LCCs use their own 'Low cost' mantra as an excuse to exploit. Being low cost should not equate to lower wages - thats simply exploitation! Should LCCs expect to pay less for the aircraft they purchase -NO. Should LCCs expect to pay less for fuel etc etc - NO NO NO.
As has been expressed here before: More jobs - SO WHAT!!!!!
Jetstar creating more jobs - as the pilot shortage in Australia is now acute, Jetstar start employing other nationalities (here come the South Africans) - GREAT! Have we sold our soul? How is this any sort of benefit to FO Aussie John Citizen? All so some yobbos can eat dim sims on Hamilton island, instead of steak in Mildura (or some other traditional family holiday destination that families once happily drove to.)
As a side issue here is an immediate example of the rot in this industry's management:
1. AJ says he needs cheaper and more flexible Flight Attendants - to compete with Tiger.
2. From what I understand - AJ drops new FAs base pay (already low by other standards) by 20%, makes them work a longer a week, removes about a weeks sick leave annually and removes any reference to minimum rest periods in their shinny new AWAs. (DTA allowance will bring the income up, but only if they work like hell, and even then would be unlikely to match the present pay)
3. AJ will no doubt happily accept a nice bonus/pay rise anytime soon.
4. Passengers save on average less than a dollar on each return flight.
5. The new FAs will realise within a year that they were better off and had a better life working at Maccas.
6. The same is happening/will happen right across the aviation industry.
7. (And the Libs are wondering why they are licking the puss out of their own wounds rather than enjoying the sweet bubbly stuff?!?)
QF/JQ management within the last few years have used the term "market rates" when referring to how much to pay their staff. Our market is now dictated by supply and demand - therefore, like it or not. IF:
Supply down
Demand up
Equals (eventually) better pay.
After all when the industry suffers its next inevitable downturn we will see American style furloughs!!!! Therefore we need to "make hay while the sun doth shine(ith)"!
SHERM: In summary what I am getting at is this.
IF LCCs did not exist (or if they paid an honest wage to their staff)-there would be slightly fewer jet jobs - those slightly fewer jobs mean that South Africans/South Americans/Indians etc will have to be happy with the jobs in their own country. Less flying jets means that companies ditch the less profitable routes and/or target demographic. Said demographic sticks with fishing on the Murray or staying at uncle Fred's holiday shack in Dullsville (They would have been just as happy). FO Aussie John Citizen goes to work happier (although sitting slightly more uncomfortably with a thicker wallet in his back pocket)! Management types will have to be happier with a 1 million dollar bonus instead of what the swindle off share holders presently.
PS. All you magagement types - Read some Charles Dickens over the summer. You guys fit the description of most of the bad characters in those stories (which were a true reflection of life in the early industrial revolution). Stop reiventing the wheel (especially one that broke).
HB.