F/A QANTASLINK - Impulse Airlines

[Paulsyd1]

Expressions of Interest for Flight Attendants

QantasLink, operated by Impulse Airlines, have recently Advertised for expressions of interest for Flight Attendants, for possible future employment.

S.M.H Weekend edition, July 13-14 2002.
Pge 23 of the Career section.

They will ONLY accept on-line applications, inclusive of both the application form and your full resume.

On the Impulse Airlines Website at www.impulse.com.au

Applicants must be Permanent Residents of Australia.

Closing date for expressions of interest is close of business Friday, 19th July 2002.

Interested in hearing from current FA's working for QantasLink or Impulse Airlines on working conditions, Pay, Rosters etc. also the possibility of moving to the main line QF carrier later.

Regards

[cabinboy]

Paul,

MrSeatback2 or Ditzyboy would be the best people to speak to regarding employment conditions at Impulse. The Impulse crew are a great bunch and I'm sure you would enjoy working for them. Unfortunatly there is no progression to mainline QF at this stage as with other QF subsidiary carriers.

[SydGirl]

That's not entirely right cabinboy... it is true that you cannot transfer to mainline QF from Impulse. That of course does not mean that Impulse crew cannot apply for Qantas if and when it becomes available - however they will have to resign their position at Impulse and they would go to Qantas as if they had only just started with the company.

Other subsidiaries do not work the same way. Employees of Eastern, Sunstate and Airlink are able to move to mainline Qantas after a qualifying period. Also if you do move to Qantas then your previous years of service count. If you can't wait until that qualifying period is over, then you can apply for Qantas externally but you will go over as if you had just started with the company.

That is my understanding, I am sure DASH would know more about this though.

SG

[cloud nine]

Yes thats correct what Cabinboy said, there is no progression to QF mainline at the moment if you are employed by Impulse. Other Qantaslink carriers do offer progression but it can take a few years to get there.

By all means, anyone can apply when QF advertise externally.

My belief is that Impulse do not give there employees staff travel benefits either. But I have heard that they are a good company to work for.

[ditzyboy]

Impulse staff get staff travel on all Impulse operated services after 6 months employment (I think... When I started it was 3.) The travel includes one's self and your immediate family or a nominated companion.

My opinion (as I always have one ) is that it is pretty lame but it is a perk and does come in handy. Yeh, for those raging weekends in HBA! hehehe... Also it seems that a Caterer's Uncle's Friend's Kitten gets higher boarding priority than us when we do travel on our limited network! But we are only new to the QF family so it can only get better with time. Oh and besides, with $66 internet fares to MEL and even the standard $89, it is better to have a confirmed seat than travel on standby for $50 odd each way. And when you start at QF your seniority isn't going to get you anywhere for the first few years on near full flights anyway.

Cloud nine - Yes. I think that is a great company to work for and gets better every day. I got shafted by crewing BIG time this week end but it comes with the job I guess. Grrrr......

Cabinboy - Yes. We are a FANTASTIC bunch of people, if I don't say so myself. And love your work too, sister!

[Paulsyd1]

Ditzyboy, and others... :t

You are a wealth of knowledge and a great asset to others like myself, and those applying to different carriers at the moment.

Thank You

Those of you that have obtained positions over the last year understand how us "Newbies" appreciate an insiders point of view.. and their tips for getting thru!!!

Does anyone have any indication of how many FA's they are lookin to recruit.. and when they are talking about conducting interviews?

Mr D , the interview process >>> was it similar to the QF recruitment process ??
Would Luv to hear more.. feel free to contact me by e-mail.
Look FWD to hopefully workin one day with you! and partying hard in HBA (yeh! hehehe!) CabinBoy, your more than welcome to come dwn and join us... although i'm sure drinkin cocktails poolside in sunny QLD is much more fun!!

Keep cool kids....

Paul.

[bella75]

Hey pauly,
Welcome to Pprune!! your thoughts and contributions for a first time user are much appreciated...I'll share a bottle of bubbly with you at "Biggles" bar...Holiday Inn...anytime...all the best for your up coming interviews...You'll be a great asset to any employer
Regards Bella75

[Jerry Attrick]

Ditzyboy, I read on another thread that you'd just finished a six day block of 10-11 hour days - is this a normal shift pattern for Qantaslink flight attendants? It sounds very excessive, bordering on illegal. I was under the impression Qantaslink crew were treated very well but I'm afraid six days of 10-11 hour days doesn't sound very promising.

[ditzyboy]

Jerry -

It is very unusual for us to work like we have been lately. A combination of rapid expansion and lots of sick days (thanks to winter!) is the reason. The usual max sectors is 4 for us (some have done 6 but it isnt the norm). The block I have just done was a lot of very long sectors and one or two 2 hour turn arounds thorwn in. It isn't illegal, and unless you have the EBA in front of you it, isnt really your place to comment. A couple of dispensations were sought for a lot of us to extend duties though, to my knowledge nothing 'illegal' was worked. And by dispensation I mean financial rewards and extra days off so I will not be whining next pay!

Bella75 -

When for the bubbly? Sign me up!

Paul -

Welcome. I don't know about numbers though apparently we are getting even more aircraft, though this hasn't been confirmed by anyone important! I don't know what the QF interview process is like first hand and when I started at Impulse it was VERY different to what is in place now. I have a general idea through chatting with some newer FAs and also talking to recruiters. So I will attempt to email you soon. OK as far as management goes and great colleagues! I almost always have a great time at work! The money is cool and rewards for working hard are in line with industry standards (some exceed!). Single aircraft endoresment and the very basic product QF have us serving make the money seem even better (in my opinion.). The aircraft are new, passengers generally OK (though I don't like MCY flights!) and you aren't really in danger of chipping a nail under normal circumstances!

[cabinboy]

Actually SydGirl your not entirely correct ! hehe

I never said that Impulse staff can't apply externally, I just addressed the issue of " progression" which was what paul asked for " also the possibility of moving to the main line QF carrier later. " Of course anyone can apply externally but only the the staff of Sunstate, Eastern and Southern can progress at this stage. Airlink being a contracter to QF DOES NOT have progession available as these f/a's are employed by NJS, however this would not stop them from applying externally should they wish.

In terms of seniorty being transferred as far as I was aware this was non existant. The reply I have been given by management is that my " Date of Joining " for staff travel purposes will be forfeited with a new QF mainline date being assigned, but my J class upgrades on intl sectors will be recognised from my first joining date of any QF company. ( confused !
) Biscut Chucker maybe you can help with this ? Is there any other type of seniorty in SH that would be carried on from a regional carrier ?

Bubbly ? Sign me up too guys ! I'm never late for an appointment with the opening of any champaigne bottle.

CB

[Cart_tart]

Cabin Boy is right SydGirl. Airlink FA's/Pilots do not have any sort of progression into mainline QF. We have to apply the same way as the general public do.
We don't get ID travel on mainline, we can only get it on Airlink operated flights and even thats hard to do. And besides - who wants to go on holiday to the majority of places we fly to anyway. Most of us do it for the love of the job, not the money or the perks cause we don't get a huge amount of either.
Ditzy is right with the 6 day blocks and 10 - 11 hour days. All normal in the regional world I'm afraid. They work your cotton socks off! I just had my first block of 2 days off in a row in ages. I worked 3 weeks only having had 2 days off in there - all legal too! Can't complain too much though. I love the job and you have to work hard to get anywhere in life. I'd love to end up in Longhaul and i can't wait for the day I get there! Till then I'll keep on going, working hard for little in return, knowing that it will get me to greener pastures eventually!

[SydGirl]

Eeek sorry about all the confusion! I typed up Airlink but I should have typed Southern - can't you guys read my mind? Sheesh!
Once I reread your post cabinboy I realised what you said - and you are totally correct! Please pardon my confusion!

SG

[cabinboy]

Hey Sydgirl - no problems ! we all make mistakes. We only ever see you every now and again on this site ? What airline you with ?

Cart Tart - long haul would snap you up in flash, I highly doubt your experience would go unoticed. Anyone who can operate PER-AYQ-CNS with 2 f/a's and 65 odd pax on a 146 has my respect.

Ciao for now

CB

[jayne]

Hey cart -tart. Doesn't it suck that we can't get staff travel on Qantas mainline. I work for impulse/qantas link/ qanpulse whatever you want to call us. It just doesn't seem right how we wear the qantas uniform, do everythibg the qantas way, have qantas-link on the side of our planes yet they won't give us staff travel. Qantas mainline can get staff travel on our flights yet we can't on there flights. Where is the fairness in that? And like ditzyboy said, our priority to get on our own planes is the lowest. A Qanatas mainline F/A grandmothers cat gets on before us and we work on the bloody plane. It just doesn't seem fair? What do you guys think?? Am I being too harsh. I don't think it is too much to ask to be treated equally. We are the "outcasts" of qantas and are treated that way.
Anyway some goss about Impulse. Wear a nice suit to interviews, smile, eye contact, confidence (not too much), listen. Blah blah.
Usually group interview first with tables of 8. Group activities. DONT BE NERVOUS. Be relaxed. Approx 2hrs. 2nd interview with two on one. Questions, Why work for impulse? Why they should choose you? Difficult situation with a customer? How you have gone out of your way for someone? Think of specific examples. Be prepared. Practice in your car while driving. ( the process may have changed but i'm sure it's similar). The results centre has a fantastic book about interview questions.
Depending where your base is depends on your overnights. Usually 7 overnights a month. Money good for overnights but heard they are trying to cut them right back to save $. If no overnights usually get approx $1100 a fortnight. Coming into a new EBA so things may change. 6 weeks holiday a year and you have to choose all 6 at beginning of the year. Seniority counts if you want xmas off. Rosters done by computer so goodluck in getting a weekend off. Some rosters are good. They do work you 6days straight with one day off then another 5 days on 2 days off etc but you do get 10 days off a month and a few standby days which you always get called out for. Lots of early starts (getting up at 4.00am is not fun) especially out of sydney. It's hard on your body as you get up early one day then late the next. You can't get into a routine. Gosh I sound like a negative nancy but it's true. Flying is hard work. I guess you don't know if it's for you untill you do it.
We are a great bunch of people and have great time together when we work. I wish you all the best of luck with your interviews and if you have any questions please ask away!
GOODLUCK TO YOU ALL!!!!!
Love jaynexoxoxo
P.S Is it true that you can't donate your organs after 5 years of being a pilot or flight attendnt?

[tyra]

for all of you wishing to apply to impulse/qantaslink, good luck, but be prepared to work very HARD! Sure we dont get paid the same as mainline, but we are only endorsed on one aricraft type, dont offer business class, and between 4 cabin crew, the max amount of pax we look after is 117. If you are going for an interview, here are some friendly tips; smile (lots) dont be too loud or over the top, remember to speak properly and have good mannerisms, speak from the heart(not too rehearsed) and look like you are enjoying yourself. Remember though, we are not mainline, so please dont expect the same pay and conditions as the mainline f/a's get. Its true, our organisation needs lots of improvement, but in the 2 yrs I have been with the company, its come a long way and will only get better. We have a unique culture at Impulse and warmly welcome like minded individuals to come and join our company. So good luck with up coming interviews1

[tyra]

pay for impulse f/a's is $35000 and $42000 for pursers. That is the base and then you get allowances on top of that for a whole range of things like; live days, overnights, rest break allowance, day off pay(where u work on a day off $250 per day ) shoe allowance etc, etc

[flightbunny]

hi,

well i sent my application to impulse. i was wondering if anyone else did not receive an automatic email response saying the usual 'we have received your application' etc? i did not get one and the other times i applied they sent one back straight away.

also did everyone else who applied have trouble with the font and colour on the application form..mine was doing some weird stuff when i downloaded it???

any replies would be appreciated. thanks

[vdd]

Bold type and shaded box problems

Hey Flightbunny

I had some problems with my application as well. I found some of my typing became automatically bold and that I couldn't type in the shaded boxes... so I had to delete some of the boxes and type in the place they were in.

I didn't get an immediate automatic response either, it came about two days later.

Cheers

[penny_benjamin]

The "dashers" only get $1100 if they have major meal allowances earned by working a five or six day week of 9-10hr days and you only get them once a month.
Good pay/bad pay. If the "dashers" got $1100 every fortnight, I'm sure they would more than appreciate it!
The last 12mth period averages $31000-32000, $33000 if ur a trainer(!!!) AND that's a third year wage!!!
Why do we do it to ourselves???
Why do we work our guts out for peanuts???(or minties for that fact!).
What were the good things again???
pb

[cloud nine]

I hear you Penny B,

It's definatley for the love of it huh? Oh, and the CBR overnights ( very Ritzy)