What is going on at Avantair?

[CherryBomb]

Agreed...

 

[fivefootnuthin]

ugg.....that nasty Flops merger rumor just WON'T go away. I dunno what would be worse news from NBAA - that, or hearing nothing at all?

 

[Publishers]

It is her social plight in life to feel like they are benefiting the world. If we told our owners that we were going to have 2.5 crews per aircaft so we could do 7/7, they would say--we will be leaving now and hire our own crew.
She fails to take into account that the number of hours you fly, the days of the week you have actvity, what type of flying you do, the equipment you have, the scope of your operations, the return on investment, the tax consequences, the ROA, cash flow, compliance, the whims of the owner, and everything else most of us deal with everyday because she has been at the Air Force and Netjets so knows all.

 

[glasspilot]

It is her social plight in life to feel like they are benefiting the world. If we told our owners that we were going to have 2.5 crews per aircaft so we could do 7/7, they would say--we will be leaving now and hire our own crew.
She fails to take into account that the number of hours you fly, the days of the week you have actvity, what type of flying you do, the equipment you have, the scope of your operations, the return on investment, the tax consequences, the ROA, cash flow, compliance, the whims of the owner, and everything else most of us deal with everyday because she has been at the Air Force and Netjets so knows all.

Um....yeah. I'll take another over here with the check.

 

[netjetwife]

It is her social plight in life to feel like they are benefiting the world. ...

More likely she just feels strongly about the issues affecting her family by way of the frac industry. Likewise, I suspect that she abhors injustice and thinks those being treated unfairly should stand up for themselves and she admires those who do. NJ pilots have already benefited hugely from the work her husband has done for the Membership. $$ in their pockets is just the beginning.

If we told our owners that we were going to have 2.5 crews per aircaft so we could do 7/7, they would say--we will be leaving now and hire our own crew. ....

Or...they'd recognize the reality of industry standards and the legitimate pursuit of equal treatment for the same job performance. You don't get what you don't ask for....

She fails to take into account that the number of hours you fly, the days of the week you have actvity, what type of flying you do, the equipment you have, the scope of your operations, the return on investment, the tax consequences, the ROA, cash flow, compliance, the whims of the owner, and everything else most of us deal with everyday ....

She knows that all of those things have been taken into account by the largest frac company in the industry who has the majority of its pilots on the 7&7 and signed a 5 yr contract with its pilots which raised their wages significantly.

She knows how to stick to the issues and avoid personal insults that add nothing to a civil discourse. That is the reason Netjetwife left off the end of his quote.

On a different topic, Congratulations to the Options pilots who will now be afforded the opportunity to vote for their own MEC within 1108. NJW

 

[Dilligaff]

In other words, she will not rest until everyone is assimilated into her precious little union, whether we need it or not.

 

[el raton]

I'm wondering if we are all here on this Av air thread discussing every subject pertaining to pay, qol, and management because we don't have anything to do? I personally have decided that my job isn't as bad as I thought it was. I wish I made what the guys at Net Jet make, but I don't. Like I was recently told, " if you don't like it leave!" I have decided to stay, that means I'm learning to like it. I believe my company (Flex) will improve. Like wise Avantair will. Competetion is good, what little we give Net Jets is good for them as well.

 

[netjetwife]

I agree that competition is a good thing. Hopefully, higher wages at NJ and CS will force the other fracs to up their pay to keep their pilots. Professional compensation is the goal, the method you use as a group is less important. I personally think your chance is better as a union, but I'll be quite happy to congratulate any of the fracs that get a good written contract without one.

I note that Flight Options is in negotiations now. Are the pilots of your group? Surely, ya'll agree that we should be cheering on the Flt Ops pilots? With every group that makes improvements it gets easier for the rest of you. Whatever means you use.

INDUSTRY STANDARDS SHOULD APPLY ACROSS THE INDUSTRY

 

[netjetwife]

In other words, she will not rest until everyone is assimilated into her precious little union, whether we need it or not.

Speaking of resting--- the news that you just posted and then promptly deleted (who suggested that, I wonder?) must have brought a measure of relief to those worried Avantair pilots. Many times the unknown is far more unsettling to people than a new situation. For that reason, I'm pleased for the Avantair pilots and hope that the new direction the company is going will have positive repercussions out on the line.

As for deleting the thread---perhaps someone had pointed out that it looked hypocritical to chastise me on one thread while posting far more sensitive info on another? Logical guess on my part; I can see no other explanation for those short-lived posts. I don't know who made the call, but I want to say that I had no intention of commenting on what may have appeared to be a double standard. I was about to post my congratulations.

Good Luck Avantair! I hope things work out well for all of you.
Netjetwife

 

[Dilligaff]

You are going to have a hard time believing this, but the fact that I deleted the thread had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with you. I posted something that I shouldn't have and I corrected it - nothing more, nonthing less.

Dilligaff

 

[RoughAir]

Dilligaff:

You posted nothing that needs to be hidden.

That acquistion news is all over the internet (Yahoo news, etc) and the SEC web site. Its public news now in the financial and business world.

Also Avantair's financial health news to include its balance sheet and income/expense statements for the last two years are posted (Google it). If the Ardent shareholders approve, Avantair will be a publicly traded company owned by shareholders with its guts open to everyone and anyone.

A bold move indeed. Read the seven page Google news release and its clearly obvious why Avantair had to do this. It is a "gutsy" move.

 

[netjetwife]

You are going to have a hard time believing this, but the fact that I deleted the thread had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with you. I posted something that I shouldn't have and I corrected it - nothing more, nonthing less.

Dilligaff

So you got "spooked" by the discussion on the other thread? I gladly stand corrected (though you must admit the timing was interesting.. ) and encourage you to repost the basic information. I found it very helpful in light of the recent discussions about Avantair. Thanks for the explanation.

RoughAir, it sounds quite interesting. Best Wishes to the Avantair group in their new adventure!
NJW

 

[P180puke]

Let's all pray that it comes together. Good stuff.

http://home.businesswire.com/portal...d=news_view&newsId=20061003005386&newsLang=en

Guess that clarifies why we weren't getting the new birds for a while. (..mmmm, sounds familiar)

 

[netjetwife]

Avantair has grown revenue from $7.7 million in fiscal 2004, to $26.2 million in fiscal 2005 and to $49.2 million in fiscal 2006. The Company has sustained losses since inception while investing in infrastructure and building towards critical mass. In the fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, net losses were $5.0 million, $8.7 million, and $20.7 million, respectively.

This sounds quite familiar. The company is bringing in money but chooses to invest in its infrastructure rather than its pilots. While we all recognize that growth is good, it shouldn't be accomplished at the expense of the pilots should it? I noted that they describe the pilots as "professionals". It just seems that they should put their money where their mouth is... It gets old --management is very quick to use pilots' skills when it makes good copy but too often they drag their heels when it comes to paying you accordingly.

Obviously the money is there--
... the fractional aircraft fleet has grown from 8 aircraft in 1986 to 952 today and the number of shareholders has grown from 3 in 1986 to 5,902 today. The target market continues to grow due to demographic trends of increased wealth. According to the Federal Reserve Board’s study conducted in 2004, there are 2 million US households with a net worth between $5 million and $30 million.

Frac pilots are in a growing industry and deserve to be compensated for their contribution ---
Avantair’s management believes there are several market trends that will continue to drive significant growth in the private aviation marketplace including: 1) the demographic trend of growing wealth, 2) busier lifestyles leading consumers with a desire for more convenient, less time-consuming ways to travel, and 3) unfavorable conditions in the commercial aviation market caused by fewer flights, long lines, poor customer service, and security and safety issues.

This is indeed good news for the Avantair pilots. Much better than the stories that were posted about the last CEO. So nice to know that the company will be in good hands financially. I'm very pleased for all of you.
Congratulations!
Netjetwife

 

[Noodles]

The part that I find really interesting is in all the people that came to the defense of the company about the money problems. It turns out, we really are out of money...