Qantaslink & Rex how long have they got left?
Gidday Howard.
Would've responded earlier but I have been away and working like a dog. Lot of that going on lately.
Sorry that you didn't get through. anyone can have a bad day in the Sim, and I do mean anyone! Hopefully you have gone on to better things. But I think you are right, the standard, although fairly strictly applied is probably no tougher than elsewhere. Problem is we are now seeing people fail not only their Check to Line in a much greater ratio than previously, but more are not coming up to standard in the initial endorsement. This is a huge problem for REX, and highlights the decimation of Australian General Aviation. Driven in part by years of substandard Wages and Conditions. During this period most operators (Including the Regionals and Majors) have embraced the "keep Wages and Conitions Low" philosophy, and we are now seeing the fruits of their labour!
Metro Man,
Just lowering the standards to fit in with the supply problem is not a solution either. I think you'll find that CASA have to approve such changes, and they are unlikely to stick their necks out on that one (and who can blame them).
So will REX survive?
Possibly, but it will be a much smaller operation than it is today.
My prediction:
Best case: In 12 months, approximately half the size it is today! The economies of scale that the business has enjoyed will disappear, and the price of the average regional ticket will be closer to what it was 10 years ago (basically double to what it is today). A reduction of at least 50% in regional frequency with some routes, although profitable, disappearing altogether so that the prime ones may survive.
Worst case: REX will fold because of a chronic lack of skilled flight crew.
In either case, it will be the travelling public that will ultimately pay the price.
Would've responded earlier but I have been away and working like a dog. Lot of that going on lately.
Sorry that you didn't get through. anyone can have a bad day in the Sim, and I do mean anyone! Hopefully you have gone on to better things. But I think you are right, the standard, although fairly strictly applied is probably no tougher than elsewhere. Problem is we are now seeing people fail not only their Check to Line in a much greater ratio than previously, but more are not coming up to standard in the initial endorsement. This is a huge problem for REX, and highlights the decimation of Australian General Aviation. Driven in part by years of substandard Wages and Conditions. During this period most operators (Including the Regionals and Majors) have embraced the "keep Wages and Conitions Low" philosophy, and we are now seeing the fruits of their labour!
Metro Man,
Just lowering the standards to fit in with the supply problem is not a solution either. I think you'll find that CASA have to approve such changes, and they are unlikely to stick their necks out on that one (and who can blame them).
So will REX survive?
Possibly, but it will be a much smaller operation than it is today.
My prediction:
Best case: In 12 months, approximately half the size it is today! The economies of scale that the business has enjoyed will disappear, and the price of the average regional ticket will be closer to what it was 10 years ago (basically double to what it is today). A reduction of at least 50% in regional frequency with some routes, although profitable, disappearing altogether so that the prime ones may survive.
Worst case: REX will fold because of a chronic lack of skilled flight crew.
In either case, it will be the travelling public that will ultimately pay the price.
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
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In 12 months, approximately half the size it is today!
A few short years ago, when there was a huge surplus of pilots REX could be fussy even with their poor terms and conditions. A bit like an ugly girl in a mining town where men out number women six to one, they still get regular pick up attempts.
Now the job market has changed, it's as if the paper bag job has moved to Surfers and is sitting in Shooters bar surrounded by Bay Watch material, yet still expects to go home with Brad Pitt.
Get real REX, you aren't a plum job anymore. If you expect to pay F/Os the same as check out chicks you deserve to close.
Now the job market has changed, it's as if the paper bag job has moved to Surfers and is sitting in Shooters bar surrounded by Bay Watch material, yet still expects to go home with Brad Pitt.
Get real REX, you aren't a plum job anymore. If you expect to pay F/Os the same as check out chicks you deserve to close.
Join Date: Oct 2005
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From what I hear, and have no reason to disbelieve, Rex rely primarily on the applicants performance in the sim ride. They are putting people without any turbine time, nor the need for such, into the sim straight up (after an hours practise..at the applicants expense) and expecting them to shoot approaches to minimas in an aircraft much faster and quite foreign to them. The buddy for the exercise can be a guy who has just failed his sim appraisal and having known he has failed, doesn't give a rats. Any misjudgement or error is a fail. THEN they go to the interview with a big cross in the box for bombing the sim ride!! They pass the interview (After having to explain the P Factor to a flight attendant!!) with high distinctions but are not accepted because of the sim bomb out. HOWEVER two weeks later they are asked to come back and have another go at the sim ride...albeit at their expense. These are pilots with a lot of experience in SPIFR in very tough conditions and remote areas and often hold Chief Pilot delegations. Rex should take a long hard look at how they conduct themselves in this area and take a page from a certain operators book from WA (Not Skippers).
