Seems there are pilots on this forum from Cobham blaming management for the fact they are being screwed. Face facts guys. Qantas pull the strings not Cobham. If you think you are so valuable them try getting a job on mainline. My guess is that most at Cobham are lucky to be there so suck it up or leave...

Bella3, with the greatest of respect, I feel I must correct you on a couple of points.

Cobham pilots work for Cobham, they all have a contract with Cobham, one which was signed by Cobham and the pilot representatives; Qantas is not a signatory to that particular contract.

The particulars of the deal done between Cobham and Qantas are commercial in confidence and therefore not our business. If Cobham secured the contract (and I say if) by assuming a certain amount of give from the pilots, without the pilots consent, it is a problem wholly owned by Cobham and not one for the pilots to deal with. Cobham pull the strings.

The pilots I speak to are a little tired of the "it's better to beg forgiveness than ask permission" approach when it comes to matters EBA, and are bracing themselves for a very determined attack in the coming weeks.

Suck it up or leave? Sadly many are opting for the latter.

Apparently the "commitments to OTP" come with some pretty big financial penalities for non-compliance. One of the reasons that QF kept the work 'outside of the group'.

People attributing QANTAS taking something "in house" by getting Qantaslink (Sunstate/Eastern) to operate/maintain the aircraft is akin to Ireland being British. Call it what ever you will, Qantaslink is no more Qantas than Cobham except for some computer systems and a word in front of the "link".

We must pay a thanks to the Qantaslink guys in Canberra who have helped make the decision easy. Thanks boys. As for the B717, sure ain't going to last 10 years. I'm guessing the new type implementation will be coming along in the near future.

So hopefully all you Cobham crew, Pilots and engineers alike realise you have dodged a bullet. Link is definitely not Qantas.

That's strange, I thought the dash operation was actually part of the Qantas Group. Unlike Cobham. Which is a completely different company.

Blitzkrieger
Not trying to be funny, but ...Cobham is a contract company and the goal posts have shifted very dramatically over the past few years..and Pilots are employees not employers, always remember that
Instead of listening to your own press its time to realise the game has shifted.
There are hundreds of Pilots on the sidelines waiting for those that pull the pin and Cobham know that.
Cobham isn't Qantas and never will be. So forget about getting the same pull as a Pilot. No doubt they had to bend over backwards to get that extension. But as a Contract company they wanted and need that contract for a multitude of reasons and they have very little bargaining power in my opinion.
Don't want to get into a slanging match but really I say shut up or leave, the choice is there for all the Pilots, but my guess is reality will bite.

Fonz, for some obscure reason and contrary to numerous attempts to correct their thinking, some on here cannot see past the name. If its the same name it must be the same company.

Also, since when does Cobham have to ask for Pilots permission or consent to gain a contract that makes money for them and secures almost 600 jobs. It shows a typical prima donna attitude that certain Pilots seem to have.
Cheers.

Do Cobham pilots tell their family members that they work for Qantas or that they are Qantas pilots?

I doubt it considering they wear a uniform saying "Cobham". The flight attendants on the other hand, different story.

Not for long. They'll be part of the white hat brigade soon enough.

Depends how clued in the family members are... if you want the long version for something to talk about, you say Cobham, and then answer the 101 questions that follow afterwards after they ask who are "Cob Ham"?

Who cares what they call themselves. If you contract thru say Rishworths to Korean your a Korean Air pilot.
If it quacks like a duck......

You Are indeed.

....does it get paid like a duck?

If you fly for Korean air under contract you are flying with Korean air aircraft, pilots and cabin crew, last I checked that's not the case with Cobham, apples and coconuts

When is Qantas Qantas?

If your a fare paying member of the public then its anytime there is a roo on the tail.

If your in the industry then it depends on your EBA.

What do Cobham call themselves? If they are talking to the fare paying public I would guess Qantas, maybe Qantas link. Others in the industry? probably Cobham. Its not that complicated is it?
The public dont care what EBA your on, they just want to know if you ever fly them to x when they travel?

Do they get paid the same as mainline? I dont know what the mainline B717 pay scale is. Is there one? I doubt it.

Does anyone outside the industry really really care? I doubt it.

One would be forgiven for thinking that a 10 year contract extension would be grounds for celebration and congratulations. After all, for most involved except engineering, this has been a wonderful outcome and considerable job security!
But as always, the appendage measuring gets involved and the mud slinging follows!

Only in Australia!

Until they find their relatives in a smoking hole in the ground somewhere then suddenly the blowtorch is applied to the 'contract' crewing arrangements just like in the US with the Colgan crash.

The feeling I get from the Cobham pilots I talk to from my neck of the woods is they are all gearing up for a bloody battle once EBA negotiations come around. Many are fed up with the many loopholes in the current EBA and will be fighting for positive improvements and protections going forward. It's time to all get on the same page and begin preparations for that battle. Regardless of which union you belong to, a united pilot group is essential. Let Cobham management find their planned further 'efficiencies' elsewhere!