Biscuit Chucker is quite right, Qantas have reinstated the 50 a Financial Year transfer agreement between Longhaul and Shorthaul. This agreement allows for both 50 Longhaul and 50 Shorthaul Flight Attendants to transfer to the opposite division.
For the financial year 2001-2002 there were only 17 people transferred from the Shorthaul Division to the Longhaul Division, mainly due to the events of September 11th and the Ansett collapse. Coincidentally the group that did transfer actually graduated from their conversion training on September 12th 2001, hardly the best day to change from Domestic to International Flying. In the opposite direction Qantas recieved FAAA approval to transfer well in excess of the 50 people from Longhaul to Shorthaul. This was to prevent forced job losses at Longhaul, and the desperate need for additional Flight Attendants in the Shorthaul Division.
This Financial year 2002-2003 there are already 32 people confirmed to transfer from Shorthaul to Longhaul, with the first group to start conversion training within the next 2 weeks. As yet have not heard of any crew transferring from Longhaul to Shorthaul, but no doubt there will be some soon. Have also heard that the final 18 Shorthaul to Longhaul transferees should be moved by March 2003.
So in effect these transfers should have little effect on the external recruitment prospects of people waiting to start with Qantas, as in the end they cancel each other out. The only thing that will probably effect future Qantas recruitment will be the possibility of military action in the Middle East. Who knows what will happen if this eventuates.
Hope this information is of interest to someone.
Thanks
