Farewell Airside Tarmac Tours

[Matt_L]

Rod,

I could be wrong but I highly doubt that's the reason. The bus drivers are all highly trained/versed and know the airport back to front, as well as the fact that they have a transciever and communicate with Sydney ground etc.

Besides, they mostly use access roads and backpaths rather then taxiways and ramps besides when going past International and a bit of domestic.

[Nigel C]

If the SACL had all companies/individuals removed for driving indiscretions, then it'd be a pretty quiet ramp...


Matt, it's one thing that they have a radio on board, but whether, while doing the commentary thing and with all due respect, they choose to properly "listen" to it at any time other than when they cross live taxiways or traverse the western perimeter road is another matter. It's easy to zone out from what's being said, especially if there's a lot of standard radio traffic being broadcast.

And also, highly trained/versed or not, people make mistakes. Making an error is one thing, but repeating that error over and over would then be a cause for concern.

[Phil McLeod]

Hi All,

I am one of the drivers at Tarmac Tours. I am on this forum at the request of the owners Frank and Sherrie Monardo. They asked me to clear up some things.

1. SACL is closing the tours. The Tarmac Tours company is viable and pays all its debts.

2. I was the driver who has been discussed here. I can inform you that we all get very good at working full duplex, IE we can talk and listen at the same time. The incident in question there was no radio communication, it was a ground engineer who moved us on as I could not see the Anti Collision beacon when it came on. However this incident has not been used by SACL, indeed they say we are very good out on the airfield.

3. The camera ban, while there was an effect on passenger numbers, this was only on the weekend tours. Mid week tours (mainly school groups) were uneffected.

4. The owners have decided to fight to keep the tours going. any help that you can render would be appreciated.

I have permission from Frank and Sherrie to provide the minutes of the meeting with SACL if you want to read them. It is a word document.

I appologise if I have made any mistakes here. I am a newby to this.

Phil Mcleod

[Kurt A]

Hi Phil,

Thank you for joining, and clarifying some things. This is greatly appreciated.

My suggestion to our members, is if you wish to seek or clarify further information relating to Airside Tarmac Tours, please address those enquiries direct to Phil via form of Private Message.

Thank you.

[Adrian B]

Phil,

PM Sent

[mick.k]

Hi guys,

A very sad time, but for my brother inlaw, who's job as a coach operator, is going to rub salt into wounds big time. As the company I work for, who currently does a lot of contract work for Sydney Airport, is tacking up this role. Our guys based in Sydney have already commenced training on airport operations, includuding runway procedures - as during the quiet time in the early arvo they will be using the runway when available. But as the company is already contracted to the airport, its not going to cost them any extra, but they will make all the money, instead of someone trying to make an honest dollar and educate the public. Unfortunatly I'm not allowed to mention the company, due to privacy orders on the contract, but it wouldn't take a genious to work out, as there is only 1 private coach operator allowed airside without restrictions.

[Rhys Xanthis]

Oh that is an absolute joke.

I hope the guys take some kind of legal action, from what I've seen what was said at the meeting would be more than enough to get some money out of SACL at least.

[Nigel C]

Originally Posted by mick.k

...including runway procedures - as during the quiet time in the early arvo they will be using the runway when available.

Somehow I find this difficult to believe, especially seeing as SACL has severely restricted the number of people and companies with Cat 4 ADA's (required to operate on a runway). Even the Airservices Australia techs can't go on a runway without an escort for routine localiser checks...and they had Cat 4's (previously Cat 3's) for years before that restriction was put in place. The grounds maintenance staff are another group who no longer have access to the runways without escort, yet they used to be able to call themselves on and off the runways too.

There'll be some serious questions raised from many quarters if a 'coach operator' is suddenly granted access to the runways...

[Paul f.]

Originally Posted by Nigel C

Somehow I find this difficult to believe, especially seeing as SACL has severely restricted the number of people and companies with Cat 4 ADA's (required to operate on a runway). Even the Airservices Australia techs can't go on a runway without an escort for routine localiser checks...and they had Cat 4's (previously Cat 3's) for years before that restriction was put in place.

Maybe he means under escort.

[Nigel C]

From whom?