Qantas Recruitment
The only real wait was BNE, but just before Covid when recruiting was at peak that was just shy of 2 years.
Back in the “good old days” it would be closer to a decade for a BNE base FO slot, but that’s certainly a thing of the past now.
I believe both fleets are working quite a lot at the moment, above min guarantee. But long term the company aims to keep hours roughly around MGH.
Perth and Adl go fairly junior too,
The only real wait was BNE, but just before Covid when recruiting was at peak that was just shy of 2 years.
Back in the “good old days” it would be closer to a decade for a BNE base FO slot, but that’s certainly a thing of the past now.
Perth and Adl go fairly junior too,
The only real wait was BNE, but just before Covid when recruiting was at peak that was just shy of 2 years.
Back in the “good old days” it would be closer to a decade for a BNE base FO slot, but that’s certainly a thing of the past now.
There’s no reason to stay an SO for 7+ years except by choice, currently Syd and Mel SH FO slots are being handed out to new joiners.
Delving a bit more into the EBA for new hire SOs for the 787 it’s $122k-$131k on base MGH without additional pay or allowances. 330/350 SFF $107k-$124k MGH at the end of 6 years, so a bit lower but not substantially as much. Again this can all be avoided by bidding to SH ASAP, with 35% higher pay at MGH on first year rates, but at the usual hours rostered in SH it’ll be much much more, the before tax pay for most F/O’s for this FY should have a 2 at the start of it, even on first year rates and without the bonus or allowances.
Delving a bit more into the EBA for new hire SOs for the 787 it’s $122k-$131k on base MGH without additional pay or allowances. 330/350 SFF $107k-$124k MGH at the end of 6 years, so a bit lower but not substantially as much. Again this can all be avoided by bidding to SH ASAP, with 35% higher pay at MGH on first year rates, but at the usual hours rostered in SH it’ll be much much more, the before tax pay for most F/O’s for this FY should have a 2 at the start of it, even on first year rates and without the bonus or allowances.
A large percentage of new hires go to mainline solely for the LH lifestyle, being the only such opportunity in Aus. So the suggestion that it's either 8+ years of making bunks (now on a B scale), or they can gleefully accept a SH FO slot on Day 1, to be flogged up and down the east coast doing 4-5 sector days, 5 days a week is hilarious.
SO is an entry level job. The total package for new joiners with allowances will be around $140-150k, more than enough for a position that can be done with a bare CPL and 200hrs. You want more? Got to SH and make more.
It’s not the responsibility of the company to pay SOs $250k+ for a cushy lifestyle. Yes you should be paid much more for being in the front seat of any Jet than as a cruise relief pilot.
Last edited by dr dre; 27th Sep 2022 at 07:18.
Doesn't mean some of their pilots there weren't getting excited over the idea. Oh, and over potentially taking Winton A321s.
Crappy conditions (B scale) just has the effect of lowering the pool of candidates.
For sure QF will always be able to have a deep hiring pool. But you have to admit, QF isn’t necessarily the envy of all Australian pilots given what else is on offer in the world.
Many are and have.
Crappy conditions (B scale) just has the effect of lowering the pool of candidates.
For sure QF will always be able to have a deep hiring pool. But you have to admit, QF isn’t necessarily the envy of all Australian pilots given what else is on offer in the world.
Crappy conditions (B scale) just has the effect of lowering the pool of candidates.
For sure QF will always be able to have a deep hiring pool. But you have to admit, QF isn’t necessarily the envy of all Australian pilots given what else is on offer in the world.
The 1% may have a genuine desire but you’re fooling yourself if you think otherwise.
I guess we are simply at an impasse then. The current conditions on offer are pretty sub-par compared to what is now on offer elsewhere if you take a snapshot of current conditions vs historic.
So the QF start date that I, and numerous others (that I know of) have turned down fits into which part of your first claim?
Most Aussies with a family simply don't want to live in a place like Dubai/ Qatar and don't want their kid's to go to school in the USA. Hong Kong is no longer a viable option either. There is no escaping that fact. QF will always have that advantage as the premier employer for pilots in Australia. What you might find is the people that are joining now are already jaded before they even start (especially if coming from inside the group).
And overseas isn't exactly the golden goose it's perceived to be. A lot of people are saying Atlas is a better option, having been sent a sample bid package for their 74F operation I'd beg to differ. 17 days per month of non stop work that traverses every time zone, usually 24 hrs or less free of duty everywhere, constant switching between days and nights, back of the clock 3 and 4 leg duties. I'm sure I'd personally be shattered at the end of one of those patterns, and that's without even factoring commuting in. I'd hope those guys are getting paid well because that kind of rostering is unsustainable in the long term IMO.
QF LH is without a doubt far less fatiguing.
QF LH is without a doubt far less fatiguing.
Last edited by dr dre; 29th Sep 2022 at 05:40.
The world is a magnificent place, and if want to see as many cities as you can during slip times, it’s probably best to go overseas as Qantas isn’t the job for you. The route network isn’t all that big, and never will be. If the actual flying stuff isn't that important to you, and you can live with going to London, Rome, or LA multiple times over a year, with the promise that home is really home, it may be a great fit. The conditions are good (even for new SO’s), and for me anyway, you don’t have to live with the fear that when the next recession hits, you are turfed out of the country for being a ”foreigner”. That probably won’t happen to those that choose overseas, and I wish them the best of Luck. I’m with dre though, that atlas gig looks far too much like hard work.
QF is still the best job in Australia, and I’d hesitate to reject a job offer, as I’m sure it only comes once, and eventually most will want to come home. You’re probably better off not applying at all until that day comes, if it comes at all.
QF is still the best job in Australia, and I’d hesitate to reject a job offer, as I’m sure it only comes once, and eventually most will want to come home. You’re probably better off not applying at all until that day comes, if it comes at all.
And overseas isn't exactly the golden goose it's perceived to be. A lot of people are saying Atlas is a better option, having been sent a sample bid package for their 74F operation I'd beg to differ. 17 days per month of non stop work that traverses every time zone, usually 24 hrs or less free of duty everywhere, constant switching between days and nights, back of the clock 3 and 4 leg duties. I'm sure I'd personally be shattered at the end of one of those patterns, and that's without even factoring commuting in. I'd hope those guys are getting paid well because that kind of rostering is unsustainable in the long term IMO.
QF LH is without a doubt far less fatiguing.
QF LH is without a doubt far less fatiguing.
*not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Once upon a time I did rosters like the Atlas gig. I didn’t find it onerous at all. It would be interesting to cross examine a couple of Atlas senior people to get their take on the rosters.
But Atlas? When you're conscious in your 24-30 ish hours off between multiple back of the clock duties you can enjoy the sights of freight hubs like Cincinnati and Anchorage.......
Lowest LH FO slot went 3 years right at the peak just before Covid. Can expect it to be no more than 5-10 years assuming continuous recruitment in the future.
I doubt it. The fleet isn’t growing, but perhaps the age distribution is skewed so advancement may be quick for a couple of intakes. On average if you want a right seat quickly its probably going to be 8 years on the 737. Same for the left seat. So about half of the average pilot's career can be spent tied to the whipping post.
The fact that the pay is the best in the country isn’t saying much given the alternatives.
The fact that the pay is the best in the country isn’t saying much given the alternatives.
