Qantas London base

[mach2male]

Productivity/Cost Reduction

Prior to 1988 Qantas had 16 crew on a 747-200 with a 16/16/401 configuration.Today it has 14 on a 747-400 and 13 on a 747-300.Prior to 1988 qantas longhaul crew enjoyed 75% standown and were paid a flat wage irrespective of hours worked.There existed a short division and a so called "married division"....trip length limited and flying in pairs respectively.There were two unions....The "boys" union and the "girls"union.
The wages were so poor most crew had a second job and as the Australian Dollar was managed,allowances were worth as much as monopoly money.The only exception being the Bahrain Dinar.An allocated roster was the way work was apportioned.
Around `86, `87 things began to change.The labor government floated the Aussie Dollar.Then thru` a backdoor arrangement with "girls" union(a minority)the so-called bid system was introduced.Crew were paid for hours worked and standown was reduced to 50% rounded down.Taxation on second jobs was flat rated at 50%.
The ball had started to roll.A crew member was removed and the dreaded horseshoe was introduced by Mike Kent.The Chief from P/C was removed and then 2 Senior Flight Attendants(pursers) were removed along with the dedicated Air Chef position.You now had 2 onboard managers and 13 crew.
Sars and the Gulf War hit and severe downturn in pax traffic occurred.Crew agreed to cost reductions and another crew member was removed with a promise from Peter Marsh that the crew contribution would be recognised in the next EBA.A wage freeze was also agreed to.Next Ansett fell over and Air New Zealand became A basket case.Qantas experienced 5 years pax growth domestically in a space of 2 months and had a virtual monopoly on Trans Tasman traffic handed to it on a platter.
Goof Dixon was the beneficiary of some extraordinary dumb luck.
As a result of all this Qantas now has the most efficient and cost effective Cabin Crew on the planet(except for,perhaps Air NZ who have 13 on A 747-400)
In the past twelve months Dixon has reduced wage costs across the company by 6%....With about another 14% to come thru`casualization and partime.
We are talking of 16 years of enormous productivity gains and cost reductions.When do you draw the line? You cut so much flesh from the product you expose the bone.
The service has deteriorated,the food has become a joke and the procedures on the aircraft virtually unworkable....Qantas has become a bus line.Passengers would be better off bringing their own food,water ,magazines in order to make their journey more comfortable.
The pax have copped it in the neck.Qantas marketting creates an expectation of more ,but in reality you receive far less.
Most crew have totally disengaged themselves from the whole process realizing that they can no longer make a difference.In order to be an excellent flight attendant you now need to be able to say sorry in 15 languages.
With LHR base and the change in divisional flying it will only get worse.
The share price languishes at $3.40 senior management pat themselves on the back in congratulations and bury their noses deeper into the trough.Employees are treated with cavalier indifference
So much for productivity and cost cutting.The passengers aren't happy,employees aren't happy and the product suffers.
Qantas has become Animal Farm!!!
Watch this space worse is yet to come