Qantas is sorry (again)

[anat0l]

So, BCG have got to work already. Wonder how much it cost to get them to script that.

Geez, when we all grew up and did something wrong and told to apologise, I think no one got a script.

Why should full grown adults need one? Unless they lack a heart and/or soul.

In fact, why do we teach kids to apologise and forgive when adults are actually pretty lousy at it themselves?

 

[KSC]

*shrug* Actions will mean more than words, but I guess you have to start somewhere.

Not sure what would be a more satisfying or convincing message - maybe people would prefer like one of those Japanese bank bosses who gave a public announcement extremely teary eyed, bowing in contrition constantly and saying sorry very strongly every 30 seconds...and then within a few days said boss committed suicide.

Perhaps at this point most would like the entire Qantas board to do that.

Heck, at this point, why not just try and sell the airline to someone more competent to run it (foreign government anyone), or just close the airline (easiest thing to do)?

Imagine if Qatar bought Qantas. Suddenly more Qatar flights however in this imaginary world things got more expensive because of less competition .

 

[Catardale]

Service desk people who know what they are talking about would be really handy. I had one from Qantas tell me a few weeks back the airport hadn’t released the exit row seats on that flight yet. I politely suggested that surely that is a task the airlines themselves do but he said “no, the airports control exit row seat allocations”. So now you know.

 

[love_the_life]

Geez, when we all grew up and did something wrong and told to apologise, I think no one got a script.

Why should full grown adults need one? Unless they lack a heart and/or soul.

In fact, why do we teach kids to apologise and forgive when adults are actually pretty lousy at it themselves?

Remember the Depp and Heard apology about smuggling in Pistol and Boo

 

[SydneySwan]

I wonder how many times a CEO can apologise. Is it 3 strikes and you are out?

 

[KSC]

I wonder how many times a CEO can apologise. Is it 3 strikes and you are out?

There would be no numerical limit, however the more it’s done without tangible perceived positive changes, the lower the impact.
The balancing act here is how do you increase the reputation, service quality and keep the financial books in order.

Most likely on the cards will be a pitch to the shareholders that a ‘significant investment’ will have to made to secure the future of Qantas. Which is not wrong.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Here’s some tangible change, in an email this morning

For 48 hours only, start at Qantas Shopping and you’ll earn bonus Qantas Points and save big when you shop at Myer, The Good Guys and Adairs.

Qantas says thankyou with 5,000,000 more toasters!

 

[jb747]

Service desk people who know what they are talking about would be really handy. I had one from Qantas tell me a few weeks back the airport hadn’t released the exit row seats on that flight yet. I politely suggested that surely that is a task the airlines themselves do but he said “no, the airports control exit row seat allocations”. So now you know.

“Airports” aka “airport control” is nothing to do with the airport. It’s simply an internal division of which group controls what’s happening on the aircraft. So, I suspect the airline person was quite correct, and you simply misunderstood who they were referring to.

 

[kookaburra75]

There would be no numerical limit, however the more it’s done without tangible perceived positive changes, the lower the impact.
The balancing act here is how do you increase the reputation, service quality and keep the financial books in order.

Most likely on the cards will be a pitch to the shareholders that a ‘significant investment’ will have to made to secure the future of Qantas. Which is not wrong.

That's certainly how I'm feeling about the "I'm Sorry" saga. All I want to see is what improvements they are going to implement by say end of year, mid next year and so on, so we can judge the company on what they have done.

 

[TheInsider]

Service desk people who know what they are talking about would be really handy. I had one from Qantas tell me a few weeks back the airport hadn’t released the exit row seats on that flight yet. I politely suggested that surely that is a task the airlines themselves do but he said “no, the airports control exit row seat allocations”. So now you know.

First thing is, exit rows don't need to be filled up anymore, unless there is over a certain amount of people on that flight.
Second, if the agent sees the exit row as a reserved seat, they can't override it, and just means it's being 'pre-allocated' to another person, with potentially a higher tier frequent flyer who hasn't checked-in as yet.
Or more simply, it could be blocked off for the load controllers. Not much information given to say for sure.

 

[OATEK]

VH looks a bit like the old deer/rabbit/etc in the headlights. I just don't see her as sufficiently dynamic to bring about change, but will be happy to be proven wrong.

 

[only4tehlulz]

I mean realistically though there's not much else VH can say today that would change much. Everyone knows it'll be the actions not the words. Acknowledgement, promise to do better and then action (hopefully).

Took me a while to process that VH there and from today onwards I choose to believe that every single Australian registered plane starts with reference to Vanessa Hudson.

e.g. Today I caught "Vanessa Hudson - OQB" out of Singapore on J and tomorrow I am on ReX's "Vanessa Hudson - RYU" to Melbourne...

 

[Danger]

...

That way status means something, and you can plan ahead. The random batches 3-6 months out is problematic for those of use who have to book big leave 9-12 months out; and gives equal access to those with no status vs those who fly much more.

That's a one-sided view. What about "those of us" who can't book 9-12 months out?

Let's see how it pans out


View attachment 344814

Where did this come from?

At least this suggests to us we shouldn't expect an FF devaluation for a while.

I think this is really the only silver lining at the moment, the only near certainty. Everything else is TBD.

 

[Ausbt]

I'd be interested to know why others would

For triangle flights (or really any of and hour-and-a-bit) duration I don't really need wi-fi or a meal. A glass of wine, yes definitely. Really the thing I miss most is a newspaper from the lounge, unsure if the QP are still stocking them but VA aren't. But I appreciate wi-fi might be important to you.

 

[serfty]

Really the thing I miss most is a newspaper from the lounge, unsure if the QP are still stocking them

No, generally no papers in the QF lounges, nor at the QF gates.

 

[Lynda2475]

No, generally no papers in the QF lounges, nor at the QF gates.

And that s a good thing because it's annoying for the person sitting next to you to have to put up with the newspaper smell and the readers arms invading their space to fold and refold it constantly.

Use the wifi or the app to read online version.

What about "those of us" who can't book 9-12 months out?

Then as has always been the case you take what is left or gamble as undersold routes release extra a few weeks out or if have status request a seat release.

Nothing to stop you booking seats as they are reliably released and cancelling or changing if plans change. Whereas for those who need certainty of departure and return in order to book other arrangements and get employer to approve leave, can't easily get a refund of paid ticket to use points instead later without material financial loss.

 

[anat0l]

ReX's "Vanessa Hudson - RYU" to Melbourne...

Sorry, O/T but this came to mind when you posted that (old school video gamer here):

Just need to Photoshop VH in the right place.

 

[33kft]

For triangle flights (or really any of and hour-and-a-bit) duration I don't really need wi-fi or a meal.

Frankly I don't care about the length of the flight (or value judgements of others), offer it standard. Simple. If the aircraft is fitted and the service is active, turn it on and let me decide if I use it. The point is that I want to fly with any carrier that offers it standard regardless of route because I get the benefit of it at no cost to me, just like people here will prefer hotels with better amenities. The only argument here seems to be from people who have sworn off of flying QF and therefore don't use it anyway?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Have never seen newspapers in a QF lounge for a very long time now, neither have I seen them at the gate, or on QF aircraft.
Think if I remember, they took newspapers away pre covid, even.

 

[Quickstatus]

Where did this come from?

Where did what come from?

Use the wifi or the app to read online version.

Exactly,
Print uses paper which needs to be transported, handled.