Originally Posted by
VH-FTS
That comment and some of the above just shows how far out of touch some of you are with what's going on. Yes routes are still subsidised but many non-subsidisd are seeing a good increase in pax. But the fact is the 300 isn't suitable for most of the QLD routes, which is why it isn't being used. Not enough fuel/range and not enough seats. But hey, let's bring back a 300 do a Bundy return then sit there the rest of the day. That's not going to bleed money due to all the associated costs, is it? The 400 might be more expensive to operate on a short flight to Bundy or Hervey Bay, but efficiencies are gained when it also covers Mackay, Moranbah etc. in the same day.
This anti-400 vitriol is sad, you'll lose the support of your colleagues. Hope you hear a decision soon.
Someone who gets it.
For the company to bring back one line of Q300 flying in BNE would require 5-6 sets of crew to be stood up. AM shift, PM shift, 2 on reserve and 1-2 on a Day off. By comparison to bring on an additional Q400 line of flying would potentially require no extra crew, they could just draw down on the current reserve list each day.
The company would also need to spend money getting crew current and the Q300 aircraft out of storage.
It doesn't make any commercial sense and at the moment that is the primary driver in any decision made about fleet utilisation.
It's not fair but there isn't a 400 pilot that I have spoken to who doesn't feel for the situation that the classic crew are in.