VA Cancellations, Delays growing?

[kamchatsky]

It could be worse. You could be booked on Bonza.

I don't care about Bonza or Bogan, as long as I get to BNE in time to catch my CX flight.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

QF base pay for international is $50,700.
Allowances boost a lot of their $ up.
Allowances for a DFW trip can be around over 1K

Got it… but comparing like for like? What’s the domestic base rate for QF, VA and ZL?

I get that international pays more, but there’s a whole swag of QF domestic crew, they obviously choose to stay domestic rather than go international. So they must see a benefit. For example being home with family at the end of the day rather than being away for 3 days at a time.

 

[bcworld]

see a benefit. For example being home with family at the end of the day rather than being away for 3 days at a time.

The chatty VA crew member who I referred to earlier had been away from home base for 3 consecutive nights on purely domestic duties.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

How about the ethics from management? And their 3 year wage freeze that was imposed on the cabin crew.
Either way, it's both parties that need to come to the table.

This! Why hold the lowest-ranked employees responsible for rubbish conditions imposed on them by the company? There's a massive power imbalance here. To suggest that cabin crew needs to be grovellingly grateful for having a job, when we're in a low-unemployment environment, is laughable.

A lot more companies and so-called leaders needs to learn about servant leadership. If you make sure that your people are treated well and are happy, they will do a better job. It's not the most challenging concept. But that goes out the window when I can get a bigger bonus by ensuring that they're treated worse.

Mind you, as if no-one saw this coming. Private equity MO.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The chatty VA crew member who I referred to earlier had been away from home base for 3 consecutive nights on purely domestic duties.

Then, presumably, getting above base?

The (now ex) VA flight attendant who wrote the story for news.com said that she was on about 50 to 55k a year after tax, working minimal overnights or overtime. She left because of the gruelling shift work.

 

[twinaisle]

Got it… but comparing like for like? What’s the domestic base rate for QF, VA and ZL?

I get that international pays more, but there’s a whole swag of QF domestic crew, they obviously choose to stay domestic rather than go international. So they must see a benefit. For example being home with family at the end of the day rather than being away for 3 days at a time.

VA is the lowest paying airline right now

 

[milehighclub]

So across the airline groups - nearly all cabin crew are on the same base wage (not including managers). When the modern award was increased, it raised the wages for a lot of crew.

At Virgin, they work on tiered system for pay based on years of service up to 7 or 8. The modern award increase meant that up until to year 5 (I think) are now all paid the same, as it was all below. Over at Qantas, what they wanted to pay crew in 2026, they are paying that now and more, because it was also low and below the modern award.

As for extras, that varies between the airlines and even within the airlines.

 

[lovestotravel]

When you can sit at home 3-5 days a week (0-2 days a week in the office) in various admin jobs and get 60-100K quite easily, the choice is clear

 

[elanshin]

I think the other issue is that for your average retail job, you could get this sort of price range (or more). And they would pay you penalty, public holiday etc. And I'd say that your standard colesworth night fill worker has to deal with less than Cabin Crew.

Maybe it's the potential career path to a long haul airline that many staff grind it out (at least for those that are younger).

 

[Saab34]

My Nephew works part time at Kmart, about 30 something hours, only does 8-4 including a Saturday. Said he earns 50k-55k. It’s 5 mins from his house. He is only 21, with such life friendly hours he is able to study and do other things on the side. Management earn 80-90k. Granted they did get two Fair Work pay rises over the lines in the last two years which equated to about 12%.

I’m sorry but 50k for CC is just the pits. 65k bare minimum, CM 75-80k. Considering the hours they work would be classed as penalty rates in many other industries, if CC mapped their hours out against some of the retail EBAs, probably find they would earn double.

 

[jakeseven7]

Between Bonza and VA2 faltering (already struggling even without the upcoming strikes) over the Christmas period it’s going to be a very “eventful” holiday season for some travellers.

My parents just booked a Jetstar and Qantas back up flight for an eye watering amount, the got literally the last 2 seats on one of the flights….

 

[kyle]

Between Bonza and VA2 faltering (already struggling even without the upcoming strikes) over the Christmas period it’s going to be a very “eventful” holiday season for some travellers.

My parents just booked a Jetstar and Qantas back up flight for an eye watering amount, the got literally the last 2 seats on one of the flights….

You sure hope those two seats are not on an overbooked flight.

 

[MooTime]

Between Bonza and VA2 faltering (already struggling even without the upcoming strikes) over the Christmas period it’s going to be a very “eventful” holiday season for some travellers.

My parents just booked a Jetstar and Qantas back up flight for an eye watering amount, the got literally the last 2 seats on one of the flights….

Bookings for Xmas period just weeks prior always going to be expensive.

Most experienced AFF's aware of this and plan early, book early.

 

[Saab34]

Some potential weather challenges late next week along the QLD coast if Jasper hangs around. Unknown exact course however will cause disruption for a few days regardless.

Could be a challenging 8 weeks across the networks with all sorts of curve balls, Rex 737 seems to be facing the lesser of challenges.

 

[MooTime]

Some potential weather challenges late next week along the QLD coast if Jasper hangs around. Unknown exact course however will cause disruption for a few days regardless.

Could be a challenging 8 weeks across the networks with all sorts of curve balls.

Yes, have some family in Arlie beach and to return Monday from PPP.
I told them to depart early if possible. On Jetstar, which are hopeless when sheet hits the fan.

The wind will really pick up at a minimum.

 

[TheInsider]

You sure hope those two seats are not on an overbooked flight.

You say it like Qantas are the only ones...

 

[MooTime]

QF seemed to have turned the corner slightly, VH may be heading in the right direction.

Mind you nobody would argue QF been deserving of all daggers thrown there way in recent times.

 

[kyle]

You say it like Qantas are the only ones...

View attachment 356666

Not at all. I'm just saying, don't be too happy until you arrive at the destination.

 

[jakeseven7]

You sure hope those two seats are not on an overbooked flight.

Well what happened was that they could only book one seat themselves. So they called up and the agent could see two - and said they were ‘real’ seats and the flight was now sold out. I guess we will find out if/when VA2 cancel their flights!

 

[Saab34]

Herald Sun claims urgent talks with FWC/Virgin/Unions tomorrow to try and come to a conclusion.

Also reports Bain dragging out negotiations on purpose to avoid a blow out in costs before listing.

Also mentions Pilots back in discussions next week, no word on strike action though.