Virgin Blue EBA
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I do remember reading an NTSB report a few years ago about cabin crew announcements and particularly the safety demonstration. I cannot locate the document at the moment but I will be sure to post a link when I do. The report suggested that when the demo is done in a light-hearted and/or slightly comical way, pax are more likely to a) pay attention and b) remember the content.
I would agree that perhaps DJ is a little out-of-the-ordinary in this regard and that sometimes the jokes may not be to everyone's taste and even that at 0800 on a Monday morning they may be a little irritating. Having said that, I was on a BNE-CNS recently and the CS delivered not only the demo but every PA with jokes in it (btw, with a perfect deadpan that made it even funnier) and received a round of applause from the cabin upon her last PA as we were arriving in CNS. If one thing can be said, it does show that the pax were listening for once.
I would agree that perhaps DJ is a little out-of-the-ordinary in this regard and that sometimes the jokes may not be to everyone's taste and even that at 0800 on a Monday morning they may be a little irritating. Having said that, I was on a BNE-CNS recently and the CS delivered not only the demo but every PA with jokes in it (btw, with a perfect deadpan that made it even funnier) and received a round of applause from the cabin upon her last PA as we were arriving in CNS. If one thing can be said, it does show that the pax were listening for once.
Incurable Romantic
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Nr ABX (NSW)
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is of course the story about a flight on an unnamed airline a few years ago,on final approach the captain came on the PA and announced:
"Cabin Crew Please Arm Doors And Cross Dress!" Perhaps DJ could try that one!(No,not the cross dressing
)
"Cabin Crew Please Arm Doors And Cross Dress!" Perhaps DJ could try that one!(No,not the cross dressing
)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: A Lovely Part Of The World
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi guys,
I just want to clarify a few things that have been discussed on this thread... I work for Virgin Blue and no you do not have to pay for your ASIC or your uniform. You are supplied with a sufficient amount of the uniform when you begin and any more things you wish to add you can pay for, however after 12 months you are re issued with some more clothing. The only you had to pay for is the medical which I believe if you really want the job you will pay for- it's really not that big a deal.
I love working as cabin crew and the boarding music is not dodgy - it's actually songs that are in the top 20 at the moment. Unfortunately we can't cater for everyone's music taste but it's certainly not offensive music.
The PA's you are talking about are quite amusing at times but the times these joke type things are put in are on flights that suit. For instance - the cs or crew wouldn't be making jokes on a early morning business flight from MEL to SYD yet may be more appropraite on a Melbourne to Gold Coast etc flight.
Anyway... I am proud to be a Virgin Blue employee
I just want to clarify a few things that have been discussed on this thread... I work for Virgin Blue and no you do not have to pay for your ASIC or your uniform. You are supplied with a sufficient amount of the uniform when you begin and any more things you wish to add you can pay for, however after 12 months you are re issued with some more clothing. The only you had to pay for is the medical which I believe if you really want the job you will pay for- it's really not that big a deal.
I love working as cabin crew and the boarding music is not dodgy - it's actually songs that are in the top 20 at the moment. Unfortunately we can't cater for everyone's music taste but it's certainly not offensive music.
The PA's you are talking about are quite amusing at times but the times these joke type things are put in are on flights that suit. For instance - the cs or crew wouldn't be making jokes on a early morning business flight from MEL to SYD yet may be more appropraite on a Melbourne to Gold Coast etc flight.
Anyway... I am proud to be a Virgin Blue employee
Guest
Posts: n/a
Like in the above post - mainly due to confidently we can NOT mention the name of the airline, but we are about to head of to work for our next destination….., and perhaps you can see the professional and pleasant CABIN CREW that work for this airline and you might be lucky to be served by Us Skycrewhosties.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know for a fact that yes Ground staff employed by Westaff do have to pay for uniform and ASIC and then when you leave or put off for no reason, you hand your uniform back in and dont get any money reimbursed. A friend of mine paid close to $400, was told to hand everything back in, which I uppose goes without saying the reason why, but didn't receive anything back. It was, I guess liking hiring the uniform, and getting no bond back.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm a very frequent DJ traveller, have been over the past few years and can give my opinion.
The jokes wear very thin very quick - in standard PAs or in the safety demo. Travelling on QF/JQ is a pleasure in this respect - just professional conduct with no rubbish. I concede, however, that this is not the image that DJ wants - so I put up with it. I've heard a lot of complaints about it but there's always a group of pax who seem to enjoy the jokes. The music's been covered - but if I had my way that'd disappear too.
By far my biggest annoyance with DJ cabin crew is their non-adherence to CAO 20.16.3, paras 3.1 and 4.1 - namely the requirement for all passengers and all crew members to be seated with seatbelts/harnesses worn during turbulence. Only when turbulence becomes close to severe do the cabin crew even consider sitting down - and a few times I've had cups of boiling water carried past my face during turbulence. The crew retire to the rear galley to talk amongst themselves at this time while the passengers are strapped down, as required by law. Trolley carts are left unsecured in the aisle. I can only imagine this is a training issue as EVERY crew does this.
A workmate has written to the company about this - next step is CASA/ATSB. Only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured.
Enough negatives - some positives - overall the company has a very good attitude and by and large I really enjoy flying with them. Flight deck security and awareness was pathetic a couple of years ago - this has improved a thousand times over.
The jokes wear very thin very quick - in standard PAs or in the safety demo. Travelling on QF/JQ is a pleasure in this respect - just professional conduct with no rubbish. I concede, however, that this is not the image that DJ wants - so I put up with it. I've heard a lot of complaints about it but there's always a group of pax who seem to enjoy the jokes. The music's been covered - but if I had my way that'd disappear too.
By far my biggest annoyance with DJ cabin crew is their non-adherence to CAO 20.16.3, paras 3.1 and 4.1 - namely the requirement for all passengers and all crew members to be seated with seatbelts/harnesses worn during turbulence. Only when turbulence becomes close to severe do the cabin crew even consider sitting down - and a few times I've had cups of boiling water carried past my face during turbulence. The crew retire to the rear galley to talk amongst themselves at this time while the passengers are strapped down, as required by law. Trolley carts are left unsecured in the aisle. I can only imagine this is a training issue as EVERY crew does this.
A workmate has written to the company about this - next step is CASA/ATSB. Only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured.
Enough negatives - some positives - overall the company has a very good attitude and by and large I really enjoy flying with them. Flight deck security and awareness was pathetic a couple of years ago - this has improved a thousand times over.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi everyone - VBCC here. To Zapp I have to say I totally agree with you - if you think as a pax the seatbelt issue is confusing and unsafe - try being a cc member. Our safety comes down to whether the flight deck think it warrants crew being seated and our personal judegement. I personally think is sends the wrong message that crew are up and about when the pax are not allowed to be. I hope that your attention to this matter will make a change as reports from crew fall on deaf ears.
As to the jokes - again I agree. There are a select number of crew who can deliver creative and funny jokes - the rest (including me) are hopeless. Also too many crew don't know when it is appropriate and when is it not. Trust me - the crew in the back are often rolling their eyes at these jokes as much as the pax are. My pet hate is when the CS makes a joke at my expense (ie - introducing me with a 'side-story'). Unfortuneatley we have a behavioural compentancy called Virgin Flair - which we are rated on every trip. The vast majority of us think this mean being helpful, kind, personable. However, old school virgin blue is all about "fun in the cabin" and there are those that persist. We actually have a book of jokes, stories, and games to use!! Again only customer feedback can change this.
The good news is that as the Foxtel TV is rolled out across the fleet - we are no longer allowed to make non-authorised PAs as it cuts out the TV which you have paid for. Also as VB reduces the crew compliment - it reduces the ability of 'fun in the cabin' as we will be flat chat trying to get our required duties/service done. The foxtel also kills the music as a/c with the live TV are not equiped with music systems - its so quiet its a bit scary!
Adam xoxo
As to the jokes - again I agree. There are a select number of crew who can deliver creative and funny jokes - the rest (including me) are hopeless. Also too many crew don't know when it is appropriate and when is it not. Trust me - the crew in the back are often rolling their eyes at these jokes as much as the pax are. My pet hate is when the CS makes a joke at my expense (ie - introducing me with a 'side-story'). Unfortuneatley we have a behavioural compentancy called Virgin Flair - which we are rated on every trip. The vast majority of us think this mean being helpful, kind, personable. However, old school virgin blue is all about "fun in the cabin" and there are those that persist. We actually have a book of jokes, stories, and games to use!! Again only customer feedback can change this.
The good news is that as the Foxtel TV is rolled out across the fleet - we are no longer allowed to make non-authorised PAs as it cuts out the TV which you have paid for. Also as VB reduces the crew compliment - it reduces the ability of 'fun in the cabin' as we will be flat chat trying to get our required duties/service done. The foxtel also kills the music as a/c with the live TV are not equiped with music systems - its so quiet its a bit scary!
Adam xoxo
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Adam Ant, we should fly together. No funny jokes allowed, wink wink.
Keep on smiling, I wish it was only on Cooly and Cairns flights! I guess I am traumatised from a CS who on a business flight made about 5 silly remarks during the final PA, not to mention the demo etc.
Anyway, I too, am proud to be DJ employee, and like I said from the beginning, it is really the only gripe I have.
Hmmm, what about those rumoured 5 sector days?? Just joking. All in all I think that DJ is a great airline, and hope they can really conquer the business market, maybe even add a business class to the cabin....
Keep on smiling, I wish it was only on Cooly and Cairns flights! I guess I am traumatised from a CS who on a business flight made about 5 silly remarks during the final PA, not to mention the demo etc.
Anyway, I too, am proud to be DJ employee, and like I said from the beginning, it is really the only gripe I have.
Hmmm, what about those rumoured 5 sector days?? Just joking. All in all I think that DJ is a great airline, and hope they can really conquer the business market, maybe even add a business class to the cabin....
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Australia
Age: 40
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
skycrewhosties
The term "old school" needs to be read in the context of the sentence: "old school virgin blue is all about...". I think adam_ant was talking specifically about crew who are still stuck in Virgin Blue's "old school" way of doing things (eg 'airobics', toilet paper races, over the top announcements) rather than Virgin Blue's "new school" approach (business like, etc.).
adam_ant
I agree about the extra information concerning crew that gets divulged during announcements. Does anyone care that Crew X recently bought some quirky item from e-bay? Or that Crew Member Y's birthday was three weeks ago this Tuesday?
I can see the logic behind the argument that making announcements 'light and fun' may encourage people to pay attention. But isn't there a point at which this becomes counter-productive? Surely after being bombarded with irrelevant pa's people just shut-off to all pa's.
The term "old school" needs to be read in the context of the sentence: "old school virgin blue is all about...". I think adam_ant was talking specifically about crew who are still stuck in Virgin Blue's "old school" way of doing things (eg 'airobics', toilet paper races, over the top announcements) rather than Virgin Blue's "new school" approach (business like, etc.).
adam_ant
I agree about the extra information concerning crew that gets divulged during announcements. Does anyone care that Crew X recently bought some quirky item from e-bay? Or that Crew Member Y's birthday was three weeks ago this Tuesday?
I can see the logic behind the argument that making announcements 'light and fun' may encourage people to pay attention. But isn't there a point at which this becomes counter-productive? Surely after being bombarded with irrelevant pa's people just shut-off to all pa's.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
adam_ant - Thanks for your reply, I'm glad to hear that some of the crew have also noticed the turbulence issue.
Apart from the fact I believe it's against the law - I see strapping pax down but not crew as a complete contradiction - pax are not strapped down for the crew's convenience but for safety in the cabin. Unless DJ crew are wearing magnetic boots that I haven't been informed about, they are just as likely to fly around the cabin as me. And I don't recall the CAO's saying anything about PICs choosing who's secured during turbulence.
I also draw attention to the SOPs of QF and JQ - everybody or nobody is strapped down. There's never a situation where crew are moving around but not pax. Of course, DJ are entitled to strap pax down at FL200 on descent - this is not a safety or turbulence issue, just a company SOP to allow the crew to prepare for landing. No worries there.
Anyway I've made my point, and I hope I get some response from the company on this issue.
Apart from the fact I believe it's against the law - I see strapping pax down but not crew as a complete contradiction - pax are not strapped down for the crew's convenience but for safety in the cabin. Unless DJ crew are wearing magnetic boots that I haven't been informed about, they are just as likely to fly around the cabin as me. And I don't recall the CAO's saying anything about PICs choosing who's secured during turbulence.
I also draw attention to the SOPs of QF and JQ - everybody or nobody is strapped down. There's never a situation where crew are moving around but not pax. Of course, DJ are entitled to strap pax down at FL200 on descent - this is not a safety or turbulence issue, just a company SOP to allow the crew to prepare for landing. No worries there.
Anyway I've made my point, and I hope I get some response from the company on this issue.
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: australia
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wont take chances, if it's good enough for the pax to be strapped in thats a good indication to me that I should be strapped in too. Airlines such as Qantas, United and others have had their fare share of crew hitting the ceiling, broken bones etc. We dont hear so much of this now as many airlines have adopted the rule that when the seat belt sign comes on, you strap your self in. I'm interested to learn the policy that you have at DJ, if you have a good one I would like to know as it could save lives. We have 2 announcements to the cabin, one is "All passengers and crew return to your seats and fasten seatbelts" . This alerts the crew that expected turbulance is coming, gives us enough time to secure carts, coffee pots etc. The other is "All passengers and crew return to your seats and fasten seatbelts Immediately" this means we are experiencing clear air turbulance and for our own safety we are to secure carts where they are, put all hot beverages on the floor and sit in the nearest seat or on the floor if required. I have found that passengers respond better to commands if the crew themselves are adhering to the rules aswell, we are after all safety proffessionals in our field and we MUST set the example. I know we are a service industry but safety is priority.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Magnetic boots - FUNNY. As this is an issue I have grappled with since day one at VB, I like to joke that we recieve a day of training from Spiderman on how to cling to floors and walls. Unfortunately I ahve ended up on the floor twice - once with negative results.
Again I agree if pax are seated, we should be seated. I like the idea of different PAs. I always think its funny that someone will need to use the toilet when the SB sign is on - and we are meant
to get them seated, but there we are as crew, standing up with 10ton carts out and hot liquids a-flowin'. If I were a pax I think my idea would be 'yea right, whatever - outta my way I gotta wee'.
Most CC use a bit of common sense in this regard, but there are few who are unable to think outside whats written (or not in this case) and those are the ones that will get hurt.
I don't think VB is being intentionally negligent, its just with the way the company outgrew itself so quickly, many of these issues have gone unchanged (I could give you list!). Sometimes I wonder if it takes a major injury before a change is made.
And just on a personal/political note - I have zero faith in CASA to give a crap about this or most other issues. FYI there are a few ex-VB/QF employees at CASA, one of which (ex-VB) is rather high up in the ranks. Need I say more.
Again I agree if pax are seated, we should be seated. I like the idea of different PAs. I always think its funny that someone will need to use the toilet when the SB sign is on - and we are meant
to get them seated, but there we are as crew, standing up with 10ton carts out and hot liquids a-flowin'. If I were a pax I think my idea would be 'yea right, whatever - outta my way I gotta wee'. Most CC use a bit of common sense in this regard, but there are few who are unable to think outside whats written (or not in this case) and those are the ones that will get hurt.I don't think VB is being intentionally negligent, its just with the way the company outgrew itself so quickly, many of these issues have gone unchanged (I could give you list!). Sometimes I wonder if it takes a major injury before a change is made.
And just on a personal/political note - I have zero faith in CASA to give a crap about this or most other issues. FYI there are a few ex-VB/QF employees at CASA, one of which (ex-VB) is rather high up in the ranks. Need I say more.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'Why sit the crew down when they can still walk through the cabin serving and selling and snacks?' I suppose is managements point of view. Keep the pax happy continuing with a service, even if they have to remain seated. What do you think?