But are you flying with Qantas now?
That's my point. And to use your analogy - it would be like seeing car crashes every day and assuming that one should not drive a car.
And of the two major airline groups in Australia - the other lost its entire long haul operation and widebody fleet, and its LCC.
You have to look at the whole picture, not just want you read on twitter, or even AFF. Nothing is ever binary or universal.
It's like they say - never invest in an airline. It's a challenging industry.
I'll state the caveat - covid has changed things, I don't fly as much as before.
I also want to make the observation that it's probably pretty binary to say that people who are unhappy about Qantas service should just stop flying with them. Why can't someone who pays a premium fare not complain when the premium is not provided? Why do they just have to stop flying with the airline?
My recent experiences have been
Virgin business: April 2022, Sept 2021, Dec 2021
Qantas business: March 2022, Sept 2021
Qantas economy: March 22, Dec 21
So my Sept, Dec trips were a mix of virgin and qantas. March was qantas because of rubbish virgin schedule to Canberra. April all Virgin.
As I said, I've found the virgin business meals to be better (subjectively). Not fine dining, but good quality. Going back to check myself - I haven't even bothered to photograph a qantas business meal.
The March Qantas business flight, I couldn't get a wine top up at about 5 minutes before descent started, because "we're about to land". April, Virgin, during descent - no problems here is a paper cup. They managed to cover service and safety...
Qantas economy meal - about the standard hot quiche in a box for breakfast.
The April flights were at easter, when many here reported missing luggage for their easter weekend away. Strangely Virgin managed to load my luggage on the plane.
The elephant in the room is price. Virgin is heaps cheaper. I'm getting virgin business for less than Qantas flex! July flights last night virgin business @$290 (using my business account) Qantas wanted $1200 at a comparable departure time, or $800 90 minutes earlier.
So yes, I'm going to keep flying both airlines based on the best for me. Yes, I'm going to be annoyed if one airline demands a significant price premium and provides an inferior service. Yes, I may even mention those gripes sometimes.