indamiddle - spot on.
CapnBloggs - fair point - one of the wayward one's went so far as to follow a fellow crew member to the carpark and throw a glass bottle (
VB) at her head - and I was outraged - until both she and I found out what happened to him - lets just say he didn't JUST lose his job!!!
The rest of the guys responded as if this had happened to their own daughter.
It shouldn't have happened in the first place, but would have regardless with this particular nutcase.
The TEF trips were combined FIFO/RPT on the BNE-ISA-BNE sectors - I personally never had a single problem... Have done a number of ISA flights working with QF, and never a problem there either - mind you the CSM that frequents that route like clockwork at QF runs a good show - all the regular passengers love her. (Qualified recent experience).
To put this in perspective, the experiences I speak of are just over 5 years ago. As a camp male flightie, i'm the last you'd expect the FIFO guys to treat with respect - but they did.
My main point I guess is, its a shame that the attention has been centered on a silly few, as opposed to the majority that are decent blokes. On a side note, imagine the uproar if the crew hotels stopped serving booze to flight/cabin crew - i've seen far worse behaviour from pilots/flighties at hotel bars. (Granted, apples vs oranges)
After the baggage carousel incident in ISA, the option of removing booze was contemplated as well - in the end, logic prevailed and for the most part, they tended to crew the flight with the girls (and me), who had taken the time to get to know the passengers and didn't burst into tears at the sight of porn on a laptop, or have a power trip when a one of the guys asked for a second bundy.
Not saying you are wrong CB, people do some awful things - but I really just don't think this is the solution. Have spoken to some NJS(cobham), PER SH, and other FIFO girls/guys - and they all agree.