Cobham sign 10 year extension for B717 Operation
 

Just saw the media release, 10 year extension on QF B717 contract starting 1 January 2017

Worth, I believe some $900M....

So, how old will the 717s be in 2027??

Just found a few on FR24. NXM is 14 years old, NXH and NXG are both 16 according to the site.

https://www.planespotters.net/produc...urrent&sort=ln

Oldest is 16, youngest is 10.

Does anyone know when Sunstate/Easterns are getting the C-Series?

Out of interest - why would Qantas outsource this? why not use Qantas pilots & crew?

Probably not within the next 10years.

$$$$ and leverage.

It seems that a lot of Cobham pilots were hoping that Qantas would take the B717 operation in house. Since the announcement I have only heard expressions of disappointment, no excitement. There appear to be fears that the bid was so low that Qantas could not refuse and that conditions can only go downhill.

Most of the disappointment stems from another 10 years of Cobham disfunctional out of touch management.

I wouldn't expect much out of the company in the next EBA negotiation. The 'efficiencies' that Cobham committed to have to come from somewhere. :ugh:

From an engineering view the news has been widely accepted as very good news. 600 jobs dependant on this contract and to secure most of them for 10 years surely can't be seen as anything other than good news.
Not sure what the job situation for pilots and airline positions in Australia is but its dire from an engineers point of view. Admittedly it comes at a cost of lowering conditions but have a look around everywhere and it's a common theme

I wonder if that was in the belief that there'd be a 50% + pay increase and, don't get too excited, REAL staff travel? :ugh:

In 10 years the oldest 717 will still be younger than the youngest nutwork F100 is today, so that's good

No I think your way off the mark CC. I'm sure some had those ambitious hopes though.

My phone has been running hot since they announced the 10 year deal and despite the obvious and very large upside, no one appears happy. They very much wanted to have been taken in house to some degree by now.

Out of the numerous telephone calls I have had since the announcement, a couple of themes have become clear. Almost every employee wanted to see an end to the Cobham managers, and not one of them wanted to earn more or receive additional perks as a result of being in housed.

We are bracing ourselves for yet another round of efficiency demands, and just in time for EBA talks to begin around years end.

The question on everyone's lips now is: how low did Cobham go to secure this and how much is it going to cost me?

It doesn't have to cost the crew anything. They must stand firm. The deal made is between the company and Qantas, not the crew and Qantas.
If you stand firm it might mean the company walks away from it and you get what you wanted anyway.

I think you'll find that the night freight operation is funding a large portion of the "savings"!

Blitzkreiger, I joined NJS in 1995 and for the next 12 years there were constant talks/rumours about the operation being taken in-house by QF, just as there were always those (like someone called Flying White Rat) who were predicting the demise of the Qantaslink operation (by NJS). Yet it continues, the operation, the rumours, the hopes and the same management. Just bear in mind that you will always find idiot/incompetent/self-serving management wherever you go. I have what I consider the best job there is in aviation yet I suffer what could be described as the most incompetent management on this planet. It is always a compromise. As useless as they were and apparently continue to be, your management have organised another 10 years of secure employment. When/if pressure is put on your terms and conditions then you have options/choices, not always good ones but choices all the same. And never believe that it can't get any worse!