AFR's Joe Aston goes BAM!

[Gold Member]

Another great article by Joe, albeit focussing on a very niche aspect of flying with Qantas which many of us can relate to. Either way, I love his decadent style of prose.

Never shy of an acerbic jab or two, I love his QFF conclusions - “Qantas management has plainly calculated it can peddle an inferior product in a highly competitive market without consequence, thanks to the heroi_-like properties of its frequent flyer program.”

I guess that makes me a long term engaged participant in my local methadone clinic with all the other Frequent Flyer Programs out there.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

My favourite bit is when VH said "Well hello, Joe".

That would have been one flight when everything ran smoothly !

 

[kelvedon]

Noticed this at QF SYD departures today. Hitting its target audience!

 

[RooFlyer]

A scalding and withering article by Aston in today’s AFR on the James Hardie debacle

 

[OZDUCK]

I assume he is waiting with bated breath, and pen, for Joyces's book explaining how everything he did was only to save QANTAS with no thought for himself?

 

[kookaburra75]

A scalding and withering article by Aston in today’s AFR on the James Hardie debacle

I like Joe when he's angry - that's a doozy of a piece. Just the headline "The miscalculations of Aaron Erter, American moron", says it all.

However, it does raise ongoing questions about the quality of board members on some of our public companies. Although one question for me, is how do I get on that gravy train?

 

[RooFlyer]

However, it does raise ongoing questions about the quality of board members on some of our public companies. Although one question for me, is how do I get on that gravy train?

Whatever it is, you are behind me!

That said, I think I've just managed to give up a directorship of a Proprietary company that I've been trying to do for years - but the Company Secretary never responded or acted. The company is dormant, but has a past. Finally called ASIC, who sent me the form I need to fill out to force it.

 

[Pele]

I like Joe when he's angry - that's a doozy of a piece. Just the headline "The miscalculations of Aaron Erter, American moron", says it all.

However, it does raise ongoing questions about the quality of board members on some of our public companies. Although one question for me, is how do I get on that gravy train?

Everything in that article is spot on.

The James Hardie Board and CEO are clueless and negligent. I feel sorry for shareholders.

 

[Brissy1]

Although one question for me, is how do I get on that gravy train?

Well I can say what NOT to do, I think Joyce would have previously been expecting many invites.

 

[RooFlyer]

Joe Aston, in his Rampart column today, summed it up (paid subscription - but you might get a few paras

Alan Joyce is back!

The former Qantas CEO has shared his truth: he's sorta sorry in hindsight.

www.rampart.news

It goes on, quite a lot - one of the most withering take-downs I think I've read.

 

[SCM]

AJ is the biggest tosser in the Australian corporate world, I wish we could kick him out of the country.

 

[Wing Nut]

The board members have a lot to answer for, they enabled Joyce.

 

[Quickstatus]

they enabled Joyce.

Or they were too scared?

 

[RooFlyer]

Or they were too scared?

The Chairman needn't have been scared, but he was the chief enabler!

 

[moa999]

The board members have a lot to answer for, they enabled Joyce.

Joyce was the perfect CEO for the Board. Short, Irish and Out - he was always going to cop the blame and protect the Board.

Compare Qantas and Virgin in 2008.. Qantas was frankly bloated and had a much higher cost base than Virgin, Jetstar was still tiny.. Joyce got the Qantas job, Borghetti a little later went to Virgin.
Joyce undoubtedly had the tougher job and needed to cut costs.

Which airline entered administration and which has a share price 4x what is was when Joyce became CEO.

 

[CaptJCool]

Joyce was the perfect CEO for the Board. Short, Irish and Out - he was always going to cop the blame and protect the Board.

Compare Qantas and Virgin in 2008.. Qantas was frankly bloated and had a much higher cost base than Virgin, Jetstar was still tiny.. Joyce got the Qantas job, Borghetti a little later went to Virgin.
Joyce undoubtedly had the tougher job and needed to cut costs.

Which airline entered administration and which has a share price 4x what is was when Joyce became CEO.

Forgot to mention tip.

Joyce was CEO Jetstar before QF
THEY made profits cause the costs were carried by QFi

It’s easy to look good when someone else is paying for your costs

Same job same pay is a result of QF amongst others having 8 different wage rates for the same job !
Thai and Indo JQ flight crew paid A$2.15-2.30 per hour

 

[jase05]

Same job same pay is a result of QF amongst others having 8 different wage rates for the same job !

This still goes on in my industry and businesses have just found different ways to get around it

 

[Brissy1]

Joe Aston, in his Rampart column today, summed it up (paid subscription - but you might get a few paras

Alan Joyce is back!

The former Qantas CEO has shared his truth: he's sorta sorry in hindsight.

www.rampart.news

View attachment 516533

It goes on, quite a lot - one of the most withering take-downs I think I've read.

And this good bit...

Overington started by asking Joyce why he'd brought a PR minder to sit in on their conversation. "Have you ever interviewed a CEO?" came his retort.
Overington has interviewed US presidents, and her reporting of AWB's oil-for-wheat kickbacks triggered the Cole royal commission. She politely reminded Joyce he isn't a CEO, but an unemployable private citizen.
It only got worse from there