Led as Keg and Kremin have said, its simple:
Today the Dash 8 captain who has 15 years of seniority at Eastern and wants to take up a first officer position with QAL in a B737, he has no chance.
Wrong! He has access in a few years.
A second officer at QAL with two years' seniority there has bidding rights ahead of the Eastern captain.
The Dash 8 Capt is behind all current QF pilots for sure, but if he wants a QF 737 F/O slot now he would have to resign, come across and then wait 3-4 years as S/O before getting to the 737 (as he would still be behind all current QF pilots). So the GOAL is a MUCH better proposition for someone in his position than the status quo.
Also, what about the flip side? (you conveniently left this bit out)
A 2 year F/O with Eastern has access to a Dash Command ahead of the 15 year F/O from QF - so no disadvantage for the Qlink guys there.
Got it now?
The 2 Year F/O with Jetstar has access to a JQ320, 330 or 787 command ahead of a 15 year F/O or 20 year Captain from QF as well. So the J* guys are not disadvantaged either.
See?
As for the argument about freezes, will someone get stuck somewhere? Yes, sometimes they will but only for 5 years or so.
But people are stuck to a much greater degree right now....
Are there regional guys that would like to fly a 737, A320, 744? Yes, but not unless they resign and go to the bottom of the list - I would call that stuck.
Are there QF S/Os & F/O's that would like to go up a rank and fly a Dash 8 or A320? Yes, but not unless they resign and go to the bottom of the list - I would call that stuck.
Are there Jetstar guys who would like to get a payrise and a better lifestyle in mainline? Yes, but not unless they resign and go to the bottom of the list - I would call that stuck.
These people are stuck, but they are stuck forever. With a GOAL waiting just 5 short years will give them a WORLD of choice.
So, led your questions have always been answered, care to answer a few that you have ignored for the last week from various posters?
“What is this terrible history you have with AIPA that you speak of when it’s obvious from your previous posts that you have been at Jet* for a maximum of 13 months? (In your ‘previous post’ dated 21 Dec 2006 you discuss the lateness of your Emirates January 2007 roster.”
So what is the answer Led Zep? Have 2 groups bidding for flying by trying to undercut each other?
If you think that AIPA has the power to steal your precious planes, then wouldn't they just do it, why would they go to the huge expense in money and effort to get you on board just to shaft you later?
If AIPA is going to be a bad thing for Jetstar pilots, why is management on all sides fighting to ensure they are not involved?
Time to answer......