QF have also mentioned that they are exploring the possibility of all new hires being on AWA's with a much lower payscale comparable to Jetstar. I assume they would also like to charge for endorsements. Not much the mainline pilot body can do to prevent this under the new workplace laws. I hope that is not the truth, but the company would have to be trying.
Given the recent publications stating that in a stagnant airline the average would be 12 years in each rank (ie 24 to command), and the fact that the airline is shrinking, it may take even longer. 10 to 12 years as an s/o on a "B" scale does not sound very appealing. CX seems to be the best option for current Aussie wannabes. Many QF s/o's are currently applying up there.
As to new hires, well there are a surpluss of pilots in a major way on the 330, Classic and 737. 737 crews have been farmed out to Europe, and as more domestic flying disappears under the Jetstar banner, and more 737's head off to the freight side of operations, the surpluss of pilots will continue. The same applies for the 330.
This training year there are 2 new commands, and about 5 s/o's being upgraded to f/o. The only hope for new recruitment being required is that many people resign and go elsewhere.
As to when the 380 arrives, some words are that the delay is indefinite and they may not arrive until even later 2008 and in a slow trickle. Also concerning is that the 787 is also undergoing production problems and may also be late (as mentioned on a tv station, I can't remember which one the other day). The longer the delays, the more time the company has to shaft everyone in the crewing of these aircraft types.
The list of cadets waiting employment has also grown significantly such that they will fill all available recruitment slots as soon as the wheel starts turning. The longer the wait until that happens, the greater the number becomes.
Things are not good at the Rat people. Make sure you exhaust every other opportunity with other airlines first as QF is not the dream job it once was in the past. Just ask anyone who works there at the moment as to how they feel about the place and the way it is being managed.
Sorry to be the bearer of less than positive news, however it is just as depressing for all of us within and hopefully things turn around in the next couple of years. We are all waiting in hope (however faint it may be).