Irreversible change

Brought to you by the Australian Aviation Dec 2011 Archives

Understanding the issues behind the Qantas crisis

The long running dispute between Qantas and three of its key unions representing long haul pilots, engineers, and baggage handlers and caterers is actually not about whether its staff are worthy of pay increases or improved conditions, it’s about the irreversible changing dynamics of the airline industry.

There is no question that for the terrified passengers on the crippled Qantas A380 QF32 swaggering around the skies off Singapore last November, the pilots were worth every cent of the $396,108 they reportedly earn.