Passed 'use-by' Date

[Paraport]

I am a new member to the forum and was very impressed to get a prompt response to my query concerning 'CIP'...thank you 'oz mark!
Loyalty seems to be a nebulous concept nowadays. Since the early 1960's I have been an enthusiastic supporter of QANTAS and its predecessors on the domestic front, TAA and Australian. Indeed, during James Strong's tenure as CEO in the late 1980's I was so impressed with the style and service ethic of a particular 'hostie' I sought her out to be the 'keynote' speaker at our organization's annual conference.She was an unqualified success and to my mind embodied the 'service-oriented' culture Strong's leadership engendered. I suspect that after this my record must have been notated as I was frequently recognised and well looked after.
On my retirement I took the opportunity to purchase a Life QANTAS Club membership fully aware that my flying miles would reduce to the status of what is known on this forum as 'NB'! My wife and I have flown around Australia several times over the past few years mostly courtesy of FF points. We flew to England for the Ashes and last year were back in Europe for an extended stay in France. We are planning a trip to Europe late next year.
The point of all this is that we will probably not fly QANTAS. It is so disappointing that the level of service has diminished to such an extent over the past few years. Cabin staff appear to be simply going through the motions. Plates are not cleared for an inordinate amount of time and the TV usually reflects the overall attitude of working only intermittently. The cramped seating does little for ageing joints.
In short, I don't feel cared about anymore. I have passed my 'use-by' date.
Qantas leadership should return to the days where the customer (passenger) was everything rather than the almost indecent rush they have been in to sell off one of Australia's greatest marketing opportunities.

 

[serfty]

... The point of all this is that we will probably not fly QANTAS. It is so disappointing that the level of service has diminished to such an extent over the past few years. Cabin staff appear to be simply going through the motions. Plates are not cleared for an inordinate amount of time and the TV usually reflects the overall attitude of working only intermittently. The cramped seating does little for ageing joints.
In short, I don't feel cared about anymore. I have passed my 'use-by' date. ...

Hi Paraport, it's not really that you have passed you 'use-by' date, it's an overall deterioration in Qantas service levels.

Back in the 60's, 70's, 80's & even the early 90's the ability to provide superior service was bolstered by the gobs of revenue being generated by the 'two airlines policy'.

In 1985 a 21 dayadvance purchase 'super-apex' MEL-SYD return was $208 (I still have the ticket stub).

Today, with Qantas it's from $262; with JQ it's $138.

For myself, certainly if booking a Major international award trip, I would avoid Qantas.

 

[NYCguy]

Interesting how the observations in this thread contrast to those noted in the thread about the new QF Flounges...

If you spend big bikkies, you get a superior experience.

If you buy cheap steerage tickets, the airline couldn't give a rats'...

 

[JohnK]

....it's an overall deterioration in Qantas service levels.

Back in the 60's, 70's, 80's & even the early 90's the ability to provide superior service was bolstered by the gobs of revenue being generated by the 'two airlines policy'.

To be fair to Qantas, and I am not defending Qantas here, customer service ceased in all industries in the early 90's.

Why should Qantas be any different?

 

[Reggie]

customer service ceased in all industries in the early 90's.

Why should Qantas be any different?

I think Ralph Fiennes may disagree with you on this one JohnK.:mrgreen: