Re: [Repudiated by QF] QF removing Any Seat Awards (ASA) from 08 April
The mere fact you know what a status run even is, let alone engage on them, puts you well outside of "normal".
PS requires 300 SCs. Most people fly discount economy, even on work trips. Most trips they take are going to be between capitals and major population centres. Ie: 20 - 40 SCs return each time. Let's average it out to about a return flight once a month.
For most people, that's a LOT of flying. Heck, I'd be surprised if the average Joe or Jane on the street more than twice a year.
"Normal" people don't chase status. "Normal" people rarely even have an airline preference. When they want to fly somewhere, they log onto webjet, or similar, and pick the cheapest flights on the right days at roughly the right times.
Of people who do chase status, I'd be willing to bet most of them fly inferquently, but "big" - ie: DONE4s, international trips, JASAs, etc). So while they might have SG or WP status, their burden on the system is small because of the infrequency with which they use it.
Of people who gain status through their normal lifestyle - typically lots of work trips, or just by being rich - I'd argue their extensive usage of the facilities is completely reasonable and justified, or paid for outright by their usage of premium fares.
In short, I think the notion of status "freeloaders" extracting disproportional benefits from the system, or the implicit argument that the commoners are taking over because getting status is too easy, are a complete load of bollocks.
