QF to cut Sydney ground based check in staff after NZ contract finishes

[UP4014]

I'm not sure it is ever smart to have front line people representing your organisation not to be from your organisation. That's why some businesses have starting bringing call centres back into the fold.

But if you are going to outsource at least stick with someone in the same business, they will understand your problems better.

I think it's a dumb move by NZ.

matt

 

[markis10]

I wonder why Sydney is an issue as pointed out, could have sworn it was not long ago that staff were in short supply for checkin etc, of course that was before the machines......

 

[smit0847]

I don't really like to say it, but I will be blunt: contractor ground services suck. Hopelessly. Period.

To be almost brutally honest, if FFPs didn't exist (and further if premium classes and extra charges, e.g. exit rows, also didn't exist), contractor ground services actually do a pretty good job.


In one way, since most of NZ's services from SYD are merely Trans-Tasman, it's not an overly complicated matter. The FFP matter might be the most difficult part of the job, as also with Seats to Suit, but if NZ has a system about it then I'm sure even a child could do check-in, too. Besides, even if the FFP part is slightly stuffed up, I don't think it's a major failing.

In my experience, contracted services like Toll Dnata and Menzies take no prisoners when it comes to luggage. MH have been handled by a contracted service in BNE I for ages, and my mum has even been pinged for being 1 kg overweight on checked baggage. Yes, you can't break the rules as a passenger, and they are doing a job, but just saying that for those who may pack quite a bit with them.


To be fair, even check-in by another airline's staff is not necessarily good either, though my negative experiences with airline staff doing check-in for another airline are all overseas, not in Australia.

I agree. I've always found that 3rd party contractors don't care about the airline because they don't work for them. They don't get the really good benefits of those who work for the airline (like staff travel) so largely couldnt care less whether the airline succeeds or not. I believe there are limited opportunities for advancement within contractors roles so it's 'just a job' for many of them.

If I checked in people for 3 different airlines each day I doubt I would care about each of them either.

 

[lovestotravel]

TOLL are far cheaper, but their customer service I have found it pathetic

You get what you pay for

 

[anat0l]

I should also add that contracted ground services are additionally very c*ap when it comes to baggage services.

Airline staff doing baggage services for other airlines aren't excellent at this, but I find that contracted ground services are hopeless in this regard - most of them usually find an excuse not to help you, e.g. if you would like to lodge a damage report, they'll find a good reason to tell you that your damage isn't covered and the airline won't accept the claim.

I'm thankful on my part that I've rarely had baggage issues and have had to deal with contracted services (I can count such incidents on one hand), but still not good.

 

[Robert Qld]

NZ is really such a LCC these days. This shouldn't be surprising.

 

[lc_461]

Its common practice for ground handling to be outsourced away from an airlines base all around the world. QF is lucky in that they have critical mass to handle themselves in Australia - ie they have enough flights to warrant buying tugs/renting offices etc, so in this case it is obviously better for them to self handle. Contract work with NZ (and others) makes sense to 'fill in gaps' in the roster between QF flights. Away from base it doesn't make sense for airlines to self handle unless there are numerous flights per day.
I believe such examples of QF outsourcing are to Air NZ in AKL/CHC and to Menzies in LAX.

 

[markis10]

I believe such examples of QF outsourcing are to Air NZ in AKL/CHC and to Menzies in LAX.

And Aerocare in many regional centres in Australia.

 

[simongr]

Isnt the thread title a little misleading? At first glance you might think that they were cutting ground staff supporting QF check in which seems not to be the case.

 

[froggerADL]

Then again, the unions at QF representing these people continue to want huge pay increases, and they price themselves out of the market.......smart thinking unions.

Yes, those pesky unions wanting pay rises for their members are ruining everything. If only Australians would work for Thai wages all our problems would be solved. And the bosses would be able to double their multi-million dollar bonuses. Then we'd be a really great country. Bring back Workchoices now!