QPC Briefing No 35 2025 SHEA9 Implementation Update
Pattern Credit Guarantee (PCG)
As pilots will be aware, Qantas has advised that Pattern Credit Guarantee (PCG) will commence from the start of BP 3725 (29th December). PCG will apply to applicable patterns that start on or after Monday 29th December.
Applicability
The SHEA9 (clause 28.3.2) provides that a pilot’s Flying Pattern is modified or cancelled such that the Pattern credit is reduced or is removed, the pilot will be entitled Pattern Credit Guarantee (PCG) payment equal to the value of the credit reduction or removal.
PCG payment does not apply in the following circumstances:
- an open time pattern drop in accordance with Appendix B;
- a pattern or partial pattern drop initiated by the pilot;
- a pattern trade;
- training failure;
- where a pilot is suspended from duties;
- the pilot taking personal leave; or
- where a pilot fails to comply with their obligations under the EA
PCG also only protects credits on:
- published flying duties from 2 calendar days before the day the pattern commences (commencing 0000 local) and
- training displacements from roster publish, excluding route checks.
If the duty is disrupted, changed, or cancelled, the Company may find an alternative duty that must remain contained within the PCG window (1 hour before original sign on until 4 hours after original sign off). Reserve duties cannot be assigned against PCG payments.
If a previous day’s flying is extended and results in the loss of the following day’s flying, it will be protected under PCG. PCG credit will be paid at the higher of the original pattern or the amended pattern.
Open Time
Qantas has also confirmed that Open Time Pattern Bidding in WebCis is now live for patterns and reserves starting on or after 29th December. This will allow crew to bid for patterns and reserves that appear in open time via WebCis.
Implementation Payment to Cease
From BP3725 (29th December) the implementation allowance under Schedule 1 of the SHEA9 will no longer be paid. The payment for BP3721 (the current BP) will be paid in the reconciliation pay run for Pay Ending on 25th January 2026.
Assignment of Fatiguing Duties from Reserve
As we outlined in our previous comms, Qantas’ FRMS (in contrast to Jetstar and Virgin) does not have a limit on the allowable FDP, which accounts for time on reserve.
Qantas advises it has proposed to CASA updating its FRMS to adopt the same rule as Jetstar which would limit the maximum combined duration of standby and FDP is 16 hours.
The AFAP understands that the rule has not yet been implemented due to a lack of headcount. Given communications to pilots this year regarding the facial hair policy, which discussed that the Qantas Board directs a low risk appetite to be adopted, we are surprised that this rule is not being implemented immediately, especially since similar competing airlines, including Jetstar, consider it necessary.
In the interim, AFAP members continue advising of the assignment of duties from reserve. In recent examples, pilots on early reserves were assigned duties later in their reserve period with a sign off 22 hours after the beginning of their reserve periods.
When the pilots advised of fatigue risks associated with assignment of the duty with such a lengthy period of wakefulness they were put on sick leave.
AFAP Advice
The AFAP will support members in these circumstances proactively managing fatigue risks as per the FRMS and regulatory obligations.
We continue to encourage members to advise crewing at the time of assignment of fatigue duties that you are available to perform duties without fatigue risks. For example, if the duty is multiple sectors, advise you are willing to perform the first sector.
If members feel they are adequately rested to commence the duty, it is important that fatigue reports are submitted describing the circumstances of the duty and any mitigations (such as home transport, napping, or controlled rest) used to maintain sufficient wakefulness.
ALTPAX Day Prior
We have had Perth members raise concerns regarding a change to ALTPAX requirements when a Perth based pilot is rostered an overnight following EPs on the East Coast.
As we understand pilots up until recently have been able to bring forward the paxing sector to the day prior to travel back immediately following the EPs, and retain their entitlement to positive space tickets in the highest class available.
Qantas has advised its position is a pilot may only ALTPAX on the flight immediately prior to the scheduled passenger sector to comply with clause 49.3 of the SHEA9. Qantas’ position is that a pilot can only move a positioning sector to the day prior, where the originally booked flight was the first scheduled flight on Day 2, and the alternative flight requested is the last scheduled flight on Day 1.
The AFAP position is that clause 49.3.3 does not require the “immediately preceding” flight but instead the “first available” flight on the day prior, which is the first flight the pilot can position on after completing their duty. The pilot then retains their entitlement to positive space to the highest class available.
The AFAP has completed the steps of the dispute process, and will now consider escalation to the Fair Work Commission for resolution.
Questions and Feedback
If you have any questions or feedback please contact your AFAP Qantas Pilot Council representatives at qpc@afap.org.au, or the AFAP legal and industrial team of Senior Legal/ Industrial Officer Pat Larkins (patrick@afap.org.au), Senior Industrial Officer Deanna Cain (deanna@afap.org.au) or Executive Director Simon Lutton (simon@afap.org.au).
Regards,
AFAP Qantas Pilot Council
Michael Egan – Chair
Mark Gilmour – Vice-Chair
Rob Close – Secretary
Michael Armessen – Committee Member
David LaPorte – Committee Member
Josh Chalmers – Committee Member
Rob Gilmour – Committee Member