Qantas baggage handlers

[bradnjayne]

I flew to Hobart on Tuesday for a few days bushwalking. My usual carry on bag had to be checked in because of some of the gear I was carrying. The good news is the bag and I arrived together in Hobart. However, the bag had lost it wheels en route and the frame was cracked. This is the second time is as many domestic flights that I have had a check-in bag badly damaged. I filed a complaint this time and Qantas have asked me to DM them on Twitter - not that I expect anything to come of it. It is seriously frustrating and annoying and I'm considering taking my Platinum status to Virgin (just waiting for the AFF review of the latest offer).

 

[Daver6]

I suspect it's more likely the bag was damaged on a machine than by a handler.

I think you can expect that QF well pay for your bag to be repaired (or replaced). That was my experience with a damaged bag. It was actually pretty painless.

 

[drron]

I suspect it's more likely the bag was damaged on a machine than by a handler.

I think you can expect that QF well pay for your bag to be repaired (or replaced). That was my experience with a damaged bag. It was actually pretty painless.

Not too sure about that. As we were waiting for a tug to push our MCY plane back they were unloading the baggage of the 737 next to us. One of the handlers was lifting each bag as high as he could and throwing it down on the cart. several of thise bags then fell off the trolley. The lady in 5A agreed with my assessment of his actions.

 

[Scarlett]

Where’s the video @drron?
This behaviour HAS to be broadcast widely or nothing will change.

 

[Quickstatus]

Rather than punish the baggage handlers, maybe find out why they are doing it and address the underlying issues

 

[justinbrett]

Qantas doesn't employ baggage handlers

 

[Scarlett]

Rather than punish the baggage handlers, maybe find out why they are doing it and address the underlying issues

Sorry that is just rubbish - do both.

By all means, interview and ask the workers why they are doing it, but as soon as answers are given hand over their termination papers.

The key underlying issue is these people are coughkheads. Based on the video from MEL and @drrons’ account, there can be no allowance given for wilful damage to cargo and passenger’s property.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Qantas doesn't employ baggage handlers

But they contracted them to, where's the accountability?

 

[11110000]

@bradnjayne exactly same happened to me on a Melb to Syd flight, wheel fall off and small crack on the side, the Qantas staff refuse to repair or replace at the airport, meanwhile, a white older gentleman have wheel fall off and got it some sort of replacement voucher on the spot. When I questioned the staff they said it’s up the the agents discretion. Since Qantas re-open after covid, service is down hill and staff are racist especially at lounge entry.

Status matched Virgin platinum 3 weeks ago, discovered whole new world, both Sydney and Melbourne lounges are 100 times better than Qantas, lounge staff greets you at the door, touch less check in, flight attendant greets you on-board and when leaving the flight.

Saved my company money by flying Virgin, getting better service and without been treated unfairly.

Status match and give Virgin a go.

 

[Quickstatus]

these people are coughkheads

Pay poorly get coughkheads

 

[justinbrett]

But they contracted them to, where's the accountability?

The point is they don't belong to Qantas, and in some cases (eg Menzies), the same company handles VA aircraft.

If you think this behaviour is only linked to QF contracts, then you're deluding yourself. A similar thing was caught on video at OOL with a VA aircraft.

There's obviously some bag eggs in the industry.

 

[SeatBackForward]

The point is they don't belong to Qantas, and in some cases (eg Menzies), the same company handles VA aircraft.

If you think this behaviour is only linked to QF contracts, then you're deluding yourself. A similar thing was caught on video at OOL with a VA aircraft.

There's obviously some bag eggs in the industry.

But shrugging it of as "meh, contractors" isn't holding any accountability. QF engaged them, as far as 99% of the public are concerned, its a Qantas problem, as it should be.

 

[justinbrett]

But shrugging it of as "meh, contractors" isn't holding any accountability. QF engaged them, as far as 99% of the public are concerned, its a Qantas problem, as it should be.

I never said meh, and I never said it wasn't Qantas's problem.

But the title of the thread is incorrect, and saying you'll switch carriers based solely on baggage handlers is illogical, for the reasons discussed above.

I think you'll find last time this was brought up QF was very heavy handed with the contractor and the men involved were fired.

 

[RooFlyer]

I think you'll find last time this was brought up QF was very heavy handed with the contractor and the men involved were fired.

A well aired video and media pick-up might have had something to do with that .

As the same bag handling stuff happens with VA, we'll have lots of threads here to that effect.

I wonder if there is a differential in the contracts between airlines for the same contractor? And/or contractor people on the tarmac possibly involuntarily ex-Qantas?

 

[Scarlett]

Pay poorly get coughkheads

Junior teachers, nursing and childcare staff would likely disagree with your generalisation.

I don’t mean to get into an argument with you specifically QS, as I get your theory of contributing factors to poor performance. There will always be ‘grey’ related to human actions. However, antisocial behaviour such a described in this case should be publicised and swift action taken. There should be no room for wilful damage of property, irrespective of a workers conditions of employment.

 

[Quickstatus]

Junior teachers, nursing and childcare staff would likely disagree with your generalisation.

Yes it's a generalisation (as in apply in 100% of cases) but I have found that it is generally true especially in the unskilled/semiskilled sector.

You would find though that people in other lowly paid professions have a vocational reason for those positions and possibly have tertiary qualifications. I doubt that baggage handlers see baggage handling as a vocation.

While pay is not necessarily the only factor in a happy workforce, it is one of the major ones especially when lowly paid in s****y environments/conditions.

 

[Quickstatus]

...and when played by Executices earning millions in air conditioned offices telling you how to do your job and to suck it up as you are too expensive.

 

[servicerequired]

Have you seen most of the Swissport ground crew on the QF side of the fence !!

I don't like to judge by appearances, but its pretty obvious the level that they've employed.

 

[TheInsider]

Have you seen most of the Swissport ground crew on the QF side of the fence !!

I don't like to judge by appearances, but its pretty obvious the level that they've employed.

What, mostly young males and females straight out of highschool? Majority of their staff are fantastic.
You're judging by one or two examples.
Majority cases of broken luggage are actually from the sortation system, not baggage handling.
I think it's pretty obvious you do judge by appearances.

 

[servicerequired]

What, mostly young males and females straight out of highschool? Majority of their staff are fantastic.
You're judging by one or two examples.
Majority cases of broken luggage are actually from the sortation system, not baggage handling.
I think it's pretty obvious you do judge by appearances.

I'm not judging their age, or even attributing any damaged baggage to them ... they just look like the next rung below KFC employees.