CAA Rescue of Monarch

[Mervyn and Trish]

So where do I start?

On the plus side the CAA have been quick and seemingly efficient in the way they've leapt in and sent flights to bring home stranded Monarch passengers. Good on them.

On the other hand I'm baffled as to why they've done it the way they have, contributing to a disaster of a day for us this week.

I won't bother you with all the details but I should be sitting in Madeira at present, not at home. The basic reason is Madeira airport was closed for much of the day on Monday by high winds and we couldn't land. That much is not EasyJet's fault. But the way they handled it, including an 11 hour round trip to Gran Canaria and us still being here, is, and part of that I suspect is due to the CAA handing of Monarch.

We were delayed leaving Manchester. The reason, we were eventually told, after a first excuse proved to be bunkum, was that they were short staffed and had to get a relief Captain up from Gatwick. And he told us they were short staffed and short of aircraft because they had lent them to the CAA.

All very laudable except, though they haven't admitted it yet, I suspect the reason they didn't fly us back to Madeira after the winds subsided on Tuesday, which some others did, or wait it out overnight in Gran Canaria, is that shortage of planes and crew handed to the CAA.

Which is galling as while we were sitting on the tarmac awaiting our replacement Captain we were surrounded by idle Monarch aircraft. And their crews were at home contemplating redundancy.

So why couldn't the CAA, instead of spreading the misery further, have chartered Monarch's planes from the Administrator and paid their crew to fly them? Extra money in the kitty for Monarch's creditors, an extra few days pay for their crews, and we might be in the warm now. Win, win, win.

So why not? Is it me?

[david63]

So why couldn't the CAA, instead of spreading the misery further, have chartered Monarch's planes from the Administrator and paid their crew to fly them?

It is probably a lot complicated than that as there are many other factors involved - such a insurance, fuel, landing charges, are the planes licensed to fly? I am not saying that these are not insurmountable but probably cannot be resolved quickly.

Anyway I am sure you are much happier here in cold, wet England than in warm, dry Madeira!!

[Stephen]

Stop winding him up David

[Mervyn and Trish]

So why couldn't the CAA, instead of spreading the misery further, have chartered Monarch's planes from the Administrator and paid their crew to fly them?

It is probably a lot complicated than that as there are many other factors involved - such a insurance, fuel, landing charges, are the planes licensed to fly? I am not saying that these are not insurmountable but probably cannot be resolved quickly.

Anyway I am sure you are much happier here in cold, wet England than in warm, dry Madeira!!

Well as the CAA handle licencing they should know! And they presumably would have been on Monday morning if Monarch hadn't gone bust!

p.s. Thank you for your support Stephen. I'll wear it always.

[Stephen]

Can you wash it please before returning.

Never mind Merv I'll think of you on Sunday (not) when boarding for Spain and Canaries. Guess our first port of call.......Madeira.

Ps. I assume the comp claims are in

[Manoverboard]

The entire process is, or can be, extremely complicated ...

We were impacted by the failure of All Leisure Inc ( Voyages of Discovery / Swan Hellenic etc ). One's holiday was booked in April 2016 and a deposit of £600 was paid but the Company went tits up early January 2017. Our claim was subsequently registered with BUPA / BAFTA / ABTA and chums but not a dicky bird of progress for us was forthcoming from Grant Thornton the Administrators.

Presently we have claims outstanding with ABTA, one's Travel Insurance policy plus the Credit Card Provider.

I wish anybody who is caught up in the Monarch mess the very best of luck.





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[Mervyn and Trish]

Our frustration is that we weren't actually booked on Monarch thank goodness, and my sympathies go to those that were, but seem to have been caught up in the crossfire. The CAA get the credit for what they've achieved in sorting out Monarch passengers but no one is seeing the collateral damage caused to others.

My brother was due to be joining us in Madeira yesterday and his BA flight was cancelled with no viable alternative offered when there wasn't a weather problem. So neither of us has yet got there. Though we may yet beat you Stephen!

For full details of our disastrous flight you can read all about it in the Daily Mail! The article is all spot on. Except for the bit where EasyJet claim to have kept us informed. Yes they did. But most of what they told us was untrue!

[Jan Rosser]

Our frustration is that we weren't actually booked on Monarch thank goodness, and my sympathies go to those that were, but seem to have been caught up in the crossfire. The CAA get the credit for what they've achieved in sorting out Monarch passengers but no one is seeing the collateral damage caused to others.

My brother was due to be joining us in Madeira yesterday and his BA flight was cancelled with no viable alternative offered when there wasn't a weather problem. So neither of us has yet got there. Though we may yet beat you Stephen!

For full details of our disastrous flight you can read all about it in the Daily Mail! The article is all spot on. Except for the bit where EasyJet claim to have kept us informed. Yes they did. But most of what they told us was untrue!

I read that article Merv and thought "our Merv was there" - sounds like a nightmare

[Mervyn and Trish]

Not our best flight!

[Stephen]

If your there on Wednesday Merv I'll let you buy me a beer

I'll wear a flower in my hair so that you recognise me

25deg will suit me just fine on Wednesday

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2267827

[allatc]

I've never understood why the CAA can't make use of the aircraft and crew from the failed company. It make obvious sense.

[Meg 50]

sabotage??

[Mervyn and Trish]

You're too kind.

[CaroleF]

Apparently the CAA couldn't use Monarch planes or pilots because the planes didn't have a license to fly and something about the contractual arrangements of the crew. Probably all red tape but that's what they were saying when that very idea was suggested.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Seems academic now anyway. After two days of trying to get any sense out of EasyJet an email copied to the CEO got a response in less than half an hour.

And they say they did loan planes and crew to the CAA but it didn't impact on their normal operations.

So the shambles on Monday was apparently all their own work!

[Stephen]

So are you still planning on flying out next week Merv.

[Mervyn and Trish]

That's the plan. With Jet 2.

[Stephen]

Don't forget your wallet

[allatc]

Couldn't you get a Ryanair flight ?

Then you would have two cancelled flights to claim for.

Double compo !