Leigh Cliffords 90th aniversary dinner speech
I was at this function. There were many company reps there including the head of Cabin Crew, but guess what , no Chief Pilot. Below is Leigh Cliffords speech. It makes interesting reading in light of what management really think about their pilots.
CLIFFORD (CHAIRMAN)
QANTAS 90TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER
FRIDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2010
Check against delivery
Thank you Adam
Premier Anna Bligh of Queensland
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese
Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey
Federal and State Parliamentarians
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentleman
Good evening
Two weeks ago in Adelaide for our AGM
We were talking of our hopes and looking forward
Talking of the pioneers in aviation
Harry Butler who in the 20s delivered the first air mail
from Adelaide to Minlaton
Of Keith and Ross Smith
and Charles Kingsford Smith
And the founders of Qantas in Queensland
Fysh and McGinness surveying the route from Longreach to Darwin
A chance meeting with McMaster
And the beginning of a great global airline.
2 weeks ago Qantas was rocked
However Qantas showed its best
The pilots and other crew
by their performance on QF32
showed why you, our customers,
should have confidence in Qantas.
When we had another incident on QF6
That skill and composure was called up again …
And again the flight and cabin crew showed complete professionalism.
Your safety always comes first.
It isn’t by chance that Qantas celebrates 90 years
Flying every year for those 90 years.
We thought about the appropriateness of this event
given what we’re going through.
Whilst most events during our 90th birthday celebrations have been about
recognising our staff and their families,
Tonight’s about you, our key customers and suppliers.
I don’t know what the real difference is between an aviator and a pilot
or when a pilot becomes an aviator?
The dictionary wasn’t much help.
But I suspect it’s how they handle the unexpected.
It was put to the test a week ago and Richard DeCrespigny and John Hodgkinsonand their colleagues stepped up.
The pilots and crew showed why you fly Qantas.
They showed the best of Australia.
We are very proud of Qantas – all Australia should be.
It’s been a very difficult 10 days but a great 90 years.
Thank you for your support and enjoy tonight.