It only took them 3 wks to reply!
To: Eastern Australia and Sunstate pilots
From: Lawrie Cox – Manager Industrial Relations
Date: 15 APRIL 2008
Subject: Company response
A response to the pilot retention and attraction letter forwarded to Qantas and Qantaslink
management by the two pilot committees and the Federation was finally received late Friday
11th April.
In the AFAP’s letter it requested a response by no later then 4th April but this was extended to
the 11th April at the request of the Company. After three weeks to deliberate on our
recommendations and concerns Narendra Kumar has provided the attached one page response.
The response is carefully worded so as not to dismiss or reject any one of the measures, nor does
it endorse any of the measures. There is no reference what so ever on any points that we
expressed.
The choice to refer only to the Command Experience Retention Scheme and measuring it in a
positive light after the AFAP and Pilot Committees had emphasised it is inadequate and
ineffective is in our view staggering.
The greatest challenge facing QantasLink in the immediate future is the stability and growth of
its pilot group.
It is disappointing and frustrating that the management of QantasLink choose not to engage in
any dialogue with the representative bodies of the pilot groups to try and work together to apply
affective measures to stem the current exodus from the Company.
The implication that the recommendations are not in line with sustainable ongoing business
model is insulting to a pilot at Qantaslink.
QantasLink is the largest and most profitable regional airline in Australia.
Yet, a three aircraft airline such as Sharp Airlines has the ability to offer $95,000 for a Metro
Captain to not simply maintain its current business and schedule but to expand.
The Royal Flying Doctors Service also is capable of offering attractive remuneration above and
beyond a QantasLink Captain’s salary despite the RFDS relying on sponsorship and donations
for their cash flow.
Surveillance Australia has also had to rethink what they offer as a package to pilots because of
the implications of not fulfilling their contractual arrangements with the Australian government.
Much the same as QantasLink with their recent successful bid of the Queensland Government’s
contract for air services to far North Queensland. It is embarrassing to know that despite flying
for the country’s premium airline with 50 and 72 seater aircraft that pilots flying substantially
smaller aircraft have greater earning potential or perhaps it is the ongoing business model that
their management have seen fit to apply that will see their survival.
In today’s aviation climate, you the pilot are an invaluable asset to airlines worldwide. It is
disappointing and frustrating that QantasLink continue to remain stagnant in such a volatile
period, where it is imperative to have stability in their pilot work force to even have the
opportunity to have a sustainable business, now and in the future.
In handling this crisis with the current policy to reduce the schedule and continued cancellations,
costing the Company what is sure to be, at the very least, hundreds of thousands of dollars, the
decision to find employment elsewhere seems to have been made all the more easy after reading
the response from the Group General Manger Regional Airlines.
The future for a QantasLink pilot currently appears to be one of minimum days off, long days
with minimum rest periods and high yearly flight hours with no further recognition or incentive
on a salary base far removed from the market conditions.
The Company have extended an invitation to discuss pilot and retention matters for the first time
with both the AFAP and pilot representatives. We will keep you informed of developments, if
any, as they arise.
Any further questions should be directed to either xxxxxxxxxxx
Regards
Lawrie Cox
The long-awaited (
pissweak) response:
11 April 2008
Dear Lawrie,
I write in response to your letter dated 20 March 2008.
Thank you for your letter and as always I welcome your constructive input on business issues.
Like all Australian regional airlines, Qantaslink's recent ability to meet its pilot resource requirements has been impacted by an unprecedented level of pilot demand across the industry.
As you have acknowledged in your letter, Qantaslink has already implemented a number of initiatives aimed at addressing some of the specific issues that have resulted in some of our pilots moving to other airlines., such as the Command Experience Scheme. You will be pleased to note that on 31 March 2008, we extended access to the Command Experience Scheme payment (of up to $45,000) to all Qantaslink First Officers who are promoted to Captain status on or before 30 June 2009.
Clearly the environment for regional pilots remains dynamic. Any one initiative alone will not fully address the challenges that other regional airlines and we currently face. We will continue to implement additional measures and initiatives to improve our ability to both retain and attract pilots. Any such measures will of course need to be considered within the context of a sustainable ongoing business model.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss the issue of mutual interest.
Let me assure you, I remain committed to growing our regional airline operation and dealing with this and any other business challenges that face us at any point in time.
Yours sincerely,
Narendra Kumar
Group General Manager Regional Airlines
[quote]
Any one initiative alone will not fully address the challenges that other regional airlines and we currently face.[/QUOTE] So why stick with the single bonus initiative? What about life style?
Kumar's missed the boat.Theyre about to lose a big chunk of their experience. The first of many senior captains resigned last week. (seeya HJ) Most have got start dates and are waiting to go.
Who wants to ride on the rudderless ship?
See youse!
T.D.I.