Harbour Dweller,
I understand that these sort of posts do require some form of credibility, without giving away too much, lets say I have a close friend in certain places. People I know with interviews planned at VAUS have been told that the pay will not be mind blowing and the training will have to be self funded! Good if you already have a 777 endorsement! Knowing many
VB pilots and hence having an insight into the company culture at a V company, pilots are not very well treated, in more ways than one (pay and conditions). They always choose the cheapest possible solution to any problem, whether it be a rostering system that does not work (cheap computer rostering programmes), to crew meals and uniforms. Everything has to be cost neutral.
Time will tell whether I am right or I am wrong. But at the end of the day, J* widebody pay scales have set a standard in AUS that is now the bench mark for competitors and once again having an insight into V management they will do anything they can to keep their cost base to a minimum. I hope I am wrong. But I believe this 777 operation requires a package of at least $250000 minimum.
Don't forget you will also be based in SYD and if they offer contracts and you want to commute, say from BNE, I bet they will not provide staff travel on
VB to facilitate your abilities to commute, and the staff travel system at
VB is one of the worst and cheapest systems going around, it is not seniority based (its first in first served, ie a baggage handler has booked a flight before a Capt, the baggage handler travels first).
Hope this helps.