Gemini ... so, what happened?

[dc10maniac]

So, what happened with Gemini?
Still have the MD-11's?
Are they going to change the old DC-10's they have?
Are they going to hire this year?

 

[dojetdriver]

Think "search"

 

[dc10maniac]

I searched but still, I just wanted to get an inside intel.

 

[fogrunner]

Quote:

I do have some questions about Gemini. If you were profitable last year, why are you now in CH 11? Isn't it a little early in the year? It's gotta be bad for your credit with fuel vendors, etc. Do you think Gemini is better or worse off without Stockbridge?

Our debt was killing us.

Quote:

John Bolduc, Managing Director of Bayside Capital, commented, "We are pleased to have participated with Gemini in restructuring the balance sheet of this strong company. We look forward to becoming its majority owner and supporting the growth of the business."

No furloughs, no paycuts, business as usual. No 1113c. Contract negotiations going forward.

Quote:
Dulles, VA – March 15, 2006 -- Gemini Air Cargo, Inc. (“Gemini” or the “Company”) announced that it has successfully completed its negotiations to restructure all of its senior secured debt with nearly 95% of its lenders, including affiliates of Bayside Capital, Inc. (“Bayside”). To implement the restructuring, Gemini has filed a pre-negotiated, voluntary petition for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The highlights of these filings include: i) a fully committed Debtor-in-Possession (“DIP”) financing; ii) a detailed plan of reorganization which significantly reduces the outstanding indebtedness on Gemini’s balance sheet, and iii) agreements with Gemini’s majority equity holders and 93.4% of its secured lenders to vote in favor of this plan of reorganization.

What we are being told is, we should exit CH 11 in 60-90 days.

Quote:

Unlike many recent U.S. airline bankruptcies, we have negotiated both the interim financing to provide the necessary liquidity to work quickly through the Chapter 11 process and we have secured the financing necessary to emerge from bankruptcy as a stronger, healthier airline. This financing commitment will allow us to minimize the time spent in Chapter 11, and complete the process by this summer.

I spoke with a friend in Dulles. He said do not be surprised to see new-hires by the third qtr.

 

[fogrunner]

Heard some interesting stuff yesterday about upgrades, hiring and replacements for the 10.

We shall see.

Yes we still have 11s.........

We were officially told today of a new contract flying for SAA with an MD11.

 

[metrodriver]

Fogrunner, I think you are a little bit fast with divulging company info to the whole wide world. Some customers might not like it, management might not like it. We already get so little info, with this kind of postings soon we will get no info out of Dulles. Amazingly I had to read the SAA contract info here before I could read it on the company website.
Same with the ch11 stuff: the more people know about it, the more it can hurt us. Get ready to use your amex everytime you check into a hotel, stuff like that.
About upgrades and -10 replacement: seems like you're close to the fire. The smoke signals haven't reached the neck of the woods yet where I'm on a company vacation. how about a pm with some of that stuff. Good way for us to kill some time

 

[fogrunner]

Originally Posted by metrodriver
Amazingly I had to read the xxx contract info here before I could read it on the company website.

I don't post anything that would be considered propriety. Everything I have posted here has been announced, officially. Is it not fantastic that we have picked-up a long term contract. This shows that there are company's out there that believe Gemini is going to be around. Unlike some of the folks on this board.

Quote:
Same with the ch11 stuff: the more people know about it, the more it can hurt us.

Everything I have posted here on this subject is in the public domain. It has to be due to BK laws. In fact it helps us during our negotiations with the company because more information is made public. This was not the case prior to the BK.

Quote:

About upgrades and -10 replacement: seems like you're close to the fire. The smoke signals haven't reached the neck of the woods yet where I'm on a company vacation.

This is just scuttle but on the line. We have been hearing of additional airframes for years.

Quote:

seems like you're close to the fire

you give me too much credit............


People have accused me of being too positive when it comes to Gemini. There are quite a few people on this board who would like to work here. They look for information. There are some, who seem to take pleasure in other peoples misfortune or strife.
I get fed up when I see some of the absolute bovine excrement which is expressed on this board. I try to counter some of the misinformation, lies and BS that is thrown around, ie:

Quote:
Originally Posted by cargoflyr69
I thought that the parent company that owns Gemini also owns Bayside Capital (among others).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Classicdriver
According to the military folks I deal with, they use you sparingly. They don't like the confiruaration of the pallets and you sometimes just don't show up, never giving them a heads up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJDC
I heard that UPS is looking to buy 4 MD-11's that are currently operated by a single anonymous operator in financial trouble. Any idea who that could be?

A while ago we had a thread about furloughs at Gemini. It was actually started by a Gemini crew member. What about the FedEx rumors or UPS.
Some of the stuff, no, alot of the stuff on this board is rubbish. I just try to counter the absurd and rediculous. I am sure this thread will turn into the usual, 'my willy is bigger than your willy".

 

[kevdog]

Excuse my ignorance, but what/who is SAA?

 

[Buddha-Head]

Soon to fly to Johannesburg, no plans to get rid of the 10's. Looks like a new hire class soon.

 

[big_al]

what are their proposed routes?

 

[Tomct]

Hey Fog, WAZ UP? I am glad to hear that things are good over at Gemini. I hope that it all works out for the best. There are those of us that appreciate all of the info you put on this board. Thanks
Later

 

[Ciao for now]

So fogrunner...why don't you share some good news than with some of you fellow Gemini buddy's.. Might just be rumours but I need some good news.

 

[metrodriver]

Fogrunner: what I mean is: do you see guys from Centurion, Atlas / Polar, Kalitta, Tradewinds, Arrow and what ever else there is out there publish on this board what new destinations and customers they fly for? No! What the company is putting out on the company website is supposed to be for company use only, intern communications. That's why there is a password to get into your e-mail. To make it even worse, at many companies you can get fired for making public announcements about what is being communicated on a company web site (or e-mail or other company publications). The competition is fierce in this business and there are people out there that will try to get a contract that other parties signed, especially if there hasn't been a track record established yet. So keep info like that to yourself. If we have been flying for a company for a while and someone asks about it, well fine, " we do".

When it comes to ch11: If someone asks about it, simply say "yes we did, I don't know much more" (or we are not allowed to talk about it). If that person really wants details, let them do the work and find it. Bet you they don't publish it on the web either. Thanks to some of our crew members and possibly some from other airlines (talking in the lobby) we are slowly losing our direct billing with some hotels and have to use that stupid amex card.
I have no problem with you when it comes to providing info, just which info you provide.
If you think I'm in management or so, no I'm not. Just a very concerned crewmember that is not dealing with the first ch11

 

[fogrunner]

When it comes to ch11: If someone asks about it, simply say "yes we did, I don't know much more" (or we are not allowed to talk about it). If that person really wants details, let them do the work and find it. Bet you they don't publish it on the web either.

I don't know who died and put you in charge. Clearly you do not know the BK process. All the information about the BK I have posted is on the web.. It is public record..

Thanks to some of our crew members and possibly some from other airlines (talking in the lobby) we are slowly losing our direct billing with some hotels and have to use that stupid amex card.

Again you do not know the BK process. All secured and unsecured creditors received a BK packet. Even you would have received one. Paper work to be filled out and returned to the court if you had a claim against Gemini. So all the hotels we owe money to would have received a packet. The reason some of the hotels are refusing the direct billing is due to the legal documentation they received, not the crew members talking in the so called lobby. It is nice to know that you think so highly of our fellow crew members.

 

[supermd11]

Still Ch11?

 

[RoundMotor]

yepper

 

[fogrunner]

Not for long

 

[Z_Pilot]

...does that mean hiring?

 

[fogrunner]

Oh yea! With what is on going and coming up we will be short. If we did not have a 10 in heavy check we would be short right now. I have heard from people who should know, that we will run at least two new-hire classes(16) and one upgrade class as soon as we exit BK.

 

[Z_Pilot]

...perhaps now would be a good time to email \ fax some resumes?
...or should I wait until you all actually exit ch11?

Z

 

[fogrunner]

do not wait!!!!!!!!!

 

[supermd11]

What about new equipment?

Is Gemini getting more DC-10'S OR MD11'S?

 

[Tomct]

Maybe the 777F, right Fog?

 

[fogrunner]

We are not going to get anymore 10s. I have heard rumblings of A330 freighters. I believe the nose gear would have to be re-engineered plus the conversion.
777F at 200 mil a copy is rather pricey, would be nice, rather doubt it.

 

[dojetdriver]

We are not going to get anymore 10s. I have heard rumblings of A330 freighters. I believe the nose gear would have to be re-engineered plus the conversion.
777F at 200 mil a copy is rather pricey, would be nice, rather doubt it.

Whats with the nosegear mod on the 777? Is it a issue with weight in the freighter version vs pax?

 

[fogrunner]

The A330 nose gear would have to be re-engineered, so I have been told.

 

[dojetdriver]

The A330 nose gear would have to be re-engineered, so I have been told.

I see, thought you meant the 777 has to have the nose gear mod done.

 

[dojetdriver]

...does that mean hiring?

I for one hope so. I think it's going to be a royal pain in the arse just to get called. With Polar and Express.net dropping guys that have heavy/widebody/international/non-sched experience, it think it will be tough for us RJ pukes to even get looked at.

 

[fogrunner]

I for one hope so. I think it's going to be a royal pain in the arse just to get called. With Polar and Express.net dropping guys that have heavy/widebody/international/non-sched experience, it think it will be tough for us RJ pukes to even get looked at.

Gemini does a real good job at pulling people from all backgrounds. Gemini wants keepers. They have been burned by some previous furloughed guys bailing. They want enthusiastic people who will go out there and move the freight.
Determination and a healthy desire to work for us goes a long way.

 

[dojetdriver]

Gemini does a real good job at pulling people from all backgrounds. Gemini wants keepers. They have been burned by some previous furloughed guys bailing. They want enthusiastic people who will go out there and move the freight.
Determination and a healthy desire to work for us goes a long way.

I for one hope so.