Pegasus 747
While you make some salient points, some of what you say needs to be put into perspective.
$70-$80K is not an average.
Less than 20% of crew earn this type of money.To do so they are putting in a hell of a lot overtime.
The human body has physical limits.So the 23 hours a week you quote needs to be seen in the context of these limits and the stresses intercontinental flying places on our bodies.
The last ten years has been nothing but change.It certainly hasn't been boring.
I embrace change ..it keeps things interesting and allows us all to move forward.
I don't however embrace the malice in which QF management implements its change.
Recent engagement surveys are appalling.This is right across the company not just Cabin Crew.
We haven't seen technological change like this since 1981 when the SP was introduced.
I am a great supporter of the FAAA and its pragmatic approach.
We need to keep things in perspective.
We need to mindful of the effects that 20 hour plus tours of duty will have on all of us.
We need to be looking at increasing slip times after these sectors.
Limiting the number of these sectors per BP.
Increasing standown times when an "ultra"sector is a component of the pattern.
Payment for hours in excess of 15 need to be monetarily realistic.
All things need to be in balance.
At present its not looking that way.
Look whats happened in the states.The only Airline doing well is Southwest.
Their priorities:
1.Employees
2.Customers
3.Shareholders.(Fin Review story 2 weeks ago)
Staff surveys indicate loyalty and commitment and a high level of morale and motivation
We all earnt a lot less 25 years ago and morale commitment and motivation were exponentially higher.
Management treated employees like family and employees responded positively.
If QF management were more communicative and stopped treating staff as the enemy circumstances would improve enormously.
Lets see what happens when the "viagra driven dwarf" retires.
Things can only improve.
With staff engagement surveys as bad as ours one wonders how the company functions at all.