Qantas; the thread.
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QF can and does whatever it likes, you are employed by MAM and if MAM via QF choose to give other casual employees opportunities like a temp basing in Perth that is their choice. The system that you speak of is clearly defined you are a casual on-call to be used when and if the company choose to use you no more no less.
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Well it is all very political isnt it. When i first applied for the position it said it was as a fixed term 11month contract long haul cabin crew. Then when i had my panel interview, it was said that there were no positions avaiable for long haul but a short list was being made and in the mean time they did pose the question would i be interested in doing MAM casual short haul. of course I said yes.
Since then all of my phone calls, letters and emails have referred to the position as fixed term 11 month contract with no stipulation short or long haul, so whether they are intorducing more long haul or short haul im not in the know but it is so confusing for a newcomer like me.
Since then all of my phone calls, letters and emails have referred to the position as fixed term 11 month contract with no stipulation short or long haul, so whether they are intorducing more long haul or short haul im not in the know but it is so confusing for a newcomer like me.
Last edited by Suelle; 16th May 2005 at 03:35.
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finally...
Well i got an email today inviting me to attend a medical. It then went on to say that after the medical i'd be contacted again within 4 weeks, i'm sure ive heard that once or twice in the last 18 months!? hahaha looks like im in for more waiting, but im not complaining, im just glad to get some contact from them!!!
jess
jess
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The medical is done at a doctors surgery, so i wore casual clothes. They do a through check of you, so comfy clothes is best i guess. well it was me anyway.
suelle
suelle
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Qantas Panel Interviews
I hope this note will help any applicants for cabin crew positions.
The interviews in which I excelled (and got the job), were the ones in which I was level headed, friendly and calm. My failed attempts were the ones in which I tried too hard (and probably came across as desperate).
Oh, and ignore anyone who tells you to smile a lot during the interview. Smiling for no apparent reason makes people look silly at best and deranged at worst. You're supposed to create the impression that you will be able to take care of people's safety, comfort, etc.
The interviews in which I excelled (and got the job), were the ones in which I was level headed, friendly and calm. My failed attempts were the ones in which I tried too hard (and probably came across as desperate).
Oh, and ignore anyone who tells you to smile a lot during the interview. Smiling for no apparent reason makes people look silly at best and deranged at worst. You're supposed to create the impression that you will be able to take care of people's safety, comfort, etc.
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QF - IR Issues and Debate
This thread exists to enable responsible discussion of the various IR issues currently affecting Qantas, including the establishment of the LHR base. New threads started elsewhere and relating to these issues will be merged into this one.
Comments posted here must be relevant and factual. Abuse of others will result in a threadban initially, and then a forum ban. Private individuals must not be named.
Over to you...
Comments posted here must be relevant and factual. Abuse of others will result in a threadban initially, and then a forum ban. Private individuals must not be named.
Over to you...
Last edited by TightSlot; 25th May 2005 at 06:48.
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Qantas:How did it come to this ?
Background
This relates to Longhaul Cabin Crew and can viewed by looking at two distinct periods:Before October 1988 and after October 1988.
Before October 1988.
Rosters were 56 days in length and were allocated.After 3 years of service you were entitled to a "request trip"which you were guaranteed of receiving.Onboard there was a Flight Service Director.A Chief (who ran P/C)He was assisted by a P/C FA and the food was prepared by a dedicated "Air Chef".Air Craft were generally configured 16/16/401(P/J/C). J/C and Y/C were run by Senior flight Attendants.They were responsible for Selling Duty Free and completing bar orders and any Customs Documentation.
Everyone was paid the same ,irrespective of the hours worked.Supervisory crew were paid a higher duties component and the Air Chef received a skills loading
If you were married you could request to be on the so called"married roster"ie. fly with your partner.If you needed to be home fairly regularly(not do long trips)you could apply for short division flying:nothing longer than four days.
Allowances weren`t worth much as the $A was managed not floating.Most of us spent most of our wages before we got home through a cheque encashment facility QF had arranged with slip port hotels.Allowances were not adequate to live on while in slips.Most of us had second jobs where we earnt more than we were paid at QF.Standown time was 75% of the lenght of the trip just completed.ie a 12 day trip had 9 days of standown.
Whatever happened on an aircraft or while you were away stayed there.No bringing it back into the office.
Since the sixties QF had developed a reputation for having friendly efficient service with a touch of Australian larrikinism thrown in.Lots of fun was had on board and the pax benefitted from seeing happy smiling crew faces.
There were two unions:a so called "boys union" and a "girls union".Prior to around `85 there was generally one girl onboard.She worked in P/C and handed out landing documents.
Things began to change around 1985.More females were employed and the Australian dollar was floated.Allowances became worth something.
After 1988.
Through a deal done with the Girls Union a bid system and a new set of work rules were introduced.Suddenly you could fly where you wanted to if you had the seniority,allowances were worth something and you were paid an hourly rate.For this you relinquished 25% of your standown time.Small subgroups began to develop.There were those who only went to the states.The "yen men" began.The downside was that new crew generally flew with new crew.The experience and knowledge was not passed on.Inconsistencies in service began to creep in.Resentment between senior and junior crew started.
Next step was QF merging with TAA(Rebadged Australian Airlines)New problems of differing crew cultures and merging of seniority occurred.It was not a generally happy marriage..Further resentment.
Next was the horseshoe..a crew member was removed in Y/C.Qantas was now privatised..costs and profit were now important.Next was a restructure of crew complements.Chiefs were removed.Next senior Flight Attendants were renamed supervisors and then eventually two were removed.The FSD became the Customer Service Manager.Another crew member was removed and the Air Chef position was abolished.
From an Association point of view you had QF longhaul,Ansett Shorthaul and Australian Shorthaul thrown in together.Not a happy mix.Both shorthauls had the numbers and pushed their own agendas.Ansett flight attendants were making decisions that were affecting QF longhaul crew.
Unfortunately Ansett failed and in steps Virgin to fill the void.Competition breaks out.The cosy domestic duopoly is finished.Low Cost Carriers were in abundance in Europe and the States.The time was ripe for further change.
It was about this time that things began to turn nasty between QF management and its employees(particularly Longhaul Crew).Consultation disappeared.Threats were made.Sars and the Gulf War intruded.The Company asked for some leeway.It was given in the form of a wage freeze and a shortened EBA.A couple of clauses regarding off shore bases were inserted.Promises of consultation were issued by QF management.
No consultation.Employees find out about the LHR bases through tthe media.Betrayal.
In order to further reduce costs the quality and quantity of food is reduced.Qantas begins outsourcing.Aircraft stores are distributed around the world by DANZAS using ocean going transport.Shortages become chronic.The IFE(in flight entertainment System) is introduced..A disaster.Maintenace and engineering have their cost base reduced.Aircraft breakdown more often or leave with toilets not working,ovens not working,coffee makers INOP,lights and sound systems malfunction regularly.Apology Airlines is born.Crew are now apologizing more than ever to now irate passengers.Crew write reports..these are largley ignored.Frustration becomes endemic.Crew can no longer do their job well and must apologize for shortcomings caused by others.Frustration and Anger=disengagement.
This is a brief history of the current circumstances.The chronology may be a little off but the rest is fairly accurate.
I hope this gives a clearer understandoing of why QF CC are so upset.Too much change poorly managed through a lack of communication and consultation.
Crew who want to do their job well and being denied the resources and the avenue to remedy the shortcomings.
This is why I left..I was prevented from doing my job well.Prevented by my employer who insisted I do my job better with less or no resources.As the frustration increased retirement beckoned.
I understand the anger ,the frustration and venom that circulates in these threads.
Qantas is no longer a happy place and no one seems to care but the employees.It is no longer a good airline.There are those who will argue that it is no longer even a good business.
This relates to Longhaul Cabin Crew and can viewed by looking at two distinct periods:Before October 1988 and after October 1988.
Before October 1988.
Rosters were 56 days in length and were allocated.After 3 years of service you were entitled to a "request trip"which you were guaranteed of receiving.Onboard there was a Flight Service Director.A Chief (who ran P/C)He was assisted by a P/C FA and the food was prepared by a dedicated "Air Chef".Air Craft were generally configured 16/16/401(P/J/C). J/C and Y/C were run by Senior flight Attendants.They were responsible for Selling Duty Free and completing bar orders and any Customs Documentation.
Everyone was paid the same ,irrespective of the hours worked.Supervisory crew were paid a higher duties component and the Air Chef received a skills loading
If you were married you could request to be on the so called"married roster"ie. fly with your partner.If you needed to be home fairly regularly(not do long trips)you could apply for short division flying:nothing longer than four days.
Allowances weren`t worth much as the $A was managed not floating.Most of us spent most of our wages before we got home through a cheque encashment facility QF had arranged with slip port hotels.Allowances were not adequate to live on while in slips.Most of us had second jobs where we earnt more than we were paid at QF.Standown time was 75% of the lenght of the trip just completed.ie a 12 day trip had 9 days of standown.
Whatever happened on an aircraft or while you were away stayed there.No bringing it back into the office.
Since the sixties QF had developed a reputation for having friendly efficient service with a touch of Australian larrikinism thrown in.Lots of fun was had on board and the pax benefitted from seeing happy smiling crew faces.
There were two unions:a so called "boys union" and a "girls union".Prior to around `85 there was generally one girl onboard.She worked in P/C and handed out landing documents.
Things began to change around 1985.More females were employed and the Australian dollar was floated.Allowances became worth something.
After 1988.
Through a deal done with the Girls Union a bid system and a new set of work rules were introduced.Suddenly you could fly where you wanted to if you had the seniority,allowances were worth something and you were paid an hourly rate.For this you relinquished 25% of your standown time.Small subgroups began to develop.There were those who only went to the states.The "yen men" began.The downside was that new crew generally flew with new crew.The experience and knowledge was not passed on.Inconsistencies in service began to creep in.Resentment between senior and junior crew started.
Next step was QF merging with TAA(Rebadged Australian Airlines)New problems of differing crew cultures and merging of seniority occurred.It was not a generally happy marriage..Further resentment.
Next was the horseshoe..a crew member was removed in Y/C.Qantas was now privatised..costs and profit were now important.Next was a restructure of crew complements.Chiefs were removed.Next senior Flight Attendants were renamed supervisors and then eventually two were removed.The FSD became the Customer Service Manager.Another crew member was removed and the Air Chef position was abolished.
From an Association point of view you had QF longhaul,Ansett Shorthaul and Australian Shorthaul thrown in together.Not a happy mix.Both shorthauls had the numbers and pushed their own agendas.Ansett flight attendants were making decisions that were affecting QF longhaul crew.
Unfortunately Ansett failed and in steps Virgin to fill the void.Competition breaks out.The cosy domestic duopoly is finished.Low Cost Carriers were in abundance in Europe and the States.The time was ripe for further change.
It was about this time that things began to turn nasty between QF management and its employees(particularly Longhaul Crew).Consultation disappeared.Threats were made.Sars and the Gulf War intruded.The Company asked for some leeway.It was given in the form of a wage freeze and a shortened EBA.A couple of clauses regarding off shore bases were inserted.Promises of consultation were issued by QF management.
No consultation.Employees find out about the LHR bases through tthe media.Betrayal.
In order to further reduce costs the quality and quantity of food is reduced.Qantas begins outsourcing.Aircraft stores are distributed around the world by DANZAS using ocean going transport.Shortages become chronic.The IFE(in flight entertainment System) is introduced..A disaster.Maintenace and engineering have their cost base reduced.Aircraft breakdown more often or leave with toilets not working,ovens not working,coffee makers INOP,lights and sound systems malfunction regularly.Apology Airlines is born.Crew are now apologizing more than ever to now irate passengers.Crew write reports..these are largley ignored.Frustration becomes endemic.Crew can no longer do their job well and must apologize for shortcomings caused by others.Frustration and Anger=disengagement.
This is a brief history of the current circumstances.The chronology may be a little off but the rest is fairly accurate.
I hope this gives a clearer understandoing of why QF CC are so upset.Too much change poorly managed through a lack of communication and consultation.
Crew who want to do their job well and being denied the resources and the avenue to remedy the shortcomings.
This is why I left..I was prevented from doing my job well.Prevented by my employer who insisted I do my job better with less or no resources.As the frustration increased retirement beckoned.
I understand the anger ,the frustration and venom that circulates in these threads.
Qantas is no longer a happy place and no one seems to care but the employees.It is no longer a good airline.There are those who will argue that it is no longer even a good business.
Last edited by captainrats; 26th May 2005 at 15:35.
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Another user asked the following question in another forum but as usual the unionists played the man and not the ball so no response was forthcoming. I too would be interested to hear the answer.
Any takers?
The use of airport hotels by crews on mimimum slip is a common practise world wide. Why is this an issue at QF? Can someone explain?
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Airport Hotels
If you are SYD Based Crew you are a long way from home in LHR.Airports generally have nothing around them.No retail shops(except duty free) no supermarkets,no gyms or bookstores.Nothing to do.Boredom even for 38 hrs.London is not Heathrow Airport.A tragedy in Architecture and design if ever there was one.
The issue is fairly self explanatory.
As jettlager says..it aint happening anyway.
The issue is fairly self explanatory.
As jettlager says..it aint happening anyway.
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The QF specific history certainly gives some balance and further understanding to the issue but it is only representative of how business operates generally in the modern world. Do you honestly think we would have tolerated queueing in a bank for 20 minutes only to be charged for the pleasure in the early 80's. Hell No.
Things change, things move on, nothing stays the same. What is at the heart of my position is that as much as we want things to stay the same, they never do. You can either move with it or be swamped by it, or leave.... not that many would actually do that.
But stop it? You haven't got a chance.
Things change, things move on, nothing stays the same. What is at the heart of my position is that as much as we want things to stay the same, they never do. You can either move with it or be swamped by it, or leave.... not that many would actually do that.
But stop it? You haven't got a chance.
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flugenluft:
And another reason is to do with suitable rest.
Airport hotels generally have lots of aircraft noise.
captainrats:
I think your post should appear as the starter for every QF post so outsiders can have an understanding of the demise and why some of us are so passionately opposed to what's happening.
I think most crew would accept some degree of change and rationalisation to keep our beloved QF profitable and safe.
But this is down right cannibalism for the sake of an executive bonus......
And for the unsure: the use of cannibalism in this context refers to the eating of the flesh of the bones while it is still moving...
.
I decree a black ban on Jet_Black_Moron.
Do not answer the posts.
Clearly the intent is to inflame and the best remedy is silence.
And another reason is to do with suitable rest.
Airport hotels generally have lots of aircraft noise.
captainrats:
I think your post should appear as the starter for every QF post so outsiders can have an understanding of the demise and why some of us are so passionately opposed to what's happening.
I think most crew would accept some degree of change and rationalisation to keep our beloved QF profitable and safe.
But this is down right cannibalism for the sake of an executive bonus......
And for the unsure: the use of cannibalism in this context refers to the eating of the flesh of the bones while it is still moving...
.
I decree a black ban on Jet_Black_Moron.
Do not answer the posts.
Clearly the intent is to inflame and the best remedy is silence.
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JBM Change
No one denies that change needs to occur.It is how it is managed and communicated.In Qantas it is poorly on both counts.Hence the anger and frustration.Throw in the hypocrisy regarding management wage increases while asking the troops to tighten their belts.Illustrates a total lack of both principles and morality and absolutely nothing to do with change.
Last edited by surfside6; 24th May 2005 at 22:54.
