Cobham, aka National Jet Systems P/L, has been the long-time operator of the B717 fleet in Australia on contract from QANTAS. It gives QF considerable flexibility in that the B717 can be used on routes too thin to support a B737 and if it all goes tits up they can pull out of those routes without the pain of having to decide what to do with the excess. I suspect also that the B717 drivers are on a thinner pay packet than the QF drivers which also assists the bottom line of both companies.
Hey Clarrie. Having moved south from those tropical routes you once stalked are you now looking to return there?