RFDS Queensland.
What with Network getting 2 Fokker 100's, Skywest getting 2 A320's plus I heard a little story about a B737 being based in WA for FIFO, I reckon the RFDS WA could lose a fair few pilots.
Meeka flying a PC-12 or Perth and a jet job or flying a Dash, decisions decisions.
Meeka flying a PC-12 or Perth and a jet job or flying a Dash, decisions decisions.
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RFDS WA mass exodus
Yeah, you are right, they are not about to. They are experiencing a mass exodus. When you get 4 applications for positions and even they don't meet the requirements and you still accept them. Yep, they've got problems.
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Whoooops soory 'towering Q' & others typo error there, meant to be " I don't think WA is the only section about to etc etc etc"
heard also recently that the experience level once looked upon as the highest for a prop job is getting lower & lower in order to fill the holes left behind by the more experienced guys seeking real money for a change.
Can't say as I blame them, flying is a love, but not povety!
HH I agree with yr words about the RFDS must be a better job than most but even tho some in there might be better off money wise it sure must be difficult for these guys to watch their mates who might have also once been with the RFDS streak ahead money wise. Still their choice but I know what I would do, earn it now while you can ! There are no prizes for hero's at the end of the day when yr struggling on the pension. But some will say poor old chap, he did fly for the RFDS when younger but now he's all but forgotten !
I wonder if the SE section are going to seek more money now HH?
Although I think you guys are tied up with current monies due contractual & EBA reasons correct?, can be changed am sure.
F
heard also recently that the experience level once looked upon as the highest for a prop job is getting lower & lower in order to fill the holes left behind by the more experienced guys seeking real money for a change.
Can't say as I blame them, flying is a love, but not povety!
HH I agree with yr words about the RFDS must be a better job than most but even tho some in there might be better off money wise it sure must be difficult for these guys to watch their mates who might have also once been with the RFDS streak ahead money wise. Still their choice but I know what I would do, earn it now while you can ! There are no prizes for hero's at the end of the day when yr struggling on the pension. But some will say poor old chap, he did fly for the RFDS when younger but now he's all but forgotten !
I wonder if the SE section are going to seek more money now HH?
Although I think you guys are tied up with current monies due contractual & EBA reasons correct?, can be changed am sure.
F
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Flyitboy
Mascot base of RFDS has been fighting for a new EBA for nearly 2 years without much sucess till just recently.(There is light at the end of the tunnel however a lot of damage has been done)
The revolving Door management style used by SE section has a limited life left as can be seen from the regular adverts in the Australian.
The bean counters obvisously think that recruiting and training new staff is far more economical than improving T&Cs.
Regards The Dog
Mascot base of RFDS has been fighting for a new EBA for nearly 2 years without much sucess till just recently.(There is light at the end of the tunnel however a lot of damage has been done)
The revolving Door management style used by SE section has a limited life left as can be seen from the regular adverts in the Australian.
The bean counters obvisously think that recruiting and training new staff is far more economical than improving T&Cs.
Regards The Dog
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Tnxs 'under dog' for yr input. I gather by those in the know as in actual employees of the RFDS that things are slowly improving money wise. Does the RFDS still attract the more older types these days or has that avenue dried up 'cause the airlines are taking all but the oldest & the youngest?
Seems also that there are more females in the system these days. Hear a few diff voices that ain't men !
I guess the RFDS was once an all male camp (said with tongue in cheek
) mainly cause of the harsh environments once expected in the early days, not anymore, the 'kitchen sink' has come to us now !
Sadly I gather that loyalty isn't being recognised by decent money in all sections across the RFDS. These lower paid current pilots show their acceptance to perform a task at lessor wages that's not the norm & on yr own by way of good faith and staying at one level. By that I mean little in the way of advancement on types etc.
I would have loved to have flown for the RFDS years ago but the money was never that attractive & man can't live by bread alone !
I wish you guys well to persude the boffins at the top that life should be played on a level playing field, something we rarely see these days in all sections of the flying game!
F
Seems also that there are more females in the system these days. Hear a few diff voices that ain't men !
I guess the RFDS was once an all male camp (said with tongue in cheek) mainly cause of the harsh environments once expected in the early days, not anymore, the 'kitchen sink' has come to us now !Sadly I gather that loyalty isn't being recognised by decent money in all sections across the RFDS. These lower paid current pilots show their acceptance to perform a task at lessor wages that's not the norm & on yr own by way of good faith and staying at one level. By that I mean little in the way of advancement on types etc.
I would have loved to have flown for the RFDS years ago but the money was never that attractive & man can't live by bread alone !
I wish you guys well to persude the boffins at the top that life should be played on a level playing field, something we rarely see these days in all sections of the flying game!
F
Fantastic news for the QLD guys. As an ex employee, my main motivation for leaving was, quite simply, the need to be able to provide for myself and family in retirement. On the wages available that just couldn't happen. Now it is heading in the right direction, this will probably prevent people like me who were/are dedicated to the ethos and concept of RFDS, from moving on. A stable pilot body is exactly what is required in the operation. The high minimums are required for a reason, reducing them would definately be a step in the wrong direction, as by its nature the organisation can only provide limited supervision at best. I would never suggest that an RFDS pilot be remunerated at the same level as a Doctor, but the remuneration SHOULD be the equivelent of the cost of pilots for a Regional turboprop operation ie CAPT AND F/O COMBINED. In todays market that is around 110k minimum. The job is far more demanding than the 'crew' operation faces, notwithstanding the extra duties, and lack of benefits such as staff travel. It is my belief that the Regional operation is a good benchmark for RFDS pilots and sections to aim for. Altruism only goes so far with rising interest rates, property prices, mouths to feed and increasing RPT salaries. As stated previously, CONGRATULATIONS to RFDS Qld management for recognising the value of their (pilot) resource, and not stalling with protracted morale damaging negotiations (S/E Section..) but there is still room for improvement. I would suggest that if a Regional salary benchmark was applied, the savings made with a stable dedicated and motivated workforce with subsequent reduced training liability would more than offset the 110k minimum. 
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"C to L" Nice words there.
It would be just wonderful to have that sought of money you suggested paid to ALL RFDS pilots ozzy wide but sadly it ain't so The RFDS task/job is great, none better in the GA world but money is fast becoming the major issue now at the expense of experience. The money currently being offered at the SE section sounds good to the lower experienced guys/gals & that's about all they are attracting these days & for other obvious reasons. The older more mature ones that would like to stay 'cause it's the best flying job around simply have trouble swallowing the fact that their being paid the lowest for the same expertese as elsewhere.
I love flying, always have, but that comes at a cost these days by way of feeling less important than my bros.
CW
It would be just wonderful to have that sought of money you suggested paid to ALL RFDS pilots ozzy wide but sadly it ain't so
The RFDS task/job is great, none better in the GA world but money is fast becoming the major issue now at the expense of experience. The money currently being offered at the SE section sounds good to the lower experienced guys/gals & that's about all they are attracting these days & for other obvious reasons. The older more mature ones that would like to stay 'cause it's the best flying job around simply have trouble swallowing the fact that their being paid the lowest for the same expertese as elsewhere.I love flying, always have, but that comes at a cost these days by way of feeling less important than my bros.
CW
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by way of feeling less important than my bros.
With the scrapping of work choices and the Rudd government in power, perhaps what we should be aiming for is an "aeromedical award' encompassing both fixed wing and rotary! At leat that way there would be pay parity between all RFDS sections and other aeromedical operators.
Howard et al - the concept of a standard Aeromedical Award -(A and H) is a great idea. If you added together the sum total of RFDS (all sections), NTAMS and then all the Rotary Pilots employed on dedicated EMS duties, you are talking a quite sizeable group of personnel. You can compare standards of equipment ie SPIFR BE20 with AW139/B212/BK117 and find they all fit 'approx' the same weight bracket with similar equipment levels. Extra duties of pilots are similar, and the operational challenges, although type specific, call for a similar level of expertise, albeit with different skill sets. True there are less RW pilots than FW, but the job is 'essentially' the same. (I have reasonable RW experience too, so feel qualfied to pass this observation). I believe that CHC pilots have just gained a substantial payrise, and they probably have the highest number of dedicated R/W EMS pilots as an organisation (happy to be corrected on that). That salary would be a good benchmark to aim for as the basis for an Aeromed award. I believe there is an annual aeromed conference these days, which could be a good platform to launch the concept, with the assistance of the AFAP (make them earn there 1%). RFDS QLD management appear to have recognised change is in the air, its about time all the other sections were dragged into reality also. Quality conditions equals quality employees who, unlike most of the management, will remain dedicted to the organisation for the remainder of their careers, with the organisation reaping the benefits. Aeromed pilots of all types are a valuable ASSET to the community and the nation, the same as the nurses, doctors, paramedics etc that are all involved. Its time that this was realised.
