BIG Announcement coming from QF?

[gobbledock]

The aforementioned posts are quite interesting across a broad range of topics, however are we forgetting the carnage and warfare that corporate greed/big business/crooked Government officials are unleashing in Australia without barely a mention? These pathetic parasites are causing us untold pain and suffering along with devaluing our lifestyle for the benefit of a tiny minority.
Sure, Indonesia could invade us, Kim Jong Un could extend the range of his Nukes or some other Nupty could unleash biological warfare on us in the form of a disease that attacks our genitals and makes them rot and fall off, but our own people as mentioned above are single handedly f*cking this once great Nation, all we do is bend over and take it while allowing these turds to take advantage of us for their own greed.
Currently the Nation is running itself into a giant hole while a bunch of d#ckheads who are entrusted with our way of life fight out their ego's and personal vandetta's and compare sausage length, and at what price/expense?? The citizens, US! Seriously, it is an absolute disgrace. It must be time for the Citizens to take up arms and fight back so to speak?

[QF94]

The aforementioned posts are quite interesting across a broad range of topics, however are we forgetting the carnage and warfare that corporate greed/big business/crooked Government officials are unleashing in Australia without barely a mention? These pathetic parasites are causing us untold pain and suffering along with devaluing our lifestyle for the benefit of a tiny minority.
Sure, Indonesia could invade us, Kim Jong Un could extend the range of his Nukes or some other Nupty could unleash biological warfare on us in the form of a disease that attacks our genitals and makes them rot and fall off, but our own people as mentioned above are single handedly f*cking this once great Nation, all we do is bend over and take it while allowing these turds to take advantage of us for their own greed.
Currently the Nation is running itself into a giant hole while a bunch of d#ckheads who are entrusted with our way of life fight out their ego's and personal vandetta's and compare sausage length, and at what price/expense?? The citizens, US! Seriously, it is an absolute disgrace. It must be time for the Citizens to take up arms and fight back so to speak?


gobbledock, I wholeheartedly agree. We, as a nation are being screwed while we have bleeding hearts wanting to show empathy to some illegals invading our borders and draining our resources. Let's have empathy for all the workers that have, or are about to lose their jobs and livelihoods. Look after your own before you look after others. If we don't look out for ourselves, no one else will, especially the corporates or the government.

[Falling Leaf]

Came on here to read about developments post the QF announcement. The magnitude of the thread drift only strengthens my belief that there are hardly any professional pilots on this forum anymore - pilots who actually work in the industry we are discussing and know what is going on. Seems the whole thing has been hijacked by people who should be on other forums, spectators balcony etc. This observation from most of the threads on this forum. PPrune aint what it used to be....:*

[Taildragger67]

QF94,

Just a quick one as I have a few things to do; I'll edit longer, later.

But one point - Newman wasn't the first political hit in Aust - a Turkish consul-general was assassinated in Sydney's east some years earlier and I'm sure there were other 'hits' in earlier years.

For the record, I do not think you're a racist / redneck, etc. I just think your arguments are unsupported by the evidence you present.

[botero]

Any chance that we can discuss announcements from Qantas on this thread?

[teresa green]

Our Kev has just dropped a clanga, and has basically just stuffed the ranga, Eh, mods this certainly effects the airlines, the ranga being a mate of Joyce's if you get my drift. So how does Abbott feel about QF? It has suddenly become very important.:D

[Angle of Attack]

DEC just anounced from Emirates, this will get interesting for the idiot managers at QF, standby for an exodus! This will play out over a few months but I am betting my middle finger it will cause problems for QF AND Jetstar!

[BrissySparkyCoit]

Back to discussion about the announcement and the outcomes of meetings.... well we can't discuss anything! Mrs Sue B. sent an email to AME unions today in "disappointment" at their notice to members which gave a few very basic and obvious facts.

We must all hold tight for 8 weeks and are not allowed to know what's being discussed?

QF94, agree with all you say! One of the reasons I left Sydney.

[empire4]

A Singapore National EIR Lame, A330,B777, B744 with 6 (yes SIX) kids has just been granted PR from the Australian Government! I can not believe what a joke it is! I heard this from the horses mouth.

this has to be stopped!

[the rim]

BSC well done in getting back to the topic....all good reading but it is about the job redundo's and movement....just read the ALAEA notice poor guys in mel MOC and the proff's engineers hope they move the ones around that want to move otherwise lots of drama......a little closer to home FOUR from bne int/dom....wow will be a LOT of unhappy campers my guess about twenty plus from both sides want out...hope all ends well......the rim

[DrPepz]

empire4: I know Aussie families with many kids who were granted PR by Singapore. Many Australians work in SIAEC as LAMES. Should I tell them to go home as well?

[BrissySparkyCoit]

Sorry, I'd love to share more info but they have threatened to call off the consultation process and make the decision without any union input if we dare speak of what is discussed at the meetings.... even the damn plain obvious!

That and the fact I don't want to get grilled in an interview again :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: :mad::mad::mad:

[Bagus]

Latest maintenance plan out,only till mid april

[Wellwellwell]

Brissy.......stop talking crap

[BrissySparkyCoit]

Don't shoot the messenger.

[Jethro Gibbs]

According to the Geelong Advertiser today SP of ALAEA talking up Avalon for A380 maintenance and Qantas says wont happen just another story.

[drop bear ten]

Empire4,

A well educated Singaporean with 6 kids who have grown up in a disciplined society with one of the best education systems in the world.

I accept your concerns, however they will contribute to Australia far more than much of the scum that has invaded our shores in the past decades. Welcome them with open arms because they don't come much better than that!:)

[another superlame]

When QF announced back in August they were putting off engineers, Mr Borghetti offered to take them on over in Virgin Aus.
Is this still going to happen?

Unless I have missed something in the media this generous and supposedly genuine offer has not been mentioned since August.

[QF94]

When QF announced back in August they were putting off engineers, Mr Borghetti offered to take them on over in Virgin Aus.
Is this still going to happen?

Unless I have missed something in the media this generous and supposedly genuine offer has not been mentioned since August.

asl, you will most probably have more chance of going over to J* and getting a job there. If you're in the market that is.

At this stage, as per correspondence yesterday, it looks like only 10 LAME's and 2 AME's in S.I.T. and 30 across the ports in line maintenance. If you're not looking at going yet, I think you're safe enough to stay. At this point in time that is, until the next round of shedding "excess employees".

[another superlame]

The numbers total 100 or there abouts
12 LAME from SIT
35 LAME from Base
23 AME from Base
2 AME from SIT
These are due to aircraft retirements

Plus 30 more LAMEs from Domestic as follows
12 SDT
10 MDT
4 ADL
4 BNE
These 30 domestic LAMEs are due to MoD.

But it still leaves the question unanswered about Virgin offering employment to those QF engineers who are made redundant.

[QF94]

The one who can answer that question is Virgin HR. Give them a call and have your question answered.

[gobbledock]

While we are on the subject of 'Big Announcements' I am still awaiting the following to be announced as part of some future improvement and return to profitabilty plan for the Big Roo:

Dear All,

Please see attached the 10 point plan that QF has undertaken effective immediately in an effort to return the airline to its' former glory as a profitable and reputable airline known for customer service, relabilty and safety;

1) Employment terms - Effective immediately QF executive management and board members have had their employment contracts terminated. For the interim a small group of management shall remain at the helm on reduced salaries paired with the QF Group's actual performance, profitability and overall value. Remuneration will be based upon global averages commensurate within the airline industry.

2) Bonuses - Effective immediately management bonuses have been removed. No bonus shall be reinstated until shareholder dividends have been paid out for a minimum of 2 consecutive years. Those potential bonuses will be capped and will have to be approved by an internal working group of senior frontline staff chosen or voted for by their peers.

3) Accoutability - Effective immediately all senior executives shall be held accountable for occurences within the QF Group that affect safety, financial viabilty, reputation and service.
For example any instance of unsafe practise leading to injury, price fixing, grounding, fines, regulatory action or legal recourse shall be attributed to the individual executive managers portfolio and that manager shall be held accountable.

4) Strategy and Direction - An internal working group has been put together comprising of Pilots, Engineers, Finance, Operations and Customer Service staff. Minimum requirement for these positions is 15 years service and all positions will be transparently voted for by colleagues and peers. This group will make up part of the strategy and direction for the airline and their input will be taken into account on each and every decision that affects the airline, whether it be fleet type acqusitions, the adding or reduction of ports, financial investments, outsourcing and future planning. No executive is permitted to act like a rogue and make decisions without consulting this working group of actual technical experts.

5) Aircraft and Maintenance overhaul - Effective immediately the aforementioned operational group shall review all aircraft types currently operated as well as review all maintenance facilities and contracts with a view to improving the business. Large changes to the current dismal structure are expected to be introduced within 30 days.

6) Share structure - Effective immediately and to be completed within 90 days no executive manager or management group collective will be permitted to own company shares, in the interest of transparency.
This will ensure that external shareholders including mum and dad investors will have an even authority when voting on executive remuneration packages. No longer will 'numbers stacking' be viewed as ethical, fair or reasonable. If an executive is underperforming as has been the case now for 3 years they shall be 'let go' in the interest of the airlines longevity and viability. In other words no single rogue has sole access to pushing the nuclear button and holding the launch key at the same time.

7) Consultants - Effective immediately no external organisation by way of a consultancy firm, service provider, agency or any other enterprise that is paid a sum of money by QF Group can have links to any QF individual employee including members of the Board or executive management team, their families or past/present managers. All proposed contracts will be examined and signed off on by members of the operational technical working group, as voted/approved by their peers.

8) Public relations - Effective immediately media statements and public relation exercises will only be undertaken by experienced PR staff. An immediate overhaul and removal of the current dpeartment has been agreed upon. QF will commit itself to honest, factual, non-spin reporting in an effort to regain credibility and trust of the public, passengers and staff.

9) Boeing 777 - Effective immediately QF commits to purchasing an undisclosed amount of Boeing 777's for it's operation and ridding the Group of old third wolrd workhorses passed their use by date.

10) Accounting - A process of honest transparent accounting practises between individual facets of the QF Group takes effect immediately. Monies will no longer be shuffled along unmarked corridors in an attempt to 'massage' the truth. Transparent and clear practise is now integral to the airlines ability to manage profit and loss and also allow the shareholder to see accurately what the status of their investment actually is.

Yours sincerely,
The top layer

This is only phase 1 of returning the Roo back from stew.

[QF94]

gobbledock,

As great as that sounds, the Roo will be in the stew for a long time, IF it ever gets out of it. The announcements last week of "restructuring" accelerated the downsizing of QANTAS mainline, particularly the international arm. With international routes being eroded and aircraft numbers diminishing, it won't be long before QANTAS is just a name, being presided over by a few people, namely the dirty dozen, that suck it dry.

As each aircraft leaves these shores for the last time, that's another nail in the coffin for QANTAS as we know it.

[TIMA9X]

Virgin Australia piles leadership pressure on Qantas | Plane Talking (http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/2012/02/23/virgin-australia-qantas-and-its-leadership-crisis/)

Virgin Australia, Qantas, and its leadership crisis

February 23, 2012 – 4:55 pm, by Ben Sandilands (http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalking/author/bensandilands/)

Virgin Australia did its bit today to make news by adding to leadership tensions at Qantas.
Virgin Australia’s CEO and ex Qantas senior executive John Borghetti delivered astonishing first half year results, in which the smaller airline made more by way of statutory net profits after tax of $51.8 million than the entire Qantas group, which made only $42 million by the same measure in its results to 31 December as announced a week ago today.

Its tiny international operation made $35 million EBIT, compared to claims by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce that his group’s far larger Qantas long haul operation continues to lose more than $200 million a year, and unlike Qantas, Virgin Australia’s loyalty scheme earnings contributed comparatively little to the overall result, which was based overwhelmingly on profitably flying people rather than selling halo points to third parties like grocery chains or hotels.
If that wasn’t bad enough for Qantas, Borghetti also announced a plan to split the company into a domestic Virgin Australia Holdings company and a new unlisted Virgin Australian International Holdings unit with a view to greatly increasing investment in the domestic operations where both Qantas/Jetstar and its major competitor make most of their money.

The complex split plan, in which existing shareholders are given shares in the new unlisted international company by way of an in specie dividend, has a rather simple but unstated objective, which is to facilitate any desire by Etihad Airways or other interested foreign airline or institutional investor to buy their way into the share register as significant and rich equity partners who will help fund a major assault on the Qantas Cityflyer domestic trunk routes as well as grow the connecting traffic Virgin Australia is bringing to Etihad’s hub at Abu Dhabi.

This will require FIRB approval, and it might well be fought tooth and nail by Qantas, but it potentially allows an already profitable challenger airline group to fund ambitious expansion plans.

For Qantas, the pressure points are obvious. Joyce is being outflanked where it hurts, and has a poorly articulated Asia savior plan for a part owned premium carrier that is somehow going to fund the recapitalization of a shrinking and loss making long haul Qantas operation with profits from a venture that will be substantially owned by Jetstar’s most potent Asian competitor, Air Asia and based in Kuala Lumpur, a centre from which it will compete with the existing Qantas investment in Singapore as a combined Qantas/Jetstar hub.

Investor doubts about the rationality and practicability of the Joyce plan, in its various iterations, and their inherent absurdities and conflicts are growing by the day, including the Qantas CEO’s guidance a week ago today that he now wanted it to be ‘capital light ’ with a fleet that Qantas paid for in the smallest possible measure.

The ‘hello Asia, we want a free ride to take your business away’ message is not going down well, either in Asia, or in Australia.
Borghetti said Virgin Australia was committed to keeping up the competitive pressure on Qantas domestic business class and full fare services with a growing investment in Australian based jobs, including lifting its heavy maintenance work to more than 50% based in Australia rather than offshore.
He said there would be more and better lounges, more pride in its Australian identity, more involvement with its Australian employees, and better, newer, more efficient jets than Qantas could afford.

“We have forced business friendly fares down to the levels of 1996 on many routes in as little as a few months,” he said, which of course coincided with the period in which the Qantas industrial disputes and its locking out of its own customers caused major inconvenience and brand damage to the flying kangaroo.

Borghetti said the ‘Game Change’ program that had been expected to kick in during the second half of the financial year had produced results ahead of schedule.

He emphasised that Virgin Australia had not been in any discussions with Etihad Airways concerning its plans to split the group into domestic and international components that would have different shareholders, but that it had for some months been working with financial advisers on ways in which it could increase institutional investment in its major domestic business without breaching the foreign shareholder cap of 49% which was a condition for retaining its status as an Australian flag carrier in terms of securing and retaining overseas traffic rights.

In the wider perspective the differences in leadership at Qantas and Virgin Australia are becoming increasingly obvious. Virgin Australia has a work force in which many would be prepared to die in a ditch for the company, while Qantas appears to want many of its legacy work force to, if not die in a ditch, go away and allow it to replace them with younger, cheaper and less skilled pilots, several of which clearly should never, ever have been employed to sit in the right hand seat of Jetstar A320s given recent safety scares.

This is not to agree with some of the views pushed by protectionist or change resistant Qantas employees, but a criticism of the hostile attitude of management to labor in the Qantas group, and the lack of staff engagement that this causes, compared to the much stronger sense of joint purpose that has characterised Virgin Australia and its Virgin Blue predecessor from day one.
The Virgin story in Australia isn’t one of unalloyed management-labor harmony and bliss, but its has been, comparatively speaking, far more constructive and effective, and it shows very favorably in its service delivery and commitment to being Australian, or if you wish, true blue.
It’s a difference which is a potent factor, as acknowledged by Borghetti today, in a profit result which hasn’t slayed a giant, but has kicked it hard in the … shins.
An earlier similar report appeared in the Crikey Daily Mail.

Sort of makes AJ's announcement look very weak indeed... completely full of holes... we knew it was bad but not this bad now JB has announced his results... doesn't say much about our financial journalist in the mainstream media.. be interesting to see if they pick up on this result and do the comparison with the numbers....

[QF94]

Its tiny international operation made $35 million EBIT, compared to claims by Qantas CEO Alan Joyce that his group’s far larger Qantas long haul operation continues to lose more than $200 million a year, and unlike Qantas, Virgin Australia’s loyalty scheme earnings contributed comparatively little to the overall result, which was based overwhelmingly on profitably flying people rather than selling halo points to third parties like grocery chains or hotels.

I've stated this on other postings and I'll state it here again. QANTAS International doesn't lose $200m a year on its operations. Passenger loads are around the 80%-85% on avaerage. Not bad for 18% of the flying population choosing to fly QANTAS. If J* wasn't being propped up by QANTAS and having its fuel and aircraft paid for by QANTAS, it certainly wouldn't be making a $140m profit. If mainline QANTAS wasn't shutdown for 48 hours last October or the dispute with its staff dragged on for so long, QANTAS's profits would have been closer to the $500m mark.

This is not to agree with some of the views pushed by protectionist or change resistant Qantas employees, but a criticism of the hostile attitude of management to labor in the Qantas group, and the lack of staff engagement that this causes, compared to the much stronger sense of joint purpose that has characterised Virgin Australia and its Virgin Blue predecessor from day one.

"Protectionist or change resistant Qantas employees"? Over the last 20 years I have seen many changes within QANTAS. We are "change resistant" because we question the "strategy" or need for change when there is no clear agenda as to why or how it's going to be implemented, and to what benefit. When we finally have those changes explained, that's when questions arise, because if we can't make sense of it, and the manager can't explain it to make sense of it, other than to say "we need to be more efficient and more competitive" then yes, we will resist change if it will be of no benefit to how we do our job or for the overall benefit of the company. When the changes are implemented, the number of amendments to those changes are unbelievable and we end up going back to the way we did things. Some things just don't change and shouldn't change.

As for staff engagement, well the only thing management engage with staff is constant conflict and constant threats to be more efficient or we will be out of business. Our only real competitor is the management of QANTAS, particularly the board.

[TIMA9X]

As for staff engagement, well the only thing management engage with staff is constant conflict and constant threats to be more efficient or we will be out of business. Yeah, and hard to tell which is the Canberra CEO and the Qantas one calling the shots...

Gn1IbuOIuhM


:)

[mohikan]

Virgins great interim result also highlights the ongoing role of consultants in Qantas's demise.

Oldmeadow had almost unlimited access to Dixon and reportedly has similar with Joyce. Interestingly, when his staff approached Borgetti to see if they could set up a similar deal with Virgin they were politely told to go away.

The new Qantas 'strategy' department is yet another example. Set up by Bain & Co, and manned by staff who have recently left that company, it has nearly 100 staff now, with more being hired every day. Reportedly salaries are good to very good in this new department.

In a lot of ways, Joyce cannot actually control much of what goes on in the company. Behoven to the ideological agenda of Clifford, and locked into massive long term deals with BCG, Bain & Co and Oldmeadow he has little choice but to go along with their 'vision' for the future of the airline.

I almost feel sorry for him.................

[Sunfish]

Mr. Sandilands gets it perfectly.

The obsessions of the Board and the Sydney push that tried to take Qantas private (The APA Boyz) are still driving the Qantas "strategy".

My guess is that Joyce will be the last to know he is finished. It will dawn on him only when Geoff Dixon stops ringing him and inviting him for a friendly drink and a chat.

Qantas is fighting the wrong battles at the wrong place and at the wrong time. It is counting on The Chairmans Lounge to get it out of trouble.

Oddly enough, if Rudd gets in, I would expect that Virgins plans will be given thumbs down by the FIRB - which is not an independent body and much given to political considerations in its decision making..

[Cactusjack]

Scientists find limbless amphibians
13:00 AEDT Thu Feb 23 2012

http://images.ninemsn.com.au/resizer.aspx?url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/img/2012/world/2302_amphibians_sp.jpg&width=310
The limbless amphibians were found in India.

Scientists believe they have discovered a new type of limbless amphibian that looks like an earthworm in northeastern India.

The pink hairless creatures, named Chikilidae, are one of about six potentially new species belonging to a group of animals called caecilians, which represent an entirely new family of amphibians.
They were found by researchers who spent five years digging for caecilians in over 250 spots across northern India, National Geopgraphic reports
Researchers said they were surprised to find the females are very dedicated mothers, and go without food for nearly three months to protect their young.
"The mother is guarding the eggs for almost 95 days without eating anything — always the mother is with her eggs," University of Delhi amphibian biologist Sathyabhama Das Biju said.

[QF94]

Researchers said they were surprised to find the females are very dedicated mothers, and go without food for nearly three months to protect their young.

This quality is certainly not shared by the QF board. What does the board go without while smashing the eggs?

If the board were compared with maggots, that would be more appropriate. Feeding and living off a dying/dead carcass.

[porch monkey]

Don't think there's much danger of Rudd getting back in. Mind you, what a choice! The compulsive liar or the psychopath. Great! :sad:

[Captain Gidday]

Which was which, again? :uhoh:

[Arnold E]

Don't think there's much danger of Rudd getting back in. Mind you, what a choice!

Or even worse, think of the third option, may the Lord preserve us.:eek:

[teresa green]

Your right Porch Monkey, they almost make the QF management look normal. The Droner from Altona , or Kev747 who gets his kicks from attacking CC, amongst other things. Its like deciding between Hitler and Attila the Hun. I think I will give Abbott my vote, he appears to be almost normal.

[Ken Borough]

I think I will give Abbott my vote

TG,

Are you feeling OK tonight? Be very careful for what you wish as TA is quite right wing.

The poor old Jesuits must be wondering where the hell they went wrong: Abbott, Hockey, Joyce (Barnaby) and Pyne are al Old Boys of Jesuit schools. To add some balance (??), Shorten was also educated by the Jays.

[theheadmaster]

TG, your tag shows you as living in the Gold Coast. Therefore you can't give your vote to Abbott or Gillard unless you move electorates.