Volcanic Ash flight disruptions June 2011

[drron]

Really was good to hear the roar of departing aircraft over Sydney today.Seems we will still be on 528 to BNE tomorrow.

 

[LiamR]

Begs the question... What is truly important?...
Safety of passengers and crew?

Safety of the fleet?

Safety of the records & costs?

or perhaps just maintaining Perceptions of safety?

It's a bit rich to say we won't fly our planes in this mess, but gladly put our pax (and our staff) on board someone else's craft.

I'm not defending Qantas here (Infact, I'm scratching my head over this one)

But the department that grounded the fleet, is different to that which controls crew movements. Its not uncommon for crew to fly another airline in an emergency. I know many VA crew who flew QF during the computer meltdown last year. I guess one department acts an entirley different way to another. The end result in this case, is a very red faced Qantas.

 

[medhead]

I'm not defending Qantas here (Infact, I'm scratching my head over this one)But the department that grounded the fleet, is different to that which controls crew movements. Its not uncommon for crew to fly another airline in an emergency. I know many VA crew who flew QF during the computer meltdown last year. I guess one department acts an entirley different way to another. The end result in this case, is a very red faced Qantas.

But, of course, safety is supposed to be company wide from the top down. Not that I disagree with this reason for it to happen, just saying it shouldn't have happened that way. The man at the top, sending an email, should have enforced a consistent approach to safety.

 

[LiamR]

But, of course, safety is supposed to be company wide from the top down. Not that I disagree with this reason for it to happen, just saying it shouldn't have happened that way. The man at the top, sending an email, should have enforced a consistent approach to safety.

Absoutley, this is a miscommunication within the company. Nothing Less. Nothing More. Of course, it is very embarrasing the way it has turned out.

 

[medhead]

Of course, it is very embarrasing the way it has turned out.

Maybe, but no matter how confused by, or questioning of, their actions I am, I'm still not prepared to judge qantas.

 

[Austman]

Qantas has adjusted the compensation they are offering stranded passengers. Dropped from the 20th June offer are Lunch and Dinner reimbursements. And the hotel is now limited to 3 nights.

Refund Claim Form due to Volcanic Eruption in Chile

 

[jsd]

Qantas has adjusted the compensation they are offering stranded passengers. Dropped from the 20th June offer are Lunch and Dinner reimbursements. And the hotel is now limited to 3 nights.

Refund Claim Form due to Volcanic Eruption in Chile

Hmmm, thats not what the letter that I received from the Manager of The Windsor says:

Dear Guest,

Welcome to The Hotel Windsor, Australia's Grand Hotel, It is of course our pleasure.

I am pleased to inform you that Qantas has recently confirmed with the hotel that accommodation charges for tonight are to be taken care of by the airline directly ensuring that their guests are not left out of pocket.

Your Qantas booking includes the following:

• Breakfast allowance of $20 per person. All Qantas guests may take advantage of a discounted breakfast rate of $20 per person. This special offer is only valid at the Hotel's 111 Spring Street Restaurant from 6:30am to 10:00am.
• Lunch allowance of $25 per person. This can be used at The Cricketer's Bar or 111 Spring Street Restaurant.
• Dinner allowance of $35 per person. This can be used at The Cricketer's Bar or 111 Spring Street Restaurant.

Please note that this offer does not include any alcoholic beverages or Mini Bar items.

Please do not hesitate to contact myself or any members of our team directly for any further assistance by dialing extension '9' on your phone.

As always we remain at your service.


Kind Regards

The meals at the Mantra were a bit more filling to be honest, I could barely get anything for $35 from the 111 restaurant tonight and had to go out and have another meal....The Mantra was a lot more or a casual and relaxed environment as well......Arrrghh! Why did I check-out of there this morning

 

[simongr]

Is it all clear in and out internationally now?

 

[markis10]

Still issues with NZ and Tas.

 

[jb747]

The trouble with all of this is that we are looking at it in hindsight. The airlines that operated, haven't found damage, so they were correct. But, what would we be saying if somebody had had problems?

It's a bit like fuel ordering. I'd be quite happy to have just enough fuel to get me to the gate, and for the engines to shut themselves down from fuel starvation, if only I knew in advance, exactly how much fuel I would need...but of course I don't know that, so I always carry vastly more.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Another ash cloud is on its way to Australia, could ground flights again - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

The latest Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) forecast maps are showing a worrying new plume of ash from the Chilean volcano heading towards Australia.
A large plume to the south-west of Australia is moving eastwards towards the coast of Western Australia at altitudes from surface level to 20,000 feet -- so planes won't be able to fly underneath it to skirt the cloud.
If the ash cloud remains on course it may cause more flight cancellations over the weekend and early next week, especially in Melbourne and Tasmania.

Cheers
N'oz

 

[Misha]

Running out of time between meetings, so here goes: bang bang bang!

But the department that grounded the fleet, is different to that which controls crew movements. Its not uncommon for crew to fly another airline in an emergency. I know many VA crew who flew QF during the computer meltdown last year. I guess one department acts an entirley different way to another.

That's not good enough I am afraid. One department versus another department are still dept within the one organisation and it is up to those who sit at the top of the pyramid to ensure that the right concepts trickle down to all throughout the organisaiton.

Also one airline's staff using another airlines craft due to a computer malfuncation is not hypocrisy - saying its not safe to fly but hey crew, off you go aboard this plane that we don't own: that is hypocrisy full on.

But, of course, safety is supposed to be company wide from the top down. Not that I disagree with this reason for it to happen, just saying it shouldn't have happened that way. The man at the top, sending an email, should have enforced a consistent approach to safety.

*snaps fingers* Amen Sister!

Absoutley, this is a miscommunication within the company. Nothing Less. Nothing More. Of course, it is very embarrasing the way it has turned out.

Umm sorry Liam, that is a very simplistic view on it. "Ooops: miscommunication nothign more or less". :shock: It is a clear indication of the inept management that Qantas (shareholders, staff, passengers, Australian public, etc) have been lumped with of late. During a time where they are preparing their press statements (such as yesterday's) they should have everything at 100% perfection. Much like a nursing home is best when the govt is in checking accreditation, or a restaurant is clean when the Health Inspector pops in - Qantas can't say they were caught unawares at this time. AJ should be all over Qantas and its various departments and if there were safety issue, he should be the one to ensure that the company follows one directive and not allow various departments to make the call as they see fit - without thinking of the global brand. Unfortunately he still has nothing but JQ on his mind...

Maybe, but no matter how confused by, or questioning of, their actions I am, I'm still not prepared to judge qantas.

You are a bigger man than me medhead. I am trying not to judge QF against my greater will... but hells yeah am I judging AJ. As far as I am concerned anyway, someone in that sort of a role is open to questioning (heckling?!) from the public, especially flying public...

Cheers

 

[serfty]

Another ash cloud is on its way to Australia, could ground flights again - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

... A large plume to the south-west of Australia is moving eastwards towards the coast of Western Australia at altitudes from surface level to 20,000 feet -- so planes won't be able to fly underneath it to skirt the cloud. ...

Cheers
N'oz

IMHO - Scaremongering!

This low level areas of ash have been there all week This stuff is being dragged toward the Antarctic and I reckon no further issues for Oz are likely until after the weekend at the earliest.

See this animation to get a general idea (you can see the green spots South West of Perth heading ESE):

• BoM-Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre

Here some images from earlier this week. The low level stuff South of Tasmania has been there most of the time.


Here's the current prediction at the time of posting:

 

[serfty]

...

You are a bigger man than me medhead. I am trying not to judge QF against my greater will... but hells yeah am I judging AJ. As far as I am concerned anyway, someone in that sort of a role is open to questioning (heckling?!) from the public, especially flying public...

Cheers

FWIW, I have come across suggestions that it may actually be beneficial in a fiduciary sense for Qantas to halt T-T flights.

 

[medhead]

You are a bigger man than me medhead. I am trying not to judge QF against my greater will... but hells yeah am I judging AJ. As far as I am concerned anyway, someone in that sort of a role is open to questioning (heckling?!) from the public, especially flying public...Cheers

I was careful to only refer to qantas, and did think of saying something about AJ's performance. Frankly, as a layman, I'm confused by the message from qantas and AJ's communication has been a major contribution to my confusion. Edit: oops that was imprecise, I'm not judging the decision to stop flying. Otherwise, ......

 

[drron]

Well T3 is operating well.No queues.Everyone very relaxed.Most flights on time-including ours.

 

[koonyaflyer]

Well T3 is operating well.No queues.Everyone very relaxed.Most flights on time-including ours.

Have to agree...came down from SYD to MEL at 0645, plenty of spare seats, and a very quiet airport. Seems a lot of people have simply chosen not to travel.

Am looking forward to Hobart re-opening, either to get home, or to get my husband up to Melbourne for the weekend. Thanks to Serfty's maps I am feeling a little more confident that HBA will re-open tomorrow. DJ is saying no flights today!

On another interesting note I am surprised at how reasonable the prices on QF for this Saturday from HBA to MEL are. $114 for Saturday am flights....given the backlog of passengers I am sure they have to move, I thought prices would be higher!