Qantas Hackathon

[Red Roo]

Judging from my last call out for tech savvy AFF members, it seems there are many of you that share our passion for technology, innovation and improving the customer experience.

Here's another way you can get involved and make a difference in a meaningful way: Qantas Hackathon.

In conjunction with the Disruptor's Handbook, we're holding our inaugural Qantas Codeshare Hackathon. Aimed at aspiring and established developers to create apps, products and solutions that improve the lives of all travellers. Held over a weekend (30-31 May, 2015) at the Qantas Centre of Service Excellence, there are prizes for winners and an offer of Cadetship for students or grads.

If this doesn't sound like you, perhaps you may know someone else that's interested?

Note: Codeshare is a play on words (i.e. a nod to computer coding), not related to the airline meaning of codeshare (i.e. shared operations between airlines).

 

[pythonisman]

I'm technical but not a developer by any means. I'm sure some interesting stuff will come off the back of this. Interesting that it's being offered to externals - normally something that's run within an IT department.

The language on the website though --

"Over a weekend at the end of May at the Qantas Centre of Service Excellence, hackers will get access to flight data, customer data and more"

(my bolding)

Possibly could have worded that better!

 

[Red Roo]

The language on the website though --

(my bolding)

Possibly could have worded that better!

I'll let the team know.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Possibly could have worded that better!

I'm sure everyone involved will have to sign a NDA, with serious consequences for anyone who chooses to breach it.

Hmm... perhaps I can come in for the weekend and find out my own PCV?

 

[ajd]

Very exciting! As a software engineer I'd love to participate, but alas I'm not based in Sydney, and I've already got GovHack coming up in July. Will there be any public demos of the winning entries?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I had to google the definition of 'hackathon'... which in the context it is being used here is different from the criminal notion of 'hacking'.

Given the media attention over concerns hackers might be able to compromise the flight safety of aircraft, the prominent naming of the event seems confusing. I admit I initially saw the title and thought it was a way for QF to beef up its security by inviting people to hack their system (and discover security flaws).

Then we go on to read that our customer data may be given out to people with no association with Qantas. 'Customer data' could mean as little as 'there are 10 million FFers' or it could mean access to people's accounts.

 

[ajd]

'Customer data' could mean as little as 'there are 10 million FFers' or it could mean access to people's accounts.

I would assume that Qantas would be complying with all relevant privacy regulations and policies. In most data-based hackathons, you're dealing with aggregate or at least anonymised datasets - a lot of the fun data analysis is on the aggregate level anyway. It's possible Qantas may give participants access to an application programming interface which they can use to get an individual's account details if the person provides their FF#/surname/PIN, but they're almost definitely not going to have carte blanche access to any random FF account.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

'Customer data' could mean as little as 'there are 10 million FFers' or it could mean access to people's accounts.

Like similar events it may be real data but using fake names/addresses and no personally identifiable info.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Like similar events it may be real data but using fake names/addresses and no personally identifiable info.

appreciate that, but from a lay person perspective, some clarity might have been helpful! 'hacking' and 'giving out customer data' are not usually two concepts proactively bandied around by airlines.

 

[BD1959]

Very interesting.

No way on earth this would be considered at our place - our Global Risk and Legal Depts would be apoplectic!!

Regards,

BD

 

[dodgeyhack]

I had to google the definition of 'hackathon'... which in the context it is being used here is different from the criminal notion of 'hacking'.

Given the media attention over concerns hackers might be able to compromise the flight safety of aircraft, the prominent naming of the event seems confusing. I admit I initially saw the title and thought it was a way for QF to beef up its security by inviting people to hack their system (and discover security flaws).

Then we go on to read that our customer data may be given out to people with no association with Qantas. 'Customer data' could mean as little as 'there are 10 million FFers' or it could mean access to people's accounts.

Hacking has a much broader meaning than criminal activity. It's more akin to exploring and gaining understanding of a system so as to improve it.
Hacker (programmer subculture) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The criminal notion came later and unfortunately, thanks to the media, is what most people now associate hacking with.

It would definitely be concerning if Qantas were giving out legit customer data for this exercise, even with an NDA. But I'm sure they're not...

Very cool event though. I'm impressed.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

appreciate that, but from a lay person perspective, some clarity might have been helpful! 'hacking' and 'giving out customer data' are not usually two concepts proactively bandied around by airlines.

the event isnt aimed at average joe though. It's designed for young people with ideas and no real means or experience to execute them.

 

[samh004]

the event isnt aimed at average joe though. It's designed for young people with ideas and no real means or experience to execute them.

Will you be attending?

 

[russ]

Great! Hopefully some highschooler will be able to fix the QF website!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Hackaton, now, wow, what a term.
Well, I am not tech savvy, but there must be a way somehow of thwarting the real hackers out there, especially with fake QF Facebook accounts, and the like.
Must admit though, Facebook is not part of QF, but they seem to make it easy to set up fake QF sub websites on the Facebook page.
Best of luck to those of you who will go to this occasion, and be able to access some hallowed part of the QF building, will it be at 203 Coward St, Mascot?

 

[QPProletarian]

Surely someone could whip up a decent award search system without the ! on the long-haul/significant segment. "Your flight Sydney-London will be in economy".

Just scrape and re-skin the AA site

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Will you be attending?

I do code all my initial tech ideas myself so I know what's involved but $4k doesn't even register on my radar

 

[serfty]

Surely someone could whip up a decent award search system without the ! on the long-haul/significant segment. "Your flight Sydney-London will be in economy".
...

I am not sure Qantas want that - I am almost certain the continued retention of such is a commercial decision.

 

[BD1959]

I am not sure Qantas want that - I am almost certain the continued retention of such is a commercial decision.

Anyone else notice that OTAs now also seem to have "got in on the act" with Business Class searches returning Mixed Class Fares etc? ....

... Or is it just that I never looked too closely and have the "!" to thank for making me a more observant consumer ... ??

Regards,

BD

 

[Awesom Andy]

Or if someone could code in a filter for flight searches, I would be very happy. Option 1: Qantas metal only, Option 2: All Qantas Group flights (including Jetstar), Option 3: All flights (including partners codeshares), or something similar. Every now and then, I hear about pax (generally the non-frequent-flying type) making comments that they bought a Qantas ticket but somehow ended up on the plane of [insert airline name] and are not very happy about it.