Decision is now made!

[ff-jr]

A couple of posts back (on iPhone so can't see poster while replying), you make a lot of statements regarding shabby AC and sour FAs yet you have not flown QF for many years, in fact you don't even compare prices. I am sure I am not of your learned level with flying experiences, however I must comment that I have had equally good and bad service on QF and DJ/VA, and the level of bad has been so tolerable that I still happily fly both airlines any day of the week.

That would be me.

My bad experiences with QF run a little deeper than "sour" FAs. I'm have no desire to turn this into a QF bashing post, but on two particular QF flights I experienced some of the worst customer service I've been privy to. My flights to France with them last year weren't at that level of atrocity but were unpleasant enough to affirm my stance and poor in contrast to the service I'm accustomed to from other airlines (not just VA).

But like I also said, I don't need to compare prices. It's not about price for me because I'm not a commuter - I would happily pay more for a pleasant experience. That said, I understand that every persons wants and needs are different and that's the beauty of having the luxury of choice.

 

[MarkD]

Sorry but as someone who does fly with a PPL I don't agree with your comment above. The cadets lack one thing the "older blokes" have - hours in the air. No accelerated course is going to replace that. A just because they pass the flight tests doesn't mean they know how to deal with all situations.

Hours in the air is one thing, however, the quality of those hours is another. I in a previous life held a PPL as well, and I see the point you are making, however, you really cannot compare the hours spent traing at Joe Blows U beut pilot training, to the result expected from someone like say, Oxford, who are renowned worldwide as training pilots with the sole purpose of flying airliners. Its a training thing, they are trained to act in a certain way, to respond in a certain way, to what is thrown at them, They are trained in Multi Crew Ops from day 1 (How much multi crew ops training have you done???), this point alone ensures their procedures are totally different to yours and mine. Its the same as all fields, take Police for example, you go into the acadamy as a certain type of person, when you come out, you are somebody different, and that is the result of the JOB SPECIFIC TRAINING you have recieved. Not meaning to sound arrogant about this, just trying to explain the difference.

 

[pauly7]

That would be me.

My bad experiences with QF run a little deeper than "sour" FAs. I'm have no desire to turn this into a QF bashing post, but on two particular QF flights I experienced some of the worst customer service I've been privy to. My flights to France with them last year weren't at that level of atrocity but were unpleasant enough to affirm my stance and poor in contrast to the service I'm accustomed to from other airlines (not just VA).

But like I also said, I don't need to compare prices. It's not about price for me because I'm not a commuter - I would happily pay more for a pleasant experience. That said, I understand that every persons wants and needs are different and that's the beauty of having the luxury of choice.

Sounds like your experiences run contrary to the usual QF experience so you've been unlucky!

 

[nlagalle]

Hours in the air is one thing, however, the quality of those hours is another. I in a previous life held a PPL as well, and I see the point you are making, however, you really cannot compare the hours spent traing at Joe Blows U beut pilot training, to the result expected from someone like say, Oxford, who are renowned worldwide as training pilots with the sole purpose of flying airliners. Its a training thing, they are trained to act in a certain way, to respond in a certain way, to what is thrown at them, They are trained in Multi Crew Ops from day 1 (How much multi crew ops training have you done???), this point alone ensures their procedures are totally different to yours and mine. Its the same as all fields, take Police for example, you go into the acadamy as a certain type of person, when you come out, you are somebody different, and that is the result of the JOB SPECIFIC TRAINING you have recieved. Not meaning to sound arrogant about this, just trying to explain the difference.

Actually I have flown at Oxford in the past and I have seen how they train too. But all the training does not provide real world experience. Your Police analogy, yes they come different but they are "green" they lack on the job experience on how to deal with situations that arise out there. Same thing for piloting. The difference in dealing with a seasoned officer is different to a newer officer who is still learning.

And no i haven't done Multi crew ops, as I had no desire to pursue a career in aviation. I'm happy flying my 172/Warrior etc on the weekends. And i don't recall them doing it from day 1, Last i saw they taught them to fly the plane first... LiamR may wish to correct me there as he is currently studying there.

 

[nlagalle]

That would be me.

My bad experiences with QF run a little deeper than "sour" FAs. I'm have no desire to turn this into a QF bashing post, but on two particular QF flights I experienced some of the worst customer service I've been privy to. My flights to France with them last year weren't at that level of atrocity but were unpleasant enough to affirm my stance and poor in contrast to the service I'm accustomed to from other airlines (not just VA).

Just curious, as QF don't fly to France, was it the leg to SIN? I only ask as they flights on the A380 have all been good. Service was no different to SQ.

 

[Fruitcake]

For what it's worth, DJ is starting a cadet pilot training program too. First stop is to be the right-hand-seat of ATRs, then as second officers on the 777s.

QF ran a cadet program for many years but it's currently in hiatus. I can't recall where the initial placements were after completion of training - logic says it would be second officer on 747s but that could be wrong.

 

[MarkD]

Actually I have flown at Oxford in the past and I have seen how they train too. But all the training does not provide real world experience. Your Police analogy, yes they come different but they are "green" they lack on the job experience on how to deal with situations that arise out there. Same thing for piloting. The difference in dealing with a seasoned officer is different to a newer officer who is still learning.

And no i haven't done Multi crew ops, as I had no desire to pursue a career in aviation. I'm happy flying my 172/Warrior etc on the weekends. And i don't recall them doing it from day 1, Last i saw they taught them to fly the plane first... LiamR may wish to correct me there as he is currently studying there.

I will leave this off topic argument now, and put it down to a difference of opinion


Excuse the typos, this was sent from my iPhone using Fat fingers

 

[ff-jr]

Just curious, as QF don't fly to France, was it the leg to SIN? I only ask as they flights on the A380 have all been good. Service was no different to SQ.

QF to LHR via BKK then Air France to CDG. Sorry, should have clarified.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

QF ran a cadet program for many years but it's currently in hiatus.

One of my nephews is doing a QF cadetship right now. Not quite sure where or when this hiatus kicks in.

 

[Fruitcake]

One of my nephews is doing a QF cadetship right now. Not quite sure where or when this hiatus kicks in.

My source for that was the QF careers cadetship website, which says there was no intake for 2011 or 2012. Of course, websites are not infallible, so it might be out of date / I might be wrong.

Qantas careers - Cadet Program Home

 

[Deleted member 29185]

My source for that was the QF careers cadetship website, which says there was no intake for 2011 or 2012.

I'm not up to date with his course. He did a stint at Griffith Uni, now he's in MEL with QF and I believe he's due to go to SIN for the final bit, but as I say, I'm not fully across it. I can only hope when he finishes that fantastic, attractive, muscular and talented uncles receieve "mates rates" ( seems like a better wish list than waiting for DJ to throw the odd double SC my way ).