Yr right guys (FGD) they are going to do it cheaper, no doubt about it. It simply cost the RFDS X amount of bucks to run the contract & they would have been too dear at the end of the day to match the winners. For our price you get quality, less doesn't always mean better:-(
You have a fairly level playing field when it comes to purchasing & the running costs regardless of airframes. The fuel will always be the same allowed for in anyones tender BUT the thing that can be kept cheap & controllable (at a human cost) is the people who work there, they are the ones you can screw down & make it work for peanuts (well try to anyway), the rest isn't negotiable. Remember this is a Govt contract with penalties attached for non conforming performances. It won't be a walk in the park for Pelair but I still wish their employees all the best when they do take over, afterall it's the guys on the ground (so 2 speak) that will make it work not the Mr 'El-cheapo' in SQ!.
"SN" It's only my opinion that the contract could be a training ground for their other operations. Very difference beast SP ops againts 2 crew RPT Ops mostly done during normal working hrs. The few guys that came to us from RPT 2 crew found it very hard at first to adjust, the other way round would be far easier.Top guys now though.
"OS" a tear ot two will flow the day we park them for the last time, we have had ( & still are) some great treatment from you guys, keep it up Med 1 works everytime even 1POB
(kidding)
"FGD" contract only allows for twins, that's the once saving grace that kept most of us there, the safety side of things. An option is for B350's but that brings a whole set of new problems for the current based ops requirements, we shall see.
Wmk2