Capt Claret....your understanding of E airspace is correct, I and many others are concerned as well. I get to see it on Sunday for the first time doing three days of ground hog (SYD/MEL).
By having "see and be seen" accompanied with transponders for VFR aircraft and TCAS for airline aircraft, everything is supposed to be fine and dandy.....in someone's office on the ground maybe.
TCAS is a last resort device. "See and be seen" is not that functional if you have closing speeds of 6nms per min (about 1.1km in 6 seconds) or IFR popping out of cloud in front of VFR!
On Track....90% of the time, Qantas aircraft monitor 121.5 and I presume Virgin do as well. You would stand a good chance of being heard, especially on the East Coast. You may also hear someone calling their ops dept!!!!
