Virgin Australia - Phoenix Rising from the Ashes?
Inactive pilots still have 4 years before making a decision on returning or not. Most of the ones I know are off having other adventures whilst keeping the option of returning to virgin in their back pockets. A lot can happen in four years.
A lot of talk within the VA training department about the "no further courses planned" line. Widely agreed to be bulldust, and a tactic to goad inactive pilots into bidding.
I would think the VARA pilots integration and their involvement in the VA network flying will also slow down any further recruitment for the short term. But training will take over a year.
While there may still be 100+ left on the inactive list, I think you’ll find attrition will continue to increase as people return to get current then leave. Most people that have returned are commuting and the company aren’t assisting these commuters in anyway. The company’s aren’t providing positions in bases people want (amongst other things such as $$), so many are voting with their feet and leaving. I think you’ll find courses will continue next year and externals may get a shot mid next year depending on how the training pipeline looks.
There are jobs galore out there. VA are also losing many to the likes of atlas and national. Many figure what’s the point of commuting and earning peanuts when they could fly to more interesting places in different equipment earning multiples of what they would at VA with a better lifestyle. VA will continue to hemorrhage pilots until they sort out the lifestyle and pay issues.
Join Date: Aug 2006
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All the last few comments are very very true. I am halfway on the list at VA and will not return for a FO position at a job that was boring me in the first place.
A lot of us (me included) are off overseas "trying before we are buying". Why burn the VA recall so early?. We really are in a very unique position to "have a go at something"...worst case scramble back to the ex wife and settle down..Again lol
Hopefully it works for those that want a new beginning or those want a burn on a new machine. Often it is too hard leaving a seniority list and take a punt
A lot of us (me included) are off overseas "trying before we are buying". Why burn the VA recall so early?. We really are in a very unique position to "have a go at something"...worst case scramble back to the ex wife and settle down..Again lol
Hopefully it works for those that want a new beginning or those want a burn on a new machine. Often it is too hard leaving a seniority list and take a punt
The recall opportunity really is something unique for those who got let go during circus. What is amazing is the number of crew who are resigning on their own terms (therefor being removed from the seniority list permanently) to find greener pastures.
Pilots have a lot of opportunities now, so if an employer isn’t meeting the market, people aren’t afraid to move on. Better pay and conditions are available at many employers. Also, it can’t be fun being a training or check captain right now. They must be approaching burnout. Shortly they’ll be training relatively inexperienced pilots too which will only add to the training costs/burden.
Pilots have a lot of opportunities now, so if an employer isn’t meeting the market, people aren’t afraid to move on. Better pay and conditions are available at many employers. Also, it can’t be fun being a training or check captain right now. They must be approaching burnout. Shortly they’ll be training relatively inexperienced pilots too which will only add to the training costs/burden.
Heard a vicious rumour that VA were looking to cancel the ‘deed’ as they need everyone back. Argument being that the company is being financially damaged because of slow return of experienced people and that the deed is not really relevant anymore as it was designed to return everyone anyway and they’re needed now. Anyone heard anything a bit more solid?????
Heard a vicious rumour that VA were looking to cancel the ‘deed’ as they need everyone back. Argument being that the company is being financially damaged because of slow return of experienced people and that the deed is not really relevant anymore as it was designed to return everyone anyway and they’re needed now. Anyone heard anything a bit more solid?????
Why alienate a remaining source of qualified, experienced and previously trusted pilots for no benefit.
The agreement for pilots to return was enshrined in a deed by the AFAP and company. If that agreement falls apart, it’s only going to alienate and further anger previous experienced crew who intended to return at some point. Both parties will have a lot of explaining to do if it the deed is deemed no longer valid.
Heard a vicious rumour that VA were looking to cancel the ‘deed’ as they need everyone back. Argument being that the company is being financially damaged because of slow return of experienced people and that the deed is not really relevant anymore as it was designed to return everyone anyway and they’re needed now. Anyone heard anything a bit more solid?????
I know three VA pilots that have applied for the Jetstar ad. Bit dumb on VAs part not investing in these good people and for once, perhaps just giving them what they are after?
As the rate of resignations start accelerating at VA it’s clear that staff aren’t happy and the company aren’t willing to address the underlying problem. A sound piece of advice is to use VA as a stepping stone to get current or get a new rating and move on to greener pastures (as many are doing).
Career progression is limited and with a list of inactive pilots, new joiners won’t have any idea of their true seniority or future progression opportunities until 2026. It’s a stark picture compared to other operators where progression and conditions are accelerating in the right direction.
Career progression is limited and with a list of inactive pilots, new joiners won’t have any idea of their true seniority or future progression opportunities until 2026. It’s a stark picture compared to other operators where progression and conditions are accelerating in the right direction.
VA has been given till end of March 2023 to utilise their HND authority or to lose it.
My money is on VA letting that authority lapse. Wet-leases (by another carrier on behalf of VA) on the HND route are not permitted under the IASC determination.
Although VA could operate BNE-GUM-HND on a 738 (with no fifth freedom allowed on the GUM-HND-GUM legs), chances of that happening would be 0% to none.
My money is on VA letting that authority lapse. Wet-leases (by another carrier on behalf of VA) on the HND route are not permitted under the IASC determination.
Although VA could operate BNE-GUM-HND on a 738 (with no fifth freedom allowed on the GUM-HND-GUM legs), chances of that happening would be 0% to none.
VA has been given till end of March 2023 to utilise their HND authority or to lose it.
My money is on VA letting that authority lapse. Wet-leases (by another carrier on behalf of VA) on the HND route are not permitted under the IASC determination.
Although VA could operate BNE-GUM-HND on a 738 (with no fifth freedom allowed on the GUM-HND-GUM legs), chances of that happening would be 0% to none.
My money is on VA letting that authority lapse. Wet-leases (by another carrier on behalf of VA) on the HND route are not permitted under the IASC determination.
Although VA could operate BNE-GUM-HND on a 738 (with no fifth freedom allowed on the GUM-HND-GUM legs), chances of that happening would be 0% to none.
Technically, there is nothing barring a wet-lease operation in the IASC Determination. It cannot be used to jointly operate with another carrier, with the exception of the codeshare agreement with ANA, and anything else with approval from the Commission. It may be pushing it uphill to do so, but with the right arguments, anything is possible.
What I found interesting is that it is in the public record that Virgin provided the Commission in June with a confidential "firm commercial" plan to operate HND from Northern Summer 23 in order to preserve their slot allocation. Seems more likely to be a widebody wet-lease than a Max into FNQ, but stranger things have happened.
What I found interesting is that it is in the public record that Virgin provided the Commission in June with a confidential "firm commercial" plan to operate HND from Northern Summer 23 in order to preserve their slot allocation. Seems more likely to be a widebody wet-lease than a Max into FNQ, but stranger things have happened.