Qantas CL approached by VA

[markis10]

Well we don't know if AustBT have used this story as it's sole source do we... I would imagine that the AustBT crew would have quite a network who can confirm or deny such rumours "off the record". Remember that heaps of stories start off as rumours... I don't believe that AustBT's editorial integrity should be put into question.

Considering nothing has been confirmed and I would not expect it to be, I find you faith in such a network somewhat laughable, the same word I use in place of accuracy when it comes to the "press" whether they employ professional journalists or just casual contributors as it does not seem to make too much difference IMHO.

From a regulatory standpoint, even "off the record" confirmations would breach ASX disclosure laws, a risk I don't think to many employees would be prepared to take.

 

[jono88888]

you can imagine the FIFO bill for someone like Twiggy Forrest's company, or even the board of westfarmers!

I all for folks like this switching to VA and taking their corporate spend with them. Anything that might help reduce the scrum for seats at PER QC has to be applauded.

 

[maninblack]

Hey everyone. As a CL most of my travel is Qantas and Oneworld centric. However, I have given VA a try. As some background, when the status match occured I had just become a CL. When I sent in the email they noticed on the card that I was a CL. At the time they had no CL program and matched me as a WP. Now I have just received a call from a leading PR woman at VA who has invited me to participate in a program that they are readying to launch (currently code named "Invite+"). I will keep you all posted.what are your opinions?

I believe that the secret project is to invite CL's to do menial tasks like run the new shoe shine stand at The Lounge.

 

[markis10]

I believe that the secret project is to invite CL's to do menial tasks like run the new shoe shine stand at The Lounge.

A shoe shine stand, has that been confirmed, might have to buy some shoes!

 

[maninblack]

I think the concept is loosely based on the TV show 'The Rebel Billionaire' starring you know who. In this case Qantas CL's will be humiliated by VA elites and forced to perform degrading tasks.

 

[haydensydney]

Considering nothing has been confirmed and I would not expect it to be, I find you faith in such a network somewhat laughable, the same word I use in place of accuracy when it comes to the "press" whether they employ professional journalists or just casual contributors as it does not seem to make too much difference IMHO.

Oh come on Mark. Are you therefore saying that AFF is the "source of truth for all rumours" and there is no possibility that AustBT could have obtained this information elsewhere? Do you think it's possible that Velocity called other HNW customers who may not use these forums? Could David Flynn infact be one of those HNW individuals? (I don't know him so don't really know). Further, could Velocity be staging a incognito rumour mill marketing campaign in social forums? Perhaps - but it's all conjecture and we don't really know.

I find the blind assumption that AustBT has used this thread as a basis for a story as merely clutching at straws (and a convenient excuse to slam AustBT I suspect).

But thinking it about it more, who cares if AustBT use this thread as a story anyway? It's not proprietry information, under copywright or so secret that all readers must sign NDA's.

 

[markis10]

Oh come on Mark. Are you therefore saying that AFF is the "source of truth for all rumours" and there is no possibility that AustBT could have obtained this information elsewhere? ....But thinking it about it more, who cares if AustBT use this thread as a story anyway? It's not proprietry information, under copywright or so secret that all readers must sign NDA's.

I am not saying anything other than finding your comments about a source checking network laughable and to a certain extent somewhat naive in the context that they were made on this subject. Crediting a source when its AFF is hardly a sin thats unique to one organisation local or overseas, as a few trip report writers will attest, that does not make it right!

On AFF travel news requires a credit or source and limited copy can be posted, naturally its also timestamped and edits clearly shown. Given AFF is a community I also think its naive for anyone to say its the source of ALL information be it truthfull or otherwise, but it does tend to be mostly accurate even if some peer review is required to get to that stage , and as shown by numerous references to other forums, its hardly complete in its scope!

 

[SteveJohnson]

From a regulatory standpoint, even "off the record" confirmations would breach ASX disclosure laws, a risk I don't think to many employees would be prepared to take.

Sorry but you're wrong there Mark, my brother is a journalist and he gets 'off the record' briefings all the time from companies that are a lot bigger than Virgin Australia. Even Apple does 'off the record' briefings to selected journalists for the new iPhone and iPad. A company doing an 'off the record' briefing has nothing to do with breaching ASX disclosure laws.

 

[lovestotravel]

Sorry but you're wrong there Mark, my brother is a journalist and he gets 'off the record' briefings all the time from companies that are a lot bigger than Virgin Australia. Even Apple does 'off the record' briefings to selected journalists for the new iPhone and iPad. A company doing an 'off the record' briefing has nothing to do with breaching ASX disclosure laws.

"off the record" - Must be like telling a police officer something off the record yes ?

If it's "off the record" it's rubbish and has no facts

 

[SteveJohnson]

If it's "off the record" it's rubbish and has no facts

Don't be silly, 'off the record' briefings happen all the time, or are you an 'expert' in the media who knows better than my brother who is a journalist with a major newspaper?

 

[markis10]

Sorry but you're wrong there Mark, my brother is a journalist and he gets 'off the record' briefings all the time from companies that are a lot bigger than Virgin Australia. Even Apple does 'off the record' briefings to selected journalists for the new iPhone and iPad. A company doing an 'off the record' briefing has nothing to do with breaching ASX disclosure laws.

Probably explains why some people always buy stock at the right moment, having worked for a large multinational in the past I have done anti trust training and I can assure you there were no off the record comments made by staff at my office that I am aware of, no one wanted to risk a large fine or impact our quarterly revenue of USD$6B, it was a company a little larger than DJ

Its certainly interesting looking at the timeline on google of stories regarding Virgins move, the first of which was broken by Damon Kitney of the Australian back on Feb 27!

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...e-for-corporates/story-e6frg95x-1226283284078

 

[lovestotravel]

Probably explains why some people always buy stock at the right moment, having worked for a large multinational in the past I have done anti trust training and I can assure you there were no off the record comments made by staff at my office that I am aware of, no one wanted to risk a large fine or implact our quarterly revenue of USD$6B, it was a company a little larger than DJ

Correct

As I said before saying anything "off the record" is a fantasy!

 

[lovestotravel]

Don't be silly, 'off the record' briefings happen all the time

Rubbish! !!

 

[drron]

Don't be silly, 'off the record' briefings happen all the time, or are you an 'expert' in the media who knows better than my brother who is a journalist with a major newspaper?

Not sure that you are right all the time.In the mid 70's if a certain major newspaper had an article quoting a medical spokesman or a health expert it was yours truly-the AMA would not talk to them.I have to say a lot of that content was a little dubious.

 

[samh004]

I find the blind assumption that AustBT has used this thread as a basis for a story as merely clutching at straws (and a convenient excuse to slam AustBT I suspect).

But thinking it about it more, who cares if AustBT use this thread as a story anyway? It's not proprietry information, under copywright or so secret that all readers must sign NDA's.

I’d give it more weight than anything else, but I don’t have anything against AusBT, I just recall a few early practices on AFF that lead to the spat.

But as you say, it’s an open and free forum, and no one is compelled to attribute this as their source, certainly it might make the story look less plausible. However I think what ruffles feathers is when the story breaks here, and then later someone posts a new thread linking to the AusBT story as if it was breaking there, despite the facts in that story linking back to here.

If I were to discover something big, post it on AFF, have the discussion, the dissection, and then later on someone started a new thread on the same subject, linking to an article that rehashed what I said (and I’m talking about something you know is copied, not that someone else could have stumbled on by themselves), then I’d be a little miffed. I’m not saying that’s exactly what’s happened here, but it has before, so it’s got weight.

That being said, I see AusBT is being ripped off by another blog and they’re getting frustrated with that. The circle continues.

 

[SteveJohnson]

I don't want to start an argument with you 'lovestotravel' but I have first-hand knowledge on this because my brother is a journalist who has done many 'rounds' with a major Australian newspaper. What is your source of 'expertise' on this tpic which makes you better informed?

 

[markis10]

Getting back OT, I am surprised how much is known about the CL, I would have thought discretion was the word?

 

[lovestotravel]

I don't want to start an argument with you 'lovestotravel' but I have first-hand knowledge on this because my brother is a journalist who has done many 'rounds' with a major Australian newspaper. What is your source of 'expertise' on this tpic which makes you better informed?

You can keep using the " " around various words, but "off the record" is never off the record

 

[oz_mark]

I wonder what the programs real name will be....

 

[drron]

You can keep using the " " around various words, but "off the record" is never off the record

I agree with this 100%.Why give an "off the record" interview if you dont want the subject to be "on the record".Semantics maybe but still true.