QANTAS First Class.. now you have to beg for socks and a comb!

[straitman]

I cannot see an issue with this. There are a lot of people who do not want these items and , like me, end up with lots of packets of unopened amenity kits. Having them available on request seems a sensible approach as long as (a) the crew are aware and (b) they load an appropriate number of them

Dave

Dave,

I agree whole heartedly, as I think most do. I believe the difference is that QF hasn't 'sold' the product/changes particularly well and the perception is that people have to beg rather than having things offered to them.

Unfortunately an individuals perception is their reality and hence the problem :!:

 

[Dave Noble]

Dave,

I agree whole heartedly, as I think most do. I believe the difference is that QF hasn't 'sold' the product/changes particularly well and the perception is that people have to beg rather than having things offered to them.

The use of beg seems a bit extreme to me. If it just involves asking, then thats not a prob; just ensure that people know that they just need to ask

Ah well I'll see how it is in a cpl of weeks on QF29 to HKG ( *shudder* overnight flight )

Dave

 

[straitman]

The use of beg seems a bit extreme to me. If it just involves asking, then thats not a prob; just ensure that people know that they just need to ask

Ah well I'll see how it is in a cpl of weeks on QF29 to HKG ( *shudder* overnight flight )

Dave

Dave,

That's why I said 'perception.'

I'll/we'll be interested to hear you feedback.

 

[serfty]

My J experience mirrors simongr's.

Going the original Blurb advertised in regard to the presentation, the OP experience does not match what Qantas advertised. AFAIK, the items should have been presented to the OP for selection, maybe on a tray.

I'm guess the FA was cutting corners; if so, this is typical of QF FA's; sometimes welcoming, friendly and warm; sometimes distant, bitter and cold; sometimes somewhere between and sometimes you can experience both extremes on the one flight.

 

[NM]

I have no issue with teh reduced amenity kit and leaving out the items that are often not used/required is ok. However, I don't think it should be left to an F pax to have to ask "do you happen to have an eye shade available?. When the kits are handed out, they should be told the list of other items that are available on request and would they like any of them now, and if they decide they want something later to please let the FA know. Its just a matter of letting the passengers know the extras are available rather than just handing out the kits and wanting to see if anyone asks for something else.

 

[Reggie]

Just flew to London with Qantas in the pointy end.....


The conservation went along the lines of:-
Me "There are no socks! (shock horror)"
QF "No - Now you have to ask for them"
Me "Could I get some socks"
QF "I'm not sure, I'll have to go and see if we have any"
Pax

I had a similar experience on my flight to LON on Monday last week. I had to ask for (not offered) shaver and cream and was given the same response. I did however recieve the items. Which was in strong contrast to my J flight from PER to SIN where they ran out very quickly because lots of pax where asking for and not getting these items.

 

[Reggie]

Quite right about having to beg for socks and an eyeshade.

On the other hand, I have to say that the socks with rubber studded soles (in J) are great. Not more slipping and sliding around.

Disagree, at least I could get the old ones to fit. The new socks will not fit, the FA stated that there had been many complaints due to small size and Qantas were making soem changes.

 

[Reggie]

Very odd. I flew SYD-SFO on Sunday in F and couldn't fault the service. Just looked at the amenities kit and it had everything on your list except the mouthwash (I seldom use it in-flight but they make good presents).

I landed in SYD from SFO on Sunday morning, and had been given the old amenity kit, black oroton, and old sleeper suit. There were some new ones given out, but mainly using up the old black suits. The new one recieved early in the week on SIN-LHR was a brown furry tiny little kit.

I think you may have received the old one on your flight to SFO.

 

[Reggie]

OK last one sorry for 4 in a row, but it was easiest way to respond.

My experience in short time last week.

QF SIN-LHR in F service was great, meal as always on QF amenity kit appears cheap and nasty, is tiny and cant really be used for much else. Sleeper suit is nicer, and I am a pax of size. I prefer the buttons up neck on the new suit. Eyecovers better than the old kit

BA LHR-SFO in F sevice was superb, a level or 2 higher than QF, seating was much better imo. I like the diagonal seat, more private as one less row of centre seats and one more on each side. Amenity kit excellent, sleeper suit looked good, but did not use as it was a daytime flight. Food was better presented and better range. More options of spirits (or the ones I drink). After this experience I will probably fly BA F over QF from now on.

QF SFO-SYD in F Service was not good, had to ask for drinks, water bottle and breakfast. Old amenity kit and sleeper suite. I have flown F on this route before and on the SIN-LHR routes before and this would have been the worst service I have had.

Anyway, service all depends on the crew of the day, but I personally find the BA FA's give a better level of service in both F an J than Qantas.

 

[acampbel]

Without being too facetious here I think the class system is ingrained into the British psyche, whereas the Oz social history is heavily influenced by convicts and agitators (aka social, political and economic refugees).

So the FAs on BA know exactly how to treat the Aristocracy, Landed Gentry and Serfs ..... which is nice for everyone except the serfs. The FAs on QF will be more likely to harbour envy or resentment, particularly if they are in the uneducated aspirational underclass. It's a hit-and-miss affair so I can't see myself ever gambling on J or F with my money on QF - better to slum it and get surprised (occasionally) by some good service.



Cheers,


Andrew

.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

NZ tried something similar in business class.

They went from amenity kit (bag with all sorts of useful and useless stuff in it) to select your own amenities. With this, FAs went through the cabin with a basket containing most of the items. A couple more items were found in the bathroom. No bag provided.

Feedback to NZ was mixed. Most people liked the reduced waste, but not having a bag to put the bits and pieces in was annoying. Nothing like losing those earplugs down the sides of the seat while you have dinner before going to sleep.

Eventually, NZ changed it to a kind of halfway position. A mini amenity bag is handed out. This is clear ziplock plastic bag (I use them for the liquids rules because the plastic is sturdier than the ziplock bags you get at supermarket). Inside socks, eyeshade, ear plugs, toothbrush and toothpaste, and I think also a comb. If you don't want to take a mini amenity bag then there are spare toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, etc in the bathrooms. They also have basket which FA comes around with, containing lip balm, moisturiser, etc which pax can take if they want.

I think that compromise is fine.

 

[Altair]

While not in First on my TG flights the amenity bag was a load of rubbish that used to be offered to economy passengers, I do not know if they still do.
Socks, toothbrush, eyeshades and lanyard to have your small nyon amenities bags hanging around your neck!
When I asked for earplugs, on two different flights they said they did not stock them. In the bathroom was unisex moisturiser, toothbrushes (occassionally) and nothing else. Shaving kit available in the lounges, but lip balm etc not even thought of! If it was not for the seats on 3 of the 4 long haul legs (Skybed equivalent) and the decent lounge (well really the slumber suite), and the really delicious starters and occasional main, I would have thought that I was travelling economy!
Anyway my rant against TG will be detailed in my forth-coming Trip Report, typing out in Word, very slowly, before I load it here, Honeymoon in the Moorish World.

 

[Reggie]

Without being too facetious here I think the class system is ingrained into the British psyche, whereas the Oz social history is heavily influenced by convicts and agitators (aka social, political and economic refugees).

So the FAs on BA know exactly how to treat the Aristocracy, Landed Gentry and Serfs ..... which is nice for everyone except the serfs. The FAs on QF will be more likely to harbour envy or resentment, particularly if they are in the uneducated aspirational underclass. It's a hit-and-miss affair so I can't see myself ever gambling on J or F with my money on QF - better to slum it and get surprised (occasionally) by some good service.
.

Andrew,

The SIN-LHR flight is manned by the London based crew comprising mainly english FA's with the occasional expat Aussie living in London. Thus imo its more a QF culture than a social culture, but you make a very good point.

 

[maninblack]

I cannot see an issue with this. There are a lot of people who do not want these items and , like me, end up with lots of packets of unopened amenity kits. Having them available on request seems a sensible approach as long as (a) the crew are aware and (b) they load an appropriate number of them

Dave

Great but everyone I know and travel with wants the socks, the eyemask, the toothbrush and paste so why hand me a bag of facial products and make me ask for the other stuff. Anyway, when i am handing over $14k for a ticket just give me the lot and i will decide what I use.

 

[simongr]

I will report back in a couple of weeks comparing my two QF experiences - now flying on QF for once in F SYD-HKG-SYD (bookending my HKG-PEK-HKG-PVG-HKG trip) so will be able to assess if there have been any changes in attitude :-|