Qantas to outsource ground handling across Australia

[RooFlyer]

Wonder what contingency arrangements airlines will have if the threatened industrial action strike, particularly to baggage handling, goes ahead.

Based on experience and observation the last 6 months, none of any use.

 

[TheInsider]

I received more than 6 calls from various agencies hiring baggage handlers for an airline. The agencies don't reveal that the airline is QF. but based on the job description it's clear that it's QF.

Although - what surprises me is, why is only QF having baggage handling issues (besides having outsourced the task to a different company) ? Is it safe to assume that those flying VA, Rex, Pelican, Link etc get their bags properly?

Qantas isn't the only airline though, you just don't hear about the 1 a day flights from international carriers, you hear about Qantas because they can have 120 departures in just one day in just one port, it's about the scale of things.

International carriers that use DNATA in SYD and MEL are creating havoc - 2-3hr waits for baggage to be unloaded and then significant delays loading as well..

 

[RooFlyer]

Being discussed in another thread, but this ABC article mentions

Owned by Dubai-based airline Emirates, Dnata supplies aircraft ground handling, cargo and flight catering services for up to 20 airlines, including Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Etihad and Air Canada.

So its not just poor Qantas being victimised again.

 

[Ade]

Qantas isn't the only airline though, you just don't hear about the 1 a day flights from international carriers, you hear about Qantas because they can have 120 departures in just one day in just one port, it's about the scale of things.

International carriers that use DNATA in SYD and MEL are creating havoc - 2-3hr waits for baggage to be unloaded and then significant delays unloading as well..

Agree with your view.

 

[TheInsider]

Qantas isn't the only airline though, you just don't hear about the 1 a day flights from international carriers, you hear about Qantas because they can have 120 departures in just one day in just one port, it's about the scale of things.

International carriers that use DNATA in SYD and MEL are creating havoc - 2-3hr waits for baggage to be unloaded and then significant delays unloading as well..

There was also reports that one night in MEL, DNATA only had 5 staff (in TOTAL) to service about 6 different airlines in a 4-5hr period. It's should be around 5 minimum per FLIGHT!

 

[bam71]

Unfortunately it’s a race to the bottom with wages though isn’t it? I’ve noted on Seek.com.au they seem to be paying around $25/hr, more obviously on weekends and evenings etc, but it’s not much. Who would want to work there? Also noted that new JQ flight attendants get the grand sum of around 35K plus allowances, so they can get upon to around 50K/year. With competition hot in the economy for any workers, why would one want to be a Dnata worker or new cabin crew?

 

[Zanzara]

Unfortunately it’s a race to the bottom with wages though isn’t it? I’ve noted on Seek.com.au they seem to be paying around $25/hr, more obviously on weekends and evenings etc, but it’s not much. Who would want to work there? Also noted that new JQ flight attendants get the grand sum of around 35K plus allowances, so they can get upon to around 50K/year. With competition hot in the economy for any workers, why would one want to be a Dnata worker or new cabin crew?

I agree. When staff were directly employed they were entitled to airline standby concession tickets etc., and when flights weren't chokka due to flybuys & ff redemptions etc., working as a baggage handler or cabin crew was presumably a relatively attractive job. Unfortunately, those pay rates are as a direct consequence of continued pressure by airlines to lower costs, demand for cheap ticket prices & of course maximising revenue by ensuring full flights. Working as Cabin crew is demanding & responsible, shifting baggage can be hard physical work... they deserve better pay & treatment. Without it, there will definitely be a race to the bottom. The employment market clearly demonstrates that people can earn more & be treated better somewhere else.

 

[Scarlett]

So, we should all expect to be paying a minimum $200 for golden triangle Y sectors, not the $69 regularly seen previously as VA and ZL battled it out…

Did I see some marketing that Bonza wants to have $49 flights for some of its sectors? Sure that’s fine if you want to have the lowest paid staff and you want to low ball all of your contractors, but based on how the industry is (dis)-functioning at the moment, I’m not sure it’ll lead to a smooth operational experience.

 

[bam71]

Actually I have wondered why they haven't jacked up the prices as a consequence of not having the staff/infrastructure available. Imagine if it was $400 - $600 each way SYD MEL fares and the like. Not as many travelling but with a higher yield, sort of like the "old days" where service was great, bags came out quickly, and disrupts meant you were booked on another carrier if needed.

 

[sudoer]

Actually I have wondered why they haven't jacked up the prices as a consequence of not having the staff/infrastructure available. Imagine if it was $400 - $600 each way SYD MEL fares and the like. Not as many travelling but with a higher yield, sort of like the "old days" where service was great, bags came out quickly, and disrupts meant you were booked on another carrier if needed.

It's a tricky balancing act though, the airlines also want normalise non-essential flying again.

If triangle fares were $400-600 each way, not only would it put leisure travel out of reach for most, but many businesses may also reassess whether their staff travel is actually essential. Many of us frequent flyers have become experts at video conferencing over the last couple of years and there's no doubt the airlines see that as a significant problem for their business travel segment.

 

[jrfsp]

Qantas executives to work in airports to help alleviate crisis

Up to 200 staff from Qantas head office may soon move into airports to help alleviate a plague of problems ...

www.9news.com.au

All hands to the pump....

Also begs the question what is going to suffer in head office if 200 people are not doing their day jobs.

 

[jb747]

Actually I have wondered why they haven't jacked up the prices as a consequence of not having the staff/infrastructure available. Imagine if it was $400 - $600 each way SYD MEL fares and the like. Not as many travelling but with a higher yield, sort of like the "old days" where service was great, bags came out quickly, and disrupts meant you were booked on another carrier if needed.

In those 'old days', the staff were not all contracted out. And, there was a time, when staff travel actually worked, and then it was a reasonable perk to be offset against some $ of pay. Over the years they made it less and less useful to any staff other than management, who gave themselves onload priorities that meant they'd bump all other staff.

All hands to the pump....

One can only hope that they're being paid $25 per hour and that their 'office' salaries are discontinued for the duration. Of course, I know that won't be the case. They're simply unskilled workers who are just as likely to make things worse.

 

[TomVexille]

....

Also begs the question what is going to suffer in head office if 200 people are not doing their day jobs.

Some would argue that would make things run better...

 

[Hvr]

All hands to the pump....

I wonder if they'll understand that bags marked with status stickers should be delivered first?
Nah. not happening.

 

[AIRwin]

 

[Must...Fly!]

Interesting way of stating the facts. I doubt anyone is contesting the financial viability of this decision, only the legal one. Hence why it is in the courts to begin with...

 

[dylarr]

This is starting to make the rounds on social media.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7172375999709973761

Not a good look for Swissport or Qantas.

 

[jrfsp]

This is starting to make the rounds on social media.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7172375999709973761

Not a good look for Swissport or Qantas.

That’s shocking!

 

[TheInsider]

This is starting to make the rounds on social media.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7172375999709973761

Not a good look for Swissport or Qantas.

Also there is an IG account doing the rounds with a lot more content from all companies around Australia.

 

[RnD]

Seen this in person at a regional while being held on the plane before disembarking. When I pointed it out to Qantas staff they agreed that it was not a good look.