jb747's last operational flight

[tgh]

I also thank you for your wonderful contributions, and wish you a happy retirement.

As a survivor of this process, I trust that you are well prepared for the abruptness of the change.
Many retirees from high function positions suffer great distress as the blessed peace becomes a vacuum and in some cases leads to great unhappiness.
A corporate friend has found great difficulty with the transition (in his reality) from someone to no one.

Take care and good luck

 

[mjt57]

JB, do you have any trips before the last ones?

Also, it’s been a long journey on social media. I recall “meeting” you as JB767 or similar on the aus.aviation news group. Used to enjoy the exchanges between Silvia Else and you and other pilots. And of course, Rod Speed.

 

[Quickstatus]

Chinese New Year traffic too?

Students coming back for start of school year which begins on 29 Jan

 

[ChrisGibbs]

QFA0436 PAX MEL/SYD 1245
SU 20 Jan 1330 SU 1455

QFA0001 SYD/SIN
SU 20 Jan 1700 SU 2205

QFA0001 SIN/LHR 2255
MO 21 Jan 2355 TU 0615

QFA0002 LHR/SIN 1945
TH 24 Jan 2045 FR 1745

QFA0036 SIN/MEL 1840
SU 27 Jan 1940 MO 0600

All times are local.

I expect to see you all!

Does a SYD based QF A380 Captain 'forego' the QF1 SYD-SIN-LHR and QF2 LHR/SIN sectors or is it a case of the scheduling gods making it happen this way? How would scheduling cover the QF2 SIN-SYD sector on the 27 JAN? Would they PAX a Captain out of SYD up to SIN?

With this routing it appears the QF A380 tech crew/s based in Melbourne are limited to MEL-SIN and/or MEL-LAX as available sectors. Other QF A380 destinations like HKG and/or LHR would be out of reach without paxing to SYD and then taking the spot of SYD based A380 tech crew.

Unfortunately I will be in the US with work during these times and won't be able to jump aboard any of these sectors. Back in 2015 I was on Bob Small's last A380 sector QF128 from HKG-SYD. After 45 years at Qantas Bob tried to keep it low key but I think the fire trucks water cannon salute and the announcement by the FO gave it away. Also having his son as the SO made it even tougher.

Having been born and bred in Nowra with the old man being an ex RAN WOATA posted to various Wessex and Sea King squadrons (817 and 723) including a stint as AEO of 723 I occasionally cross paths with a number of ex Navy pilots who are now tech crew on QF. Apart from the dismantling of the RAN's fixed wing capability they speak positively of the opportunities the RAN provided for their continued aviation careers with Qantas.

JB747 - I wish you and your family all the best for a safe and enjoyable Xmas / New Year. Please don't be a stranger after you sign off from QF36 in the early hours of Monday 28th January.

 

[jb747]

Does a SYD based QF A380 Captain 'forego' the QF1 SYD-SIN-LHR and QF2 LHR/SIN sectors or is it a case of the scheduling gods making it happen this way? How would scheduling cover the QF2 SIN-SYD sector on the 27 JAN? Would they PAX a Captain out of SYD up to SIN?

The complete patterns aren't available yet. But, yes, a London trip, and associated hours (i.e. pay) have disappeared from the Sydney base. More than likely they've simply given a Melbourne LA flight to Sydney to balance things...they already do some of them. The Sin-Syd sector will probably be flown by a Sydney based pilot who would otherwise have done Sin-Mel, pax Sydney. They are unlikely to need to pax people to Singapore. I expect that would have been a bridge too far, but between Melbourne and Sydney wouldn't be an issue.

With this routing it appears the QF A380 tech crew/s based in Melbourne are limited to MEL-SIN and/or MEL-LAX as available sectors. Other QF A380 destinations like HKG and/or LHR would be out of reach without paxing to SYD and then taking the spot of SYD based A380 tech crew.

HKG, London, Dallas and Sydney are not available to Melbourne based pilots. In large part, the loss of London made the Melbourne base redundant.

Unfortunately I will be in the US with work during these times and won't be able to jump aboard any of these sectors. Back in 2015 I was on Bob Small's last A380 sector QF128 from HKG-SYD. After 45 years at Qantas Bob tried to keep it low key but I think the fire trucks water cannon salute and the announcement by the FO gave it away. Also having his son as the SO made it even tougher.

I think it's in the FO's duty statement to ensure the Captain can't sneak away. CSMs too.

Bob was great bloke to be trained by, or fly with. He did my check to the line on the 380. I've flown with his son a few times over the years, on other aircraft.

 

[Pushka]

Thankyou for keeping us safe in the skies. I’d like to think I’ve flown on one of your flights.

Best wishes for your retirement. I hope you will wonder how you found time to fly!

 

[TripleB]

Does the enterprise agreement still provide for a golden roster on your last month - where you get what you want, unless someone more senior than you is also on his/her last month and also on a golden roster?

 

[jb747]

Does the enterprise agreement still provide for a golden roster on your last month - where you get what you want, unless someone more senior than you is also on his/her last month and also on a golden roster?

It's an individual trip, not an entire roster.....

 

[QF WP]

Looks like I will miss out on seeing you on any of those flights - I was considering doing a BNE/MEL to position for your QF436 flight but after being at the cricket for 2 days with clients on Thursday & Friday, don't like my chances of sneaking this through (plus kids are back at school the next week).

Hoping to catch up with you sometime. Still fondly remember sitting next to you at the AFF restaurant function and your talk.

 

[Janflyer]

Dear JB, Thank you for your professionalism and the wonderful contribution you make to this site - it is so very much appreciated.
Here's wishing you clear skies for your last flights as pilot and for any in the future as a pax.

 

[p--and--t]

OMG JB, please don't let retirement stop you from posting on AFF, thousands will suffer withdrawal symptoms.

Sincerely wish you well on your retirement which from my reading of forums seems will be centred around cars and caravans.

 

[VPS]

I have going into the coughpit of a large plane as a bucket list item and I was really hoping I could get on one of your flights before you retire but I don't think it's going to happen. Thanks for all your words of wisdom over the years. Enjoy retirement

 

[jb747]

OMG JB, please don't let retirement stop you from posting on AFF, thousands will suffer withdrawal symptoms.

My retirement won't affect the 'pilot' thread. Probably take at least a few years before I forget it all, though given that I still remember one of the Macchi checklists, it might be longer.

 

[WheelieBagWanderer]

As others have said, "thank you" for what you have provided to us, JB.

Now that you're retiring, plenty of time to collate "Ask The Pilot" - the book - from the content of these threads. No doubt it would sell like hot cakes.

Wishing you all the best for your final sectors and life ahead.

 

[glasszon]

Congrats @jb747, the ask a pilot thread was really informative for us aircraft geeks.

Is there any chance to have a mini AFF gathering on the QF436 flight on 20/01 for those who can't travel on the long weekend?

 

[kookaburra75]

QFA0001 SYD/SIN
SU 20 Jan 1700 SU 2205

QFA0001 SIN/LHR 2255
MO 21 Jan 2355 TU 0615

I am booked to fly QF1 on Sat 19 Jan, but I'll change that to Sun 20 Jan now, to make sure I'm on that leg with you. It will mean going straight into the office on Mon morning in the UK, but it's worth it. Unfortunately I can't quite swing it to change to your SIN/LHR leg.

I'm currently in 33G, (with fingers crossed on whether my upgrade request comes through). I can bring a note/card from Vince D P if you want (an old class mate)

Cheers

 

[RSD]

JB, is your retirement due to hitting the 60 year age limit or you just felt the time is right?

 

[jb747]

Is there any chance to have a mini AFF gathering on the QF436 flight on 20/01 for those who can't travel on the long weekend?

As I don't live in Melbourne, I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to travel to Sydney directly from Albury, or via Melbourne....

 

[jb747]

JB, is your retirement due to hitting the 60 year age limit or you just felt the time is right?

60 isn’t a limit any more. That changed about 10 years ago. 65 is the limit for international ops, and there is no limit if you fly domestically.

I’m 64 next birthday, so I’m going about year before I have to...but the time is right.

 

[RSD]

60 isn’t a limit any more. That changed about 10 years ago. 65 is the limit for international ops, and there is no limit if you fly domestically.

I’m 64 next birthday, so I’m going about year before I have to...but the time is right.

When you think the time is right is always the best time to make the move - I'm looking forward to that day myself so I can move to where I want to retire to and enjoy more stable weather etc.