Oh we are a bunch of smug little munchkins aren't we?
Big jets go a long way, then have to come back. Get over it. The world is full of long range operations and they don't all have the blessing of the Sacred Rat to help.
And here's a newsflash.....well over 98% of the world's jet pilots don't work for Qantas, never tried, and don't want to. As for me, the idea of joining the world's biggest flying museum has some attractions but I think I like the 777 better. And it's nowhere near as ugly as the old whale or the new one. Maybe I'll think about it later. Qantas fly ancient aircraft, with ancient FAs and ancient attitudes........would they take an ancient pilot? I am very very expert (for a non-Rat Driver) on long range routes, even up in the Arctic where Rats are few. Actually maybe there's none. Never been down there on the ice. So I could be wrong. Sorry....see, you can tell I'm not a Rat Driver, as I a) admitted I might be wrong and b) apologized.