Let’s be brutally honest here. The recruitment system is really not merit based. Everybody puts their best foot forward when they go through the process, but the people running around with their HR degrees select a number of pilot applicants based on a number of criteria. They select some GA, military, airline, internals and even some based on gender. That’s how it works. I know of internal check and trainers who “lacked merit” to become mainline SOs. Does that make sense? Of coarse not. It’s just a HR driven process. Just be persistent and keep applying. Your not a better or worse pilot than any others who get in, so don’t beat yourself up about it. And remember, there is life outside of Qantas.

I had a think about it and I don't think it's a good idea to reply back. Recruitment are no doubt busy and the last thing they need is an email from an unsuccessful candidate asking for feedback when their email clearly stated it wasn't available. I think I know what to do and will work on some improvements and hopefully reapply in a year or two if recruitment is open.

Does anybody have any insight as to why the monthly intakes are becoming "smaller than planned?" Is there, for example, a bottleneck in the training department, or is there no need for a large volume of new SOs at the moment?

I'm hearing an increase in hour requirements including multi crew. Pilots that attended the Qlink roadshow were asked why they weren't applying to Qlink and they answered because mainline was hiring.
It took them long enough to figure out that if you hire G.A guys and gals straight into mainline there will be no one to fill other positions like Qlink and other subsidiaries. 👏🏼

Anybody else heard of the increase in hour requirements?

Have heard similar rumours from qlink Pilots.

I assume their thinking is if they exclude ga pilots from mainline, they will want to work for qlink, which is not the case.
Qlink will become purely a stepping stone for people who never really wanted to be there in the first place, and will leave first chance they get.

That's was Qlink has been for the last +10 years. They've always been well aware of it too.

Flyboy you seem to be in the know.

What percentage of Australian regional pilots want to work for a larger carrier, and what percentage of GA pilots would choose to follow that path via the regionals? Where do GA pilots want to work?

If they don’t really have a choice then the question is moot.

In the past, the door to mainline for qlink Pilots has been shut, from my understanding. It’s currently open with qlink drivers getting start dates with mainline, sometimes with long waits as qlink is becoming understaffed.
Will this door stay open in the next 5-10 years?

Yes qlink are aware that they’ve been a stepping stone, but a stepping stone for other carriers which I don’t think they’ve been too impressed with, but they can’t blame pilots for leaving for cathay/Middle East.

As for where do ga pilots want to work? Mixed bag. But since VA has reduced minimums with hiring advertised for next year, i’ve spoken to quite a few pilots who have switched their cover letters from qlink to virgin.

Btw, the minimum I heard was time on aircraft plus 13 tonne.

is there still a january course?

how about february?

From what I can gather there still is, but they are running smaller courses than originally planned.

‘Smaller courses’ if/ when they occur are likely to be due more to training capacity than need.

Merry Christmas everyone. 2018 is likely to be another positive year for Qantas.

Happy new year everyone.

It sounds like a positive kick-off to the new year with start dates awarded for Feb/Mar training courses on the 330 and Jumbo. Is anyone in the know on how many in a course/how often they'll run?

ILC

I’ve heard 13 courses this year.... evenly spaced throughout the year

Does anybody know how start dates are allocated (once on the hold file)?

From what I’ve heard the “official” answer is that newly-processed successful applicants are placed at the bottom of the hold file; start dates are offered “from the top down”.

but.... again anecdotally.... it’s not always that simple....🤔

Are assessment days still being run or have they gone through the whole list?

Did anyone who was unsuccessful get any feedback after their assessment day, like we were told we would prior to attending?

And after they've studied for the aptitude test maybe they can brush up on their customer service skills on how to manage a restaurant when **** hits the fan...