Q4NVS

Any further news on a recent rumour that QantasLink might be sending some new Q400's to Perth?

Pimp Daddy

Q400s to Perth would be classed as expanding the business and therefore contrary to current QantasLink management doctrine.

Current planning is to slowly exit from all routes until there are none operated at all.

This way, as there are no routes operated, the revenue and yield target will be zero and easily achievable guaranteeing QantasLink management bonuses going forward.

Little_Red_Hat

None of the routes belonging to Skywest or Skippers until late 2009 (or was it 2010?) when the route protections expire.

Either that or mining routes... only problem is QantasLink don't have any of those over here... (yet)...can't see them going to PHE or ZNE... though lots of people compare them to the jets... didn't think mining charters were Link's target business either...

My guess would be they'll wait until the bids come up for Geraldton, Albany etc...

Doctor Smith

Can't think of a single Sunnies pilot that would go west. Less than a handful of Eastern's boys/girls would go.
They're having enough drama's crewing existing flights without expanding into WA. Rumor has it the last of their up-gradable FO's has resigned to go to the opposition
Plus the Fawlty Towers that is Kumar and his cronies I reckon Pimp Daddy's on the money.
They couldn't organise a root in a brothel.



NJS to get Q4's I bet.

Spinnerhead

I'm with you Doctor, the powers that be have a lot of trouble coming to terms with operations in QLD, which is just next door. WA would be like trying to operate on another planet for this bunch of Sydneycentric retards.

As for NJS operating Q400's - it is possible, but highly unlikely. Their Dash drivers cost a bomb these days!

Q4NVS

Perth(Fontein) as the Boertjies call it...

FRQ Charlie Bravo

Another Perthite from Bloem bru?

skywest_xr

I think you will find that most of Qlinks internal WA flights are contracted mine flights. Although they operate as RPT with seats sold to the general public, a majority of seats on any KTA/PHE/ZNE/PBO are contracted to major resource companies. They are making money regardless.

This is one of the major reasons why new airlines have never flocked to the pilbara because QF have a monopoly over all the existing contracts.

Icarus2001

Route protection in WA is up for review at the end of this year.

No sense sending Q400 aircraft West when they are reducing the B717 numbers, (eg sending two to Hawaii).

Well VB are setting up three E Jets in Perth and they have confirmed they will be doing KTA and ZNE so no more monopoly.

Hugh Jarse

Pimp Daddy, you're a funny bastard It's a pity that what you wrote is not only true, but hilarious.

Icarus, it's unlikely QL would have sufficient crew to be able to do this without contracting the NSW/QLD flying. Quality people are still leaving, as Smithy wrote.

Spinnerhead, Sidchrome House* couldn't even get your Canberra base right (although it worked well at driving a wedge between the SSA and EAA pilots - until they woke up to what the agenda was).

This, combined with the recent Adelaide crew base disaster at the forefront of Eastern pilots' memories - why would anyone put their hand up for a Perth transfer?

If QL really want this to go ahead (if the rumour is, in fact, true) then it will probably need to be done with forced transfers in reverse seniority. The alternative, as others have alluded to, is to send the Yarpies there. You know - closer to home, etc

*Sidchrome House - A place where you can find lots of shiny tools.

funnelweb

Love it young Jarse! How are the lawn and the shrubs looking after all the attention you've been giving them lately?

Capt Claret

Never let the truth stand in the way of a good assumption, spouted as fact.

ANCaptain

I saw Capn Bloggs and The Don reading a Q400 manual in the Crew Room.

Icarus2001

Yes but capt Claret we both know that B717 airframes are LEAVING Australia, not being imported INTO Australia don't we?

Your colleague AA even posted a photo of one in HA livery ready for export.

Am I wrong?

Capn Bloggs

Apparently they were both studying for their WA Skippers ticket... you need one over there to drive a boat...

Hmm. Let's see. ZNE-PER. Let me choose out of a 717, F@kker 100, E Jet or...a boat. I don't think so!

ANCaptain

You do have a sense of humour Bloggs !

Xeptu

The most likely outcome in my view is for QQ to operate QF's Q-400's out of but not limited to Perth, most likely over Geraldton and Albany, which would explain alot of things, particularly the ever growing surplus of F50 crew ???

AviatoR21

I'm a FO with Sunnies from Perth, I would love to head back and fly Q400's. Hope this isnt to much of a rumour.

Xeptu

I'm sure there will be a few out of XR's F50 fleet too, I guess we'll know in December when the route protection expires.

jarjar

All but two of Xr's F50's have hot galley's. Full drink service (juice, alcohol, softdrinks) on each sector (unless a charter client requests otherwise).

As for the F100's, most have hot galley's (not sure on exact number).

JarJar