When you refer to "staff costs", I assume you mean across the board? Pilot salaries are pretty standard- just look at the going rates advertised (widely) internationally. If other airlines can get their other labour (check-in, bag-chuckers, cleaners, catering, back office etc. ) for $400-odd a month, how is QF to compete with that? Whilst driving down labour costs might be an ideal in some quarters- do people in Australia really want that, and all it entails? As far as QF goes- how do you level that playing field?