Alan Joyce to leave Qantas immediately

[Cossie]

Not sure where to post this, but anyway, this morning checkin at Canberra, as we were going to NZ we had to go to the counter.

I asked the agent how the mood was following yesterday’s announcement. She looked at me, smiled and said everyone she had spoken to was very happy!

 

[flyingfan]

If Hudson was going to try a clean break and make some positive changes, it seems very odd in her video message she would have paid tribute to Joyce so heartily. It seemed to link her to him in a way that could only be damaging. Thought she would have political capital to focus more on “We’re doing things differently from this point”.

To me it seemed like an immediate way to lose credibility with staff who weren’t fans of Joyce (noting we’re not privy to internal corp comms).

 

[Pushka]

Alan Joyce remains as CEO of Qantas after his resignation letter was lost by baggage handlers

This marks yet another scheduled departure to be cancelled at the airline.

chaser.com.au

 

[jb747]

Apparently the new boarding music will be "Ding, dong, the witch is dead".

 

[anat0l]

If Hudson was going to try a clean break and make some positive changes, it seems very odd in her video message she would have paid tribute to Joyce so heartily. It seemed to link her to him in a way that could only be damaging. Thought she would have political capital to focus more on “We’re doing things differently from this point”.

To me it seemed like an immediate way to lose credibility with staff who weren’t fans of Joyce (noting we’re not privy to internal corp comms).

Nearly every leader does this from time immemorial.

You acknowledge the departing leadership and try to say something nice about them. Part of it is to not make the company or organisation look like it is a fractured fracas and an in-principle joke (applies to political institutions, too).

Another part is, irrespective of the passing leadership, acknowledging in principle how difficult the job is. No one would say that Joyce's role was a walk in the park, no matter how badly he did it (and for some reason he did it for almost twice as long as his predecessors). Part of this then tries to set up the idea that she will do her best in a difficult job and that gives her a bit of a foundation in case she starts making mistakes.

If you can't say much nice, maybe just say at least the company is still going and, in this case, not in the weakest financial position (albeit in perhaps its weakest moral position).

Some say it's not right to forsaken the dead. I personally couldn't care, but when it's one of your former cadre (like it or not), that does make it more difficult.

 

[flyingfan]

Wow. Everyone should hear what Richard de Crespigny has to say on the situation. Not a journo, not a politician; we know his history. I find it incredible that there are some who defend this airline to the end. Hopefully now we will see some staff-and- customer-focussed recovery.

Finally had a chance to listen to this - a bit taken aback by how forceful he was. Hope new leadership means a boost to staff morale and it translates to better service.

 

[RooFlyer]

Finally had a chance to listen to this - a bit taken aback by how forceful he was.

Its appearing that on the whole, the staff were just as disgusted by the management as the customers - but were (and serving staff still are) constrained in saying so.

 

[Pushka]

Its appearing that on the whole, the staff were just as disgusted by the management as the customers - but were (and serving staff still are) constrained in saying so.

Well they are the ones having to try mollify the customer when they've been screwed by the system.

 

[jb747]

Its appearing that on the whole, the staff were just as disgusted by the management as the customers - but were (and serving staff still are) constrained in saying so.

I'm surprised you're just realising this. He was hated. Across the board, and for many reasons. His legacy is nothing but destruction.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm surprised you're just realising this. He was hated. Across the board, and for many reasons. His legacy is nothing but destruction.

The external interface of feelings more constrained than the internal ones, I guess. At least while the oaf was there.

 

[tinkybelle]

I just don’t know why they are paying him out when he has destroyed an airline

 

[anat0l]

I just don’t know why they are paying him out when he has destroyed an airline

Probably similar reason why you can't withhold the final pay cheque even if one gets the sack due to severe misconduct.

Or, sometimes the easiest way to make something go away is (a) pay it away, or (b) promote it away.

 

[anat0l]

I'm surprised you're just realising this. He was hated. Across the board, and for many reasons. His legacy is nothing but destruction.

In that case, I wonder if the skeletons will start arising now. Someone might actually write the history of Qantas as it is supposed to be told.

(Yes I'm well aware there are less than flattering books out there about the airline, but none have really been taken that seriously or were drowned out by the hype)

 

[RooFlyer]

I just don’t know why they are paying him out when he has destroyed an airline

Depends on the contract he has with Qantas. Some of the bonuses have already been earned, just deferred in timing. But it seems that Qantas may have the right to 'claw back' some - but I don't know if that's past earned bonuses, or the current one(s).

I think I saw somewhere that when he fore-went a short-term bonus during the pandemic ("sacrifice") the Chairman agreed to turn much of it into a different pay component that would accrue later. Will see if I can find it.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I just don’t know why they are paying him out when he has destroyed an airline

As much as I dislike him, and he has justifiably caused most working for the company (or now contracting...) to despise him, isn't really the reality to say that he has destroyed the airline, just IMHO.

 

[tinkybelle]

No new aircraft for 20 years
bad food even biz and f
cancelled flights but if u cancel or are late you pay
rippoff airfares
bad call centres unless u are plat or above
think he has not fared well

 

[Quickstatus]

I find it incredible that there are some who defend this airline to the end

Maybe defending what it should be?

 

[Must...Fly!]

No new aircraft for 20 years
bad food even biz and f
cancelled flights but if u cancel or are late you pay
rippoff airfares
bad call centres unless u are plat or above
think he has not fared well

For the customer he's been terrible, I entirely agree.

It might also be extreme, yet correct, to say that there's no guarantee the airline survives in a parallel universe.

Quite why share buy backs were approved by the board given the Capex Qantas is facing is a whole other question. Gotta be nice to the institutions, I guess...this is where I think Goyder shouldn't hold more than one high profile chairmanship.

 

[RooFlyer]

this is where I think Goyder shouldn't hold more than one high profile chairmanship.

Bingo.

 

[jb747]

You have to wonder about whatever knowledge of the ACCC sniffing around was floating around the halls. It can’t have been a sudden surprise. That surely that must throw up questions regarding dearest leader’s sale of most of his shares. Aren’t there some ‘go to jail’ outcomes associated with this sort of thing.