Rex flies through turbulence
It’s not often that a stock exchange-listed company adopts honesty and frankness as a marketing technique.
However, Regional Express (REX) has set a new benchmark in transparency with the cover of its latest annual report, released on Monday.
The airline not only concedes it was a tough year, but acknowledges the challenges on the cover of its annual report, with pictures of storm clouds and a headline saying “Annus Horribilis” as per the Queen’s famous words a few years ago.
Rex actually performed fairly well in the financial year just completed. The company increased revenue and maintained profit in the face of rising fuel prices and 50 percent pilot turnover in a tight job market.
The report’s cover was refreshingly honest in reflecting the company’s turbulent year.
The Lazy Journalist’s Plane Story Generator
Courtesy of Aussie Bloggers Forum, this story generator is a bit of fun:
Adelaide passengers told of their terror aboard a Melbourne bound Qantas flight which was required to return to Adelaide yesterday due to large bits falling off.
Some passengers were distraught that the 309 passengers were told few details of the catastrophe.
They said the plane “porpoised like a dolphin chasing small fish” before turning around.
As a precaution, fire trucks were on standby when the Airbus Concorde landed.
Passenger Bob Kobb last night was still recovering from the ordeal.
“I wasn’t so much worried for myself, but for my children losing their only parent,” the passenger said.
Quite topical given the recent Qantas flight losing bits in mid air over the Philippines.
Skywest Kalgoorlie-Melbourne
I was sorry to read on the Kalgoorlie Miner website that Skywest will abandon its Melbourne-Kalgoorlie service in November.
I used the service thrice, and although expensive it was a marvellous time saver.
They say it is not economically viable at 50 percent capacity given high fuel prices, operating costs “and the deteriorating economic conditions in Australia”. (more…)
Dealing with bureaucracy
Changing address is a pain at any time, more so when you move interstate. I can’t imagine the fuss if you moved overseas!
We attended to some of the essential paperwork in advance of moving from Kalgoorlie to Mount Gambier. Electricity, water and telephone all had to be changed before we shifted.
I earmarked today for notifying the host of other services we use. (more…)
Arrived in Mount Gambier
We arrived in Mount Gambier on Thursday afternoon after driving more than 600km from Moonta.
I picked up the house keys and everyone was excited to look around. Unfortunately the power wasn’t connected. The fuse box is inside the house and despite us arranging to have it turned off by the real estate agent, the power company failed to connect.
We made an adventure of it, got the wood fire burning and slept in the lounge room. (more…)
Oversize vehicles on the road
I mentioned in the previous post about crossing the Nullarbor that I saw a large number of oversize vehicles on the road.
I wouldn’t be exaggerating to say we saw about 40 or so between Norseman and Port Augusta in two days.
I can’t recall seeing any on my previous crossing in January 2006. (more…)
Brendan Nelson having a go
I’m not exactly a great admirer of Brendan Nelson, but I do think he deserves to be given a chance. I wonder if much of the speculation about his position isn’t just political mischief.
Compared with state leaders Ted Baillieu and Troy Buswell he’s doing a pretty good job in unenviable circumstances.
I didn’t hear his budget reply speech, but reading the news summary it sounds quite good. (more…)
