oh argusmoon .... your information is slightly.... well .... wrong !
My roster has just been published ... 184.2 hours .... even the management over here admit that because they wrote a
minimum of three DAYS off between trips into the work rules ( not local nights as in OZ) you actually get about five days between trips ( ie arrive home at 0700hrs .... then three days off after that day.... then sign on at 2100hrs the day after your three days off .... very nice).
Because of that rule they cant physically build the rosters past about 200hrs ...
And yes, the Thai crew are as hard working and helpful as ever.
oh and we have had plenty of time to travel, and have been doing it ... everyone is having a great time ... the only grumblings I have heard is regards to the staff travel process .... we have to get our tickets posted from Oz .... but my trip to Amsterdam on the weekend was only 63 pound including taxes (43 pound of taxes !!!!) .... full fare with BMI's internet fares... so I dont see the issue. If you want to go further afield, you have to plan a bit more if you want to use staff travel, most people are buying in bulk, getting open tickets ..
As for commuting ... well people are already doing it ... one from as far as switzerland, several more a bit closer, havent heard of any problems for them!
Thanks for your interest though, but we are all doin great...