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Merged: Qantaslink Traineeship/Cadetship/General Employment

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Old 17th Oct 2008, 00:18
  #681 (permalink)  
 
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Hang in there

Wicked shimmy,
Perhaps you are a little too pessimistic.
Have you researched how many new 400s are planned to arrive in the next year or so, and the number of new but empty pigeon holes in the crewroom?
Do you realize that for every new F/O there is normally a training requirement for an upgrade of classic F/O to 400, 400 F/O to classic command and classic command to 400 command? The training section is flat out, and the captains are working pretty hard as well.
Nothing happens overnight.
When you consider a lot of those in QL may not have got in first go, probably spent several years in GA, had an absolute minimum of 1500 hours and 500 twin, if not the 3000 or so that was the norm, and then had to serve five to six years to get a command, and then not always at their home or desired base, you may not get much sympathy from them, not that you were seeking it of course.
After too many consecutive CB-SY-CB runs, your enthusiasm may even wane a little.
Have patience and good luck.
You might even enjoy some GA experience in the meantime.
Cheers, harrowing
PS When we get a wicked shimmy in the nose wheel, we generally get a replacement for it straight away.
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Old 17th Oct 2008, 23:46
  #682 (permalink)  
 
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Are we running around in circles here?

It appears that this thread is running around in circles and people are generally rehashing.

I reiterate harrowing's words. It's been a hard slog for some of us to get into Qantaslink and some of us have had to patiently wait to get in but in the meantime we weren't sitting around on our backsides complaining about the management style.

Get out!!! Your time will come. I have come to realise in fact that when not looking work comes to you.

Finally as I have pointed out before the program is likely to continue for next 12 months at least.....it has too! Expecting 12 400's this coming year! You do the maths!

Cheers and good luck
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Old 18th Oct 2008, 00:10
  #683 (permalink)  
 
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Harrowing's right the problem at the moment is that there are new F.O's being accepted but there are not enough Training Captains to train them! Hence the delays in starting. CNS currently has only 3 F.O's for the 300's with apparently 9 waiting to be trained! Good opportunity to keep up flying skills in G.A in the meantime I guess!
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Old 18th Oct 2008, 00:54
  #684 (permalink)  
 
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we weren't sitting around on our backsides complaining about the management style
Who’s complaining? I was posing a genuine question. I am aware of the Q400s on order, but this industry has a habit of changing at very short notice. Aircraft deliveries included.

You might even enjoy some GA experience in the meantime
&
Get out!!! Your time will come
I, like many others, have ‘gotten out’ and spent a number of years in GA. There are those of us lined up for the traineeship that don’t fit in the ‘newly qualified’ box but are unable to apply for DE. Not everything is black and white. As much as I want to be an airline pilot, I am unable to quit my current job, take a huge pay cut, head up North and to put my family in a financial hole for a career which, up until now, has not been very kind.

So people, calm down and perhaps don’t tar every traineeship candidate with the same brush.
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Old 18th Oct 2008, 01:57
  #685 (permalink)  
 
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Wicked shimmy,
As the responses to your question appear to have offended you, I/we could paraphrase the replies to "YES."
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Old 18th Oct 2008, 02:22
  #686 (permalink)  
 
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Harrowing, you misunderstand me.

I am not offended, I am simply pointing out that there are a variety of differing experience levels, and personal circumstances, waiting for the traineeship to recommence. I am also saying that a question regarding the traineeship is simply that. It is not a bitch, a moan, a request for sympathy, or an invitation to be told to ‘get out’.
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Old 18th Oct 2008, 04:18
  #687 (permalink)  
 
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reply (A/L 5) to #697

Delete all above and insert:
Q1. No.
Q2. Possibly, yes.
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Old 18th Oct 2008, 05:45
  #688 (permalink)  
 
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Having done both I would like to think that 'GA' and 'Instructing' are two very very different things in what they ask of a pilot. I am assuming Wicked Shimmy that if you have spend considerable time in GA without the 250 hours of multi, then you must be an instructor??

Anybody else gotten through lately?

Got knocked back in September, maybe they don't need guys and girls that badly afterall. Funny, after that scored a job flying greater than 5.7t machines command, on better clam and working half as much! Happy Days!

j3
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Old 29th Oct 2008, 08:37
  #689 (permalink)  
 
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There is still a back log of line training to be done, especially in Sunnies. I would suggest that could be the cause of the delays.
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Old 29th Oct 2008, 22:56
  #690 (permalink)  
 
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Most crew are not particularly happy with the push for mainly trainees over the next few months to honour commitments made after the interview. This is not due to the usual trainee/cadet slanging crew but just a practical issue.

The problem we all see is that the company continues to delay many of the DE fo's start dates till next year... shortly there will be a shortage of FO's that can hold an ATPL, and thus bid on a command slot. The issue of command vs icus is irrelevant the fact is that many low hour trainees will require at least 3 years experience to gain enough hours for an ATPL.

Currently crewing is a joke, club 400 Fo's working 40-50hrs a month in sunnies, with some classic FO's hardly pushing 1-2 flights per week, Massive shortage of Training capts and line capt working in excess of 90hrs a month 8-10 overnights a roster. The catch 22 for every 400 capt they promote from a classic Capt, they then have to promote a classic fo to 400 then replace the classic fo with new hire, 4 lots of training.

Word on the street is that many capt/Checkies/Trainers are just hanging around for the bonus, and to prop up their super, so these guys will leave on mass end of next year and who will be able to take these command slots ?
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Old 30th Oct 2008, 01:06
  #691 (permalink)  
 
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It'll be the quick or the dead!

Poach, poach, poach!!!
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Old 30th Oct 2008, 04:39
  #692 (permalink)  
 
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Facts!!!!

What really pisses me off is when people, I assume not even in the organisation, speculate as to what is going on!!! I guess that's why they call it a rumour mill though!???

Duff Shark:

I have absolutely no idea where the hell you have obtained your facts. The fact is that its the 300 drivers are working their arses off. The 400 drivers are doing it pretty tough too but there is quiet a few trainees at present so checked to line FO's doing approx 40-50 hours a month.

And what are you on about regarding most crew not happy with trainees. In contrast, senior management have all noted that they are extremely happy with trainees. A practical issue??? What practical issue would this be?
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Old 31st Oct 2008, 08:57
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Tightening the belt

all current trainees that were finished/finishing the Melbourne course received a letter yesterday. it stated that they were suspending the course, and they could expect further information in march 2009, and that they could also expect another sim assessment for competitiveness next year. some of these trainees had q400 sim training booked for next week.
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Old 31st Oct 2008, 09:39
  #694 (permalink)  
 
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Still hav'nt heard a peep! Thought all applicants were going to get a "yes" or "no", shortly after the roadshows. My application must have got lost in cyberspace!
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Old 31st Oct 2008, 19:44
  #695 (permalink)  
 
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Still hav'nt heard a peep! Thought all applicants were going to get a "yes" or "no", shortly after the roadshows. My application must have got lost in cyberspace!
Don't worry, you're not the only one, and we can't update information or anything like that either..
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Old 31st Oct 2008, 23:35
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Glass,

If true, this smacks of incompetence! This thing has been a **** fight from the outset. Seems Qlink created a monster and now it’s come back to bite them in the arse. It’s just a pity it’ll effect so many hopefuls who had careers pinned on this dog!

Last edited by 1000togo; 1st Nov 2008 at 00:22.
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Old 1st Nov 2008, 00:04
  #697 (permalink)  
 
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Go to be a bit of a kick in the guts for the guys ont he course, kinda feel sorry for all concerned, and in a way kinda glad i got a knock back
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Old 1st Nov 2008, 05:24
  #698 (permalink)  
 
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Thats just the start of it, all current Qantas cadet pilots that graduated last week from Adelaide, have been told that there are no current options for them to work in Qlink or mainline as they are both full!! Such a kick in the guts also..
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Old 3rd Nov 2008, 11:04
  #699 (permalink)  
 
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There's one less trainee in the line....

Well, sounds like I was in a similar position as wicked shimmy. Gave up good paying desk job to fulfill requirements of the "Condition Offer" letter. Was left up the creek without a paddle and a family to feed. Got job with M A C A I R and am very happy. You'll all be glad to know there's one less waiting for the golden nod. There are plenty of operators out there with jobs that may not be quite as glamorous, but equally rewarding - maybe more so. I would like to thank Qlink for getting me off my arse and back into the job I love. The saab ain't no Q400, but it's a great machine and I'm working for a company where the CEO knows me by my first name (admitadly I do have to keep reminding him). I kinda like that.

Good luck to you all. Remember, the harder you work, the luckier you tend to get.
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Old 3rd Nov 2008, 19:23
  #700 (permalink)  
 
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Well done Gunn Nutt.

Quite often one door opens as another closes, but we have to make it happen. Once upon a time many people got into flying purely for the love of it. The realisation that one could not possibly fly enough to satisfy the addiction, usually led to seeking higher qualifications and ultimately that coveted first job, as humble as it may have been.

To those now suffering at the hand of poor planning and indifference by airline management, get used to it. If your love of flying is strong enough, you will eventually succeed. If your only focus is "Qantas pilot", you may still succeed (and the best of luck to you), but your career options may be somewhat narrow.
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