Downgraded from Business Class on Qantas due to "tech crew" [pilot] Travel Requirements

[prozac]

You can drink (not in uniform) after a duty is complete. The person who suggested they may have been drinking inappropriately can place his comments where they deserve.

That was me and at that point in time the OP was discussing the interlopers as "tech" which means to the average person someone other than a pilot. I do not place pilots into the same basket as QF management.
I am surprised you would not understand most people, even on AFF, would not understand your in-house terms. So how would you explain their boorish behaviour in a public passenger area?

 

[JohnK]

A poorly handled experience? Yes, I'd agree.

Super terrible? I'm not sure.

Not criticism of your post or summary but at the end of the day the take away from the experience would be different for every person.

If I was in economy and made to move to a middle seat that would be an extremely terrible experience and a deal breaker. On a short 1 hour flight I'd refuse the move and if forced I'd request another flight. For medium long hauls such as SYD-BKK there's no way I'd sit in middle seat so what do I do? Accept it like a good little leming?

If I was in business and forced to move to an economy middle seat I might end up on an airline no fly list as that is totally unacceptable.

All of the above is an extremely terrible customer experience. If this situation does occur then compensation has to be over and above.

 

[Princess Fiona]

That was me and at that point in time the OP was discussing the interlopers as "tech" which means to the average person someone other than a pilot. I do not place pilots into the same basket as QF management.
I am surprised you would not understand most people, even on AFF, would not understand your in-house terms. So how would you explain their boorish behaviour in a public passenger area?

Seriously ????
We have now descended to speculating that tech crew ie pilots were drinking in the QP before the bar opened and before a positioning flight

Really!!! You have never heard of people drinking before or during work hours? It happens. In this case if they were off-duty it is more possible.

Actually you did speculate that pilots were drinking on duty

 

[prozac]

Actually you did speculate that pilots were drinking on duty

No, I did not, your words not mine. You have ingeniously quoted your post and mine which were contemporaneously posted. It was still being debated some hours later if techies were even pilots. If you can't see that, to quote jb747, you can place that "where they deserve".

Kindly note that @Pushka s original post and discussion was around her explanation they sounded like tech people. Her understanding and many of ours was that they were indeed techies.

 

[serfty]

[Moderator hat]

Thread locked for review ...
​

[/moderator hat]

 

[NM]

[Moderator hat]

Note that some previous posts have been removed.

There is no need for any further debate regarding the term "Techie" or "Tech Crew" referring to pilots.

It is clear that some members may not have known these terms and their meaning within the aviation/airline industry previously, but it is common in the airline industry to refer to people whose "office" is in front of the coughpit door (i.e. the Flight Deck), including pilots and flight engineers to be called "Technical Crew" and shortened versions of that including "Tech Crew" and "Techie". People who service, repair, maintain the aircraft are "Engineers" or "LAMEs" (Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer).

@Pushka has already provided her opinion regarding the two people for whom our Bali-bound posting members were downgraded. So please no further debate about who they were or were not unless someone has facts and not just speculation or guessing.

I will now re-open this thread so the OP can provide us with any updates as they come to hand, hopefully while enjoying a relaxing holiday in Bali.

[/moderator hat]

 

[Pushka]

Thanks Mods. I've sent off a message on FB but won't call Qantas until we land back in Oz next week. That will be the next chapter. I might be needing assistance if there's a wall. I'll also ask for an explanation of facts.

I'd like to think that everyone feels safe in posting here, even if their opinion doesn't gel with others. There's no place here for personal attacks. Unfortunately because there were few facts here, just our observations and what we were told, which judging by responses here, the person wasn't an Exec and he certainly wasn't upfront as to where we were to be sitting, well, nature abhors a vacuum so speculation. We are both very clear that we were told he was an Exec. Likely he wasn't. Not the way to inspire trust. We feel confident that we were not told the facts by any stretch. And also that Qantas uses terminology that seems unique to them and there are different interpretations of such words outside the aviation industry and I'm betting that many here also interpret the Qantas terminology in a completely different context.

And of course, no contact from Qantas and no points returned. But in the meantime there's this to worry about and where to go for dinner.

 

[JohnK]

I think the learnings of the tale is that Award bookings in any context is at risk now and devalues the QFF program.

Hope you get adequate compensation and not just your points back.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I've seen pilots sitting in economy on QF many times. So they've decided to accept there are no spare business seats and not displace a fare paying passenger regardless of whether that's a cash fare paying passenger, award or upgrade not including op-up.

The main focus of any business should only ever be the customer and clearly with QF that's not the case.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hope you get adequate compensation and not just your points back.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I've seen pilots sitting in economy on QF many times. So they've decided to accept there are no spare business seats and not displace a fare paying passenger regardless of whether that's a cash fare paying passenger, award or upgrade not including op-up.

The main focus of any business should only ever be the customer and clearly with QF that's not the case.

Just because pilots are in economy doesn't mean they're on duty travel - or even work for QF.

Many staff, both pilots & flight attendants, commute eg if they reside in BNE but operate out of SYD in which case they would be travelling at own expense on leisure staff travel.

If on leisure travel they travel on standby on a space available basis and may be upgraded to J if available if their ticket permits it.

Plenty of pilots fly QF in economy who may be employed by Alliance, Virgin or a myriad of international carriers.

It's a bit hard to tell if they're just in navy slacks & a plain white shirt. Cats are all grey in the dark.

 

[UP4014]

As always, did you get the reps name. I rarely lose out latter when I have the names and note the times etc! Obviously something on the flip side of story.

I think you did pretty well to stay cool. I would like have said see ua you can put me on the next flights and I’ll just wait here while you find my checked luggage.

Once in your seat that should be it, in fact once you have your boarding pass that should be it.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I will now re-open this thread so the OP can provide us with any updates as they come to hand, hopefully while enjoying a relaxing holiday in Bali.

It will be interesting to see how Qantas responds in terms of service recovery. In particular, whether Qantas offers any points for the hassle and whether the points used for the upgrade replace are returned. In addition, it will be interesting to see whether 0P has to follow up with Qantas, or whether Qantas proactively follows up in the interim, I, for one would like to know whether service recovery is measured in days weeks or months or even if service recovery is ever achieved. For me, service recovery is more than just making sure that I get to the right place eventually, it also means making the traveller whole.

-Rooflyer88

 

[Pushka]

As always, did you get the reps name. I rarely lose out latter when I have the names and note the times etc! Obviously something on the flip side of story.

I think you did pretty well to stay cool. I would like have said see ua you can put me on the next flights and I’ll just wait here while you find my checked luggage.

Once in your seat that should be it, in fact once you have your boarding pass that should be

We do have the name of the CSM and she was very keen for us to know it. I think when we were taken off the plane we were both a bit shocked. Initially we didn't know what was going on. Was there something suspect in our luggage? All kinds of thoughts. Were we being taken off? So sadly no, we weren't taking notes. We had a connecting international flight so no choice but to make sure we got there.

Post automatically merged: Aug 27, 2023

It's bizarre isn't it that I was commenting on these two on AFF almost an hour before we started to board. little did we know!

Life is strange sometimes. Hell I might even partake in @JohnK 's theory that life is a simulation! . Because that's exactly what happened!

It's been a tough day today. All you want for breakfast, a walk in the ocean, lounging by the pool. Pizza for lunch. Now resting in the cool room before I try hitting the 7'11. Beach BBQ tonight.

 

[UP4014]

We don’t know who these two were, they could have ASIO from what we know. Either way no moving people.

I’ve sat down the back with QF pilots on duty and they weren’t fussed so maybe they weren’t employees.

Learnings; if you are asked to get off to speak to an employee don’t, say it’s perfectly fine for them to come to me in front of everyone else.

If you have checked luggage say you’re not flying this flight as a result and insist on the next flight.

 

[justinbrett]

I think some people have a certain stereotype of pilots in their head, and they may be surprised to find out that a 22 year old pilot acts like a 22 year old. I’ve spent most of my adult working life working with pilots and they’re definitely fun to be around (and probably the cause of my terrible drinking habits ) but they’re they’re no different to anyone else in terms of public behaviour.

I was in the Hilton Sydney executive lounge a few months ago with one of my best mates, and a slightly elderly gentleman came over and asked us to stop swearing “as there were women present”. I was a bit shocked as the language we were using wouldn’t rate a mention at your local pub, we complied obviously but I was quite surprised at the confrontation.

Moral of the story is we might perceive the behaviour of others to be offensive but a little bit of latitude goes a long way. Live and let live etc etc…

@Pushka out of interest which resort are you staying at? It looks very familiar.

 

[Pushka]

I think some people have a certain stereotype of pilots in their head, and they may be surprised to find out that a 22 year old pilot acts like a 22 year old. I’ve spent most of my adult working life working with pilots and they’re definitely fun to be around (and probably the cause of my terrible drinking habits ) but they’re they’re no different to anyone else in terms of public behaviour.

I was in the Hilton Sydney executive lounge a few months ago with one of my best mates, and a slightly elderly gentleman came over and asked us to stop swearing “as there were women present”. I was a bit shocked as the language we were using wouldn’t rate a mention at your local pub, we complied obviously but I was quite surprised at the confrontation.

Moral of the story is we might perceive the behaviour of others to be offensive but a little bit of latitude goes a long way. Live and let live etc etc…

@Pushka out of interest which resort are you staying at? It looks very familiar.

It's the Bali Intercontinental at Jimbaran Bay.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

It's the Bali Intercontinental at Jimbaran Bay.

Unsure if you already are an Intercontinental Ambassador ($200 USD/year or 40,000 IHG points/year) but you get a free weekend night at Intercontinental properties every year plus 4 PM late checkout, dining credit and IHG Platinum status

 

[Pushka]

Unsure if you already are an Intercontinental Ambassador ($200 USD/year or 40,000 IHG points/year) but you get a free weekend night at Intercontinental properties every year plus 4 PM late checkout, dining credit and IHG Platinum status

Oh yes. We got a nice upgrade.

 

[RooFlyer]

Oh yes. We got a nice upgrade.

If you get a message to meet the hotel manager in the lobby - LOCK THE DOOR! (Hope that isn't in poor taste )

 

[NM]

Oh yes. We got a nice upgrade.

Let's hope it sticks for the duration of you stay . Enjoy.

 

[Pushka]

Let's hope it sticks for the duration of you stay . Enjoy.

I’m hoping there aren’t any EBA arrangements here. Also makes ME airlines more favourable.