Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > PPRuNe Worldwide > Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific
Reload this Page >

Song and dance over 'ageist' Virgin

Wikiposts
Search
Australia, New Zealand & the Pacific Airline and RPT Rumours & News in Australia, enZed and the Pacific

Song and dance over 'ageist' Virgin

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 01:13
  #101 (permalink)  
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: The Global village
Age: 55
Posts: 3,025
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Devil

Australia's safety regulation has enough checks and balances to ensure that nobody I fly with is going to fall out of the sky
Gotta agree with you there, Binos - I think Ralph's rant, where he states"Historically, airline recruitment focused on employing individuals who could enhance the saftey culture" was off the mark....it has been the regulatory bodies in the main, who have whipped the airlines into shape, along with the aircraft manufacturers.
IMO, the airline companies will do the MINIMUM they are required to do (read spend $$$'s) to comply with the safety rules imposed upon them.

Air crew recruited were basically, for pilots - the most experienced for age, with a reliable employment history, whom they believed (through interviews and tests) would fit in with the 2/3 crew concept.
And for the F/A's - the most presentable, who could represent the company hundreds of times per hour per day, endure physically demanding work (walking kilometres in an O2 reduced environment), and prove once every 13 months that they could execute the necessary minimum safety knowledge.
Okay, that's the abbreviated version, but nonetheless the "guts" of it!!

Yes, I find the DJ cabin crew schtick embarrassing,
So why is it that YOU find it embarassing, Binos? Do you mean you feel embarassed for them - or are you embarassed, as an Australian, to think that other nationalities might consider this is how ALL of Australia's airlines carry on?
Personally, I believe it's a little bit of the "Olde Country" conservatism coming out in you (which surprises me ), and is evident in many Australians....a "shyness" perhaps, rather than the extrovert, rah rah type behaviour we associate with Americans (for example).
Yet a common quip from Brits visiting Oz (and even from Kiwis) is how much more like the USA, Australia and Australians are, than the U.K.

Ralph's rant again highlights the "conservativeness" in the Australian psyche when he wrote,"He then invited the lucky pasenger to participate in the safety demo, which derided the whole safety point of the excercise."
Even from my Oz perspective, but as a pilot interested in promoting Safety, I personally believe that this was a very POSITIVE action the F/A took, in involving the pax in a very important safety issue.
Good on him

So is it possible that VB are pushing us further down the (extroverted) American road vs the (conservative) British one?
Are we being forced out, from underneath our rock?
It's amazing how uninhibited a little bit of alcohol can make us (or give us an excuse to let our hair down a bit), isn't it?

And just as we can become the serious conservative again, once the party is over, I'll BET the VB crew have a personality that will DEMAND you follow their orders in any non-normal situation!
Kaptin M is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 04:47
  #102 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Schweinhund ,how do you know that the ex An people were rejected because of age?Did someone die and make you God!You are a nishtikit!Alaichem shalom
jedda is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 05:37
  #103 (permalink)  
Ralph the Bong
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Kaptin M, I'll leave it to others to decide whether or not my post regarding VB was a rant. As for your comment that I was "off the mark" regarding selection of airline staff and their potential contribution to safety culture, you are historically incorrect. In regards to cabin crew alone, many airlines in the US were ONLY recruiting applicants who were qualified nurses as far back as the 1930s'. This was not a regulatory requirement, it was an initiative brought about by the companies off their own bat.

My comments about VB noted? By who? By VB? What are they going to do? Not offer me a job? Send a hit-man? Who cares? I am very happy where I am and have far better prospects for the future than what VB could offer. I note that you aren't working there either. There are much better options than Virgin for experienced crew, aren't there?

As for being conservative in my approach to flying, I make not appology for this. I also expect my co-workers in the industry to be conservative in their attitudes towards work. If you are a pilot interested in safety, good on you; so am I. Involving pax in saftey demos whilst making jokes is not conducive to effectively communicating the content of the briefing. I doubt that many pax could take in what they were being told as the Purser/Senior/Whatever was too busy acting the clown and making people laugh.

Incidently M, postings on Jet Blast are not meant to be taken entirely seriously. That's what it's there for. Funny how many people agreed with what I said tho. Including you on occasion. The thread was commenced at a low point in my life when I felt like venting some steam. As for calling me mysogynist, who is it that has an inflight magazine entitled 'Voyeur'?



RTA, I would say that the vast majority of ex-AN people don't hold DJ responsible for ANs' downfall. I am certainly not one of them and I cant recall speaking with anyone who expressed such an opinion. I understand that VB has built up a huge mythology based around Ansett, its staff and the reasons for its downfall. None of what I have heard in this regard is very accurate.
 
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 07:27
  #104 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
VB management background

Ninja,

A finely crafted little piece of dissembling there.

‘I remember when they were secondhand plane salesmen with less than the best reputation. They also did not start National Jet. A company called National Airlines ran an old G1 freighter out of their offices.’

Just to set the record slightly straighter, one of the people you are referring to had many years in aircraft sales. The other was, for a brief period, employed by the business as a financial controller. National Airlines did run a G1 freighter, and subsequently a B727 freighter out of the same offices, primarily because the management and ownership were essentially the same as that of the sales organisation. National Jet was initially a joint venture between National Airlines and Jet Systems, so it is not inaccurate to describe the owners and employees of National Airlines as being amongst the founders of National Jet. There were some apparent synergies behind the concept, but ultimately the National Airlines holdings were sold to the interests behind Jet Systems. The G1 and B727 operation remained with National Airlines and its successors.

They were interesting times...............................

Absolutely nothing to do with the main topic of the thread of course.




Snooze
Capt Snooze is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 07:44
  #105 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: all over the shop
Posts: 986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
RTA, I would say that the vast majority of ex-AN people don't hold DJ responsible for ANs' downfall
Personally I have a lot of friends who are ex-AN, and their consistent bitterness towards me whenever the subject of work comes up is nothing short of rephrensible... The vast majority of ex-AN people that I interact with do hold DJ responsible for the collapse, although I also respect that they are only a relatively small cross section of ex-AN staff....
sinala1 is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 08:19
  #106 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: AUS
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Capt Snooze, your not wrong abount it being interesting times.
'Non union' americans crewing the 72 with a non rated aussie in the jump seat to moniter (advise) on procedural matters.

CAA SA head on leave submitting applications and gaining approval for Jet ops and all manner of other things from his deputy filling the chair. Oh yes, and the deputy left the CAA for a lucrative position with said company as soon as the ink was dry.

One of the greater untold scandals!
Spotlight is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 09:10
  #107 (permalink)  

Just Binos
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Mackay, Australia
Age: 71
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Kaptin M,

At the risk of boring everybody else, I've asked myself the same question you posed about innate conservativeness, and I too often wonder where it comes from. All I can say is that some things should be treated more conservatively than others and perhaps anything to do with air safety is one of those things. I'm not at all sure I agree with you about the ability of the "let's all have lots of fun" cabin crew when the **** hits the fan.

Regardless, appearances tend to be self-perpetuating, and I have to agree with those who suggest that the shallower the presentation, the less respect the presenter will get when it is really required. Perhaps a grossly unfair generalisation, I grant you.

Your question though has made me think and posed a possible thread in JB. Cheers!
Binoculars is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 12:15
  #108 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Agree with Sinala

Of all the ex-AN employees that I could be bothered talking to, MOST, if not 90% hold DJ responsible directly for the downfall of AN.

Not Abeles and Murdoch's ineptitude, greed, and zealousness...

Jedda! Nice to see some culture. Tukhes oyfn tisch. Schweinhundt regards all DJ FA's as shikse, and he needs a good shtup...

Oy vey!
Romeo Tango Alpha is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 12:32
  #109 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: posts: 666
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"Most if not 90%"....... HAHAHAHAAAA!!! nice one...

Did you mean "Most (90%), if not all..." ?? Hey just trying to help you with your English comprehension RTA.

I gave you a subtle hint but you were so intent on your yiddish howlings you couldn't see it. Now everyone can. Oh well...

Anyway that bit of "kulcha" you refer to could get one into a lot of trouble. No wonder there's so much strife in the world with clowns like you confusing all the issues and language hang-ups and then blaming it on the other party...

Go to the Yiddish forum and confuse them over there because you obviously can't speak it properly and you're causing trouble around here.

Anyway can you tell us what your tool-ish statements about --most if not 90% of ex blah blah blame who for what-- has to do with this disgraceful discrimination case? Other than that they are both disgraceful???

Let's have less Yiddish crap and more info on how these ladies are doing with their court case. Why do I have to be the one to point this out???



And who is Binoss to "risk boring everyone" else like that??? Very inconsiderate, I say. Still he has his thread-topic for JB. I guess that's what makes some folks' world go round.

Anyway, good to have you back on an even keel ( ) again, Beanoss!



edited to TRY to keep the whinging Yidds happy and also TRY to show RTA why he sounds so much like a bonehead. Halas.

Last edited by air-hag; 22nd Aug 2004 at 14:02.
air-hag is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 13:07
  #110 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh boy!

Hag,

You don't read and comprehend too well now do you? I said 90% of the AN former employees I KNOW.... that's maybe 14 people or so (I know a lot of others, but they are ghosts - you know what I am referring to). I am not saying 90% of the ENTIRE former AN employees. SHEESH!

Culture. Well, you see, it's not badly mispelt arabic. It's Yiddish. Look it up! You were closer to the mark with your second dribble.

Who are YOU trying to fool is more the question. I am not trying to fool anyone. You obviously have, and have demonstrated that, YOU had NO COMPREHENSION of what was written (on all 3 counts), yet you felt compelled to once again open trap, insert foot, chew the ****e on the bottom of the shoe, then spit out the excrement. Bravo putz!
Romeo Tango Alpha is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 14:35
  #111 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hag,
And you have offered WHAT exactly?????????????????????????

Thought so.
Romeo Tango Alpha is offline  
Old 22nd Aug 2004, 23:54
  #112 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: australia
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think some posters here have a point. Some employers do have a right choose not to comply with legislation such as anti discrimination legislation. I think Branson should ignore harassment legislation. That way Air Hag and his trolley dolly mincer mates could be called anything various punters wish to call him. Furthermore, the vacuous hosties could be “chatted up”, patted on the bottom and leered at. After all legislation just gets in the way of good business sense.

On another note – I have no doubt discrimination occurs up front (for all airlines) – how many 40 year old boggys do you find?
griffinblack is offline  
Old 23rd Aug 2004, 06:50
  #113 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Temptation
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So if a modeling agency is looking for an Asian to sell a particular product, is that discrimination?
ROCKSTEADY is offline  
Old 23rd Aug 2004, 07:09
  #114 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: all over the shop
Posts: 986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How about the American Airline "Hooters"??

What if I applied to them (I am male) and was knocked back - one could presume it was on the basis that I did not have the required "hooters", could I sue them for discrimination?

The fact is, they have a particular product that they want to sell, which clearly I am not suitable for! (although I have been known to put on the odd bra occasionally... just kidding!!! )
sinala1 is offline  
Old 23rd Aug 2004, 08:06
  #115 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: posts: 666
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Is a lack of tits included in the list of of Anti-Discrimination provisions? I don't think so. If your man-boobs are big enough you should be alright at Hooters but don't expect much in tips, otherwise don't waste everyone's time.

Meanwhile try reading this regarding your "accidental" confession on wearing a woman's clothing.

No MINCING thanks.... keep it to yourself.
air-hag is offline  
Old 23rd Aug 2004, 09:01
  #116 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: all over the shop
Posts: 986
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for that air-hag... an enlightening and thrilling piece of reading that was boundless in its value to me!

Now back to the point. I was making a valid point - Hooters are marketing a particular product - and thus, they should be allowed to employ who is most suitable for their product type...

(And no I dont mince thanks, the man boobs (last time I checked) were still north of the equator (ie waist) and as far as womens clothing goes, well the only interaction I have with it is when I females ask me to remove it from their bodies - but lets get back to the point of the thread hey!!!!!)

(edited for clarity)

Last edited by sinala1; 23rd Aug 2004 at 09:22.
sinala1 is offline  
Old 23rd Aug 2004, 10:37
  #117 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The nearest white sandy beach
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
RTA well the 90% of ex AN employees that you KNOW only represent probably less than 0.001% of ex AN employees.

So do you really think your comments are a true reflection of what ex AN employees (of which I am one) think?

Personally, I don't hold Virgin Blue responsible for AN's demise in any way shape or form. They (VB) are an airline out to make a buck, and unfortunately AN could not compete. End of story.

There is a lot more to AN's fall than VB's entry to the market. Anyone who can't see that is walking around with blinkers on.


SG


Anyway back to the topic...
SydGirl is offline  
Old 23rd Aug 2004, 14:03
  #118 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
SydGirl,
No, it is not a representative cross section of "thought" within ex-AN crew. It is merely a personal OBSERVATION of a small sampling of former AN pilots.
Romeo Tango Alpha is offline  
Old 23rd Aug 2004, 20:03
  #119 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: The nearest white sandy beach
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well I can tell ya right now that your small sampling (14) of former AN pilots definitely do not represent the thoughts of the rest of the organisation. An observation it may be, but its results are not indicitive of the true feelings within the company (or ex-company).

Anyway to get back to the original topic.. it is true that VB can hire who they want, when they want, but they DO need to abide by state and federal anti discrimination legislations. So really they need to hire a variety of different kinds of people. It is a shame that VB does not appear to recognise the amazing skills, talents and abilities of those that do not fit the Virgin mold (or is that "mould"? Where's my spell checker) - they may find some hidden gems out there.

Hope the ex-AN crew have a successful resolution.

SG
SydGirl is offline  
Old 23rd Aug 2004, 21:50
  #120 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I can understand the bitterness from former AN staff when some of the Virgin flight attendants were standing around cheering in the AN terminal in BNE in front of AN staff when the company fell over. The QF flight attendants formed a guard of honour for the AN ones. And then there was the former AN staffer who went for an interview at Virgin who was told to make up a song about Ansett's demise and perform it! (He walked out). And weren't there Virgin parties to celebrate the collapse? Is it any some wonder people are bitter?
EPIRB is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.