Originally posted by Wilf
It is a shame that you do not post more often. Many here need to hear stories like yours I think because you certainly describe the real place as opposed to the Oz of dreams represented by a lot of people here who have yet to even visit. I have tried to point out the short term contract, part time, casualised jobs market here many times but it does not seem to register - perhaps people are not bothered whether they can find work but it was always important to me before I retired and so cannot see their point of view.

All the best and hope things are better for you now, Wilf

Originally posted by southerner
I'm sure that PB had a bigger impact than even he would think.

I have heard privately from people who have decided not to move to Australia after looking into a few things raised by PB, Wilf, Dotty etc. Thats great - and what the site is for, to provide info and opinions for people to factor into their decision making.

And if people move to a new country with eyes wide open, and with maybe a plan B in mind, then I think that is a great outcome.

And where are these people's posts? I don't honestly know, but I think possibly a lot of people who are uncertain or genuinely undecided just sit in the background taking it all in, and only come out of the closet on the odd occasion, or never.

Typically it is the people with the strongest views (either positive or negative) who post the most. That makes the forum pretty interesting, but does not give a feel for what the middle ground make of it all.

I still feel there are a few people who get too personal in the way they put their message across, and I find fault here more with the rose tinted brigade than with the negative lot. But hey, its a democracy, and I can't tell other people how to behave.

Hey, maybe some of you silent and undecided people are reading this. What do you think of the info you get? Do you want more of the glossy stuff you can get off the tourist brochures, or more of the warnings and potential downsides?

Cheers...Southerner


ps I am personally off to NZ and am feeling very positive about this decision. Would welcome many more negative posts on NZ (have been some good ones by Wilf - thanks for trying, I know you don't get much appreciation from the NZ readers). I will read them seriously, filter out what is good info and what is not, and factor them in to either validate or invalidate my decision.

pps And I have a plan B too, which will be a move back to the best big country in the world (the UK).

Originally posted by paddythepilot
Wilf,

Thanks for your encouragement, maybe I should add some more eh?

Well, my best mate in Brizzy was from Scotland and the only way he could make ends meet was by doing-up dodgy, knackered old cars, re-painting them and then selling em on for a few Dollars cash-in-hand! (Don't tell the Taxman type of arrangement).

This guy has a Law Degree and was a fully qualified Commercial Pilot!

Whilst I was there I had a bit of free time so I tried to find a part-time job and so I tried Woolies (stacking shelves) even the local petrol station (night shift) ..........no chance of a job......even a crap one like these. They just wouldn't even consider me!

So I tried my luck at the Casino near Queen's Street Mall where they might have vacancies in the Security Department.

Now I am a former Senior Inspector in the Royal Hong Kong Police, with a BSc (Hons) in Policing & Police Studies & I can speak Cantonese..........should be OK for a security officer in a casino eh? No such luck!

So I duno how people can afford to buy these wonderful houses in the suburbs with pools etc, or how they can afford a new Ford Falcon and a flat screen TV, (massive credit problems maybe?), but from my experience Brisbane was a total economic nightmare.

Like I said before, nice place but I think I'll stay in Hong Kong until I can afford to retire there!

Cheers
(I hope I didn't offend anyone)

Originally posted by Megalania
There are too many city based commercial pilots in Aus and little demand for them in Brisbane.

Originally posted by PeteY
Too many anywhere, especially following the WTC crashes.

I used to work at a local airport, and am friends with many an unemployed pilot, some who have now had to retrain into different fields.

Originally posted by paddythepilot
Wilf,

Thanks for your encouragement, maybe I should add some more eh?

Well, my best mate in Brizzy was from Scotland and the only way he could make ends meet was by doing-up dodgy, knackered old cars, re-painting them and then selling em on for a few Dollars cash-in-hand! (Don't tell the Taxman type of arrangement).

This guy has a Law Degree and was a fully qualified Commercial Pilot!

Whilst I was there I had a bit of free time so I tried to find a part-time job and so I tried Woolies (stacking shelves) even the local petrol station (night shift) ..........no chance of a job......even a crap one like these. They just wouldn't even consider me!

So I tried my luck at the Casino near Queen's Street Mall where they might have vacancies in the Security Department.

Now I am a former Senior Inspector in the Royal Hong Kong Police, with a BSc (Hons) in Policing & Police Studies & I can speak Cantonese..........should be OK for a security officer in a casino eh? No such luck!

So I duno how people can afford to buy these wonderful houses in the suburbs with pools etc, or how they can afford a new Ford Falcon and a flat screen TV, (massive credit problems maybe?), but from my experience Brisbane was a total economic nightmare.

Like I said before, nice place but I think I'll stay in Hong Kong until I can afford to retire there!

Cheers
(I hope I didn't offend anyone)

Originally posted by Megalania
Naming the fields they chose might help someone.

Originally posted by Megalania
Sure you would have lasted more than 2 days in any of those jobs? You appear too qualified and there are plenty of Aussies who will stay longer on the job for employers to choose from. There are too many city based commercial pilots in Aus and little demand for them in Brisbane. Seems you have changed direction several times so you would have been better advised to make your own business opportunities, something better than dodge'em cars.