In five years time I imagine that rather than paying massive increases in salary the smart Australasian Airlines will give Captains some power to choose how their life is structured by offering choice.
Yes framer, this is the genesis of the problem; Airlines need to change.
They need to change recruitment practice but most importantly the model that has dominated industrial relations management at most airlines is finished.
Some airlines will offer different paths, some more money.
Simply put, the floor has been found and the company dominance and ebbing away of terms and conditions is finished.
Fair recompense for skill set, time and money is all that was missing. Unlimited supply of pilots cemented an adversarial model. Ryanair at the Apex, Air Asia and even JQ were pushing more and more of the employment cost at the employee as
supply outpaced demand. Simulators, uniforms, interviews and even income protection insurance borne by the employee. Airline management loved it!
Demographically, that time is over. They will be dragged into the new paradigm, eventually realising that treating people with respect, consideration and as people rather than labour unit costs is the way forward,
Gordon Bethune showed them at Continental, after that low life era, Rob Fyfe led the way at Air New Zealand and for 50 years Southwest Airlines does it day in, day out; it is after all a people business.
Don't expect the well established parasitic practice known as HR/IR to release its grip without a fight,they will eventually be kept away from the day to day, even performance management of long established employees won't need their self interested escalation (and presence) to be sorted.
