Manitoba government contemplates privatizing province-run air ambulances, water bombers

[Jug]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ ... -1.4062493

A sign of the times I suppose, but still very sad to see for an organization with such a long and colourful history in the province.

[dhc#]

Victim of the previous govt's mismanagement of public funds (ie) the massive Manitoba Hydro debt going forward.

[FighterPilot]

While I don't think they should privatize the water bombing side. 90%+ of the MEDEVACs are already flown by the private sector. Unfortunately the government wants to rid itself of all responsibilities so when something costs money or someone fucks up it's not their problem.

[P180]

While I don't think they should privatize the water bombing side. 90%+ of the MEDEVACs are already flown by the private sector. Unfortunately the government wants to rid itself of all responsibilities so when something costs money or someone fucks up it's not their problem.

I agree keep the water bombers.Ontario tried that and I will be corrected on this but when Ontario got the first 2 CL 215 they were contracted out and it was a total FU I think they came back with over a 100 snags on them but I could be wrong on that number.But for the rest of the air service give it away like Ontarios VIP operation if they do 200 hours a year they were busy.

[planett]

If cost was the issue, STARS would be eliminated. Twice the money and half the medivacs of Lifeflight.

[atphat]

If the private sector can do it, the private sector should do it.

[Meatservo]

Besides, those 415 pilots have been living the life of Riley for too long anyway. It's about time those indolent ne'er-do-wells got a taste of what it's like for the rest of us under the thumbscrews of corporate perfidy. Serves them right, the smug jerks.

[CLguy]

Wow Meatservo don't hold back! Tell us more but you have obviously never walked a mile or flown a mile in their shoes. I have worked with and along side these guys for years and that certainly isn't my perception. Let me guess you have never actually been around them when they are working at 200 feet and below sweating it out in a 2 minute circuit, in 30 knot winds trying to save some cottages. Well I have!

[stef]

He's kidding.

[CFR]

"What the internet needs is a good sarcasm font"

[North Shore]

Besides, those 415 pilots have been living the life of Riley for too long anyway. It's about time those indolent ne'er-do-wells got a taste of what it's like for the rest of us under the thumbscrews of corporate perfidy. Serves them right, the smug jerks.

< Riley's life!

[Meatservo]

Wow Meatservo don't hold back! Tell us more but you have obviously never walked a mile or flown a mile in their shoes. I have worked with and along side these guys for years and that certainly isn't my perception. Let me guess you have never actually been around them when they are working at 200 feet and below sweating it out in a 2 minute circuit, in 30 knot winds trying to save some cottages. Well I have!

Take it easy, Han Solo. North Shore and I are buddies. I was trying to bait him. No-one is trying to downplay your heroism. Relax.

[CLguy]

No need for you to worry about my heroism! It is a pretty stressful time for a lot of people in Manitoba Air Division and comments like yours can certainly play into that. Joking aside as you know a lot of people creep this site and would love to read comments like yours to justify why they should be talking to a contractor. I think a little sympathy for all concerned should be in order!

[Meatservo]

OK, fair enough.

[Cat Driver]

Having spent fifteen years in the water bombing business I personally think it is better run by the Government than by private enterprise.

[bronson]

I don't think privatization works. Certainly hasn't worked for highways. How do you build in a profit and get the same service for less?

[Jimmy2]

Seems to work pretty well for Western Canada.

[CLguy]

Does it?

[atphat]

I don't think privatization works. Certainly hasn't worked for highways. How do you build in a profit and get the same service for less?

Yes the government is always known for being accountable for every dollar spent. I love seeing the breakdown on what my income taxes are spent on every month don't you?
Please.

[fish4life]

I remember a guy I knew flew the Navajo for the MB gov and they would be sitting around getting paid not to do anything while the government chartered our Missinnippi because "they were cheaper"

[SuperchargedRS]

Ahh government run healthcare....

[atphat]

Ahh government run healthcare....

You are comparing waterbombing to our healthcare system. Isn't there an American forum you can troll?

Edit to add before the flaming:

I believe healthcare is a basic human right which should be afforded to everyone. Whether it be the CEO of a company or a homeless junkie on the street. And I am willing to pay tax for that. If you disagree save your words, you won't change my mind.

[Cat Driver]

CLguy, all you and I have to do is remember how it was flying for private enterprise water bombing compared to how the Government operation is run, especially maintenance and safety wise.

I stand by my opinion government owned and run water bombers is far better choice.

[Zaibatsu]

Private corporations should not be getting rich off of taxpayers dollars, end of story.

There is no risk to the shareholders or investors, and they have many of the same inefficienties as the public sector.

Either there is no competition to keep them competitive, or there is and now you have two or more sets of capital and operating costs that have to be shouldered by someone when one would have done. Eventually those costs have to be passed to the taxpayer or customer.

A profit also has to be made for private shareholders and investors, and it usually comes with the price of reduced services or increased costs.

[Jimmy2]

Does it?

I don't work for them but as a taxpayer it does. I think Conair has around 30 Air Tractors now which are under $3 million a piece. Compared to a CL-415 which is $37 million a piece. You could have twelve Air Tractors for one 415. Now Bombardier doesn't get their kickback that way but private operators don't care about that only the government does. I think NWT is going the same way. Buffalo Airways is going to be operating 8 Firebosses this year to replace the government's 215's. These are the kind of cost savings that come with privatization. As a pilot, sure I'd love to fly a 415 but as a taxpayer I'm going to go the cost effective route. They have to keep costs down because if they don't the next time the contract comes up for bid they are going to get undercut by another company.