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Post by Admin on Jan 17, 2013 22:27:00 GMT -5
I assume everyone received the email from Steve Santo today. The major claim is that they are outsourcing maintenance which has been a difficult transition. Does anyone know why they are outsourcing maintenance? They are by far the largest operator of the Piaggio aircraft. Do other companies have enough experience to be providing maintenance for the aircraft?
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Post by hrofcr on Jan 17, 2013 23:43:22 GMT -5
My initial, visceral reaction To Santo's email was a flashback to the old saying about the placard in the cockpit that says, "There are 125,375 moving parts in this aircraft, and every one of them was made by the lowest bidder."
Where are the 12 so-called regional maintenance centers and what are their qualifications?
I'm happy that the officers and directors have entrusted their loved ones to flying on the P180; I have to wonder whether any of their flights were delayed?
I know we all have made financial commitments to an incredible aircraft; we have all been treated to what was incredible service, before the grounding. But I have to wonder -
All the owners are adults, who have been very successful in their businesses. All of us have demanded a level of performance in our respective businesses, or we have found other suppliers or employees.
Why are we tolerating this abuse? Why are we hoping that the company survives, even though more than one blogger here has said top management must go?
And, the officers and directors may be willing to entrust their family's lives to a maintenance system that allowed an elevator to be installed upside down; to continue to fly when the elevator fell off in Camarillo, but wasn't discovered until two legs later; but they know, as insiders, which probably are the safest aircraft.
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flyer
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Post by flyer on Jan 18, 2013 11:19:10 GMT -5
Check the SEC filing which if I remember correctly is in their 8K. It gives their business plan for 2013 which states they will downsize their fleet to 42 aircraft but fly the same number of hours as last year. I do not understand how that is possible. I to have been a very satisfied owner until the standdown and hope they can survive as they have a wonderful product and have provided excellent service up to the standdown
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Post by Steven Santo on Jan 19, 2013 9:13:29 GMT -5
I want to thank Joel for setting this up and allowing me to participate. My hope is I can answer questions as they arise and raise the level of communication. We currently have 46 active airplanes. Maintenance checks are required every 150-200 flight hours. These checks typically take between 2 days to 1 month, depending on which check they are in for. They were taking much longer through December and January as explained in my recent communication. As a result, On average, 23 a day have been flying due to the maintenance backlog. We expect that to increase drastically next week. In fact, next Sunday, we expect to have 33 in the air. Our expectation is that an airplane can fly 4 legs a day. 2.5 would be passenger legs and 1.5 repositioning. When we are doing that, our on time performance has been over 90 percent. Although not there yet, it has gotten much better. We are working day and night to be number one again in terms of customer service and on time performance and we will in short order. Best airplane and best service is what gives us a competitive edge and that what this company was built on.
In terms of maintenance, the facilities we have contracted are all authorized Piaggio service centers. They are all large companies that are well known. In addition to their experienced personnel, we have trained Avantair tech reps on site to oversee the work.
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Post by paulschwartz1 on Jan 19, 2013 9:35:49 GMT -5
good to know, steve. any update regarding internet issue. we've paid and should be given a status report, even if it isn't good news.
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Post by Steven Santo on Jan 19, 2013 12:13:54 GMT -5
Thanks
We currently have 12 airplanes with wifi installed and we are getting them done as fast as we can. We are doing them during normal scheduled maintenance on checks that take at least a week to complete. It takes 3 days to do the install and if we do it during these maintenance events, it won't put additional pressure on the system. We have 3 that are being installed right now. Not everyone has paid us for wifi; we have received about half of the proceeds.
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flyer
New Member
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Post by flyer on Jan 23, 2013 21:28:11 GMT -5
How come there r no posts since 1/17, or for the last 5 days? Is it because no planes r flying, or is everyone satisfied and Avantair is back to performing with their usual pre stand down, high level of service?
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Post by jamieson on Jan 24, 2013 13:03:37 GMT -5
Anything but satisfied! We have been a two 50 hour contract owner since 2007. Up until July/August last year we were generally satisfied with overall performance and especially the scheduling group and when there was going to be a delay or issue, we received well in advance notice. In August through October moved down to about 50% professional service. During and after stand down everything has been awful. Direct lies from scheduling. Major inadequate BS stories from the CEO and we have stopped using Avantair and turned the entire issue over to our FL attorneys this past Dec and they have yet to receive a response to letters or phone calls. Without question, the CEO and Directors need to be immediately replaced.
Having said all of this, we still think the Piaggio 180 is a great aircraft for our routine annual under three hour flight requirements. We sincerely hope the company will be purchased by a professional organization prior to its most likely pending demise.
The recent Santos statement on wifi status is one of his usual bad jokes. Notice he did not send out the tail numbers of the planes with completed working installations.
Think we all need to hope and prayer for a buyer sonnet than later.
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Post by dickboro on Jan 24, 2013 15:46:40 GMT -5
My plane to and from Cabo was late by four hours both times despite booking well in advance. What can I reasonably expect to receive in free hours for these delays?
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Post by StevenSanto on Jan 25, 2013 6:21:11 GMT -5
If you are an existing owner you received a recent update letter which stated service levels would increase significantly this Tuesday. That has in fact occurred. We are also setting the schedule the day before and notifying owners of their tail numbers and confirming departure times. Our customer group has been terrific and very understanding. We owe it to you to make Avantair number one in customer service. I plan on sending out another correspondence early next week. If you have any questions please contact us.
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wpc
New Member
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Post by wpc on Jan 25, 2013 20:11:49 GMT -5
Steve Santo's letter was encouraging - let's hope he can deliver on the customer service and maintenance promises. However, was anyone else puzzled by the comment about busy days (Friday afternoons and Sundays)? He implied we should expect delays. He also said peak travel days will be worse, and they will do their best to provide charter suppport.
I don't think any of us bought into this outfit for that kind of service. I don't care if it's a quiet day or the busiest of the season - I want to know that a plane will be there when scheduled. That's why we fly private.
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Post by hrdcount on Jan 27, 2013 1:22:09 GMT -5
I to have had nothing but problems with my flights. My last flight was 9 hour delay out of SLO. I had to be at a meeting in Reno and was forced to charter a flight to get there. I am trying to get reimbursed for this. Since then my 5yr contract has ended. I have informed a avantair to sell my share. Since then I have heard nothing from them. I hope I get something back but am afraid this will be a walk away loss. Mr. Santos need to resign and we management needs to be put in place!!
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Post by PBonphy on Jan 27, 2013 8:25:48 GMT -5
My flight today is scheduled to be on time. Got the call yesterday as promised. That will be 4 for 4 for me. I have been in several of these programs. They all have there ups and downs. The one constant is the people at Avantair are great. So yes we can complain about management based on what occurred in November and December but I choose to withhold judgement. Also your posts does nothing but diminish the value of your used share. If my recent experience is any indication giving them another shot may be your best bet.
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Post by hrdcount on Jan 27, 2013 15:14:08 GMT -5
You can with hold judgement but I have made my mind up. Stock that was trading at 5 dollars a share when I bought in is trading at .15 cents. I think that's says a lot of management.
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Post by Admin on Jan 27, 2013 20:02:12 GMT -5
I have a question for those who have reached the end of their 5 year contract. What is supposed to happen if you don't renew. hrdcount indicated he "informed avantair to sell my share." How is that supposed to happen?
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