Take a deep breath all you Generation Y'ers out there. Might be time to look at that career in IT after all.
Isn't it ironic that the latest action, or inaction if you like, of airline management has probably hilighted one of the reasons that young people have stopped learning to fly in this country. Lets offer a fast track to a position that traditionally has taken years of blood sweat and tears to qualify for. Oops! hear comes a slowdown! (temporary, but lets not let that worry us). Now let us show our true colours and Duck, weave and generally stuff around the candidates, all because we can. After all they are not employees yet, and as such we are not bound by any sort of industrial obligation. What about moral obligation I hear you say? Yeah right, next question.
The only reason that QFLink had the response to the traineeship program (if you can call it that) is because unlike in the past, people are not prepared to risk all for a career in aviation. The traineeship offered a "shortcut" that in turn makes the meagre returns by way of Wages and Conditions justifyable in the minds of a greater number of wannabes.
Keep up the good work QFLink management. Once the dust settles and you have driven another nail in the coffin of regional aviation, you'll be lucky if you can find anyone willing to put up with the half arsed, reactive behaviour that you are so famous for!
As for all you young hopefulls out there, take note. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!