QF SH + LH amalgamation

[qantel]

So who would actually like to see an amalgamation between short haul and long haul at Qantas?

Not sure how it would work with EBA's etc but I say give Jetstar all of domestic (bye bye HBA,PER, red eyes and sh*ty flyers).

I understand a few domestic trips would have to stay like business hours golden triangle and CBR but hey thats what we have the old girls for..... I know I would much rather do a back of the clock from SIN than one of those PER-BNE HORRORS!!!

So what do you all think? Can this be achieved? Can anyone suggest this to AJ?
:ok:

[Pegasus747]

qantas doesnt need to amalgamate the two cabin crew groups. Their strategy is already to give the domestic work to Jetstar and the A330 work to Long Haul.

They will close the domestic division eventually under the current plan by the looks of things unless the domestic crew ensure that the nest EBA can compete a bit better with Jetstar. Cant hope to match them but a move in that direction will ensure better job security.

Trouble is that i think that Qantas is already contemplating the closure of the Melbourne Long Haul Base. If you are not on A380 down there flying to LA the remaining flying will be done by Short Haul or the Sydney Long Haul Base.

Plans are on the desk at the moment apparently

[AirborneSoon]

I think it would be a shame to see the QF brand disappear from the domestic routes, to be replaced by Jetstar. Kind of like the end of an era. But what about all the regional routes now serviced by the Dash? Are are they planning to repaint those aircraft in pumpkin orange too?

I can understand the move to put all LH flying in a single base, since there isn't a huge amount of that flying originating in Melb anyway. I suppose all these complicated EBAs and multiple contracts means that eventually they have to just start shutting things down to square it all away. :sad:

[whatever6719]

Qantas would be crazy to transfer domestic flying to Jetstar. It would be a classic case of the killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Short haul have been able to make substantial profits (albeit not as much during the GFC) and has made very positive contributions to the bottom line for years. The huge investments made in Qantas Clubs and Business Lounges/Meeting Rooms all over the country imply that imminent transfer of flying to Jetstar seem unlikely.
Sure, the company will try and align pay/conditions to Jetstar (thats hardly new) and Short Haul already have with the launch of Qantas Domestic for all new entrants.

My hunch is all capital city trunk routes remain mainline, all secondary or leisure ports going (have gone) Jetstar.
There is also the need to maintain mainline routes domestically for oncarriage/interline transfers and also as a condition of the oneworld aliance.

[airbus_galley_girl]

Maybe not Jetstar but Qantaslink as they have changed to Qantas uniforms now :}

[indamiddle]

merge the two unions?
nah..... makes too much sense

[ditch handle]

It seems to me that the current arrangements for the company serve it's purposes perfectly.

The ability to play one group off against the other and shorthaul being a ready source of crew for the A380.

[Trackmaster]

As a passenger, the idea of being forced to fly jetstar (not worth the capitalisation) sends shivers down my spine.

[Flugbegleiter]

Trouble is that i think that Qantas is already contemplating the closure of the Melbourne Long Haul Base. If you are not on A380 down there flying to LA the remaining flying will be done by Short Haul or the Sydney Long Haul Base.

Plans are on the desk at the moment apparently

I'm surprised this hasn't received more of a reaction in these forums. Any more info on this yet, Pegasus? How strong is this rumour? It kind of makes sense. On top of that, we have just moved to a much larger hotel in Melbourne... (much nicer, too, by the looks of things! hoorah! :ok:)

[AeroFlap]

I think all QAL crew can see benefits in this occuring, the question will be what will be lost/gained in each division for this to occur. AJ has been quite open in terms of reducing the segmentation that is currently in place at QF, it's great to see catering and engineering come back under the umbrella of Qantas. If the divisions are combined it will surely be one of the final
pieces of the merger puzzle that should have been completed years ago. We are in a different aviation world compared to 9 mths ago and a united cabin crew division could prove to be the saving grace for an ever evolving airline. My 2cents worth.

[QF skywalker]

I think we can all dream that we will all become one, but I highly doubt that will happen.

If the maximum aircraft endorsement number for flight attendants in Australia is still five then it would work perfectly with S/H & L/H crew endorsed on 737,767,330,747 working together as one and the A380 crew still remaining as dedicated crew.

How are the long haul crew enjoying the tandem economy service on the A330 SYD-MEL ? Would they be happy to do it on a 737 also ?

As S/H crew one international trip a month would be enough to keep me happy forever. :ok:

[Pegasus747]

Flug,

from what i understand the brisbane base is pretty content and works reasonably well. In melbourne with the growth of A380 flying there is consideration that it could be "managed" out of sydney and save on a lot of the Long Haul management costs as well as the flexibility of having AKL and SYD crew doing the non A380 flying.

The Company is certainly looking at its bases at the moment and the closure of the Melbourne base would allow certain flexibilities for the company that have arisen due to the A380.

In the case of a closure they would also be able to have a CR in the Melbourne base without affecting the operation of other bases. Given that Melbourne has the lowest FAAA membership maybe the company thinks that the FAAA wont put up too much of a fight? Of course they would have to offer positions in sydney for some of the crew

[twiggs]

I think closing the Melbourne long haul base would be a very positive thing for a majority of crew.
Presently most Sydney crew who want a promotion are only offered Melbourne which deters a lot of people.
Bring it on I say.

[flyergirl]

Well, I for one would be DEVASTATED. I live here, it is my home, I wanted a promotion there, I like the people, and if CR happens, why should I lose MY job when I have close to 20 years, over a QCCA with 2? Hmm. Whilst those in Sydney may rejoice(some seem to be doing a happy dance on here....:confused:), I do not. I flew out of, and enjoyed Sydney too, for a long time,so no criticism of any other base from my end....but why are we being told nothing????

[twiggs]

No one here is happy about anyone losing their jobs.
I doubt very much that the closure of the Melbourne base would cause a CR.
If there was to be CR it would apply last on first off, all bases, irrespective of Melbourne base closing or not.
If more Melbourne base got CR it would only be because there are the most recent recruits down there.
In fact, if the Melbourne base did close, it would mean a slight increase in the hours required to fly for all crew as positioning to Melbourne would have to factored in, hence a slightly lesser need for redundancy

[flyergirl]

"no one here is happy about anyone losing their jobs". Ok good.

But then this earlier;

".. closing the Melbourne base would be a very positive thing for a majority of crew" ??????

Contradictory?:uhoh:

Well maybe the majority of crew may be happy, BUT, it certainly wouldn't be a very positive thing for all the MELBOURNE base crew!!!!

If it happens, it happens, I hope it doesn't....and yes, it IS all about me;)

I hope we find out more soon. :(

[twiggs]

When the Perth base closed, did everyone lose their jobs?
No.
Most relocated to other bases or to short haul.

[lowerlobe]

Posted by TwiggsI think closing the Melbourne long haul base would be a very positive thing
That is unless you're in the Melbourne base eh Twuggs.
Posted by TwiggsWhen the Perth base closed, did everyone lose their jobs?
No.
Most relocated to other bases or to short haul.
Thats right ...move your family and cope with the upheaval...yeah no problem Twiggs.What if there is no room in S/H Melbourne ....or if you don't want to fly S/H.They have a surplus of crew in Sydney L/H so that's out.

What if your kids are in school in Melbourne as well as your family and the company tells you that the only base is in...S/H Perth...or it's CR..

Yeah that is a very positive thing twiggs
I think closing the Melbourne long haul base would be a very positive thing ....Presently most Sydney crew who want a promotion
So closing the Melbourne base is a good thing for.....Sydney crew.

Thankyou Twiggs...Well said

As far as amalgamation of S/H and L/H is concerned there has to be an advantage for the company....not just for those S/H crew who want to fly internationally....

I think if you want to do that then put your name down on the transfer list....

[Pegasus747]

well there are always rumours floating around .. i suggest that people calm down until the company outlines its intentions... if and when it does.

Bear in mind that they were singing the praises of the perth base right up until the day they announced its closure :

[flyergirl]

why I am worried. I am attempting not to get in a tizzy, but Peg, it was you who mentioned plans were on the table....however, as it has already been mentioned the base may not be viable, that should mean we are safe!!hehe:)

I have been here long enough to know that 'plans on the table' could mean anything from 'forget it' to 'do it tomorrow', so I shall just wait and see.

Lobey, yes, Agreed on all points.

As I have said already, I just am really disappointed (although after this long I shouldn't expect anything less!!:}) that anyone could even say that people would be happy about even a possible base closure. Never mind. I shall go back in my box now....:E

[twiggs]

I did not say anything about being happy about a closure of Melbourne.
This is what I said
I think closing the Melbourne long haul base would be a very positive thing for a majority of crew.

I do feel for those that joined after the base was already in existence and never had to commute or live in Sydney.
But this is an airline and nowhere in the contract was location of base guaranteed.

[flyergirl]

ok, FORGIVE me for thinking that 'happy' was the right word. I apologise.

If I were to reword the sentence to say "most crew would view the closure of the sydney base as a positive thing', how might this be interpreted?

You can understand the misunderstanding.


I am well aware of all conditions of employment. I have been here a long time, I love my job, I love my family and where I am currently based.


I hope the base does not close, and I repeat, if it does, I would not view it as a 'positive'.

End of rant. If anyone has any useful information, please pass it on. Thankyou!!

[Flugbegleiter]

First of all, just remember these are rumours only and anything could happen.

To be perfectly blunt, the closure of MEL and BKK would be a positive thing for SYD, BNE and AKL crew. Hey, if they closed SYD, that would be a positive for the other bases, of course.

I don't want to see anyone lose their job and I have to agree with Twiggs on this one. She never said she'd be "happy" to see people lose their job, just like I am not "happy" at the BKK crew probably losing their jobs. I enjoy working with the majority of Thai crew. But selfishly, if BKK, MEL, AKL, LHR and BNE all closed down and all the work came back to SYD, of course that would be a positive thing for SYD crew. That will never happen and I am happy about that, though if it did, I could live with the extra choice in flying.

On another note, this might be a good time to be a union member...

[twiggs]

There is an important element of this rumour as stated by Pegasus747 that has escaped our attention and that is the base would not close completely as it would have A380 crew there.
So flyergirl, all is not lost and there is another positive that the Perth based crew did not have.

[Flugbegleiter]

It would be like being unfortunate enough to be in a bank during a hold up....

I've got a better analogy for you ll. It's maybe more like an inheritance: It sux that someone close to you has died, that can't be denied. But then you get the inheritance, which is beneficial to you.

It's that simple. Twiggs isn't rejoicing in a possible base closure. I don't think anyone wants to see any of the Australian bases close. But if it happens, it doesn't mean there won't be benefits for those of us still around. I agree with a lot of your sentiments, ll, but haven't we learnt that this company doesn't work on morality, they work on maximum profits and "whatever it takes" today; tomorrow, it may be different. A*holes]. They don't care who they tread on. It's the same old story: there is no "u" in Qantas.

[flyergirl]

If it is offered, I shall decide at that time.
I would just like a little more information, to assess any options... I hope some is forthcoming soon.

[flyergirl]

Well I have asked "official" channels. This week :} no Melb base closure being considered, BKK still "under review", all crew on reserve there as discussed elsewhere (what happened to that thread?).

Thanks to those who have offered support. Much appreciated.

Let's watch this space though... I will keep my fingers crossed, for myself and all others.

Cheers:cool:

[Trollywally]

I have been hearing a lot about a new roster bidding system That the company want to introduce into SH...

Although Ive been hearing a lot ... noone seems to have much detail about it.. Does anyone have any detailed info??

I have heard it is a points base bidding system rather than seniorority... and the FWA would be done away with.. how would this work??

Also a move from monthly to 28 day rosters, this would align nicely with LH 56 day rosters... A first step maybe toward amalgamation????

Any thoughts or info

TW

[flitegirl]

To put an end to FWA and a seniority based system of awarding rosters would mean big changes to the current short haul EBA.

The Qantas Domestic EBA has got rid of seniority and bidding for all new employees therefore it seems unlikely that there would be a push for major changes to EBA 7 just for the sake of new rostering IT

[qantel]

Is it true??? Qflink to be endorsed on the 737's. Mate on check-in was told by his managers after a meeting a few days ago.
:ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok:

[flitegirl]

I actually heard the same rumour the other day.... but it brings up many questions eg:

does it mean some Qantas 737s will be re-branded QantasLink?
is the QantaLink brand going?
is it a way of getting lesser paid flight attendants to crew some of the domestic routes?

Anyone else have any ideas?

[qantel]

I think all of the above flitegirl... Maybe the 73's will remain qf but operated by qflink they now have the same uniform.

Any idea on an announcement for this? Its spreading like wild fire out there!

[Shlonghaul]

Amalgamation of Qantas Shorthaul & Longhaul?.... I've been suggesting this for years!! :E ;)

[qantel]

Or S/H regional asia only.. all the other flying A380 only for L/H such as europe/americas and domestic jetstar and Qflink.

[airbus_galley_girl]

Domestic Flights:

737 Qantaslink (Cityflyer)
320 Jetstar Dom

International Flights + Regional:

330/767/747 QAL Short Haul and QAL Long Haul Merged
A380 QCCA

:rolleyes:

[QFRegional]

First I have heard about this, not sure how it would work. Maybe under some type of wet-lease maybe? Can we just start operating QF mainline 737's once endorsed? I thought there were legal implications involved AOC or something im not expert though... clearly!

[qantel]

apparently all the 73-4's under a qflink banner to do mining routes.

[ditzyboy]

Those rumours have no substance and are completely false.

After nine years flying it never ceases to amaze me that cabin crew can make such large rumours out of nothing. Just because Link crew change the colour of their scarf they are, suddenly, about to endorsed on 737s (but only the -400s!) to do mining routes??!

This is not a slur at any of the above posts. Just an observation and rant at how dangerous it is to have demotivated and bored flight attendants.

I agree with the idea that Qantas will, eventually, order a large regional jet to replace some 737 East Coast flying (similar to the East Coast 717 operation of a few years ago). In my opinion this should have been done already. But that strategy is a completely different kettle of fish to bored flight attendants playing CEO.

[QF skywalker]

I heard somebody ( clueless surfy mother ) refer to Jetconnect as QantasLink. As we all know - Jetconnect is Jetconnect and operate 737-300/400 and now 800 on flights between NZ and Australia using ZK registered Aircraft in Qantas livery and uniforms using NZ based crew.

Soon flights to and from Aus/NZ will depart from domestic terminals, it is probably then that we will start to see Jetconnect do such duties as Auckland-Sydney with a Cityflyer SYD-MEL-SYD tagged on to the duty after it.

I think the word QantasLink is being substituted for Jetconnect by the mothers club who know nothing.

Changing 734's over to QFLINK would be very costly, unless they still used QF techies and the cabin crew were QFLINK (eaa and sunnies ). Then we would see quite a huge cost saving as I certainly notice the difference in my pay from being an ex regional crew member to now flying shorthaul !!

[flitegirl]

I think you are on the mark there QFskywalker. I've heard people get it wrong so many times when they refer to the QF subsidiary companies. It's probably just a rumour that has spread because of a few poeple's misunderstanding of who jetconnect are

[qantel]

Defo not Jetconnect people.. For all I care they could give it to Rex I just wana see them gone!

Having to get on the ground to arm a door? Pffft get rid of it!

[call button]

Qantel, You may want to see the 737's gone, but if these aircraft went to any subsidiaries, then several thousand mainline FA jobs would be lost.

[QF skywalker]

" Qantel - Defo not Jetconnect people ? "

So you know some facts ?
You have seen a proposal ?

Please share.

P.S - Having to get on the floor to arm a door - that bothers you ? You are either unfit or too busy stuffing your face with pink cupcakes. Get over it ! Squeeze your ab muscles on the way down - after 4 sectors you'll be ripped !!

[TightSlot]

Please continue discussion in DG&P forum.