NZFF

3 News is reporting that Air Nelson's ALPA pilots are striking this weekend for three days, affecting 250 flights and around 10000 passengers.
The pilots are looking for better pay and better conditions, which frankly they do deserve. What they have now is probably enough, but everyone could do with more benefits at work - especially someone as valuable as our pilots.
Air NZ says the demands are too expensive.

Just finding a link now.
As a side note, 3 news felt it was appropriate to show a picture of a Saab 340 during the introduction, a Q300 during the story and an ATR rotating at the end.

Thats typical of TV3, they always stuff that up

I agree with the pilots, its about time the public realised whats happening with the regional airlines

It happens quite often with Air Nelson Pilot's.
The ALPA pilots often refuse to work till midday.
I think their work conditions are fine as they are.

If you wana see bad work conditions and poor pay take a look at Mesa in the US same with other regional airlines there, I always thought NZ regional pilots were well looked after but I guess not. I would back them...

News links to add some credibility to this:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4620337a13.html
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story....jectID=10521850

As for the actual pilots themselves, what they get now is okay.
It definitely could be better from what I've heard, but then so could working conditions and pay for pretty much every occupation out there.
ATC is in a pretty bad state recently too, Aunty Airways should be looking at giving them a pay rise - our ATCOs are paid well below what they are in other places, as are some of our pilots (all hearsay).

I think that those that are not a party to the negotiations and are not pilots themselves should hold off making statements about what the pilots get and whether their conditions are "fine as they are" or not.

these are professional people that do not take this action lightly and do not need uninformed 'wannabees' sniping from the sidelines.

All power to you guys involved and I hope there is a resolution soon.

Cheers from the other side of the mike.
Towerguy.

towerguy wrote:

QUOTE (towerguy @ Jul 17 2008, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think that those that are not a party to the negotiations and are not pilots themselves should hold off making statements about what the pilots get and whether their conditions are "fine as they are" or not.

these are professional people that do not take this action lightly and do not need uninformed 'wannabees' sniping from the sidelines.

All power to you guys involved and I hope there is a resolution soon.

Cheers from the other side of the mike.
Towerguy.

Good points, Having a number of regional pilots in my family I guess im informed

Today the report on One news wasn't too bad.
They had just Air Nelson Aircraft - A combintion of Saabs and Q300s.
On there they claimed that some pilot's weren't getting a weekend off in 7 weeks

Daniel wrote:

QUOTE (Daniel @ Jul 18 2008, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Today the report on One news wasn't too bad.
They had just Air Nelson Aircraft - A combintion of Saabs and Q300s.
On there they claimed that some pilot's weren't getting a weekend off in 7 weeks

Yep that 7 weeks thing was the same thing on 3 News the other night, and the union rep or whoever also said that it wasn't a real weekend, as it started late on Friday or Saturday and finished early on Monday or even Sunday.
Though in typical media style that makes it sound like it's the only sizeable break Air Nelson pilots get, which I'm sure isn't true.
I don't actually know but I think they would get days off during the week sometimes too.

towerguy wrote:

QUOTE (towerguy @ Jul 17 2008, 02:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think that those that are not a party to the negotiations and are not pilots themselves should hold off making statements about what the pilots get and whether their conditions are "fine as they are" or not.

these are professional people that do not take this action lightly and do not need uninformed 'wannabees' sniping from the sidelines.

All power to you guys involved and I hope there is a resolution soon.

Cheers from the other side of the mike.
Towerguy.

Very well. I won't throw in my thoughts about the strike itself. What I will say is that it's great seeing 733s here in Palmy because of this strike. Almost puts a positive spin on it

greaneyr wrote:

QUOTE (greaneyr @ Jul 19 2008, 09:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very well. I won't throw in my thoughts about the strike itself. What I will say is that it's great seeing 733s here in Palmy because of this strike. Almost puts a positive spin on it

Yip, the 737 200s and 300s are going in there and it might also be because of maintanance on the ATR's.
Do you still have all the security there? I think there is one or two flights in there today on the jets. Any chance of any pictures?

I saw Mr ZK-KAG with a camera yesterday so some photo's can't be too far away! It sure is quiet here this weekend though. cr@p WX ain't helping either....

WasFlightOps wrote:

QUOTE (WasFlightOps @ Jul 20 2008, 08:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I saw Mr ZK-KAG with a camera yesterday so some photo's can't be too far away! It sure is quiet here this weekend though. cr@p WX ain't helping either....

Photos of NQC (B732) should be up on airliners soon. As for the 733...

OK to be honest I thought "Puhlease...what's with the video of a baby Boeing"
But you do have a gift, KAG, and true grit to deliver the footage.
Nice of you to stop by.
Bugs out of your teeth yet?

Very nice ZK-KAG. Thanks for posting.
737 jetblast
On the topic and out of curiosity, does anyone know what the Air Nelson pilots are actually getting paid? Air NZ told the media it was 90k+ but there are a lot of veiled comments about how "they don't know anything" and "think a bit lower than that".

Thanks Charl and Anthony

I was pretty bored last night and had some footage, so thought what the hell may as well make a vid.

Yeah I dare say it was wicked to get a hit of Jet-A1 in the face

ZK-KAG wrote:

QUOTE (ZK-KAG @ Jul 20 2008, 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah I dare say it was wicked to get a hit of Jet-A1 in the face

and a the nice warm summery brezze temp for a little while

I think the Base Salary for a first year AirNSN Captain is around $65k + allowances

WasFlightOps wrote:

QUOTE (WasFlightOps @ Jul 20 2008, 03:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think the Base Salary for a first year AirNSN Captain is around $65k + allowances

Cheers WFO.
That gives it a bit of perspective in my opinion, knowing how much they're getting paid versus how much they want/deserve.
From what I've heard the union aren't asking for a pay increase, rather they're asking for one guaranteed weekend off per month.

737s
Man I love the smell of jet fuel Being behind the 737, man that would be awesome.
Thanks for posting. I think it's back to the Q300s and ATRs for the time being now.