Interesting times
 

Transtasman 'domestic' routes could cut fares 30pc - report

9:05AM Sunday Feb 22, 2009

SYDNEY - Transtasman flights are set to be reclassified as domestic routes, removing stringent immigration procedures and cutting fares by up to 30 per cent, according to an Australian website.
Quarantine, security and immigration issues have to be addressed to make the route a common border.
An Open Skies bilateral agreement is already in place, relaxing the rules for carriers flying between the two countries.
After two years of discussions, Australian and New Zealand customs are planning trials to clear passengers before they board flights between the countries.
Three Australian automated border processing "smartgate" kiosks were installed at Auckland International Airport last September to speed up entry into Australia.
Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar and Pacific Blue believe the move could result in fares being cut by up to 30 per cent, the website said.

The trials will look at creating a clearance system similar to those used for passengers travelling from Canada into the United States and in Europe across European Union countries.
Once they are cleared at their point of origin passengers enter any port as a domestic visitor.

I was saying that the 787 did not make sense on trans Tasman routes. I did not even stop to consider that it might not be for Trans Tasman ops. Kiwi engineer later pointed this out. Interesting stuff.

JC pilots couldn't fly 787
 

20 years ago a pilot of a Saab 340, new to NZ skys, said the same thing to me about his bucket of bolts.

I would love to see the evidence that the 787 will not get East coast Aus-west coast USA. The 747 400er and 777er do it and this aircraft is meant to be ultra long haul..........i.e it should p*ss in. There will be a lot of cancelled orders if this is the case. personally I reckon the rumour is just that.:rolleyes:

So whats happening?
Does anyone know of boys/girls with Jetstar interviews coming up?

I heard the pay is not too flash compared to Australian conditions.

$70,000 NZ - 15,000 rating payback = $55,000 NZ for a Co-pilot

Dont think there is the same Australian superanuation scheme and very few allowances.

Captains and F/A's same modest pay, something to watch with the Tasman becoming a domestic sector? Jetstar NZ planes flying to AUZ and doing 3-4 days of domestic sectors and then comming home?

I am thinking this will be the result too and Pac Blue might follow suit.

Not after Air NZ buys Virgin.......................

Air NZ buying Virgin ?

I think there are still some bad memories over the last time NZ ventured into the purchasing of a major Australian carrier.

This time around, I don't think there's enough cash within the Air NZ coffers for an outright purchase. Can't see this current NZ government bailing them out again.

Terronnd its a nice idea mate:ok:
Air NZ would have a LCC again to compete with Jetstar.

I think Dale is right though. Its too risky, and all a bit close to home.

Doubtful AirNz will buy Virgin.... Can't even run the bleeding thing

Seems that at least one union is making a public stance on this...

Where is ALPA ( AKA air nz boys club) during this then?

Probably not the best of ideas. I think enough blood has been spilt and lessons learnt for one lifetime.

JQ/DJ/NZ. Interesting times ahead for the NZ market. Given the cost base of the LCC's, I wish NZ well. :hmm:

Hey Horserun...you an ALPA member?
You a Union rep?
If not why not?
The Union is you (if you're a member)
If you're not happy with what's going on, pull finger and do something about it!
It's much less of an Air NZ club than it ued to be...just ask the Mt Cook and Air Nelson and Jetconnect guys (all of whose own ALPA pilots did most of the work but with valuable assistance from the ALPA organization)
You guys who grizzle about ALPA being an "Air NZ Union" piss me off. Only about half the members are employed by Air NZ mainline.

Im in ALPA, and have been for 10 years now.

Go to any ALPA meeting and compare how much time is spent talking about Air NZ, compared to everyone else!!!

Would be nice if ALPA made a similar statement to reinforce what the EPMU said.

While it may seem nicely idealistic to have ALPA or whomever say the rates are abysmal, it will be water off a ducks back to Jetstar if they have people lining up for jobs. I also think it is pretty easy to sit back and criticise someone for taking one of those jobs when you are safely employed in a higher paid one. I suspect the best course of action may end up being similar to the one the Jetconnect guys fought. By this I mean fight from the inside when you have a tad more bargaining power than as a prospective employee.

BMDA....exactly what I said at the beginning of the Jetstar NZ pay thread. There are plenty of precidents.....it's not the ideal way for it to happen but these are not ideal times.

Not an easy war to fight but if you read the latest ALPA presidents message (should be in your inbox today), at least ALPA and the two Aussie unions are not sitting on their hands.
The only way to enhance job opportunities and T&C's for EVERYBODY, is to work TOGETHER rather than bitch at each other.