Where has the service gone?
With reference to the "cute" SQ girls. Try visualising one dragging you out of a burning aircraft!
During the Taipei debacle passengers had to open the emergency
exits as the stick insects couldn't manage.
Give me an Aussie girl any day. Even the one third from the left...
During the Taipei debacle passengers had to open the emergency
exits as the stick insects couldn't manage.
Give me an Aussie girl any day. Even the one third from the left...
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From the Hobart Mercury
"No Frills scones"
In monday's letters pages of the Mercury, reader Dr John Ward asked how many frills were there left to be cut in Qantas in-flight services. By coincidence the column had an American guest ask that very question. Having flown from germany she was amazed to have cabin crew literally hurl food boex at her on her Tasmanian leg.
Last time on Qantas, my box witjh its bland bickie in untearable wrapping and sandwich of cardboard filling so cold that it made my eyes water, was served up at lightning speed. Then all the boxes were whisked back again. Everyone was eating so fast we probably staggered off the plane with indigestion.
One can only hope that's the sort of frills Qantas is getting rid of. What an opening for a cook who can turn out a decent scone and cuppa and doesn't mind crossing Bass Strait several times a day.
Dr Ward has been very critical of the new one class service provided into Tasmania and has written several very critical letters ot the Mercury. He initially didn't like the CRJ's, and changed to Qantas, only to have Qantas mainline withdraw in favour of Impulse.
"No Frills scones"
In monday's letters pages of the Mercury, reader Dr John Ward asked how many frills were there left to be cut in Qantas in-flight services. By coincidence the column had an American guest ask that very question. Having flown from germany she was amazed to have cabin crew literally hurl food boex at her on her Tasmanian leg.
Last time on Qantas, my box witjh its bland bickie in untearable wrapping and sandwich of cardboard filling so cold that it made my eyes water, was served up at lightning speed. Then all the boxes were whisked back again. Everyone was eating so fast we probably staggered off the plane with indigestion.
One can only hope that's the sort of frills Qantas is getting rid of. What an opening for a cook who can turn out a decent scone and cuppa and doesn't mind crossing Bass Strait several times a day.
Dr Ward has been very critical of the new one class service provided into Tasmania and has written several very critical letters ot the Mercury. He initially didn't like the CRJ's, and changed to Qantas, only to have Qantas mainline withdraw in favour of Impulse.
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On a QF flight in January, Brisbane to Melbourne, my wife & I duly received our boxed snack. While half heartedly chewing on her cake my wife bit on a piece of hard plastic material about 1 cm square. Concerned that the catering contractors be made aware for QA purposes she mentioned it to a F/A who in turn flicked it to the purser. The purser's first response was to offer another muffin and a bottle of wine and that would be the end of it! The offer was rejected (please!!) and my wife again indicated that she simply wanted to make the caterers aware, and could Qantas please let her know at some stage that this had in fact happened. The purser took our details and we never heard from QF on the matter. This was all done very courteously on both behalfs and without other pax even knowing what was going on, but we were disappointed to find Qantas thought we could be bought by a bottle of cheap red!!
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Dog One Stewardes007 and skylane....
Qantas Domestic Infight Services (I have a signed memo from them) dictated that after 02 January "non trunk short" (under 2.5 hours! what a joke) sectors after 1600 did not recieve tea or coffee though had bar offered. That directive came from QF to put us inline with mainline. The directive has since been retracted.
By the way the box service takes less than half the time to complete than hot meals... The reason we found it too hard to do tea+coffee on MEL-LST is because unlike the 737/727 and even 146 the 717 has only one galley. The carts could only fit 48 meals. This meant that three carts had to go out into the cabin. 2 FAs are required to operate a full size cart. Therefore on a full flights (all of them until January!) we required three carts to be loaded with 'hots' and moved through the cabin from front to back, back to front and in the middle with only 4 FAs (higher pax-fa ratio than 6 FA on 727 and 5 on 737). It was a bit of a ballet at the best of times... Given that the poor galley op had galley stuff to do meant sometimes only one cart could go out as that only left one FA for the other. Other problems were that tea+coffee can only be brewed in the air (safety reasons) and the brewers are shocking and never work. The galley op had to brew all tea+coffee before a second cart could go into cabin. Also there is no where on some a/c (2 configs of 717) to stow bar tops that have been assembled, meaning we had to do that in the air as well!
Also we offered, unlike 146 or 737 a CHOICE OF MAIN COURSE for breakky and dinner.... Try explaining 115 times what a Bacon and Onion Egg Cake with Mushrooms and Ratatoullie is to someone and then say we also have cereal and yoghurt for breakfast too. Then explain what cereal and yoghurt it is today just to have them then say "What's and egg cake?"... Just another thing that slowed us down. How many other airlines ever offer a choice of main in economy cabins on 37 min sectors?!
We all wanted to serve tea+coffee and offer bar but it wasn't possible given the above galley config, equipment and crew issues. It becomes a safety concern when you have to leave trays on paxs laps for landing because they are still eating. I found that even on the AM flights that ALWAYS had tea or coffee this was often the case.
We have always (except due catering error or directives from QF) served tea and coffee when a COLD meal or snack is served.
I know it's a bit hard to understand but believe me when I say it just was not possible. It was around Sept/Oct last year that mainline stopped servind tea+coffee on dinner flights under one hour (including SYD-MEL SYD-BNE MEL-CBR MEL-ADL). So we were really catching up with them anway. Gone are the days of assist FAs and extra crew and putting extra stowages in to ease the service (coz you can fit in more seats if you don't!).
hmmm.... hope you are satisfied with that response. Not defending the situation though. Given another oportunity to serve a decent Y product I reckon we could manage due to pride alone.
Qantas Domestic Infight Services (I have a signed memo from them) dictated that after 02 January "non trunk short" (under 2.5 hours! what a joke) sectors after 1600 did not recieve tea or coffee though had bar offered. That directive came from QF to put us inline with mainline. The directive has since been retracted.
By the way the box service takes less than half the time to complete than hot meals... The reason we found it too hard to do tea+coffee on MEL-LST is because unlike the 737/727 and even 146 the 717 has only one galley. The carts could only fit 48 meals. This meant that three carts had to go out into the cabin. 2 FAs are required to operate a full size cart. Therefore on a full flights (all of them until January!) we required three carts to be loaded with 'hots' and moved through the cabin from front to back, back to front and in the middle with only 4 FAs (higher pax-fa ratio than 6 FA on 727 and 5 on 737). It was a bit of a ballet at the best of times... Given that the poor galley op had galley stuff to do meant sometimes only one cart could go out as that only left one FA for the other. Other problems were that tea+coffee can only be brewed in the air (safety reasons) and the brewers are shocking and never work. The galley op had to brew all tea+coffee before a second cart could go into cabin. Also there is no where on some a/c (2 configs of 717) to stow bar tops that have been assembled, meaning we had to do that in the air as well!
Also we offered, unlike 146 or 737 a CHOICE OF MAIN COURSE for breakky and dinner.... Try explaining 115 times what a Bacon and Onion Egg Cake with Mushrooms and Ratatoullie is to someone and then say we also have cereal and yoghurt for breakfast too. Then explain what cereal and yoghurt it is today just to have them then say "What's and egg cake?"... Just another thing that slowed us down. How many other airlines ever offer a choice of main in economy cabins on 37 min sectors?!
We all wanted to serve tea+coffee and offer bar but it wasn't possible given the above galley config, equipment and crew issues. It becomes a safety concern when you have to leave trays on paxs laps for landing because they are still eating. I found that even on the AM flights that ALWAYS had tea or coffee this was often the case.
We have always (except due catering error or directives from QF) served tea and coffee when a COLD meal or snack is served.
I know it's a bit hard to understand but believe me when I say it just was not possible. It was around Sept/Oct last year that mainline stopped servind tea+coffee on dinner flights under one hour (including SYD-MEL SYD-BNE MEL-CBR MEL-ADL). So we were really catching up with them anway. Gone are the days of assist FAs and extra crew and putting extra stowages in to ease the service (coz you can fit in more seats if you don't!).
hmmm.... hope you are satisfied with that response. Not defending the situation though. Given another oportunity to serve a decent Y product I reckon we could manage due to pride alone.
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Oh and about Dr John Ward and his Mecury letters.....
Whilst some of his agruements do have validity, he craps on about about the 717... ie saying that it is uncomfortable.... The seat pitch is greater than on some QF international configs! Also one wonders what he does in the span of a 55 min HBA-MEL that leaves him arriving "dishevled and tired" as he put it! Mile High Club perhaps? :-) Oh and he said the 146 was larger than the 717... Is there a model of 146 that we don't know about?
He whinges about the CRJ and 717 all Y class.... Did he ever PAY to fly J? I dunno just asking? J class was losing money to Tassie for both AN and QF (as is my understanding) so it was obviously a business move by the airlines to axe it.
Maybe Dr John could start up an all J class airline or any airline for that matter and try to survive the global tourism and business travel downturn? Just a thought :-)
I admit some of his points are valid but he ruins them by carrying on like a pork chop.
And there's my ten cents. Good night :-)
Whilst some of his agruements do have validity, he craps on about about the 717... ie saying that it is uncomfortable.... The seat pitch is greater than on some QF international configs! Also one wonders what he does in the span of a 55 min HBA-MEL that leaves him arriving "dishevled and tired" as he put it! Mile High Club perhaps? :-) Oh and he said the 146 was larger than the 717... Is there a model of 146 that we don't know about?
He whinges about the CRJ and 717 all Y class.... Did he ever PAY to fly J? I dunno just asking? J class was losing money to Tassie for both AN and QF (as is my understanding) so it was obviously a business move by the airlines to axe it.
Maybe Dr John could start up an all J class airline or any airline for that matter and try to survive the global tourism and business travel downturn? Just a thought :-)
I admit some of his points are valid but he ruins them by carrying on like a pork chop.
And there's my ten cents. Good night :-)
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ditzy
The fact that any airline bothers serving Tasmania at all is a source of amazement to me.
It represents around 2.87% of the Australian market with the most demand being for el cheapo seats and very little high yield corporate which is the lifes blood of any airline operation.
Twits like him should - as they have to doing the US - "sit down shut up and be told when they are there".
I do agree that the mainline food even in J is inedible crap that is snap frozen somewhere in Asia these days I believe - and had this ratified by a regular passenger who had the same rubbish served to him on a total of 5 International sectors - no variety at all. For God's sake, do not order the VGML - he is still trying to digest it.
Best all
EWL
The fact that any airline bothers serving Tasmania at all is a source of amazement to me.
It represents around 2.87% of the Australian market with the most demand being for el cheapo seats and very little high yield corporate which is the lifes blood of any airline operation.
Twits like him should - as they have to doing the US - "sit down shut up and be told when they are there".
I do agree that the mainline food even in J is inedible crap that is snap frozen somewhere in Asia these days I believe - and had this ratified by a regular passenger who had the same rubbish served to him on a total of 5 International sectors - no variety at all. For God's sake, do not order the VGML - he is still trying to digest it.
Best all
EWL
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Thanks Ditzyboy for the good gen. You would think that they would follow the former EW policy of boxed meals (as now) and tea or coffee as required, with the standard coffee cup in the box. It worked well on the F28, and no one got excited about it, prefering the service to either QF or AN's full service.
Reading your reply makes me think of the direction of the former Impulse owner was el cheapo.
Re the good HBA doc, he was a Business class man from way back and the reason he changed from AN to QF was that QF still had that class and promised him all sorts of goodies so that they got his business after AN intorduced the ine class CRJ's.
Such is life in the industry - next short trip I will buy a take away coffee in traveller mug.
Reading your reply makes me think of the direction of the former Impulse owner was el cheapo.
Re the good HBA doc, he was a Business class man from way back and the reason he changed from AN to QF was that QF still had that class and promised him all sorts of goodies so that they got his business after AN intorduced the ine class CRJ's.
Such is life in the industry - next short trip I will buy a take away coffee in traveller mug.
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I don't think the woeful catering is by any means restricted to Impulse or QF domestic services.
I've flown SYD-MNL and SYD-AKL with QF so far this year, and the meal services on all four sectors were woeful. On the SYD-MNL trip there was no bar service prior to the meals on either sector - for a 7 1/2 hour flight. Come on!!
As for the SYD-AKL trip, once again no bar service. A cabin crew friend advised this is because the flight is less than 2 1/2 hours, but the return sector was actually 2h 45m. Besides, on previous trips across the ditch, there has been drinks served prior to meals.
As for the actual quality of the meals - it is quite apparent that the size and palatability has reduced substantially. What would Neil Perry think? Are QF still touting that one - 'Gastronomical delights created by Neil Perry'. I don't think a hospital cook would be happy claiming responsibility for QF meals, let alone a top chef.
If it wasn't for Frequent Flyer and QF club memebership, there is NO WAY I would ever chose to fly with QF. Unfortunately in the current scheme of things, there's not a whole lotta choice.
And I know some people whine about airline food no matter what - I was not one of these people until my last couple of trips.
OK - down from soap box!!!
I've flown SYD-MNL and SYD-AKL with QF so far this year, and the meal services on all four sectors were woeful. On the SYD-MNL trip there was no bar service prior to the meals on either sector - for a 7 1/2 hour flight. Come on!!
As for the SYD-AKL trip, once again no bar service. A cabin crew friend advised this is because the flight is less than 2 1/2 hours, but the return sector was actually 2h 45m. Besides, on previous trips across the ditch, there has been drinks served prior to meals.
As for the actual quality of the meals - it is quite apparent that the size and palatability has reduced substantially. What would Neil Perry think? Are QF still touting that one - 'Gastronomical delights created by Neil Perry'. I don't think a hospital cook would be happy claiming responsibility for QF meals, let alone a top chef.
If it wasn't for Frequent Flyer and QF club memebership, there is NO WAY I would ever chose to fly with QF. Unfortunately in the current scheme of things, there's not a whole lotta choice.
And I know some people whine about airline food no matter what - I was not one of these people until my last couple of trips.
OK - down from soap box!!!
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My brother flew QF yesterday CBR-MEL-ADL. He was due to leave around 9:30am (I think) and get in at 1230. However, due to fog at MEL, he left CBR at 1305 exactly. He was lucky as this a/c was the same one continuing to ADL so his connection in MEL was brief. He got in at 1530 approx. The thing is, he had to miss breakfast to to the airport to check in. That's fine. However QF didn't provide any meal or drink vouchers for the extended delay. In fact he basically got 2 muffins on his two legs and that's it, as both flights were officially mid-morning flights... despite the delay.
I think this is unacceptable. I was in Peru a little over a year ago and a similar length weather delay led to Lan Peru bringing out drinks and a buffet-style sandwich counter for all pax. Then on board our 1 hour domestic flight we got a drinks service plus reasonable breakfast. Now who would ever expect a small Peruvian domestic carrier to outshine QF in all respects??? Sounds crazy, but if Lan Peru was flying downunder, they would get my service before Qantas (and not only because of the 737-200s!)
On another matter, there were 2 other CBR-MEL flights leaving during the delayed period and all left pretty much on time with empty seats (I got a T/A friend to check). Sure, he was on an e-ticket, but why on earth would you keep pax stranded when other planes are going to the same destination half empty????? He also asked to be routed via SYD, they said fine, no probs and came back 5 mins later with different boarding passes to the same flight he was previously booked on (ie: the delayed service through MEL)... Crazy!
I think this is unacceptable. I was in Peru a little over a year ago and a similar length weather delay led to Lan Peru bringing out drinks and a buffet-style sandwich counter for all pax. Then on board our 1 hour domestic flight we got a drinks service plus reasonable breakfast. Now who would ever expect a small Peruvian domestic carrier to outshine QF in all respects??? Sounds crazy, but if Lan Peru was flying downunder, they would get my service before Qantas (and not only because of the 737-200s!)
On another matter, there were 2 other CBR-MEL flights leaving during the delayed period and all left pretty much on time with empty seats (I got a T/A friend to check). Sure, he was on an e-ticket, but why on earth would you keep pax stranded when other planes are going to the same destination half empty????? He also asked to be routed via SYD, they said fine, no probs and came back 5 mins later with different boarding passes to the same flight he was previously booked on (ie: the delayed service through MEL)... Crazy!
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AHH EMPTY SEATS!
But what was in the hold? Maybe there were weight restrictions.
I have just come back from Melbourne today on QF 620.
After reading some threads on this forum I wasn't sure what to expect on the way down or back.
HOWEVER I do have to say I was delighted with the cabin crew.
As an ex-AN CM I was really checking them out.
The girls today were not only as attractive as any of the Virgin girls I've seen they were also extremely obliging, professional and pleasant.
The boxed meal wasn't so bad either. (or is that just because I'm unemployed and don't get out much these days?) And I got 2 cups of HOT tea!
I have no idea what you guys are on about!
There are good and bad everywhere. As there was at AN also.
Don't be too quick to tar them all with the same brush.
But what was in the hold? Maybe there were weight restrictions.
I have just come back from Melbourne today on QF 620.
After reading some threads on this forum I wasn't sure what to expect on the way down or back.
HOWEVER I do have to say I was delighted with the cabin crew.
As an ex-AN CM I was really checking them out.
The girls today were not only as attractive as any of the Virgin girls I've seen they were also extremely obliging, professional and pleasant.
The boxed meal wasn't so bad either. (or is that just because I'm unemployed and don't get out much these days?) And I got 2 cups of HOT tea!
I have no idea what you guys are on about!
There are good and bad everywhere. As there was at AN also.
Don't be too quick to tar them all with the same brush.
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Acapu,
Unfortunatly QF does not control the weather. Although they get blamed for everything else that goes wrong in the aviation industry this is not something they are in control of. Perhaps a call to QF reservations instead of the local travel agent would have solved the problem a bit quicker, the QF res staff could then dalpos to change flight.
Raise the airfare and QF are "monopolising the market", lower the fare and they are "flooding the market with cheap seats". The public think that QF are just "takers" , what about 22,000 pax uplifted for free after ansett, what about the MILLIONS of dollars donated to starlight foundation, UNICEF, scholarships and sponsorships of small sporting groups, students and athletes.
QF will never win, the service and air fares will always be perceived to be sub standard until something big happens again (i.e - ansett collapse) for the pax to realise what a safe, reliable, professional and "giving" airline they are when they are in desperate need to catch a flight home - for free.
Unfortunatly QF does not control the weather. Although they get blamed for everything else that goes wrong in the aviation industry this is not something they are in control of. Perhaps a call to QF reservations instead of the local travel agent would have solved the problem a bit quicker, the QF res staff could then dalpos to change flight.
Raise the airfare and QF are "monopolising the market", lower the fare and they are "flooding the market with cheap seats". The public think that QF are just "takers" , what about 22,000 pax uplifted for free after ansett, what about the MILLIONS of dollars donated to starlight foundation, UNICEF, scholarships and sponsorships of small sporting groups, students and athletes.
QF will never win, the service and air fares will always be perceived to be sub standard until something big happens again (i.e - ansett collapse) for the pax to realise what a safe, reliable, professional and "giving" airline they are when they are in desperate need to catch a flight home - for free.
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My gripe has lately never been with the standard of service on QF - just the inedible crud served in J class that my clients are expected to pay a premium to endure.
I fell onto a 763 OOLMEL about 3 months ago destroyed after single handedly dismantling a deceased rels home and readying it for auction - absolutely exhausted - huge sigh on hitting the seat. Pretty female F/A came up and asked if I was OK - I said i was now and explained what i had been doing in the stinking heat. She smiled and commiserated.
Seat belt sign goes off - she arrives with the biggest glass of straight Chivas on the rocks I have ever seen - did me to about half way thru NSW.
The red bummed old lady still has a heart - but the management has a very sharp scalpel. Service level has not changed at all - what I would have preferred in J was the boxed sambo served in Y.
They are much more ediblethan the el cheapo attemps at nouvell cuisine - el cheapo that they are serving up front.
I am riding Y next time.
Best all
EWL
My gripe has lately never been with the standard of service on QF - just the inedible crud served in J class that my clients are expected to pay a premium to endure.
I fell onto a 763 OOLMEL about 3 months ago destroyed after single handedly dismantling a deceased rels home and readying it for auction - absolutely exhausted - huge sigh on hitting the seat. Pretty female F/A came up and asked if I was OK - I said i was now and explained what i had been doing in the stinking heat. She smiled and commiserated.
Seat belt sign goes off - she arrives with the biggest glass of straight Chivas on the rocks I have ever seen - did me to about half way thru NSW.
The red bummed old lady still has a heart - but the management has a very sharp scalpel. Service level has not changed at all - what I would have preferred in J was the boxed sambo served in Y.
They are much more ediblethan the el cheapo attemps at nouvell cuisine - el cheapo that they are serving up front.
I am riding Y next time.
Best all
EWL
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Well, cock me leg I say, wonders will never cease.
Flew MEL LST the other morning in the 717, and blow me down, after takeoff the cabin manager says that the flight time toLST is 40 mins and that they would be serving breakfast with TEA & COFFEE.
The brown box contained a very nice breakfast, cerial with milk and a breakfast museli bar, the coffee was a real good brew with seconds available.
Well done.
Flew MEL LST the other morning in the 717, and blow me down, after takeoff the cabin manager says that the flight time toLST is 40 mins and that they would be serving breakfast with TEA & COFFEE.
The brown box contained a very nice breakfast, cerial with milk and a breakfast museli bar, the coffee was a real good brew with seconds available.
Well done.
I can only speak from experience but last time I flew J SYDLAX return in Aug and Sep last year the food was wonderful.
More surprising was the fact the food ex LAX was superb, one of the best steaks I have eaten in my life.
Shame a couple of weeks ago in J BNESYD on QF026 the bread was stale they used for sandwiches. Doesnt BNE catering have fresh bread? Cabin crew were great in particular one of the AKL based crew who was on the QF012 I speak of above. She was excellent.
More surprising was the fact the food ex LAX was superb, one of the best steaks I have eaten in my life.
Shame a couple of weeks ago in J BNESYD on QF026 the bread was stale they used for sandwiches. Doesnt BNE catering have fresh bread? Cabin crew were great in particular one of the AKL based crew who was on the QF012 I speak of above. She was excellent.
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After waiting in the tin shed Virgin terminal in Syd for a flight which was over 2 hours late, I paid the c.$2.80 for a coffee on board and got a small paper cup half filled with luke warm water and a coffee sachet.
