QF6001 MEL - VCV VH-OQH Qantas A380 departs Melbourne bound for Victorville

[Kerrodt]

I just had an unusual sound overhead - the distinctive hum and purr of A380 engines pushing an aircraft into the sky and onwards to it's faraway destination. This was once a regular occurrence multiple times a day over my place but since COVID the skies have been silent, so it was unusual for today so I had to check to see what was going on. Sadly, it was QF6001, a flight from Melbourne to Victorville for Qantas A380 VH-OQH "Reginald Ansett". I do hope that Victorville is only a temporary home and not the final resting place. Bon Voyage and safe travels "Reginald Ansett".

 

[texanaust]

What don't they just park the A380's in Alice Springs? A lot cheaper than flying to Victorville...

 

[Kerrodt]

What don't they just park the A380's in Alice Springs? A lot cheaper than flying to Victorville...

Two reasons come to mind immediately (my speculation only):

1. Better long term storage and maintenance facilities at VCV - particularly maintenance, and
2. VCV is a more viable permanent resting place if plans don't go as expected and these birds never take to the skies again.

 

[samh004]

What don't they just park the A380's in Alice Springs? A lot cheaper than flying to Victorville...

They've already run out of space at Alice Springs.

I believe there is a planned expansion, but it's no where near ready yet.

 

[texanaust]

Its a pity about the Alice though...could have provided some much needed Aussie jobs.

 

[jpp42]

Its a pity about the Alice though...could have provided some much needed Aussie jobs.

But that brings up a related point - the maintenance costs would be much lower in the USA. While Victorville isn't as low cost of living as say, Arizona, there would be plenty of mechanics available with the downturn in flying who would work for low US wages. In Australia the award rates are high plus there would be additional conditions for stationing mechanics in a remote area like Alice, making it significantly more expensive. This is the story across so many industries when it comes to Aussie jobs... hence the reason so much A380 maintenance was offshore already.

 

[dajop]

But that brings up a related point - the maintenance costs would be much lower in the USA. While Victorville isn't as low cost of living as say, Arizona, there would be plenty of mechanics available with the downturn in flying who would work for low US wages.

Indeed, given QF already had built a maintenance facility at LAX, and had been doing a lot of maintenance on A380s during their downtime in LAX, 160km from Victorville, it wouldn't be surprising if the same contractors are maintaining them at Victorville.

 

[ajw373]

Indeed, given QF already had built a maintenance facility at LAX, and had been doing a lot of maintenance on A380s during their downtime in LAX, 160km from Victorville, it wouldn't be surprising if the same contractors are maintaining them at Victorville.

That’s the main reason. And I don’t think they are contractors either, rather actual Qantas employees. Two are going to be kept at LAX too.

Some might complain about Qantas helping Americans In keeping jobs, but from why I hear US labour laws make it hard to sack them.