Condor blames delays on manufacturers
Wednesday 15th June 2011, 2:30PM BST.
CONDOR has admitted its recent service has had a negative impact on islanders.
But it blamed part of its ongoing delays on manufacturers following overhauls of the Condor Vitesse and Rapide.
In an in-depth interview with the Guernsey Press, Condor Ferries managing director Simon Edsall (pictured) said it appeared the problems, which had forced two ferries to run on three out of four engines, were not caused by stress.
He said the company had decided to run a delayed service over two weeks to fix the boats, rather than take them out of the water for four days leading to cancellations.
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Employee’s used to get the sack when they messed up, now, by uttering worthless apoligies are more likely promoted, or given jobs on the States. At least after an in depth interview this one has noted something wrong with an engine on both Ferries, not caused by stress,ruling out the fare paying passengers being the cause then…
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If Condor are told to withdraw the service to the islands, i think that will spell the end for daytrippers on fast craft to the islands from the uk. as i would not think anyone else, will be putting a service in place, in todays financial climate. Lenny.
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The problems with all of the Condors fast car carriers has been ongoing since they were introduced – some years have been better than others. Surely this points to a problem with the design?
I’ve travelled to the UK with my car twice so far this year and am due to travel again on tomorrow – Friday 17th – and have received my regular phone call to advise that the sailing has been delayed – so at least there is some level of customer service, although I would prefer a reliable service rather than a polite phone call!
On reading the full article in the Press Mr Edsall doesnt beleive that the service is geared more towards Jersey? The timetable for Guernsey this year is appalling – what happened to the daily service from Poole at 16:10? All roads lead to Weymouth and the facilites available there are disgusting – having received my regular phone call about the change in sailling time and arriving at Weymouth a little early, having left the Midlands at 4am all that was required was a coffee, sandwich and a loo.. none of the above were available as the facilities on the quay have been closed!!
The service needs an overhaul – decent reliable vessels, a decent timetable, decent facilities at the ports – given the ticket prices we have to pay to the sole service provider its not much to ask for is it?
It interesting to note that HD Ferries were bullied out of business due to unreliability and now the travelling public dont have a choice – the old argument of “not enough capacity” for competition doesnt stack up – let any interested provider and the travelling public decide…. We have more than one airline to choose from dont we? Why not more than one ferry company?
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Lenny are you saying;
That if fact it boils down to
“Take it or Leave it?”
If so you don’t know Guernsey people;
This condor company have had our heckles up for a long time.
It’s alright for the boss man to say the Manufacturers are to blame..
Just like people say that dog droppings is the dogs fault.
Get wise, that company is a faiulure.
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Further to that little moan.
I believe it’s another ruse to heave up the prices, they ‘ll tell you next that it will be so expensive to repair THEIR faults, to cover it all they’ll have to put prices up.
That’s how companies work.. there’s nothing straightforward , a load of crap is all we hear from most.
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We are blessed with Condor & Flybe!
All i can say is we must have been very bad in a former life!! :o)
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Re Islander comment,
Lenny are you saying;
That if fact it boils down to
“Take it or Leave it?”
If so you don’t know Guernsey people;
This condor company have had our heckles up for a long time.
It’s alright for the boss man to say the Manufacturers are to blame..
Just like people say that dog droppings is the dogs fault.
Get wise, that company is a faiulure
I dont see anyone else at this moment in time, wanting to take over from Condor. i have not commented about any guernsey people views. just stating what i think may happen.
Lenny.
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Blue – Flybe are pretty good actually and shouldn’t be cast into the same pot as Condor!
Not by a long way…
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Lenny:
I think you have made a grave mistake in quoting the -…FAST CRAFT to the Island.
That in itself is the complaint of travellers, and when a company can only find fault with other companies remind me of my school days..
IT WASN’T ME MISS, It was those other ones.
CONDOR; largest Vulture in the world.
Condor; largest long distance German plane used to notify U.Boats of Convoy presence.
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They had better get their act together before I am due to travel to St Malo in mid July.
But what choice do we have?
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A good workman never blames his tools…
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AN.other
The choice you have with all people who use that form of transport.
IS___
Keep moaning to the States, no point in moaning to Condor they just brush it off with all kinds of excuses.
Moan moan moan everyday by letter by phone, by every means known. Letters to the press.
Never give in to this kind of utter DEVILMENT.
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We need a different ferry company to run over here. The people who run the ferrys and work for them have nothing but contempt for the customers.
Their attitude is “take it or leave it you have no choice”.
I hate using the ferry, everytime Ive been on it there are delay after delay – useless. The md needs to resign.
A problem with manufacturing – great excuse, “bad workmen blame their tools” as the saying goes.
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I made a two night return trip to Weymouth with Condor this week. No complaints. Even though the voyage was half an hour longer than usual the service was on time and the staff were as friendly and as helpful as ever. I do think that Condor has been a little unlucky this season with two ships going down at the same time and I do think they’re doing their level best to put things right.
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Caz,
Which other ferry company would provide a year round service? P&O have already said no, do you think there is a queue of operators ready to come to the islands rescue?
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