Qantas goes low octane on WA flights

[bambbbam2]

From
Qantas goes low octane on WA flights - The West Australian

Qantas has banned spirits and full-strength beer on all its flights within WA because of the drunken behaviour of resource industry workers.


The airline withdrew spirits from its flights across the country, except in WA and Mt Isa, last year because of slow demand and added more premium beer selections.


However, after repeated problems with drunken passengers and with the support of the airline's key resource company accounts, Qantas decided to act, effective this week.


According to industry insiders, the worst flights were from Karratha, Port Hedland and Kalgoorlie, although the ban also applies to Broome, Paraburdoo and Newman.

 

[Mal]

Meh, methinks it's all about cutting service on flights (thus saving money), not preventing a drunken bogan from being their usual tacky self.

Are they doing the same restrictions in departure terminals? Qantas Clubs?

Shouldn't RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) training for staff help prevent these issues - and how much can you drink on a 1-2 hour flight?

 

[haydensydney]

Qantas has banned spirits and full-strength beer on all its flights within WA because of the drunken behaviour of resource industry workers

Spewing. If I was a "industry worker" I would be outraged. The thought of drinking a low % beer makes me cringe, especially if I had been working 14 hour days on a 12 day rotation in a dry environment.

Getting pissed on planes is not a new thing, let alone for our industry bois. Although, this is probably a good opportunity for DJ to get the edge on stingy QF.

 

[oz_mark]

If there is an onging problem with staff abuse happening, then as an employer, Qantas has an obligation to provide its staff with a safe working environment. Reading the article it does seem as though they have been working through this problem with the unions and their key resource contracts.

Given that these contracts with the mining industry are quite lucrative money spinners, I doubt that it would be a decision taken lightly. Blaming it on cost cutting seems to be a superficial take on the situation.

 

[Mal]

Blaming it on cost cutting seems to be a superficial take on the situation.

I disagree.

One of the following seems to be happening:
Passengers are drunk before boarding, and cause problems.
Passengers are nearly drunk before boarding, are served more alcohol and cause problems.
Passengers are served drinks in-flight to the extent that they become drunk and cause problems.
Passengers bring their own alcohol onto the plane and consume it.

Each of these should be addressed by the various laws available. Drunk before flight? No boarding. Asking for more alcohol after boarding while nearly drunk? RSA. RSA should also prevent people getting drunk on a plane. No personal alcohol to be consumed onboard etc.

Then again, I've seen what some AFF'ers can drink (me included ) and wonder if we should apply the same stuff to ourselves!

 

[docjames]

Agree with Oz_Mark.

Staff have a right not to feel threatened. I dont get the feeling it's a cost move, it's a safety move.

RSA should also happen inthe qantas lounge, airport bars and wherever.

If the pax is visibly drunk, they should be denied boarding. So that has to happen in conjunction with alcohol restriction on board.

 

[oz_mark]

Each of these should be addressed by the various laws available. Drunk before flight? No boarding. Asking for more alcohol after boarding while nearly drunk? RSA. RSA should also prevent people getting drunk on a plane.

RSA only goes so far. Doesn't stop someone getting a drink on your behalf.

 

[Flashback]

Meh, methinks it's all about cutting service on flights (thus saving money), not preventing a drunken bogan from being their usual tacky self.

Are they doing the same restrictions in departure terminals? Qantas Clubs?

Shouldn't RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) training for staff help prevent these issues - and how much can you drink on a 1-2 hour flight?

The QP has already had a reduction in spirits, which a lot of them can now only be had in the J lounge. That being said, I neglected to see what it was like at PER last week as there is only a QP (at this stage).

I was able to get my scotch and dry.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I agree with QF. I have been doing FIFO here in WA for the past 4 years and some of those guys getting on the planes are already half tanked. Ontop of that, l would say that 80% of them are a bunch of PIGS. I know that this might sound rude, but it's the truth.

Have you seen the way they dress and eat in the dry mess on site?? Half can't eat properly, ie, knife and fork, and the other half are even worse, totally useless. l'm surprised how these mines even manage to operate without a greater degree of major incidents.
And to rub salt into the wounds, alot of them are on over 100k p.a. + work 8 on, 6 off.

 

[Flashback]

I agree with QF. I have been doing FIFO here in WA for the past 4 years and some of those guys getting on the planes are already half tanked. Ontop of that, l would say that 80% of them are a bunch of PIGS. I know that this might sound rude, but it's the truth.

Have you seen the way they dress and eat in the dry mess on site?? Half can't eat properly, ie, knife and fork, and the other half are even worse, totally useless. l'm surprised how these mines even manage to operate without a greater degree of major incidents.
And to rub salt into the wounds, alot of them are on over 100k p.a. + work 8 on, 6 off.

Interesting. Having done a lot of work up in various areas of the Pilbara also; I've not found that to be the case.

I do find what you said to line up exactly with what people view as being steretypical however, but IME have not seen much of that to be true.

 

[Danger]

I fully agree with Qantas's decision. There's too much alcohol abuse in many areas of the community these days. I do feel for those who behave appropriately, though. As has been noted a lot of the problems stem from the Qantas Club (and, as an aside, time for a minimum standard of dress, I say) so serving alcohol on the flights is just one part of the problem.

 

[Flashback]

The only thing that makes me think it may not be a cost cutting measure, is that all drinks are actually charged for on the intra-WA flights; even going up to BME. So they're making money, rather than losing...

 

[Skoogle]

I fully agree with Qantas's decision. There's too much alcohol abuse in many areas of the community these days. I do feel for those who behave appropriately, though. As has been noted a lot of the problems stem from the Qantas Club (and, as an aside, time for a minimum standard of dress, I say) so serving alcohol on the flights is just one part of the problem.

I don't think Qantas should be making personal reponsibility judgements.

We have RSA and the law, that should be it - not some management types personal values.

 

[chrisb]

Getting pissed on planes is not a new thing, let alone for our industry bois. Although, this is probably a good opportunity for DJ to get the edge on stingy QF.

I doubt it. I assume most of these guys are flying on company paid tickets and I doubt the company will care that you can't get full strength beer when it comes to choosing which airline gets their business.

 

[oz_mark]

Getting pissed on planes is not a new thing, let alone for our industry bois. Although, this is probably a good opportunity for DJ to get the edge on stingy QF.

What is stingy about it? Selling cans of beer at $5 a pop is probably a good money spinner for them.

 

[haydensydney]

What is stingy about it? Selling cans of beer at $5 a pop is probably a good money spinner for them.

Ah sorry - thought that they were still gratis in Y.... my bad

 

[oz_mark]

Ah sorry - thought that they were still gratis in Y.... my bad

IME its just the afternoon citiflyer services where there is free beer.

More concerning is the monitoring of behaviour on the Perth->East Coast flight, and what this may mean Mind you, I do go for the wine rather than the beer.

Maybe they could put them all on charter flights, most of which are dry flights!

 

[yo yo ma]

Miners force spirits off WA intrastate flights

SPIRITS and full strength beer have been banned on intrastate Qantas flights in Western Australia because drunken mine workers have become too unruly.

New alcohol serving rules came into effect on October 26, removing full strength beer and spirits from offer on all flights within the state.

Miners force beer, spirits off Qantas | The Daily Telegraph

 

[Flashback]

Ah sorry - thought that they were still gratis in Y.... my bad

They are, but not on Qantaslink in WA regardless of time of day (IME).

 

[samh004]

Does this even apply in J, I'd expect a reduction in fare if I was flying in J and couldn't have a glass of red with my meal!

Or do these flights not have a J cabin?