I think the above information can be taken with a grain of salt.
Yip the roster is a bit of a flogging, though not as bad as what Nelson and particularly Cook are getting, with their multiple overnights and what not. People leaving there in droves too...
The base pay might be below eastern but its a different country, different airline (whom you are employed by) and to be fair, in NZ terms the money is actually not bad.
Some would argue that at the moment with the retention bonus the total package is certainly better than Air Nelson and arguably better than Mount Cook. Definitely for captains. And who's supposed to be the low cost carrier here...
People are leaving yes indeed, but remember there are those leaving due the fact their time is up, there are those moving within the group as well. But it depends on how you look at it.
I know there are a few young guns viewing it in the negative light because they feel as though they should be getting more. Many of these guys it's their second job, come in very green in their career and haven't had the slog-out and hardships many of us have. Some of these guys should go back to instructing in a 172 to get a grasp of reality and remember how fortunate they are to be in this position at such an early point in their career, and to recognize a great opportunity. It is wave being ridden at the moment, but it will flatten out, it will be harder to get in and the experience requirements to get in will rise,- as always happens.
To be fair, its a NEW operation. There will be teething problems, crew will be short, you will have to work long days. But it will get better. The money, as I said, is probably the best turboprop money in NZ at the moment, but also other opportunities such as moving to the bus or quick commands. There are guys upgrading who've only been there a year, pushing the 2k total time. That can't be said for the other NZ regionals.
Oh and did I mention, potential regional basings. Napier opened, some experienced Air Nelson guys have jumped ship to live there. Lets hope there are more regional bases in the future.