A lot of the heavy iron guys are failing the Fright Safety Course on the Cessna C209NG, apparently to much time on the glass cockpit, lack of handling skills, no analogue experience, no mechanical sympathy and no autopilot.
One of the local CP pilots reckons, the QF, Jetstar, Virgin and Tiger pilots need to give themselves and advantage and do the GA Job Ready Awareness Course available through a VET program($25,000 plus gst). not to mention the Certificate IV in aircraft washing, Certificate IX in unapproved GA aircraft maintenance, Certificate XXII in GA CRM course and Certifiacte XIX in Maintance Release Doctoring.
Barry another NT CP, who did not want to be named, said were reluctant to put airline guys in the C209, as they weren't prepared to pay a bond and would shoot through when the airlines started recruiting again down south.