Cloudsurfing:
there is no magic path to mainline if that’s what you desire
I doubt that anyone involved on the 717 at Cobham see this as opening a “magic path” to mainline. I dare say that there would be a fair percentage of crew on the 717 that actually have no desire to move into mainline as they are happy with the type of flying they are currently doing. I’d say the majority of crew on the 717 would be more pleased with the fact that they will no longer be working for a contract company and that their future employment appears to now be more secure than being subject to the fear of losing the contract when it comes due.
Mud skipper:
The Question in my mind is who actually owned the 717's and were the lease payments being made or were they out of pocket.
With Qantas taking direct control, payments are now OK and the back room owner is happy again?
Qantas are the owners / lessors of the 717 (about 50% are owned), not Cobham. Cobham handles the crewing of the aircraft, not the ownership or leasing of the aircraft.