So tell me again the issue? How is this 'competitive advantage' not also available to other airlines? Any other airline in the world can fly their operation the same way.
It is competitive advantage vs the risk involve.
QF taxi around 24/7 with lights ablazing because apparently it is 'world's best practice'.
Yet world best practice would appear to be to carry an alternate, since that's what everybody does yet that would be a significant cost disadvantage to QF as they have alot of long haul sectors.
Yes it is complicated, no there is no accusation of pilots deliberately busting the regs etc, however you must scratch your head as a competitor watching QF go ahead and autoland whilst you are off to the nearest alternate.
And yes Sydney needs a CAT III. Given the high number of long haul flights into SYD is it ridiculous that we don't. The AIPA guy on the ABC had a perfect chance to raise the issue yet seem to support SACL line of this doesn't happen very often.