UPDATE...
One of CAL'saircraft returned last night, but not operating - Flights continueto be delayed
Following two Press Releasesissued by the National Flag Carrier today that the aircraft, VP-CKXwhich had "successfully completed its after service testflight ... and arrived in the Cayman Islands last night (Thursday,2 March) ... and will return to service today (Friday 3 March)"- it has been reported that this aircraft did not get back intoservice, and the ailine's flights which were scheduled to be "operatingas normal" were delayed.
It was reported on Wedesdaynight, that this particular piece of equipment, was undergoingflight tests before coming back to Cayman. Attemps to put it backinto service since arriving here last night have been delayedowing to mechanical problems.
Meanwhile, the other aircraft(VP-CAL) which is carrying the load at this peak of the highTourismseason - along with other chartered aircraft in an effort to servicethe airline's routes - is scheduled to be flown out "forit's scheduled maintenance C-checks in the evening on Monday 6,March" according to the issued Press Release.
There has been no furtherword on the third plane which was purchased last June and is beingrefurbished in El Salvador.
United Airlinesto take over certain CAL Miami operations from 1 May?
It has been suggested thatthe main operations now handled by Cayman Airways' staff in Miamiare to be turned over to United Airlines.
These operations includethe loading of the aircraft, weight and balancing functions toinclude cargo, mail and baggage -- as well as responsibilitiesfor fueling.
It is understood that theticket counter staff will be maintained. However, with the assignmentof this aspect of the National Carrier's operations in Miami,it is possible that some employees may be furloughed.
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News from yesterday- 2 March 2002
Cayman Airwaysfaces possibility that entire fleet will not be flying next week
'First Air' ofOttawa to provide "indefinite" cover of schedules
Following the erratic departure and arrivalsof Cayman Airways over the past few weeks, leading to cancellationsand long delays of the National Flag carrier to and from its routesto and from Miami, Houston, Tampa and Cayman Brac, the followingPress Release was received from Mr. Mike Adam, the airline's Executivevice President, yesterday evening:
"Cayman Airways Ltd. apologises toits valued customers for the ongoing disruption to its scheduleand for any inconvenience that these changes have cau sed.
"These unfortunate schedule interruptionsare a result of a delay in bringing our newest aircraft into thefleet" states Mark Winders, Cayman Airways' President andCEO. "It is important to note that while it has taken muchlonger than anticipated to receive this aircraft, contrary tolocal media reports, the delay has not resulted in any cost overruns."
Both this aircraft (VP-CYB) and an aircraftfrom the existing fleet (VPO-CKX) which is also out for its routineheavy maintenance check, is currently behind schedule as a directresult of delays due to the strike of Boeing engineers. This strikeis now entering its fourth week and is delaying both aircraft,which required engineering plans and approvals.
As there is a high degree of uncertaintysurrounded the Boeing strike, Cayman Airways has contracted anoperator that has committed to cover our operations, effectiveFriday 2 March 2000 on an indefinite basis.
"This is meant to ensure that furtherdisruption to our schedule is minimised particularly as we enterthe heavy travel period associated with the Ash Wednesday holiday,"concluded Mr. Winders.
When contacted about this latest development,Mr. Adam said that the Boeing strike "has our hands tied".He then confirmed that the airlines lone piece of equipment nowin service is scheduled to fly out next Monday - "or the9th at the latest" for its required "C" mechanicalmaintenance check in El Salvador, where the two other pieces ofequipment are presently being worked on.
The aeroplane which was flown there a coupleof weeks ago "will be going through a test flight on Saturday."and could be back in service in time to replace the only one nowin service before its departure. However, he could not give aguarantee that this will be the case.
Asked as to why First Air of Canada willbe providing equipment during the down time of what could be theairline's entire fleet, Mr. Adam replied: "Because of SpringBreak in the United States, it has been difficult to get equipmentfrom our usual service operators."
One of these aircraft leasing companies,Air Miami, which has been able to provide limited cover over thelast few days, confirmed to CAYMAN NET NEWS earlier this weekthat the only reason they cannot provide more service to the airlineis because all their equipment is now fully utilised. This iscontrary to reports that the National Carrier has been refusedservice because of outstanding debts.
It is of interest to note that First Air,and other charter companies meanwhile are providing mainly Boeing727 equipment, under ACMI plans (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance andInsurance), the same type of commercial aircraft which would havebeen fully paid for five years ago had they been kept insteadof being sold off to Alaska Air, the majority of CAL's pilotsand flight attendants are "taking their vaca tion" accordingto Mr. Adam.
This recent development in Cayman Airways'continuing woes will not doubt create difficult travel arrangementsfor many of its faithful fans, perhaps losing a few more to theother carriers serving the Cayman Islands.
A recent study by British Airways, whenaddressing the importance of customer satisfaction with theirpassengers, quoted that for every passenger that a carrier loses,it would cost 600 times more in the revenue lost (from that passenger)to get another back.
Escaped PrisonerEdwards - not in JA Police custody
Following this medium's report a few daysago that escaped prisoner Howard Anthony Edwards was re-capturedand is in Police custody - further enquiries to local and Jamaicanauthorities have now confirmed that the report that we receivedwas mistaken.
Coming in at the same time of that informationwas received was a report that a local Immigration Official wassuspended, along with news that one of the two escaped prisoners- McAndy Thomas or Jeffrey Barnes (who was being held before hisescape on a theft-related ch arge and not for the alleged rapeof a nurse in Prospect) was apprehended.
Despite our diligence in pursuing the sourceof information and further to inquiries made locally -- and Jamaica-- we subsequently learned that the information original receivedwas unsubstantial to justify the report. C.N.N. apologises forconcern arising from this story.
What can now be confirmed is that the escapeehas been "spotted" in Jamaica -- but is not in custody.It is believed that he escaped from Northward Prison as a constructionworker.
Royal Cayman Islands Police (RCIP) afterthree weeks of intense dedication to recapture all four of theprisoners who escaped in a matter of some 24 hours three weeksago, while being held in cells at Central Police Station shouldget good marks for their tenacity in bringing these men in.
This has been the most extensive manhuntin the history of the RCIP and remarkably they recaptured thesefelons w ßithout the need for any outside help, as has beenthe case in previous years.
A number of initiatives in good Police workhave also helped to bring some reduction in criminal activityduring the course of the operation to recapture the escaped prisoners.
Well done ..is..well, well done!!
Statement Re:Incident Involving Cayman Airways Flight 205
On Tuesday, 29 February 2000 at approximately1:20 am, Cayman Airways flight 205 from Miami arrived overheadGrand Cayman and entered the standard holding pattern after failingto get any response from air traffic control at Owen Roberts Internationalairport. The aircraft maintained communication contact with KingstonAir Traffic Control Centre until communication was establishedwith Grand Cayman ATC some fifteen minutes later.
The Civil Aviation Authority is currentlyinvestigating the circumstance surrounding this incident. It shouldbe noted that at no time was the safety of the flight jeopardised.International standards require commercial air transport to carryenough fuel to reach their intended destination, to hold overheadthe destination airport for 45 minutes, proceed to their selectedalternate airport and to hold for an additional 30 minutes. Hadthe aircraft failed entirely to establish communication with OwenRoberts ATC, they would have diverted to Montego Bay, Jamacia.
Efforts to get a statement as to why noAir Traffic Controller was in the tower on duty during the timeof this incident, drew no response up to the time this reportwas uploaded.
However, it has been learnt that there isgrowing concern by staff in the Civil Service, that they are nolonger paid overtime - because of Government spending constraints.However, staff do get time off in lieu of extra hours worked.
ImmigrationDebate at Chamber luncheon was HOT! HOT! HOT!
FormerChief states: "Board decisions are made based on 'Marl Road'gossip".
The Chamber of Commerce held their monthlyluncheon at the Marriott Hotel yesterday (1 March) in the formof a forum to discuss the report tabled by a Sub-Committee appointedby the Select Committee of the whole House in the Legislatureon the 10th of February.
There were over 240 persons in attendance.Panel members included Mr. David Foster, President-elect o f theChamber and Chairman of the Chambers Committee on Immigration,with representatives from the tourism sector, the Law Society,merchants, bankers and the former Chief Immigration Officer, Mr.John Bostock.
Mr. Will Pineau, Executive Director of theChamber, was moderator.
Mr. Bostock opened the discussion by sayingthat the White Paper on Immigration gave no indication of theobjectives of the various proposal on which to base constructivecomment. "We can only speculate," he said, adding thatin Bermuda, the former Premier, Mr. John Swann, during a debateon the same subject said that "Time limits could sound adeath knell for the country". Mr. Swann had predicted anexodus of business from Bermuda if people could not get the workdone.
Mr. Quin from the Law Society agreed thatobjective must be laid down to avoid confusion and panic withthe five-year limit, calling it a "Get Out of Town"permit. He said that a commitment of loyalty will go out of thewindow, and no incentive for ex-pats would lead to an exodus ofpersonnel. Commenting further, he added: "The cornerstoneof prosperity is the partnership of Cayman and non-Caymaniansin business. We need to row the same boat in the same direction."
Mr. Quin and others concurred that moretime should be given than the deadline of March 10th for businessto submit their suggestions to the Chamber of Commerce. He furthertouched on the training of young Caymanians in law, and said thatperhaps large law firms could second these young Caymanian lawyersto big cities such as London for training. He referred to the5-year cut-off for work permits as "frightening".
The representative for the Tourism sector,Mr. Rod McDowell, argued that the "five-year permit wouldattract those with a short-term, self-serving interest with lessexperience, less talent....and less dedication." He suggested10 or 15 years.
Speaking on behalf of the Banker s Association,President Edouardo de Silva stated that in the banking industryin Cayman that only one in five employees are expatriates. Healso felt that a five-year limit would not achieve anything andwould encourage some businesses to go elsewhere.
Members present in the audience as wellas those on the Panel, agreed that the new proposals suggestedby the Sub-Committee should be thrown out and that the SelectCommittee (of the whole House) be re-written.
Responding to a question put by the moderator,Mr. Bostock suggested that the biggest problem with the ImmigrationBoard is that they are all political appointments. Subsequentspeakers echoed this sentiment. He questioned their logic by saying'Some factors in immigration don't fit into categories, and this(Immigration) Board is making decisions based on what they haveheard on the Marl Road! --- not factual and nothing to back updecisions." He asked whether "we have placed too muchemphasis on immigration and the labour for ce rather than soundeconomic policy" suggesting instead "an economic planfor the next 15 to 20 years."
Mr. Pineau stated that the Vision 2008 initiativeaddressed the issue of immigration and many of the Chamber's membersfelt that these recommendations were overlooked in this immigrationreport.
Audience participation was invited, andAttorney-at-Law Mr. Alden McLaughlin took the podium. He beganby saying: The Select Committee on Immigration has done the countrya great disservice" pointing out that "29 organisationsgave written reports to the Sub-Committee, and invested over 200manhours to produce them. " He agreed with Mr. Bostock thatthere was no rationale given for this new immigration report."We have a Government which lacks the political will andwe lack the courage" he said. "We have to decide whatwe would like to see our population to be in 10 or 15 years andhow much development. Vision 2008 produced a very good document- wh ich, of course, will die a timely death."
Mr. McLaughlin continued: "There isa growing resentment among Caymanians and an increasing marginalisation-- feeling out of control of their country of birth and its risingpopulation, which is reaching almost 50,000. "Long-term residentsare also marginalised" he said. He concluded his remarksby saying: "If something is not done now, it is going toend in disaster."
Well-known businessman, Mr. Norberg Thompsonagreed with previous speakers, stating the biggest problem isnot knowing what the rules are: "They are too vague"he said. "The Immigration Board is turning down permits adnauseam. This lack of rules stops Caymanians from advancing. Mr.Thompson was in agreement with the roll-over plan and felt thatthe problem was in the political appointees on the present ImmigrationBoard, giving an example of how the Isle of Man operates its Immigrationpolicy. "All appointees are paid: applications are made tothe B oard and the applicant receives a reply in 7 - 10 days,even if its controversial. The cost is £10 across the board,regardless of skill or profession. On approval, the applicantis given a tear-off sheet and at the end of one year, he goesback with the tear-off slip, pays another £10 and he hasa permit for a second year.
Mr. Norberg further stated that he had alreadygiven this information to the Governor and the Chief ImmigrationOfficer. He continued "we must modernise the Law - bureaucracyis killing us!" he said. "The underlying problems withImmigration was expressed by many people. We should have an ImmigrationAuthority with paid staff and not volunteers giving up their time"he concluded.
The two-hour luncheon drew several commentsfrom leading businessmen and women - mainly Caymanians:
Mr. David Foster suggested that we needgrowth management in this country.
Mrs. Gailya Hall commented on the contributionthat retirees make to this island, saying.
Another panelist sugge Xsted: "Afterpeople have made all legal, moral and ethical requirements, thereshould be discretionary powers."
Mr. Mario Ebanks addressed the subject withthe opening remark: "This White Paper on Immigration hasno merit. The present Government has opted out". Mr. Ebanksalso brought up the Vision 2008 recommendations, which appearedto have been overlooked in this new policy. He then questionswhether Government workers are included in this new policy orjust the private sector workers. "Change the focus to somethingpositive" he suggested. "We must all work together andnot tear each other apart."
Dr. Kona of the Medical and Dental Associationspoke on how difficult it would be for their association to abideby the five-year limit in the medical profession, saying thatit would be detrimental for all concerned if patients had to kieep changing their doctors. He further stated that the existingand new policies will not be able to attract good doctors or specialistto the island.
The same theme of opposition was evidentthroughout the entire discussion. One speaker suggested: "Tearup the Immigration Law and write a new one. We don't have anyprotection and the Immigration Board has failed totally."
The final comments came from Mr. Kent Eldemire.He said: "If I were an ex-pat I'd be scared to death!"He said that Cayman must not go the way of Jamaica and the Bahamas."This is a Government of Crisis Managers."
Mr. Eldemire concluded: "If it weren'tfor the ex-pats we'd still be turtling. Do we want to go back?"He then urged the Government to "go back to the drawing boardand get the ------ thing right!" to which he got an enthusiasticapplause from the audience.
Over 50 percentof local population may be non-Caymanian
The figures just released by Government'sInformation Service suggest that if only one third of the workerson full permits have at least one dependent living here - in additionto the 500 or so others with Permanent Residence status - thissector may represent well over the guesstimate of 45,000 personsliving here.
With 13,276 on one-year, 940 on 6-monthand 597 on one-month temporary permits, it is estimated by onelegislator that this sector of the population could rise to asmuch as 70 percent - if something is not done to 'regularize'long term permit holders.
Reports suggest that there are between 500-600school leavers coming into the work force annually. Even witha modest growth of 10 percent in work permit grants, it is obviouseither the territory's meteoric growth must be curtailed if thereis desire to slow down the intake of workers -- or the realitymust be faced that there is a need to address the choice by many-- that there is a preference to maintain Cayman's position ofpre-eminence as the Caribbean's most stable, successful country.A serious look at how present and future workers are absorbedinto the community, has now become a necessity.
ImmigrationBoard targets Jamaican Workers
It appears that ther has been for some timenow certain form letters which are sent out as a matter of routinein recent months, by the Immigration Board, when it comes to thegrant of Work Permits for some Jamaican nationals:
One letter, which recently came into ourpossession, and signed by the board reads:
"I refer to you recent applicationfor the renewal of a work permit, which was approved and letterof notification sent to you by separate (attached) letter.
I am directed to advise that you are herebyput on notice to make very effort to attempt to recruit any futureemployees outside the geographic region of Jamaica.
In other words you should endeavour to recruitpersons with different backgrounds and from different areas inorder to help maintain a suitable balance in the social and economiclife of these islands.
Thank you for your co-operation in thisvery important issue and for accepting your corporate responsibilitiesin the development and stable future of the economy of these islands."
When shown this letter to a single motherof four children who works at two jobs, commented: " I hopethat Government will be able to direct me where to find someoneto replace the helper I have form Jamaica. She has been with mychildren and my household for over ten years."
She added" Do they want me to spend up to $5000.00 to bringsomeone in ... like the Philippines ... who do not know anythingabout our culture?"
It was reported that one service providerfor the National Flag carrier had to recruit over a dozen workersfrom the Philippines.
The same mother who complained about thepossibility of her helper being refused a permit, had anotherImmigration story to tell:
She relates how her Son was sent overseasto get a degree and work in the Hospitality Industry. "Afterspending over $60,000.00 in three years, my Son is relegated toa junior position, with very little chance of advancing ... ashe has been overlooked time and time again for positions thatare filled by others imported from overseas." She claimsthat after complaining to a member of the Immigration Board, shewas told that her Son should be happy to have found a job at all.
Constructionsupplier compelled to 'import' Filipinos
Wonders "whathappens to deposits lodged with Immigration"
"Seeing the handwriting on the wall... if my family business was to survive, I had to fly to thePhilippines and hired seven un-skilled workers at the astronomicalcost of $2600.00 per person airfare, and had to post a bond of$2000.00 for one of them. All of this before paying them a salary,"he said.
"I wonder sometimes where is all thismoney Immigration gets for bonds is kept. It would be good toknow if it is set aside in a special escrow account, and not mixedin with general revenues because it is my money that they areholding " said this hardworking local figure, who prefersnot to be named because of the fear of "victimization"over the grant of Work Permits.
He continued: "I think that if theyare holding our money, they should be forced to pay interest onit, in the same manner that Cable and Wireless and CUC pays intereston your deposit."
He went on to express that because of themoney he is forced to expend to hire these workers, his planthad to "produce at least U$400,000.00 worth of business tojustify this expense". He added: "And everyone complaintsabout the high cost of living and materials. Having to fork outthat kind of money to Immigration tells me it is they who areforcing the cost of living ... and housing up. No wonder so manypeople are having to shack up to try and make ends meet"he concluded.
How about thisone for mathematics?
An employer was granted permission to hiresomeone partime for 15 hours a week in a designated 'catch all'category to command a hefty fee - the same fee for a person whois employed for 45 hours per week for the same type of work.
The fee assessed is $2750.00 for 15 hoursa week for 52 weeks (though the part-timer is not required formore than 40 weeks in any given year). That works out to be 15hours times say, 50 hours = 750 hours. Divide the amount thatImmigration charges for this permit and one will realize thatthe employer is being told to pay the Immigration ... not theemployee ... the Immigration Department $3.66 per hour forthe right to employ someone.
Now, the Immigration Department insiststhat it does not matter the person is working full or part-time,the fee is still the same; So, for the full-time employee working,say 45 hours per week for 50 weeks the Immigration Departmentcharges the employer $1.22 per hour to hire this full time person... three times the cost to hire the part-time person.
Who ... just who sets the fees for thesepermits ... ? The Immigration Board, Senior Immigration Officers,the Financial Secretary, the Elected Members of the ExecutiveCouncil or the Chief Secretary who reports directly to the Governorand under whose Portfolio Immigration falls?
Need we say more?
Lettersto The Publisher:
Dear Sir:
I think I should drop you a quick line tolet you know that Leonard and I
have been enjoying your website since its inception a few weeksago. I
check it every night and usually read the latest news to the wholefamily,
and let them know who the Caymanian of the Day is.
We especially appreciated being able toprint off and read the entire Throne
Speech the day after it was delivered.
As Caymanians living abroad, your websiteserves to bring us a bit closer
home, at no cost!
Many thanks
Jennifer Dilbert
Dear Sir:
I enjoy this site very much and pray forits progress. I used to live in the
Cayman islands and love to read the news even after I left I hada lady that
I knew from my old job to send me newspapersand she suggested that I visit
this site and maybe this could be an answer to my troubles ofreading the
news. Well it was for sure!!
Thanks a lot it makes my day every time.
Mona Selent
Another letterto the Publisher:
Dear Sir:
You are becoming my favourite Web Page
Deb Davidson
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COMMUNITY NEWS
DUKE OF YORK'SITINERARY
His Royal Highness Prince Andrew arriveson Saturday, March 18th to begin a three-day visit to the CaymanIslands. He will be accompanied by the Governor to Pedro Castlewhere he will meet members of Executive Council and the LegislativeAssembly, followed by visits to The Pines Retirement Home andthe Turtle Farm. In the evening he will attend a reception atG.H. and the Veterans Association dinner.
On Sunday, His Royal Highness will attendthe Service At Elmslie Memorial Church, after which he will presideat the Investiture Ceremony for royal and national honour recipientson the Government House Lawn. Later in the day, the royal partywill embark on a police launch, Cayman Protector, for a NorthSound tour and a briefing on anti-drug issues. Prince Andrew willhave an opportunity to meet with community leaders the same evening,during a buffet supper hosted by His Excellency the Governor,Mr. Peter Smith.
On the final morning of the tour (Monday)a visit to the Chamber of Commerce is planned, to be followedby discussions with the Chief Justice, the Hon. Anthony Smellie,QC, JP.
Prince Andrew will then depart for CaymanBrac, accompanied by the Governor. A Reception at the Aston RuttyCentre, a visit to the Faith Hospital and an opportunity to meetschoolchildren at the airport, will all precede the prince's departureby air for Miami and his return to London.
Honouring WomenMonth
Another event planned by the Ministry isa Walkathon on Saturday, March 4th. with such prizes asa free trip to any American Airlines destination in the UnitedStates, or a local vacation compliments of the Hyatt Regency Resort.The Walkathon starts from Public Beach at 7:00 a.m. and concludeswith a beach breakfast. Entry fee of $20 includes T-shirt, raffleentry and breakfast bar, provided by Foster's Food Fair and KirkBeverages. The Governor's Wife, Mrs. Suzanne Smith will draw theprizes but walkers must be present to win.
International Women's Day has been designatedby the United Nations as March 8th every year and celebrated bywomen's groups world-wide.
For complete information on these events,contact Tammy Ebanks Bishop at the Women's Resource Centre inElizabethan Square - 949-0006.
Crime Stoppersassists Police in efforts.
The Directors of Cayman Crime Stoppers wishto thank the community for utilising the tipster hotline withinformation during the month of January. Information receivedhas assisted the R.C.I.P. with investigations as well as burglariesand thefts.
Residents calling the confidential tipsterline and providing information that leads to an arrest are eligibleto receive cash rewards. To date, the programme has paid out morethan $7,000 to 3 informants who called in to the confidentialtipster line which is routed to the Metro-Dade Stoppers programmein Florida.
In January, Crime Stoppers tip informationhelped to apprehend a criminal within one hour of the tip. Incertain instances, tip information has helped to close policecases that were unsolved for more than two years.
Residents are strongly encouraged to call800-TIPS if you have any information that may lead to the arrestof a criminal. Your assistance in the fight against crime in ourcommunity is essential.
Cayman Crime Stoppers
7:00 AM: Women's Resource Centre Walkathon.Registration $20 per person whichincludes T-shirt, light breakfast (courtesy of Foster Food Fairand Kirk Beverages) and a draw for a free trip anywhere in theU.S. with American Airlines, plus a weekend for two at the HyattRegency Resort.
8 AM. - 4 PM: ALL THE FUN AT NORTHSIDE.Good prices - good items - goodfood and loads of fun. Come join the residents of North Side attheir FLEA MARKET and support this fund-raising event. Admission$5 for adults and $3.50 for children.
8:00 AM - CAR and TRUCK WASH by the AGAPE MEN's FELLOWSHIP at the Chuch ParkingLot. Breakfast and snacks on sale. Bring your vehicles and getthem washed: Cars $10. and Trucks $15.
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