The issue of there only being two 7E7's is not a significant one. First of all there is no way they will go to Freedom. Freedom are a budget carrier who, like Virgin Blue Jet* etc, squeeze as many people into an aircraft because people are prepared to put up with this for short periods of time. Would any of you sit in cattle class a la Virgin blue for 15 hours? not bloody likely.

Second of all you also need to factor in the 42 options. At least some of these will end up being 7E7's. Air NZ I am sure were persuaded to be a launch customer for the a/c as Boeing probably wants to get the ball rolling a bit and you will possibly see a few more orders for the aircraft seeing another airline has now opted for the long range 7E7. The first 7E7's will go to ANA so it could possibly be 2009 before ANZ receives their first aircraft. By that point ANZ will have a much clearer view of how the aircraft will fit into their fleet.

Because of the cabin upgrade on the -400 they will remain in service until 2008 whereupon they are likely to be replaced by 777-300ER's. This is again where the options comes into play. If ANZ are operating 777's 747's 7E7's and 767's all at once it will only be for a very short period of time.

As for DEC's: again, not bloody likely!!!!!

ANZ DEC's??

Don't think so. Where would they get them from?? I have always been under the impression, to join ANZ you have to be as smart and as slick, as for eg., a NASA graduate, and nothing less.

Let's face it, they can't have rif raf within the ranks can they??

I have got $10,000 in any currency you like that I will gladly deposit into a lawyers trust account when matched by someone else who thinks that Air NZ will take direct entry captains. Air NZ has just introduced a fleet of A320's that took considerable flexibility by everyone to achieve. There was never any suggestion then of direct entry captains.

Bear in mind that the 777-200ER is going to replace the 767. There will be a small initial bulge but the 767s will depart as the 777s arrive. There will be no need nor suggestion of direct entry captains for the 777.

:rolleyes:

DEC's into Mainline, very unlikely.

But what about them starting a subsidury (possibly Aus based), ala Australian, Jetstar, Freedom etc.

Seems to be the current trend.

I think that DECs will be most unlikely. The transition to the A320 has proven there is no need.

On a brighter note - one would think Air NZ F/Os would be up for command a little sooner perhaps over the next few years, with lots of retirements at the top end etc.

Will the re-organisation of the fleet affect this - better prospects or worse ?

Any idea how long it will now take for an Air NZ F/O to be eligible for upgrade ? It used to be years............

But that could change hopefully in the future.

Any ideas ?