The last of the "Good People" are retiring and moving on...
It is not just Qantas that pays peanuts...I have seen a lot of monkeys employed in the last few years in ground ops...
Just to give you an idea... my company (regional ground ops for mostly Virgin) recently employed an ex-Ansett guest services agent...
16 odd years ago- wage for less work= $65000/pa full time.
Today- I am one of the bosses where I work... I spend at least 70 hours per week at the airport... all casual... wage= $64000/pa casual.
Go figure!