kellykelpie,
Not all commercial operations can be conducted year round, regulators in other parts of the world understand that. In Canada for example float operators which are limited to warmer parts of the year can do 900 hrs in 180 days. Airline pilots can do 60 hours in a week, 120 hours a month, 300 hours in 90 days, and 1200 hours a year.
Bundy Bear,
QF never owned the flying or passengers, nothing was given away. Passenger vote with their feet, not only to Jetstar, Virgin, and Tiger. More and more passenger vote with their feet and buy tickets on other airlines to fly internationally.
If you want opportunities, there are plenty of jobs overseas, if you have the guts to move out of your comfort zone. There are even very attractive packages with Chines carriers based in SYD with a tax paid salary.