WTH has load factors at JQ and Ryanair have to do with "300 Qantas pilots to get the chop? " Tenuous at best.
It would appear that no QF pilots will be CR'ed at this time. Yes?
Agreed. Yesterday's Insights strengthens the suspicion that China Southern will soon take a substantial minority share in Qantas. The subsequent injection of cash should allow the exercising of 787 options.
Where they go of course is anyone's guess. The suspicion that some would be slated to go to mainline is boosted by the large surplus of pilots that will still be held after the current RIN process has finished.
There is no need to keep pilots in surplus if there is no need for them. They are a cost to the business and demoting them before CR negates the cost savings of demotion.
Where I think this is going:
* Pilots are being held in reserve in case the Board decides to exercise 787 options.
* A China Southern equity deal will be announced about two minutes before the record loss is announced.
* Some of the -9s will go to mainline.
* An attempt will be made to invoke the Stockholm syndrome to have the -9 flown on wages and conditions less than the Longhaul WD.
If none of the above happens in the next couple of months, further RINs/VR and CR will be announced by the end of the year.