All are entitled to their own assessment and decisions, but have we all considered the following 'random' thoughts, in no particular order:
- it is in AJ's interest to characterize the current situation in as dire and desperate terms possible, and...
- to keep everyone guessing with the likes of RedQ, JQ Japan/HKG, misconstrued facts, shrinking mainline to prove the mantra, and generally keeping the pressure on in order that...
- politicians and FWA will more likely be of a mindset, when choosing the 'middle ground' as policy is framed & disputes are arbitrated, to define that 'middle' closer to QF's position than if the truth were told, thereby...
- coincidentally causing the inevitably concerned pilots to take LWOP and/or 'volunteer' for JQ positions (because a pilot can't be sacked & then offered a new job in the same group on reduced pay under FWA), thus...
- QF can claim "wonderful employer" status due to making all these 'fantastic' opportunities available to its pilots (despite, for the last ten years, making it practically difficult & virtually impossible for QF pilots to transfer to JQ),
and...
- QF pilots cover JQ expansion and pilot resignations at a cheaper overall cost than if they were made redundant by QF!
Everybody in head office has kicked a goal! Bonuses all 'round.
BUT...
- the moment QF
actually sack a pilot they can no longer claim that "QF has not made a pilot redundant since the '60s", and
that is an important part of the political dogma in this stoush.
There are important mind games going on at many levels. QF announcements, apart from being aggressively ideology-driven, are simply following the principle that if you say it often enough and strongly enough, people will start to believe it. It's important that QF
never concede the need to actually explain openly and honestly the many questions employees have asked. In my view if the employee-suspected
real truth were easily dispelled as myth, QF would have done so ages ago. The fact that AJ/LS/OW skirt the issues simply confirms the posturing occurring.
To end on a slight 'up' note though, it may mean that, once decisions are made and arbitration has concluded leading to some of that 'certainty' corporations are so fond of, a new plan is brought from under the table with the intent of reinvigorating the QF brand rather than siphoning off QF assets to dubious overseas ventures. Here's hoping.
