Gingerbread, I'd like to know what you are talking about. Both those gentlemen do not have antagonistic personalities and are not shortsighted whereas the AFAP has a history of acting in its self interest - not in the interest of its members.

Yeah whatever - get over it and move forward or forever be relegated to the sidelines.

Well said ALR. (Your first post - the one above this one I am not really sure what/who you are talking about/too).

Sorry to burst your bubble Gingerbread, but pre-2007 I asked the top rats of AFAP about a merger and reading between the lines there is no way they were interested.
I suspect they did not want to lose the small power base they had as showed by the attempted take over of the mutual benefit fund.

Just of interest in the early 2000's I also had an informal chat to the then president of AIPA about the fact that the regional pilots would fly the QF jets for a lot less due the the lack of support the AIPA had given them. He dismissed this and also stated the AIPA would only be a QF union and regional pilots didn't count.

Then came Impulse and he made Chief pilot, so politics run deep.

I finally hope Aussie pilots can get their act together at the meeting, although I doubt this if union pen pushers have their way, remember they have their own barrows to push.

Qantas will not decide where a specific aircraft type (787) will operate or what colour it will be painted based on pilot salaries.
It may well however choose who flies these aircraft based on costs, such as pilot salaries.
Anyone who is suggesting pilots from well paid airlines (Emrites, Cathay) will flood to a new entity operating these aircraft may want to learn of the pay, conditions and basings applicable before commenting to loudly.
It's time to bury the past and unite for this race to the bottom to end. The only upwards pressure can come from a united front.

So what do the heads of AFAP AIPA VIPA think now is the question. Is it time to present a unified front?

Before ya'll get too excited. Is there a source of the info that started this thread?

Contrary to post #1 Jetstar pilots were told a couple of days ago the Jetstar 787s would be crewed by Jetstar EBA crews. Words directly from the Chief Pilots mouth.

Until I see it written, signed by the CEO and board, I'm still open to rumors though... or should that be until I'm pushing back in it ;-)

Boomerang

Dont be fooled by semantics.

EBA pilots will indeed have "the opportunity" to fly the 787. What the CP didnt say is that it wont be on the EBA, and thats what should give everyone pause for thought.

Joyce has already said the 787's will be based out of SIN. Do you honestly believe that JQ will pax and pay allowances/accom for EBA pilots if they dont have too?

Remember, the latest mantra is all about being "regionally competitive".

Only when JQ EBA pilots are pushing back in it, will I believe it.

Has anyone got a reference for this? Specifically that this will be where the first ones will go?

Capt Fathom you say:
I find that VERY hard to believe. They have accepted jobs flying a jet that won't be delivered for 2 years on an unknown contract???
I would suggest that your "mates overseas" are very foolish or full of s#!t.

Has there been any info forthcoming reference getting AusALPA up and running as "the Australian "pilots union?
If not ,why not?
There has been plenty of talk and not much action.
Come on, wouldn't the present circumstances be the best precipitator yet to finally get everyone heading in the same direction?

This whole thread is just a wind up.

The CP said the 787 will relace the A330 on the current JQ network flown by JQ pilots on the current EBA. As a 787 arrives an A330 departs to QF.

Yes there may be a couple go off to Singapore at that time but that is outside of the Jestar EBA. A commitment was clearly given that B787 arrives as A330 departs on EBA 2008 conditions.

Get real everyone. A former JPA president often said "you blokes are pissing before your flies are open". Nothing has changed.

So the A330's will be deployed on existing 767 domestic operations? Or have the international configuration?

Not what I've been hearing from J* colleagues. Word of contracts from all of them.

I tend to agree with TurbTool's post a few back - what better way to keep you scared and manoeuver you into continuing with crap contracts than wind you up with anecdotes of hoardes of expat pilots already having signed 787 contracts etc etc.

Nonetheless it is clear that for their own ladder-climbing reasons, airline CEO's will attack your Terms and Conditions wherever they can and if they are allowed to get away with employing inexperienced pilots or poorly trained foreign pilots they will. You guys are the only ones that can stop them at this stage (unless there is an accident like Garuda/Colgan when governments are forced to do something). Pity it should have to get to that stage before somebody does something.

Apologies, I reposted the following from the pilot meeting thread because I reckon it's just as relevant here:

I'm Listening to Australia News Network and they are reporting that AIPA is organising a meeting because J* pilots are dissatisfied with salaries pilots will get paid for the SIN-MEL sector.

Humble suggestion: can I suggest you concentrate on safety and the implications of fast-tracking non-Australian trained and licenced aircrew. Get a PR company to start working on this (PR is important - seen the Gruen Transfer?). Airlines can spend millions on advertising but this expenditure is pointless if the public perceives they are reducing safety margins - and as we know that's exactly what they are trying to do, purely to further line their own pockets with $.

Going-on about salaries will win no public support. That improvement will come about as a natural part of the looming global shortage (see the Asian Forum - this shortage as already savaging Tiger and PAL).

Focus on safety. This is the key to success not salaries.

Folks,
One thing to be factored in ----and I don't think it has been mentioned so far.

VH registered aircraft can be based in and operate to CAAS rules if they are subject to an 83bis agreement (look it up in the Act) between Australia and the Republic of Singapore. About the only reason to maintain VH registration would be leasing/finance/tax considerations.

Ergo, CASA does not get a look-in.

Something else to bear in mind, when it come to swapping aircraft between bases, an aircraft does not have to be on the Australian register to operate on an Australian AOC.

Certainly an attractive proposition for any operator ---- without regard to who the pilots are, there are some serious savings to be made in maintenance overheads, just for starters.

Tootle pip!!

Well I guess that confirms it then....

Don't trust these management pricks!:yuk:

After the meeting today I hope the AFAP and VIPA etc get on board with AIPA to finish forming and improving the new body AUSALPA !:D:ok:

The meeting today showed lots of unity, the beginning of good things!:ok:

Do you really believe that? Do you really believe that the Singapore base will only be a small operation with a few aircraft? Do you really think Jetstar management tell the whole truth?

Geoff Dixon once said that Jetstar would never take over Qantas flying.

This whole SIN base thing is a test. It's a test to see what they can get away with. At the moment it will probably be only a couple of aircraft and a small operation. In ten years time it could possibly be the only way to get a start in Jetstar.

I think CASA also need to be brought into this too. This country has far to much of a double standard when it comes to regulation. I'm sure if a GA operator tried to start operating foreign registered aircraft on an Australian AOC they would be doing their best to shut them down or transfer their aircraft registration, but when it comes to QF they are too scared.

Don't get too excited about expats coming to fly the 787.

If it's like the last time JQ came head hunting in DXB for the 330, there won't be too much of an exodus.

halas