Where has the service gone?
 

Had to utilise the Impulse services to Tassie in the last few weeks, like the 717, but the inflight service is woeful. A cardboard box with a sandwich and a little carton of orange juice is all that is served. Passengers are advised that the sector is too short for hot beverage service (except for the cockpit).

Had plans to use the Sydney - Tassie sectors as well, but really don't want sit there for two hours without a hot drink, especially when paying top dollar for the fare.

Remember being able to get a cuppa on the 146's, the CRJ's, both AN & QF 73's and the DC9's.

You should try the alleged lunch in J class MEL OOL skylane.

The service was excellent, however on the last 2 trips the cold chicken salad consisted of chicken that was so tough it must have run marathons, an indescribable mess of capsicum based salad and a bread roll that would have lasted well past 50 overs.

Apparently there is some new you beaut freezing process used - it may ensure the meal is fresh but quite amusing watching others trying to figure out just how to eat the rubbish.

Total crud.

Catering out of OOl was however a little more palletable - probably because Peter Smith's company is still doing it.

It is a big concern when my passengers wish to travel J on QF and you have to warn them about the tucker.

EWL

The tea and coffee thing has us Impulse Fas stumped... We are told different things...

When we served a hot meal and a choice of main and a bar service from MEL to LST on a 37 minute sector we just did not physically have the time to do tea and coffee. We were then told that on any flight under 50 minutes after 4pm that drinks were to be offered in perefernce to tea and coffee. Then we started the box thing and we were told to revert back to tea and coffee on all sectors. But then QF catering specifications lacked tea and coffee cups on services after 4pm - regardless of length. I don't know what the situation is now as all my blocks have been earlies. I haven't done a single flight since 2 January without tea and coffee. Apparently the 1900 departure HBA-SYD is still an issue. But if the cups aren't loaded what can we do? A Purser delayed a flight for cups and was dragged through the coals big time.

All policies come from QF... We FAs just do as directed. Believe me we want to offer more but you can't give what you don't have.

SYD-LST is about 1 hour 15 and SYD-HBA about 1 hour 20.... 717 is faster than 146 :-)

J class is coming to HBA flights but the catering will still come from QF.

It really smells of penny pinching.

It wasn't all that long a go that full service was provided between MEL- LST including tea/coffee and or bar service.

I remember East West providing boxed meals on SYD DPO service, but tea/coffee was served, including seconds.

Mainline QF are just as bad, did MEL DRW a few weeks ago, and got a little salad roll and a small chocolate bar, and one cup of tea without a refill. Thats a 4+ hour sector!

Lets hope they don't go the Virgin way where any refreshment is at a price.

Skylane, I flew SY - DWN a little over a month ago on the evening flight, and the chicken and salad/ breadroll combo was nothing short of excellent. Two/three coffee refills were also more than welcome. I guess I might have gotten a bit lucky there, but I had no probs with the food/drinks.:)

429 CJ
you must be cute! FA's always give the best looking guys extra service...;)

Our domestic crews are pretty sharp (AIRNZ)

On the Christchurch to Wellington sector, Flight time 28-34min in the 737 at peak time they do a full dinner service. Meal, bar, tea & coffee (including seconds of T & C) and it dosn't come in any box's!! ;)

and feed us! :)

Flew brekkie flight MEL-CBR on Southern a couple of weeks ago and told by F/As that tea and coffee cannot be served due to short sector. Flew home with them later that day and got hot drinks...Go figure.

QF mainline is no better. Half the time there are no hot drinks but after 3PM, they'll be happy to take your money for the $5 beers but don't expect a smile if you ask for a free Coke. Looks like they're learning from DJ that all the money is made flogging the extras. As I've said before, QF are turning themselves into a premium priced no-frills carrier, whatever that is!!??

$5 beers - how much for a Bundy & Coke?
 

Is it true the bar's a bit of a scam and difficult to account for?? We're talking big money on a SY - PH flight!!

Skylane,
You should get a cuppa on the SYD to Tassie flights - only time I have heard that it was not provided was when the catering contractors didnt put the cups the "cardboard boxes" as mentioned above.

I have heard rumblings that there is going to be a bit of a re-think on the catering - fingers crossed:p

Ditzyboy I do have to correct you. Whilst Impulse is now part of QF it still remains the domain of Impulse management to make the decisions re: catering tea, coffe etc. As mainline stopped seving tea/coffee on many sectors regionals trialled this aswell. Pax were not happy. I am pleased to say it has been reinstated on most sectors including 32min SYD-CBR dash 8 services with single FA's. Have to Admit though the catering all round is a joke. Most FA's I know are embarressed to be serving current catering. Friand anyone.............????

It sounds like the time is approaching where passengers will come on board with their packets of sandwiches and thermos, and or six pack and provide themselves with their own service. Imagine the mess in the cabin, and the dangers of hot thermos's floating around in turbelence!

The mind boggles at the thought.

Now please Ms Secure (assume that is the politically correct title) - weren't you just telling us on the other thread that we blokey types should respect women (especially DJ Hosties) for who they are and not make reference to their physical attributes? And here you are telling us that 'cute' guys get better preference from FA's. And just what sort of 'extra service' do they get? Please.. let's practice what we preach and give good coffee to everybody.. try to look past our appendages and see us for who we really are..

Actually, I am curious if cabinsecure really does speak the truth?? Do cabincrew favour certain pax over others??? (ignoring the sexist nature of her comments...)

M.

Ask nicely, smile sweetly!
Be you 8 or 80...
male or female...
And I'll oblige to any reasonable request.

And yes I admit I don't mind a bit of what I classify as eye candy..

Different to you guys though.
I prefer a twinkle in the eye, a cute smile, a man that can string a sentence together, a big heart and a wicked sense of humour.

Enjoy the wind up!!!!:p

Looks like there is a business opening here to make up a hamper to take on the new style catering (read no catering) flights. It could contain a thermos, cups, plates, food containers and plastic knives etc. Designed to fit under the seat, one wouldn't have to worry about the on board service, or lack of.

Lets face it, if AN and TAA crews could do full meal and bar service on both DC9 and B727 flights between MEL and LST, surely the Impulse crews could organise themselves to serve tea or coffee with the box meals. Either the training is not as good as, or the F/A's or their management couldn't care.

I can remember dead heading on the EW F28's between SYD and HBA, and enjoying numerous cups of coffee with the boxed meals. Even on the short sector between DPO and HBA!

Perhaps in those days, the customer was important and was looked after. These days its more like travelling "cattle class".

Travelling overseas shortly, does QF serve decent food on these services, or should one travel with the other operators.

For overseas QF is ok, as long as you don´t find yourself in a BA plane. Did it last year, since then taking SQ. Big difference, better food, no need to beg for beer, not to mention the girls!!

Ahhhhh yes dog one - and as staff sipping a glass of champers on EWD between DPO and HBA as the sun set over the great lake was one of the finest moments one could imagine.

And the F/A's mate - absolute gems like little Nicole and many others. Sandy also sticks in my head - a gorgeous ablonde lady with enough personality for 10 ladies. After Eeenie weenie was shut down in DPO I went to AN ADL for a short time (great bunch of people) and was on ticket counter one day when 2 EW girls came and we just hugged and cried. Bleeding shame.

Catering ex DPO was brilliant - got Peter Smith started in a now multi million dollar empire and good luck to him. Catering all over Australia, Singapore and UK.

If you deadheaded you therefore flew and I probably despatched you numerous times ex DPO - big noisy b@stard with a mo and in a hurry to get out ahead of AN/WX all the time.

Take my advice and fly SQ or MH or even EK - A QF dinner roll these days will last 50 overs without any damage to the seam at all and is "melt in your mouth" compared to the chicken.

Best regards

EWL

Dog One,

I think you'll find that the Cabin Crew have no say in the matter.

In early Feb, Mrs Claret flew DN-BN (mainline)-CB (Southern), then CB-SY (Southern) - BN-DN (Mainline) on a full ECY ticket costing her employer some $1800, or there-abouts.

She an her colleague were only served tea/coffee between DN & BN & DN. All the F/A's were most apologetic, even embarrassed at the new catering policy enforced on them.

When asked why the lack of service, one F/A apologised and advised that the directive came from on high and was to match their competitors service.

Mrs Claret & colleague then asked why they weren't only being charged $5.00 ?????:p