Pa31p, alot of people would agree with you.
You get a Saab 340B or a Dash 300, have 20-30kts tailwind which is common on CBR-SYD, then you get a RIVET 8 into Sydney, which can happen these days and you have an equally short flight. Even going via Bindook I've seen flight times of 35 minutes on some days.
Coming the other way from SYD-CBR. 737 takes off, goes via the gong, Saab340/Dash gets direct CORDO, then DCT CBR, lands on RWY 30 at CBR while 737 gets vectored due to noise abatement south of Queanbeyan for runway 35. This does happen, trust me, a jet between SYD and CBR has no time advantage most times.
Look, what
VB does will not harm REX. If
VB want to get as big as they are saying, then they will need regional feed from REX etc. The doomsdayers will predict a REX failure over this, but realise REX does more than one run. REX is getting a very good name in CBR, they have stitched up contracts, they have alot of return business, sure alot of flights are not full as they were in the days of KD doing the shuttle for AN, but it is the load over the whole network that is important, and it is improving regardless of what you hear.
Finally, the staff at REX will ensure it will succeed. You don't go through what they have gone through and not come out of it more determined to make a future for yourself in a new airline. Give them a fair go, there is room in this country for a second big regional airline, the company has and is still forged on the philosophies and the hard work of the Kendell/Hazelton families, the staff don't forget that in their every day duties, and thats what will make REX succeed.