Once the initial line training requirements settle down the MEL-LAX patterns will return to a normal 36 hour transit of LAX - and flight time credits.
They can't do 36 hours slips because of the schedule. The QF95 gets in at 7pm and you need minimum 32 hours rest so the minimum slip becomes ~ 51 hours. Now consider that from September MEL-LAX will become only 2 days per week and MEL-SFO 4 days per week. That means that when you are ready to operate out in two days time there is no flight that day!
Looking at the schedules I can't see how most slips won't be around 3 days in both LAX and SFO, creating a 6 day pattern paid on MDC. If crew operate MEL-LAX-BNE-MEL (to avoid the long slip) the extra day in BNE pushes a 5 day trip out to 6 days anyway and then MDC exceeds stick hours.
It would not be surprising to see Melbourne crew doing at least some of the JFK’s too once they start in September; especially after Brisbane-Chicago starts.
The 78 hour transit in London will also probably be reduced to 54 once other European ports come online
If MEL crew do some JFK flying it will an 8 day pattern (or more) paid on MDC. And if we start flying to Chicago or additional European ports out of PER..... GREAT!!! That's what we want. Yes, we'll miss out on night credits on those flights but that is exactly the international expansion we have been crying out for. More routes, mean more pilots, mean more promotions and more money for most crew.
I'm just saying it can't hurt to be a little positive. We have all suffered huge damage to our careers at the hands of our current management team but if there are some green shoots appearing lets not be too quick to try and find a downside.