Jetstar to employ foreign pilots

[Greg McDonald]

From ninemsn.com.au:

Jetstar will use foreign pilots employed under 457 work visas in the first large-scale hiring of international flight crew in Australia since the pilots' strike of almost 20 years ago.

The budget Qantas offshoot has reportedly secured the support of federal Immigration Minister Chris Evans and Employment Minister Julia Gillard, to employ 75 foreign pilots.

Jetstar said the move, which was expected to be opposed by aviation unions, was needed to address the chronic pilot shortage, The Australian Financial Review reported on Monday.

"We are in a global industry and we should be able to source a global talent pool," Jetstar chief executive Alan Joyce told the paper.

The foreign pilots will be used on Jetstar's domestic and international routes, and the first visa application was processed last week.

Jetstar has also recently hired 20 foreign cabin crew on 457 visas and has government approval to hire up to 60 more.

[Sarah C]

Well if there are not enough pilots in Australia, they have to get them from somewhere. Of course unions are going to oppose it - that is their job.

[Montague S]

what makes you think there isn't enough pilots in Australia, Sarah? the media you always give a bagging now seems to be the favoured source for you to bash the union.

surely there are enough Australian's in this country which Jetstar could hire as cabin crew? seems not...because they hire them on 457 visas too.

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Montague S

what makes you think there isn't enough pilots in Australia, Sarah? the media you always give a bagging now seems to be the favoured source for you to bash the union.

surely there are enough Australian's in this country which Jetstar could hire as cabin crew? seems not...because they hire them on 457 visas too.

umm...you cant be serious? Have a look at REX, other regionals. They are winding down ops, decreasing capacity, suspending/cancelling routes.

Its really quite a mess!

However, i sincerely hope Jetstar train them good. And (not to be racist) dont hire Indonesians. Their air safety record is worse than an open sewer, and some of that rests with the pilots (Yogjakarta last year..)

[Montague S]

Originally Posted by Rhys Xanthis

umm...you cant be serious? Have a look at REX, other regionals. They are winding down ops, decreasing capacity, suspending/cancelling routes.

Its really quite a mess!

However, i sincerely hope Jetstar train them good. And (not to be racist) dont hire Indonesians. Their air safety record is worse than an open sewer, and some of that rests with the pilots (Yogjakarta last year..)

Rex is your only example...at the very least Rex is doing something about the situation, Qantas appears to not let its pilots defect to Jetstar without losing their seniority...they could solve the problem by removing that stupid strangle-hold for a start.

http://www.rex.com.au/MediaAndPressC...ite=IR&nid=177

take a look CX and their MO, they'll train you as a relief pilot but you'll never get to land or take the damn plane off the ground...pretty essential part of being a pilot yet they won't teach you how to do it.

Qantas will offer a cadet program but at the end of it they won't even guarantee you a job.

[Marty H]

Originally Posted by Montague S

take a look CX and their MO, they'll train you as a relief pilot but you'll never get to land or take the damn plane off the ground...pretty essential part of being a pilot yet they won't teach you how to do it.

I was talking with one of our pilots who was heading to CX to take up that very role, and I thought it was a bit odd at the time also.

[D Chan]

Originally Posted by Montague S

take a look CX and their MO, they'll train you as a relief pilot but you'll never get to land or take the damn plane off the ground...pretty essential part of being a pilot yet they won't teach you how to do it.

Well after they come out of the cadet program (if you were referring to that) they start off as S/O. Of course S/Os are trained for landing or takeoff but during normal flights as you well know they'd be there to relief the Capt / F/O to extend crew hours during cruise. If the F/O or Captain is incapacitated they can takeover for landing or whatever.


btw Don't forget Qantaslink also has a cadet program, it's not only REX:
http://qantaslink.bfound.net/det-con...&CoId=189&rq=1


There will always be plenty of pilots in Australia but with pilot recruitment the focus is really on the quality and suitability of the candidate instead of how many there are out there.

Originally Posted by Greg McDonald

Wouldn't it be great if the governments of the day were to recognise the issues with pilot training costs in this country and actually try to fix the situation

It is a great idea but at the end of the day taxpayers may end up paying for individuals to join airlines. However that's sort of similar to HECS so I guess it is fair. But I do think it really should be the airlines' responsibility to recruit pilots and to ensure they get good pilots to meet their needs.

Originally Posted by Greg McDonald

Out of curiosity, is it as expensive to train overseas as it is here?

I think CX used to train their cadets in Scotland and then they moved to South Australia.

[Greg McDonald]

Wouldn't it be great if the governments of the day were to recognise the issues with pilot training costs in this country and actually try to fix the situation

Out of curiosity, is it as expensive to train overseas as it is here?

[Bernie P]

Originally Posted by Greg McDonald

Wouldn't it be great if the governments of the day were to recognise the issues with pilot training costs in this country and actually try to fix the situation

Out of curiosity, is it as expensive to train overseas as it is here?

And, out of further curiosity, what does it cost to train up a pilot, and at what age would you be considered "TO OLD" to start?

[Greg McDonald]

Originally Posted by Bernie P

And, out of further curiosity, what does it cost to train up a pilot, and at what age would you be considered "TO OLD" to start?

I'm told to expect around 80K for licencing alone...