Don't know about the cadet thingy, but as far as working for them, my young bloke has no problems. His job lets him live here, he is not a S/O on QF forever more, (and lets face it, at the present time being a QF pilot has no guarantees whatsoever) JQ being cheaper to run, has more chance of survival in the current climate, the basings are mainly in attractive places which gives you a opportunity to enjoy whatever you do outside flying, and whilst the money is as not as good as QF you have to weigh up the security of the job. Put it this way, I have two in QF and one in JQ, the JQ one is the happier, less money, but happier, the main complaint he has is they are flying his ass off, but then again he is really looking forward to the "Dreamliner" to arrive. Mate, if you want to fly then bite the bullet, any airline will do to get you started, and see where it all takes you.