Not a single SH pilot since the creation of the Integration agreement has signed an employment contract to fly in SH. It’s a secondment under the larger Mainline Umbrella.
That is why QF have the Master seniority list.
As for the vacancy argument, What vacancies would be created in the foreseeable future if a bunch of Junior SH F/O’s were unfortunate enough to be suffer CR? Answer-none. Same as their will be nowhere for a 65yr to Go,
Hence retirement for them.
As for the Costs? The Payout for a Junior SH F/O will be quite a bit less than more Senior LH S/O or F/O (relatively speaking). Retraining costs for a future SH Vacancy? A significant amount of LH crews (S/O’s aside) would need some refamil sims and a week of line sectors to be back in that Seat. Not even the difference between the 2 CR payouts. How much would a Court challenge cost? Quite a bit for both parties.
Whilst Tino might have his thoughts, I wonder if he knows what the IA is? Or even that it Exists?
Does the a pilot Body really want Seniority circumvented?
Tough Days ahead