Clarification on FSO 110/24 - Pilot Vacancies and Base Transfers
The AFAP has received multiple inquiries from Jetstar members concerning the allocation process for Narrow-Body (NB) and Wide-Body (WB) pilot vacancies advertised in the latest FSO (FSO 110/24).
The AFAP has met with representatives from Jetstar Flight Operations on two occasions over the last week to discuss these questions/concerns and to ensure that pilots are aware of all the relevant information to inform their bidding prior to the closure of the FSO.
We are aware that Jetstar has issued furthers comms to pilots this afternoon regarding the allocation process and extended the closure of the FSO until next Friday 15th November.
The AFAP support the extension of the FSO in light of the additional information that has now been provided by Jetstar as a result of our discussions.
The main areas that we have discussed and sought further clarification and or context are outlined below:
Release of Wide-Body Second Officers from Type Freeze
Releasing ‘frozen’ WB Second Officers.
The initial FSO provided the following Important Notes:
- The Company will use its discretion to consider standing bids and promotion to Narrow Body First Officer vacancies from up to seven (7) current Wide Body Second Officers who are within their 3-year freeze period that is due to expire on 22 January 2025.
- All other remaining current Wide Body Second officers within their 3-year freeze period will not be eligible to be considered for any advertised or consequential Narrow-Body vacancies.
The question of why Jetstar is only prepared to release 7 WB SOs for the advertised NB FO vacancies has been raised by multiple pilots.
Jetstar explained that it has capped the release of 7 WB SO’s because this matches the number of advanced cadet pilots assigned SO roles who will be joining Jetstar in May/June 2025 to backfill the current SOs who take up NB FO positions.
We subsequently queried that if there are not 7 SO’s from the January intake bidding for the advertised NB vacancies, will these NB positions be offered to SO’s who are within their 3 year freeze period that is due to expire at a later date (i.e. Feb).
Jetstar has now confirmed in its update to pilots today that if there are not sufficient bids from current SO’s from the January 2025 group, it will consider applying its discretion to allow current WB SO’s whose freeze period is due to expire in February 2025 out of their freeze period early.
Seniority and Vacancy Allocation
The process for how Jetstar will allocate the NB FO vacancies to existing NB FO's (i.e base transfer) and WB SOs who are being released from their freeze has also been topical, namely who will be prioritised for these advertised vacancies?
As Jetstar has confirmed, NB FO vacancies will be allocated to existing NB FO’s or eligible WB SO’s based on seniority, and that priority will not be given to current NB FO’s for base transfers over WB SOs. Jetstar is addressing fairness by prioritising senior WB SO’s who did not choose their position and freeze status when joining Jetstar.
We note that under EA 27.2.2(b), Jetstar has discretion in releasing pilots from freezes, with no set guidelines on the circumstances or process for early release. We believe this clarity on seniority-based allocation in circumstances where a pilot has not had any say in their position and freeze status will serve as a consistent approach moving forward.
Frozen Wide-Body First Officers Seeking Narrow-Body Command
Jetstar has confirmed that WB FO's will only be released from their freeze after all existing eligible NB FO's have been allocated a NB command vacancy, irrespective of their seniority.
As such, the Company has clarified in the update today that NB Captain allocations will be processed in two stages:
Stage One- All bids for Narrow Body Command will be processed in Seniority order with the exception of any currently frozen Wide Body First Officers (noting when these pilots choose to be promoted to Wide Body First Officer, they are frozen on aircraft type for a set period)
Stage Two- If there are any unfilled Narrow Body Command vacancies remaining (either advertised or any consequential vacancies we are electing to fill), we will then apply our discretion to unfreeze Wide Body First Officers and consider their bids for Narrow Body Command vacancies in Seniority order.
While this approach differs to the allocation of NB FO vacancies outlined above, this is in recognition that pilots who took WB FO’s promotions did so with knowledge that they would be frozen for 18 months from CTL (or 2 years from FSO closure date), meanwhile other pilots may have elected not to bid for WB FO vacancies as they did not want to be ‘frozen’ out of a NB command vacancy.
The AFAP supports this approach as we recognise that type freezes not only provide the company with certainty, but they provide other pilots with greater transparency and predictability about access to promotional opportunities. Where pilots have strategically and intentionally forgone promotional opportunities (i.e. WB FO) due to the imposition of a type freeze, we believe it is fair and reasonable that they are prioritised for an advertised vacancy ahead of a pilot who has accepted the ‘risk’ of a type freeze.
WB Base Transfers
The FSO also contains the following important note:
- These Wide Body pilot permanent base transfers are available to existing Wide Body Captains and First Officers only. Standing bids that would result in a promotion or type change will not be considered.
Some members have queried whether it is permissible under the EA for Jetstar to restrict the WB vacancies to existing WB pilots only, in circumstances where more senior NB pilots may have a standing bid for the advertised vacancies.
We note that EA clause 27.2.7 permits Jetstar to advertise "permanent transfers" (as distinct from vacancies and equipment assignments) and there has been numerous previous Pilot Vacancy FSOs where Jetstar has not considered bids for advertised vacancies that would result in a promotion or type change.
On this occasion there is no additional Wide Body positions being advertised but a redistribution of existing Wide Body resources to better align with the adjusted flying schedule, which includes but is not limited to:
- Commencement of the BNE-BKK service from 13 December 2024.
- MEL-HNL service ending 30 April 2025.
- Increased SYD-ICN service to daily starting 17 June 2025.
WB CNS Base Positions
To dispel the ‘rumour mill’ the AFAP has sought clarity from Jetstar regarding its intentions with the CNS WB base on the assumption there will be little interest from existing WB pilots to permanently base transfer to CNS.
Jetstar has confirmed that the WB CNS base will remain operational without forced transfers, even if the advertised WB vacancies go unfilled. Any coverage gap will continue to be managed by positioning pilots from other bases as required.
New Hire Pilots and Base Allocation
We have also received several enquiries from members concerned about the base allocation process for new hire pilots, and specifically the perception that new hire pilots are being given preference for base allocations and or being allocated positions that have not been advertised to existing pilots first.
Under the EA (clause 27.2.7) Jetstar has an obligation to advertise all vacancies. However, Jetstar is then able to allocate any unallocated vacancies (either advertised or consequential) to new hire pilots prior to considering standing bids in the system added after the relevant FSO in which vacancies were advertised. While this does not seem fair to existing pilots who have updated their standing bids or whose freeze periods expire between FSOs, it is aligned with how the existing EA clauses are structured and can be applied by Jetstar.
There has been particular interest in the number of new hire pilots allocated NB FO MEL base since the last FSO in March, given there are existing NB FOs now bidding for a MEL base. We note that following the 08 March 2024 FSO (FSO 021/24), there were 19 MEL NB FO vacancies unfilled. As per EA guidelines, these unfilled vacancies were able to be allocated to new hire pilots, even if internal pilots later added bids for these roles.
We acknowledge that the allocation of bases to new hire pilots has been a major point of contention over the last 18 months and we will be seeking to address and clarify this process as part of the bargaining discussions next year.
Your pilot representatives are on hand if you have any questions regarding above. Alternatively, you can contact your AFAP industrial officers Deanna Cain, Pat Larkins or Andrew Molnar via email deanna@afap.org.au, patrick@afap.org.au, or andrew@afap.org.au or call (03) 9928 5737.
Regards,
AFAP Jetstar Pilot Federation Committee
Andrew Ward, Ben Bollen, Chris Gibson, Christo Hailes, Clinton Baxter, Daniel Blakemore, Darren Fielder, Darren Davis, Dominic Corcoran, Ed Greenidge, Jake Gainger, Jordan Moras, Paul Hogan and Raj Krishnan