Insights - 26 Sept '24

From the President

G’day everyone,

It was invigorating earlier this week to welcome to AIPA the aviation students from the University of NSW class of 2025. For many years AIPA has been providing mentors to these young aviators to support them in the early part of their aviation career. For myself, I’m still in regular contact with several of the students I have mentored over the years with some of them now plying their trade within the Qantas Group.

Working with UNSW and giving back to the next generation is an important partnership for AIPA and demonstrates our deep commitment for working in the interests of the aviation industry. We frequently have more students than mentors and so if you have some time to ‘give back’ please reach out to our Safety and Technical team to office@aipa.org.au who coordinate the mentoring program.

Mainline Long Haul pilots should have by now received their ballots for the election of the nine (9) Long Haul Work Group members on CoM. AIPA’s rules now include representation for each specific Enterprise Agreement in accordance with their membership size within AIPA. In each election cycle of 20 CoM positions, 15 places are divided by the size of the respective membership cohorts. The remaining five vacancies are open to pilots from across the cohorts. The quirk of this year’s election is that whilst the Long-Haul work group was oversubscribed, the total number of nominations for the AIPA CoM was twenty. Thus, any of the nominees for the Long-Haul work group who are unsuccessful in being voted to CoM as part of that work group will still form part of the CoM as part of the ‘general’ allocation.

The closing date for ballots is 12.00pm 8 October. The Australian Electoral Commission should declare the result within 14 days but frequently do so earlier.

If you are eligible to vote for the Long Hall Work Group and you have not received your voter packs by 20 September 2024, please contact the AEC directly on (02) 9375 6366.  

It is important to acknowledge that several CoM members did not renominate - many of whom have contributed significantly to the membership over a long period of time. I’ll be acknowledging their service in a later Insights as well as introducing the new CoM members.

The process once the CoM election is ‘declared’ is the nomination for Executive positions for the coming two years. The executive positions are President, Vice President Long Haul, Vice President Short Haul, Vice President Jetstar, Vice President Group Airlines, Vice President ‘A’ Pilots (if applicable), Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and Treasurer and are voted on by the CoM.

Now is as good a time as any to inform you that I will not be re-nominating for the role as AIPA President.

Recently at a regular check up with my Ophthalmologist it was confirmed that I am suffering a reoccurrence of an eye condition called Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR). It is an issue that grounded me from flying in 2005 and 2007 for four months each time, and I have had the issue reoccur, though less significantly, a few times since.

CSR is exacerbated by cortisol and cortisol is a byproduct of stress. Whilst I have always felt mentally comfortable dealing with the rigours of being AIPA President, my body produces high levels of cortisol, and this exacerbates the condition. At this stage it hasn’t affected my vision significantly but continued exposure to the high levels of cortisol risks further deterioration, so the medical advice is for a modified lifestyle. The risk of not following that advice could potentially lead to the loss of my license. At this stage I anticipate completing my term as President. A follow up with my doctor in mid-October will confirm if that plan remains appropriate.

Closer to the completion of my term, I will reflect on my time as AIPA President. For now, the focus remains, as always, on delivering outcomes for our members.

An excellent example was our strident defence of your seniority system regarding the A380 Federal Court case, with the court ruling that we did not act unreasonably when we withheld approval for Qantas to directly employ pilots off the street to the A380. AIPA spent a considerable sum (more than $250K) to uphold the rights in our EA and the ability of all pilots to be awarded vacancies as per the Enterprise Agreement. AIPA fought smart on this matter with our actions guided by one of the best Industrial Senior Counsels in Australia. Having been successful in the outcome we thought it appropriate to seek costs. Whilst the court ordered that both Qantas and AIPA be responsible for our respective costs we thought that seeking the costs application was the appropriate action to take. 

AIPA fought this fight because it was the right thing to do, and the law was on our side. Having been successful in the case the result was several Second Officers being paid bypass pay and ultimately trained to the A380 fleet. That not all of those who gained a transfer to this category were AIPA members doesn’t mean that it wasn’t worth the fight to uphold our EA and the rights of our members.

Along with AIPA Vice President Simon Gould and Captain Brent Rooke I met earlier today with JQ CEO Steph Tully to discuss some recent issues. Rostering, Denpasar accommodation, safety investigation processes, fuel ordering and fuel policy, were all part of the agenda. We’ll provide a more in-depth update on those issues next week.

Safe flying,

Captain Tony Lucas

AIPA President

Jetstar Update

Bali Accommodation  
As most of you should be aware, the Bali accommodation contract was cancelled last week by the Holiday Inn, and short term alternative arrangements had to be sourced. Presently, two ad hoc hotels are being used with a more permanent arrangement yet to be sourced. AIPA hopes that Jetstar will prioritise this matter with some urgency considering the amount of poor feedback regarding the Sakala Resort during our previous stay there. 
 
We remind you that any issues with these ad hoc hotels need to have an OSCAR submitted so that any issues can be recorded in 'the system' and can be dealt with in a timely matter. If you have any concerns and aren't happy with the feedback, please contact AIPA by email at members@aipa.org.au. 
 
Roster Survey
 
The AIPA roster survey will close soon, and we ask anyone that hasn't done the survey to please fill it out. The info you provide will help in trying to achieve fairer and equitable roster outcomes. You can access the survey via HERE.
 
Highline Bonus
 
It was pleasing to see Chief Pilot Tyrone Simes' email regarding the payment of the highline allowance, to be paid this Friday. Qantas end of financial year results saw Jetstar adding significant value to the Qantas Pty Ltd group profit, and as such, Jetstar pilots will receive the largest bonus payment in a quite a number of years (117% JANZ corporate scorecard).