Virgin Blue - Acknowledement to Country PA

[serfty]

...

• You don't think much of "the reconciliation process" (your quotes, not mine), and imply that Virgin is just paying lip service to it.

  I did not use the term "lip service" - as you posted I indicated DJ feel they are making a contribution to "the reconciliation process". I believe this comes from high-up. My use of quotes referred to the process as currently being packaged or advertised to the public - IMHO, it really goes a lot deeper than most understand and I find most public opionion of "the reconciliation process" to be very superficial. - however that is for another forum, not AFF

• You believe that the majority of Virgin cabin staff will refuse to say it

  Not refuse to say it, I posted "most FA's who read it out will become tired of it". As another task to their busy workload, eventually they try to avoid or abbreviate it. Being a regular traveller for over 13 years I often hear spiels come and go - normally with an an initial enthusiasm that gradually peters out over months or weeks.

• You believe a significant number of business travellers will switch away from Virgin because they find it offensive

  The words I used were "uncomfortable or annoyed", not offensive. Many people become such when presented with view/statements that differ from their own and will takes steps to ensure they do not have to do so in the future. Quite closed minded indeed, and sad, but true.

• You believe that views are facts and facts are views

  It is a fact that people have aired their views to me as I posted. My post was "... having a view they disagree with expressed as fact to them as part of a captive audience". I never posted a view as a fact or vice-versa.

But the English language can be a complex beast, so please set me straight where I have misinterpreted your post.

...

While I believe this should set you straight, I would like you to try understand the intended gist of the post that seemed to offend you.

Basically, like High Profile Sports Persons, it is not generally good business practice to alienate any portion of your customer base/clientèle. I believe, while seeming altruistic and a nice thing to do, this "Acknowledgment to Country PA" of DJ will cost it some NETT revenue.

That is my belief, you are welcome to you own opinion.

Signing off from this thread ...

 

[JohnK]

Interesting thread and interesting points of view.

I do not think the announcement is appropriate or relevant.

 

[Flashback]

I don't have a Bleeding heart; I believe in fee speech & there is generally more than one side to every story. I am one of the 20% who would not be alienated by sportsman publicly revealing a political allegiance.

<playful jab>

How much does that speech cost?

</playful jab>

 

[wallacej]

Announcement was made as we were landing in BNE tonight ex MEL.

Work colleague on Monday morning BNE-MEL told me a similar announcement was made when landing in Melbourne.

 

[agfox46]

Interesting thread and interesting points of view.

I do not think the announcement is appropriate or relevant.

I welcomed the apology but agree wholeheartedly with your post, John!

 

[straitman]

I welcomed the apology but agree wholeheartedly with your post, John!

Me three. :mrgreen:

 

[oz_mark]

Me three. :mrgreen:

Me four :mrgreen:

 

[pauly7]

Interesting thread and interesting points of view.

I do not think the announcement is appropriate or relevant.

Completely agree.

Just flew 3 segments with DJ

Flight 1) Announcement
Flight 2) No Announcement
Flight 3) Announcement read but read in a very bored uninterested tone in the same FA voice they would use to say that there is no smoking in the toilet*

* This is what I think is really dangerous, the line being trotted out with that kind of delivery - was awful and completely degrades the intent of the words.

It would be interesting to know whether DJ are forcing their staff to say it or it is optional.

 

[GCD123]

I have been told that it should be happening prior to landing in all destinations below - ( i got a copy of the pa's today)

Sydney - "Ladies and Gentleman, we will shortly be landing in Sydney. Virgin Blue would like to acknowledge the Eora of the Dharug Nation who are the Traditional custodians of this land. We would like to pay respect to the elders both past and present of the Dharug Nation."

I have been on a few flights lately and the announcement is not always made.
Last night fliew MEL-SYD and I swear the line sounded like " WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE 'YURI-NATION'. Honestly - YURINATION.
They really need to get both the words and the tone correct.

These 'good corporate citizen' things are very risky when they lack conviction, I think better to leave it alone.

GCD123

 

[JohnK]

I flew SYD-CBR on 8 March and CBR-SYD on 9 March and there was no announcements on either flight.