Jetstar Darwin or Newcastle base?

[LuckyQ]

G'day,

Got a decision to make and need some help.

Been offered a position with Jetstar as a F/O with the option Darwin or Newcastle basing.

I'm married, no kids, haven't been to either one of the places.

I have had a look at Darwin roster but can't locate anyone who has a Newcastle roster.

Anyone who can give me any info. would be greatly appreciated.

Comments on what either city is like to live in ?

Any Jetstar pilots at either of those bases can comment on positives or negatives ?

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you.

[zendo]

darwin!! when did you get interviewed? recently?

[Ted Nugent]

Probably a fair chance you could bid back to your preferred base next round, very rare junior FO's get stuck any longer than 6 months. :ok:

[teresa green]

I would go NTL. DRW is a great place but having spent several wets there, I would go NTL. The beaches, vineyards, One hour fifty to SYD, good services, great climate. DRW on the other hand has a amazing culture, but the WX gets you down, and once you have seen most of it..................... you have seen most of it. Also depends on where your family lives also I guess. Go look at both places and make your decision, either way enjoy your career.

[KRUSTY 34]

Ok, the inevitable question:

Contract or EBA?

[Lookleft]

I would suggest that you go to Darwin as the flying has better variation with lots of exposure to international sectors. For what its worth you also get endorsed on the 321. Newcastle has a great lifestyle but the flying is limited so at this stage in your career I would suggest you go for the better flying option.

[The Guru]

Darwin - no question! Good mix of domestic and international / short and long sectors / both day and night ops / probably the best overnights in the network. When you have all the French stuff figured out, then apply for a base transfer and come back to the east coast.

It would be pretty safe to assume that all short term recruitment will be lateral transfers as either MOU (Q-numbers) or LWOP (bottom of the list). With the list expected to grow, you probably won't do more than 6 months before you have the choice to come back and then be subjected to 100hrs/mnth. Good bunch of guys in Darwin, all in generally very similar circumstances.

Newcastle - flying is very limited (I agree with Lookleft). Lifestyle choice but you will probably be bored within 4 weeks of your arrival unless you have some alternate past time.

[Di_Vosh]

Other guys can give you flying info, but as you'll be living there (with your wife?) I wouldn't be basing your decision solely on the type of flying/routes that you'll be doing.

Darwin pros:

There's plenty to see and do in the Top End, and if you're into the outdoors you'll love it. Asia is very close for more travel opportunities. Nightlife is great for a single person (not bad for a couple). You can drive from pretty much anywhere in Darwin to the airport in less than 20 minutes. Darwin has a great multicultural lifestyle, and runs at a different pace. Darwin is probably easier for your wife to get work than Newcastle, IMHO.

Cons:

Very expensive city to live in (Rent is close to Sydney prices). If you've not had much exposure to our Indigenous Brethren you may be in for a shock. Living in a tropical climate isn't for everyone and may take some getting used to. It's a long way from anywhere else in Oz, so a bit tough if you plan on commuting.

My 2c

DIVOSH!

[tinpis]

Where is this Newcastle you speak of?

[teresa green]

Its about 10 beaches north of Sydney Tinpis. Nice spot for a tipple, or a surf, no crocs, some sharks, Pt. Stephens is a good place to live, and a quick trip down the F3 to Sydney town if you are up to it. You could do worse. Housing still reasonable, and a airport that seems to grow every week. Down there they refer to Sydney as one of its southern surburbs.:ok: Geez things have changed, now they give you a choice? In my time they told me Boulia was nice at this time of the year, or would you like to stay a F/O for the rest of your life?:eek:

[KRUSTY 34]

Crikey titan uranus, such venom in response to a simple question!

The Jetstar pilots, along with their union representatives have fought a long and difficult battle in what is essentially a war to help protect some people from themselves. The war is far from won, but a positive sign must surely be the offering of Australian bases.

As all the pilot positions offered over the last year or so have been for overseas bases, on contracts that can only be described as ludicrous, It's encourageing the company is now employing again localy, and hopefully on local conditions. Hense my question.

As for being none of my business, mate I've got news for you, It's all of our business. Those who recently thought in such an isolated way have found themselves on the recieving end of a very large pineapple. Mmmm....:suspect:

As for buying a boat, already have, some years ago. :ok:

[Sunstar320]

If you are NTL based, you mainly just fly to Melbourne and Brisbane. I believe the Melbourne flights then head down to LST and back so there is at least three fields you will at fly to.

But yes, pretty boring after a few months.

[galdian]

The GURU

Only jesting but " good combo of short and long haul..." ex Darwin??

Out of ML I'd consider shorthaul ADL, SYD, CBR, HBA, LST; out of Sydney similar but add a few more.

Wasn't aware pornstar were operating KTR, KUX, GTE, and maybe even BME (but almost longhaul???)
And almost forgot PTS - let alone OOB!

Also first to admit some of the ID's are less than correct after many years ... yet impressed pornstar are offering shorthaul services to these destinations ex Darwin.

Obviously BB in charge of of pornstar has a softer, more community minded and less "money money bonus bonus" attitude than I was aware of.
Learn something new every day!!

Cheers all
galdian

[NIK320]

From observation of what some pilots I know in both bases have said.

Brisbane continues on to Mackay and there is a Gold Coast return in the arvo to so make it 5 fields from Newcastle.

Darwin on the other hand has SIN, DPS, SGN, MNL, CNS, BNE, SYD, MEL and I think they have an ADL in there to. There tends to be long days with a few hours on the ground during the turn. Either perfect for a nap or annoying if you cant sleep.