Dixon Hits Panic Button on Pilots...
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Dixon Hits Panic Button on Pilots...
Forgive me if this issue has been raised or commented upon elsewhere.
On Friday Mr Dixon released a letter which, in the context of recent history, is quite remarkable. After years of taking an approach to pilot relations which appears to indicate he regards us as overpaid, underworked, and deserving of little respect, it seems he has suddenly been made aware of our value.
Amongst other things, Mr Dixon highlights the scope of career advancement opportunities available in the next 5 years, during which time he suggests every FO and SO will have the opportunity to upgrade. Further, he denies ever having plans to create a Jetstar wetlease organisation providing services to Qantas.
The letter smacks of a sudden realisation that the shortage of skilled aviators is so acute that it may dramatically affect the bottom line. Perhaps the growing trickle of departing pilots is starting to cause concern. After all, nothing loses money faster than billions of dollars of brand new aircraft with no crew to fly them.
So, given past history, does Mr Dixon really have the credibility to simply issue a letter painting the picture of a bright and rosy future, and expect people to review their career plans accordingly?
The whole thing is strikingly similar to John Howard suddenly becoming a climate change believer. Expect to see GOD coming to a youtube screen somewhere near you!
Suddenly we are a valuable commodity, so we need to make the most of it. CPI just doesn't cut it in good times, because there is absolutely no chance of the new found love enduring when the next downturn hits...
Do you trust this man?
On Friday Mr Dixon released a letter which, in the context of recent history, is quite remarkable. After years of taking an approach to pilot relations which appears to indicate he regards us as overpaid, underworked, and deserving of little respect, it seems he has suddenly been made aware of our value.
Amongst other things, Mr Dixon highlights the scope of career advancement opportunities available in the next 5 years, during which time he suggests every FO and SO will have the opportunity to upgrade. Further, he denies ever having plans to create a Jetstar wetlease organisation providing services to Qantas.
The letter smacks of a sudden realisation that the shortage of skilled aviators is so acute that it may dramatically affect the bottom line. Perhaps the growing trickle of departing pilots is starting to cause concern. After all, nothing loses money faster than billions of dollars of brand new aircraft with no crew to fly them.
So, given past history, does Mr Dixon really have the credibility to simply issue a letter painting the picture of a bright and rosy future, and expect people to review their career plans accordingly?
The whole thing is strikingly similar to John Howard suddenly becoming a climate change believer. Expect to see GOD coming to a youtube screen somewhere near you!
Suddenly we are a valuable commodity, so we need to make the most of it. CPI just doesn't cut it in good times, because there is absolutely no chance of the new found love enduring when the next downturn hits...
Do you trust this man?
The Reverend
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Pass A Frozo,
Yes, climate change is definitely the "flavour of the month", with the Greens and Gareth Evans leading the parade. I'm sick and tired of hearing about it; there seems no doubt that it is a real phenomenon but not one that hasn't occured before on this planet long before industry efluent, motor cars or aeroplanes. As far as I am concerned, it is a pre election political foot ball and will die a natural death after the elections, whoever wins it.
Yes, climate change is definitely the "flavour of the month", with the Greens and Gareth Evans leading the parade. I'm sick and tired of hearing about it; there seems no doubt that it is a real phenomenon but not one that hasn't occured before on this planet long before industry efluent, motor cars or aeroplanes. As far as I am concerned, it is a pre election political foot ball and will die a natural death after the elections, whoever wins it.
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So, we pilots are obviously being a bit more of a pain in the proverbial than Dixon thought we could be!
I'm sure we'll never reach his standing in the "pain in ye proverbial" stakes, but then who cares... (apart from "aircraft").
Now where's my 7% ???
If it's good enough for the polies, it's certainly the least we could get...
I'm sure we'll never reach his standing in the "pain in ye proverbial" stakes, but then who cares... (apart from "aircraft").
Now where's my 7% ???
If it's good enough for the polies, it's certainly the least we could get...
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what a hypocrit!! 
I would not trust him as far as I could kick him.
All he is looking to do is get a few EBA signed off and get us to turn our back whilst he lines up the next king hit!
I would not trust him as far as I could kick him.
All he is looking to do is get a few EBA signed off and get us to turn our back whilst he lines up the next king hit!
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The original "copy" of the latest flight ops news letter posted on the intranet in early July included a comment from the CP on page 2. This was regarding the recent training slots and the bright outlook for mainline pilots. He said words to the effect; "In the next 5 years most current FO's will have command opportunities and all SO's will be promoted"
CEO then says the same thing in letter to his "collegues" 20/07
Printed copy of flight ops newsletter in crew mailboxes now has these original comments by CP regarding promotion removed . . . . .
It appears someone somewhere for some reason has decided the "good news" should be coming from a higher authority???? Interesting dynamic going on.
CEO then says the same thing in letter to his "collegues" 20/07
Printed copy of flight ops newsletter in crew mailboxes now has these original comments by CP regarding promotion removed . . . . .
It appears someone somewhere for some reason has decided the "good news" should be coming from a higher authority???? Interesting dynamic going on.
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Good point Sonny
plucking a figure out of my backside, but would'nt that be somewhere in the vicinity of 5-600 commands??
So QF are getting 80-90 A/C in the next 5 years ( not counting a/c that will replace other types )
Thats 2 a month for the next 5 years, hope they start arriving soon
Jeez, with QFs 180 odd, Jetstars 50 odd, VBs 75 odd and Tigers 20-50 odd.................where the hell are they going to park them
( we'll worry about where all the paying customers r going to come from later )
plucking a figure out of my backside, but would'nt that be somewhere in the vicinity of 5-600 commands??
So QF are getting 80-90 A/C in the next 5 years ( not counting a/c that will replace other types )
Thats 2 a month for the next 5 years, hope they start arriving soon
Jeez, with QFs 180 odd, Jetstars 50 odd, VBs 75 odd and Tigers 20-50 odd.................where the hell are they going to park them
( we'll worry about where all the paying customers r going to come from later )
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The numbers don't add up. My guess is that the title of this topic is spot on.
Dixon has belatedly been told by a flunky, "errr though you hate their guts, and consider their skills set on a par with CityRail drivers, and that the aircraft fly themselves,.... we have done a lot of research on this and have found out that actually that is not true, and they don't grow on trees and they will leave if they can't get a decent career path!!!"
Dear colleagues....
Dixon has belatedly been told by a flunky, "errr though you hate their guts, and consider their skills set on a par with CityRail drivers, and that the aircraft fly themselves,.... we have done a lot of research on this and have found out that actually that is not true, and they don't grow on trees and they will leave if they can't get a decent career path!!!"
Dear colleagues....
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Pass A Frozo, do you happen to have a John Howard action-man doll on your bedside table? Not that I want it, but I was just wondering!
Anyway.......yes, Geoffrey is most likely going to have to eat some humble pie if he wants hundreds more pilots to fly his new planes. I have my doubts as to whether he has a heavily flowering "airline pilot tree" at the back of his office, so he's going to have to at the very least stop any from leaving, and maybe try to stop potential recruits going overseas.
Anyway.......yes, Geoffrey is most likely going to have to eat some humble pie if he wants hundreds more pilots to fly his new planes. I have my doubts as to whether he has a heavily flowering "airline pilot tree" at the back of his office, so he's going to have to at the very least stop any from leaving, and maybe try to stop potential recruits going overseas.
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This Does Not Add Up
Impressive statement by GD, however, the facts are:
Around 970 Current First Officers.
Around 300 pilots over the age of 54. (allow 1 yr to train and avg 60 retire)
Aircraft orders over next 5 yrs Max 20 A380, 8 A330 (inc Jetstar 6) 4 737's
Aircraft retirements??????
Assuming 9 crews per aircraft (heavy) = 288 commands
plus 300 retirements
Total 588 new commands.
Again this is does not include 5 747 retirements or 737 or 767 retirements.
I suggest another theory:
Manning is looking at TOTAL commands i.e. including consequentials. Given that there are at least 3 moves for each 744 retirement then maybe with consequentials 900 commands could be achieved, however only 300 of those would be INITIAL commands.
Any other way it does not add up.
Around 970 Current First Officers.
Around 300 pilots over the age of 54. (allow 1 yr to train and avg 60 retire)
Aircraft orders over next 5 yrs Max 20 A380, 8 A330 (inc Jetstar 6) 4 737's
Aircraft retirements??????
Assuming 9 crews per aircraft (heavy) = 288 commands
plus 300 retirements
Total 588 new commands.
Again this is does not include 5 747 retirements or 737 or 767 retirements.
I suggest another theory:
Manning is looking at TOTAL commands i.e. including consequentials. Given that there are at least 3 moves for each 744 retirement then maybe with consequentials 900 commands could be achieved, however only 300 of those would be INITIAL commands.
Any other way it does not add up.
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first 787
with the red tail on it does not touch down in syd till late 2010
watch tomorrow when the financials will be delivered. you will hear a number of announcements. fleet spin-off, frquent flyer program sold, freight/logistics seperate company and of cours the new LOGO.
watch tomorrow when the financials will be delivered. you will hear a number of announcements. fleet spin-off, frquent flyer program sold, freight/logistics seperate company and of cours the new LOGO.
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mrpaxing,
Yeah but he's included 6 x A330s for JQ in his calcs. VH-JJW also states that his calcs are over the next five years, which would clearly include 2010.
Yeah but he's included 6 x A330s for JQ in his calcs. VH-JJW also states that his calcs are over the next five years, which would clearly include 2010.
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So you reckon QF are going to add 80 ( 15 minimum to Jet* anyway, but lets not talk semantics ) widebody A/C to their Existing fleet with no existing A/C retirements?
They are just going to half again the size of their fleet in 5 years............interesting.
They are just going to half again the size of their fleet in 5 years............interesting.
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LIES
Fella's,
These are LIES. Pure and Simple.
Time and time again Dixon has proven he says exactly what he has to say to get his way.
He needs to maintain some decorum on pilot numbers, so to be safe than sorry, what better way to GET HIS WAY, than to dangle a few carrots around.
FACTS:
*Most of the mainline fleet could be retired in the short term. Face it, most of their fleet is old.
*A good number of mainline pilots are nearing retirement as well, and if necessary, GD could make pilots redundant, the provisions for this in the Contract are quite pathetic and would be a tempting solution (whilst also waving a J* 787 contract around and acting like a super generous boss, "what a great guy I am, why do you publicly slander me??? I am offering you another job- there just no helping you selfish unionists....")
*Any new a/c to mainline, are at best replacements, but really the overall fleet numbers will be in negative territory.
*The Beancounters are going to put as many 787's thru J* as possible. They have publicly stated this, and the fact that Dixon is now saying 'we have no intention to paint J* 787's with the new roo paint job basically guarantees that they will.
*GD etc know that there are many qualified capts o/s at the moment that will more than likely be lured back by a half reasonable package to fly these 787's, there by making any remaining QF pilots even less relevant.
Understand his motivation and his tactics are clear.
The question is, are you going to be a victim of them?
These are LIES. Pure and Simple.
Time and time again Dixon has proven he says exactly what he has to say to get his way.
He needs to maintain some decorum on pilot numbers, so to be safe than sorry, what better way to GET HIS WAY, than to dangle a few carrots around.
FACTS:
*Most of the mainline fleet could be retired in the short term. Face it, most of their fleet is old.
*A good number of mainline pilots are nearing retirement as well, and if necessary, GD could make pilots redundant, the provisions for this in the Contract are quite pathetic and would be a tempting solution (whilst also waving a J* 787 contract around and acting like a super generous boss, "what a great guy I am, why do you publicly slander me??? I am offering you another job- there just no helping you selfish unionists....")
*Any new a/c to mainline, are at best replacements, but really the overall fleet numbers will be in negative territory.
*The Beancounters are going to put as many 787's thru J* as possible. They have publicly stated this, and the fact that Dixon is now saying 'we have no intention to paint J* 787's with the new roo paint job basically guarantees that they will.
*GD etc know that there are many qualified capts o/s at the moment that will more than likely be lured back by a half reasonable package to fly these 787's, there by making any remaining QF pilots even less relevant.
Understand his motivation and his tactics are clear.
The question is, are you going to be a victim of them?