G'day Keg! Totally agree with your two points but crew would certainly know how well off they are now if they henceforth had to adopt an "actuals" regime.
As for your comment "Most people outside the industry don't understand the concept", might one suggest that you amend it to read "Most people don't understand the concept, including staff."? Those on unaccountable per diems just don't know how fortunate they are, and pity help them if they have to go to the ATO standards; these rates vary according to annual salary which means the the better one is paid, the better can eat. What a load of cr@p?
Allowances are where Qantas can save heaps so I can only repeat that crew really ought to shut up about them before the goose that laid the golden egg is killed or (no pun) laid off! If in any doubt as to the accuracy of this statement, have a look around and see what other companies crew are paid for their allowances.
