I have friends there and wish them well. Big time.
The 777-300ER is the finest aircraft yet built to carry 350-ish people on trans pacific sectors. It is so much more efficient than anything else the legacy carriers operate on similar and competing routes. Way more efficient. It is, like the entire B777 series an absolute game changer.
The legacy carriers are getting better equipment and will one day be competitive with VA. In the meantime there's Australian jobs being created and that can only be good news.
Given half a chance Sherm will one day get on board and see innovation and competition at first hand. I don't work for them...Sherm's tarnished and dusty wings will sadly never again see the sharp end of a 777...but like all thinking Australian pilots I look forward to seeing them flourish.