Ex-Ansett employees - time to take stock.
I don't want to start off with the old '89 ra ra, however that year was a year for major decisions in our lives, as this year is for YOU, now!
Many of us (pilots) suddenly realised how UNQUALIFIED we were to do anything other than fly aeroplanes, however being our chosen profession the majority of us decided that there were opportunities to continue/re-start our careers overseas, as we were ACTIVELY prevented from gaining employment back in Australia (that Hawk also tried to stop us working os. was another obstacle). We were perhaps more fortunate than you are today, as many airlines in Asia, the Middle East and Europe were actively recruiting, and there was a shortage of qualified pilots - unfortunately for you, several carriers in the US have retrenched or shut down, dumping more pilots onto the market.
However, there were those who COULD not, or simply did not WANT to leave Australia, and consequently had to abandon flying for a living altogether. Some, such as Ken Trevillien, and Grahame Day, went on to become successful in flying-related fields, others such as a close personal friend (who was a 13 year F/O with TAA) ventured into real estate and become a multi-millionaire in a period of half a dozen years.
Now is a time to make a choice for life - the overseas scenario will be a big change of lifestyle and not without its difficulties for some. For others, you will wonder why you hadn't take the step earlier.
For the scabs, my best advice to you all is to now get out of aviation - you've screwed it and everyone else for as much as was possible - you are no longer wanted, and you have filled your pockets from others misfortunes for long enough.
To all the rest of you, the old Ansett will probably be revived in a much leaner form, but will be offering salaries that are more realistic and competitive with Virgin Blue. As you have no doubt discovered, the money goes out 3 times faster when there's none coming in!