Qantas Group Reducing services by effectively grounding 18 Aircraft due to Coronavirus

[amaroo]

All very predictable

 

[TheInsider]

Well in terms of ground staff the minimum hours that has to be given per week is 20, most staff are currently getting that anyway sadly.

 

[juddles]

Well in terms of ground staff the minimum hours that has to be given per week is 20, most staff are currently getting that anyway sadly.

Sign of the times - as many businesses use (abuse?) the concept of casual staff to keep a large convenient pool of labour.

 

[TheInsider]

Sign of the times - as many businesses use (abuse?) the concept of casual staff to keep a large convenient pool of labour.

Thankfully no actual ground staff member (check in etc) is casual. But from what I'm hearing a lot are already struggling with approx 24hrs a week. Especially when their pay (depending how long they have been there for) ranges from $23-$28hr.

OT: but that is half the JQ ramp staff claim, they want minimum 30hrs a week. And they are on a lot less than these QF staff.

 

[PDog]

You got me mid edit - First takes a hit SIN/MEL.

I have Four 3K flights booked in a few weeks - I too am watching closely.

appreciate this sounds petty considering people have jobs at risk....

but this morning we’ve been downgraded to business from first on QF35 in April due to the A380 being subbed out. Will we get the points / tax difference back?

 

[jakeseven7]

Sign of the times - as many businesses use (abuse?) the concept of casual staff to keep a large convenient pool of labour.

Prefer them to be PT/FTE and made redundant instead?

 

[FlyingOgden's]

I had a reward booking for QF35 in F on March 30th, 2 days after the announced changes! Just got an email that I will be switched to QF37 but I can call them. I have family also traveling on QF 35 in J and we must to be on the same flight, they remain unchanged but I'm guess J is now full. We have different booking numbers.

Do you think Qantas will allow me to move all of us to say QF 1 or even the last QF35 A380 flight on the 28/3/20? Expert Flyer is showing empty seats in both classes for both options. Do you think they will try and charge me for any changes under the circumstances?

I'm trying to prepare myself, I hate calling call centers!

 

[ozfflyer]

Qantas asks staff to take leave to beat coronavirus downturn

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce will ask staff to take annual leave to alleviate the pressure on the business caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

australianaviation.com.au

 

[Mr H]

Current call centre wait time is greater than two hours. This could be made so much less painful if they would just have a callback facility.

 

[PDog]

Current call centre wait time is greater than two hours. This could be made so much less painful if they would just have a callback facility.

They do?
I’m waiting for my call back (from 8.30am this morning)

 

[Mr H]

How do I get callback?

 

[PDog]

How do I get callback?

It came up as an option as soon as the recording mentioned a 2hr+ wait time.
I called 131313 and entered my FF number- no doubt my lack of status sent me to the back of the queue!
I can see that I can accept the change online (accepting the downgrade is the only feasible option with our connection) but there’s no mention of refund of the F to J point / $$ difference so I want to talk to someone...

 

[Mr H]

I have tried calling several times and not offered a callback. Only options given were to hold (if it is for a flight in the next 24 hours) or for me to try again at a less busy time.

 

[TheInsider]

I have tried calling several times and not offered a callback. Only options given were to hold (if it is for a flight in the next 24 hours) or for me to try again at a less busy time.

If you have a frequent flyer number add that in. Otherwise they may have turned it off due to so many callers.

 

[Mr H]

If you have a frequent flyer number add that in. Otherwise they may have turned it off due to so many callers.

Yes - added in the FF details and my four digit code. I guess they have turned it off. Meanwhile I have left my phone on hold to them but how will I be aware if/when someone answers after a couple of hours without keeping the phone next to my ear?

 

[PDog]

Yeah, that’s tricky!

They called me back after 3 hours.

I accepted the proposed downgrade & they processed the $ & points difference refund while I was on the call. There was nothing in the original email or booking change about a refund- had that have been more complete, it would have saved them a call!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

At the least its better than their catering operations, where the contract was outsourced, and the people made excess to requirements, and made redundant or had to go to the new operator.

 

[ozfflyer]

if ever have to call QF, find something else to do, preferably on or near computer & stay on hold. Seems to be much quicker than call back.

 

[Mr H]

So, I waited more than two and a half hours and got through.

My original itinerary MEL-SIN-CGK included a first class reward ticket on QF35. There was an equipment swap to a 789 that meant I would be downgraded to business class.

Fortunately I had done my homework and knew what I wanted. Change the MEL-SIN to MEL-SYD-SIN on QF436 (business class) and QF1 (first class). This had to be one day earlier to continue to connect with the Jetstar flight to CGK.

So I saved the talk about downgrades and proposed this as a solution. Fortunately there was one seat left in F on the QF1 so we got the swap done quite simply.

Overall I am very happy with the change. It costs me an extra day's leave and an overnight in SIN - but on the positive side, I get to see the QF F Lounge in SYD and to try its daytime catering (QF35 would only have had breakfast lounge food); I get a day in Singapore; and I get to sample the domestic QF business class product which I have never done before.

 

[FlyingOgden's]

Was your ticket a rewards ticket or paid with cash? I'm hoping to do something similar but not sure if the fact I booked a rewards ticket will go against me.

Well done to you anyway!