My prediction:
QF buy Airbus as a fleet for their budget airline so they can utillise the ex AN pilots still looking for work, make any existing QF pilots have to apply and use
VB model for self funded endorsement, recruitment from GA ranks. It also instantly creates an actual difference between current mainly Boeing ops and Airbus ops. 717's can't carry the numbers as
VB and QF have shown 737-800's are the ideal size.
All "Skimpy" staff will be on a new (lower rate) single union endorsed EBA. All ground staff will be employed by "Skimpy" as a separate entity with a mix of contractors and permanent staff. Any existing QF staff who want to work for Skimpy will have to apply along with everyone else off the street and if successful will have to leave QF.
QF domestic operations will slowly wind down to eventually out of existance with only skimpy left competing against
VB on all
VB routes, Eastern on regionals against Rex and revamped QF full service be available on International Ops only as it used to be.
Finally, Skimpy will spread it's wings around the Pacific to compete against Pacific Blue. The result will be like competing against like or model against model. QF Int will compete against Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, etc.
In the end it is QF vs AN all over again only the models and names have changed. What do you all think?. Sound feasible.
I would bet on this one !!
