Good post FYSTI,
The QF shorthaul award is by far the most flexible award for an employer between all the Airlines. In general per hours worked there is a bees dick difference between pay at Virgin/J* and QF shorthaul. There is a perception that it is a so called gravy train, well I dispute that notion completely. (Recently did a 26hour tour of duty and lost 8 hours pay for it haha welcome to shorthaul) However I have been in both Longhaul and shorthaul and I can say with conviction there is a bees dick chance in hell that I would ever go back to Longhaul, regardless of monetry reward the shorthaul lifestyle absolutely $hits over the longhaul lifestyle.(Almost no back of the flights as the J* mugs have taken over all that crap flying) Plus there are protections in the award that allow you to get extra flying if you lose some flying, its a WIN WIN for both. Been there done that, but I dont want to spend half my time away from home. Longhaul types whinge about working 180 hour duty in 56 days, I do 160 in 28 days and its not hard its a perception change, the fact is its not hard to become more efficient. Regardless of hours work I am extremely happy on the Shorthaul award, I was less happy on the Longhaul one. Just my 2 cents. Take Care!