Alta Flights On The Skids?

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Tube Driver
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Alta Flights On The Skids?

Post by Tube Driver »

I have heard through inside sources that Alta Flights is on the verge of going out of business and has actually laid off pilots, and is looking to unload aircraft to pay its bills. Has anyone heard this before? If it is true, I guess this is what happens to companies that do not care about customers or employees.
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DA900
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Post by DA900 »

:shock: wow here is a thread I haven't read for about 6 months. Don't tell everybody has put away there fishing rods.
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Rectum, damn near killed 'em
jackrabbit
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Post by jackrabbit »

That's funny, I have also heard from somebody that works there that Alta had a really good year. There may be a few lay offs but that is because they are going into their slow season.
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just another pilot
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Post by just another pilot »

Or the guys who can't afford their upgrades..
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Maverick and Goose
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oh boy

Post by Maverick and Goose »

I wish I could work there....then at least I'd get on POGI!! HAHAHAHA.....
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twinpratts
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Post by twinpratts »

I've heard they've had their best winter in a long time...
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joe to go
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Post by joe to go »

I saw a guy today that got laid off last night
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joe to go
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Post by joe to go »

I saw a guy today that got laid off last night
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chief
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Post by chief »

best winter ever. i find that VERY hard to believe
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Tube Driver
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Post by Tube Driver »

How could they have had their "best season ever" when in the past eight months their two biggest oilfield clients walked, taking their corporate aircraft with them. If you want to talk best season ever talk to North Cariboo who were the recipients of both Alta Flights pilots and clients. If you had to sum up the season it would be more fitting to quote the Simpsons and say, "Worst episode ever".
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just another pilot
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Post by just another pilot »

I may be wrong but, Chief might know a little about NC. :?:
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MurtsAir
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Post by MurtsAir »

Tube Driver

I belive that was Comic Book guy who said "Worst episode ever"
thank you ive seen every episode
I am so smart SMRT
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dewpoint
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Post by dewpoint »

I heard management there can't tap their heads while rubbing their tummies.
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greenwich
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Post by greenwich »

Ahhhhh, the sweet sound of "Alta Flights Bashing"!!!

It always amazes me how AF always remains the "whipping post" for all of us here at AvCanada!!! (pretty sad actually when they still provide jobs for about 55 pilots!!)

All of you non-Albertans have to realize that aviation in Southern Alberta is essentially backwards when compared to aviation in the rest of Canada! Due to the Oil Patch, winter is our busy season and summer the quiet season! Most companies make 70%-80% of their revenue during the six winter months!! Also, pilots will fly over 100 hours a month in the winter, but summer hours can drop to as low as 20 hours a month.

No company wants to lay-off pilots every spring, but sadly it is a fact of life in Southern Alberta! Thankfully companies do have ways to alleviate the pressure such as hiring 'contract pilots' for the winter, encouraging pilots to take their holidays in the summer, or allowing pilots to take leaves of abscence during the summer months.

Successful companies (Sunwest) make enough revenue during the winter months to offset the slower summer months. (even though I bet their accountants are feeling the pinch come September/October!)

As far as Alta Flights goes, we all know that they have had a tough couple years (even though I too heard they had a decent winter), so I'm sure they are simply preparing themselves for the slow summer months!

G
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oldtimer
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Post by oldtimer »

One of Alta Flights big problems is the bank contract that is bleeding cash.The biggest hazard facing a professional pilot always has been accountants. They will kill you faster than weather or any mechanical failure ever can. The banks are the big customer and they can squeeze the life out of a company. When I worked for a trucking company, there was a definate pecking order, just like pilots and the lowest of the low were taxi drivers except the only thing lower than a dumb taxi driver was a clever courier driver. If you think pilots will work cheap, try the couriers. With the bank mail contracts, it is the courier companies that are the prime contracter. The airline is just a sub and we all know that shit flows down hill. It was ok when Purolater had the contract but they were outbid by Checker, who in turn was out bid by BCS. Everone did it cheaper. That is why there are so many divisions to Alta flights. Let one go to save the others. At least in my humble opinion.
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out with it
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Post by out with it »

anyone in the know knows where JW is, ex Alta/ ex Sunwest?
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chief
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Post by chief »

carson air
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greenwich
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Post by greenwich »

oldtimer: good comments!!

out with it: looking for 'jay dub'...think he's off to Carson in CYLW!
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