Originally Posted by
deja vu
Agree pretty much 100% with your view. Everyone recognises the contribution of the very worthy RFDS.
The reality is though generally a pilot gets one go at this career, what seems fine when your 35 is not the same as when you are 55. As much as s/he may love the job the average person with a family can't knock back an additional 50-100K/year while it is potentially on offer, there are some however that are happy as they are and that's good.
So the RFDS should expect to be just another stepping stone through the GA ranks unless they address this issue. Judging by the vacancies advertised for the RFDS there doesn't seem to be a matter of urgent pilot shortage and this makes the whole story a little suspect.
Standby for the foreign pilot card for the good old Rufdus, all becomes clear now.