Fight path grounds Qantas cabin crew
Author: Darren Goodsir
Publication: Sydney Morning Herald (3,Thu 16 Jun 2005)
Edition: First
Section: News and Features
Keywords: Qantas (5)
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Qantas staff must often feel like throttling the odd angry passenger, but instead it seems they are taking their frustrations out on each other.
In the the third reported incident of staff-on-staff violence in as many months, a pilot and two flight attendants were called home from Los Angeles on Tuesday, after being stood down in the wake of a fight at the group's motel in which police are believed to have been called.
The incident has sparked concerns that tight rostering schedules, bigger work pressures and alcohol are leading to an increase in aggressive behaviour.
Yesterday Qantas confirmed a pilot - who was suspended three months ago after a wild fight in a Tokyo nightclub that left a cabin attendant in hospital - had recently been dismissed.
It is believed another cabin worker is now also under investigation, and has been stood down from work, after an alleged assault in Singapore, unrelated to the other incidents.
The Los Angeles altercation, in which kicks and punches were apparently exchanged, happened in a private lounge area at the Bonaventure Hotel.
Qantas's head of customer service, Lesley Grant, said management had "returned the people involved" to Sydney and they had been suspended from duty.
"We are conducting a formal investigation," she said. "Qantas takes a firm line on any allegation of misconduct and a full inquiry will be conducted."
The head of the international division of the Flight Attendants Association of Australia, Michael Mijatov, declined to comment on the matter.
However, the union's website reveals continuing staff grievances over recent changes in accommodation in a number of overseas ports, including the Bonaventure Hotel, which some workers say is in an unseemly part of town with high crime.
The Tokyo brawl happened over the Easter weekend in March. The incident resulted in a flight being cancelled, while another service was delayed by 90 minutes.
Caption :CARTOON: by CATHY WILCOX
Headline: Fight path grounds Qantas cabin crew
Author: Darren Goodsir
Edition: First
Section: News and Features