Red Roo Update

[esseeeayeenn]

Maybe Red Roo will return on a seasonal basis....

... with a narrow body.

 

[RichardMEL]

Maybe Red Roo will return on a seasonal basis....

or like those JQi dom tags.. they come and go and get cancelled every so often?

 

[harvyk]

152 pages dissecting a gnat. What was that about signal to noise?

Whilst I don't know how long you've been lurking, I can see from your profile that you've only recently joined.
Up until the last few months Red Roo was a pretty integral part of this forum. They where a great pipeline into Qantas, and they always seemed to go that little bit further to help than a generic phone operator / email reader.

Do we as a community deserve to have a better link into QF than the general public? Prehaps, prehaps not. However for a period of time we did have think great relationship with Qantas, and now it's over, so 152 (or more) posts lamenting that fact / trying to make sense of this loss is not unreasonable.

Since this is a thread based forum, if this thread holds no interest to you you're not forced to read it.

 

[Vic]

Whilst I don't know how long you've been lurking,

True.

I can see from your profile that you've only recently joined.
Up until the last few months Red Roo was a pretty integral part of this forum. They where a great pipeline into Qantas, and they always seemed to go that little bit further to help than a generic phone operator / email reader.

Do we as a community deserve to have a better link into QF than the general public? Prehaps, prehaps not. However for a period of time we did have think great relationship with Qantas, and now it's over, so 152 (or more) posts lamenting that fact / trying to make sense of this loss is not unreasonable.

One thing I've noticed is many around here are keen to make assumptions about what is being posted. My comment is based solely on what I observe in this thread.

Since this is a thread based forum, if this thread holds no interest to you you're not forced to read it.

I can only quote the ancient Spartans - "IF..."


First forum I've encountered where gratuitous advice on how other members use the forum was allowed.

 

[RooFlyer]

True.

One thing I've noticed is many around here are keen to make assumptions about what is being posted. My comment is based solely on what I observe in this thread.

I can only quote the ancient Spartans - "IF..."

First forum I've encountered where gratuitous advice on how other members use the forum was allowed.

Why the small letters? Here's some more advice:

If you are unhappy with the way the forum is conducted:

* Approach a moderator, and/or use the "report post" function; or

* Accept the way the forum is conventionally conducted, and participate positively;

* Discontinue using the forum.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Up until the last few months Red Roo was a pretty integral part of this forum. They where a great pipeline into Qantas, and they always seemed to go that little bit further to help than a generic phone operator / email reader.

Do we as a community deserve to have a better link into QF than the general public? Prehaps, prehaps not. However for a period of time we did have think great relationship with Qantas, and now it's over, so 152 (or more) posts lamenting that fact / trying to make sense of this loss is not unreasonable.

Absoultely fora such as AFF should have dedicated links to an airline. But the link should be two way. The airline benefits immeasurably through free advertising and a platform to deliver their message.

I guess the difference is what people consider a 'good' relationship. I didn't benefit by a couple of individuals being helped out. I wanted answers to strategic issues and unfortunately those answers never came. I'm not sure I can be as generous to say that a 'great relationship' is based on dismissing members' concerns on a range of strategic issues.

(to make it clear I'm referring to red roo 'the channel of communication' and not red roo 'the person')

 

[Mr_Orange]

... with a narrow body.

Are you implying that Red Roo was previously a wide body??

 

[RichardMEL]

Absoultely fora such as AFF should have dedicated links to an airline. But the link should be two way. The airline benefits immeasurably through free advertising and a platform to deliver their message.

I guess the difference is what people consider a 'good' relationship. I didn't benefit by a couple of individuals being helped out. I wanted answers to strategic issues and unfortunately those answers never came. I'm not sure I can be as generous to say that a 'great relationship' is based on dismissing members' concerns on a range of strategic issues.

(to make it clear I'm referring to red roo 'the channel of communication' and not red roo 'the person')

Honestly I feel you make a very good point.

I guess the "answer" - or one response anyway - is that Red Roo was part of social media which in turn seems to be a function of Marketing (and a bit of customer service/care) I think therein lies one of the main barrier to what you have suggested - IF the Red Roo "team" were marketing then their job is very different a a two way conduit for constructive dialogue with the company. Marketing projects a positive image(hopefully!) of the company.

Wouldn't it be a dream to be able to directly communicate with the "brains trusts" and/or "power brokers" within QFF or Customer Service or Planning or whatever. Certainly some AFF members have private personal contacts within QF which is great. Other forums have organised some events with some appropriate management rerpresentation available. I think there's been some valuable feedback provided at such things.

That's not what we ever had here with RR though. Having said that what "our" previous, engaged, RR provided was not ONLY the "PR mouthpiece" but also did respond in many ways, and did read many threads (if not always able to respond due to the nature of their position). They did indicate they gave feedback internally.. who knows how far that went, but it seems effort was made.

Yes, I did receive something very nice from them (unasked for) so sure, I benefited from them being on the forum, but that was on the back of zero PM's from me and obviously my coughping on here had been taken note of (plus I'm sure my status didn't hurt either, but I digress).

I can absolutely see the idea that if one didn't "get anything" from that rep being there then it was not terribly useful to the forum.. but I disagree... I think many on here who did not get anything personally have an issue fixed up or whatever did appreciate that someone WAS there and making an effort. Far from perfect yes.. from fom what many wanted.. sure... but it was *something* and to many a very positive outreach exercise to a niche group of customers(though a group probably responsible for above average yield/revenue to the company).

If nobody ever did anything I am sure the outcry would be there that QF never listened or never took any notice. Well they did in some form or other.. It's very sad that this is going away ... a corporate decision which is disappointing but it is what it is.

I'd also note finally that if anyone thinks there are NOT other QF peeps reading these open forums then they're kidding themselves. I don't know of anyone specifically mind you, but they do. I have friends who work at other major airlines who do often read the likes of FT and other things.. it goes on. They may not "out" themselves(and probably can't due to employement agreements) but they're out there. I've absolutely no doubt there are QFF people reading this.. possibly quite senior.

My 18 cents.

 

[Moody]

We all like our egos to be stroked .... but some here positively need it. And that's the sort of thing that was an occasional embarrassment to the less entitled AFF members, and I believed prompted Qantas to withdraw the RedRoo persona.

It is a shame but hardly a tragedy. My real fear is that "Ask the Pilot" is degenerating into "Pester the Pilot with inane questions that have been asked any times before". If JB, Boris et al got bored with the whole circus then that WOULD be a tragedy!

 

[Pushka]

I don't believe for a second that 'behaviours' on AFF had anything to do with the decision to withdraw Red Roo.

 

[RichardMEL]

We all like our egos to be stroked .... but some here positively need it. And that's the sort of thing that was an occasional embarrassment to the less entitled AFF members, and I believed prompted Qantas to withdraw the RedRoo persona.

Not entirely sure what you're alluding to, but anyway I think it's fairly clear the main reason is a reduction of effort to social media and/or a redeployment of resources. Cost cutting if you will. And really given their focus needs to be on the mainstream channels - twitter, facebook(even with most of the ridiculous complaints I read on their page) and all. A site like AFF or FT etc is very very niche in terms of total numbers (but probably not revenue). I feel it was a need to reassign priorities.

 

[njba]

I've absolutely no doubt there are QFF people reading this.. possibly quite senior.

My 18 cents.

Next time someone sits behind AJ on a flight we need to sneak a peek at his web browser favourites!

 

[TonyHancock]

I think the landscape of social media is changing rapidly. With Facebook and Twitter it is much easier and almost certainly quicker for many to get a response, either from an airline rep, or from an "interested party" than here on AFF. I'm typing this on a good old fashioned computer but am well aware that the smart device is fast becoming, if it is not already, the device of choice these days.

The slower pace of the forum lends itself well to trip reports, extended debate, and counter intuitively, a sociality that Facebook/Twitter/Whatsapp etc etc do not. For me AFF has evolved into more of a social site with meet ups, a bigger emphasis on wine appreciations and of course discussions about grammar. I can choose to dip in and out of these as others have so helpfully suggested and occasionally I do. When I first joined, and I am a latecomer here, there were far fewer posts about wine, housing affordability, electricity shortages, and of course grammar. A forum format lends itself well to discussions like these, particularly when members build a rapport over time.

I still choose to spend time on AFF and if I see an opportunity to help because I have some knowledge in a field where a question has arisen I will try, but firstly as I get older I become more stupid so can help less, and secondly there appear to be fewer questions that are flying related.

It is sad that both QF and VA believe that this format is no longer one they wish to participate in but I would suggest that they believe that their businesses need to evolve with the apparent changes in social media use. If I had any incline about this modern new fangled social media malarkey, and I don't, I might understand their logic.

The RedRoo that I met, who also got involved in other groups, came across as knowledgeable, bright, and passionate about her job. In a year that began with a post wanting to claim back the word enhancement for Qantas it was rather sad that her role was enhanced away by QF. I don't know QF's business well enough, but I do know employees with those qualities add immense value to the business I work in. I'm sure there were other incarnations of RedRoo and AFF was a much better place for the their collective presence.

One issue that I do believe is a problem here is the AFF app, if it was, can I say, a little more functional it might encourage more posting...but that is a different subject matter altogether! I think Griselda would probably beat me to death with an iron if she had to prepare my trip reports on the app.

 

[Vic]

Why the small letters?

Just normal practice for a comment made as an aside.

Here's some more advice:

If you are unhappy with the way the forum is conducted:

* Approach a moderator, and/or use the "report post" function; or

* Accept the way the forum is conventionally conducted, and participate positively;

* Discontinue using the forum.

Thank you for all the advice.

 

[Danger]

... with a narrow body.

Haha. Love it.

 

[Hvr]

The slower pace of the forum lends itself well to trip reports, extended debate, and counter intuitively, a sociality that Facebook/Twitter/Whatsapp etc etc do not. For me AFF has evolved into more of a social site with meet ups, a bigger emphasis on wine appreciations and of course discussions about grammar. I can choose to dip in and out of these as others have so helpfully suggested and occasionally I do. When I first joined, and I am a latecomer here, there were far fewer posts about wine, housing affordability, electricity shortages, and of course grammar. A forum format lends itself well to discussions like these, particularly when members build a rapport over time.

I still choose to spend time on AFF and if I see an opportunity to help because I have some knowledge in a field where a question has arisen I will try, but firstly as I get older I become more stupid so can help less, and secondly there appear to be fewer questions that are flying related.

<snip>

Well said Mr Hancock.

As businesses evolve it is a good time to review their raison d'être is and is it still current and will it survive the change.

AFF has evolved over the years and as noted above it now performs a different function to what it did 10 years ago when I joined and will undoubtedly have a different function in 10 years time.

I was definitely in the target audience when I joined and am still in the broad spectrum with my current travel. But is AFF's offer to potential customers (i.e. members) still as strong now that Qantas has disengaged? It should be but maybe there needs to be a refocus to ensure that AFF is looking to the future rather than the past?

 

[puppysparkes]

Adapt survive thrive!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But is AFF's offer to potential customers (i.e. members) still as strong now that Qantas has disengaged? It should be but maybe there needs to be a refocus to ensure that AFF is looking to the future rather than the past?

IMO yes it is (just as strong). I doubt visitors come to this site specifically because - or even knowing - that an airline has a rep here, or what that rep can/can't do. And not like new members could PM anyway.

If they want real information, by real people (for the most part cutting out the 'spin'), that's not in any way affected by the presence of a rep.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Well said Mr Hancock.

As businesses evolve it is a good time to review their raison d'être is and is it still current and will it survive the change.

AFF has evolved over the years and as noted above it now performs a different function to what it did 10 years ago when I joined and will undoubtedly have a different function in 10 years time.

I was definitely in the target audience when I joined and am still in the broad spectrum with my current travel. But is AFF's offer to potential customers (i.e. members) still as strong now that Qantas has disengaged? It should be but maybe there needs to be a refocus to ensure that AFF is looking to the future rather than the past?

AFF is a business, it too like QF needs to continue to adapt to the changing environment.
Like QF, I'm not sure that the needs of the business and of the members are always the same......

 

[amaroo]

I'm curious why AFF provides a platform for competitors to white ant from within...