Virgin Blue Pilots Agreement 2
 

Now that the "revised" agreement is out, what do you think?

How many nights away per week/month can one expect??

Is this new one on www.osiris.gov.au yet? Is it this one:

V0535-VIRGIN BLUE PILOTS AGREEMENT 2000? If not, when will it be available on the above website?

Regards,
SP

certainly wont be displayed on any website. Once the EBA has been finalised then I asume it will be on it. Overnights wont change, still 8-10 per month.

Does the new agreement mean an increase in Salaries?

Do you still have to hand over 20,000 dollars to join the company

Truckmasters,

You still require a 737 type rating to get the job. How much you pay for it and where you get it from is up to you. Companies like Ryanair and Southwest employ in the same fashion.

Java, short answer, yes.

I have been fortunate enough to have read it , and considering all the factors involved I think it's fair in some areas but the wages/bonus system suck!!

It's just greed on behave of upper management as far as I am concerned. Just my opinion.:D :D

Truck Masters
Forget about getting the Type Rating in the States. The DOJ are proving very hard to deal, quite a few people, been turned back or off coursed halfway through.

Good luck anyone trying it via the U.S.

Regards
Sheep

Sheep Guts,
Definitely NOT right,
I'm in Seattle at FS Boeing doing a 737-700 command rating right now and it's all been straight forward. The approval from the DOJ takes about 7 days, as long as you have the correct background,
dearer but the most thorough and up to date.

It is worth reading the history of the dispute between Patricks and the waterfront workers.

I think it was Sun Tzu who said that you should know your enemy - because to underestimate the lengths that this person is prepared to go to would be a major mistake.

I make no judgement either way on the proposed agreement - merely point out that it is a wise man who knows who he is going to be fighting before he steps into the ring.

I imagine that this person has a number of ex AN guys chomping at the bit to get a job in Australia flying shiny new red aeroplanes - and we should not make the mistake of assuming that we are not replaceable.

Make your decisions based on your beliefs, but also make them fully aware of all the facts and circumstances - remember too that the average annual wage in Australia is about $25000.


I believe that overall we need perspective......edited because I can't spell

Capn Laptop.......some good points there BUT.

Average Australian wage A$42,000 p/a. In any case what is the relevance of this figure to pilots. The average Qantas pilots salary is MUCH higher and even that by global standards (except NZ) is appallingly low. Thus the DJ pilots should be pushing for AND receiving much better salaries.

The waterfront issue is also of limited relevance because those folks were at the other end of the scale (ie: comparative global salaries) vs. productivity.

But yes, some understanding of the mentality of the individuals concerned is a wise concept, as history should show us.

Less than QF...by a diminishing margin I would think. If the agreement is voted in and we are to constructively set out to re write the flight and duty/fatigue management rules, take the increase when international ops start, accept the professional retention bonus each year and add to that the incrimental increase in salary each year THEN comapre that to the minimal increase in QF pay over the same three year period I would think the gap is closing and the deal is not actually all that bad. I would take heed of Capt Laptop's words. Consider that a vote of "no" may well be a vote for AWA's whether want them or not.

It suprises me to hear that many pilots arte saying they will vote no and at the same time admit they haven't read the contract. Stupid is as stupid does.

I've heard on the grape vine that the new EBA includes carrying out the Maintenance Preflight as per another thread running at the moment. Can anyone confirm or deny?

As far as I am aware there is nothing specific about pre-flights, but it wouldn't be in the EBA as it is part of our normal duties, regardless of whether a LAME does a walk around as well

I said the 'Maintenance' Preflight not as per the AFM.

Why 'NO'?
 

If 'YES' means an increase in salaries, why would there be a contingent out there voting 'NO'?

SP

As there always will be there is a contingent who feel that the money is not enough and unfortunately there is also a contingent that listens to the first contingent without really knowing what the EBA says. The comapny has held numerous EBA discussion meetings as has the AFAP and very few have shown. Apathy or happy? We will see. I think the proposal is asgood as it is going to get for now. Besides it gives the pilots all the latitude in developing new flight and duty/fatigue management rules with a substantial pay rise for doing so.

Sprucie , most guys working so hard so cant attend the meetings! Remember there is backwards/forwards process in any EBA , the vote will tell if the guys accept the 1st round or not!