Lunch with Lesley

[RooFlyer]

What an amusing thread!

So, let me get this straight.

You are all wetting yourselves with anticipation that you would "win" an audience with the CEO of "QANTAS loyalty" (an oxymoron if ever there was one...), to listen to spin and BS while they try to defend the indefensible.

QANTAS marketing must be rolling on the floor with laughter.

Carry on.

er ... not quite "all" . I too believe that, whilst it will be a nice lunch, with lots of good conversation back and forth, and even taking "the hard questions", its mainly an exercise in management / mollification of a number of AFFers who may lead future discussions here to the effect - " Well, we understand, because Lesley said to me ..."

Although Red Roo was gracious enough to encourage me to enter with some of my rather facetious questions here, I could not. I would feel limited in criticizing Qantas afterwards, as that would simply be bad form, having just enjoyed their hospitality.

Like I said up-thread, if Qantas Loyalty was really interested in hearing feedback on their changes, explaining them better, and taking on board constructive criticism, they wouldn't go to the cost of putting on a Rockpool Lunch for a few lucky selected ones who can be in Sydney on that day. They could simply ask for Questions / comments to be submitted to Red Roo, the best / most useful ones selected and Lesley would give thoughtful, reasoned answers on-line, where EVERYONE here can be informed.

Wouldn't they?

Anything more is just PR and if I went I would get a distinct feeling of being used.

I wonder if the Q&A will be transcribed and/or an audio file posted. If not, why not?

 

[Brettmcg]

Like I said up-thread, if Qantas Loyalty was really interested in hearing feedback on their changes, explaining them better, and taking on board constructive criticism, they wouldn't go to the cost of putting on a Rockpool Lunch for a few lucky selected ones who can be in Sydney on that day. They could simply ask for Questions / comments to be submitted to Red Roo, the best / most useful ones selected and Lesley would give thoughtful, reasoned answers on-line, where EVERYONE here can be informed.

IMHO the fact that they have a (team of) reps on here to monitor discussion and contribute where necessary suggests that they are certainly not averse to criticism and feedback. I don't see anywhere near the same level of interaction from reps of other airlines on devoted airline FF threads across this forum.

Also, I find the idea of recording/transcribing it quite silly to be honest. It's not as if it is some kind of EGM/AGM which needs to be minuted, rather it is an opportunity for informal, sometimes off the record, discussion about the announced changes and the program generally. If I am lucky enough to attend I certainly would not agree to be recorded or transcribed.

 

[wonky1]

Does Red Roo have 'Admin' status? One of us is able to make it but we can only send pm's to admins (due to post count)

 

[Flying mermaid]

pity - I have already booked accommodation in the exciting metropolis of Dubbo to go and visit Dr FM who is working there for a year. Am sure it will be a very interesting lunch - look forward to feedback on here.

 

[Shelf]

Does Red Roo have 'Admin' status? One of us is able to make it but we can only send pm's to admins (due to post count)

Not afaik.

 

[anat0l]

Also, I find the idea of recording/transcribing it quite silly to be honest. It's not as if it is some kind of EGM/AGM which needs to be minuted, rather it is an opportunity for informal, sometimes off the record, discussion about the announced changes and the program generally. If I am lucky enough to attend I certainly would not agree to be recorded or transcribed.

Most will report back on the pertinent or heavy touch points anyway, though I would have no problems being recorded or transcribed if able to go.

Does Red Roo have 'Admin' status? One of us is able to make it but we can only send pm's to admins (due to post count)

Red Roo is not an admin or moderator. Send it to one of the other moderators.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

Also, I find the idea of recording/transcribing it quite silly to be honest. It's not as if it is some kind of EGM/AGM which needs to be minuted, rather it is an opportunity for informal, sometimes off the record, discussion about the announced changes and the program generally. If I am lucky enough to attend I certainly would not agree to be recorded or transcribed.

So should it be viewed as an exclusive event, where attendees can be coddled and fussed over, with private chats and exclusive insights? Attendees will be made to feel really special, I bet.

Is it, I don't know, maybe 20 exclusive invitees who will attend? And no leakage of the exclusive insights passed on to the hoi polloi? Presumably they will have their noses pressed up against the window, maybe thrown a crumb or two, or told to eat cake?

Jeepers. If its that sort of crowd, I don't think I could keep my lunch down with the exclusive mutual admiration going on.

"What happens in Rockpool stays in Rockpool". Red Roo, tell us it ain't so

 

[wonky1]

Thanks Shelf and Ducky.

 

[Himeno]

Qantas are doing this to try and reduce the impact of what is a god awful decision ...

It does seem ... convenient that this lunch was announced after QF had been getting slammed all day over every available contact channel about the changes.


For people who have been to these things before, do they only answer questions which had been submitted beforehand, or do they answer anything asked on the day?
Have any decisions been changed/amended as a result of previous lunches?

 

[NM]

Does Red Roo have 'Admin' status? One of us is able to make it but we can only send pm's to admins (due to post count)

You can send a PM to any moderator or to Admin and we will happily forward it to Red Roo for you. I have already done this for another member.

 

[RooFlyer]

It does seem ... convenient that this lunch was announced after QF had been getting slammed all day over every available contact channel about the changes.


<snip>

I'm not sure how easy it is to get the Rockpool room / area where these lunches are held (even given the relationship between QF and NP). I suspect it was booked some time ago, as part of the post announcement marketing / customer management strategy! I've never said Qantas Loyalty are bad at their job (just QF's IT).

 

[anat0l]

For people who have been to these things before, do they only answer questions which had been submitted beforehand, or do they answer anything asked on the day?

Have any decisions been changed/amended as a result of previous lunches?

They answer both submitted questions as well as some answered on the day, whether as connected to a previous question or a totally new issue. There is both panel and individual face to face question time.

If the objective is to instigate a change or about face, you might as well not go. Even if 20-30 Qantas cynics who hate the new system like a cat hates mice are selected to go, I doubt Qantas will make a significant change in policy or process.

 

[kevrosmith]

send me a private message by 5pm AEST 2 April 2014 with the following:

Not trying to be clever, just clarifying for accuracy... by "AEST", and seeing you are based in Sydney, do you in fact mean "5pm AEDT"?

5pm AEST - meaning "Standard" time, not "Summer" time as sometimes people mistake - will be 6pm in Sydney on 2 April 2014.

Time | australia.gov.au

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm not sure how easy it is to get the Rockpool room / area where these lunches are held (even given the relationship between QF and NP). I suspect it was booked some time ago, as part of the post announcement marketing / customer management strategy! I've never said Qantas Loyalty are bad at their job (just QF's IT).

Lesley clearly used her new Platinum One benefit to book a room with 48 hours notice ;P

 

[Clivem]

Come on, screening the questions? Doesn't that take all the fun out?

Hey come on ....... as sure as night follows day ....any free lunch always comes at some cost ......

 

[Expectans Expectavi]

Regrettably can't attend because I'm on the cusp of a Paris points QR Business/EK First.

Previously, I was humbled to be invited to the Perth lounge extension soiree given my imagined fall from grace. The expected hard sales pitch seemed missing, however who wants another cash card?

I thought Lesley quite lovely and thought adverse comments about the refreshments quite unfair.

Please keep us all posted.

 

[JohnK]

So should it be viewed as an exclusive event, where attendees can be coddled and fussed over, with private chats and exclusive insights? Attendees will be made to feel really special, I bet.

It doesn't quite work that way.

I was given the opportunity to attend last year after someone else could not make it and I enjoyed the event. It is an opportunity to speak to Qantas Loyalty about any issues you may have with the program. I found the session very informative.

I have a few questions regarding loyalty which I would love the opportunity to ask.

 

[Simo]

Great opportunity.

Wish I could make it.

 

[RooFlyer]

It doesn't quite work that way.

I was given the opportunity to attend last year after someone else could not make it and I enjoyed the event. It is an opportunity to speak to Qantas Loyalty about any issues you may have with the program. I found the session very informative.

I have a few questions regarding loyalty which I would love the opportunity to ask.

I think you missed the nature of my post JohnK. I thought I laid it on with a trowel. The comment I quoted sets the context

I found the session very informative

The point I continue to make is that it should be more than an information event for attendees. The information given out by QF should be shared with, if not all QFF customers (as it prima facie affects all of them), then all on AFF.

I can't for the life of me figure out why any-one would have a problem with that - but its apparent some do. And its quite sad, but telling.

 

[Anna]

no leakage of the exclusive insights passed on to the hoi polloi?

Yes that's entirely correct. Based on experience of the previous Rockpool events, only those privileged few who read AFF or twitter or have access to youtube will be able to learn of the exclusive insights. The hoi polloi are completely excluded. /End sarcasm.

Have the guts to put in an application to go rather than jeering from the sidelines.