Falling out of love?

[Denali]

I see the VA website is currently down for "scheduled maintenance"...... at 3.30pmEST

And I was pricing up flights today, I can buy 2 x J Air NZ flights (772 flat bed) instead of the "premium" VA seats (which are really Y with a shadow) for approx $200 more. Why would I fly VA? I'll put a $200 value on my comfort and a better meal, even if its only a 3.5hr flight.

Struggling today to maintain the love.

 

[bass_ke]

Both NZ and DL are giving me much more joy than VA at the moment

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I see the VA website is currently down for "scheduled maintenance"...... at 3.30pmEST

I'm not so sure about "scheduled maintenance". About the same time as you, I was booking a flight and the spiel I got on screen was "We are experiencing technical difficulties, click here for an alternate booking engine" (or text to that effect).

When I clicked the alternate, it took me to the mobile booking engine (a bit of a spinout when it's on a big screen). I'm not nearly as familiar with this and when it came time to enter FF details there was a yes/no button which I assumed I had to press yes to indicate a VFF account (my daughters) despite me already entering her Velocity number. Without notice or warning it created a whole new Velocity account for her, which I only noticed because I saw in the confirmation, an unfamiliar VFF number. Admittedly, this was my error and luckily, the Plat GCC sorted it out for me despite her being red. As I've said before, I really hope VA and VFF realise their best assets are their suffering staff, who do indeed work wonders on a daily basis.

Again, congratulations to the GCC staff (and the lounge staff) for an excellent effort with a sub-excellent computer system (platform or whatever computer geeks call it), I for one, would be lost from time to time without your help!

 

[dfcatch]

I really am becoming more disappointed with every flight.

It saddens me because I've been trying to make VA my domestic airline of choice and have moved a lot of business across to them.

But the staff don't care, and this is at the same time as QF are lifting their game. 9/10 QF flights recently I'm being made to feel like a valued customer.

VA - almost never.

Another flight with crew bags taking up valuable overhead space in row 3, Flexi meals have now been enhanced (or at least were on my flight yesterday).

Definitely not worth the fare.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Another flight with crew bags taking up valuable overhead space in row 3, Flexi meals have now been enhanced (or at least were on my flight yesterday).

Crew luggage is definitely a problem (and it wouldn't be if they policed the hand luggage limits) and flexi meals were "enhanced" some time ago now however I'd attribute that more as management not caring rather than crew not caring.

What I have noticed over a number of flights recently, is the crew trying desperately hard to welcome each and every guest by name. Am I the only one noticing this, or have others noticed it too?

 

[ap_spd]

What I have noticed over a number of flights recently, is the crew trying desperately hard to welcome each and every guest by name. Am I the only one noticing this, or have others noticed it too?

Hi swanning_it, the crew I have traveled with welcome me by name if they see the status, if my wife's BP is on top (no status), there is no name while welcoming you on board..

 

[pythonisman]

Another flight with crew bags taking up valuable overhead space in row 3

I've seen this countless times, and it frustrates the **** out of me. Between the crew and the bitter WPs who didn't get row 3 who leave their bags there and then sit in 4/5/6 I almost always struggle to find space above row 3 (and I don't remember the last flight I wasn't in row 3).

</plane rage>

 

[jackthomas]

Hi swanning_it, the crew I have traveled with welcome me by name if they see the status, if my wife's BP is on top (no status), there is no name while welcoming you on board..

I have the same experience, I am always welcomed aboard by name usually "Welcome Back Mr....." yet, while travelling with family or friends with no status, they just get their directions and a hello.

 

[toowongman]

I have the same experience, I am always welcomed aboard by name usually "Welcome Back Mr....." yet, while travelling with family or friends with no status, they just get their directions and a hello.

Yes. If the FAs are following procedure (!) - they have a different welcome script for each FF level.

 

[ap_spd]

Hi toowongman, I agree that FA's will have different level to welcome people on board, but then again as WP you expect that when your BP is read by the FA even if it is second BP of the lot you get the Welcome back Mr... greeting..

 

[toowongman]

Hi toowongman, I agree that FA's will have different level to welcome people on board, but then again as WP you expect that when your BP is read by the FA even if it is second BP of the lot you get the Welcome back Mr... greeting..

True, but I wouldn't waste any energy getting hung up over it.

 

[ap_spd]

I agree with that toowongman, I have very low expectations of all carriers, a lounge where I can get space to sit [and some free food and wi-fi], some additional luggage and being heard slightly better than the remaining pax and yeah, have the FA's smile and talk politely when they see the status

but that is it.... anything more would require me to travel first / business.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

I actually find that I used to get more personal greetings when I had no status usually boarding from the back of the plane. Now being one of the first to board I rarely ever get a greeting along lines of welcome back Mr.... I'm not sure if it is my age (very early 20s) or just FAs that don't really care too much about status but a personal greeting would be a pleasant start to a flight and make you feel a little more special than the average customer.

I have multiple SQ flights in whY coming up and would never consider another airline based on the personal greeting received on every flight, FAs eager to hang up my jacket and suit and the unwavering politeness and friendliness of all FAs.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I actually find that I used to get more personal greetings when I had no status usually boarding from the back of the plane. Now being one of the first to board I rarely ever get a greeting along lines of welcome back Mr.... I'm not sure if it is my age (very early 20s) or just FAs that don't really care too much about status but a personal greeting would be a pleasant start to a flight and make you feel a little more special than the average customer.

I have multiple SQ flights in whY coming up and would never consider another airline based on the personal greeting received on every flight, FAs eager to hang up my jacket and suit and the unwavering politeness and friendliness of all FAs.

One thing I noticed on boarding a VA BNE/MEL flight a few months ago was that the male VA ground staff member (we had an all female cabin crew) addressed pax by their first names which isn't a big deal to me but does sound weird compared to flying QF who greet you by your salutation (ie Mr/Ms) followed by your last name.

Maybe it's just a ground staff/contractor thing and the actual VA F/A's address pax by name. Kind of reminds me of a teacher talking to a student.

 

[bullerdude]

I've also noticed that the personal greeting as made a reappearance for business class and status passengers.

Well i've already been a little underwhelmed recently with my economy class flights and the limited food in the lounge, but I do have to say that I was quite happy with my business class flight today.

 

[Grimace1]

Went to book a flight using points just now and can't! I can't seem to remember seeing any notice on the Velocity Website regarding this "Scheduled Maintenance"

We are currently undertaking scheduled system maintenance, during this time, some of our usual services will not be available.

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Scheduled-maintenance/index.html


Oh well, I'll book tomorrow night now.

 

[JohnK]

What I have noticed over a number of flights recently, is the crew trying desperately hard to welcome each and every guest by name. Am I the only one noticing this, or have others noticed it too?

Does that really matter if they get this right and get everything else wrong?

It must be just me.

Last weeks flight on VA I wanted to go to the toilet. So I get up from Row 13 and notice cart is still in aisle. I patiently wait behind the cart for ~5-10 minutes. On more than one occasion I received a growl from the FA. I did not bother listening to what she had to say. Something about going into descent shortly.

"I would like to go to the toilet". It is not my problem they are totally inefficient in providing the snack service. What do you think would have happened if I tried to use the toilet at the front past the non-existant business class passengers?

They really need to learn some manners and how to treat customers. You know what they say about the little that matter the most?

 

[medhead]

Trying hard to welcome people getting on the aircraft is one thing. The more interesting thing is they totally ignore status for the rest of the flight.

Still, at least it's consistent.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Does that really matter if they get this right and get everything else wrong?

I'm not defending VA but what's the answer? Airlines do use narrow body aircraft and meal carts. I've often noticed people waiting for the cart to move, but to where? The meal service (both words used very loosely) would be even more inefficient. I have also witnessed the flight crew telling people to use the J toilet and I think most here find that a bit iffy!

Trying hard to welcome people getting on the aircraft is one thing. The more interesting thing is they totally ignore status for the rest of the flight.

Seems to me that's a management issue. Staff have to deal with a lot of cough from pax, but they shouldn't have to from management as well. A lot of the angst against staff is a result of management failures and it will have a flow on effect. Remember how great the staff were when VA first started the game change plan? Management were succeeding and the staff responded in kind.....now management is failing with the most basic of issues and staff are responding in kind. The attitude now displayed is a symptom of the root cause IMHO.

 

[JohnK]

You

I'm not defending VA but what's the answer? Airlines do use narrow body aircraft and meal carts. I've often noticed people waiting for the cart to move, but to where? The meal service (both words used very loosely) would be even more inefficient. I have also witnessed the flight crew telling people to use the J toilet and I think most here find that a bit iffy!

Don't growl or snap at the customers because you're not enjoying your job.

I am not a child. I was patiently waiting for them to finish the snack service.