Qantas Recruitment
 

So all Jetstar pilots (and I assume all other group pilots) have just received a link for Expressions of Interest for Mainline jobs. I guess that Qantas must have worked their way through current holders of a Letter of Intent. Seems the recruitment wheels are moving slowly but surely.

It's good to see this happening but I think its more for the realisation that less people will be applying for mainline rather than the powers that be being generous.

Getting into Qantas used to be like winning the lottery, everyone's dream job, but things have changed a lot over the past 10 years, to an extent it's really just another airline here, as the "glory days" are gone. There is excitement over expansion and (finally!!) promotions but all it takes is another slowdown and the wheels come to a grinding halt ...and your stuck again. Who would really leave a high paying f/o gig at another airline to take a back seat on a 787 on reduced pay with the possibility of a long wait for promotion.

The people you work with are fantastic, the conditions are mostly better than other airlines in Australia, but the grass isn't probably that much greener than where people are already.

It will be interesting over the next few years to see how many people start here from group airlines, especially Jetstar. Let the good times continue, it's just hard to forget recent history.

That was my first thought on reading, how many would actually want to go? I'm sure left and right seat guys at QLink would, but J*? I would have thought it would be only the junior FO's and even at that I'm sure many would be settled?

There have been some F/O's go from JQ to mainline in the past as well, plus Network this time around may generate some interest. It's probably just a corporate thing to advertise positions available within the group first before advertising them to the general public.
If you're referring to mainline not being able to attract interest from the wider pilot group, let me ask how many would leave a regional turboprop, or a charter company in a remote community to come to mainline? The mainstay of mainline recruitment in the past really hasn't been current jet F/O's. It's still higher paying than other cruise relief jobs and I would expect a flood of applications from regionals and GA (and probably a lot from overseas as well) when general external recruitment starts.

Its the lifestyle that will attract the F/O's out of Jetstar. They might be getting good money at the moment but they can't see a long term career in an airline where all you do is go to work, come home have dinner then go to bed to go to work again. Its why the LWOP pilots are voting with their feet and going back to be S/Os but only for a short time. Career wise your choices with mainline will be a lot more varied than with Jetstar and over the lifespan of your career the money will also be better. The selection process is not going to be a walk in the park though as one of the QF Cadets found out.

I reckon it'll be on for young and old!

Qlink/Cobham/Network/Tiger/Deathstar/GA and possibly anyone well down the list at VAA.

How do you figure that? They haven't yet opened general (outside) recruitment.

And as mentioned, historically QF have recruited from regionals, GA, military and cadets, not other airlines. (Although there are some) it's a different world now but if you're sitting as a Jetstar FO wondering where things are going...

I find it interesting that everyone says they've contacted all LOI holders. I'm looking at mine now from 08 and haven't heard a peep from QF.

Must have lost my contact details down the back of the sofa :(

I think you ever estimate the strategic thinking. The reality is that it's been QF group policy for a while now that all positions are advertised internally.

I think too this is to gauge the interest from the subsidiary airlines and its potential impact on them also. I suspect there will be some emails flying around to the regionals about the potential impact to their respective airlines.

I've not seen the EOI but are there restrictions on how long you've been with the respective subsidiary before you can apply? I reckon that one may creep in to ensure that the subsidiaries get a return on investment.

Rhodes, you're not alone. Make contact with them.

Keg

I think you'll find the policy has the word "should" in it. So it pretty much means nothing.

"From within first - internal employees SHOULD always be considered first for any opportunities, we have to support the career aspirations of our people"

Well word on the street is that new recruits will have to do a few years at other qantas outfits such as QantasLink and efa etc before moving to mainline.

Should've been done like that before but anyway it is going to be busy. And anyone thinking a lot of guys in Virgin, Cathay, emirates and other jet jobs won't be keen is fooling themselves

Let the games begin!

They'd be ex cadets or LOI holders. No externals have been put through the application process. In fact the system isn't yet open to outside applications.

Do we have any idea what education & flying hours they will be looking for?

Word on the street is a Charlie Q gig ain't what it used to be.... Jungle drums beating indicate a lack of interest..... People more than happy with work life balance and professional development opportunities here at the Star, Cobham, network, airlines of PNG, Airnorth, Bill Peach air tours etc etc...

QF will definitely struggle to get enough applicants. They'll need to get real and drop education requirements to year 10 equivalent and look at setting up flying school career tents (with free sausage sizzles)

I suspect they'll be similar or slightly higher than the regionals. I'd be very surprised if they dropped the education requirements from what they were previously.

I'm not sure what jungle drums Jetsarpilot is listening too but I guess time will tell.

Or what jungle juice he has been drinking Keg. Maybe Jetstarpilot had an LOI but now has a TBNT letter.

Cute as always and subtle as ever :)

Hey Bill Peach air tours I can understand, but airlines of PNG??

I recon it will be on for young and old.

This is the thing...QF SO would no doubt be a good steady job. It really comes down to what you want, and will you have a seat when all the music stops. If Oz goes pearshape, and the market is flooded. Who will be more employable? An ex 787 SO or A320/B737 FO? Do your research. What do the fly in/outs, Asian/European carriers/agencies want? Unfortunately it's a different world out there now days, especially the aviation industry. Long term strategic planning is a must, as cool most probably won't stand the test of time.
L.B ;)

When the big Q recruits the applicants will come from Air North, Careflight, RFDS, Hinterland, Skippers, Toll, Hardy's, RAAF, GAM, Pearl, Network, Cobham, Coastwatch, our NZ cousins and every flying instructor in GA with a pulse.

Can't really see Qantas recruiting staff twiddling their thumbs hoping or waiting for applications to dribble in!