Ready for Take-Off (TV show)

[MEL_Traveller]

I think you could but I also think that 99% of the viewers wouldn't notice any of this and that's who the program is aimed at.

To be honest I didn't notice the whole CBR v MEL thing. I didn't notice the flight number or interior, the AVOD or runway.

But picked up on the 9am departure arriving at 5pm!

That was actually a pretty good story line. A pilot who's also a vet!

But the whole continuing customer service manager thingy where they work 'oh-so-hard' and are 'really looking forward to going home to a hot bath and glass of wine' is getting tedious. No consideration for the passengers inconvenienced by lengthy delays. No consideration for those that have been sitting in gate lounges for hours on end to then have to sit for many more hours on their delayed services to Per/Lax/wherever.

They try and make it out that they're unpaid volunteers or something.

I thought we were the reason they fly.

Oh wait. That was last year's campaign.

 

[Quickstatus]

Have not heard positive reviews about this show either in this forum or any other forum.

Agree with all of the above. Very artificial and contrived.

Less interesting than watching the flight information screens at the terminal. At least those terminals do not go to yet another ad break.

Again: I surf AFF when the ads are on.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Have not heard positive reviews about this show either in this forum or any other forum.

Agree with all of the above. Very artificial and contrived.

Less interesting than watching the flight information screens at the terminal. At least those terminals do not go to yet another ad break.

Again: I surf AFF when the ads are on.

Seriously ??
I posted one above

 

[Quickstatus]

Seriously ??
I posted one above

must have missed it.....

 

[Scr77]

That was actually a pretty good story line. A pilot who's also a vet!
.

The vet/pilot's wife is our GP. She is a vet too!

 

[RichardMEL]

The reality (pun intended) of this show like all of these (Border Security included) is that they are "human interest" - and by that they mean the LCD of the general pizza eating, beer drinking, cricket watching (wait, that's me !) family. So they don't care (in theory, anyway) about details like QF853's sechedule, a BSI vs. non BSI 737, which runway it is, if they say it's a 737 and a 330 is shown, or whatever. they care about stuff like "Did that cute cat make it to MEL OK? (and as a cat guy yeah I was sucked in there though of course he would be fine, they'd hardly show a different ending would they?) and the "hero pilot vet taking the joeys to Adelaide" story.. classic human interest (as with Mr 1000). The "human drama" element is provided by scenes of stressed passengers and staff with delays, or the baggage handler not having the proper stuff on his ipad (or whatever it was).

I mean look at the timeslot - Friday nights? classic fodder for brainless tell a story, have some cute kids/old folks/animals to almost a formula and you're set. Tell some stories, everyone comes away more or less happy and life goes on. Bonus is hopefully some people will pick QF because "aww they looked after the kitty" or "How nice were they to that nice couple going to the beach in Sydney where they first met" etc.

And remember there's boatloads of editing....

 

[UP4014]

Before the recording is broadcasted, it is screened to ensure that no sensitive footage is released to the public. These measures obviously can't be applied to pax with cameras.

No, but can you promise the footage on the cutting room floor is destroyed?

I would object to being filmed as well, cheap TV production can bugger off somewhere else.

 

[UP4014]

Have not heard positive reviews about this show either in this forum or any other forum.

Agree with all of the above. Very artificial and contrived.

Less interesting than watching the flight information screens at the terminal. At least those terminals do not go to yet another ad break.

Again: I surf AFF when the ads are on.

I haven't seen the show and only just noticed this thread, sounds like I'm not missing anything.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The reality (pun intended) of this show like all of these (Border Security included) is that they are "human interest" - and by that they mean the LCD of the general pizza eating, beer drinking, cricket watching (wait, that's me !) family. So they don't care (in theory, anyway) about details like QF853's sechedule, a BSI vs. non BSI 737, which runway it is, if they say it's a 737 and a 330 is shown, or whatever. they care about stuff like "Did that cute cat make it to MEL OK? (and as a cat guy yeah I was sucked in there though of course he would be fine, they'd hardly show a different ending would they?) and the "hero pilot vet taking the joeys to Adelaide" story.. classic human interest (as with Mr 1000). The "human drama" element is provided by scenes of stressed passengers and staff with delays, or the baggage handler not having the proper stuff on his ipad (or whatever it was).

I mean look at the timeslot - Friday nights? classic fodder for brainless tell a story, have some cute kids/old folks/animals to almost a formula and you're set. Tell some stories, everyone comes away more or less happy and life goes on. Bonus is hopefully some people will pick QF because "aww they looked after the kitty" or "How nice were they to that nice couple going to the beach in Sydney where they first met" etc.

And remember there's boatloads of editing....

Plus, isn't it on after Friday Night footy anyway for those who 'lost consciousness' during the second half?

 

[smit0847]

I really want to like this show but there's simply not enough drama during a normal day at QF to warrant a weekly TV show. Someone freighting their cat is not interesting, dramatic or entertaining - its very run of the mill. Everytime they try and build tension and I think somethings going to happen (ie the woman breaking the glass door) its quickly resolved with a 'thats fine, enjoy your flight'. I do find the communications between the engineers and the customer experience teams fairly interesting but everything else is just boring. A slight delay because baggage hasnt been loaded? So what? Thats normal at an airport.
Watch Ultimate Airport Dubai if you want actual drama at an airport (people smuggling live animals, delays actually having enormous knock-on effects, time-lapse maintenance etc) but I dont think I'll bother with this show. Its a bit like a weekly show about the everyday happenings at a newsagency - its really not interesting!

 

[smit0847]

It's becoming really difficult to overlook some of the obvious mistakes they're making in this show.

In the latest episode they showed "QF853 from CBR to ADL".

At the start of the segment it was 9am and the captain was getting ready for the flight.
Now, here's the thing - QF853 actually departs Canberra at 11:30 - and goes to Melbourne!

But it doesn't end there. The aircraft was clearly VH-VXC, a non-BSI 737. Yet at one point it shows the inside of a BSI aircraft with AVOD.
When they show the coughpit view of the plane taking off from "Canberra", they're clearly departing from runway 27 in Melbourne.
When QF853 is "20 minutes away from landing in Adelaide", the crew have just begun the meal service.
The plane then lands at 5pm - that's a long flight if the captain was getting ready to depart Canberra at 9am!

Bloody hell, you could make a drinking game out of this!

This is hilarious!

Also: 'Its 5am at Melbourne Airport' (Melbourne Airport shown in broad daylight)

'I've finally got QF93 away - its 3:30pm and I've been on shift for 13.5 hours' (Really? What exactly does a Customer Experience Manager do at 2am when the QF terminal isn't open for hours?!)

Presumably QF have editorial control to ensure their brand is pictured in a certain way - do they not bother to edit the continuity? 'The voiceover says its an A380 carrying 400 passengers but just show footage of a 737 - no-one will notice'

 

[UP4014]

This is hilarious! Presumably QF have editorial control to ensure their brand is pictured in a certain way - do they not bother to edit the continuity? 'The voiceover says its an A380 carrying 400 passengers but just show footage of a 737 - no-one will notice'

Public relations company subcontracted to do the continuity by the sound of things, I guess the QF airline staff have more important things to do, like make money and fly planes.

 

[zainman]

I liked the BBC Live at London Heathrow show that was much more interesting!

 

[Quickstatus]

The best one is "Come fly with me" Easyjet.

Always has the pax who are late and then argues with service desk staff. This only works with Budget airlines as most viewers don't have sympathy for these pax.

 

[Himeno]

Mr.1000 from a week ago was filmed in early July so potentially filming started before?

I think they would film the entire series, then edit it together into different eps, order of filming be damned.
The QF772 medical return shown in ep 2 happened on Aug 25.

I watched all 4 current eps over the last 3 days from the 9 website.

 

[funkyr]

Well I have to admit that I've really enjoyed the series, interesting to see how Qantas works behind the scenes and to see how other non-mainstream things are handled. Have enjoyed seeing numerous things that happen behind the scenes. You can never expect any reality TV series to be 100% accurate - that's the nature of reality TV.

 

[PaulST]

Watching this makes you appreciate people who work in the service industry and have to put up with such unpleasant people. I think people need to remember that even if QF93 leaves MEL several hours late (episode 3), it's still a lot faster than taking a boat.

I actually flew in QF93 back in August and we left around 3hrs late. Yes, it's a nuisance, but get some perspective people. You're a part of a generation of people who're able to easily and relatively cheaply fly through the air across continents! Only a few decades ago the only way you'd have been able to travel would have been by joining the army... Two of my grandparents (their wives never travelled) only ever left Australian shores once and it was during WW2.

 

[justinbrett]

That was a very sad end to episode 4; the old man who travelled to Sydney with his wife to celebrate their anniversary died before it was broadcast (a story on their trip is here No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au ).

I think just before the credits rolled he said they'd be back in 10 years. Obviously they are both very old and seemed to have lived full happy lives.

Also, is it just me or has there been no images or references to Brisbane? I'm guessing Qantas doesn't want their oldest terminal shown.

I am a big fan of the genre and it's not terrible - but with Qantas on board they are restricted to what they will show. Ultimate Airport: Dubai is better because you get all of the airline stuff with Emirates, but they also show other areas of the airport such as ATC, customs and handling. It is funny they blur the non-Emirates livery and logos, it's not that hard to work out!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Watching this makes you appreciate people who work in the service industry and have to put up with such unpleasant people. I think people need to remember that even if QF93 leaves MEL several hours late (episode 3), it's still a lot faster than taking a boat.

I actually flew in QF93 back in August and we left around 3hrs late. Yes, it's a nuisance, but get some perspective people.

I take your point... but... that's fine if you want to throw out any concept of consumer protection.

We have paid for a ticket to get you from A->B. And the airline doesn't have a plane to fly it.

We understand things can go wrong... but it's not our concern why the airline doesn't have the spare part it needs, or a spare plane, or sufficient time in between flights to rectify problems. These are all part of running an airline. And it's not like QF doesn't have a plenty of experience in that.

The delay would most likely be more acceptable provided you give us food, drinks, and compensation along the lines of EU261. I'd be in a much better mood with $1000 in my pocket!

QF passengers have lost a lot of benefits... lower earn rates, extraordinary fuel surcharges, extraordinary credit card fees... but the airline isn't willing to come to the party when it causes a delay.

 

[PaulST]

I take your point... but... that's fine if you want to throw out any concept of consumer protection.

We have paid for a ticket to get you from A->B. And the airline doesn't have a plane to fly it.

We understand things can go wrong... but it's not our concern why the airline doesn't have the spare part it needs, or a spare plane, or sufficient time in between flights to rectify problems. These are all part of running an airline. And it's not like QF doesn't have a plenty of experience in that.

The delay would most likely be more acceptable provided you give us food, drinks, and compensation along the lines of EU261. I'd be in a much better mood with $1000 in my pocket!

QF passengers have lost a lot of benefits... lower earn rates, extraordinary fuel surcharges, extraordinary credit card fees... but the airline isn't willing to come to the party when it causes a delay.

Also true.