Qantas

August PCC Meeting and AFAP/Jetstar Meeting

Last Wednesday (21st August) the Pilot Consultative Committee (PCC) convened its quarterly meeting with Jetstar management at Head Office in Collingwood.

Attending on behalf of the pilot group were AFAP pilot representatives Chris Gibson, Dom Corcoran, Darren Fielder and Jeremy McPhail along with AIPA pilot representatives Harold Boyd and Nicholas Chetelat.

Attending on behalf of Jetstar was Tyrone Simes, Michael Porch, Leah Everton, Tim Faulkner, Alisha Lavea-Williams and Teyah Andrews.

The items that were raised and discussed at the PCC meeting are summarised below.

PCC Meeting

DIL Balance

The DIL balance is pleasingly decreasing at a steady rate. 76 were acquitted in July and 72 were used in August. At the end of September, the forecast is to have 1408 DILs remaining.

Sick Leave Pool Balance

As of the 20/08/2024 there was 269 days remaining. The next top up is scheduled for early December.

Individual Flexibility Arrangement

There is currently 1 Pilot with an approved IFA

Flexible Working Arrangement

The PCC were advised there are around 30 Pilots on a Flexible Working Arrangement.

Hotel Update

Aleks Coha (Commercial Manager – Customer Experience) provided the PCC with an update of the Hotel contract status. There are a significant number of hotel contracts that are expiring over the next few months and are either in RFP (Request for Proposal) phase or have inspections by the PCC rostered. There are also confirmed contracts for the following hotels:

• SYD – The Stamford contract has been extended for 2 years and is now the primary hotel for Cabin Crew also (effective 01SEP)
• MEL – As advised by Michael Porch on 21/8, The Mercure/Pullman at Albert Park is now the primary hotel from 01 SEP. There may still be a small amount of crew booked at the Rendezvous but full transition is expected by October.

Other ports which have an active RFP or inspections are:

• SGN (PCC inspections rostered)
• ICN (PCC inspections rostered)
• HKT, BNE, SIN (RFPs close at the end of August)

Upcoming RFPs include:

• HNL, PER, MEL Airport and NRT

HKT has been of particular concern for the PCC with the frequent short notice use of Ad Hoc hotels that are either isolated, close proximity to the Airport, or well below the standard of the Hyatt Regency. We have received several reports of crew arriving at the Hyatt to find no rooms available. We have been advised that the Hyatt are not prepared to increase the room allocation for JQ and that a move from this hotel is likely.

In the meantime, the PCC have proposed creating an approved Ad Hoc hotel list for use when the Primary is not available, and Jetstar has confirmed that it is receptive to this idea.

Lastly on this topic, there has been an active RFP on BNE even though the contract on the Kennigo has not yet expired. This is ONLY due to the significant number of Oscars that have been received regarding the security of the surrounding area and once again it highlights how important reporting any hotel issues via the Intelex system is. We thank those Pilots that have done so and continue to encourage pilots who experience issues with the Kennigo to submit an Oscar.

Crew Meals

The Qantas Business Class meal tasting was conducted by the PCC Reps at the end of June. The PCC has endorsed the use of this option for International WB and NB operations which will be a significant improvement on the current offering.

There is a target cutover date of the 5th of October.

Ferry Flight Catering

The PCC had received reports that the catering supply had been inadequate on International Ferry flights and many items that were normally present were missing. JQ advised that due to the increasing number of Ferry flights for overseas maintenance there is now a dedicated manager responsible for the planning of these flights and this issue should be rectified.

Qantas Club Access for Commuters

This is still progressing in a positive direction. The staff travel team have given the all ok, with the last word still to come from the lounges themselves. We hope to have an answer by the next PCC in November.

Grooming Standard (Facial Hair)

There was no more information on this topic since the May PCC meeting. QF are yet to advise on what the Qantas Group wide policy will be.

Flight Ops Briefing

Tyrone Simes along with Greg Eastaway and Nick Copland provided a briefing on the upcoming changes to the fuel policy.

By the time this update is released, Greg will have conducted the first ‘Fuel Policy Masterclass’.

AFAP and Jetstar Meeting

Following the PCC meeting AFAP representatives, including Senior Industrial/Legal Officers Deanna Cain and Pat Larkins met with Jetstar representatives to discuss a number of other relevant industrial matters affecting Jetstar pilots that are more appropriately dealt with at a union level.

A summary of the matters discussed directly between the AFAP and Jetstar are summarised below:

Meal Allowances and Positioning

Rostered Positioning

The AFAP was recently approached by several pilots regarding missing meal allowances associated with rostering positioning sectors, where 30 minutes or more of block time occurred within a designated meal period, spanning multiple roster periods. An internal audit of payslips provided to the AFAP indicated that this issue may be widespread, prompting the AFAP to immediately raise the matter with Jetstar.

Jetstar has since confirmed that a flaw with the logic in the payroll report capturing meal allowances was responsible for the oversight, as it had failed to recognize certain aircraft that pilots were rostered to position on. This issue has now been rectified.

Jetstar will be re-running the paxing meal allowance report to reconcile meal allowances paid to WB pilots over the last 12 months which will identify any deficiencies in payments that have been made. The AFAP expects these discrepancies to be promptly addressed.

OWN Travel

We've also received inquiries regarding the payment of meal allowances in connection with own way travel sectors. During the recent meeting, Jetstar confirmed that meal allowances are paid up until the commencement of the original rostered ‘deadhead’ flight (OM3.21), however, the paxing meal allowance is not paid on the rostered deadhead flight itself where a pilot has used alternate deadhead travel. Jetstar advised that this has always been their practice.

Jetstar also informed us that they will be updating the Alternate Deadhead Travel Policy in the next OM1 revision to provide clearer guidance on the treatment of allowances.

Rostering Imbalance Between Training Captains and Line Pilots

The AFAP raised the concerns shared by many Jetstar pilots regarding the imbalance in rostered trips and weekend duties between Training Captains and Line pilots, particularly in some of the smaller bases such as OOL.

It was evident that Jetstar was aware of these concerns and the level of angst that it was causing amongst the pilot group. The Company acknowledged that it did not have the optimal number of Training Captains in some bases (i.e. too many or not enough) however given the significant training demands at play Jetstar does not have the flexibility to halt Training Captain appointments in bases with an imbalance or to overlook suitably qualified pilots because of where they were based.

To address this issue, Jetstar has already implemented measures for the September roster period, including ensuring that Training Captains in OOL are rostered for at least one out-of-base trip.

Jetstar also highlighted that a surprising number of Line Pilots across various bases are not participating in JBid, which could be contributing to the disproportionate number of trips assigned to those pilots.

Looking ahead to October, Jetstar will be implementing further changes to improve this situation, including extending the rostering of at least one out of base trip to Training Captains across all bases and ensuring weekend days off are more evenly distributed amongst Training Captains and line pilots.

We are optimistic that these adjustments, along with the initiatives Jetstar is implementing through the Roster Review Working Group (detailed below), will lead to meaningful improvements.

New Right to Disconnect Laws

Pilots may be aware that the Right to Disconnect laws came into effect on August 26, 2024.

The right to disconnect protects employees who refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact or attempted contact outside their working hours, unless their refusal is unreasonable. It’s important to note that this is a right to not respond, rather than a prohibition on contact or attempted contact in the first place.

That said, we expect the Right to Disconnect laws will undergo significant testing in the Fair Work Commission and will likely evolve over time.

Given contactability rules are already well established in most pilot Enterprise Agreements, we do not anticipate that these new laws will have a significant impact on pilots, however we will watch with interest how case law develops.

Under the Jetstar EA, pilots are only required to be contactable or monitor their roster at the following times:

• From the beginning of a rostered STANDBY period.
• During a published RAS period
• 1700 local prior to an AVAILABLE day

During these periods of contactability pilots may wish to activate the ‘Do Not Disturb’ function on their phone to allow calls from crewing. The telephone numbers used by crewing to contact pilots on standby are listed in OM1 5.10.

Jetstar may attempt to contact pilots outside of these times (except during rest periods, as specified in the OM1 and FRMS), but as is currently the case, there is no obligation for a pilot to respond to such contact attempts.

We have discussed with Jetstar whether the new Right to Disconnect laws may affect when management and crewing currently contact pilots. The Company advised that guidance is being sent to RFMs and RPMs regarding the new laws and the importance of ensuring that contact with pilots outside of rostered working hours should only be for matters deemed reasonable, such as welfare and safety. Jetstar indicated that it does not anticipate any significant changes to existing processes.

We also discussed that pilots who prefer not to be contacted for WDOs should ensure their name is added to the Do Not Call Register by sending an email to their RFM. Similarly, pilots who do not wish to be contacted on a DDO before a standby for duty assignment can advise the Company that they do not wish to be contacted for this purpose (refer to section 11.2 of the Roster Protocol). Jetstar confirmed that pilots who place their names on these Do Not Call Registers should not be contacted by crewing on their days off.

Waiver of Freezes for WB Second Officers in Upcoming FSO

Jetstar advised the next FSO for pilot vacancies is likely to be released towards the back end of September. However, it remains uncertain as to what and how many vacancies will be advertised in that FSO, as workforce planning is still assessing the impact of future commercial scheduling changes.

We inquired whether Jetstar would consider waiving freezes for WB Second Officers bidding for NB First Officer vacancies. Jetstar was not in a position to make a commitment on this matter at this stage. The Company indicated that this will be reviewed closer to the time and will likely depend on the training schedule and the duration of the remaining freeze period.

Car parking for pilots rostered Ground Training at HQ Collingwood

The Airport West (APW) training facility is currently undergoing refurbishment, which has resulted in some ground training sessions being relocated to Jetstar’s Head Office in Collingwood.

The AFAP raised the difficulty and expense associated with pilots parking within in a reasonable distance to Head Office with Jetstar Flight Ops Management. We requested that Jetstar consider reimbursing pilots who are rostered ground training at Head Office (that would normally be conducted at APW where complimentary car -parking is readily available) for any car parking or public transportation expenses incurred.

Jetstar has committed to taking this request away for further consideration.

A320/1 Line Training for Qantas Pilots

To support Qantas with the introduction of the Airbus A321XLR into its operations, Jetstar will be conducting line training for eleven (11) Qantas pilots on the A320/1. Six of these pilots have already begun their ground training with Jetstar.

Further to the details provided in Training and Checking Order (TCO) 009/24, Jetstar has advised the following:

• The line training will take place out of SYD, MEL, OOL and ADL.
• Two Jetstar pilots will be in the flight deck at all times during the Qantas pilots' line training.
• Due to a delay in the delivery of the A321 to Qantas (now expected around April next year) it is likely that Jetstar will also be required to assist with Part 91 recency requirements (i.e., training flight at least every 45 days). However, Qantas pilots will not be CTL within Jetstar’s operation.

JBid Working Group Update

A further JBid / Roster Review Working Group Union Briefing was conducted on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Attending on behalf of the unions were Chris Gibson (AFAP), Shane Austin (AIPA), Mark Kenyon (NZALPA. Attending on behalf of the Jetstar was Michael Porch, Steve Capill, Leah Everton, Tim Falkner and Anthony Zanetti.

The meeting was constructive, and the September rosters mark the first set of changes where several new initiatives and rules have been integrated into the JBid and Jeppesen optimizers. Below are the changes implemented:

Fast-Track Items Addressed in September:

• Minimizing 6-Day Pairings - Efforts are underway to reduce unnecessary 6-day pairings for Narrow Body operations.
• Avoiding Single Workdays - Avoid scheduling single workdays between DDO and annual leave periods.
• Reducing Single Days Off - Minimize the allocation of single days off unless explicitly requested as a bidding preference.

Major Changes in Pairing Optimization:

• Aircraft Consistency - Ensure that pilots stay with the same aircraft registration during operating changes.
• Trip Length Adjustments - Allow Narrow Body pairings to extend to 5 days to improve consistency, thereby reducing overnights and positioning requirements.
• Connection Times - Reduce maximum connection times from 3 to 2 hours for both positioning-to-operating and operating-to-paxing transitions.
• Teaming Adjustments - Keep team members together for the FDP, though not necessarily across a multiday TOD.

Roster Settings - Prioritization Before JBid Satisfaction:

• 132 DDO EA Requirement - Ensure compliance with the 132 DDO EA requirement.
• Weekend Off Requirement - Adhere to the EA weekend off requirement (9 for NB and 8 for WB).
• Flight Coverage - Ensure all flying is covered and STB coverage is achieved in each cohort.
• Crew Hours Distribution - Ensure crew members receive a roughly equal distribution of hours.
• Bid Satisfaction - Maximize bid satisfaction, prioritizing JBid satisfaction.

Upcoming Pairing Dates:

Jetstar expects the October closed base pairings to open on September 3, 2024, and close on September 5, 2024 (midnight).

The closed base pairings are the pairing solutions factoring in specific training and resource constraints and can differ significantly to open base pairings which are the pairings generated in advance based on the seasonal schedule file with no specific resource or training constraints built in. Bidding on closed base pairings ensures pilots are bidding on pairings that still exist in the roster optimiser, thus increasing the likelihood of satisfaction with bidding outcomes.

By utilising the ‘Power BI Pairing Dashboard’ (refer to JBid email from WFP 29/08/2024) in conjunction with the closed based pairings will allow pilots to tailor their bidding and hopefully translate into greater bid/roster satisfaction.

JPF Committee

As part AFAP 2024 Council Elections, nominations were called for 15 positions on the Jetstar Pilot Council Committee (JPF). There were 14 nominations received from Jetstar members and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has recently accepted the nominations of the following pilots onto the JPF for a 2-year term:

• Clinton Baxter
• Daniel Blakemore
• Ben Bollen
• Dom Corcoran
• Darren Davis
• Darren Fielder
• Jake Gainger
• Chris Gibson
• Ed Greenidge
• Christo Hailes
• Paul Hogan
• Raj Krishnan
• Jordan Moras
• Andrew Ward

We are pleased to welcome 3 new committee members to the JPF Committee; Ben Bollen Jake Gainger and Jordan Moras. We also wish to express our gratitude to outgoing Committee members Yianni Manousaridis, Jeremy McPhail, Mark Buttel, and Chris Doyle for their dedicated service in representing AFAP Jetstar members during their tenure on the JPF. The new committee members will officially begin their terms at the conclusion of the AFAP’s 2024 Annual Convention on October 18th.

With the composition of the new JPF Committee now established, the next step in the election process is for the JPF Committee members to nominate and appoint the office holder roles (i.e., Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and two Convention Delegates) from within the committee through a nomination process, also conducted by the AEC.

We anticipate that nominations for these roles will begin in October. In the interim, Chris Gibson will continue to serve as Chair, Dom Corcoran as Vice Chair, and Clinton Baxter as Secretary until new office holders are formally appointed by the AEC.

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
Darren Fielder, Jeremy MacPhail, Daniel Blakemore, Ed Greenidge, Yianni Manousaridis, Dominic Corcoran, Mark Buttel, Darren Davis, Chris Gibson, Clinton Baxter, Andrew Ward, Christopher Doyle, Christo Hailes, P