All ranks, SO inc.. To where ever takes it up. ... the usa for one

That's exactly what it means.

Over 65s, in all ranks, have been given the choice of transferring to short haul (737) or retirement.

Fathom....
 

Yes, that's the scuttlebutt.

It sounds like USA, Japan, Singapore & Europe are about to enact rules that NO one over 65 can fly in their airspace as part of pilot crew. Fairly limiting for Oz's international airlines.

On the up side (from my perspective) it will prevent the choice some have made to "demote" from the left to the right seat when they hit 65 in order to keep flying internationally with seniority to boot; the knock-on effect of which has been even greater stagnation in progression.:hmm:

Even more reason to start planning for one's transition to retirement as the sun more predictably sets on a career.:ok:

Not sure why you'd want to come to jq as 787 SO. If QF decide to recruit it would be my choice in your position. Im half way up JQs list and I'd be going there if I was given opportunity.

The Qantas cadets who have been on industry placement in airlines like QantasLink for the last 8-10 years are hearing increasing rumours of Qantas finally taking them in when they do hire. There's about 40-50 of them. So yeah don't count on Qantas unless you're one of those guys.

I hope they don't mind sitting in the backseat for 8-10 years!

I'm sure they won't mind getting paid to sit back and watch. Most of them are in their early 30s. They have plenty of time.

Based on the change in direction that the bumbling Qantas management are finally taking this company. I predict (IMHO) that there will be a sizable increase in the number of aircraft and thus the requirement for a lot more pilots. I believe that the current S/O's who have had their career stagnated by the poor management decisions will spend minimum time as F/O's before being promoted to Captain. Also, the new hires who get in early will spend minimal time as S/O's, so, everyone who is interested in getting a job with Qantas should be sending in updated resume's now and try to get selected as early as possible.

This cyclical nature of the airline industry has happened since airlines first formed so it's not rocket science - those who get in at the beginning of a large recruitment end up being "senior" in rank during the periods of stagnation throughout their career and thus enjoy the best opportunities. With it likely that QF will be the only Oz airline expanding, it will probably offer the best career prospects (Virgin & Jetstar have a lot of youngish captains who won't be retiring for a number of years so movement in those companies will be slow).

78ZH,

Looks like JQ NZ are now hiring! Good luck to all, I'm still trying to get a flight test sorted:ugh hopefully I won't be far away from submitting my application too!!

“….the tens of millions is made redundant by the fact that the competition carry an S/O or extra F/O”

Its been mentioned before wrt QF second officer costs. QF may roster SO’s on services where the opposition flies a similar city pair using FO’s, however in most cases, a QF second officer would be a greater cost burden to QF than an FO at other airlines. A QF SO would be a greater cost burden than a captain at other airlines in many markets served by QF.