On Friday 29th November 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, Dan Blakemore, Paul Hogan and Andrew Ward along with AIPA pilot representatives Harold Boyd and Nicholas Chetelat.
Attending on behalf of Jetstar was Michael Porch, Leah Everton and Alisha Lavea-Williams.
The items that were raised and discussed at the PCC meeting are summarised below.
DIL Balance
The DIL balance is continuing to decrease at a steady rate with 75 DILs acquitted in September, 31 in November and 70 projected for December. That will bring the remaining DIL balance down to 1331 days at the end of December.
We encourage pilots with a DIL balance to continue to bid for DILs as per the process we have previously outlined:
- Pilots with an existing DIL balance can review this and request DIL’s in JBid.
- Workforce Planning (WFP) will provide resourcing for a number of DIL’s within each cohort to be approved each month (this number will not be provided to pilots in advance of roster build).
- All pilots with a DIL balance should bid for DIL’s every month via JBID. The cut off for DIL requests is aligned with all JBid requests (e.g. requests for the February 2025 roster period close 31 Dec 24).
- If the day(s) you are requesting as a DIL is for an important request, this time off can also be requested through JBid.
- WFP will extract all DIL requests at the beginning of roster build and approve based on the number available and Seniority within each cohort i.e., the most senior pilot will have all requests approved (subject to the amount available in their cohort) before moving to the next pilot's request.
- If pilots do not submit any DIL requests in at least 3 months in the preceding 6 months, Jetstar will consider allocating outstanding DIL’s at its discretion using reverse Seniority within the relevant cohort
Sick Leave Pool Balance
Jetstar advised the Sick Leave Pool Balance was sitting at 75 days as at 29 November, however the Sick Leave Pool was topped up by 1 day per pilot on the 5 December 2024 consistent with clause 54.2.1 (b) of the EA.
Individual Flexibility Arrangement
It is a requirement of the EA that Jetstar disclose to the PCC and AFAP the number and content of IFAs that have been entered into under clause 11 of the EA, without identifying the pilot/s.
We were advised that 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. This number has remained steady since our last meeting.
Hotel Update
The issue of crew hotels has become a central point of discussion among the PCC representatives, especially given the increasing number of hotels either entering or nearing the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage. There is growing concern that, despite the efforts of the AFAP PCC representatives and the positive engagement with relevant Jetstar management, the standard of new hotels is declining.
In response, the PCC has tabled a revised Hotel Inspection Protocol, which aims to create clearer guidelines for the hotel inspection process. The goal is to ensure more active involvement from the PCC representatives early on, helping to streamline the selection of suitable hotels and avoid wasting time and resources on properties that do not meet the required standards.
A key frustration voiced by the PCC has been the inspection of hotels that clearly fail to meet the EA requirements. To address this, the PCC has pushed for desktop audits of shortlisted hotels to ensure that only viable options reach the inspection stage. This would prevent the need for reps to inspect hotels that are clearly unsuitable, improving the efficiency of the process.
Jetstar management has been receptive to this feedback and approach, and there is an expectation that the collaboration between PCC representatives and management will lead to a more streamlined process in selecting future crew hotels.
Below is an update on the crew hotels that have recently been subject to the RFP process:
HKT
Due to increased services to Phuket, the current crew hotel, the Hyatt Regency Resort Phuket - Kamala, is unable to meet Jetstar’s room requirements. In the interim, crew on both fleets have been accommodated at the Marriott Nai Yang (approved ad hoc hotel) which has received mixed feedback, primarily due to its location and proximity to the airport.
To secure a permanent solution, Jetstar initiated an RFP process, which closed in August. The following hotels were shortlisted:
- Marriott Nai Yang – excluded due to location concerns raised by the PCC.
- Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town – approved.
- Four Points by Sheraton Patong – approved.
After thorough inspections by a PCC representative both the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town and Four Points by Sheraton Patong were found to meet EA standards and were considered high-quality options. Jetstar has subsequently engaged in contract negotiations with both hotels to achieve the best outcomes for the Company.
Although not yet confirmed, we expect that Jetstar will enter into a contract with the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town as the primary crew hotel, with a planned transition to the new location effective immediately. That being the case, the Four Points by Sheraton Patong will serve as the designated overflow/ad hoc hotel if required.
While some initial concerns have already been raised regarding the location of the Courtyard Marriot, those pilots who have inspected the hotel and or stayed at the hotel have reported that there are a variety of dining and shopping options within close proximity and Phuket Town is a short tuk-tuk ride from Patong Beach (similar distance from Kamala to Patong Beach).
ICN
Due to ongoing challenges in securing sufficient rooms at the Sheraton Incheon, it is proposed that, effective 1 January, crew will transition to the Swiss Grand Hotel Seoul. The only other viable option presented to the PCC was the Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport hotel, however given its location on the grounds of Incheon airport, the PCC approved the Swiss Grand Hotel Seoul as the preferred choice.
While the travel time to the Swiss Grand (approximately 40–50 minutes) exceeds the 30-minute limit stipulated in EA clause 62.12, the PCC has approved an extension to facilitate this transition, recognising it as the most practical solution.
The PCC raised the possibility of splitting crew accommodations to allow pilots to remain at the Sheraton. However, Jetstar advised that the RFP process for ICN was too advanced to pursue this option. The PCC also evaluated the impact of not approving the extended travel time to the Swiss Grand Hotel, noting that this would likely result in contracting the Grand Hyatt Incheon Airport, which was deemed significantly less preferable for pilots.
SGN
Crew have now moved to the Pullman Saigon Centre as of 1 December 2024. Jetstar has signed a 2-year contract with this new hotel.
DPS
The RFP for a new permanent crew hotel in DPS has closed, with a limited number of the hotels who responded being shortlisted due to previously being ruled out buy the PCC as unsuitable.
As such, Jetstar is looking at signing a 2-year contract with the Sakala. Again, we acknowledge that the Sakala is not popular with all crew due to the location, however the feedback overall is that the quality of the hotel and facilities is very good and Jetstar advised it has received minimal Oscars about this hotel since the move from the Holiday Inn.
BNE
As outlined in our previous PCC update, Jetstar initiated an RFP process for a new crew hotel in Brisbane. This decision was made despite the current contract with the Kennigo not nearing expiry, due to the significant number of Oscars received regarding security concerns in the surrounding area. Once again this highlights the importance of reporting any hotel issues via the Intelex system.
Jetstar is in the final stages of contract negotiations with both the Indigo and Voco Hotels (built back-to-back on each other). The aim is to move from the Kennigo to the new crew hotel in early 2025.
SIN
Jetstar is looking at either staying with the incumbent (hotel Grand Mercure Roxy) or possibly moving to the Mercure on Stevens - which is located in the Orchard District, relatively close by to Orchard Road, however this hotel has not yet been inspected by the PCC.
PER
In response to increased room requirements in Perth, Jetstar is considering the option of splitting crew between two hotels. This approach has been consistently recommended by the AFAP PCC representatives to uphold accommodation standards during the tendering process, particularly in ports where the demand for rooms exceeds the capacity of a single hotel.
It is intended that the Novotel Perth Murray Street (which by all accounts is quite popular) would remain the primary accommodation for pilots, and another hotel would be contracted to accommodate cabin crew.
MEL
The Stamford Plaza Melbourne has been inspected by the PCC for use as an ad hoc hotel. Jetstar is looking at using this hotel during the Grand Prix in March and from January/February 2025 for pilots requiring longer stays in Melbourne.
BKK
Jetstar is going to RFP early for a new crew hotel in Bangkok due to growth and increased flights, with the plan to move well before the October 2026 contract end date. PCC representatives will inspect the short- listed hotels prior to any new contract being entered into.
We can also confirm that NRT and OOL are in an active RFP.
Hard-lying Allowance
We have received several enquiries from members regarding their entitlement to a hard-lying allowance when allocated a substandard room that arguably does not meet the minimum EA requirements.
To clarify, the AFAP successfully argued for the payment of a hard-lying allowance for pilots staying at the Hilton Garden Inn over the peak September period due to contractual issues with the Holiday Inn (the incumbent hotel) and prior to relocation to the Sakala. This was based on the fact that the Hilton Garden Inn had been inspected by the PCC and was not recommended for crew accommodation. Jetstar acknowledged the extraordinary circumstances and the feedback from the PCC, agreeing to pay the hard-lying allowance in that instance.
However, it is important to differentiate this situation from cases where a pilot is allocated a substandard room at a hotel that has been approved by the PCC. In these instances, pilots should first request a new room allocation. If concerns about the room's standard persist, an Oscar should be submitted. In such cases, a hard-lying allowance will not be payable.
Crew Meals
The PCC discussed snack drawer offerings on both fleets and emphasised the importance of including fresh fruit and a more varied selection of sandwiches. Jetstar plans to survey PCC representatives within the next 2–3 weeks to gather feedback on snack preferences, with a planned rollout of new options in early 2025.
Separately, the PCC raised concerns regarding the limited meal and snack options available for pilots with dietary restrictions, such as gluten intolerance. It was stressed that pilots with medical conditions requiring specific diets should have access to suitable crew meals.
Jetstar advised that a new crewing software launching in August/September 2025 will enable crew to specify dietary requirements directly. In the interim, the PCC suggested that a manual process should be investigated to ensure appropriate meal options are available for those pilots.
New Uniforms
The PCC sought clarification over some aspects of the uniform guide.
Backpacks
The PCC raised concerns regarding the prohibition of backpacks, highlighting potential health and safety issues for crew, particularly those with back or shoulder issues, who would be required carry around a heavy nav bag. Jetstar acknowledged these concerns and agreed that professional-looking backpacks are reasonable and has undertaken to explore amending guidelines to permit their use.
Facial Hair
Jetstar confirmed there would be no changes to the facial hair policy due to safety considerations, specifically the inability of oxygen mask manufacturers to guarantee an effective seal with facial hair.
The PCC has previously advocated for a review of this policy, aligning it with modern safety research and industry trends. Material was presented demonstrating the efficacy of oxygen masks with different beard lengths and supporting more inclusive grooming standards.
At the time the PCC was advised that the facial hair policy was under Qantas Group review and that the Qantas Group Flying Operations Safety Committee (QGFOSC) had commissioned a third-party independent report on mask efficacy with facial hair and that upon completion of this report is expected there will be a group wide policy regarding facial hair.
It remains unclear what the report concluded or whether Jetstar’s current stance on facial hair will be adopted across the broader Qantas Group.
Staff Travel
PCC representatives have previously raised allowing Group A companions to be classified as “accompanied” passengers whilst Jetstar pilots are operating duty flights to ensure Group A companions have a higher onload priority.
We highlighted that Qantas already permit this by granting higher priority and therefore Jetstar should work to improve efforts of aligning our pilots and their Group A companions with the Qantas policy.
While there is no automatic process for this to occur at Jetstar, it was identified that it can be achieved manually by contacting staff travel and sending a copy of your roster.
This remains an ongoing discussion with Jetstar, however it appears that it is achievable, subject to sign off by the relevant Jetstar Department.
Qantas Club Access for Commuters
Again, we raised with Jetstar the ability for commuting pilots to purchase Qantas Club access when using leisure travel solely for the purpose of traveling to and from their place of residence. This is in line with arrangements in place for Qantas pilots and would obviously assist with making the “commute” slightly more bearable!
There were no further updates at this meeting, but we are optimistic that Jetstar management will proactively follow up to hopefully make this available for Jetstar pilots.
Annual DDO allocation
Although Jetstar is not expecting to encounter any issues with its obligation under the EA to provide a minimum 132 designated day off (DDO) allocation to each pilot per calendar year (clause 46.6 of the EA), we encourage pilots to do their own desk top audit of the total number of designated days off you have been rostered this year (based on you original published rosters) to ensure you have received the minimum 132 DDO annual allocation for 2024. The following roster codes are included in the 132 annual DDO allocation:
OFF – Day Off
ROF – Requested Day Off
WOF – Weekend Day Off
EOF – Additional Day Off
REP – Highline Replacement DDO
FDO – Fixed Day Off
MOF – Medical (Appointment) Day Off
BOF – Off day for Base Transfer
NDM – Nine Day Off Month
OFR – Day off when on preassigned sick leave (PAS)
STR – Day Off STAR
PHO – Public Holiday Day Off
AOF – Annual Leave Off Day
LHO – Half Long Service Weekend
LSO – Long Service Weekend Off
POF – Parental Leave Day Off
While clause 46.5 of EA prescribes a maximum number of 13 DDOs per roster period, we note that where a highline pilot has been previously rostered down to 9 DDOs (as per clause 46.6) Jetstar can publish a ‘Highline Replacement Day’ (coded as REP in your roster). This means that it is possible for a pilot to end up with 14 DDOs in a roster, with one of these being a REP Day.
If pilots have any concerns with their annual 132 DDO entitlement you should contact your Base Manager in the first instance, and if unresolved please get in touch with the AFAP.
AFAP and Jetstar Meeting
Following the PCC meeting AFAP representatives, including Senior Industrial/Legal Officers Deanna Cain, Pat Larkins and Andrew Molnar 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:
Open Time
Please refer to our previous update here for details of the Open Time discussions between the AFAP and Jetstar.
JBid and Roster Review Working Group
Significant time and resources have gone into the JBid / Roster Review Working Group over the past 6 months in an effort to improve rostering outcomes. The risk with the workshop was always that any improvements, and there have been some, would not significantly change pilots’ perception of the JBid system or satisfaction with their rosters.
The JBid Workshop is nearing the point where it has run its course, and despite the numerous changes that have been implemented, it is not clear that pilot satisfaction has improved demonstrably.
Some of the more obvious changes that have been implemented include:
- Sharing weekends off more equitably: the implementation of a guaranteed weekend off every six weeks.
- Allowing/forcing training flights to be rostered for limited overnights.
- Expanding the rules regarding Earlies with a view to allowing more flexibility, ultimately with the aim of reducing Early to Late and Late to Early transitions (this has not been implemented due to regulatory issues).
- Allowing some delinking of EFA balancing across bases.
- Publishing the closed pairings.
- Removing already allocated training flights from the closed pairings (this is a work in progress).
- Opening of the PER base while not part of the Workshop has been a positive outcome in reducing multi day trips through the West.
- Numerous other Algorithm rules have also been changed, although often it is “ whack-a-mole,” and one fix creates another problem.
However, we believe that there is one significant change to the Roster Optimiser which has been consistently suggested by the AFAP, but not yet been implemented by Jetstar, which could make a tangible positive difference. We have now formally requested that Jetstar relax the rules around hours balancing in the Roster Optimiser to allow a 10 hour window. e.g., within any base pilots should be rostered +/- 5 hours from the average. We note that currently Jetstar optimise rosters within a very narrow hour window.
We argued that expanding this roster hour window would potentially improve roster satisfaction as the algorithm would not be forced into rostering non preferred patterns just to balance hours. The AFAP noted that there was no obvious method of reassessing the likely benefits of this change other than by publishing rosters with this change.
It would seem that the main resistance for not at least trialling this rule is the potential EFA cost. The AFAP argued that potentially there would be NO net cost. In fact, there may be a saving. Notwithstanding this, the benefit to pilot engagement if the change does improve rosters is, the AFAP believe, worth a trial. Jetstar has taken away this request for further consideration.
Failing this, the parties need to give serious consideration to whether the ‘fair share’ model in JBid is a sustainable bidding model for the pilot group, or whether wholesale change to the bidding system is required (e.g. rotating seniority).
The key message for members is that your AFAP pilot representatives are fully aware of the ongoing dissatisfaction with current rostering outcomes. We are actively addressing this issue by engaging directly with Jetstar management through the Roster Review/JBid Working Group and at quarterly AFAP–Jetstar meetings. Our discussions include submitting well-informed suggestions aimed at improving rostering outcomes, leveraging our knowledge of Jetstar’s systems. Our input is both valued and respected by Jetstar management, and while we cannot guarantee immediate results, rest assured that our actions speak louder than others words, and we are committed to achieving meaningful improvements.
JQ MRO Clearance Following 21+ days Leave of Absence.
The AFAP has sought confirmation from Jetstar regarding whether pilots are now required to obtain Jetstar MRO clearance for absences exceeding 21 days. We also inquired if and when relevant manuals will be updated to reflect this process. This inquiry follows feedback indicating that pilots returning from extended absences have been subjected to this clearance process.
Jetstar advised that while this new process was under active consideration to align with QF procedures, it was unable to confirm whether it has been formally implemented at Jetstar. We will continue to seek clarity on this matter and provide updates as they become available.
Standby Contactability – Process for Marking Pilots Uncontactable
In response to recent member enquiries, the AFAP has asked Jetstar to clarify the process followed by crewing when a pilot on standby fails to answer their phone and is subsequently marked as uncontactable.
The AFAP’s position is that a 15-minute grace period for the pilot to return the call or accept the assigned duty via their CWP would be reasonable. This accounts for situations where a pilot may miss a call due to being in the shower or otherwise temporarily unavailable.
We have also suggested that the Company communicate the official process and expectations clearly to pilots to avoid confusion.
We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Waitlist/SBY Travel on QF Aircraft
It has come to our attention that Jetstar pilots are still occasionally being issued waitlisted tickets when traveling on Qantas for duty, particularly when called out off a STB or during a disruption when JQ has had to rebook pilots on a Qantas flight. This practice is contrary to the EA provision, which requires Jetstar to provide a firm economy seat for all scheduled positioning travel.
Jetstar will investigate this matter with WFP and OPS Delivery to determine why the issue has reemerged.
In the meantime, we encourage pilots who are booked on waitlisted or standby tickets with Qantas to submit an Oscar and attach a copy of their boarding pass, regardless of whether they were offloaded.
EFA Credits when 324 for a Safety Interview
This is a reminder that pilots who are 324 pending the outcome of a Safety Investigation should, in most instances, receive payment of any EFA in accordance with their original roster for the period they are stood down.
Jetstar has advised that this is a manual process. Therefore, pilots in this situation need to request the reinstatement of their EFA credits directly from the RFM.
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