Mr McGoo - spot on.
Have links to AWAS and no deal has been done as quite yet to purchase the AWAS wet lease operation, but apparently QF are interested in purchasing the operation as a separate entity and calling it 'Qantas Wet Lease Operations" or words to that effect in the near future.
The pilots will be employed under contract only (for the 2 B767-300's in Oz and the 4 B737-300's in NZ) for as long as QF needs their services.
The other interesting thing is that to satisfy the NZ authorities the operation is based in NZ the NZ pilots may have to be paid in $NZ and not $AUD.
This was part of the reason for removal of the pilots from the Carlton Hotel in Auckland and the removal/reduction the their per diems (apart from the cost savings of course).
The fact that the aircraft are registered in Oz doesnt seem to matter at this stage.
The advantage here is owning an entirely different AOC and being able to control the operation.
The disadvantage is for the ground operations/support staff if this operation becomes a deal because their jobs may be at risk.
As far as crewing Australian Airlines this is to be done by Qantas pilots alone - that much is a certainty.
The Qantas pilots and Flt Att's have come to a deal with the company - this is fact otherwise the news conference would not have gone ahead about Australian Airlines start date etc.