I have heard about the Short Haul surplus, but with the last Short Haul to Long Haul transfer, the numbers that transferred across were 150 as opposed to the normal 50 within a financial year period.
Hpoefully the surplus won't be an issue once regional flying, etc. is all sorted out.
As far as contracts are concerned, the current Long Haul EBA states that contractors cannot be held on a contract for more than 12 months without being offered permanent employment or having their contract ended. The last time contractors were hired they were on 11 month contracts as I remember.
Most of the rumours doing the rounds right now are that we'd get 3-5 year contracts. Without a dispensation, or negotiations within the next EBA changing that, 3-5 year contracts can't happen.
News just released that Hong Kong Govt has reached an agreement with Australia for onward traffic from Hong Kong to Europe, in exchange for Dragonair to start flights to Australia in SYD, MEL & PER. Hopefully, this means more aircraft and more flights for QF - meaning employment for one and all!
SO...fingers well and truly crossed that all works out for us and others waiting patiently on the shortlist.