Athletes forced to fly costly Qantas

[burmans]

Because there are about 20 of them compared to 300+ in Australia's Olympic team??

What's logic got to do with it?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

While I absolutely agree that gender should not determine the status of the travel, the AOC ( or whomever) pays a grant of some $2100 I believe for travel to the event, at taxpayers' expense. If they don't want to accept the handouts then pay your own way. They're just sportspeople after all, <redacted>

i suppose it goes something along the lines of intangible benefits... national pride, and gets kids interested in sport (and the more kids playing sport, the healthier they/we are and reduced strain on the health system?)

personally I liked the system the have (still have?) in the UK. If you are in the top 10 of your sport in the world, the national lottery sponsors you for everything you need. Great incentive to get to the top 10 and stay there. Plus room for new and upcoming talent to get sponsorship... the money doesn't stay only with 'celebrity' sports people.

 

[anat0l]

How are the 'athletes' going to pay back the taxpayers when (if) they achieve fame? ( no HECS debt for them.)

There are some functions and what not in society that we need to accept that we will fund but will not necessarily get back in tangible returns. Of course, by my virtue of calling (or not calling) them "tangible" returns is already a sweeping assumption. But this is the reason why we fund sports people in national clinics etc. or send them to Olympic games. As a society, we may not benefit much in giving that money and expecting we will get something material in return, except for enjoyment of watching our athletic best compete on a world stage, and perhaps the accompanying sense of national pride.

<redacted>

 

[farstar]

At the end of the day if QANTAS or Virgin for that matter doesn't fly to the city or even country that the Oylmipic is in then they would need to to put on special flights, if not the athletes would need to go on non australian flag carrier at some point. That is not too bad if you can fill the entire plane but if athletes/officials only fly First or Business then it will take a lot of flights to get them to the Olympics. I guess Qantas or Virgin for that matter could sell the Premium economy/economy seats to the public but it would still be a lot of flights. But it would be fun flying to cities they normally don't fly to.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Where the hell does the figure of $12K for a return QF fare to London in J come from?
I've only seen them as high as around $9K and as low as $6.5K on sale.
For $12-13K you could fly in F!

 

[medhead]

Where the hell does the figure of $12K for a return QF fare to London in J come from?
I've only seen them as high as around $9K and as low as $6.5K on sale.
For $12-13K you could fly in F!

That's probably what the government pay for business flights. Efficient use of tax payer funds.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's probably what the government pay for business flights. Efficient use of tax payer funds.

oh! I thought it was full flex for when they have to come home early... :shock:

 

[UP4014]

After the 2000 Sydney games I was on the same flight as the Chile football team back to South America via LAX who I think all had silver or bronze medals around their necks (they all look the same ). The players were all in Y, or one could say down the back with their supporters.

The Australian team is too precious, they want tax dollars for the institute of sport so they can play their hobby. Sorry, if you want more than the basic Y then put your hand in your pocket. I'm tired of hearing professional athletes whining when there are other causes that could do with help.

Bring back the days where it was amateur sportsmen and women.

Matt

 

[Boca68]

As far as the $12k J flights. Doesn't happen for the athletes.

As the athletes are sponsored by Qantas, they are availed to publicly unavailable 'corporate rates' . Think Chairmans Lounge deals. Similiar to what many International Hotels offer to corporate clients. Whilst it may not be 'Tiger Air' in $$ value. They are catered for. And i also believe there is no requirement to travel J. I worked in 5* hotels for more than 10 years. The rates are significantly cheaper. Talking 40 to 50% depending on the client.

As others have suggested, QF regularly for events like the Olympics, does a couple of 'charter' flights for the team and officials.

 

[Pushka]

Normal fares do not apply in sponsorships like this.

 

[JessicaTam]

Off topic posts have been redacted/deleted.

Stick to the matter at hand, please.