coughtail evening for Adelaide 1 May 2013

[jdp]

Justin also confirmed the invitations were sent to a "cross-section of membership" to get a diversity of opinion, so it was a feedback driven event.

I was actually very happy to hear this. If it had been a "placate the masses and sell them a new card" event I would have been disappointed, but it certainly had the feel of "get the formalities out of the way quickly and let's talk informally" which suggests they were there to listen and interact.

 

[Newk]

And these pages are quietly trawled by QFF staff. Waves at Stephanie.

 

[Deleted User]

Justin also confirmed the invitations were sent to a "cross-section of membership" to get a diversity of opinion, so it was a feedback driven event.

And these pages are quietly trawled by QFF staff. Waves at Stephanie.

Here Stephanie, let me make this easy for you... http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rewell-qf-81-82-run-47307-131.html#post814101

 

[JessicaTam]

It was good to be able to chat to members of the QF loyalty team. They are very aware of the disquiet regarding the loss of QF81/82. Well they are now!

 

[medhead]

They're sorry about Singapore, "fixing Europe first". Will resolve when 787's come into service (presumably Jetstar).

That's a good presumption. However Lesley specifically said 787-900, which are going to Qantas, as far as we know.

 

[jdp]

That's a good presumption. However Lesley specifically said 787-900, which are going to Qantas, as far as we know.

Yes, see my later clarification.

Also confirmed 787-800's are Jetstar. Sometime "in the next few years" the -900 will come to Qantas and potentially support more routes out of Adelaide. The 767 is being retired and a 737 won't do the distance (at least none of the current QF metal).

 

[Anna]

Info we didn't get -

- any mention of the new uniforms. I had hoped that they might have had a sample on display, but the uniformed staffers present were wearing the current indigenous design (which I still quite like, actually ).

- anything useful about what's happening to ASAs. I bailed Justin up about this. (I am sure I am his least favourite frequent flyer by now ). When I asked him generally what was happening, he said he didn't know where this was coming from. When I put it to him specifically that ASAs are going to be replaced with "points + pay" and I said that would be fine as long as they still came out of the U bucket, he just smiled at me in a sphinx-like, mysterious way. So I tried, but didn't get anywhere on that - sorry guys.

Info we did get -

- the stats on QF81 were 70% pax continuing on to Europe, 30% pax getting off in Singapore. Well I dunno QF, but if it was me I wouldn't lightly throw away 30% of any sector of my business. Looking forward to QFi's "return to profitability" so that QF81 can be reinstated to ADL as Lesley foreshadowed. Promised, even.

- QF is still putting the finishing touches to the video of the Rockpool lunch from 12 March and it will be put on Youtube when it is finished

- the AFF figures of 60,000 WPs and 3,000 P1s are "about right". I got this info in the context of one woman saying to a QF staffer "if you have 9 million frequent flyers you must have a million platinums". I disagreed and put the AFF figures and the staffer said I was "about right".

Biggest surprise of the evening - I met a couple who were not aware that there are no longer any international QF flights from ADL :shock:

 

[JessicaTam]

And there seem to be quite a few 'Bring back QF81' stickers floating around. Well done Anna.

(I know, I chickened out)

 

[Newk]

Info we didn't get -

- any mention of the new uniforms. I had hoped that they might have had a sample on display, but the uniformed staffers present were wearing the current indigenous design (which I still quite like, actually ).

- anything useful about what's happening to ASAs. I bailed Justin up about this. (I am sure I am his least favourite frequent flyer by now ). When I asked him generally what was happening, he said he didn't know where this was coming from. When I put it to him specifically that ASAs are going to be replaced with "points + pay" and I said that would be fine as long as they still came out of the U bucket, he just smiled at me in a sphinx-like, mysterious way. So I tried, but didn't get anywhere on that - sorry guys.

yes, the answer I got was that instead of having three booking alternatives (normal, classic, ASA) there was going to be one booking engine. So the result MAY be the same but the names might change. Who knows though....the opportunity may arise to make "enhancements"
I did overhear an answer to Medhead (who will no doubt correct me if I am wrong )that ASAs were well used and are recognised by QFF as a good way to get status. And that they weren't being used outside of expectations

 

[medhead]

Yes, see my later clarification.

I think everyone thought the same to start until the -900 sunk in.

yes, the answer I got was that instead of having three booking alternatives (normal, classic, ASA) there was going to be one booking engine. So the result MAY be the same but the names might change. Who knows though....the opportunity may arise to make "enhancements"
I did overhear an answer to Medhead (who will no doubt correct me if I am wrong that ASAs were well used and are recognised by QFF as a good way to get status. And that they weren't being used outside of expectations

That's basically my recollection of the answer. I did wonder if they were thinking of ASAs not coming from classic award fare brackets in giving the answer. But my question was really asked outside if any current rumours. ASA work for the customer/us, but I've been wonder for a while if they're working for QFF. Possibly the rumours put a bit of a limit on the answer they were able to give.

The night has prompted me to look into the simulator experience and also the fear of flying course.

 

[Newk]

And there seem to be quite a few 'Bring back QF81' stickers floating around. Well done Anna.

(I know, I chickened out)

even some of the QFF staffers were wearing them by night's end, but I'm too polite to post their photographs

great to catch up with some of you again and meet a couple of people that I hadn't met before. Great to see that I'm not the only one

 

[Newk]

I think everyone thought the same to start until the -900 sunk in.



That's basically my recollection of the answer. I did wonder if they were thinking of ASAs not coming from classic award fare brackets in giving the answer. But my question was really asked outside if any current rumours. ASA work for the customer/us, but I've been wonder for a while if they're working for QFF. Possibly the rumours put a bit of a limit on the answer they were able to give.

The night has prompted me to look into the simulator experience and also the fear of flying course.

Simulator was great. Big recommendation from me

 

[Anna]

Very disappointing affair

I had a great time. Great to catch up with AFFers, some I had met before and others I had not. Also great to catch up with QF people, again some I had met before and others not. And being ADL, there were also some other people there I knew.

Not sure what kind of freebie you have in mind? Free food and drink and the door prizes seemed pretty good to me. (Not quite enough to totally make up for axing QF81 from ADL however ).

 

[Fantic125]

Apart from the topics addressed above, I think second best things of the evening was meeting a few of the AFF crowd I hadn't met before (particularly Anna, Jessica, straightman and cat food/mexican spice mix legend Joshua!), and talking to Justin about Sunday morning connection times and lack of Y+ options direct to PVG.

The best thing of the evening for me were the scallops wrapped in prosciutto - they were delicious!

 

[medhead]

I also really enjoyed meeting everyone. I didn't catch everyone's name but at least your faces are there.

Big thanks to JessicaTam and Straitman for looking after me. I'm glad I didn't have to catch a plane this morning.

 

[jdp]

Yes it was a good evening, sorry I didn't get to meet anyone from here - a last minute meeting came up that kept me from the Stamford. I did make a point of saying Hi to someone with a "Bring Back QF81" sticker but she said she pinched it off someone else and didn't seem to be an AFF'er.

 

[Newk]

I also really enjoyed meeting everyone. I didn't catch everyone's name but at least your faces are there.

Big thanks to JessicaTam and Straitman for looking after me. I'm glad I didn't have to catch a plane this morning.

Yes. I had to cycle in to get my car early this morning. I didn't look what bubbles they were feeding me but by golly it went down a treat.

 

[Pushka]

JOSHUA WAS THERE! :shock: I really wanted to meet the super cool cat, Joshua. Damn, we didnt get an invitation!

 

[medhead]

A vaguely recall promises to do AFF ADL drinks/dinner. Lets get the ball rolling by a short show of hands from those who'd be interested.

Yes. I had to cycle in to get my car early this morning. I didn't look what bubbles they were feeding me but by golly it went down a treat.

Pol Roger. Rather nice. I still feel like cough.

 

[smdoherty]

Sounds good, I'm in