Welcome to Mayday Air Jamaica blog
Welcome to my/our blog. The purpose of our blog is to record your views on the subject of the sale of Air Jamaica and whether this should be sold to foreign interests or to the Air Jamaica Pilots and workers seeking a bid to purchase the airline. I am first attempting to collect 20 years of back pay plus damages for pain and suffering inflicted upon myself, and any other employee past or present who have been unable to remedy their victimization. We have had to flee our country for fear of violence, visit our web site at maydayairjamaica.com for more details. Let us unite and boycott the sale and use of Spirit airlines or any other carrier taking bread and butter from our families. This is our remaining national heritage. Our employees are ready willing and able and should be given a chance. Let us unite and join together to use our economic power to force the government of Jamaica to rescind any plans for the disposal of the airline, to publish the offer in the press that was made to the other parties and further discount this 20% to the employees who have already supplemented the airline via their pension funds and their existing sweat equity. I am also seeking to notify Spirit airlines that as a corporate US citizen, they should be mindful of the fact that I too am a US citizen, and they should not enter into a contract to further violate both my civil and human rights in Jamaica. That the set aside for redundancies needs to be examined is clear. However what Spirit and it's management /owners are proposing to do is sign a contract with a government which further ratifies the violation of my civil rights. One United States citizen should not be allowed to do that to another anywhere. I have had my civil rights violated in the highest court of Jamaica for 20 years, they ought to have known this, this has nothing to with the nature of the dispute, I already won that issue, but of due process and injustice. Otherwise stay out of Air Jamaica's coffers. Air Jamaica remains a net foreign exchange earner for our country. If forced, I intend to have this matter examined in a US court. All employees who are US citizens with outstanding issues please so indicate on our email . Sign up and support, better yet register and contribute $5.00 per registration to support our drive for Justice and Equity. please keep the content clean no expletives allowed. Let talk the talk and then walk the walk support our drive and curb corruption. Join our boycott of the sale and refuse to fly on any foreign purchaser of Air Jamaica and tell the government to pay for the damages they have inflicted on myself and others like me.
Posted by Admin at 10/26/2009 5:07 PM 
Categories: Sale of Air Jamaica
Tags: workers corruption victimization mayday air jamaica air safety sell air jamaica
Categories: Sale of Air Jamaica
Tags: workers corruption victimization mayday air jamaica air safety sell air jamaica
air Jamaica is a part of Jamaica, and should stay in Jamaica going on spirit airline there staff are not very friendly. when you step up in air Jamaica you get the worm well come the lovely smile, you feel at home. i remember a few years ago i was going to Jamaica just did surgery and i couldn't left any thing i was there struggling to put my bag in the over head compartment there was a fat woman there watching me and never even say can i help you.she lean over on the seat and watched me, now if that was one of air Jamaica worker they would never done anything like that, they are always ready to help you, spirit needs to back off and stay the hell off
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Spirit isn't buying anyone. Indigo Partners and Oaktree Capitol may be trying to buy Air Jamaica. They own many airline businesses including spirit.
CptRon
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Jamaica.."This is the land of my birth, Eric Donaldson." Air Jamaica is a symbol of our nation and should not be sold to any foreign nationals. Even if we, "Out of many...One people" should come together and sell chicken and yellow yam and donate to let the airline remain in our possession. We must not forget where we came from. We also as Jamaica should love our country just the same way others love their own. Air Jamaica and Lufthansa are the two most safest airlines in the sky. I am a pilot and i had an incident on Spirit Airlines in 2008 with a safety issue with the captain have the aircraft de-ice with gylcol type-4 de-icing liquid, the flaps were in the up right position, the weather was in the teens with rain and snow. He lowered the flaps after the de-icing before the aircraft was push back from the gate. Ice then became adhere to the section of the flaps that the de-icing liquid did not touch. I then alerted the flight attendant to inform the pilot that ice is on the flaps. The captain came out the cabin and said that he doesn't see any ice. When the aircraft accelerating on the runway for take-off, he raised the flaps and the ice was just shearing off by the spoilers on the wings. He then requested my name and address, i gave it to the flight attendant and informed the captain that i will be sending a notice to the NTSB. Their pilots are not proficient and are dangerous. Seach the website and you will see that one of them was terminated because he lied to get he job about his birth place and training. You let another carrier take over Air Jamaica and replace Air Jamaica pilots and we will have NTSB or body bags filled at crash sight.
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its sad that the only thing that Jamaicans have to call their own is being sold from right under their feet. I think its both wrong to the people and to the country to sell this well know airline to such a ill managed corporation.
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If we do not support this effort to for Justice then what can we support, I listened to the radio show on the website and am appaled. I lift my hat to Mr Sampson, count me in.
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If controalled and managed properly by local interest, Air Jamaica could help to spawn local industries supportive of the airline.
An example would be the development of a biofuel that could power the aircraft and could be grown and processed locally, thus reducing fuel cost in the long run.
At the same time giving a boost to the lagging agricultural community in providind the plant and processing the fuel. Virgin airlines were experimenting with it at one time, therefore we should look into the feasibility of this possibility.
A home grown local aircraft maintanance & design facility working in conjunction with U-tech and WUI engineering departments could develope innovative programmes and designs that could rival the best in the world. Given the unique perspectives, ingenuity and talent JA is abound with, who knows what MORE could be unleasched into the world from the little rock in terms of aviation history.
It all takes $$ that when put in the right direction and not in some politicians pockets, wonderful things can be accomplished.
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As a Trinidadian, I am apalled but not shocked to hear about the corruption that has so sadly gripped Jamaica. I am not shocked because this same injustice takes place on a DAILY BASIS in all of our little caribbean islands. However, what is extremely significant about this dillema is that the "POWERS THAT BE" have openly showed by denying Mr. Sampson the right to a fair trial for 20 YEARS, and their attempted ILLEGAL ACQUISITION of Jamaica's National Airline, that they have complete control over our Government officals, Court system, Police force, and obviously our "succesful" businessmen!!! We all need to join this fight as Caribbean people and build a better future for our children, lest they become subject to the same victimization that we are forced to endure so frequently. MR. SAMPSON YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT!!! GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER!!!
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I recently read an article about your efforts to keep Jamaica in Jamaican hands and as a Jamaican I support your efforts. However, in the same article you are quoted as saying Jamaica is one of the 10 poorest countries in the world, I would recommend you double check that "fact". Jamaica considered a "middle income" country and thus could never be in the bottom ten. It were really the case that we were in the bottom ten as you're quoted as saying we would have already qualified for Debt relief, which we currently are not. Fight your fight and know that Jamaica is behind you, but don't slander Our home. There are over 50 countries poorer than us, we have our problems yes but do make us a basket case to the world.
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What has been quoted is the United Nations measurement of the Human Development called the Human Development index, Founded by Pakistani economist Mahbub ul Haq, The HDI has been used since 1990 by the United Nations Development Programme for its annual Human Development Reports. The HDI combines three dimensions:
Life expectancy at birth, as an index of population health and longevity
Knowledge and education, as measured by the adult literacy rate (with two-thirds weighting) and the combined primary, secondary, and tertiary gross enrollment ratio (with one-third weighting).
Standard of living, as measured by the natural logarithm of gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity.
This is a different measure from The GNP, or wealth of the nation. Hope this explanantion helps to clarify matters, thanks for your support
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Lets get the facts straight -- spirit airlines was never going to buy AJ --- this blog was started so that the leaders of AJ can still rape the airline and fool the people --- Look at the payrol of AJ first and publish it and then you will see what the real story is
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I am currently employed to Air Jamaica. My department (to my knowledge) has never been approached in any capacity re the purchase of the airline by its staff. We initiated a cost saving plan in order to save the airline some money, this has resulted in some salaries been cut by more than half what is was this time last year. We are demonstrating our desire to see Air Jamaica continue, but my feeling is that the problem lies with its management more than anything.
Air Jamaica is managed by dinosaurs. We need forward thinking people, with VISION to run the airline. We dont need high rise building with fancy offices and reserved parking space and fat salaries type management anymore. It hurt me sometimes when I see the potential of the company sliding away of foolishness. The recent route cuts were not all bad, but LA, ATL and London should have never been touched. I wont even mention Grand Cayman. Cayman to Jamaica is now Cayman Airways most profitable route I hear (twice a day operations on some days).
So what needs to be done? We need to understand thats the days of First Class is over, with a one cabin configuration (smiular to Jet blue) everyone can enjoy more leg room while increasing the carrying capacity of the plane. It also reduces the catering bill when u order only one type of food instead of the variety, reduced weight of the plane as well, increasing the capabilities to carry more bags. Standardise the fleet, only A320 one style, not several differently configured A320s as is the case now. (its cause headaches when trying to stock parts for the planes).
Stop the layovers on flights in Florida, the short haul flights should have the origin and destination in Jamaica. I cost too much to have crews and plane overnight in these ports when Jamaica is only an hour and 20 mins away. Have a late night flight at very low cost (no catering) and a very early flight in the morning (again, no catering). Redeploy management to front desk positions, too many of them disappear when there is a problem or serious flight delays. Often its the lowest level customer service reps who face the brunt of passengers anger becuase management is often hidin away in their office.
Purchase 20 Toyota Hiace buses with Air Jamaica signs/logos on the sides. Used these buses to replace the expensive contracts currently in place to carry staff to and from work. These buses could be maintianed by our trained maintainance department at much lower cost and used to transport passengers as well should an unexpected delay or cancellation occur.
Have the cabin and cockpit crew on short turn flights handle the cleaning needs of the aircraft instead of contract cleaners. Use some of that savings to increase the salaries of those crew memebers now asked to do the cleaning as an incentive, pocket the rest. (not a novel idea, its been done all over the world) Retain the cleaners in Jamaica for the serious, heavy cleaning (saving jobs in the Jamaican economy as well
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Michael....I am shocked that Jamaicans can sit quietly and the allow Air Jamaica to be given away, as was done with London Route.
I would like to see us: JM staff (past and present), Jamaicans go out with placards, and demonstrate against this decision...against IMF...Islandwide. Your suggestions are a good start...others could include;
-Save air Jamaica...Buy a 1000 certificate...start a fund...Solicit donations
-Buy coupons allowing 10 trips a year any destination at a very discounted price (this worked before)..to add to cash flow..
-buy one get one ticket for the slow period...
-Get donations to advertise the 'demonstration'...calling all passengers, pilots, attendants, everyone who ever worked for Air Ja..
-Get donations to advertise our history: pilots, attendants, staff.
-Plan a Air Ja 'float' with staff and band
-Advertise the plan of action...(full page):
-Re-hire staff out of work for basic salary
-Re-train staff with emphasis on service, service,
service to customers
What I am saying is: start fighting for your little piece of Jamaica that flies....stop talking....I AM READY TO GET THE WEST GOING....LETS GO SAVE AIR JAMAICA FOR JAMAICA !!! ...WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME....
Michael...you have some excellent thoughts!
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we in baltimore are willing to invest in air jamaica, as jamaicans i am sure there are thousand of us who will be ready to support the purchase of the airline by the employees.
Pleae send more info on how we can get involved.
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I can remember the first time I came to America 22 years ago and the feeling I had upon entering Air Jamaica and I still get that feeling today. It would be sad for the government of Jamaica to allow a foreign entity to come in a purchase Air Jamaica when there are capable people around to purchase and run the airline service. We already have foreigners benefiting for the labor of Jamaicans living in Jamaica to now give up our bread and butter would just be stupid. I flew on Spirit Air once and that was all it took for me not to ever use them again.
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I'm trying to reach Mr. Wesley Sampson. I am Oroyo Eubanks, a Producer at Power 106FM in kingston Jamaica. Mr. Sampson we are interested in having a discussion with you about air jamaica and the call for current and past employees to own the aieline.
We would love if we could talk to you by Monday NOvember 23,2009 about 8:00am Jmaican time, but i'ld love to speak with you before.
Please respond by email @ power106@cwjamaica.com or by phone at 754-9859/968-4880-3.
PS: Anyone else on this blog who is interested (current or former employees) could also contact too please.
Oroyo Eubanks
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I would make sense to be able to find a contact on your blog for your group.
Feel free to send your pictures, articles, videos (use http://www.vimeo.com/)to news[at]kingstonchronicle.[com]so all our international and local readers can read your cause.
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As a frequent flyer on AJ and one who is planing to return and live selling our air Line is one of the most disturbing news and daunting thing that could ever happen to our country. I knew this government would have taken this stand Even before they came in office if they did. and I was right on target as I experience a long delay in montego Bay after the election, and by no uncertain I made my feeling known. I truly respect what mayday is doing and support them all the way 100 per cent.we will not let them sell out the little piece of Jamaica that fly.KEEP UP THE STRUGGLE, as it was struggle the brought it to being.
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First of all I would like to say that this transcaction by Spirit or Indigo must be stopped.As Jamaicans we take pride in everything we do and represent.Spirit Airlines pholosophy is lacking in every manner and as such we should not be affiliated with them in any manner.We should show solidarity by not travelling on Spirit,and continue to support our national carrier.The Jamaican market has served Spirits pockets well but they do nothing but treat our people like cattle.Spirit Airlines has employed Jamicans but none are in senior management and they have given a small number pilots a chance to ply there trade.Also I suspect along with many other Jamaicasn that this is a ploy to destroy Air Jamaica and in turn increase Spirits market share.
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I too join in the fight for our national airline,Air Jamaica.It is the only piece of Jamaica that we have left that we can be proud of, and it would be a serious inditement on us if we sit back and allow it to be sold off to people who do not have the airline or Jamaica at heart.It has always been my belief that the Jamaicans in the Diaspora would not allow the airline to go down like that. I still believe we can garner the necessary resource that will help to keep that little piece of Jamaica flying.
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i hope tf a jamaican group gets the airline, this time they will offer shares to us both at home and abroad.
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I fully support your initiative as I too as a Jamaican would like to see the airline remains in the hands of jamaicans. I full support divestment but we should also be considered as a people with potential who will effectively manage the company.
Point to note though Mr. Sampson; you should contact Indigo Partners, the management company for Spirit.
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Thanks for your support. Indigo is a partner to Oakwood Capital, or so it seems, so we notified Oakwood, the major resource center for Spirit.
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I would really like to know if the pilots indeed can undertake the debt burden of Air Jamaica?If the answer is yes,why would the Government not give it to ts own.Isn't the whole idea is to take Air J of the countries books and leave it of that burden.
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LETS UNITE AND TAKE A STAND,REALIZING THAT WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. NOW IS THE TIME TO STAND UP FOR INJUSTICE. LET RETAIN WHAT LEFT OF AIR JAMAICA, WHILE SUPPORTING MR. SIMPSON AND HIS FAMILY. MS.LOUISE,WOULD SAY STAND UP AND OPEN UP YOUR MOUTH AND SPEAK UP."National Interest VS. Foreign Interest" WHAT YOUR CHOICE?
RESPECT YOUR SELF. LETS GO! UNITE!
In YESHUAH NAME WE WILL PREVAIL.
ONE LOVE JAMAICANS.
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Greetings in perfect Luv, Peace and Inity. Brother Sampson I read ur article in its fullness n it sends a chill down my spine. I quite overs the nature of the misuse of power in JA by the "powers that may be". It is that same misuse of power that has resulted in the corruption and mismanagement of the country by both major political parties, and the ignorance of their supporters, particularly those in the the lower economic strata of the island. One can quite overs that the few that make up the elite of the island will do nothing to end this corruption as they benefit directly from such. The situation regarding this issue of the national airline is indicative of other aspects of the day to day running of the island and it leaves one to wonder how do we as J'cans at home and abroad effect any changes to rid our country of this type of wide-spread corruption, when Mr. Sampson in his bid to seek justice was threatened by a then member of the govt.? Wouldn't anyone else seeking to change the situation on the island be subjected to this type of threat and made to fear for their lives and that of their families?
You know, there are gangsters in TTown, Tivoli, Vineyard Town, Spanish Town, Seaview Gardens, Braeton, Waterhouse, etc and we must rid the island of these people. However, there is a set of more ominous gansters on the island that we must get rid of to bring about any lasting changes. And I speak of those in govt. and those sponsored by the state. And even more ominous is those of the rich and elite whom are above and beyond the so-call law of the land.
I luv my country, I luv being J'can but as a Rastawoman, I certainly do not identify with a constitution that reeks of the oppressive hand of our former slave/colonialist masters. I cannot identify with a political system that only serves to oppress the poor n disenfranchised of the island. I certainly cannot identify with a country that still operate under the rules n regulations of a past british, colonial mentality that serves to disposses our people(those whom are mainly of Afrikan descent) of their identity n human rights, where the rule of law benefits only those of the rich and elite in a more favourable light. This kind of governance since 1936, as only served to futher push the underclass into further poverty and despair where no one has the moral standing to speak out against such blatant corruption in high and low places.
We are an island inundated by churches by every sq. mile yet we are "island murder inc."
Brother Sampson, I sympathize with u n I would very much like to be on ur side, but I would like to see other pressing issues be brought to the forefront of this personal struggle that u face. Jamaica needs a revolution, a great change in every aspect of its existence, morally,socially, economically, mentally n spiritually. Until such, I don't see where we go from here. My brother I stand with u thru the spirit of our ancestors whose shoulders we stand on. B-more Luv.
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It appears Spirit has officially backed off thanks to your letter Mr. Sampson. Any investor would have to be insane to get involved with a situation like that. Congratulations.
P.S. Has the Prime Minister's office responded to any of the correspondence?
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Hr Sampson,
Continue your work because i know that it will reap the the benifits that the airline deserves. We need to get rid of the the gate keepers who have sought to bring about the destruction to the national carrier. The potential that exists for Air Jamaica as far as it being a viable entity is at hand.It simply requires vision,fiscal discipline and a renewed outlook.Let's all stand together and brainstorm & make this Big Piece of Jamaica be our pride and joy once again.Positive rate,Gear up.
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Ithink air jamaica should not be sold,selling air jamaica will be unjust to the jamaican people.Two years ago ,i had a very bad experience with spirit airline.I tried to contact spirit airline to resolve the issue to date the issue has not been resolved.I have not been refunded my money.I will not fly spirit airline they will be wasting their money buying air jamaica.
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The Pilot should be given the first preference to buy the airline. I would prefer the airline to owned by Jamaican and kept the name and the logo. I am very proud of our Airline.
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I am very unhappy that Air Jamaica will be selling foreign investor and not the pilot. I love Air Jamaica i know i am always safe whenever i travel on my airline,i love my love bird Immediately whenever i step on board i felt at home. The pilots they are knowledgeable,i donut travel with any other airline the staff are always courteous and always helpful.
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The idea of Jamaicans owning Air Jamaica is GOOD! If the pilots and staff of the present employees at Air Jamaica are prepared to put up their pension funds as equity then do so. Get a formal proposal together and post a Jamaican bond to the people of Jamaica. Price it at a minimum of $1000.00 and get a non political Security Company like Sterling, Mayberry or Beruta to manage the funds etc. I am positive the people of Jamaica will buy into Air Jamaica provided its a public company and its run in complete openness and transparency. I am more than convinced that a vast amount of stealing, corruption and overpricing in purchases exist in Air Jamaica and that must STOP to make Air Jamaica viable. I am willing to help.
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The Jamaican peolple should face facts, the sale of Air Jamaica is shrouded insecrecy and the politicians disregard the people and there is nothing we can do because all Jamaicans do is talk,this requires a national strike for our national airline.
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Mr. Sampson.
How come the pilots and other Air Jamaica personnel are not rallying with you for this cause??? I have not seen or heard of anyone else trying to assist them in such a grand manner. Is their something going on behind the scenes that we are not aware of?? To put it quite frankly, I find their silence....deafening.
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Selling Air Jamaica of to Trinidad is just a stupid idea. THIS IS OUR OWN NATIONAL CARRIER! IT SHOULD STAY IN JAMAICAN HANDS! We as Jamaicans are natually very proud people and it would be a sad day for Jamaicans everywhere when the here that Air Jamaica is DEAD! Our own National carrier that has carried the spirit of Jamaica all over the world for so many years. We have been the number one airline to the caribbean for 12 years in a row and the largest caribbean based airline for many years and it's just a shame that Bruce Golding wants to just give up a huge part of our culture and country to Trinidad and better their national carrier and country and take away from ours. I said it before and i'll say it again Air Jamaica IS DEAD!!!! And will soon become just another extention of Trinidad's national Carrier Caribbean Airlines if we dont put an end to this!!!!!!!! We are proud people and Trinidad cannot own us.
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Mr. Johnson,
Can't you see that this is not another vain Trinidad vs. Jamaica argument. This is about the "Haves" versus the "Have Nots". Do you really think that the poor and working class people in Trinidad are the ones that are going to benefit from this??
It is the CORRUPTED OFFICIALS from BOTH COUNTRIES, who are going to continue reaping the benefits of the underclass' blood, sweat, and tears.
This is bigger than Trinidad and Jamaica. This is good against evil. As a Trini, I totally agree with you that Air Jamaica should stay in Jamaica, but don't be deceived my brother.
They tried to sell your airline to Spirit first. Because of Mr. Sampson's intervention, that deal fell through. Now they're in Trinidad trying to do strike another deal. If that fails, do you think they're going to stop their pursuit of a sale??
Step back and look at the bigger picture my brother. The world is a lot bigger than those two little islands. Most of all, please remember that the only difference between you and I is that you were dropped of in Kingston and I was dropped off in Port of Shame. We are brothers, and these "men" who are running the country can never change that.
Your brother,
Jon
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