AvantAir entire fleet grounded for mx Inspections?

[Praetorian]

Have to give this one a lot of thought before hitting the 'submit' button. But here goes...

I wish the Avantair pilots had chosen to unionize because its always good to have an experienced representative in your corner, no matter what happens. I've spent - probably to much time on here - trying to cajole them.

I spoke to one of our sales guys a few months ago who told me, 'Avantair is killing us in the middle of the country, because they are undercutting us on price.' He said he thought Avantair was making deals under cost just to get the frac contracts, busting their own bank.

So here we are. Avantair was in the weeds before this event and very vulnerable. Now this happens and the pilots pay.

Question is, does it benefit us collectively as pilots for a company who cuts corners, thereby undercutting competitors, to remain in business. Those cost savings don't simply materialize out of thin air, someone in management must decide to make that happen. Put this alongside the inherent pressures that come from running a public company and you have a classic mismanagement disaster.

 

[nordo_2]

I have positive thoughts for the affected. We are all just a moment away from something like this. Having said that. It can’t be emphasized enough how pay cuts; give backs, and looking the other way. Did not prevent one single furlough. Never has, and never will.

 

[rettofly]

It's a very awkward situation...a 'furlough with a hopefully short duration'.

That puts the furloughed pilots in a difficult situation where we can't really say anything or defend the company. We all want all these posts to go away and bad press to stop as we are motivated by the desire for our company to come out of this intact. Engaging with former employees who do have their axes out and are grinding away only puts the thread right back and the top of the stack and therefore is counterproductive.

So we're in a situation where the ex-employees are coming out swinging and swinging hard while the furloughed employees are standing here with our hands tied behind our backs.

Hey Glass,

I've disagreed with you a time or three, but I'm with you on this one. Hang tough!

 

[RNObased]

Nice post you idiot! If they had any hope with the FAA you just screwed it. Way to help your brothers!

Possibly one of the stupidest posts I have ever read. You are assuming that the FAA knows nothing about any of this and it is a big secret. WRONG. Think for two seconds.

 

[MJPilot]

Glass, should have stayed with Comair, as the result would have been the same: No job!

Yet, you would have walked away with money in your pocket, about $31,000 of a severance packages, and not the worthless AAIR stock options.

Plus your FAA record would have also remained lighter ...

 

[MJPilot]

:beer:

 

[MJPilot]

:angryfire

 

[Capt. JD]

Glass, should have stayed with Comair, as the result would have been the same: No job!

Yet, you would have walked away with money in your pocket, about $31,000 of a severance packages, and not the worthless AAIR stock options.

Plus your FAA record would have also remained lighter ...

I think Gl-asspilot worked here before Avantair...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Air

All valid points! It was good flying with you MJPilot!

 

[CALRepublic]

Valid point. I think I'm done posting here for a while. Even though I want to stick up for our Company, posting and keeping these threads at the top of the page doesn't help our situation.

Have at it, folks. I'm out...

good decision

Avantair guys, do your selves a favor, stop posting on this thread. You're not doing your struggling company any favors by keeping this thread alive.

Good thing your owners don't know about flightinfo..

 

[hammer2]

Has Avantair fired anybody at the top yet?

 

[GIVSP]

CalRepublic,
Our company has a share, and we have read every word. Thx

 

[fugazi]

Wait, they had a pilot doing inspections? Are you an A&P as well?

I'm actually not sure..I believe that's a compilation of stories from past/current pilots and mechanics.

 

[SharkBait]

I wish the Avantair pilots had chosen to unionize because its always good to have an experienced representative in your corner, no matter what happens. I've spent - probably to much time on here - trying to cajole them.
...
Question is, does it benefit us collectively as pilots for a company who cuts corners, thereby undercutting competitors, to remain in business. Those cost savings don't simply materialize out of thin air, someone in management must decide to make that happen. Put this alongside the inherent pressures that come from running a public company and you have a classic mismanagement disaster.

Agree, should have had the union in place for just such an occasion. I have been with 2 low cost operators and saw the trend.

No, low cost operators do not benefit pilots as a whole, but I wouldn't heap too much blame on the pilots. See that little swirly symbol on the top right side of your pilot certificate? Mine has one too. It says that I am authorized to operate specific aircraft the way that THEY want them operated, not how some guy thinks he can "do it for less". Yes, there is a point at which the pilot's skill and experience is not fairly compensated and hotly debated here-- that's why I am avoiding the regionals and looking for something similar to my skill set.

BTW anybody need a corporate pilot out of APA/DEN area?

 

[jetmaster727]

Possibly one of the stupidest posts I have ever read. You are assuming that the FAA knows nothing about any of this and it is a big secret. WRONG. Think for two seconds.

Obviously they know about it einstein, but it doesnt do anyone any good to fill in the blanks!

 

[fugazi]

Obviously they know about it einstein, but it doesnt do anyone any good to fill in the blanks!

Thats Subjective, It sets a great example of how not to run a operation. I've worked for low rent 135 freight operators that didn't pull anything even close to your beloved operation. You're part of the problem pal! Every part of the operation should be transparent!

 

[Capt. JD]

Over my last 15 years, 6 airline/fractional/135 companies, 8000hrs of mostly Turbine/Jet experience.. I have yet to experience any one of these. Let alone an emergency for that matter... I'm thinking that it is a blessing you are no longer at Avant... Sounds almost like an emergency was a common occurence at that company!!

Amazing the difference between companies that don't cut corners and those that do!!! Sorry for the guys who may lose their jobs, it will get better eventually, trust me I know from experience. But when a companies selling point is offering 40% cheaper service, that money has to come from somewhere, and it ain't the fuel savings .....

Before Avantair I was flying freight single pilot in Cessna 210's at Flight Express. Followed by flying Cessna 310RRRRrrrrs at a small charter/freight FAR 135 operator for a total of 2 1/2 years at both places and experienced far less MX issues! Kind weird that I have 2500 hours in piston aircraft with no engine failures. Then I fly 3000+ hours in Avantair P180's and have 2 in the advertised super reliable PT6! Whatever doesn't kill you makes you strongerrrrr!

 

[Paradoxus]

I'm actually not sure..I believe that's a compilation of stories from past/current pilots and mechanics.

No...it appears that the guy was a pilot AND mechanic, whom was either assigned or volunteered to turn some wrenches.

 

[Paradoxus]

Whatever doesn't kill you makes you strongerrrrr!

...and an idle ass is known to make pilots largerrrr!!!

 

[fugazi]

No...it appears that the guy was a pilot AND mechanic, whom was either assigned or volunteered to turn some wrenches.

Lmao, That way he could sign off all of those MELs that required an M!

 

[whiskytangofoxt]

Did somebody metion that pilot??? shoot I'm still looking for my Atlantic Bucks...Captains privledge?????

 

[RNObased]

Obviously they know about it einstein, but it doesnt do anyone any good to fill in the blanks!

Excellent idea, let's pretend like it never happened, bury our heads in the sand and whistle while walking through the graveyard. All great ideas, but generally don't work and neither will your lame ideas.

 

[kman]

Just wondering, has warn notices gone out to all pilots?

 

[NoJoy]

Just wondering, has warn notices gone out to all pilots?

No WARN notice.

 

[kman]

I thought, they had to give you 2 months notice or something? Are all ops standing down and all pilots are furloughed?

 

[kman]

Avantair, Still Grounded, Retains Aviation Safety Expert and Furloughs Pilots

AINALERTS » OCTOBER 29, 2012
by CHAD TRAUTVETTER

October 29, 2012, 3:00 PM
Fractional provider Avantair continues to stand down operations and has retained safety expert Nick Sabatini to help complete a thorough examination of its fleet of about 60 Piaggio Avantis, including a comprehensive review of records and supporting maintenance documentation. It has also furloughed all of its pilots and operations staff. Avantair’s fleet has been “voluntarily” grounded for the past 10 days, a move that was prompted by an incident in late July where a Piaggio Avanti was operated on two flights with a missing elevator surface.


TAGS: C++ODBOBJECT-RELATIONAL MAPPINGPIAGGIO P.180 AVANTICOMPUTER PROGRAMMINGSOFTWARE ENGINEERINGCOMPUTING
FILED UNDER:
FRACTIONAL
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[exagony]

Sad- how does a company recover from something like this? How does it retain/attract new owners? Best wishes to all the crews affected...

 

[gunfyter]

One way is you get bought by another company.... Ala ValueJet

 

[MJPilot]

Who wants to buy a broken company?

 

[jonjuan]

One way is you get bought by another company.... Ala ValueJet

Or when someone like mr Buffett props up a company.

 

[AftCG182]

Who wants to buy a broken company?

That's right... Laugh it up... We might still have a little something left for ya after all...

Time will tell, eh gents???

edit: to add a quote from the iconic Sgt. Schultz... "I know nuhziiiinnngggg!!!"