Airlines in Aus feeling the pinch
I’ve started to hear rumours that airlines in Aus are really starting to feel the pinch of a pilot shortage big time. The traditional space shuttle requirements and interview processes that Australian airlines once demanded evidently are not holding up anymore and it’s becoming interesting observing the airlines deal with the shortage.
Qantas Link direct entry hold files are drying up big time (probably due to the fact that Qantas hasn’t taken anybody from any QF subsidiary airline that wasn’t on hold from pre covid).
Rex now taking any pilot with a bit of multi and no longer care about ATPL subjects - probably a smart move if you ask me.
JQ now looking at people that have single engine time for direct entry, hold file now down to single digit numbers - if any. XLR pushed back until 2026 due pilot numbers.
QF mainline is playing the pilot job market, now about to walk a fine line as their hold file filled with eligible expats or FO’s/captains from other jet operators within Australia prepared to sacrifice seniority to become a second officer starts to dwindle… All whilst the anger from internals being held back from a start date and zero communication starts to pent up…
VA now getting to the bottom of their recall of the seniority list. They too will be looking at hiring from the very small pool of experienced pilots still in GA but not happy with where they were at.
US operators still actively swooping many and any Aussie pilot with experience and whacking them straight on serious USD$$$ with nothing but positive sentiments coming from anyone that has left for there.
Cobham aviation now paying for Facebook advertising to try and recruit pilots?? Imagine that 5 years ago? They wouldn’t have to do more than post a single ad on the AFAP pilot job page without getting triple digit applicants.
God knows where the usual known shyster operators such as Skippers are at with pilot recruitment.
If the job market stays like this for another 12 months ++ things could get extremely interesting.
One would have to imagine that this truly is a time for pilots in Australia to get significantly better terms and conditions written into their contracts. May the force be with any pilot bodies negotiating contracts right now. There hasn’t been a better time for us in recent years.