Don't get me wrong.
I like Glen Sterle as a bloke and his approach to not only 'transport' matters but in general the well being of the country – 'fair-dinkum' is about right: but, and without malice.
Glenn has not quite, but nearly grasped the parallels between the trucking industry and aviation, of which there are many. It costs big bucks to put a 'rig' on the road, houses are mortgaged to lease such a thing – a 'good' prime mover cost about the same or more than a ten seat piston aircraft. The cost of setting up a road haul business is about the same as an aviation business until the 'approval' to operate costs kick in. Truck 1 costs for approval to use as a business say 10 - aircraft start at 100 and keep your fingers crossed.
That before the engines can be started; then you need drivers – 'truckie' with a big rig ticket – pennies to send out – 'airframe driver' thousands before the first return is made on the investment – repeated once a year, every year. It only 'costs' once to train a 'truckie' it costs repeated significant sums to keep a pilot 'compliant'. The list goes on – and on. Before you get anywhere near the impost of 'fatigue' and medical and the whole box and dice.
It is my opinion that the 'cut-throat' games played between those who 'contract' rigs and those who contract air companies is on a par – but mathematically – trucks carting freight make a significantly increased % margin of profit - compared to that of an aircraft. Yes, just like in trucking, there are always those prepared to operate in the 'profitless prosperity' arena.
Trucking is tough, high risk, expensive business; same-same for air operators; slim margins and long weary hours – but I wonder – how would the trucking blokes cope with a set of rules on a par with aviation – the mind boggles. But then they are united and do have political support; aviation political support may be basically viewed as the aviation industry left standing bare arsed, tied to a pole on Oxford St, Mardi Gras night.
Truckies ain't terrified of the RTA – aviation wets itself when the heavy mob roll up. Oh, and the average non airline pilot is paid a bloody sight less than a 'drover of many horses. We can live with that:-
(d) "the adequacy of government industry support and procurement and programs for the social and economic well-being of workers for all sections of the aviation industry to survive the downturn caused by the pandemic;
The best support that any government could give would be to reduce and rationalise the bloody fool regulations which restrict the industry; its going to cost a King's ransom to even get the boys and girls back into the air – it is no a simple matter; should be; but it ain't, not by a bloody long march it ain't. A driver can hop into a rig tomorrow and be 'earning' – not too many pilots can do that; not many at all. Want to get aviation up, running, rolling and productive, then take the ducking handbrake off.
That's it – just a plea for someone, somewhere to actually 'see' the aviation gamble for what it truly is. About now, labour needs all the working class support it can gather – most pilots are, essentially working class folk. How about it Albo? Wanna help a few working stiffs to a better deal?
Now, double 16, a 12 and a 4 should win me a round of drinks – Click.
I like Glen Sterle as a bloke and his approach to not only 'transport' matters but in general the well being of the country – 'fair-dinkum' is about right: but, and without malice.
Glenn has not quite, but nearly grasped the parallels between the trucking industry and aviation, of which there are many. It costs big bucks to put a 'rig' on the road, houses are mortgaged to lease such a thing – a 'good' prime mover cost about the same or more than a ten seat piston aircraft. The cost of setting up a road haul business is about the same as an aviation business until the 'approval' to operate costs kick in. Truck 1 costs for approval to use as a business say 10 - aircraft start at 100 and keep your fingers crossed.
That before the engines can be started; then you need drivers – 'truckie' with a big rig ticket – pennies to send out – 'airframe driver' thousands before the first return is made on the investment – repeated once a year, every year. It only 'costs' once to train a 'truckie' it costs repeated significant sums to keep a pilot 'compliant'. The list goes on – and on. Before you get anywhere near the impost of 'fatigue' and medical and the whole box and dice.
It is my opinion that the 'cut-throat' games played between those who 'contract' rigs and those who contract air companies is on a par – but mathematically – trucks carting freight make a significantly increased % margin of profit - compared to that of an aircraft. Yes, just like in trucking, there are always those prepared to operate in the 'profitless prosperity' arena.
Trucking is tough, high risk, expensive business; same-same for air operators; slim margins and long weary hours – but I wonder – how would the trucking blokes cope with a set of rules on a par with aviation – the mind boggles. But then they are united and do have political support; aviation political support may be basically viewed as the aviation industry left standing bare arsed, tied to a pole on Oxford St, Mardi Gras night.
Truckies ain't terrified of the RTA – aviation wets itself when the heavy mob roll up. Oh, and the average non airline pilot is paid a bloody sight less than a 'drover of many horses. We can live with that:-
(d) "the adequacy of government industry support and procurement and programs for the social and economic well-being of workers for all sections of the aviation industry to survive the downturn caused by the pandemic;
The best support that any government could give would be to reduce and rationalise the bloody fool regulations which restrict the industry; its going to cost a King's ransom to even get the boys and girls back into the air – it is no a simple matter; should be; but it ain't, not by a bloody long march it ain't. A driver can hop into a rig tomorrow and be 'earning' – not too many pilots can do that; not many at all. Want to get aviation up, running, rolling and productive, then take the ducking handbrake off.
That's it – just a plea for someone, somewhere to actually 'see' the aviation gamble for what it truly is. About now, labour needs all the working class support it can gather – most pilots are, essentially working class folk. How about it Albo? Wanna help a few working stiffs to a better deal?
Now, double 16, a 12 and a 4 should win me a round of drinks – Click.