Originally Posted by
le Pingouin
Airservices is currently not recruiting but the training continues at a reduced rate - as far as I'm aware there will still be some ab initio courses run. FWIW the group I'm with has rated several ab initos over the last six months.
As to shortages, I don't think we're particularly short in general at present, but that doesn't mean certain units aren't short.
On a slightly different tack. Reading about delays in Brisbane with a bit of foggy weather. I'm surprised that the major airports are not CAT III equipped. Although Aus wether generally a load better than Europe , arriving for instance at Perth in my new QF 787 non stop from Lhr, not a lot of excess fuel, poor alternates, and only a CAT I runway.
Minimal cost to Airlines, as modern airliners are delivered 'out of the box' CAT III. The pilots are CAT III qualified during the Conversion Course.