Peculiar observation on QF flight

[Kerrodt]

On Friday 2 November I flew QF from MEL to SYD. It was a peculiar flight as the crew seemed completely flustered and panicky the entire flight.

However, towards the end of the flight, after a very rushed meal service, the cabin crew started to shift bottles of wine from the business class galley back to a galley at the rear of the plane. There were about 3 crew doing this, carrying 2 or 3 bottles each, with each bottle wrapped in a white business class table napkins, as if it was some sort of disguise. In all, I think somewhere between 1 and 2 dozen bottles of wine were shifted. Anyone have any ideas what this was about?

 

[Ansett]

Very Strange perhaps aranging a Surprise party for some one?

 

[eastwest101]

Just a guess - but either wrong wines loaded, maybe a bad batch found or possibly the aircraft was going from a domestic service to international service or even a charter after landing in SYD? Just my obvious guesses.

 

[under the radar]

12 to 24 bottles of J/C wine seems to be an excessive amount to EVEN BE LOADED on a MEL/SYD flight :shock: ...which flight??

 

[codash1099]

Maybe rebalancing the weight of the plane :mrgreen:

 

[RWJ777]

3 explanations:1. Feared Prohibition in Sin City (Fred Nile's still in Legislative Council you know); 2. QF Staff Melbourne Cup party (in Sydney); or3. Good stuff being brought up from Melbourne for AJ to host welcome do in Sydney for Emirates execs en route to Melbourne for Cup as principal sponsors.

 

[Pleb Status]

Maybe the plane was running out of fuel and they needed the alcohol (more fuel?) to get to the destination..........

 

[Austman]

Loading 12 bottles for a (767) 30J? Mmmmm that's about Y class standards. 300ml per pax.

 

[Kerrodt]

12 to 24 bottles of J/C wine seems to be an excessive amount to EVEN BE LOADED on a MEL/SYD flight :shock: ...which flight??

The flight was QF490 departing MEL at 20:00.

Under The Radar - I think you have my point here - its an excessive amount of wine in all respects. And at the end of the flight. And none was offered to me as they rushed past

 

[under the radar]

The flight was QF490 departing MEL at 20:00.

And none was offered to me as they rushed past

how rude!! ...disclaimer..i'm NOT A QF 'MOLE'..but i WAS a QF hostie (in a recent past life!)..and i still love hearing about the weird n wonderful goings on in the airline industry :shock: ...and nothing shocks me now!!... it was truely a unique environment/workplace for me!!

 

[penegal]

12 to 24 bottles of J/C wine seems to be an excessive amount to EVEN BE LOADED on a MEL/SYD flight :shock: ...which flight??

Loading 12 bottles for a (767) 30J? Mmmmm that's about Y class standards. 300ml per pax.

You will be surprised how much wine they actually do normally carry... Just it is meant to be repeats of the same ~4 options (plus mini sparkling).

 

[JohnK]

So trying to be discreet but not quite discreet. Very peculiar....

 

[Robert Qld]

I can answer that! I was on the same flight. Y however (exit row at least)

There where several Y passengers who missed out on meals (from what little I heard there had been a miscalculation of required meals in combination of forward loading and some people who where forward loaded (who shouldn't of been guaranteed meals) got them in leau of pax those that had legitimately booked said flight. This all from the FAs who where offering the wine to effected PAX (yeah I was taking a sticky beak on the conversation!

The people effected where around the exit row/bulk head on the left side of the aircraft (my exit row seat was on the right side)

Frankly said meal in Y that night was pretty disapointing (spicy Thai chicken - nothing spicy about it at all) Side note - I am disapointed in only having chicken as an option as I personally dislike eating chicken I haven't prepared myself (especially reheated stuff) - I spent way to many years in the Chicken Industry and one major bout of food poisoning relating to a chicken rolll does that!) and I know for a fact there was at least one veggie meal floating around that hadn't been claimed by the original owner - the gentleman who sat next to me I think might of accidently booked it - it came to him and he knew nothing about it - of course it came to him AFTER that rest of the main meals had been served and he took the chicken.

I do agree it was a weird flight - messing up the food is not something I normally see.

I also recall the panic-y flight attendents - I know a couple where stressing about not having enough headphones prior to departing MEL (I figured they at least got that sorted out - though I do recall no headphone bin either before boarding) and I swear the FA announcing the arrival into SYD - her voice sounded really upset on the verge on panicing - which actually got me worried!

 

[penegal]

Thanks for posting Robert Qld, I was going to suggest that it may be as 'compensation' to passengers due to some 'service' issue.

They probably tried to be discrete to avoid jealousy, etc

 

[cmon0005]

There where several Y passengers who missed out on meals (from what little I heard there had been a miscalculation of required meals in combination of forward loading and some people who where forward loaded (who shouldn't of been guaranteed meals) got them in leau of pax those that had legitimately booked said flight. This all from the FAs who where offering the wine to effected PAX (yeah I was taking a sticky beak on the conversation!

Strange... I flew on QF490 in mid-october on a friday night, half the plane didn't get their meals (Caribbean chicken), they apologised at the end of the flight, using the excuse that they didn't have time to heat all the meals due to it being a 'short' flight (last time I checked MEL-SYD has decreased in time)
Luckily I was in front bulkhead and got my meal first, but from what I could see in the galley it was a lack of organisation and spending time chatting rather than getting the meals cooked (not all the staff just a few).
The passengers down the back were not impressed. It was an A330-200 service and approx 90% full.
I wonder if this is a regular occurance on QF490?

 

[Kerrodt]

I can answer that! I was on the same flight. Y however (exit row at least)

There where several Y passengers who missed out on meals (from what little I heard there had been a miscalculation of required meals in combination of forward loading and some people who where forward loaded (who shouldn't of been guaranteed meals) got them in leau of pax those that had legitimately booked said flight. This all from the FAs who where offering the wine to effected PAX (yeah I was taking a sticky beak on the conversation!

The people effected where around the exit row/bulk head on the left side of the aircraft (my exit row seat was on the right side)

Frankly said meal in Y that night was pretty disapointing (spicy Thai chicken - nothing spicy about it at all) Side note - I am disapointed in only having chicken as an option as I personally dislike eating chicken I haven't prepared myself (especially reheated stuff) - I spent way to many years in the Chicken Industry and one major bout of food poisoning relating to a chicken rolll does that!) and I know for a fact there was at least one veggie meal floating around that hadn't been claimed by the original owner - the gentleman who sat next to me I think might of accidently booked it - it came to him and he knew nothing about it - of course it came to him AFTER that rest of the main meals had been served and he took the chicken.

I do agree it was a weird flight - messing up the food is not something I normally see.

I also recall the panic-y flight attendents - I know a couple where stressing about not having enough headphones prior to departing MEL (I figured they at least got that sorted out - though I do recall no headphone bin either before boarding) and I swear the FA announcing the arrival into SYD - her voice sounded really upset on the verge on panicing - which actually got me worried!

I think you have hit the nail on the head. the recollection of the headphone saga was quite amusing to watch it unfold. FA1 thinks that the plane has run out of headphones; FA1 orders FA2 to take a bag out to the departure lounge to scoop up more headphones; FA3 finds more headphones onboard; FA1 and FA3 start to hand out headphones; FA2 returns from outside with a bag full of headphones. Suddenly, there are enough headphones for everyone to get 2 sets.

Yes, the FA was very nervy and fluffed her lines significantly with the arrival PA announcement.

I was sitting in row 25B or 26B in aisle seat but was not close enough to overhear the FA's creating their own crises.

 

[Sprucegoose]

as long as the P1's didn't miss out.......

 

[under the radar]

i'd hate to say it...but you nailed it 'cmon005'...poor organization/slackness due to even 1 crew member puts other crew 'out of whack'..and if it's more than 1, the 'good' crew are beating their heads against a brick wall trying to achieve the service in the allocated time...i hope you or others on this flight provide feedback to QF..
as a side note...ALL meals can be heated at the same time as there are sufficient ovens to do so..UNLESS 1 or more ovens where 'unserviceable' and couldnt be used (and can happen as an 'unserviceable' oven is NOT considered a 'no go' item for a flight..i've worked on the same aircraft over periods of weeks and the same oven still hasnt been fixed (that's a whole new can of worms)!! ...each oven can heat 48 Y/C meals..and takes 20-30mins to heat up those meals..which on a SYD/MEL sector doesnt leave enough time to heat/serve another lot of meals...just a thought!!
my apologies for the 'long winded' post

 

[cmon0005]

i'd hate to say it...but you nailed it 'cmon005'...poor organization/slackness due to even 1 crew member puts other crew 'out of whack'..

Also when the crew member came past with the food trolley she wasn't even looking at us and didn't even ask if we wanted a meal just gone one 'chucked' in front of me and it slid down the tray table (bulkhead row with armrest table on slight angle) the boiling hot foil try hit my hand and burnt a bit, luckily I have quick reflexes!

 

[under the radar]

Also when the crew member came past with the food trolley she wasn't even looking at us and didn't even ask if we wanted a meal just gone one 'chucked' in front of me and it slid down the tray table (bulkhead row with armrest table on slight angle) the boiling hot foil try hit my hand and burnt a bit, luckily I have quick reflexes!

sounds like a 'doozy' of a flight..on the positive side it was a short sector !!! "always look on the bright side of life......" just lightening the mood...it's friday!!!