ernie,
It has been some time since I was in Darwin so please excuse my ignorance. By "aus jet", do you mean the company that used to operate out of Darwin from the "haunted hangar" and who ceased in Darwin in 2008?
If it is that company, are they bringing in staff to undertake the contract because if so, all the corporate knowledge that the Pearl boys and girls have is just about to go walking out the door. Sheesh, that would be another example of the wheel having to be re-invented.
One would hope that if the Pearl aviators are to be laid off then "aus jet" or whomever takes on the contract would seek to employ them. They have built up a wealth of knowledge on flying in the NT under difficult and extremely challenging conditions.
