DTH,
At no stage did I make a comparison to the industry within the US (different market forces are in play there). Most contracts just pay in USD (I assume that's where u became confused).
However since you mentioned it, there are contracts with US basings paying the $'s I was referring to:
http://www.hawaiiaviation.com/positi..._ncab747fo.htm
[urlhttp://www.crewresourcesworldwide.com/positions_contractsummary_ANA_JP_Express_B767_FO.htm[/url]
Additionally, by having a look at a few recruiting agencies (below) and making a few enquiries, it's easy to conclude that although there is a conceded pay cut for working in Oz, the JQ EBA is still a joke.
http://www.rishworth.co.nz/opportuni...list.asp?cat=1
http://www.directpersonnel.com/
http://www.contractair.net/public/index.html
http://www.davikflighttraining.com/vacancies.htm
http://www.bettsrecruitmentltd.co.uk/vacancies.htm
http://www.stormaviation.com/index.php
http://www.parcaviation.aero/aviatio...htcrewJobs.asp
http://www.pas-aviation.aero/library...m_welcome.html
http://www.sigmaraviation.com/
http://www.iacglobal.com/vac.htm
http://www.world-airline-services.com/
The points I make are:
1. The JQ pilot body was conned into signing off on a dodgy EBA for their Int'l operation (by their own pilot council)
2. These artificially low conditions have now become an adverse benchmark / bargaining tool used by airline industrial negotiatiotors for other airlines in the region.
Anyone disagree??