Hmmm!
Skippy’s conspiratorial view that the grand plan is to grow Qantas Jetstar while Mainline languishes in the mud, while plausible, probably strikes fear where it shouldn't. Any such plan is fraught with 'barriers' such as:
· the National Aviation Policy Review currently in progress,
· the Qantas Sale Act,
· multinational AOC compliance.
For more on the above barriers visit:
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/avi..._Economics.pdf
Nevertheless, Kangaroos can jump high and nothing in aviation is certain. However, some obstacles are akin to jumping NYC's Empire State and Skippy ain't Superman.
IMHO, it is nimble flexibility to enable redeployment of Group aircraft to the most profitable market segment at any particular time that has the potential to maximise profits in a globalised industry and having Qantas pilots internally compete with each other won't make that possible.
As I've said already Hugh, don't sell the new car yet. 