Lads,
The concept of a retention bonus is fundamentally flawed for a number of reasons.
1. They simply cannot pay a sufficient bonus to match the long term airline package. Assume that you delay movement to an airline, for every year you remain in the RAAF is a year (or more) that you are not an airline captain. The numbers have been crunched, and to match an airline package requires paying a FLTLT an AIRCDRE wage. Not going to happen !!
2. Most pilots don't leave because of the money. They leave to gain locationaly stability, to stay flying and have up to 15 days a month off. The reality is, the RAAF pay well.
3. As the flying role in the RAAF becomes more complicated, people are working much harder in all flying areas. Most see airlines as an escape from ridiculous work rate of effort. Its simply not worth the stress when there is an alternative option.
4. As senior pilot numbers fall, those that remain must work that much harder to sustain the readiness. See point 3.
5. Flying hours have fallen significantly and the line drivers get next to no flying in many squadrons.
6. The numbers of availabilities in the various ground jobs is through the roof as everyone leaves. If a senior pilot thinks he will stay flying, tell him he's dreamin'.
The RAAF is very aware of pilot motivation and knows that a retention benefit is ineffective. The reality is, 60% of pilots will leave regardless of any bonus as they want the life options airlines offer, 30% will be unable to get employment outside and have to stay in the RAAF (so a bonus is useless). The remaining 10% may be tempted to stay. Government legislation however prevents the RAAF specifically targeting this 10%. If they offer a bonus , it must be paid to all remaining. So you are paying a bonus to 40% when you are really only aiming to target 10%. Even the RAAF's appalling accounting cant justify this.
Spec aircrew, is on the other hand a good option. For some reason however, some FEGS are reluctant to implement it.
my 2cents worth