Alas it has nothing to do with A scale and B scale but just general solidarity. Sadly the Seniority system is to blame for the complete lack of solidarity.
That is why A380 is a more cohesive workplace as QAL and QCCA are all in teh same boat. Granted that QAL crew get a salary maintenance arrangement courtesy of the EBA all other things are the same
SH and LH will never EVER be a cohesive group as they feel they are competing with each other for work
SH crew have had a taste of INternational FLying and want to continue doing it, LH crew regard it as "their" work and guard it jealously.
Transfers from SH to LH are regarded as the thin end of the wedge by LH crew as the SH often jump them in seniority and take "their" trips????
Such is the dilemma facing any attempt to work "collectively"
Forget A scale and B scale even the permanent old timers cant stand each other. since the merger between TAA and Qantas the issue of "Seniority" and "our" / "their" work has always been the stumbling block and "always" will be
The only way to resolve it would be for Qantas to combine the two divisions into one and we all just get a roster with a bit of everything
It's not going to happen so dont start making plans as if it will.
sadly, SH crew have to get used to doing the sort of work TAA always did before the merger and LH crew will continue to do mostly International work
The so called "B" scale are how the airline remains cost competitive in the future as the "A" scalers leave etc. Its the least painful approach to change and a recognition that the airline industry competes on a global scale.
Just as the manufacturing industry has all but closed in Australia because it cant compete with Overseas cost structures. The QCCA model and caps on overseas recruitment is about protecting A scale jobs and keeping future jobs on shore.
Last edited by Pegasus747; 11th Dec 2008 at 02:53.