ENT.
If and its a big if, QF back peddle on the JQ brand. It won't be AJ that pulls that string. It will be a new CEO of the QF group. AJ will never admit the financial strain & drain on the QF group purse.
There have been constant retreats around the JQ network. The attention just hasn't been brought upon their failures. Open a Hobart & Darwin base. Only to close it a short time later. The failures are masked with announcements such as a new Adelaide base. Much like the recent announcement to operate Perth - Lombok. Only to cancel that route a short time later.
JQ has pulled out of the Brisbane - Perth route cause they can't make money on one of the most lucrative transcontinental services there is.
They can't compete against QF & Virgin and make a buck on that city pair.
By years end, the route will be serviced by those expensive LH pilots on that outdated award. Flying refurbished A330's returned from JQ international.
Passengers would have been given the option of a QF widebody A330 full service product. The virgin offering, or 5 hours in a cramped A320 full of bogans.
Since the 27th February announcements, there's already been a distinct change to the groups focus. JQ Asia growth halted, JQ Hong Kong 3 aircraft sold, B787 delivery for JQ delayed. JQ domestic & international route cancellations as mentioned above.
What your about to see is a depleted QF purse rationalising its services. The luxury of offering the one airline two brands on a route like Perth-Brisbane is gone. The Qf group can't afford those luxuries. And when it comes to consumers given the choice of travelling on QF or JQ. You won't find any of the premium QF passengers selecting JQ.
Anyone want to fly to Hamilton Island, QF are returning to that port. What's happened to date is passengers have chosen Virgin over JQ and the revenue was lost forever. It's only taken the likes of LS 10 plus years to realise JQ aren't a suitable alternative for QF on some of the groups services.
How do I know this? LC told me in passing. He said they know that no QF premium passenger will fly JQ over QF.
The evidence of this is the Brisbane-Perth route. JQ gone.
A domestic merger of JQ / QF will never happen. if any pilot thinks they'll be able to migrate easily to another entity their plain wrong. Let alone one entity with a common seniority list. Won't happen. Ever.
Just imagine a 18 year service QF FO sitting next to a captain in a red tailed aircraft with less than 10 years service. That's why it won't happen. You can't have two people operating an aircraft that don't talk to each other.
Let's look at QF pilots transferring by the MOU to JQ. They had to meet the recipient airlines selection criteria. Let's just say, the same will be applied in reverse. Yes. There's the opportunity for some senior types in JQ to utilise the MOU. However, any other merger will be as follows. You may apply, go thru the selection process and join the bottom of the QF seniority list.
In my opinion. QF are still the main game. JQ was born to compete with and contain the growth of low cost carriers in Australia. They will succeed or fail with that agenda in mind.
You need only look at the current QF mainline RIN. QF are going to spend millions redeploying pilots to other aircraft types after the retirement of the 767 & 744. Yes, it's a bummer on pilots career progression. But the offer of VR & reduced divisors will hopefully avoid the need for any CR's.
If the plan was to kill off QF mainline, wouldn't you think AJ would be barging into FWA right now. Claiming undue financial pressure on the airline & pushing for redundancy on type. Ain't happening.
It shows the groups desire to retain their highly qualified and experienced staff.
The other alternative for the QF group would otherwise be quite unpalatable with a quick loss of market share. How long would it take JB to source a dozen or so A330's and throw them into the Domestic arena with a few ex QF pilots willing to jump ship to stick it up Joyce.
It would also be naive to think some disgruntled Qf pilots haven't approached JB with a plan to provide instant crew to expand their widebody operation and poke Joyce in the eye with the financial backing of Etihad.
MC
Last edited by Mstr Caution; 10th Jun 2014 at 06:19.