Why do we even need separate qualifications for a harvester, an aeroplane, a coach and a train? It's all the same! The job should be called "Moving machinery operator", with one ticket for all types of rolling, flying and sailing machines out there.
On a serious note, good thing that the guys in question were given some solution to ride this out. Especially knowing just how bad the situation with airlines in Australia is (not that it's awesome elsewhere in the world though).