RFDS roster patterns - commuting viability
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2026
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Australia
RFDS roster patterns - commuting viability
G’day all,
Current DHC-6 Capt looking at making the jump to RFDS, likely QLD or WA ops. Trying to get my head around the roster reality before I pull the trigger on an EOI.
Situation: Partners job requires them being based in BNE/PER and I’d be looking to commute back 2-3 times per month if based elsewhere. Happy to jumpseat/commercial on days off.
Questions for current/ex-RFDS pilots:
Roster pattern – What are the common rosters running at the moment? Any bases more commute-friendly than others?
Days off blocks – Do you actually get usable blocks of 4+ days, or is it lots of 1-2 day breaks that make commuting pointless?
Base differences – Any intel on QLD vs WA?
Commute culture – Are there guys successfully commuting to capital cities, or does everyone just relocate? Any bases where management is more/less flexible?
Not after state secrets. Just trying to work out if I’m setting myself + partner up for failure taking a job where I can’t get home regularly.
Cheers
Current DHC-6 Capt looking at making the jump to RFDS, likely QLD or WA ops. Trying to get my head around the roster reality before I pull the trigger on an EOI.
Situation: Partners job requires them being based in BNE/PER and I’d be looking to commute back 2-3 times per month if based elsewhere. Happy to jumpseat/commercial on days off.
Questions for current/ex-RFDS pilots:
Roster pattern – What are the common rosters running at the moment? Any bases more commute-friendly than others?
Days off blocks – Do you actually get usable blocks of 4+ days, or is it lots of 1-2 day breaks that make commuting pointless?
Base differences – Any intel on QLD vs WA?
Commute culture – Are there guys successfully commuting to capital cities, or does everyone just relocate? Any bases where management is more/less flexible?
Not after state secrets. Just trying to work out if I’m setting myself + partner up for failure taking a job where I can’t get home regularly.
Cheers
Joined: Jun 2006
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,701
Likes: 793
From: 3rd rock from the sun
I can’t speak for WA, but in my experience, it would be extremely difficult to do.
First of all, I’m not sure how you’re going to jumpseat on a commercial flight, because you don’t work for the airline. Secondly, fatigue wise, I think you’d be setting yourself up for a very tiring commute and it will burn you out in no time. Especially when some of the bases only see 1-2 flights a day, if that.
First of all, I’m not sure how you’re going to jumpseat on a commercial flight, because you don’t work for the airline. Secondly, fatigue wise, I think you’d be setting yourself up for a very tiring commute and it will burn you out in no time. Especially when some of the bases only see 1-2 flights a day, if that.
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Australia
I'd stay far far away from RFDS WA. Have heard nothing but trouble with the way the management operates. I personally know of 2 very experienced and all round great pilots who have left in the somewhat recent past because of management. 1 left within a matter of weeks and the other left after complete burnout from the way they were treated. Those are just the 2 that I know personally but I've heard theres many more, just havent heard first hand from the others. RFDS WA is rotten from the top down.
Sounds like RFDS in other states are ran decently enough.
Sounds like RFDS in other states are ran decently enough.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 444
Likes: 32
From: Australia
You are dreaming!
The RFDS doesn’t run to airline timetable unfortunately, the 3am call-out may not you get back into the base until mid morning.
Also in smaller RFDS bases you may have to cover sick leave at short notice, etc.
If you haven’t done 12 hour night shifts before, you will get a rude shock.
The RFDS doesn’t run to airline timetable unfortunately, the 3am call-out may not you get back into the base until mid morning.
Also in smaller RFDS bases you may have to cover sick leave at short notice, etc.
If you haven’t done 12 hour night shifts before, you will get a rude shock.
short flights long nights
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,018
Likes: 327
You are kidding yourself. It would be basically impossible. As someone said, even if you could do it, you would burn yourself out very quickly.
And I don’t know how you could jumpseat, you are not working for an airline.
And another good point was made , some of the RFDS bases may only have on commercial flight a day. Forget it, it could never work.
And I don’t know how you could jumpseat, you are not working for an airline.
And another good point was made , some of the RFDS bases may only have on commercial flight a day. Forget it, it could never work.
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,383
Likes: 533
From: Somewhere
You won't be jump seating in a airliner. You will also need to consider the costs of all these flights. You could be spending easily $700+ each return trip. Then you have the issue of not making your sign on time etc etc. Fatigue is another issue.
A better alternative would be to try to get a job with a Regional or Charter company based in Perth or Brisbane.
The whole pilot commuting thing only really works for airline pilots in the USA where the whole industry and the government is onboard with the concept.
A better alternative would be to try to get a job with a Regional or Charter company based in Perth or Brisbane.
The whole pilot commuting thing only really works for airline pilots in the USA where the whole industry and the government is onboard with the concept.
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 22
Likes: 17
From: Brisbane
Commuting
10 yrs RFDS 5 years Airlines in USA back in 2016.
Agree with gentleman above, much easier in USA. I found that also depends on factors like your seniority, holding a line, etc. Commuting from Australia to USA I found horrible though. Jet lag, long commute not great imo!
But to your question re RFDS- The RFDS usually operate on a 2 day followed by 2 night pattern, with the last shift leading into a blank day. You might sign off after the last night shift at 8am but I never went past 10am. Flights between Townsville and Brisbane on JQ are usually 200-300$ return i believe. So a trip down in the afternoon then a couple days off may work!!
Taking a base like Bundaberg 4 hrs by car to Brissy may work also!
Mt Isa your accommodation is mostly paid but then the airfares are high.
i can't speak for West Oz RFDS but it might work in QLD.
Keep in mind 6 weeks annual leave also, taken along the way. Yeh I agree with above posts it can be tough but just giving a bit of positivity
good luck
Agree with gentleman above, much easier in USA. I found that also depends on factors like your seniority, holding a line, etc. Commuting from Australia to USA I found horrible though. Jet lag, long commute not great imo!
But to your question re RFDS- The RFDS usually operate on a 2 day followed by 2 night pattern, with the last shift leading into a blank day. You might sign off after the last night shift at 8am but I never went past 10am. Flights between Townsville and Brisbane on JQ are usually 200-300$ return i believe. So a trip down in the afternoon then a couple days off may work!!
Taking a base like Bundaberg 4 hrs by car to Brissy may work also!
Mt Isa your accommodation is mostly paid but then the airfares are high.
i can't speak for West Oz RFDS but it might work in QLD.
Keep in mind 6 weeks annual leave also, taken along the way. Yeh I agree with above posts it can be tough but just giving a bit of positivity
good luck
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 112
Likes: 25
From: Melbourne, Australia
Westops have had a FIFO 28 on 28 off Meekatharra option with flights provided back to Perth only these days. Base scheduled to move to Geraldton next year so won’t be an option going forward.
Otherwise not possible, rosters alone don’t give you enough consecutive days off. Add in shift overruns, late finishes, early starts. No chance to east coast, challenging to Perth.
Not unheard of in the past for experienced drivers to internally negotiate moving to a part time arrangement but that was under the old HOFO. Current management attitudes (above the aviation team) show little focus on pilot lifestyle, competitive compensation or retention, so can’t see flexible work arrangements being on offer.
Otherwise not possible, rosters alone don’t give you enough consecutive days off. Add in shift overruns, late finishes, early starts. No chance to east coast, challenging to Perth.
Not unheard of in the past for experienced drivers to internally negotiate moving to a part time arrangement but that was under the old HOFO. Current management attitudes (above the aviation team) show little focus on pilot lifestyle, competitive compensation or retention, so can’t see flexible work arrangements being on offer.
