Qlink to Cobham: If you can't beat em, join em?
 

Has there been anyone from Qlink that has joined Cobham recently, specifically the NJS B717 contract for Qlink and would be happy to post or PM me their experience whether good or bad? Is there anyone at Qlink thinking of going to Cobham?

Also if there are any current drivers able to describe what the mood is like with all the base expansions and new equipment coming?

And if someone could also answer these questions I have:

What are the chances of getting Brisbane FO basing?

Do you currently get Qantas staff travel? What is the priority?

How many sims do you do a year? Where is/are the sim(s) located?

How many hours flying/duty per roster? Overnights?

What are the requirements for Command? Roughly how long have people been with the company that have just been upgraded?


Any answers, constructive posts or general career advise would be highly welcomed, however there are plenty of other threads to have a general Qlink or Cobham bashing. :ok:


It seems if your dream was to one day fly a jet, you gotta apply to companies that operate jets... who knew... :ugh: Just want some info to make an informed decision.

BNE Base? Probably 0% chance.

A few BNE-based QLink crew applied and were given a base in DRW/HBA/CBA and most so far have declined.

1. Improbable in the short term but not impossible.

2. Yes after qualifying period. I don't think there is a lower priority.

3. Twice annually, two consecutive days, 4 hours per session. Sim is at Alteon Centre near the old BNE Intl terminal.

4. Depends upon base, from almost no overnights to almost every trip being overnight. Hours also vary with base.

5. 5000 total, 500 IFR PIC, 1500 > 5700 kg, 1000 jet > 15000 kg. 5 years or less for some.

6. It has never been any different.

Howudoin, you could try Network, better staff travel, worse aircraft, similar or better time to command, only Perth base at present, less money I believe but supposedly improving, wholly owned subsidiary

Claret, cobham have the lowest possible on load priority and not upgradable. Expect everybody else to get on before you but still not impossible to use.

Thankyou CC and GN for the replies and also those for the PM's. Very much appreciated and good to see all constructive comments thus far!

Thanks also airdualbleedfault for the advice, I have considered Network and it is not off the table completely, probably the only couple of things swaying my thoughts would be they only have a Perth base, so no chance of getting to the east coast, and having had a look at the F100 and B717 on the inside I do have to say the 71 looks like a nicer bit of kit (personal preference i guess).

Although there is the argument that flying a jet is flying a jet, doesn't really matter what it looks like, and I do hear a rumour that network could be getting some nicer equipment... I wonder if there is anyone in the know that would like to confirm it?...:E

"Is there anyone at Qlink thinking of going to Cobham?"

The issue that your going to have is that Cobham would not employ the MAJORITY of the pilots at Qlink. Cobham have relatively high standards compared to Qlink.

You don't get to just "think of it" and then "make an informed decision". You'll still have to be selected.. which my friend (based on the way you write your post) you will struggle with a great deal.. (even with all that valuable dash time!!!)

Howudoin, by all counts the McBoeing is a far better bit of kit than the FTruck, that said the Fokker is no 146 (in a good way)
My source at Notwork tells me that bigger equipment is on the cards which is completely logical considering they are using mainline NGs on 2 of the contracts, so it would almost certainly be Airbus. Of course, not everything QF do is logical.
An east coast base for them is also a strong possibility down the track

Doesn't Alliance operate a few mine contracts out of BNE for Qantas/Network at the moment?
I heard the rumour at QF that Network were getting some older 320s from Jet*
Dunno tho, didn't pay much attention at the time

Butts...no...

Alliance is only providing F100s on wet lease for the Emerald, Rocky and Mackay RPT routes (which apparently is wrapping up as the new Q400s arrive) The 717s and F100s are being used on those routes out of Brisbane while all the Dash 8s are redeployed on their 20 flights/day to Moranbah and 17+ flights/day to Roma. Network isn't the only charter airline in the Group ;)

Fuel-Off :ok:

G'day Travelator, didn't I say that but in less words? :}

Ah so, thanks Fueler, I'm way off again, my bad

Is this guy ^ for real?

Go NJS, save a spot for me.

Capt 69

I assume left seat is your goal or you would be applying for Majors. In which case you are one of the few that have worked out the numbers.

So having said that bodybags, Cobham's high standards would leave the company incident free? All those pesky faux pas recently where the drivers have entered the wrong weights into the FMS and consequently got a stick shaker into Alice...twice! Or that rejected take off out of Perth recently because again, the incorrect weights were entered and an incorrect V1 was spat out. Less said about the impact crater in Darwin the better...

Hell, QLink has had its fair share of faux pas too...but we certainly don't think ourselves as any better because we're the wholly owned subsidiary. Pull your head in and put away the pork ruler bodybags. We all fly in the same sky.

The problem here is ladies and germs is that in order to move on up in the industry in this country now is to resign and employed by another entity who coincidentally flies the same coloured tail! Years of service count for naught, seniority shot to buggery when we've got this Americanised system of corporate Australia every slowly wrapping it's tentacles around the necks of the 99% who work for a living.

Fuel-Off :ok:

And let's not forget the Darwin Hammer. Bodybags is a bad troll.

That's probably why mainline do not wish to allow Cobham to wear QF uniforms unlike SSA and EEA pilots! Just a joke.

Same tail or otherwise, when has this ever not been the case for SSA/EAA? If you want to fly a jet, get a job with a jet operator, don't wait for one to be dropped into your lap.

I understand what you are saying now claret. than cobham.

If you are looking to move on from Qlink, why not also look at Jetconnect, at least it's a 737 rating