Haven't heard that one but I don't have a dog, so maybe I'm out of the loop.

I have heard that Bain would be interested in at least a part trade sale which would underpin the IPO. Obviously the two potential candidates are Qatar or Singapore. Experience would suggest either would be fine but both would be a worry. Without a part trade sale, it is likely Bain will have to hold onto a larger share for a longer period than they really want to.

Looks like Virgin isn’t part of the first group getting 737M vertical stab fixes done this month. Qatar and Southwest seem to have priority. Got to keep the big spenders happy first I guess.

Seems like the earliest they will get it will be late July, assuming they get a slot next month.

Will be interesting to see if the Japan authorities give them some leeway or just take the slot away. Virgin has asked for extensions numerous times, doubt they will have much patience left. Sounds like one route might become a bigger distraction vs originally thought, might be better to just ditch the dream and move on.

Looks like the Queensland Taxpayer subsidies may have to be handed back to the Queensland Government if Bain aren't willing to go through the trouble of using their mentioned back-up plans (the 700s) for CNS-HND.
CNS-HND is one of the Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) subsidised routes funded by the Queensland taxpayers, along with QF's BNE-HND which is also taxpayer funded.

VHVBY is currently in Abu Dhabi for Heavy Check. I assume they will also be doing whatever is necessary to make the aircraft ready for these flights.

Customers will be in for a rude shock.

8 hours in a rattling 18 year old -700, no IFE, no power, no USB, 30' seat pitch, 2 bathrooms, original Virgin Blue seats.

I mean, sign me up right now.

(in all seriousness surely they could not subject that horror to passengers)

Sadly, it seems that the reason for the postponement of the IPO roadshow was the terminal illness of Jayne Hrdlicka's husband Jason Gaudin who has now passed away.

Who the **** announces their partners death on linkedin? What a narccist, what a vile human she is.

Dude, take a chill pill. This would have been one of her comms team, and fair enough. In the current circumstances as they await an IPO all sorts of rubbish would swirl as to why she's not in the office if they didn't come out and say so. Like or loathe her, it's a hugely traumatic time for the family, so cut them some slack.

Good call!

Dude, no chill pill required, if I were any more chill I'd be in the middle of Melbourne in my jocks on a winters day.

​​​​​​​I think not, it was her personal account in her words, vile, obnoxious person.

Interesting announcement today that management has put forward to unions to enter early negotiations for the pilot body. Current EBA expires June 2024.

Looks like Al Baker / Qatar indirectly hasn't exactly ruled out taking an equity stake in VA in the future, although there have been no formal discussions.

Paywall article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...haul#xj4y7vzkg

So over the road at QF, they have just had 2017 joiners awarded wide body FO slots. They have also had 2022 joiners awarded any narrow body base they want. There is progression and opportunity out there at every airline in Aus except for VA. The mind boggles why anyone would want to join VA at this point. It's only suitable if you want to be a career FO out of Sydney or Melbourne on a 737, working your ring off for just above award pay.

Its been like that forever at the sheltered workshop. Captains couldnt bid back to be widebody FO's fast enough when they had 777's. If they ever get widebodys again it will be exaclty the same. Virgin is a career for the top of the seniorty list (as is their right) or the lucky few who get to milk the system ......anyone else is expected to sit there and STFU.

So are you saying that I will get a faster narrow body command at QF (subsidiaries not included) in Sydney/Melbourne or Brisbane than at VA? Or are you just saying it would be a better place to be a career FO.

I think the most junior narrow body Captain at QF just awarded a slot is a 2007 join date. Make of that what you will.

The sweet spot for new joining FOs was around 2006-08, that was seen across the board, including myself in another mob, was only 5 years. Some of my old colleagues who joined VA in 2011/12 are still waiting and they think still have another 5 years to wait.

When do quick upgrades return? Well it doesn’t appear anytime soon. Having a look at some data recently, 2030s onwards certainly look like things will move on a bit. The next generation of pilots, ie those getting a license in the coming years, will have pretty good careers with very little wait required.

Virgin Management’s incompetence has probably cost FOs about a decade unfortunately.

The time to command was always going to reduce because of the ~ten year gap between consecutive numbers (2008/2018) But it will blow out to 20+ years again. Also note that the QF shorthaul fleet is projected to shrink, so time to command will likely stretch way beyond the already unattractive two decades. In fact there may be some pilots who may never see a command, although it is hard to make predictions, especially about the future. *

* Casey Stengel

I mean are you better off going to Rex and building up the conditions, but having access to a very quick command, and therefore better earning potential in the long run. Or does being an FO for x many years to come still outstrip what the command will earn you at the other. 10+ years to command for me would be beyond my set retirement date and a paycut, so not that appealing, but I spose if you are young.