Jamaicans abroad upset at sale of Air J

**evanovitch** · 03-12-2010, 01:33 PM

Opposition wants gov't to explain wet lease arrangement with

Opposition wants gov't to explain wet lease arrangement with Caribbean Airlines

Friday, March 12, 2010

THE Opposition People's National Party has called on the Government to explain the 'wet lease arrangements' it claims are currently being negotiated between Air Jamaica and Caribbean Airlines.

Opposition Spokesman on Infrastructure and Transportation Robert Pickersgill on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Bruce Golding to clarify comments attributed to Bruce Nobles, Air Jamaica CEO, which appeared in an article in Aviation Daily on Monday.

According to a release issued by the Opposition, Nobles is quoted in the article as saying the parties have agreed that a wet lease operator would come on board the day after Air Jamaica is wound up on April 11, 2010, at which time the positions of all employees will be made redundant.

"Mr Nobles is quoted as saying that the "new Air Jamaica" will be using the Air Jamaica fleet, their Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and bilateral agreements as part of the new wet lease arrangements," the release said.

Nobles is further quoted as saying they will also be operating under the Air Jamaica code, using the same tickets and taking bookings through Air Jamaica's reservation systems.

According to Pickersgill, a wet lease plan would require the establishment of a new entity. But this, he said, leaves several questions unanswered.

"Who will be the substantive owner of the new Air Jamaica entity that will be operating a wet-lease contract for a fixed term of six to 12 months, under the agreement with Caribbean Airlines?" Pickersgill questioned.

Pickersgill said the prime minister is being called upon to reveal whether the new Air Jamaica entity will have to apply for a new AOC.

"The country will also need to know whether the incorporation of a new company will trigger a review of the Jamaican category one status by the United States Federal Aviation Authority. This being the case, what are the implications of that?" asked Pickersgill.

Pickersgill said there are still questions about whether Caribbean Airlines can be given exclusive national carrier status, since under Jamaican law, Caribbean Airlines, which is not a company with majority Jamaican ownership, cannot be designated Jamaica's national carrier.

"The Government needs to clarify whether, under international law and practice, airlines designated as a national carrier must be majority owned and effectively controlled by the nationals of the designated state," Pickersgill argued.

He said the entire Air Jamaica deal has been shrouded in secrecy, mismanagement and ill-conceived procedures.

**RichD** · 03-12-2010, 01:36 PM

Re: Opposition wants gov't to explain wet lease arrangement with

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">He said the entire Air Jamaica deal has been shrouded in secrecy, mismanagement and ill-conceived procedures. </div></div>

i agree

**evanovitch** · 03-13-2010, 08:22 PM

Transparency and the divestment of Air Jamaica.

Transparency and the divestment of Air Jamaica.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Dr Raulston Nembhard

The Trinidad Minister of Works, Mr Colm Imbert, ostensibly speaking for the Trinidadian government, has declared that Trinidad is not interested in acquiring Air Jamaica or of merging the airline with Caribbean Airlines. The country is interested only in the profitable routes operated by Air Jamaica. This is not good news for the Jamaican people, since the Jamaican government has led us to believe that the Trinidadians would be acquiring the airline.

We are not in a position to comment on the sagacity of the Trinidadian revelation. The truth is that we do not know much about the terms by which the airline is being divested to Trinidad. We have been told that the government wants to conclude a deal by April 12 but this was before the revelations from Trinidad. Now that the Trinidadians have poured cold water on any idea of a full-scale acquisition, what is really the true position? The Trinidadian minister derided any thought that they would want to enter into the insanity of a full takeover of Air Jamaica. His attitude as he briefly addressed the matter smacked of contempt which suggests to me that we seem to be literally begging the Trinidadians to take from around our necks the albatross that Air Jamaica has become.

To be sure, Jamaica does not have any wiggle room when it comes to the divestment of Air Jamaica. The airline is broke and bankrupt. It has been kept flying only because of patriotic sentimentality, but we have fast run out of that too. Instead of patriotism we are being made a laughing stock as we are forced to go cap in hand to a would-be benefactor for relief from our burdens. And the Trinidadians know this, which is why they could flippantly tell us that it is only the profitable routes (not all routes), that they would be interested in. They want to take the best part of the butchered cow and throw the worthless carcass to whatever wolves may be willing to fight over it.

Given the lack of transparency surrounding the divestment of the airline, a further question to be asked is what are the Trinidadians getting that could not be given to the Jamaican Airline Pilots' Association (JALPA)? What are the goodies that were proffered to Trinidad that they can now hold us in the contempt suggested by the minister of works? And if these goodies were good for them, why can't they be good for our own people, patriotism aside? It is perhaps a lack of answers to these questions why you cannot get any of the executives at Air Jamaica to speak to the Trinidadian revelation. I do not believe that they have any convincing answers to give us, or if they do they perhaps feel deep in their guts that the Jamaican people will not buy the spin that they may want to sell us.

The bottomline is that things are not looking good at Air Jamaica. They have not looked good for a long time. It brings again into sharp focus a pet peeve that I have had with this administration and the one before it: the blatant lack of transparency in their dealings with the Jamaican people. One does not get even the impression that the politicians get it that when they are selling any national asset they are selling the asset of the people of Jamaica and not their own. In fact, they would not treat their own assets with the flippancy and recklessness with which they are wont to treat the people's assets. They often come across as striking deals in a smoke-filled, Chicago board room with the necessary libations. Their egos are often of more importance to them than the interests of the people of Jamaica which they swore to uphold and protect.

One cannot understand what a politician has to lose by being open and frank with the Jamaican people. We are not asking that we be told every "nitty-gritty" of a divestment process. We understand that there are sensitive things to be agreed and delicate points in a negotiation when confidentiality has to be upheld. But it cannot be that the people must know what has been concluded only after the ink has dried on the contract. There ought to be a law that ensures timely information to the people about what is being done with their assets and that they be privy to any decision to be taken prior to the decision being made. This will allow for robust debate which can only benefit those who are negotiating on behalf of the people. The populace obviously cannot make the decision. Those they elect to represent them in the Parliament of the land must do so. But if we are going to encourage a participatory, sustainable democracy, their business must be conducted in the full glare of the sunlight. If this were done, we would have avoided the many mistakes that have been made with the divestment of important assets such as the Air Jamaica slots at Heathrow airport in England, the Jamaica Public Service Company to Mirant, the sugar estates to Infinity Bio-Energy which mercifully was aborted but which is still being bedevilled by a lack of transparency, and now the fiasco surrounding the deal with American Airlines.

One cannot understand what a politician has to lose by being open and frank with the Jamaican people. We are not asking that we be told every "nitty-gritty" of a divestment process. We understand that there are sensitive things to be agreed and delicate points in a negotiation when confidentiality has to be upheld. But it cannot be that the people must know what has been concluded only after the ink has dried on the contract. There ought to be a law that ensures timely information to the people about what is being done with their assets and that they be privy to any decision to be taken prior to the decision being made. This will allow for robust debate which can only benefit those who are negotiating on behalf of the people. The populace obviously cannot make the decision. Those they elect to represent them in the Parliament of the land must do so. But if we are going to encourage a participatory, sustainable democracy, their business must be conducted in the full glare of the sunlight. If this were done, we would have avoided the many mistakes that have been made with the divestment of important assets such as the Air Jamaica slots at Heathrow airport in England, the Jamaica Public Service Company to Mirant, the sugar estates to Infinity Bio-Energy which mercifully was aborted but which is still being bedevilled by a lack of transparency, and now the fiasco surrounding the deal with American Airlines.

By the way, I believe that Mr Bartlett, the minister of tourism, meant well in this transaction and his actions do not merit his resignation at this time. But the process did not benefit from public scrutiny. Again you get the impression of a few who think they know more than others, making decisions which may or may not redound to the benefit of the nation. I know this is hard for politicians to grasp, and worse, execute, but I will try again and say to them, you are representing the people's interests in everything you do in office. Take them into your confidence and share with them. You can only win by being open with them.

[email protected]

www.drraulsrton.com

**evanovitch** · 03-14-2010, 08:00 PM

Overseas carriers courting Air J pilots

Overseas carriers courting Air J pilots

BY VERNON DAVIDSON Executive Editor - Publications [email protected]

Sunday, March 14, 2010

AIR Jamaica pilots, rated among the best in the world, are being wooed by at least eight overseas airlines, mostly in the Middle East and Asia, the Sunday Observer has learnt.

Interest in the national carrier's pilots increased after it became clear that the Jamaican Government had no interest in a bid by the Jamaican Airline Pilots' Association (JALPA) to acquire Air Jamaica, which the administration <span style="font-weight: bold">must divest or close down before June in keeping with a loan agreement signed with the International Monetary Fund.</span>

According to one Air Jamaica pilot, who opted not to be named, offers are being made from airlines based in China, Dubai, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. He also said that well over 50 former Air Jamaica pilots are now flying in the Gulf, and at least two have already taken positions in India and Nigeria.

The Sunday Observer obtained a copy of an e-mail from Direct Personnel International, a recruiting agency for Vietnam Airlines, saying that that carrier has a number of positions available for Airbus A320 Captains, TREs (supervisors) and First Officers.

"I would appreciate it if you can advise your members of this excellent opportunity with Vietnam Airlines via Direct Personnel International," said the e-mail sent to JALPA from Barbara Kelly, team leader crew resources. "Screenings have been confirmed for Singapore for March and April."

According to Kelly's e-mail, Vietnam Airlines is offering:

* Commuting contract (six weeks on, followed by two weeks off);

* Excellent basic salary;

* Monthly per diem and accommodation allowance;

* Excellent route network;

* Base in Ho Chi Minh City; and

* Tickets to travel home by Vietnam Airlines.

The e-mail also listed a number of international aviation qualifications required for the job, and stipulated that applicants "hold no history of accidents or incidents -- to include any disciplinary breaches within their former employers". Applicants should also be under age 55 years when starting the contract.

"We would also be in a position to travel to meet with you and your members to discuss all positions further," Kelly said.

Yesterday, the Air Jamaica pilot who spoke with the Sunday Observer said that just last week a representative of a headhunting firm from the United Arab Emirates was here in Jamaica and met with about 27 pilots.

"The type of planes that we fly here -- the Airbuses -- are the ones they fly in those regions," he gave as one of the reasons for the interest in Air Jamaica pilots. "There's tremendous expansion going on there and they need people."

The Sunday Observer was also told Virgin America was among the carriers courting Air Jamaica pilots.

Yesterday, another former Air Jamaica manager credited the impeccable safety record of Air Jamaica pilots, as well as the introduction of Airbus aircraft by Gordon 'Butch' Stewart when he operated the airline as two other reasons for the push by overseas carriers to employ Air Jamaica pilots.

Earlier this month, Air Jamaica president and CEO Bruce Nobles told the airline's staff that their jobs would be made redundant on April 12, the 'target' date for Trinidad-owned Caribbean Airlines to take over Air Jamaica's operations.

Nobles' memo to the staff was the clearest indication for months that the divestment to Caribbean Airlines was a done deal and that the attempt by JALPA to acquire the airline on behalf of the staff was not going to be entertained by the Government.

Last October, the Daily Observer broke the story that JALPA, which comprises Air Jamaica's 140 pilots, had submitted a bid, on behalf of the airline's staff, to acquire the carrier.

"We have proposed that we acquire the airline, and this is coming on the heels of the Government stating that the cost of divesting the airline was expensive," Captain Russell Capleton had told the Observer at the time.

Captain Capleton's reference was to a disclosure by Prime Minister Bruce Golding last August that it would cost his administration close to US$200 million to divest Air Jamaica, which is reported to have lost more than US$1 billion over its more than 40 years of existence.

Included in that cost would be US$30 million in redundancy payments in addition to bills owed by the carrier.

Captain Capleton had said that JALPA submitted its bid after first informing the Government of its interest in writing in August and receiving "a kind response" to put in a proposal.

But the pilots became concerned after hearing Dennis Lalor, chairman of the Air Jamaica Privatisation Committee, saying in a television interview in October that the committee had eliminated all bidders except Indigo Partners, owners of Spirit Airlines, and that the committee would submit its recommendation to the Government within two weeks.

"What is of particular concern to us is that we are hearing that there is no other expression of interest or proposal," Captain Capleton had told the Observer.

But a Government source close to the divestment negotiations described the JALPA submission as "an expression of interest" and not a formal bid.

The source, who requested anonymity, pointed out that there were rules associated with the divestment process and the committee had to ensure that every bidder goes through the proper channel in the interest of fairness. He also said that the JALPA bid was not submitted to the privatisation committee.

However, Captain Capleton rejected that claim and insisted that the JALPA submission was a formal bid.

"We submitted it to the prime minister, the minister of finance, the chairman of the privatisation committee and the chairman of Air Jamaica," he told the Observer at the time.

Since then, the negotiations with Indigo Partners collapsed and the Government turned to Caribbean Airlines, a decision that has triggered controversy, with Air Jamaica staff and informal commercial importers -- one of the airline's most loyal block of passengers -- staging demonstrations in protest against the sale.

In February this year, Prime Minister Golding said that the proposal submitted by JALPA offered little evidence that the association "is or will be able to" sustain the services currently being provided by the national carrier.

According to Golding, the proposal "is based on key assumptions that are factually incorrect".

"JALPA has not up to now presented any credible evidence of its ability to secure the financing required to operate the airline, which it estimates to be US$100 million," Golding said in a statement. "US$40 million of that amount is to come from redundancy payments to which the workers will be entitled. It has submitted the names of two overseas private equity firms that it claims have offered to source the remaining US$60 million.

"In its letter to the prime minister dated January 26th, JALPA admits that these private equity firms have not yet reviewed its business plan. It is therefore a gross exaggeration to suggest that it has identified sources of financing if this is to mean anything more than identifying sources that it hopes will seek to identify sources of financing. All of this is subject to a review of its Business Plan and the necessary due diligence, neither of which has yet been done," Golding said, adding that he was yet to receive a promised letter from an investor who JALPA said had indicated an interest in partnering with them.

Golding also said that JALPA's estimation that redundancy payment to staff -- the majority of which it expects to be pumped back into the airline -- would amount to some US$47 million was flawed.

"The estimated cost of redundancy payments is US$27 million, not US$47 million," he said. "Even with an 85 per cent participation rate, there would be a cash shortfall of US$17 million, which would severely undermine the viability of its operational plan."

However, JALPA has insisted that under its leadership Air Jamaica can break even within the first year and start making a profit by the second year.

"When Air Jamaica was cutting back some of the routes last year, including Miami, we ran the numbers and found that if we right-size the fleet, the turnaround would have gone from a $2.5-million loss to a $1.5-million profit," said Captain John Eyre, a member of the JALPA Acquisition Team.

The pilots had also expressed an interest in starting their own airline if they failed to acquire Air Jamaica. But that option, JALPA said, would not be exercised until all avenues have been exhausted to take over the national airline.

However, the association admitted that if Caribbean Airlines is granted national carrier status for Jamaica, that could affect JALPA's plan.

At a news conference last month, Captain Eyre described the proposed sale as one of the biggest mistakes ever made by the Jamaican Government, as Caribbean Airlines, he said, was seeking to operate in and out of Jamaica and not for Jamaica.

Yesterday, the Air Jamaica pilot who spoke to the Sunday Observer suggested that some of his colleagues were exploring their options with the overseas suitors as they had no assurances from Caribbean Airlines.

"There's no guarantee that Caribbean Airlines is going to take you, or that it will pay you what you want, or that it will even last," he said.

The pilot said that while those jobs being offered overseas pay well, the conditions may not be suitable for some people.

"These places pay more money, but that doesn't always matter. The guys who have gone there are doing more work," he said, explaining that in most cases they are flying across time zones. "That takes a toll on your body over two/three years."

"One guy got a job in India and he comes home every six weeks for two weeks. Now, when you come home for two weeks the most you can do is just sleep," he said, adding that another former Air Jamaica pilot who went to Nigeria has the same experience.

"To just get up and go to Vietnam is not an easy thing to do," he said of the offer from Vietnam Airlines. "However, it depends on which contract suits you."

He said that most Air Jamaica pilots would prefer to stay here, as they regarded flying the Love Bird a premier job, given Jamaica's proximity to the United States and the fact that their families live here.

He speculated that the pilots who are under age 58 years would be among those more likely to take up the overseas offers, while those in the 58-60 age group may opt to stay here.

In his case, he said that he may consider going to China, as that country is fast developing as the next world power and there's the possibility of working there without having to fly across time zones.

**evanovitch** · 03-15-2010, 02:59 PM

Closing The Cockpit…..ahhhhhhhhhhh memories indeed

Closing The Cockpit…

Style Observer

Sunday, March 14, 2010

As we brace ourselves for Air Jamaica D-Day, Monday, April 12, SO flashes back to when the first dozen pilots left our shores for Air Canada Ground School, Dorval — a city on the island of Montreal in south-western Quebec, Canada — in the quest to become commercial airline pilots for the national carrier Air Jamaica.

One of the original ‘Dirty Dozen’, as they called themselves, Captain Michael Feanny (retired) takes us back to his beginnings... we’ve been given clearance, so fasten those seatbelts in preparation for take-off.

“I was studying law in Mandeville with the solicitor Myrtle Johnson and was utterly bored,” Feanny states. “A friend of mine, Munair Mattar, who was taking flying lessons, asked me to accompany him. It took a single class for me to understand that this was it. I got it, the attraction was immediate!” Feanny packed in law and commenced flight training. After soloing, it was off to Miami for the professional licence. His timing could not have been better as Air Canada was recruiting pilots for training. Twenty-five-year-old Feanny found himself seated in a classroom with four BWIA pilots: Mark Royes, Patrick Cousins, Lloyd Tai and Churchill Bodden, who already had training on the Boeing 727. It was, by his own account, “a leap in the dark” although, he says, there was no pressure.

“We were really raw, and it was brutally cold.” Classes were Monday to Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Studies continued in 1970 from January to late-April. “There was a lot of theory followed by the practical. When it was over, I returned to Jamaica as a First Officer.” Fact is, all returned (three as Second Officers, nine as First Officers and one as a Captain — notably Mark Royes) equipped to manage the national airline. “The realisation soon hit that this was beyond a job; it was no longer a hobby, but a passionate love affair and we all tried to do it to the best of our ability.”

Captain Michael Feanny did just that until his retirement on February 16 2005, his 60th birthday.

Captain Geoffrey ‘Andy’ Campbell, perhaps the baby of the group at the tender age of 21, recalls how his first attempt to leave the island for Montreal was aborted. “I left Kingston for Montego Bay on Saturday, January 1, 1970, on JM011 and was bumped! I returned to Kingston on Jamaica Air Service Twin Otter piloted by Captain Dave McRae (who would later join Air Jamaica in 1971) and left the following day on JM 023 DC-9 service to Miami to connect on Air Canada to Montreal. This flight was also full, so I eventually ended up travelling in the cockpit of an Air Canada DC-8 and arrived in Montreal feeling like a penguin... snow like sand! The course lasted until mid-April (all winter) and I returned to Kingston trained as a Second Officer on the DC-8 aircraft.”

Campbell was promoted to First Officer DC-8 in April 1971 and Captain DC-9 in April 1975. When asked by S O about his classroom experience, here’s what he shared... “Well, the experienced guys like Mark Royce, Churchill Bodden, Patrick Cousins and Lloyd Tai, who all came from BWIA, were quite cool, as well as Robbie Hamaty, Russell Beek and Frank Laing, but the younger ones like Mike, Tony and myself were traumatised after the first day of Ground School, as we did not have a clue what Scotty our instructor was trying to teach us! He had a deep Scottish accent and, of course, our Jamaican accents really made the classroom interesting. Not to mention the sprinkling of French Canadians in the class to add to the flavour... the poor instructor figured we were all Jamaicans because of the accents which, of course, offended some of the Canadians. In the end, though, we all had a great time. Tony Bowyer’s bandaged head (in the photo) was a result of a Ski-Doo accident. Today, he would have been as famous as our bobsled team.” He may very well have been. Campbell now boasts an amazing 40 years and 69 days (at the time of our writing this article) with Air Jamaica and has flown all types of Air Jamaica aircraft: DC-8, DC-9, Boeing 727, Airbus A300 and A340. Campbell also made mention of the time he ferried an A300 aircraft from Paris Charles de Gaulle via Gander with one NMW as purser on June 13, 1988. Hmmm, he was just as gorgeous then!

Campbell is currently vice-president, Operations at Air Jamaica.

Captain Patrick Cousins, currently director, Safety Compliance & Quality Air Jamaica Limited — Norman Manley International Airport, is another ‘original’ and in fact helmed the group of Jamaicans from BWIA who were interested in joining Air Jamaica. Here are his recollections:

“I was chosen as the spokesperson for the Jamaicans employed by BWIA who were interested in joining Air Jamaica. After several meetings with Captain Leek, vice-president, Flight Operations and Captain Palmer, Chief Pilot we decided to come. There were five of us, but four came. We attended training in Montreal in the middle of a severe winter where we joined up with the rest of our Jamaican team making a total of 12, thereafter called the ‘Dirty Dozen’ (I can assure you, we were the best 12 pilots — and clean).

Air Canada was very impressed with the standard of the pilots, including the young ones (in those days) who all excelled. Within 16 months we started the Jamaican Airline Pilots’ Association and I was appointed the first president. I was the first 1st Officer promoted to Captain in Air Jamaica.

“From the initial 12, Air Jamaica made appointments such as Vice-President — Flight Operations, Director-Flight Operations, Chief Pilot, Fleet Captain, Training Captain and Director-Safety. This was the nucleus of our Air Jamaica of today. Hard work (while having fun) kept the airline safe and professional and this legacy continues to the present where Air Jamaica is second to none in safety and standards.”

FLASHBACK

Captain Mike Lyn (retired) shares his big moments with SO

“I was promoted from Second Officer to First Officer (F/O) on the DC-8, just seven months after joining Air Jamaica in 1971, and this was my first flight as a F/O going into Toronto. The winds were strong, and I executed a safe but ‘firm’ landing, at which point my wife tried to sink into her seat. But my son Mike Jr jumped up and proudly shouted, ‘That’s my daddy flying!’

“My first flight as Captain on the 340 across the Atlantic was a real feelgood experience.

“As I landed at Heathrow, I wished my dad, who was a fighter pilot and flew escort to Chiang Kai-shek, was onboard to see me flying this big bird. Wish I could remember what year that was!

“My last flight as a Captain, in September 2005 as I headed into retirement, was another feel-good experience in that my son Mike, his wife and children, my grandchildren flew into New York to go that last leg with me, as did my best man George deMercado. Capt David McRae was my F/O, Sarah Young and the whole New York office was there to wish me a happy landing and my wife bawling and the guard of honour when I landed at NMIA was the real tear-jerker. The cake from the stews, organised by Christine Steele, that we enjoyed at Flight Ops was the topper.”

Captain David McRae Reflects

“Having been promoted to the rank of Captain in 1975, I entered the cockpit of the DC-9 and looked back in the cabin and realised that I was now in command of this awesome flying machine and all these people were now dependent on me to fly them safely from Kingston to Miami.

“Being restricted mainly to North American flights and office duties in my position as Chief Pilot, I never had the opportunity to captain trans-Atlantic flights. Operating my first ferry flight to France across the Pond with Captain Andy Campbell and Captain Mike Feanny to Toulouse, France, home of Airbus, was a thriller. The catering on the return leg was awesome: baguettes and foie gras!

“Operating as a First Officer on the final flights of their careers, with captains who were ending their sojourn with Air Jamaica, such as Captain Mike Feanny and Captain Mike ‘Speedy’ Lyn, was bittersweet as the retirement age of 60 (at that time) is too young for us pilots to stop doing what we love so much

<span style="font-weight: bold">see dem picture yahso: </span> Closing The Cockpit…

404 - Jamaica Observer

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/Closing-The-Cockpit--3-14-10

Jamaicans abroad upset at sale of Air J

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