Eastern Australian Airlines
 

Hey Guys,
Whats that saying it never rains it pours? Well it really is true after putting in my online application for both REX and Eastern Australian, I received an invite to both interviews for this Friday both at the same time. Obviously I can’t go to both, so could anyone tell me about the working conditions at the two? Are they comparable (ie will I need to toss a coin to decide?) or are there obvious advantages of one over the other. I’m also interested in the general work atmosphere of the too, is anyone here working for them are you guys happy and content?
Had a quick flick through and couldn’t see anything on the topic

Another question diverging a bit now, was wondering if anyone knew of anything in the pipes for Qantaslink to compete with Virgins new Embraers?

Thanks Heaps for any help or ideas!
(and if I’m doing something wrong with this thread tell me lol, or if there is some form of etiquette or something I’ve broken please tell me too!!)

Hey

You can check out the T&C's for both airlines here

Rex: http://www.faaadomestic.org.au/airli...e=recent&id=11

EAA: http://www.wagenet.gov.au/WageNet/Se...=0&quickview=Y

The morale at EAA is crap and i mean crap at the moment. Our EBA was voted down last year and now management want us to vote on it again and everyone is pi$$ed about it. Its not always like that though, it can be a great place to work.

I'm pretty sure VB will be competing with QantasLink (Sunstate) on the Embraers but Sunnies already have the routes. it will be vb coming onto their flying not the other way around.

Hey.... good luck on Friday what ever you choose.

RE: The two businesses
 

Hi Smi006,

Yeah, I agree with Regionalguy... Morale is down at the moment due to EBA negotiations and a certain General Manager, Cabin Crew Manager and moronic Team Manager (the puppet of the Cabin Crew Manager) who are convinced that by telling us all how bad we have it due to REX , that we'ill agree to an EBA with less restrictive practices. Good for the company from a productivity perspective, not so good from a lifestyle perspective! :ugh:

I don't know what to tell you SMI006.... the flying on both is similar. Morale is better at REX at the moment (from what my frends tell me) but then again, like Regionalguy says, sometimes it's better..... I wish I could be more optomistic for you! :hmm:

Don't believe anything they tell you about 'career progression' at the recruitment day... People don't career progress from QantasLink anymore... they just move on to Jetstar and other carriers!

All the best in your decision making.....

CrashAxe

Interview tips for REX
 

:eek: Hi can anyone help me? I have an interview with REX does anyone have any ideas on what happens in the interview? What is the best way to approach it as I am a first timer. I am very nervous!

Attend every opportunity you get invited to, as you shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch. Also the more interview experience you get the better your chances. They all tend to use the same format so if you get stuck on the questions with the first airline, the second airline will probably use similiar questions. Also cabin crew recruitment process takes a long time from the asessment day to the job offer so give them all a go.
Also I've heard Qantaslink pays you during groundschool where as Rex doesn't. And that Rex doesn't offer a job untill after you have completed groundschool and a position becomes vacant where as with Qantaslink your guaranteed a fulltime position when the offer is made for groundschool.

Hey Guys,
Just thought I’d give you a quick update went along to the eastern interview was a blast had the best day really great group of people. Got through to the panel interview and have been sent out the medical and security forms so where to now? There can’t be too much further to-go surly?? Could be wrong, though. Anyone know what hotel in Sydney the crew stays at for training?
So excited lol fingers crossed:)

Hi, smi006

Most likely you will stay at the Holiday Inn although they may revert back to putting trainees in the Mercure Hotel..... Are you MEL or SYD base????

Eastern Aust Airlines
 

What does everyone think about the new trainers that have just been appointed?

Can anyone shed any light on when there will be upcoming ground schools and what it's REALLY like working for Eastern? I've already read the EBA so just looking for an insiders perspective.

Thanks.

Oh dear!
 

Okay well, i'm just going to say that it is my belief that trainers should have at least 2 years flying experience before they can qualify to become a trainer. It shows in some ways that seniority is not really relevent! Lets just hope that any newbies to EEA feel that they can approach any of the senior FA's if they need advice!

Happy flying guys! :ok:

Re: Trainers in Melbourne
 

Well well well..... the 'Trainers' debate surfaces again.

What do I think? I think W H A T E V E R!

Why?

Because at the end of the day, if someone is good enough to pass an interview and meet the requirements, then they farkin' get the job! Isn't it that simple?

Jesus, this ageism and snarly remarks within our ranks really has to stop. I was sitting in the Crew Room the other day listening to some moron twattle on about how 'geez they're young... I don't think it's right... we need older people with experience etc". let me tell you something... the younger generation is entering the workforce and as for some of the old ducks out there, get used to it!

So what if they haven't been there for years? At the end of the day our job isn't rocket scince! :ugh: :ugh: :ugh:

To my colleagues in Melbourne - you know who you are.... grow up! Get some sort of grip on life and move on. :mad: :mad:

Now on to the next distraction... WTF is going on with our EBA?!

I agree with crash axe.......

Hey MOUSE we only have one senior flight attendant. Seniority only applies to progression, although some of us do believe that we are more superior to others that is only personal beleif.

Im not going to comment properly on the new trainers until ive seen them at work. Although i was surprissed at the decision because they have both been at Eastern less than a year.

Although ive have heard alot of negative about the new trainers it has come mostly from those who didn't apply. Perhaps if you thought you could do a better job you should have applied yourself...

qfDash8,

Well said. At the end of the day, their performance will be judged when out on line really - and the only person to judge it is those being trained!

It's a real pity that the most vocal; as you say qfdash8, are the ones that didn't apply. Isn't that they call 'tall poppy syndrome?' How AUSTRALIAN!! :hmm:

Anyway, with the rate how the Company keeps losing people, length of service really will be a tough call when it comes to interviewing people! People just don't seem to hang around like they used to! It's weird, but then maybe that's a sign of the times.

Ho hum... Hey, has anyone heard the rumours about progression? I've heard it may be happening soon?

Crashaxe and qfdash8, I agree with you both to a point about the trainers' positions but I disagree with some of your statements.
Most of the compaints among Melbourne crew are not about who got the positions, but the fact that the selection process comes down to a single interview. What I've heard most people say is that staff should be here long enough (as mouse78 said, at least 2 years) to prove themselves before they become eligible to apply for a trainer's position.
Personally, I don't agree because this ignores an applicant's previous professional experience. Aviation experience isn't the be all and end all.
Everyone has a right to an opinion. What bothers me is that so many people get worked up about issues (and this isn't the only one), but when asked whether they've discussed their concerns with management, the answer is always "no". If you've got a problem with the way things are done, take it to management.

PS The staff morale is only low if you let office politics get to you ( something I'm trying hard to stay out of. It isn't always easy).

Mmmm in an indealistic world, perhaps you're right EAAFA... But the reality is this:

Recruitment Policies generally dictate that the only thing you can take into account is the candidate's performance on the day and then any other relevant factors including their operating perfomance to date. If the quality of the interview was not good, then it may have made it somewhat of a 'two horse race'? Who knows. And from my understanding, Qantas' policy is that jobs are advertised and require an interview... so this is no different.

Mmmm your commnts about people whining are interesting... Why is it that people don't take it to Management? Perhaps it's because we never bloody see Management! That's what I reckon.... :mad: :ugh:

Had a interview last week and got offered a spot on the next Dash ground school at the end of this month, just a quickie, does anyone know how long till a command with the current flow of crew through the company?

bodex666, is this for Sydney or Newcastle base?

I don't know what to make of your last post, crashaxe.

My post was about what I've heard people say. I wasn't expressing my personal opinions.

Nevertheless, I'll address some of the points you've made.

1. Just because we follow the rules for internal recruitment as set by Qantas doesn't mean those rules are right. The only way to improve systems is to continually review them. If managers are not aware of how staff feel, no review will ever take place.

2. A crucial part of recruiting externally is checking references. Reviewing an employee's track record could be seen as the equivalent of checking references when recruiting internally. Other companies do it and it is not seen as a discriminatory practice.
How can it be beneficial to our business to promote people to training positions based on a single interview regardless of their history with the company? In theory, the worst flight attendant could perform better than the best flight attendant in an interview, but would the company want the worst flight attendants training new recruits?
For example, did you know that one of the unsuccessful applicants for the trainer's position has won the Excel Award two years in a row? In other words, the company consider him to be one of our best flight attendants, yet he isn't good enough to be a trainer.

3. You don't have to see managers to communicate with them. I'm in Melbourne and have never had any trouble contacting them by phone or email.

FA1, has the opening of a Newcastle base been announced? I haven't heard anything.

Sydney was the preffered, no mention of newcastle as I'm living up there at the moment. Ive heard rumors of it, any facts to a newcastle base?

Hi,

I've heard rumours about it as well. I actually rang JG and MB about the rumours to ask if it was true and he said that nothing official has been released, although he admitted he too had heard rumours about the idea, but apparently they were being bantered around by some SYD based pilot.

I guess a NTL base would make sense... given the number of NTL flights that we're doing.

A NTL base could be quite interesting. I wonder how many crew it would need.

I can't see it happening although some "know it alls" particularly Sydney based crew who residing in Newcastle are pushing for it. There are a number of additional costs and facilities involved along side crew set up costs.

If a base was to be opened in NTL then why not open up another base in every port and eliminate all overnights? Lets do it, lets turn into Jetstar!

Realisticly, I don't even see the point in setting up a Newcastle base. Jetstar is expanding and they could eaisly take that route from Qantaslink and allow Qantaslink to increase services to other ports that JQ don't operate too. Who knows? Who cares?

FA1 .... you dont even make sence. The reason that a base in NTL would need to open is because we overnight 9 crew there 6 nights a week as aposed to 3 or 4 crew on a regular overnight. Dont you think its justified. :D

Cant help but notice guys saying that qantaslink pay for your accomodation whilst you do your ground school in sydney. Is this still the case?? Im doing my endo at the end of this month and there has been no mention of accomo, but then again theres been no mention of course layout etc etc.

Can anyone shed me some light ?

I can't see it happening and I don't care either way. :)

bodex666, accommodation is paid for if your overnighting anywhere other than your home base.

So if your offered a position based out of Sydney, accommodation won't be offered during training in Sydney.

Newcastle Base
 

Given that the company finds the Sunstate EBA more compatible with the business' needs, I think it would make more sense to open a Sunstate base in Newcastle.

It would be interesting to know how much money would be saved by opening the base...

Rumours, Rumours, Rumours...

If they're actually rumours, how do we know BI is actually saying this then?! And again, given that you yoursel said that they're 'rumours', why would we demand the FAAA maek someone stand down on the basis of rumour?

Now don't get me wrong, I think BI is a two-faced SOAB... however, he's no worse than the greasy Melb rep who was apparently kicked out of the FAAA (and apparently worked for LongHaul - but no one can recall him...)

Ahh well. Another day in paradise!

No seriously though, I did hear another rumour... Apparently Dubbo and Devenport are getting runways big enough to take an A380. This must mean QantasLink's getting the big bird.... has anyone told LongHaul yet?! ;-) :p

The EBA
 

Even though it has been months since we were first offered our EBA, I still can't help but get angry about it. I think it has mainly to do with the ABSOLUTE GALL of management giving it to us, and stating how ungrateful we were for not accepting it.

Some points in question:

*Why is one of the world's most profitable airlines trying to make US feel guilty about the competitive airline industry? Personally I spend my time worrying about other things, like how I'm going to pay my rent this fortnight. :confused:

* How is the 13 hour rule making us so restrictive? They just put another F/A on after we finish, that's all! :rolleyes:

* Why is the DTA we were offered so dismal? Considering our level of responsibility, that rate is an insult. :mad:

* If we have to work longer hours, how will those of us who need second jobs to survive be able to hold two jobs? :uhoh:

* Why on earth would we give up the things we have fought for in the past just because Sunstate don't have them in their EBA? :yuk:

Worst of all, I am sick to death of the whole "Sunstate do it fine" crap. Well Sunstate employees don't live in the 2 most expensive cities in Australia.

Throughout the whole meeting process, NG and DH kept saying "This EBA is great because it means you won't have to get drafted or work on your days off". SFW? We shouldn't have to do that on this current EBA either!

The part that really bothered me at the EBA meetings was that DH told a flat out lie. When someone asked if we would be getting trips away, another F/A mentioned how the CBR F/A's had been told they would be doing Brisbane flying (which they aren't doing now).

He then turned around and said "No, they were never told that". BULLS***! They were obviously told that so they could fill up that dismal base! You can ask ANY of the F/A's and pilots there that one. How the hell are we supposed to trust these people when they lie to us?? :ugh:

It saddens me so much that I now hate going to a job that I used to love and look forward to so much. If management's intention was to destroy our morale well, mission accomplished. They've destroyed mine.:D

The Sunstate crew earn a bit of DTA (based on one of my good mates who USED to work there a while back - it MAY have changed since then...) because of multi-day trips up from BNE to CNS. As I recall, the trip used to take about 4 days return - DTA paid the whole time from Sign on to Sign off, of course.

Different story if you're talking about a 2-day trip. BNE to CNS is a long 'milk run' between two very separate cities, with numerous stops there and back. Does Eastern do anything similar at the moment?

Progression
 

I guess you've all heard the news about progression today.

How absolutely heart-breaking. To wait all this time and only have 5 of us from Eastern progress. :{

Clearly staying there is really not worth it, particularly after that devastating EBA that had the nerve to offer us.

We have so little and yet management won't be happy until they take it all.

And the real sore spot is that 20 from MAM did progress. :mad:

Progression
 

Hi Mr Boo! From my reading it was 5 per base, for EEA & SSA. ie. 5 from Mel/Syd/Mql etc (well five from MQL would be pointless HAHA!). At least its something!

Also re. EBA. Dont you find it strange that we have not heard anything in months! Maybe EEA & SSA will be merging sooner than we think! That leads to another question! If we merge, will the EEA FA's be told to sign the SSA agreement?

Hang in there!

Mouse:E

Sorry Mouse, 5 per AIRLINE...5 from Eastern, 5 from Sunnies, 5 from JQ.

Some movement better than none...wish it could have been more.

Boo,

I don't think the numbers had much to do with our management, I think it sounds like Qantas are the ones to dictate that. Personally I think if they knew far enough in advance our management would let as many of the more longer serving crew go as they could, that way they could bring in fresh f/a's who don't reallly know what its all about and possibly get that EBA through !

Its good news for those at the top though. Congrats to the lucky 5 !

Mr Seatback

Are you one of the lucky ones ? ...... drum roll..... crossing fingers for you

No...missed out this time...past number 5. :mad:

Mr Seatback

I'm really sorry to hear that. Are you close to the top ? Is there any chance enough will say no to Perth ? Presuming you would say yes of course :-)

So close I can taste it...but not close enough where it counts.

Very small chance that some will say no...but, it's now a game of wait and see.

Knowing my luck, I'll be left as the 'number 6' to this callout.

Off to get drunk. :{

regional.. what do you mean would there be enough to say no to perth?

If crew who have "ANY" base or PER listed as their preferred option for CP and are who are in the tope 5 this time, they will be offerred a progression place and may just say no. Yes its a longshot but you never know. If you are in the top 5 and have listed SYD/BNE/MEL as your preferred base you don't even get asked the question.

5 from each airline is very disappointing, especially since it has been so long since the last intake.
I don't think anyone will turn down this offer because that would mean going to the end of the list.

There's a recruitment day in Carins shortly for Qantaslink... can someone tell me what the working conditions are like in CNS? I presume one is employed on a fulltime basis? Casuals? Staff travel?

Thanks.