It seems like so much flying for long haul is just disappearing. But you have to love Qantas they have thrown some domestic flying to the Melbourne long haul base but wait there's more you now have to pay for your own hotel room. If it wasnt so serious all this would be too funny.
From
www.faaa.net
8 April 2005
Attention all Qantas Long Haul Flight Attendants
Planning & Scheduling Update BP238
Downsizing of Perth Long Haul Base & the Base Transfer List
The downsizing of the Perth base has continued for BP238 with transfers out of Perth being actioned. This round of transfer is driven by the need to downsize Perth rather than as a result of vacancies in the other bases. Crew from bases other than Perth with their name on the voluntary base transfer list will only have their request satisfied if it can be reciprocated by another crew member transferring out of the base that crew want to transfer into.
Increase in flying by overseas based crew
More notable changes for BP238 include:
• The final phase of LHR base will be completed with the LHR base operating all flights out of LHR except for the QF1 & QF2. This flight will have 4 BKK based crew. The QF9 & QF10 will be the 1 pattern per day guaranteed to Australian based crew.
• AKL based crew will make up the full complement of Economy cabin flight attendants in the AKL/LAX/AKL sectors and some SYD/LAX/SYD patterns.
• Mumbai and Shanghai patterns will have 2 AKL based crew.
• Jo'burg and HNL patterns will have 3 AKL based crew.
• FRA patterns will have 4 BKK based crew.
Increase in Airbus flying
• There will be 2 MEL/PER/MEL patterns per day for the MEL based crew and various domestic patterns out of SYD.
• A330 flying patterns to HKG from BNE, MEL and SYD will be operated by SYD Longhaul commencing July, week 7 of bid period 238.
Continual Inequity faced by Economy Cabin Flight Attendants
The Association has continued to re-iterate and request the Company, through the P & S Committee, to address the imbalance and inequity faced by economy cabin flight attendants caused partly by AKL and BKK based crew operating only in the A/C category. The Company has continued to ignore the concerns voiced by the Association on this issue, as this issue has minimal to no impact on their “resource planning” objectives. The Association will continue to pursue avenues for this unfairness to be addressed.
Mumbai Issues
The Association listed this issue with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in February. The issue was heard in conference before the Commission on 1 March 2005. The Commissioner made some recommendations for the parties to consider and could arbitrate on the matter if a compromise is not reached.
Following the Commissioner's recommendations, the Association is still waiting on a reply from the Company, which has indicated that there will be an answer by mid-April. We will keep you informed of developments.
Ad hoc inconsistencies with Operations
Recently, there's been an increase of anecdotal reports from members on questionable discretionary decisions by Operations/Schedulers. They have ranged from requiring crew to purchase their own hotel accommodation to the denial of duty hour re-calculation after a diversion.
When dealing with Schedulers, crew should always note the name of the officer and report any irregularities to your Planning & Scheduling Committee members from the Association.