Originally Posted by
Sunfish
Perhaps the reason he engendered such fierce loyalty was that he was very liberal in doling out recognition of good work, as were people like Bondy and a lot of others. Its a pity Qantas can't do the same (see the Qantas Morale Thread), maybe it would improve their morale.
The management structure was pretty flat, but there was recognition at all levels and there was never, to my knowledge, the suggestion that we were simply unimportant drones.
To put it another way, we only had a vague idea of who was on the Board of the company, we didn't hang breathlessly on Board decisions made by business superstars. We simply got on with the job and were occasionally recognised for it - and got a kick in the backside if we didn't do it right as well. Ansett was an inclusive culture.
Let me give you just a few examples that I'm aware of.
- As a lowly cubicle dweller, I was part of the team who worked on 767 purchase. I got sent to Seattle and was wined and dined and watched them build the first prototype.
- I got sent as a "representative of the company" to numerous ATA meetings in the States, again as a lowly cubicle dweller, went to Europe a few times as well.
- A stack of LAME's of all ages went to Seattle, they were extremely well looked after by Boeing.
The team who worked out the 767 entry into service - which was a big thankless job, were told the week before it arrived to pack their bags, they were going on the roadshow with the aircraft, and they did the full tour of capital cities with the best of accomodation and refreshments.
I'll get all teary in a minute (sniff)
Sunfish. The Boeing purchase decision for 5 x B767-200, 4 x B727-200LR and 12 x B737-200 was made post R M Ansett by Abeles and Murdoch.
Reg Ansett had been agonising re a wide body decision for some time. He was leaning towards the A300 to uphold the 2 Airline Policy that had protected Ansett since the purchase of ANA in 1957.
The Boeing order was finalised with Tex Bouillon of Boeing at Rupes property on a Saturday evening. When the Flight Dept and Engineering were told on the Monday that 12 x B737-200's and 4 x B727-200LR's were also coming in addition to the 5 x B767-200's everyone went into panic mode, especially the Flight Dept where the jockeying began with Mal Wheaton, Ted Walters etc.
Similar situations occured when Abeles ordered the A320 at the Paris Air Show (AN was the launch customer) and the 72 x Bae146 order (against the wishes of the Flight Dept and Engineering).
At least there was agreement on the F50 order (AN was the launch customer).
The Sydney based master BAe salesman was John Canning-Cooke who went to Abeles SYD office after no interest was shown in the BAe146 in MEL. After the order was placed Abeles had the use of the BAE company jet registered VH-JCC. John Canning-Cooke passed away from Cancer before he saw his BAe146's in large numbers in Australia.
Ahh Ansett was an interesting place to work !!!