Air Labrador?

[PEWMCharlieSierra]

Just heard from a guy that works there that they just layed off more guys. Didnt these guys just lay off half of their pilots a few months ago? Must be in rough shape.

[bravowhiskey]

Yeah one of the 4 twin otters are gone and 4 good guys got layed off. Maybe AL will need them again when it gets busier this winter.

[dashx]

Dash 8 still parked in Goose bay?

[Fullflap]

I was just talking to a Manager from over there, he told me they are basicly laying-off Pilots as three or four Captains/FO's bumped in from the Dash 8 operation in the Spring and now that the Float flying is winding down and the vacations are ending adjustments were necessary. I am sure their company is hurting just the same as there is little or no Mineral exploration like there was a Year or so ago when the region was booming. I was talking to another Manager at INNU MIKUN/PAL who told me that they will be making some changes at the end of September.

I feel bad for those being laid off they are all really good people, I am sure they will find work when things pick up again, hopefully soon.

FF

[aerodude]

Sad to see such a great company gone to this low. Know a lot of loyal people there who sayed there turning down "bigger" jobs because of the great atmosphere there. Best of luck to all affected by this. Dash-8's are still grounded in Goose bay.

[DeltaHotel]

a sinking ship ...

[wanna b captain]

Dash 8 still parked in Goose bay?

...Yup Two parked in YYR and one in YYT

[DeltaHotel]

CYYR ,

I have a great deal of respect for everybody at Air Labrador and I value every minute spent there! I have a lot of great memories and I honestly think that flying for Lab Air has made me a better pilot.

I admit my previous post lacked ... diplomacy and I apologize.
But I assure you, if I saw positive news about Air Lab on the forum, I would be a lot more "positive" !

I do not think I was disrespectful in any way and I wish I could express my opinion on this PUBLIC forum without fear of "being exposed" or making the job hunt even harder than it already is.

For those reasons I would appreciate if the PMs were used for posts of a personal nature.

Again, I wish nothing but the best to everybody at Air Labrador and I hope to read some better news on avcanada sooner than later !

[Newfiepilot]

not so much a sinking ship than a ship thats sunk. that is with so many guys and gals on the life rafts already. Best of luck to everyone whos left

[tete]

It is a ship that has sunk thats for sure. Everyone thats left dont know what to expect next and the morale is getting worse by the day. The management has been lying to the owner for such a long time and blames all the problems on everyone else except themselves. There was a time when Air Labrador was a nice place to be where everyone got along, then came along the DFO which I believe is the biggest problem who was only given a position based on who he married instead of getting hired on qualifications. This person would go out of his way to make the employees (pilots especially) unhappy. I could keep going but Ièll be here all night.

[halifaxbomber1]

Air Labrador's issues began the minute they ventured into Quebec, the company is polarized in two sections, the Newfoundland side and the Quebec side, the sense of entitlement from Quebec employees and pilots has destroyed the company more than anything else and is a cause of a lot of friction in our group.
Tete, since you are obviously writing from a french keyboard I guess you are one of the experts with maybe 2 years with us that we have to thank for bringing us down to where we currently are.
The management at AL are not perfect, but they are loyal and work hard and I think they do the best that they can with what they have to work with.
BTW, I believe (but could be wrong) the senior managers must meet the CAR's requirements and Transport Canada interviews them prior to approval, not sure who the DFO marries is going to be much use to him there. I not the biggest fan of some managers, but there sure isn't a line-up to walk in their shoes either, perhaps you Tete are the exception.

Fly safe.

[aerodude]

Air Labrador's issues began the minute they ventured into Quebec, the company is polarized in two sections, the Newfoundland side and the Quebec side, the sense of entitlement from Quebec employees and pilots has destroyed the company more than anything else and is a cause of a lot of friction in our group.
Tete, since you are obviously writing from a french keyboard I guess you are one of the experts with maybe 2 years with us that we have to thank for bringing us down to where we currently are.
The management at AL are not perfect, but they are loyal and work hard and I think they do the best that they can with what they have to work with.
BTW, I believe (but could be wrong) the senior managers must meet the CAR's requirements and Transport Canada interviews them prior to approval, not sure who the DFO marries is going to be much use to him there. I not the biggest fan of some managers, but there sure isn't a line-up to walk in their shoes either, perhaps you Tete are the exception.
Fly safe.

Halifaxbomber, anyone can pass a TC exam, its how you operate in "real" life that counts. Face it, the dash-8 operation was ran like their twin otter operation (no offence intended, but most will know what i mean)... That being said, safety always was a #1 priority there. Maybe it wasn't management's fault direct.. maybe it was the head honcho who just wouldn't invest... Blaming employees for the companys' failure gives me an idea of your naiveness. When you got companies like Provincial Airlines doing amazing on the exact same route and also having bases in Quebec, you can't just keep blaming employees for the slow demise of a once great company.
The failure was not with starting Quebec, but with starting the dash-8 ops with little infrastructure. BS aside, I just feel for those who are still working there not knowing what their future holds.

[equinox99]

I'll be the devil's advocate here but I think management is doing an acceptable job with what they have to work with.

I think the CEO's mentally for Dash 8 operations was to put them in the air for the CHEAPEST amount possible. Sacrificing branding , marketing and above all SERVICE !

I think the VP and DFO constantly have to justify every cent spent. I also think they have the CEO and CFO breathing down their neck day in day out and that must make their job very hard, if not impossible. This is only me speculating tho ... perhaps one of them can enlighten us.

Let's face it, most, if not all routes were highly competitive. Air Lab offered a less than average service with higher prices than the competition. So to blame Quebec for Air Lab's demise is plain BS to me. Beside, everybody knows that they were flying to capacity most days on QB-ZV and on some of the QNS ! Which is more than I can say for the NL side of the operation.

The simple fact that "Quebec" and the "french" issue was mentioned only helps to fuel Quebec's alienation and the "polarization" in the company. A good manager brings his teams to work together towards the same goal. To openly blame a particular group (Quebec pilots) for Air Lab's problems is just poor leadership.

Are the Quebec pilots to blame for the cancelation of 8315-16 due to low loads (YR-YT practically inexistent)? Are the Quebec pilots to blame for the loss of Canada Post contract ? For the failure of 8300-03-06-07 last summer (DF overnights)? For the cost of a C check or its inconvenient due date ? Need more examples ?

I think that employee moral is crucial to the success of a company (ask Westjet "owners"). I think Air Lab's fate could of been very different had the managers been more transparent with the staff.

People need to start saying things like they are.
Yes - salaries and conditions are below average.
Yes - benefits are okay but the pass policy was a joke.
Yes - they bit off more than they could chew with the 705 operation and the financial strain that comes with it.
(but I think the one responsible for that one pulled the "eject handle" long time ago though )
Yes - the message you are sending your people when not offering a pension plan is " We don't want you long term".

A lot of people left the company (many for the neighbor) for those reasons and somehow, they were the assh0les for leaving? Training costs in 2006-2007-2008 must of been astounding. But I digress ...

The company is filled with great people that sacrificed a lot to be where they are and build a career. Last thing they need is to be blamed for somebody else's mistakes or for the boss's incapacity to pay the bills. Everybody knows where the problem is (THE WALLET) but everybody is pointing the finger elsewhere !!! Time to cut the cr@p !

If everybody just respects one another and really tries to be the best they can be at their job. Then at least you'll have your dignity left when this ship sinks from under you.

And to all Air Lab employees left, I wish you'd voice your opinions (respectfully) more openly on here without fear of reprimand. This company is in dire need of a group therapy session !

[timbuck]

equinox99, excellent post... I think most employees would agree.

[wanna b captain]

equinox99,

I agree with you it all comes from top person down. Excellent post

[efisfreak]

I tried booking a flight in Jan-2009 for my vacation.. No flights available/listed wtf? What does that mean?

[all_ramped_up]

does anyone have any updated info about Lab Air at all?

[bravowhiskey]

They have a new Chief Pilot and Ops Manager, both excellent guys. I think they are down to 1 x 1900 and 3 x DHC-6.

[CYYR]

The two guys you mentioned are good and from what I hear they are doing a great job, seems to be more employee buy in. I heard they just upgraded a couple of guys from the T/O to the B190 but things remain slow for them. Since Christmas PAL has stopped compeating with them on their routes on the QNS and they have the 2nd Beech coming out of C-Check and it will go back in service there. I wouldn't think they are out of the woods yet all the same, business in their area is far from booming for any of the three carriers there. Better times ahead or maybe not who knows??