Zeal320 Ltd.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
That's not true. Freedom Air is being disbanded, and NZ will be taking over all services using ZEAL 320 Ltd. ZEAL 320 Ltd was set up to operate the A320 fleet on behalf of Freedom and Air NZ. It will just simply cease to operate Freedom flights.
NZ1
NZ1
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Pacific
An historical perspective
Is great reading this now in light of what IS happening with the Zeal320 crew and the AOC coming back to Air NZ. Wonder what their real intentions are with the Zeal Air Operating Cert and the crew. I see the airline is now trying to train Concierges and other crew as strike busters. 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Maun, Botswana
I used to have a lot of respect for the Zeal crew... But in light of seeing what is happening at the moment with the way they are carrying on. They are looking like clowns.
Im sorry but Im finding it hard to support you when you are destroying the image of a lot of other AirNZers that have worked hard to build up.
Not only that, but you are showing a total lack of respect towards all the other people in the company who are earning far less than you. Without the allowances.
Everyone is entitled to a pay rise, but you have picked the wrong time, and the wrong way to go about it.
Im sorry but Im finding it hard to support you when you are destroying the image of a lot of other AirNZers that have worked hard to build up.
Not only that, but you are showing a total lack of respect towards all the other people in the company who are earning far less than you. Without the allowances.
Everyone is entitled to a pay rise, but you have picked the wrong time, and the wrong way to go about it.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
pax point of view
as a pax who has travelled Trans Tasman frequently since 1968, I call tell you how I find it.
Zeal 320 crews - on the whole are pretty slick and personable. Have come across a few who should not be on the aircraft at all.
Flight Attendants who chew gum while pax are boarding, to FA who cannot remember your drink orders. Once I can cope with but 3 times is a bit of a push.
From a cust point of view - don't like Zeal, but understand the commercial reasons for its existence. Cheaper fares do require cheaper costs.
I have crossed the Tasman on NZ (mainline and Zeal) QF (mainline and Jetconnect) Jetstar and Emirates.
Jetstar I would travel on as only the last choice. either seat availablity or price.
Jetconnect - pretty good service
Zeal - see above
Emirates - are the outstanding choice.
Fares are normally the cheapest in the market if you buy them at the right time, the aircraft are great, the service might not be as slick as Zeal (after all the EK crew work different sectors every time they fly - Zeal only do short haul) but the meals and drinks are better, and the staff are friendly and very willing to assist and help.
This comment is ultra interesting as I am jewish (dont travel on my Israeli passport ) so I can fly EK. So a Jew praising an Arab airline - you know that my comments have to be kosher.
Good luck to all at Zeal with your management and contract issues, may they be resolved in a WIN / WIN for both company and crew.
Mazel Tov
Adam
Zeal 320 crews - on the whole are pretty slick and personable. Have come across a few who should not be on the aircraft at all.
Flight Attendants who chew gum while pax are boarding, to FA who cannot remember your drink orders. Once I can cope with but 3 times is a bit of a push.
From a cust point of view - don't like Zeal, but understand the commercial reasons for its existence. Cheaper fares do require cheaper costs.
I have crossed the Tasman on NZ (mainline and Zeal) QF (mainline and Jetconnect) Jetstar and Emirates.
Jetstar I would travel on as only the last choice. either seat availablity or price.
Jetconnect - pretty good service
Zeal - see above
Emirates - are the outstanding choice.
Fares are normally the cheapest in the market if you buy them at the right time, the aircraft are great, the service might not be as slick as Zeal (after all the EK crew work different sectors every time they fly - Zeal only do short haul) but the meals and drinks are better, and the staff are friendly and very willing to assist and help.
This comment is ultra interesting as I am jewish (dont travel on my Israeli passport ) so I can fly EK. So a Jew praising an Arab airline - you know that my comments have to be kosher.
Good luck to all at Zeal with your management and contract issues, may they be resolved in a WIN / WIN for both company and crew.
Mazel Tov
Adam
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Auckland
I am a former Zeal ISM who left for career advancement ,went to another international airline and can I just say that Zeal are honestly the best company to work for,management are very open and approachable ,type of flying is great and the service on offer is fantastic.
Some of the crew they are employing I will admit should not be there i.e young and have no clue as how to provide the service level required and keep standards but on the whole its a great operation.
Some of the crew they are employing I will admit should not be there i.e young and have no clue as how to provide the service level required and keep standards but on the whole its a great operation.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
anzzeal123.
It must have been a while ago you left - management has all changed. In fact none of the mamagement even work under the Zeal company name. There are alot of unhappy campers. Hense the industrial action. You will also be aware of the poor pay levels, compared to the rest of the company.
It must have been a while ago you left - management has all changed. In fact none of the mamagement even work under the Zeal company name. There are alot of unhappy campers. Hense the industrial action. You will also be aware of the poor pay levels, compared to the rest of the company.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Auckland
Yes I am aware of the poor pay levels however if people dont like there jobs then leave !!!Dont bring crew moral and passenger experience levels down ,the company and brand which many love so much is suffering due to The EPMU and Zeal crew being un professional ,I do understand that pay is important but it also has to be understood the current global economic situation and its un fair to cause major disruptions when everyone is trying to say aflot including the Air New Zealand group which recently posted a loss last financual qtr,we all know how quickly Ansett folded and it seems as though the EPMU and current Zeal crew dont care if the company was to go under and brand
The crew that are on the original contracts i.e LH,SH/Dom are only on them as they have been working with the company for many years and its unrealistic for the Zeal crew to think they should be on that money its a different world we live in compared to what it was like when those original contracts where put into place
The crew that are on the original contracts i.e LH,SH/Dom are only on them as they have been working with the company for many years and its unrealistic for the Zeal crew to think they should be on that money its a different world we live in compared to what it was like when those original contracts where put into place
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: SE Spain
Outsiders view
Being only a Paying customer, with my own money in cattle class, and knowing nothing about Air New Zealand staffing politics I would like to add my findings.
In November/December last year I flew Spain to UK Monarch. UK to USA Virgin Atlantic, USA to Auckland Air NZ, Auckland to Christchurch Air NZ then return Air NZ. Then Auckland to Brisbane Air NZ. Brisbane to Perth Virgin Blue. Perth to Singapore then Singapore to UK Singapore Air. then Ryan Air UK to Spain.
Cabin crew on Air New Zealand all over 30 years old some knocking 60 on all flights. By far the best cabin staff we had on any flight.
Cabin crew on Virgin Blue all well under 30 by far the worst cabin staff we had on any flight.
Now I read all the postings concerning your internal strife but it seems the Oldies are getting it well right. In order of merit I would class cabin staff as:
1. Air NZ
2. Virgin Atlantic 3. Singapore 4. Monarch 5. Ryan, 6. Virgin Blue
Bob Head
Passenger
In November/December last year I flew Spain to UK Monarch. UK to USA Virgin Atlantic, USA to Auckland Air NZ, Auckland to Christchurch Air NZ then return Air NZ. Then Auckland to Brisbane Air NZ. Brisbane to Perth Virgin Blue. Perth to Singapore then Singapore to UK Singapore Air. then Ryan Air UK to Spain.
Cabin crew on Air New Zealand all over 30 years old some knocking 60 on all flights. By far the best cabin staff we had on any flight.
Cabin crew on Virgin Blue all well under 30 by far the worst cabin staff we had on any flight.
Now I read all the postings concerning your internal strife but it seems the Oldies are getting it well right. In order of merit I would class cabin staff as:
1. Air NZ
2. Virgin Atlantic 3. Singapore 4. Monarch 5. Ryan, 6. Virgin BlueBob Head
Passenger
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
From: UK
I've deleted a post today - please note the following:
- Somebody posting an alternative view is neither posting nor acting upon "propaganda" - they are simply posting an alternative view.
- The use of the phrase "Scabs" is unacceptable on PPRuNe under any circumstances.
- Please try and avoid endless recycling of anonymous and therefore unverifiable offers of support from passengers/crew/colleagues etc. to either side in a dispute. They may make you feel warm and cosy inside, but are meaningless to others.
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: South Pacific
I am a former Zeal ISM who left for career advancement ,went to another international airline and can I just say that Zeal are honestly the best company to work for,management are very open and approachable
Mind you I guess they would be if you are quiet and compliant and working on the absurdly low pay they give their staff.
So as a Zeal ISM you left for career advancement. I guess you are now with Air NZ longhaul taking home twice the pay, but begrudge your former colleagues the opportunity of making even a living wage.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: USA
Good luck to the Zeal staff.
I cross the Tasman two to three times a month as a commuting Pilot and have used Qantas (767s), Jetconnect, Jetstar, Pac Blue, Emirates, LAN and NZ over the last year or so.
Air NZ is about the only Airline I enjoy the trip on these days, the rest are just a means of getting to or from work. I think that says allot for the crew
I cross the Tasman two to three times a month as a commuting Pilot and have used Qantas (767s), Jetconnect, Jetstar, Pac Blue, Emirates, LAN and NZ over the last year or so.
Air NZ is about the only Airline I enjoy the trip on these days, the rest are just a means of getting to or from work. I think that says allot for the crew
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Downunder
I was appalled yesterday to receive photos via email of striking cabin crew with demeaning, lewd signs, one of them reading "I like being screwed but not by Air NZ".
These crew have done themselves no end of damage and any sympathy for their cause will now have evaporated.
Air NZ HR need to raise the bar on their hiring qualifications.
These crew have done themselves no end of damage and any sympathy for their cause will now have evaporated.
Air NZ HR need to raise the bar on their hiring qualifications.
Last edited by skol; 8th May 2009 at 20:48.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Southern
It's the same old story that is happening at airlines across the globe - staff who are hired to a somewhat lower criteria for a lower contract, and initially are more than happy to agree to work on that contract, only to get out online and realise that other, more experienced "legacy" staff are working for more money, and then cry foul.
Zeal was never really highly regarded by their mainline colleagues, and the damage they are now causing the brand is certainly not helping the cause.
At least EMPU will have rocked the boat sufficiently for their first Zeal negotiation.....
Zeal was never really highly regarded by their mainline colleagues, and the damage they are now causing the brand is certainly not helping the cause.
At least EMPU will have rocked the boat sufficiently for their first Zeal negotiation.....
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
for gods sake you guys do your homework.
They signed a freedom contract to do freedom budget services. Airnz says bye bye freedom - you girls stay on same contract doing a mixture of the last freedom services and air nz services.
The 3 year freedom farsa contract is now up - hence the negotiations.
They signed a freedom contract to do freedom budget services. Airnz says bye bye freedom - you girls stay on same contract doing a mixture of the last freedom services and air nz services.
The 3 year freedom farsa contract is now up - hence the negotiations.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Downunder
The contract might be up but are these crew doing anything different to justify such a pay rise?
They signed on the dotted line to do the job they were assigned. If these crew thought they were worth more they either:
1).didn't sign it.
2).joined mainline Air NZ.
3).went to work for an airline like Emirates where they would earn more.
They signed on the dotted line to do the job they were assigned. If these crew thought they were worth more they either:
1).didn't sign it.
2).joined mainline Air NZ.
3).went to work for an airline like Emirates where they would earn more.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
SKOL - as I said go and do your homework.
Yes the work has changed - they have gone from 4 -5 day trips away earning TODS whilst working for a BUDGET airline!
They now predominately do double bangers doing a FULL service including Business class. The same work as other Air nz crew.
Skol you are also no doubt blissfully unaware as to the companies further plans for Zeal 320. Thankfully the Zeal crew have managed to negotiate a clause in their contract limiting them to working on the A320 only, unless both parties negotiate otherwise. I think the long haul crew were momentarily worried that their T's anc C's were about to be undermined! There are certainly a few FSM's and Pursers who have personally visited the picket line to support the Zeal crew and thank them for their tenacity.
If you have any other questions regarding this dispute please ask, as I am pretty close to the front line!
Yes the work has changed - they have gone from 4 -5 day trips away earning TODS whilst working for a BUDGET airline!
They now predominately do double bangers doing a FULL service including Business class. The same work as other Air nz crew.
Skol you are also no doubt blissfully unaware as to the companies further plans for Zeal 320. Thankfully the Zeal crew have managed to negotiate a clause in their contract limiting them to working on the A320 only, unless both parties negotiate otherwise. I think the long haul crew were momentarily worried that their T's anc C's were about to be undermined! There are certainly a few FSM's and Pursers who have personally visited the picket line to support the Zeal crew and thank them for their tenacity.
If you have any other questions regarding this dispute please ask, as I am pretty close to the front line!
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 139
Likes: 13
From: New Zealand
Well as I see it the only reason Zeal exists is because Air NZ can employ lower paid cabin crew. There is no other reason. I don't agree with all their antics but hope they are successful in raising their terms and conditions to those of Air NZ's mainline cabin crew.