Are Qantas Employee benefits too generous?

[whatmeworry]

Are Qantas Employee benefits too generous?

I was talking with a former "middle" manager at QF, who despite retirement still receives 90% off J travel and told me he will going to Europe next with his wife with QF/EK in J for only $800. His children also received free around the world trips before the age of 25. He also had access to a company credit card which he called a green card which he used to shout his subordinates after work with dinner and drinks.

Another person told me how he would get heavily discounted J travel with QF as his ex-wife worked for them. Even after the divorce he still could claim partner benefits and that a QF could change their "partner" 3 times a year.

Anybody know of any other generous benefits QF employees receive or do they think employees deserve every benefit they receive?

 

[Hvr]

Frankly I don't see that it is any of our business. What Qf offers their employees is between Qf and their employees.

Whilst we might hypothesise about what is offered we'll never know for sure unless we're involved.

 

[whatmeworry]

Frankly I don't see that it is any of our business. What Qf offers their employees is between Qf and their employees.

Whilst we might hypothesise about what is offered we'll never know for sure unless we're involved.

QFF benefits are widely known yet QF employee benefits are not. Perhaps QF should start looking at their "enhancing" employee benefits?

 

[medhead]

And I've worked at places where the boss had a corporate card and would frequently use it to buy us drink and meals. What is you point? Any business is free to spend its money however they see fit. (Within the law)

 

[madrooster]

These are just ID90 fares available to employees of other airlines too. Nothing out of the ordinary...

 

[N860CR]

Are Qantas Employee benefits too generous?

I was talking with a former "middle" manager at QF, who despite retirement still receives 90% off J travel and told me he will going to Europe next with his wife with QF/EK in J for only $800. His children also received free around the world trips before the age of 25. He also had access to a company credit card which he called a green card which he used to shout his subordinates after work with dinner and drinks.

Another person told me how he would get heavily discounted J travel with QF as his ex-wife worked for them. Even after the divorce he still could claim partner benefits and that a QF could change their "partner" 3 times a year.

Anybody know of any other generous benefits QF employees receive or do they think employees deserve every benefit they receive?

This does seem to have become the flavour of the week here...

"Business" fares for staff to Europe are quite a bit more than $800. As has been mentioned time and time again, they are space available only and are filled after every other passenger is onloaded. The chance of getting business on all 4 legs for a retired staff member is next to 0. Chances are they'll be stuck in Dubai for a few days waiting for space. Nothing like fighting for a hotel room at 1am with no advanced notice!

I don't think a corporate charge card is unique to Qantas.

A partner cannot be changed 3 times a year and having a spouse added requires a marriage certificate or significant evidence of a long term relationship.

Every job provides its benefits. They are generally at minimal cost to the company, just as discounted travel for Qantas staff is (actually, staff travel turns a nice profit for Qantas which is good for everyone - customers and staff). It's not a wonderful benefit, however those who have it (and use it) are appreciative I'm sure.

 

[moa999]

And ID90 fares have limited availability and are subject to bumping... Know of one QF employee whi got stuck in la for days.

Remember QF used to be govt owned with a mandated two airline policy. Some benefits and pay scales, and work practices hark back to these days.

But all legacy airlines have these issues versus the new upstarts.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Glad we have had several sensible replies who have covered the points beautifully.

 

[whatmeworry]

This does seem to have become the flavour of the week here...

"Business" fares for staff to Europe are quite a bit more than $800. As has been mentioned time and time again, they are space available only and are filled after every other passenger is onloaded. The chance of getting business on all 4 legs for a retired staff member is next to 0. Chances are they'll be stuck in Dubai for a few days waiting for space. Nothing like fighting for a hotel room at 1am with no advanced notice!

This guy work for QF in the "old days" and was adamant he got 2 J fares to Europe for $800 p.p. and both fares have been ticketed.

IIRC there was someone who purchased a J DOM fare and selected seats near the front but got bumped back to the 3rd row (IIRC) because off duty FA's had taken seats near the front.

 

[N860CR]

Sorry... But he's either talking in 1990s dollars or lying. Ticketed doesn't mean anything. It's not confirmed in economy and certainly not confirmed in business. Space available only. Standard across the industry. The only exception are long service leave trips which are conditionally confirmed in economy only.

Duty or off duty staff are only loaded into otherwise empty seats. The commercial pax must have had their seat changed (operationally or otherwise) which left the original as open. No booking system is able to reallocate automatically a previously assigned seat that has been operationally changed.

 

[puppysparkes]

Are Qantas Employee benefits too generous?

I was talking with a former "middle" manager at QF, who despite retirement still receives 90% off J travel and told me he will going to Europe next with his wife with QF/EK in J for only $800. His children also received free around the world trips before the age of 25. He also had access to a company credit card which he called a green card which he used to shout his subordinates after work with dinner and drinks.

Another person told me how he would get heavily discounted J travel with QF as his ex-wife worked for them. Even after the divorce he still could claim partner benefits and that a QF could change their "partner" 3 times a year.

Anybody know of any other generous benefits QF employees receive or do they think employees deserve every benefit they receive?

No I'm not aware of any other "generous" staff benefits. If the person is a "former" employee and "worked" for it, then I'd even swap seats if requested as long as I got an aisle seat. All considered against full fare paying pax. Tempting employment conditions tbh.

 

[straitman]

This guy work for QF in the "old days" and was adamant he got 2 J fares to Europe for $800 p.p. and both fares have been ticketed.

IIRC there was someone who purchased a J DOM fare and selected seats near the front but got bumped back to the 3rd row (IIRC) because off duty FA's had taken seats near the front.

Sorry to disillusion you but I would call his bluff on this. I have many friends who have and still do fly for a multitude of airlines. If they really need to get somewhere at a given time they join the masses and buy 'real' ticket. If they have time (often days needed) and flexibility they will play the ID90 game as mentioned by other posters.

 

[whatmeworry]

Sorry to disillusion you but I would call his bluff on this. I have many friends who have and still do fly for a multitude of airlines. If they really need to get somewhere at a given time they join the masses and buy 'real' ticket. If they have time (often days needed) and flexibility they will play the ID90 game as mentioned by other posters.

Well according to this blow hard he reckons he has connections in QF... etc etc etc.

Although I must confess I have met a few individuals that were in love with personal status within QF... Whether that was accurately reflected in reality!

 

[Mal]

Every legacy company has benefits for some employees which they can't remove. For example one large software company has j travel for staff joined earlier than date x, y for everyone else.

And examples of defined benefit super funds exist in many companies vs the accumulated benefit funds popular today.

Yes some of the benefits are probably too generous, no they can't be easily removed from current employees and yes by changing employee agreements (or how staff are hired) the benefits can be wound back slowly.

 

[BoyZeus]

My partner works for an airline. From time to time we use ID90 in both J and Y class. Let me assure you there is a huge list of drawbacks. Do not be fooled by ex staff members 'days of yore' tales of ID travel - it's not what it seems. The chances of not flying are so great these days - we budget for a published Y airfare to get him back home as a precaution.

Did you know that if travelling on ID travel and you happened to get bumped and miss your next shift because of said delay your employment is terminated? Makes for stressful travel.

I'm currently on an RTW and I purchased the fare from my travel agent. Less hassle IMO.

 

[Isabelt28]

Sorry... But he's either talking in 1990s dollars or lying. Ticketed doesn't mean anything. It's not confirmed in economy and certainly not confirmed in business. Space available only. Standard across the industry. The only exception are long service leave trips which are conditionally confirmed in economy only.

Duty or off duty staff are only loaded into otherwise empty seats. The commercial pax must have had their seat changed (operationally or otherwise) which left the original as open. No booking system is able to reallocate automatically a previously assigned seat that has been operationally changed.

my Father in Law is retired from BA. As part if his retirement package he gets two free long haul flights in J every year. They are not ID90. They are guaranteed seats just the same as anyone else. Only problem is availability....they're a bit like award seats and he has to book so far in advance. He is coming to Australia from the UK with his wife to see us, for virtually nothing, taxes maybe? But not at peak time like Xmas and booked 18 months in advance.

 

[Mwenenzi]

...But not at peak time like Xmas and booked 18 months in advance.

Er??? No airline has reservations greater than 355 days out. Some are 330 days (like AA). If these BA seats are hard to get they may be coming out of the award buckets. What was his job while at BA ?

 

[ellen10]

My nephew and his best mate flew to London. His best mate (24) lives next door to a Qantas pilot and was given a free flight to London in first class, and he did take this flight as my nephew was booked on the same flight in economy. He is no relation to the Qantas employee, who has no children. We just thought lucky him. However his younger brother parents, whom I have known for 40 years, flew over to visit him (as he is now working in London). They too were given discounted seats in J through their neighbour. They do not work for Qantas.
I'm not sure how it all worked but I know we all just thought wow, wished we lived next door to the Qantas employee. These flights were about 18 months ago

 

[Isabelt28]

Er??? No airline has reservations greater than 355 days out. Some are 330 days (like AA). If these BA seats are hard to get they may be coming out of the award buckets. What was his job while at BA ?

Have checked and he had to 'register interest' 18 months in advance. Then book approx 12 months in advance. He has told me they are definitely confirmed seats, and not ID90, so maybe he has the same sort if benefit as the OP. He was a Purser. Worked for them for 30 years. Retired late 90's and it was in his contract that he would receive this benefit for life. I doubt that these sort of benefits are in current contracts. Interestingly, he's only ever taken a couple of these free flights, because he says after travelling all over the world for 30 years, all he really wants to do now is stay at home!

 

[UP4014]

Are Qantas Employee benefits too generous?

I was talking with a former "middle" manager at QF, who despite retirement still receives 90% off J travel and told me he will going to Europe next with his wife with QF/EK in J for only $800. His children also received free around the world trips before the age of 25. He also had access to a company credit card which he called a green card which he used to shout his subordinates after work with dinner and drinks.

Another person told me how he would get heavily discounted J travel with QF as his ex-wife worked for them. Even after the divorce he still could claim partner benefits and that a QF could change their "partner" 3 times a year.

Anybody know of any other generous benefits QF employees receive or do they think employees deserve every benefit they receive?

I'm not sure you really know what you are talking about here. All third person hearsay it would seem.

It's been discussed here in plenty of other threads and staff or ex staff are the last on the aircraft after every other type of passenger. Flying is only an opportnity if there is an empty seat and you've worked the required years.

My employer is involvled in freight movement, would you feel better if washing machines were 3 cents cheaper and we didn't have a chirstmas party?

Matt