Qantas - Sorry But I Am Over You

[Pushka]

I think it’s very difficult for people in customer service to get the language right. I don’t have any issue with use of the word - partner. Because that’s also how I think of my husband. Our family is in a particular minority group and I was rather sensitive when the kids were at school at some teachers blindness to what they were saying or asking from my kids. And at one time did write them a note explaining that what they were asking the kids to do was impossible. And a bit hurtful

 

[mannej]

1) I thought discussions on SSM are taboo here, however let’s not beat about the Bush this thread is timed the Monday after Mardi Gras. Convenient much?

2) Good luck finding an airline domestically that doesn’t support the same cause.

Food for thought - is there anything wrong with a company pushing for equality/equity against a perceived social injustice? If it’s not damaging it’s actual performance what’s the actual issue?

 

[G00r]

Of course you are free to chose what airline you fly but banning staff from their choice for your personal opinions seems a little amusing

I put a company wide ban on fuel reimbursements for 7 Eleven purchases following the 7 Corners revelations about wages.
But, now I read about Caltex etc and so a 'boycott list' just becomes all too hard..
Especially as I'm already managing a kill list, revenge list.. and forth

 

[JohnK]

It's a good thing I don't follow the media.

I don't think Qantas is the company it used to be and customer service is getting worse. That is definitely the CEO's fault. But by the same token Qantas is making money so he is keeping the board happy.

I had 2 pretty poor customer service issues recently but can't vote with my feet as the grass is definitely not greener on the other side. There is no viable alternative for my travel plans so I need to keep getting used to poor customer and hope I can get something back for my troubles.

 

[serfty]

Maybe try MH?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Joyce hasn't told anyone to say anything. Staff have been asked to use language that is respectful to everyone.

If having crew refer to you as a 'partner' instead of husband and wife, or 'parents' instead of mum and dad gets you so upset you change your flying habits I suspect you should think about all the bigger problems in the world.

This.

It was interesting to watch a re-run of Aussie Border Security the other night - the episode was maybe 10 years old. They were interviewing a transsexual who they suspected was coming to Australia to work rather than tourism. Throughout the program - a couple dozen times - they referred to the passenger as 'he' and called him by his male name. It was cringeworthy. Fast-forward ten years and we would refer to the passenger as a 'she' as a matter of course.

This suggestion by QF to foster inclusiveness is perhaps no different. A child may have two mums, or two dads. You may have a same sex partner to whom benefits/seating allocation should apply rather than searching for the 'wife' or 'husband'.

 

[drron]

But the great hypocrisy is they have no intention of changing the ChairMAN's lounge.

And if they are going to be respectful to everyone mrsdrron and I are husband and wife.

 

[Pushka]

But the great hypocrisy is they have no intention of changing the ChairMAN's lounge.

And if they are going to be respectful to everyone mrsdrron and I are husband and wife.

The husband and wife thing doesn’t bother me so much but the Charimans Lounge is interesting. Might be a nice tweet that!

 

[fitzy]

But the great hypocrisy is they have no intention of changing the ChairMAN's lounge.

And if they are going to be respectful to everyone mrsdrron and I are husband and wife.

1. It's not hypocrisy - as far as I'm aware Leigh Clifford is, in fact, a Chairman

2. How are Qantas (or anyone else for that matter) meant to know that you are married? Using language that treats you exactly the same as every other couple takes nothing away from your relationship.

 

[drron]

Maybe we all should put into suggestions for renaming the CL.I doubt that they would go for the DYKWIA lounge.

 

[drron]

1. It's not hypocrisy - as far as I'm aware Leigh Clifford is, in fact, a Chairman

2. How are Qantas (or anyone else for that matter) meant to know that you are married? Using language that treats you exactly the same as every other couple takes nothing away from your relationship.

But not all the person's in the CL are men and several of the women are board chairs.
2 Our bookings on QF are always booked as Mr and Mrs,we have selected seats together so you would have to be Inspector Clouseau not to have an inkling we are married.

 

[dajop]

When it comes to dealing with customers and airlines, the term "travelling companion" (not just companion) probably is the safest to use ... covers all sorts of relationships between travellers, be they spouses, partners, boyfriends, girlfriends, various combinations of relatives, work colleagues, friends, enemies, complete strangers that were appended to your booking , companion animals it covers the lot.

As the saying goes " assumption is the mother of all ...." (or should that be "assumption is the parent of all ..." ? )

 

[TheRealTMA]

This.

It was interesting to watch a re-run of Aussie Border Security the other night - the episode was maybe 10 years old. They were interviewing a transsexual who they suspected was coming to Australia to work rather than tourism. Throughout the program - a couple dozen times - they referred to the passenger as 'he' and called him by his male name. It was cringeworthy. Fast-forward ten years and we would refer to the passenger as a 'she' as a matter of course.

This suggestion by QF to foster inclusiveness is perhaps no different. A child may have two mums, or two dads. You may have a same sex partner to whom benefits/seating allocation should apply rather than searching for the 'wife' or 'husband'.

Wonder how they will address Barnaby, partner and new born?

 

[TheRealTMA]

But the great hypocrisy is they have no intention of changing the ChairMAN's lounge.

And if they are going to be respectful to everyone mrsdrron and I are husband and wife.

Just rename it as the WL?

 

[TheRealTMA]

The husband and wife thing doesn’t bother me so much but the Charimans Lounge is interesting. Might be a nice tweet that!

I’m more horrified by the lack of apostrophe.

 

[DC3]

But not all the person's in the CL are men and several of the women are board chairs.\ ....

I thought that it was (The Qantas) Chairman's Lounge. i.e., the lounge of the Qantas Chairman, and that you are invited on his invitation. Maybe one day it will be the Chairwoman's Lounge, or Chairperson's? (being incumbent specific ).

 

[RoMambai]

I find it amusing that the OP can fire off an opening salvo such as this one and then retreat without backing up their assertions. I suspect there are more targetted forums out they can prattle their conservative views on than this one.

I don't agree with everything Mr Joyce says or does but I thank God that I'm in a country that affords him the space to do it.

 

[Ausbt]

I'm no fan of QA, but the beat-up about this is ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with using PC language, it's just not a big deal. I made the silly mistake of pushing the wrong button on my car radio today and slipped from the ABC to some redneck right-wing claptrap talkback today and they were frothing about this! Get over it you oldies (grrrr ...the very same people who stuffed up our environment in the first place! I hate old people). One thing was clear though - QA can't be spending any advert dollars with these commercial-radio-blabberers else they'd be singing their praises.

 

[JohnK]

Maybe try MH?

For their poor customer service?

I'm not travelling international economy without status unless I switch to LCC travel.

VA and SQ are an option but that's a lot of VA flights to Gold and don't want to keep begging for that Coke Light on 9 hour long hauls.

 

[Pleb Status]

For their poor customer service?

I'm not travelling international economy without status unless I switch to LCC travel.

VA and SQ are an option but that's a lot of VA flights to Gold and don't want to keep begging for that Coke Light on 9 hour long hauls.

The main reason you will not fly the far superior SQ is you do not get the full can in Y?