The amusing part of this is that the airlines have, in the Australian context done nothing to further that from what they feed.
Ourobouros is the concept from mythology.
Airlines selectively and at times of their choosing drained the supply.
The last airline sponsored cadet program was Qantas last century, albeit at taxpayer expense.
The rise of Low Fare Airlines and the magic labour unit cost reductions they achieved were driven in part by oversupply of pilots. Pilots paying for endorsements, interviews and even in the case of Ryan Air uniforms.
Meals were cut, salaries barely kept up with inflation and the industry was self satisfied; there were always new instructors training new commercial pilots.
Unlimited supply is at the foundation of the adversarial IR model employed by many airlines.
30 years is a long time for a paradigm to hold, but demographics always guaranteed that unlimited supply would fade and the airlines exacerbated the shortage by driving conditions, respect and careers ever downwards.
Just in the last year in Australia
- Pilots added to the skilled shortages list
- Jetconnect rolled into Australia without a whimper from the union concerned.
- Network Aviation to get A320 (up to 20 from JQ)
- Qantas to open a 'pilot training academy'
- Qantas 'roadshows' asking staff to recommend friends!
- ATPL requirements relaxed
With pilots having been pushed into positions where once sacred regulatory limits are targets for the HR practictioners, everyone is tired.
As the snake begins to consume its own tail, Mr Joyce could make a direct appeal to his 'professional company ambassadors' to go the extra mile. He has a 'short' memory as many Qantas pilots remember October 2011 only too well.
Rather amusing as it builds