profile!
User currently offlineAxio From New Zealand, joined Jul 2006, 223 posts, RR: 0
Reply 8, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 6193 times:

Quoting SQ6807,reply 216 in thread #35:
On an entirely unrelated matter - is NZ still operating the flights from CHC intl terminal to AKL intl terminal? If so, are they going well enough to consider a similar service for WLG? If New Zealand's laws are similar to Australia's non intl transfer passengers could also be accomodated on these services.

I think this works well at CHC because there are customs staff already there handling flights from Singapore or Japan that arrive around the same time; whereas there are no other international arrivals at WLG until mid-afternoon which creates something of a staffing problem. So personally I wouldn't expect to see a WLG connector anytime soon.

ax

[Edited 2008-07-18 01:35:31]


one day I'll step onto an Airbus :)
User currently offlineMr AirNZ From New Zealand, joined Feb 2002, 579 posts, RR: 1
Reply 9, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 6170 times:

Quoting 777ER (Reply 5):
I personally feel this strike at this time just shows how selfish the pilots and unions are. It appears to be common practise to have stikes at important times

Talks have been going on for months and months and months. Air Nelson won't budge. Bloody oath the strike was timed for maximum impact!! How else do you get it out into the public and media eye. I think just about every pilot in New Zealand is behind the Air Nelson crew. Just wait till Eagle and Mainline Pilot's jump on the band wagon!!

[Edited 2008-07-18 02:37:36]

User currently offlineCchan From Cook Islands, joined May 2003, 686 posts, RR: 1
Reply 10, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 6155 times:



Quoting 777ER (Reply 5):
I personally feel this strike at this time just shows how selfish the pilots and unions are. It appears to be common practise to have stikes at important times

Not the perfect time for industrial action when many airlines are cutting staff.

Are there further strikes planned?

User currently offline777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 8473 posts, RR: 13
Reply 11, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 6131 times:



Quoting Mr AirNZ (Reply 9):
Air Nelson won't budge.

And your surprised they arn't budging? I'm not surprised they arn't budging considering todays enviorment. I wonder if this strike is actually doing more damange then good for the pilots. Come sunday there could be many people pissed off with the pilots (I would be if my travel plans were disrupted by a strike), and they will most likly vent their anger at the pilots who arn't members of a union, when it should be directed at union members. I do agree though that they should have more time in terms of weekends for family time, but not the pay increase they are wanting cause in a short time they will have enough hours to move onto bigger aircraft with NZ, QF, DJ or an other airline if they want to work longer hours and also because airlines can't afford pay rises. If management can handle a pay freeze, then why can't other airline employees handle it? Yes many people are struggling with their budgets, but they can cut back on things like treats for the kids, not taking as many car trips and hell even maybe start walking places instead on short trips


Does anyone know if there is still a shortage of pilots training?

Quoting Cchan (Reply 10):
Not the perfect time for industrial action when many airlines are cutting staff.

100% agree. Wouldn't be surprised if the union members are first on the chopping block at Air Nelson if it comes to laying off staff


Don't forget to check out my youtube movies in my profile!
User currently offlineZKSUJ From New Zealand, joined May 2004, 6365 posts, RR: 8
Reply 12, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 6105 times:



Quoting Mr AirNZ (Reply 9):
I think just about every pilot in New Zealand is behind the Air Nelson crew. Just wait till Eagle and Mainline Pilot's jump on the band wagon!!

Yea, I agree

Quoting 777ER (Reply 11):
Does anyone know if there is still a shortage of pilots training?

There never really was a shortage, all hype IMO. Still a surplus and there has been for a long time (although arguably the surplus is slightly less now, particularily for flight instructors)

User currently offline777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 8473 posts, RR: 13
Reply 13, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 6097 times:



Quoting ZKSUJ (Reply 12):
Quoting 777ER (Reply 11):
Does anyone know if there is still a shortage of pilots training?

There never really was a shortage, all hype IMO. Still a surplus and there has been for a long time (although arguably the surplus is slightly less now, particularily for flight instructors)

Then you could say that if any pilots arn't happy with their pay/conditions and leave Air Nelson, then there will be others who will happily fill the vacancy (like you ZKSUJ)


Don't forget to check out my youtube movies in my profile!
User currently offlineMr AirNZ From New Zealand, joined Feb 2002, 579 posts, RR: 1
Reply 14, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 6088 times:

777ER, please only comment on a subject when you know something about it. Your last post just about made me spit tacks!

Quoting 777ER (Reply 11):
but not the pay increase they are wanting cause in a short time they will have enough hours to move onto bigger aircraft with NZ, QF, DJ or an other airline if they want to work longer hours and also because airlines can't afford pay rises

Airlines are hurting, but so are the staff!!! We all have bills and have to eat!!! Inflation 4% and increasing. Pay in real terms is going backwards!!! Not everyone wants to move on to Jets. Many people are happy at Eagle/Air Nelson/Mount Cook etc. This round of pay negotiations has actually seen a few 'lifers' with 10-20 years in the company get so pissed off they have resigned. I trained for a respected profession that came with a liveable wage. I did not spend years training, years building hours and years paying off debt to merely 'exist.'

Quoting 777ER (Reply 11):
If management can handle a pay freeze, then why can't other airline employees handle it?

Oh yeah sure, now they take a pay freeze. Media don't seem to mention the management pay increase for JH that went through a few months ago. As for RF, yeah I'm sure the freeze on $1.6 Million will be real tough

Quoting 777ER (Reply 11):
hell even maybe start walking places instead on short trips

Yeah because we all know that (lets just use the some of the Air Nelson ports) TRG, NPL, NPE, NSN are real close to town. No need to pay for petrol to get to work at 6am in the morning, lets walk!

Quoting 777ER (Reply 11):
Does anyone know if there is still a shortage of pilots training?

Never was a shortage and never will be, smoke and mirrors.

Quoting 777ER (Reply 11):
100% agree. Wouldn't be surprised if the union members are first on the chopping block at Air Nelson if it comes to laying off staff

I honestly believe that if Air Nelson did this EVERY SINGLE ALPA member at EVERY SINGLE Air NZ outfit would walk off the job. As I said in my last post, this is just the start. Eagle and Mainline contracts up for negotation soon................

User currently offlineAxio From New Zealand, joined Jul 2006, 223 posts, RR: 0
Reply 15, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 6078 times:

I'm a little curious as to what the current pay is and what the demands are.

TVNZ mentioned something on the news about a senior pilot earning around $100k p.a. for a 31 hour week - which is pretty damn awesome for a non-management position in any industry. However I like to think I maintain a healthy scepticism of journalism and I'm sure that is the figure Air NZ wants people to hear and may not give an accurate feel for the overall situation.

ax


one day I'll step onto an Airbus :)
User currently offlineZKSUJ From New Zealand, joined May 2004, 6365 posts, RR: 8
Reply 16, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 6073 times:

Quoting Axio (Reply 15):
I'm sure that is the figure Air NZ wants people to hear and may not give an accurate feel for the overall situation.


Interesting     Yeah sure

[Edited 2008-07-18 04:32:54]

[Edited 2008-07-18 04:34:15]

User currently offlineNZ747 From Fiji, joined Dec 2004, 898 posts, RR: 3
Reply 17, posted (1 month 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 6039 times:



Quoting Mr AirNZ (Reply 14):

Absolutely agree, very well said.

Quoting 777ER (Reply 4):
I'm buying the more expensive fares, so its perfectly fair that customers buying more expensive fares expect a far better service, instead of a cheap packet of 4 lollies that even a 4 year old wouldn't like to get served, so maybe its time NZ gives its higher fare payers a pie, sandwich or slice of cake on each domestic flight!

Why? They are running an airline...not a restaurant. The small snacks are just a bit of variety to have on the side of your coffee or tea, which of course they aren't obliged to offer at all. Maybe you could make a sandwich at home, by a pie at the caltex along the way, or do some baking and make yourself a slice of cake to take on the plane and eat....you could always fly QF, apparently they have quiche.

Quoting 777ER (Reply 4):
Maybe its time NZ starts treating it customers with respect cause after all its us pax who are helping to pay their employees/managements wages and putting food on their employees tables.

A pie = respect??  Confused I thought getting you safely and quickly from A to B at a reasonable price would have been enough...