Well - tried it once, won't bother again

[Deleted member 29185]

It clearly demonstrates that the crew are working to undermine the move to a corporate market.

Big call! I don't necessarily agree either. The VA staff, during the first stages of the game change plan, were VAs greatest assets. They were (and in most cases, still are) very professional and pleasant. There has however, definitely been a change in attitudes though, and to be honest, I think this is a manifestation of the VA staffs exasperation at VA managements inability to deliver on the product they promised.

There is the fact that the money saved on VA fare make it possible to buy a beer or 2 and still be in front.

I'm with you there, in fact VA actually are streets ahead in that regard with inflight CC machine to make it easy to purchase whilst QF still need cash in this day and age.........

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Seat is normal.

Probably going well OT here, but I find the row 3 seat (especially in the BSIs) seem more comfortable than the J seat in a 737. The J seat is obviously much wider but it seems less comfortable. I'd imagine I'm possibly the only one who thinks so though!

 

[mannej]

It was one service recovery issue, wasn't it? On the flip side I've had one excellent service recovery experience with VA. VA can get it right, and it lacks credibility to claim the entire airline is a childish joke based on one experience. Other than that the gripes I've seen are about lounge food and the number of beers served. Perfectly happy to accept that the judgement is based on his experiences, but I'll stand by my view that that judgement lacks credibility. Perhaps if the judgement was more considered, my view would be different.

That is in your opinion. He is also entitled to his.

 

[rioter]

Probably going well OT here, but I find the row 3 seat (especially in the BSIs) seem more comfortable than the J seat in a 737. The J seat is obviously much wider but it seems less comfortable. I'd imagine I'm possibly the only one who thinks so though!

Would take row 3 over a row 1 J seat any day. Not sure about 2, although the difference is so small that i would never justify the cost.

 

[Moopere]

Probably going well OT here, but I find the row 3 seat (especially in the BSIs) seem more comfortable than the J seat in a 737. The J seat is obviously much wider but it seems less comfortable. I'd imagine I'm possibly the only one who thinks so though!

Yes, you know, I agree. Something is 'wrong' with the 73H J seating/padding ... I've tried and failed to define exactly whats wrong about it since my first trip. I seem to not be able to wriggle about to find a comfortable seated position .. I wonder if the lack of foot rest contributes to this? For mine, I find I somehow keep slipping forwards on these seats.

 

[medhead]

That is in your opinion. He is also entitled to his.

That's right. And I've expressed my opinion here. Stop attacking me for doing so. If you read very carefully you'll see I haven't denied his opinion. Just expressed my opinion that it lacks credibility based on my experiences. I'm not sure why you think you have the right to attack my opinion.

What do they call it when my right to an opinion is denied while simultaneous defending someone else's right to an opinion?

 

[medhead]

Big call! I don't necessarily agree either. The VA staff, during the first stages of the game change plan, were VAs greatest assets. They were (and in most cases, still are) very professional and pleasant. There has however, definitely been a change in attitudes though, and to be honest, I think this is a manifestation of the VA staffs exasperation at VA managements inability to deliver on the product they promised.


......

I don't see it as a big call. As you note crew started out being great, looking after status and such like. That has now stopped, and this platinum velocity member gets treated exactly the same as everyone else in the plane. (That's not a complaint BTW, just stating the situation). I think management have issued directions to look after statused based on the initial roll out of status. Crew now don't recognise status, IME. IMO that is an active choice to ignore management direction.

But they do seem to recognise their mates and other staff.

 

[JohnK]

Sorry to hear about your experiences chocolate radiation man.

Status passengers are important but so are paying customers. I am intrigued about the onboard upgrade so soon after takeoff. Friend of crew? Staff?

JohnK has been saying that for years...

I think their focus is totally wrong.

In fairness, his complaints lack credibility.
"Virgin is a joke because they don't have 2 types of cold meat in the lounge". - What sort of criticism is that? Then there is also that VA does have 2 types of meat most of the time.
"Virgin is a joke because I need a second beer of board". - Ok then. Then there is the fact that I was able to get a second drink during my very next VA flight that qualified for free drinks as did others. There is the fact that the money saved on VA fare make it possible to buy a beer or 2 and still be in front.

Lack credibility? Because you don't agree with me? Hahaha. You are funny.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

As you note crew started out being great, looking after status and such like.

You are right of course, the "romance" has gone, but I'm unsure that I'd say it's a deliberate crew decision. I just think they are worn out with all the toing and froing with management. What about the shambles that is the current on-board F&B offering? If anyone could rattle off the truth straight off the top of their heads for all routes, I'd be amazed......I struggle to remember what I'm supposed to get on my most flown routes as they do vary. Just that one point adds a level of emotional exhaustion for them and from what I understand, they're underpaid compared to their QF counterparts.

I'm certainly not as happy as I was a few years ago, but I just think it's management rather than crew.......but of course I could be wrong, I was once.

 

[medhead]

Lack credibility? Because you don't agree with me? Hahaha. You are funny.

No, lacks credibility because it doesn't match my experience.

Oh and I see you're another one who can't respect my right to an opinion but demands everyone bow down to your opinion.

 

[medhead]

You are right of course, the "romance" has gone, but I'm unsure that I'd say it's a deliberate crew decision. I just think they are worn out with all the toing and froing with management. What about the shambles that is the current on-board F&B offering? If anyone could rattle off the truth straight off the top of their heads for all routes, I'd be amazed......I struggle to remember what I'm supposed to get on my most flown routes as they do vary. Just that one point adds a level of emotional exhaustion for them and from what I understand, they're underpaid compared to their QF counterparts.

I'm certainly not as happy as I was a few years ago, but I just think it's management rather than crew.......but of course I could be wrong, I was once.

Ok, maybe it's a subconscious switch off. Even if I prefer to think they've made a conscious decision to disengage from the process.

All the meal cough is certainly difficult. I don't even know why they bother with meals on any flight less than 2 hours. Some people seem to think an inedible load of carbs is great. Virgin management should fight that thinking.

Anyway, I agree the change is difficult and management needs to lead.

 

[lovestotravel]

That's pretty much typical Virgin service, yet again, sounds like nothing has changed

 

[JohnK]

It was one service recovery issue, wasn't it? On the flip side I've had one excellent service recovery experience with VA. VA can get it right, and it lacks credibility to claim the entire airline is a childish joke based on one experience. Other than that the gripes I've seen are about lounge food and the number of beers served. Perfectly happy to accept that the judgement is based on his experiences, but I'll stand by my view that that judgement lacks credibility. Perhaps if the judgement was more considered, my view would be different.

More than one thank you very much but who is keeping count?

You are entitled to your opinion but you are not expressing an opinion. You are ridiculing me. Enough is enough. Stop it now. Stop trying to correct me at every opportunity.

 

[medhead]

More than one thank you very much but who is keeping count?

You are entitled to your opinion but you are not expressing an opinion. You are ridiculing me. Enough is enough. Stop it now. Stop trying to correct me at every opportunity.

Funny, it was you laughing at me. I am certainly not ridiculing you. I've accurately stated your opinion. As you always say, I have the right to an opinion. My opinion is that the issues you've raised are no reason to describe VA as childish rubbish.

If certainly not correcting you.

 

[chocolate radiation man]

I don't know if I'm amused or bemused. I am told I am having a DYKWIA (I had to google that) moment because I should be happy that the substandard service is acceptable and if I choose not to fly again with Virgin I won't be missed - nice though provoking rebuttal to my original post. I'm also in the same camp when reading the now open fight between two other members about their obvious love hate relationship with each other.

I needed to be at a meeting in Darwin without anyone else knowing - Justin Bieber I am not - just an everyday ordinary person who works for a living - so again, thank you for that post of brilliance as well.

In reply to a number of questions posted here, I have since had our in-house travel manager contact her Virgin people and pass on a letter expressing my concerns about the service I received. I hope this will eventually be responded to - but anecdotal evidence would suggest that a canned response will be the best I will receive assuming I receive anything at all.

One thing I have learned very fast is - unless your opinion matches that obviously outspoken members here, you are quickly turned into forum fodder.

 

[boomy]

One thing I have learned very fast is - unless your opinion matches that obviously outspoken members here, you are quickly turned into forum fodder.

Another thing I hope you learned very fast is that If someone is being outspoken it doesn't necessary means they are right.
I think it's important to report about bad service and from my experience with QF (not sure about VA) there are reps who monitor these forums and usually respond and try to fix the problems.
Sure, there will always be people who don't agree with you and may be a bit vocal about it but hey, it would be a boring read if everyone just "like" your posts right?

 

[medhead]

Insulting people is a funny way to complain about being labelled with dykwia. I can assure you there is no love hate relationship going on. I just don't tolerant unreasonable whinging that lacks any foundation in reality.

As for your complaint. I certainly don't agree with the full extent of your issues. But did agree an on board upgrade is a problem and that VA suffer disengaged cabin crew.

 

[jackthomas]

C'mon Boys and Girls, Calm it down...

 

[Plutonus]

This is why we can't have nice things

 

[Bolthead]

I just love friendly banter... for what it is worth I have been a VA fan for a long time now and have never experienced bad service in J or Y. (of course that is not to say that it doesn't happen) I was in row 3 today and I observed the service in J and as far as I could tell the CSM did a great job ( 5 / 8 ) and he definitely appeared to be polite, efficient and approached everyone by their name.