Speaking to a connection, few airlines are prepared to accept the shortage is demographic and structural: The model they ascribe to, which has held for a few decades, is that supply of pilots is unlimited. Hence the HR/IR model is predicated that a continued downwards pressure can be exerted on labour cost.

It is highly likely that they have not even considered a real crew shortage and if they have, they ignore it as pilots enmasse are yet to understand the structural nature of the shortage. Perhaps they are focused on using it as leverage against pilots in the 'group' in general. Perhaps crewing it is secondary.

They spare no expense to save money...Particularly when Clifford on down see labour not as an asset, but an impediment. Funny when airlines are the biggest team sport there is...

Network has a few captains that had previous airbus experiences (Asian mainly) so suspect that would go part of the way. May be a few ‘mates of mates’ willing to come home for the money being offered. Not sure they’ll find enough to crew an expanded fleet.

They will struggle to crew it with the pay they are offering. Last I heard it went from “there will be a pay increase for the 320” to now management walking around the crew room asking who is willing to fly it for the same money as they currently getting on the F100 because there will be no pay increase.

So now they can cry poor and say “we can’t get crew for it! Pilot shortage! We need expats to come save the day!”

Great for the bottom line as you’ve got import crew flying A320s around on F100 money and the race to the bottom continues....🤢

It comes down to a matter of trust. I’m all up for a bunch that just took $350 mil out of the kitty for their own personal endeavours to make Qantas great again.....:ugh:

And now that’s complete, the share price is mysteriously going south, Clifford is banging onto the government about foreign investment, captain upgrades at qantas are soon to be beyond 20 years, and mr Joyce continues to be unable to order a single jet for Qf, so nothing has changed there during his tenure as CEO.

Tough gig running an airline. TRUST ME.

With the ZK-*** 738s becoming VH-***'s whats the chance we will see QLink A320's on the Tasman down the track with contracted crew from JetConnect.

You’re at an airline that guys make entire careers out of. Why does 20 years surprise you?

Honestly who would bother coming to Australia with the cash on offer and opportunities elsewhere around the world?

Life is good in Aus.

Thats why!

That all depends on one’s point of view.

I honestly don’t think you’re going to get as many expat takers given what is on offer elsewhere in the world.

Ah, no. Unfortunately no announcement as yet on specific pay for the A320. This is incredible since the type is now confirmed for an April start!

Which managers are saying this? There are those who enjoy stirring up **** but who are not involved in pay related matters so I wouldn’t listen to them. Company is currently negotiating pay. Network has always paid roughly the market rate at least for base pay. It’s the extras that are missing. Hopefully in this case the same will apply at a minimum.

Why are Australians so damned fat now?

Sorry, can't be bluffed on the lifestyle thing. I have done both. Well paid domestic airline pilot and well paid expat. I know the attractions of the Australian lifestyle and it needs to be built around a good job and no ridiculous housing debt.

Given that the current Network Chief Pilot has operated the 320 under the JQ Award in the past, I would have thought that would be a good starting point for Network. Anything less and he is taking the piss out of the troops.

Agreed, but the pay generally isn’t up to the CP is it? They get told this is the rate, go forth and inform!

To IR all this is predicated on unlimited supply, they have control and to sit in the corner office means you surrender control of email, message. You tell the story they want told.

Tru

However - Was referring to many Aus expats returning home. Of which Nwk has many😉

Yep spot on...must be hard to get the backing of the troops though selling that kind of message!

I guess new joiner Captains would have to start on the F100 and no way one could get on to the 320 as a DEC.

Volare,

There’s no seniority at network. The 320s will become toys for the boys.

Thanks Goblin. So I guess that means NO !!!

If you have previous A320 check and training Volare, that would be a definite maybe