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.

[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...

[Lukas M]

If Rudd put training under HECS mabye we might start to get somewhere in the next 10 years

[Jarrad Wadmore]

There are enough pilots around, they just don't want to work for peanuts!

[Bernie P]

Originally Posted by Greg McDonald

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

ouch!!! I guess I won't be able to talk the 'Director of Home Affairs' into that then!!!

[Craig Lindsay]

I hear garuda has some good pilots