On International
Could there be duty-of-care issues regarding the employees' health in the USA? For American carriers, the employees are having to deal with the COVID situation anyway, going to Australia is obviously of no risk to them. But the other way around, with Qantas having to send employees into a huge COVID risk area, they would have to work really hard to ensure layover procedures at the US ports are safe. Obviously less of a problem for Asian ports.
Also, if QF were to operate to a high COVID risk area like the USA, what happens to crews that have to overnight in the USA and therefore increase their exposure quite a bit , are they subject to 14-day quarantine on return to Australia (which could possibly be cut short if they operate another flight out)? If QF employees became a vector to local transmission, it would be a huge PR problem. Meanwhile, US crews are subject to quarantine and are arranged to depart on the next available service once their required rest is met, so even though they are a danger to the Australian population during their short time here, the risks are quite a lot mitigated compared to a QF crew member that will need to re-enter the community at some point.
Also, regarding profit potential with reduced passenger capacity and focus on freight - are there are differences in configuration that may apply?- Can Singapore and US carriers carry more underfloor cargo more economically? It seems like it shouldn't be a big difference as QF's 787-9's ought to be good for cargo (and United flies the 787-9 too), but I don't know the details.
On Domestic
Going back to the subject line of "Minimal network schedule," I note that towards mid-December, QF is operating a fairly extensive MEL-SYD schedule, getting back to half-hourly a some times of day. Does anyone know what bookings are like on those? I am wondering what the chances of significant consolidation are (I assume fairly high). While I'm sure plenty of people will be taking advantage of the Vic/NSW border reopening, it seems hard to believe a half-hourly schedule will be warranted that soon.