QF introducing "Parental Pause" & increasing transfer limits

[Pushka]

As an aunt, I could be annoyed about parents getting special benefits except I've had a couple of comps myself over the last 20+ years of flying, so I think it would be hypocritical.

Pushka I think you should try your luck putting a case to QF for a status hold, if you had bookings you had to cancel due to a medical condition.

There's a thought - who do you think I should address this to Anna?

 

[juddles]

It's not a goodwill gesture; it's a commercial decision based on what the opposition offers.

It doesn't affect me directly but I can see some inequality created as a result. .....

love_the_life, I love_your_view, it reflects mine exactly.

 

[nlagalle]

There's a thought - who do you think I should address this to Anna?

How about instead of complaining here about how you are disadvantaged by a new Qantas initiative, give the Frequent flyer centre a call and explain the situation. we all know Qantas has comp'd people in the past based on previous flying. perhaps they might do the same for you, depending on your flying history?

 

[medhead]

The complaints on the thread relate to this compassion from Qantas. My questions simply generalised or at least would mirror the same questions put to Qantas when they were thinking up this decision, which has been argued to be discriminatory and flawed.

As the support of the post which I posted shows, some people believe Qantas' "compassion" is misguided and/or exclusionary; a follow-up post to mine shows that this is not even a matter of compassion, though it doesn't really address then, why people who are on parental leave? (It has to be more than just "flavour of the month")

The point remains, that what Qantas decide to give to other people is Qantas' choice. It has zero to do with the people whinging in thread. A famous piece of advice from my then 5 year old: "Don't you worry about me, just you worry about yourself". No one is asking for their compassion. They should just worry about themselves, not other people.

As for the whole concept of supporting the breeders. Have people considered the big picture? Do they remember that Australia is facing a drastic demographic squeeze? Supporting all efforts to turning around the demographic time bomb is going to be good for all of Australia. Especially those older Australians who are going to depend on the contracting younger generations to support them in the dotage.

Finally, this is about helping those people who take time off work to breed because they are not able to continue flying. People who don't breed are able to keep flying on that company dime. I fail to see the discrimination in business as usual. As for those forced by other circumstance to stop fly - Ring 131313 - discuss.

 

[Fantic125]

I think this is a great idea, and if my timing works out I should be able to extend my Gold status which is due to expire at the end of July!

All I need to do now is have a vasectomy reversal, divorce my wife, and find someone willing to have a child with a 53 year old man who can also give birth to our lovechild before July.

Or, on the other hand, I could simply recognise that it's going to assist other people than myself maintain their status during the arduous times of having a new-born, and the associated reduced income and less opportunity to travel and maintain status.

Good luck to them!

 

[DavidFlynn]

Yep.

Kids? Don't like 'em, don't want 'em, don't have 'em and won't be having 'em (you can sing along here to the tune of Yesterday: "Vasectomy... now I'm shooting blanks, you see." #TooMuchInformation)

But I know plenty of people who love 'em, have 'em and are wonderful parents – exactly the sort of people who should be raising our next generation (think smart, creative, well-balanced and broad-minded kids rather than bigots and bogans).

And that's why I'm happy to see Qantas introduce this 'parental leave' status pause. Sure, it affects me not a whit. Does zip for my status.

But it's a great recognition of modern parenting and the reward of letting you keep your hard-earned status while you take that important time off with the newborn to will do much to engender loyalty to the Red Roo, which is of course exactly what a frequent flyer scheme should be all about.

 

[love_the_life]

Oh come on, who is actually whinging and complaining? It's a fairly light hearted discussion about a commercial decision QF has made; yes, it's their prerogative and no one would dispute that. I won't benefit, but sure some people will, lucky them. My comments are mostly a bit of pot stirring though based on my own views about this. Frankly couldn't give a flying fig really.

 

[wandering_fred]

Interesting to consider that CX will be implementing their "pause" program in a couple of days.
I'll be requesting a 4 month pause due to major surgery (2 months direct inaction - 2 months DVT risk = though most of that applies before the program change date) and will get back when I get an the documentation requirement and answer from MPC.

I wonder if I should ask QF for a medical extension as well...

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Pushka]

Well CX are my new favourite then. Even though some here would say its my entitlement attitude at work. And worse.

 

[Foreigner]

From the Fin Review, 13 April:

 

[nlagalle]

Well CX are my new favourite then. Even though some here would say its my entitlement attitude at work. And worse.

So the fact the qualification on CX is harder doesn't bother you? But by all means drop QF and run off to CX.. I am sure the grass is greener.

 

[BD1959]

As for the whole concept of supporting the breeders. Have people considered the big picture? Do they remember that Australia is facing a drastic demographic squeeze? Supporting all efforts to turning around the demographic time bomb is going to be good for all of Australia. Especially those older Australians who are going to depend on the contracting younger generations to support them in the dotage.

Yes, can just imagine the meeting now: "Sod the shareholders, we have to consider the bigger demographic and do what's good for Australia. What's that? Virgin offer this already? Well if people think we're just copying them they should have a good look at our Priority Boarding process ...."

(continuing the light-hearted discussion!!)

Regards,

BD

 

[medhead]

Yes, can just imagine the meeting now: "Sod the shareholders, we have to consider the bigger demographic and do what's good for Australia. What's that? Virgin offer this already? Well if people think we're just copying them they should have a good look at our Priority Boarding process ...."

(continuing the light-hearted discussion!!)

Regards,

BD

I didn't intend that to be a comment about what Qantas should think, or do for the country. Joyce has already said that Australian's owe Qantas nothing, I'd hardly expect Qantas to feel a reverse obligation to Australia. The comment was more directed towards the people who were questioning Qantas' decision. They might like to consider the big picture. Qantas has decided to do something, for whatever reason, that coincidentally is good the Australia.

With luck they will decide to copy Virgin on PB.

 

[love_the_life]

So the fact the qualification on CX is harder doesn't bother you? But by all means drop QF and run off to CX.. I am sure the grass is greener.

Think Pushka's comment was somewhat tongue in cheek.

 

[BD1959]

I didn't intend that to be a comment about what Qantas should think, or do for the country. Joyce has already said that Australian's owe Qantas nothing, I'd hardly expect Qantas to feel a reverse obligation to Australia. The comment was more directed towards the people who were questioning Qantas' decision..

Apologies medhead, I didn't intend to infer any sort of analysis in your post - merely leveraging your words to keep the mood light.

I thought "continuing the light-hearted discussion!!" self-explanatory.

Regards,

BD

 

[mannej]

So the fact the qualification on CX is harder doesn't bother you? But by all means drop QF and run off to CX.. I am sure the grass is greener.

Oh stop it nlagelle - you must be drunk...

 

[medhead]

It is funny.

the more interesting bit will be to see the Qantas staff reaction to implementation.

"Management have issued another missive."
"That's nice dear, gives them something to do."
Turns to customer
"Parental Pause??? No such thing!"

Apologies medhead, I didn't intend to infer any sort of analysis in your post - merely leveraging your words to keep the mood light.

I thought "continuing the light-hearted discussion!!" self-explanatory.

Regards,

BD

 

[Pushka]

So the fact the qualification on CX is harder doesn't bother you? But by all means drop QF and run off to CX.. I am sure the grass is greener.

Maybe you could lighten up a bit? Why does this press your button so much? Getting a bit weary of your personal rants here.

 

[opusman]

I didn't intend that to be a comment about what Qantas should think, or do for the country. Joyce has already said that Australian's owe Qantas nothing, I'd hardly expect Qantas to feel a reverse obligation to Australia. The comment was more directed towards the people who were questioning Qantas' decision. They might like to consider the big picture. Qantas has decided to do something, for whatever reason, that coincidentally is good the Australia.

Your "good for the country" argument really only makes sense if there are breeders out there whose decision to breed or not rests on having lounge access. If that's really the case, I'd say the "big picture" is that these probably aren't the type of people the country needs more of.

 

[nlagalle]

Maybe you could lighten up a bit? Why does this press your button so much? Getting a bit weary of your personal rants here.

My personal rants? I am just responding to your rants about how you are excluded. I actually offered you a known method to get a status comp. but complaining here will get you nowhere. I was also pointing out that qualifying on CX is much harder than on QF.. but if they are now your favourite airline then it won't matter now.