QLK Network Changes
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at least you've got light at the end of the tunnel, eventually.
And with respect to communication from management - would you rather they come out with a plan that is 70% certain, get everyone's hopes up and then have to advise everyone with a revised plan a week later because the situation is so fluid? Or do you want them to line up the ducks properly to either get the Classic back flying or work out a transition to the 400?
And with respect to communication from management - would you rather they come out with a plan that is 70% certain, get everyone's hopes up and then have to advise everyone with a revised plan a week later because the situation is so fluid? Or do you want them to line up the ducks properly to either get the Classic back flying or work out a transition to the 400?
I can't speak for everyone, but personally I would rather we were given half an idea of what things could happen. Something like: "Details and timings are yet to be finalised, but we're mostly considering between [insert Plan A here] and [insert Plan B here] or anywhere in between. Some of the issues are x, y, z which we're working on. When we reach [% demand /target /milestone /date] we'll be in a position to lock it in and put the plan into action." Given the situation is so fluid as you say, will the 'ducks' ever be perfectly lined up? At some point, near enough has got to be good enough. With three different fleet sizes available, the company would have greater flexibility and opportunity to right size the sectors and maximise profits.
Communication can still be effective without having all of the information at hand. It just requires a certain level of honestly and openness, which I believe would in turn restore some of the trust, respect and morale that has been lost. ("Actively promote open and timely communication, even in challenging situations"). If it's communicated correctly, I don't think anyone would blame management for tweaking a plan in response to a changed situation - on the contrary, that's good decision making! Saying nothing except "we'll have more for you in a couple of weeks" and then repeatedly not delivering, is not good communication.
On a tangent, no one in their right mind should be willing to accept any future roles on the classic fleet when they see how dispensable they are.
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I’ll put money on the fact that we see EAA Q400 pilots operating in Brissy before we see the Q300 back flying, after all - it’s cheaper than brining the sustaining fleet back.
Last edited by SDN Superstar; 20th Jul 2020 at 10:48.
AFAP have been particularly quiet through all of this (and rightly so after the cluster of the EBA negotiation), the cairns ones haven't said much other than why are the BNE 400 doing so much. haven't heard anything from Russ on the 300 side
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Is there light at the end of the tunnel though?? There certainly was light earlier when there were 'no plans for redundancies', the new network was apparently just a couple of weeks away from being finalised, and we were all on 2-week stand downs in anticipation of an imminent return to flying... but now? The tone has certainly shifted a little. And yes, there will always be pilot groups around the world who are in a worse situation than others, covid or not - but that doesn't justify the poor handling of the classic crews. "But hey, it could be worse" is terrible leadership in any organisation.
I can't speak for everyone, but personally I would rather we were given half an idea of what things could happen. Something like: "Details and timings are yet to be finalised, but we're mostly considering between [insert Plan A here] and [insert Plan B here] or anywhere in between. Some of the issues are x, y, z which we're working on. When we reach [% demand /target /milestone /date] we'll be in a position to lock it in and put the plan into action." Given the situation is so fluid as you say, will the 'ducks' ever be perfectly lined up? At some point, near enough has got to be good enough. With three different fleet sizes available, the company would have greater flexibility and opportunity to right size the sectors and maximise profits.
Communication can still be effective without having all of the information at hand. It just requires a certain level of honestly and openness, which I believe would in turn restore some of the trust, respect and morale that has been lost. ("Actively promote open and timely communication, even in challenging situations"). If it's communicated correctly, I don't think anyone would blame management for tweaking a plan in response to a changed situation - on the contrary, that's good decision making! Saying nothing except "we'll have more for you in a couple of weeks" and then repeatedly not delivering, is not good communication.
On a tangent, no one in their right mind should be willing to accept any future roles on the classic fleet when they see how dispensable they are.
I can't speak for everyone, but personally I would rather we were given half an idea of what things could happen. Something like: "Details and timings are yet to be finalised, but we're mostly considering between [insert Plan A here] and [insert Plan B here] or anywhere in between. Some of the issues are x, y, z which we're working on. When we reach [% demand /target /milestone /date] we'll be in a position to lock it in and put the plan into action." Given the situation is so fluid as you say, will the 'ducks' ever be perfectly lined up? At some point, near enough has got to be good enough. With three different fleet sizes available, the company would have greater flexibility and opportunity to right size the sectors and maximise profits.
Communication can still be effective without having all of the information at hand. It just requires a certain level of honestly and openness, which I believe would in turn restore some of the trust, respect and morale that has been lost. ("Actively promote open and timely communication, even in challenging situations"). If it's communicated correctly, I don't think anyone would blame management for tweaking a plan in response to a changed situation - on the contrary, that's good decision making! Saying nothing except "we'll have more for you in a couple of weeks" and then repeatedly not delivering, is not good communication.
On a tangent, no one in their right mind should be willing to accept any future roles on the classic fleet when they see how dispensable they are.
It sounds like the sustaining fleet won’t be returning till the 400’s are operating at their max capacity. Government exemptions for security isn’t helping the return to flying either.
In regards to AFAP, I’ve been told Eastern don’t even have any Q300 representation on the pilot council! All Q4 drivers. I would of thought the sunnies blokes could have a stronger voice though.
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What do you expect them to do with a far more complex issue?!?
toothless tiger comes to mind!
All of us, north or south, would just like to know for how much longer we’ll be ‘sustaining’ the 400 with our tax instead of our job.
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This anti-400 vitriol is sad, you'll lose the support of your colleagues. Hope you hear a decision soon.
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But the fact is the 300 isn't suitable for most of the QLD routes, which is why it isn't being used. Not enough fuel/range and not enough seats. But hey, let's bring back a 300 do a Bundy return then sit there the rest of the day. That's not going to bleed money due to all the associated costs, is it? The 400 might be more expensive to operate on a short flight to Bundy or Hervey Bay, but efficiencies are gained when it also covers Mackay, Moranbah etc. in the same day.
And what about the 300 in SYD - surely there's useful work available there at the moment with sectors and loads more suited to the 300?
Yes people are getting frustrated, confused and anxious, but only due to the lack of comms.
That comment and some of the above just shows how far out of touch some of you are with what's going on. Yes routes are still subsidised but many non-subsidisd are seeing a good increase in pax. But the fact is the 300 isn't suitable for most of the QLD routes, which is why it isn't being used. Not enough fuel/range and not enough seats. But hey, let's bring back a 300 do a Bundy return then sit there the rest of the day. That's not going to bleed money due to all the associated costs, is it? The 400 might be more expensive to operate on a short flight to Bundy or Hervey Bay, but efficiencies are gained when it also covers Mackay, Moranbah etc. in the same day.
This anti-400 vitriol is sad, you'll lose the support of your colleagues. Hope you hear a decision soon.
This anti-400 vitriol is sad, you'll lose the support of your colleagues. Hope you hear a decision soon.
For the company to bring back one line of Q300 flying in BNE would require 5-6 sets of crew to be stood up. AM shift, PM shift, 2 on reserve and 1-2 on a Day off. By comparison to bring on an additional Q400 line of flying would potentially require no extra crew, they could just draw down on the current reserve list each day.
The company would also need to spend money getting crew current and the Q300 aircraft out of storage.
It doesn't make any commercial sense and at the moment that is the primary driver in any decision made about fleet utilisation.
It's not fair but there isn't a 400 pilot that I have spoken to who doesn't feel for the situation that the classic crew are in.
We all do, this is the point.
Be assured neither I or anyone I know bear any grudge against any fleet or pilot. It's a great thing that demand is picking up, and there's no doubt that the playing field changes every day.
Nobody wants 100 pilots stood up for one flight a day, nor should we expect to be back to normal tomorrow, but it's hard to be confident when four weeks ago a solid plan was to be expected within two weeks. Just helping us understand where they want us to fit in that plan would go a very long way.
Be assured neither I or anyone I know bear any grudge against any fleet or pilot. It's a great thing that demand is picking up, and there's no doubt that the playing field changes every day.
Nobody wants 100 pilots stood up for one flight a day, nor should we expect to be back to normal tomorrow, but it's hard to be confident when four weeks ago a solid plan was to be expected within two weeks. Just helping us understand where they want us to fit in that plan would go a very long way.
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So that logic doesn’t work during a pandemic with low loads...
Your trying to say that there are not enough seats on a 50 seat plane when loads are single figures....
4 weeks ago, the company didn't know Victoria was going to happen either. That has put a massive spanner in the works. There's nothing to say that the QLD Governmnent won't place restrictions on additional areas in NSW as well.
Russ has checked out mate. Already sorting out his premier suite at the holiday inn for his 400 checkie gig
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"Ah crap... the pilots want better leadership and information... I know, let's blame the union!"
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Wow what an attitude. I think you will find the Chairman of the SS Council has done more for pilots in his long career than you ever will. The AFAP are struggling through this mess the best they can. Can you do any better?
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Must be tough knowing that if you step out of line you might not continue to get your holiday in points when you move to the Q400.
Last edited by SDN Superstar; 18th Jul 2020 at 09:55.
Certainly if I have a career that is as long as the Chair I hope to achieve a lot for pilots but I hope to spread the wins more evenly, not doing this sort of thing (https://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/561491-sunstate-pilot-s-reps-undercut-eastern-pilots-again.html#post8981531 as mentioned by rustytrombone)
Last edited by hillbillybob; 18th Jul 2020 at 04:40.