Qantas: One Big Unhappy Family
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Perhaps Ive been flying by chance this year with the disgruntled group. Let me clarify that everyone I fly with do their job safely and well, but it is just the enthusiasm and the desire to 'help' that seems to be lacking.
I'm not trying to scaremonger, just adding my views on what I have seen change in the last few years.
I DO stand by my comments as I am, on almost every flight, disheartened by the attitudes that I am presented with , but , as I said, am beginning to understand them as time goes on.
I'm not trying to scaremonger, just adding my views on what I have seen change in the last few years.
I DO stand by my comments as I am, on almost every flight, disheartened by the attitudes that I am presented with , but , as I said, am beginning to understand them as time goes on.
Join Date: May 2005
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Some of you guy's might be happy but I guarantee most of us on the ground are not. Us engineers are taking a vote on protective industrial action this week. If we were happy, do you think we would be voting on this? The company makes more and more money each year and the top jocks keep giving them self's even more. Then they have the hid to scream poor when that make close to a billion dollars every year. This is the last chance the company has on truly looking after it's employees, before all h
breaks loose. It's going to be a few very interesting weeks.
The circle of stupidity continues.....
breaks loose. It's going to be a few very interesting weeks. The circle of stupidity continues.....
Nunc est bibendum
fair enough eject3. Poe tate oh/ Poh tah toe, glass half full/empty I expect.
I had a few months off sick in 2005 and the mood was so diabolical when I got back that I emailed the fleet manager to express my concern at how quickly the mood had darkened.
I will say that the mood changed significantly for the better the minute the promotional slots were published about May last year and there was movement at the station once again. 2006/2007 was a decent training year but it wasn't until last year that things started looking more rosey- at least in terms of everyone's jobs/movement.
I had a few months off sick in 2005 and the mood was so diabolical when I got back that I emailed the fleet manager to express my concern at how quickly the mood had darkened.
I will say that the mood changed significantly for the better the minute the promotional slots were published about May last year and there was movement at the station once again. 2006/2007 was a decent training year but it wasn't until last year that things started looking more rosey- at least in terms of everyone's jobs/movement.
Join Date: Sep 2006
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'JET' good luck with what you guys have planned. It won't be easy getting a single $ out of the 'vacuum' cleaner guys at the top, but $1 in yr pocket is $1 less for the greedy
Greed is mankinds worst affliction, crims do it illegally, some CEO's do it legally!
CW
Greed is mankinds worst affliction, crims do it illegally, some CEO's do it legally!
CW
Join Date: Jan 2008
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CW, this time it's not just about money. Whats the point of a few extra $$$ if you
Now the engineers are voting on industrial action. This is not just a vote for more $$$, but more a vote of "no
Let the games begin....
aint
got a future !!! QF is a quality product because of the employees that have given their all over the years.Now the engineers are voting on industrial action. This is not just a vote for more $$$, but more a vote of "no
confidence
" in the current management.Let the games begin....
Join Date: Feb 2008
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blaming the weather
""Major Disruptions
Sometimes due to circumstances outside our control, such as bad weather or industrial action, your flight may be disrupted or cancelled.""
from the quaint-arse website ... i can understand the weather but industrial relations are usually well controlled by a well managed company. jeeze
Sometimes due to circumstances outside our control, such as bad weather or industrial action, your flight may be disrupted or cancelled.""
from the quaint-arse website ... i can understand the weather but industrial relations are usually well controlled by a well managed company. jeeze
Engagement is a beautiful thing.
If an employee gave 10% more than what they are expected or required to do imagine the result.
Even a brick head twit of a manager can appreciate a productivity improvement of 10% with existing resources.
All with no additional cost.
But GD is regarded as one of the best CEO's in the country!
If an employee gave 10% more than what they are expected or required to do imagine the result.
Even a brick head twit of a manager can appreciate a productivity improvement of 10% with existing resources.
All with no additional cost.
But GD is regarded as one of the best CEO's in the country!
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Well fella's if the world keeps going the way it is, the US in deep S$@#, wheat being used to make biofuel instead of feeding the starving citizens of the world, ( they are starting to go without food in Eygpt of all places!) to say nothing of Africa, the whinges at QF are going to mean sweet Buggar all, as we start to run low on oil, fuel, as China and India gobble it up to surport their increasing middle class, you will all have really something to worry about as they start pushing A/C against the fence. So smile, be glad to have a job, because this is not fantasy land thinking, things are getting hard, and they are going to get a lot harder as the world has to cope with problems we have never had before.
Join Date: Apr 2000
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Gidday Keg. Yep. You're on a different fleet alright!
In my fleet (you'll never guess which one
), most things which come out of fuel-saving HQ are frequently ignored in my experience on the line so far. It's deliberate, though not malicious or "industrial". It often doesn't work well on our fleet and there have been some ripper setups courtesy of the flight planned fuel calcs. I've been burned enough that taking flight plan fuel rarely even enters my mind these days!
Extending? Fairly commonly refused. Once again deliberate, but not malicious. We get shafted from pillar to post many days of the week and the last thing on our minds is flying for yet another hour on yet another sector and then disrupting the whole next day of the pattern (which will invariably end up in some sort of shafting). Not to mention there is no overtime carrot (and when I was on the 744 the $$$ was what kept most of us extending, certainly not any fatigue considerations!).
Mind you, it's amazing how fast the company can actually turn an aeroplane around when you tell them in advance you're refusing to extend!
Morale? Certainly could be much better. The time on duty between on and off blox is enough to drive us to despair on many occasions. From sh*tty little airport managers questioning why you want the tanker back (aww now why would we want the tanker back? Perhaps to tell the driver his shirt is untucked? Or could it be the weather forecast has just changed and we need more gas?) to Maintenance Watch cursing you for refusing to take the aeroplane with multiple safety related MELs that keep piling up (well how about YOU coming and flying the plane in it's present state eh?), to passengers threatening to punch your lights out because it's the fourth time we've had to extend the delay, the third time they've changed gates, and no-one in the lounge is telling them anything.
Management? Haven't heard many people I fly with say anything substantially positive about them yet!
Your fleet is a different world, with all due respect. I know - I've worked there and I haven't forgotten what it was like (mmmm......pig's knuckle......black pepper prawns......mmmm......6 hrs overtime in a 4 day pattern......a week off......mmmm).
Unfortunately my fleet bears the brunt of a system under immense strain from all angles. It's not about "challenges" (that word is just such BS). It's about how the fleet is regularly overworked and under-resourced from many aspects, and that's a Management issue.
The guys I fly with take pride in getting from A to B in one piece, and there it ends. We're usually too buggered to worry about anything else.
In my fleet (you'll never guess which one
), most things which come out of fuel-saving HQ are frequently ignored in my experience on the line so far. It's deliberate, though not malicious or "industrial". It often doesn't work well on our fleet and there have been some ripper setups courtesy of the flight planned fuel calcs. I've been burned enough that taking flight plan fuel rarely even enters my mind these days!Extending? Fairly commonly refused. Once again deliberate, but not malicious. We get shafted from pillar to post many days of the week and the last thing on our minds is flying for yet another hour on yet another sector and then disrupting the whole next day of the pattern (which will invariably end up in some sort of shafting). Not to mention there is no overtime carrot (and when I was on the 744 the $$$ was what kept most of us extending, certainly not any fatigue considerations!).
Mind you, it's amazing how fast the company can actually turn an aeroplane around when you tell them in advance you're refusing to extend!
Morale? Certainly could be much better. The time on duty between on and off blox is enough to drive us to despair on many occasions. From sh*tty little airport managers questioning why you want the tanker back (aww now why would we want the tanker back? Perhaps to tell the driver his shirt is untucked? Or could it be the weather forecast has just changed and we need more gas?) to Maintenance Watch cursing you for refusing to take the aeroplane with multiple safety related MELs that keep piling up (well how about YOU coming and flying the plane in it's present state eh?), to passengers threatening to punch your lights out because it's the fourth time we've had to extend the delay, the third time they've changed gates, and no-one in the lounge is telling them anything.
Management? Haven't heard many people I fly with say anything substantially positive about them yet!
Your fleet is a different world, with all due respect. I know - I've worked there and I haven't forgotten what it was like (mmmm......pig's knuckle......black pepper prawns......mmmm......6 hrs overtime in a 4 day pattern......a week off......mmmm).
Unfortunately my fleet bears the brunt of a system under immense strain from all angles. It's not about "challenges" (that word is just such BS). It's about how the fleet is regularly overworked and under-resourced from many aspects, and that's a Management issue.
The guys I fly with take pride in getting from A to B in one piece, and there it ends. We're usually too buggered to worry about anything else.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Boo Hoo Pooh Pooh
Boo Hoo malcontents... its the people that make an organisation not the unfaced ones that run the show.
If we should all be critical let us poo poo the newly formed Rudd Government for he presides over increasing interest rates on our home loans, soaring rent and food prices, death of our brothers in a foreign land etc.
Oh you may say all this bad news is the other fellows fault and he unfortunately inherited the current malaise, and the high cost of fuel and the death of our river system is the fault of our fathers.
No you take ownership of your current lot and strive to make it better not through whining like a petulent child but by instigating change like a new age warrior of principal and intellect.
If we should all be critical let us poo poo the newly formed Rudd Government for he presides over increasing interest rates on our home loans, soaring rent and food prices, death of our brothers in a foreign land etc.
Oh you may say all this bad news is the other fellows fault and he unfortunately inherited the current malaise, and the high cost of fuel and the death of our river system is the fault of our fathers.
No you take ownership of your current lot and strive to make it better not through whining like a petulent child but by instigating change like a new age warrior of principal and intellect.
oop's
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Guys get a grip! You have a job as a pilot at QANTAS! Thousands of us don't for one reason or another and we would love to be in your poor sad position.
Every pilot I know has a QF mainline gig at the top of their list of career goals. You have achieved it and good on you, but don't keep on wingeing now your there.
It sounds just like those buggars who win Lotto, then complain "I wish I didn't win all that money" GIVE IT TO ME and I will ease your pain!
Every pilot I know has a QF mainline gig at the top of their list of career goals. You have achieved it and good on you, but don't keep on wingeing now your there.
It sounds just like those buggars who win Lotto, then complain "I wish I didn't win all that money" GIVE IT TO ME and I will ease your pain!
Nunc est bibendum
Actually it's quite a bit different to your Lotto example Zhaadum. Personally I think it's over simplistic and doesn't hold up to any level of scrutiny. Most of us aren't wishing we didn't have a gig with Qantas- although there are a few who have voted with their feet and headed to EK, the RAAF, etc. All of us are very grateful for what we've currently got.
Whilst I can't think of a decent analogy at the moment, what you have to remember is that QF pilots and the job of being a QF pilot is no different to any other 'job'. Management makes their decisions and play their games. The impact of those decisions on the individual varies from insignificant to quite significant. Those impacts can make the difference between being engaged and being completely disengaged. In defence of my colleagues on the 767 fleet, there are a number of issues that make life for them at times quite difficult and I sympathise with- and will shortly share- their plight.
The point that they make is that whilst they have indeed won lotto, for little effort or expense on behalf of 'management', life could be so much better. That shouldn't be mistaken for lack of gratitude, rather it should be seen as a desire for greater respect of the efforts that we bring to the table.
Whilst I can't think of a decent analogy at the moment, what you have to remember is that QF pilots and the job of being a QF pilot is no different to any other 'job'. Management makes their decisions and play their games. The impact of those decisions on the individual varies from insignificant to quite significant. Those impacts can make the difference between being engaged and being completely disengaged. In defence of my colleagues on the 767 fleet, there are a number of issues that make life for them at times quite difficult and I sympathise with- and will shortly share- their plight.
The point that they make is that whilst they have indeed won lotto, for little effort or expense on behalf of 'management', life could be so much better. That shouldn't be mistaken for lack of gratitude, rather it should be seen as a desire for greater respect of the efforts that we bring to the table.
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Assume BRACE positions
Word from the Arthur Baird Retirement Village aka Jet Base is that the LAME's have had a gutful of the empty rhetoric ( from both Stevie and QF nob's) and are about to walk some time next week -based on the IRC decision on "protected industrial action" ( due early in the week).
I for one am happy about not going near a Red Tail for the next few weeks !!!
Good Luck Boyz and Girlz.
I for one am happy about not going near a Red Tail for the next few weeks !!!
Good Luck Boyz and Girlz.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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management receive either 2 or 4% of every cost saving they achieve, can't remember which, i'd had a few beers at the time when i was told this. so any fuel savings or other cost savings provide a huge incentive for particular management in their area. this is what drives the company decision making process.
the informant also claims that GD is very likely leaving in november (rumour)
the informant also claims that GD is very likely leaving in november (rumour)
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Keg, I agree that my Lotto analogy was simplistic, but it was all I could think of at the time. Funny that you can't think of a better one! 
I understand any job can get tiresome, particulaly if management makes it so.
It just seems to me everyone is always looking for greener pastures and I would have thought that QF would be the biggest and greenest!
At least here in OZ.
I understand any job can get tiresome, particulaly if management makes it so.
It just seems to me everyone is always looking for greener pastures and I would have thought that QF would be the biggest and greenest!
At least here in OZ.
Nunc est bibendum
Zhaadum, you're probably right and this is an analogy that I can make work more effectively.
QF as an airline may be the biggest and best pasture in the land. However, the pasture itself is a bit dated, has been 'worked' too hard over the years and is only a really dry patch from being in some form of strife. It also may be the greenest at the moment but the farmer who owns it it could have a much greener and higher producing patch if they only had a bit more skill and ability to better care for those who actually do the work on it. Those who do work it would then be in a better position to see it through a dry spell.
Alas, the QFLink pasture is about to be devoid of workers and the Rex patch was left without willing workers long ago. They're currently training workers as fast as they can go but will they have the required experience to do the job- particularly the important position of 'supervisor of more junior farm worker'!
QF as an airline may be the biggest and best pasture in the land. However, the pasture itself is a bit dated, has been 'worked' too hard over the years and is only a really dry patch from being in some form of strife. It also may be the greenest at the moment but the farmer who owns it it could have a much greener and higher producing patch if they only had a bit more skill and ability to better care for those who actually do the work on it. Those who do work it would then be in a better position to see it through a dry spell.
Alas, the QFLink pasture is about to be devoid of workers and the Rex patch was left without willing workers long ago. They're currently training workers as fast as they can go but will they have the required experience to do the job- particularly the important position of 'supervisor of more junior farm worker'!