Navair Looses DHL contract.....Resulting in numerous layoffs

colonel lingus · Post by **colonel lingus** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:09 pm

at least 15 layoffs happend this week as Navair lost one of thier major contracts. Not looking good for good ole' boys.

marktheone · Post by **marktheone** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:22 pm

Lost DHL to who??

Lommer · Post by **Lommer** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:43 pm

Damn.... Now who's going to hire all those guys with a freshly purchased PPC?

*ducks*

Out of Control · Post by **Out of Control** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 7:44 am

They could always go to Regency. HEHE

. . · Post by **. .** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:27 am

Was the DHL contract based in BC or was that the new one they had in YYC?

colonel lingus · Post by **colonel lingus** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:16 am

Yup, the layoffs are in Vancouver. Apparently the number of layoffs is around 20. Haven't heard who they lost it to. DHL must not of liked their service.

marktheone · Post by **marktheone** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:37 am

I heard last night that they may be going under. This from a pilot who flies for them and was part of the layoffs. Too bad, couple of maintenance things is all it takes to cause that.

The problem in aviation could be solved in one day. Do not change ticket prices and get the goddamn government to lower fuel taxes combined with more reasonable landing fees.

Yoyoma · Post by **Yoyoma** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 10:59 am

You can say whatever you want about Navair, it is still sad to see this happen! Many pilots got their start there.

. . · Post by **. .** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:31 am

Does anyone know who got the contract?

Over the Horn · Post by **Over the Horn** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:40 am

Good to see! maybe DHL wised up to that shady operation. hopefully the contract went to a good company that pays their pilots a fair wage and has well maintained aircraft! dammit, I forgot that doesn't exist on the west coast

nevermind

bob sacamano · Post by **bob sacamano** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 11:54 am

Heard the rumor 2 weeks ago from a DHL source. For once the rumor was true.

SkyKing · Post by **SkyKing** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:16 pm

Yes they lost the contract.....

All but two MU2's and five navajo's have been grounded by transport in YVR.

Word is "Sonic Blue" is scrambling to buy planes. They are picking up some of the slack right now.

. . · Post by **. .** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:18 pm

i find it crazy that regency could be spared the axe if navair got it. Maybe they're next.

Big Pistons Forever · Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:37 pm

Memo to DHL management.

Remember in business school , the old management maxim; TINSTAFL (There Is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch).

With a bottom feeding gong show like "Sonic Blue" you are going to get exactly what you (did not) pay for.

I predict NAVAIR will have all the runs back in less than 6 months.

Over the Horn · Post by **Over the Horn** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 12:51 pm

Navair or Sonic blue, not much difference. one doesn't pay much and the other doesn't pay at all, both have sh@#ty planes, its about time TC started cracking down on these gong shows, hope DHL give's some real thought to who gets the contract next.

. . · Post by **. .** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:02 pm

I totally feel for the guys out of work on one hand, but also am glad to see TC FINALLY cracking down out west. Hopefully we'll see a much safer operation out there.

On a second note: Is NavAir still grounded in YYC or are things still going full speed out there?

altiplano · Post by **altiplano** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:13 pm

bumffs · Post by **bumffs** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 2:38 pm

How expensive is paint in bc these days?
You would think with all that salt air ,that corrosion protection would be high on the list of things to do ,but i guess once you get on the backside of the maintenance curve it is just a matter of time before the end.
Many pilots may have got their start there but how many met their end there ?
Now that the grieving family members of air accidents are inclined to sue for damage's against Transport Canada for Failing to enforce the Law of the Land expect more enforcement.Perhaps even some Jail time if they can prove criminal neglegence after all the CARS are supposed to be backed by the Criminal Code.
You will note that the original W& B documents state how much the paint
weighs if the paint is not on the airplane then the documents are wrong and the aircraft is not airworthy,unless it is reweighed and the AME can sign that the paint has been removed by the some Enviromental Process

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 3:14 pm

The problem with holding contracts in the courier game is the courier companies will drop any company as soon as another company offers them an airplane for two cents an hour less.

Of all the flying I ever did courier was the worst, I have great admiration for any pilot who can survive that kind of flying...safety can not be achieved by going with the lowest bidder....

So lets not gloat to much about Navair going under or having issues with TC.

What really goes on in the background is real scary, anyhow to all you guys and gals that may be unemployed you have my sympathy and I hope you get back to work real soon.

Cat

oldtimer · Post by **oldtimer** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 3:31 pm

I have been on the sidlines of many courier contracts in the past. On the sidelines, as in flying the contracts but not actually in the head shed doing contract negotations and I know for a fact that the major reason most contracts end has less to do with lack of service but more the shifting fortunes of the small package delivery systems. As the business changes and volume shifts, companies shift airplanes and routes around. Many times they will replace contract or ad hoc charters with either larger airplanes or their own machines. DHL bought Airborne Express and the work is constantly shifting. They are trying to outcompete Fedex and UPS. That is life in the freight business. Some companies can survive and some cannot. All of NavAir's Calgary airplanes are still parked on the ramp in YYC. Monday will tell the story.

redbeard · Post by **redbeard** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:07 pm

when you out and low ball contracts and not cover your costs thats what happens........you go tits up sooner or later. The landscape is riddled with those types of operators, here today, gone tommorrow. You'd figure that these outfits, courier or medevac would ensure they contract out to reputable companies...the ones like the Sunwests and North Cariboos of the country...ensuring they have uninterupted no hassle service

colonel lingus · Post by **colonel lingus** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:36 pm

Their sudden demise might have more to do with being sued by the familys of the recent accident, and the fact that it was a DHL plane that went down. Not only that, but the fact that Transport Canada was forced to look deeply into the maintenance nightmare that is Navair. I think that Transport found that they could no longer turn a blind eye to the accident waiting to happen at Navair. The only very sad thing is that they only did so after a very tragic accident.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 4:49 pm

" I think that Transport found that they could no longer turn a blind eye to the accident waiting to happen at Navair. "

Now there is a loaded comment.

I wonder how the TC defenders will respond to a comment such as that?

marktheone · Post by **marktheone** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 6:24 pm

Just a question. Everyone is posting as if Navair is dead and gone. Does anyone even know if this is a fact?

broompusher · Post by **broompusher** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 6:59 pm

NavAir did not lose the DHL contract persay, what happened was they had to submit a 48hr action plan to TC, in that plan was a drastic fleet reduction, now they're down to 5 Navajos & 2 MU2s. They can no longer meet their contract obligations with DHL, that's why they lost the contract.

Part of the fleet reduction also included the entire calgary fleet, so now the BDC contract went back to Dynamic

Say what you want but a lot of good guys (and friends) are out of work.