- Joined
- Aug 30, 2003
- Posts
- 1,337
- Virgin
- Platinum
Not one staffer at check-in or gates in SYD and ADL this week when I took flights were wearing masks in the midst of this pandemic, (see my photo nearby) and when asked why, was told “the company says it is not compulsory for us”.
We were wearing masks, as of course anyone sensible right now does, in heavily populated public places. We are not mask naz_s either - I tend only to wear them in crowded places. Like in airports or on planes.
No Perspex barriers in place either of course, at any booth. OUTRAGEOUS. A TINY cost in the airline world.
The staffer at SYD telling me this, was in a booth under a huge Sydney airport overhead sign saying “Keep a safe 2 metre distance for others and if you cannot, you should wear a mask”. Pointed to this sign she sees all day, and she smiles sweetly.
Does Ms Hrdlicker and Team think Virgin staff are somehow immune from being carriers and transmitters?
Don’t they realise perception is EVERYTHING right now?
If mass media got hold of this, 1000s of folks would choose not to fly Virgin overnight. ‘’Jetstar are cheaper so why take a health risk and spend more money by doing it etc’’.
Cost to them near ZERO, to demand all front line staff wear masks. Any sane staffer would be doing it regardless of the guidelines, to protect their own health. Handling ID, documents and handling baggage all day.
ZERO attempt for any social distancing for any pax lining up to check in – same lines and same guide ropes as last year. Tiger#2 seem to be living in some cocoon apart from the rest of the country.
Tiger#2 are pretty much down for the count now, and if they are so indifferent to the health of passengers, they will have none soon.
Sat at gate for a half hour past sked departure point at SYD this week on a stifling hot day. No air conditioning on. I was in Row #3 and a woman came up to front and said the heat was unbearable for her, and she wanted to get off, and take a later flight.
Was alongside her and FA, and when FA heard she had checked bags (i.e. another half hour delay ahead to offload them) told her there was a “technical issue” with the external AC unit usually plugged in (i.e. Virgin did not want to pay for it to be employed more likely) and “it would be really cool and pleasant once plane pushed back, which will be any minute now.” Woman reluctantly sat down. Pushback still took another 5 -10 mins.
In-cabin staff on recent flights had marks on and off during flight - even there, no consistency. Most states are on the cusp on having banned, or will ban flights ex Sydney this week, due to new COVID outbreaks, and these lazy staffers do not wear masks when they stand a foot away from 100s of pax a day, handling their ID and baggage etc, and this CLUELESS company does not insist on them, or smarter still spend a small sum and erect Perspex shields at EVERY check-in desk.
This is one reason why well over 300,000 Americans have died from COVID (so far) - little regard for very simple safety issues on flights. And as far as I can see, even THEY are now more COVID aware than Virgin. Heaven forbid.
Tried to enter Sydney Virgin Lounge Wednesday afternoon (2 Platinums on same day Virgin flights) and was denied entry as “sorry, we are full - with social distancing we can only have X guests inside”. ANSWER - open up lower level, but hey when did logic ever occur in there. So COVID they use as a handy card WHEN it suits them. At least under 50% of SYD lounge is open - Adelaide was still barricaded by hoardings. In the busiest flight period of the year.
SHAME Virgin – 1 out of 10 for effort from me. You have had NINE MONTHS to get your act together on this.
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