The QF Response to a pretty terrible flight attendant

[YQY]

As with all things "First" part of the premium experience is a "first class" checkin, which is done in a private, swanky area

I'm aware of the check in area within the Airports - was referring to the dedicated curb side check in...

In MEL, the Qantas First Class "Suite" actually has dedicated (?) curb side parking right outside an external door heading opening directly into the dedicated area. (Syd has no such, and the FIrst Class check-in area is 60 metres inside)

I assume munitialP was using the park there as well.

Thanks! I will check it out when i'm in MEL next time.

 

[ozimax]

Interesting thread this.

I recall vividly a flight LAX-SYD in March 2000. My wife and I boarded the plane, then waited 5 hours (yep, 5 hours straight) at the gate for a fuel problem to be rectified. We were served dinner straightaway, then the crew disappeared for 3-4 hours. We finally took off (via Fiji and NZ for re-fuelling purposes, but that's another story). We didn't eat again for 17 hours, on descent into Auckland.

My (35yo) wife had just been discharged from hospital and was not feeling the best, but after 17 hours with no food (and no toilets as they were full by the time we started descent into Nadi), she was about to expire.

Thankfully we boarded another plane at Auckland and had an uneventful trip to Sydney.

As to why we were not served food (or drinks), had toilets emptied, been allowed to disembark while at the LAX terminal etc, is anyone's guess. It was the flight from hell.

I wrote to James Strong personally (whom I once knew, as a former TN employee), and received a standard "sorry but these things happen" reply.

Qantas lost me a decade ago.

 

[JohnK]

Qantas lost me a decade ago.

Are you still flying Qantas?

This is a classic reason why Qantas customer care treats us this way. No matter how much we are stuffed around, no matter how much we complain, we keep going back to Qantas. Why would they try to rectify any service issues?

 

[ozimax]

Are you still flying Qantas?

This is a classic reason why Qantas customer care treats us this way. No matter how much we are stuffed around, no matter how much we complain, we keep going back to Qantas. Why would they try to rectify any service issues?

Yes, but only when convenient. Price dictates everything for me these days, and atm, QF fares are competitive on the CFS-SYD-AKL route.

Unfortunately in Australia, we have little competition in anything, hence we pay through the nose. What would we give for a Walmart or an Amazon or an Adorama here in Oz. I don't think it's ever going to happen because our market is too small.

 

[samh004]

Unfortunately in Australia, we have little competition in anything, hence we pay through the nose. What would we give for a Walmart or an Amazon or an Adorama here in Oz. I don't think it's ever going to happen because our market is too small.

I’m sure a big American franchise moved to Melbourne last year, can’t recall which one it is, but remember reading about it…

 

[Leumas]

I’m sure a big American franchise moved to Melbourne last year, can’t recall which one it is, but remember reading about it…

Costco

 

[serfty]

Costco - and the prices there are generally more expensive than for similar items in the USA Costco's.

It was an eye-opener the price differences I experienced in the USA during out recent trip. e.g.

26oz "Perrier" mineral water USD1.60
Polarized Sun Glasses USD10.
6 pack of Sam Adams USD7.

 

[ozimax]

Yeah, I buy most of my stuff in the USA, especially clothes and DVDs. Amazon is amazing with a no questions asked return policy and no restocking fee. Try that from Wow or Hardly Normal!

Quantity is everything in business. We just don't sell enough stuff in Oz to make it worthwhile for these bigger companies, even though import freight costs from Asia are no more (and sometimes less) than those to the USA.

 

[dajop]

Unfortunately in Australia, we have little competition in anything, hence we pay through the nose.

Generally yes - but with airlines I think we have it pretty good here. Our prices aren't that outlandish compared to US and for Y travel I think we do alright.

 

[ozimax]

Generally yes - but with airlines I think we have it pretty good here. Our prices aren't that outlandish compared to US and for Y travel I think we do alright.

Yes I agree with you on this, our fares are pretty fair (sorry about that chief!)

I think the point is though, why do we keep flying with QF when their customer service is usually poor? Because there's not much alternative.

 

[blueflamenco]

I didn't mention it to the CSM simply due to the fact that it would have consumed the rest of the flight. My opinion may be wrong, however I really don't think the CSM wants to have to worry about dealing with a difficult crew member in the middle of the night. That's why I assumed Qantas have a customer care department for. I wasn't aware that QF have inflight feedback forms, so in future I would probably change this approach.

Her attitude was poor to all of the passengers in the cabin. I noted that the lady infront of me was far from impressed as well, however I dare say 90% of people wouldn't bother following it up with customer care (after this experience, I won't bother again).



I don't really believe that stopping her and saying "look, will you go take 5 and improve your attitude" would have helped the situation at all. People who behave like this often do so in order to get a reaction from people, I dare say it would be feeding the fire. Regardless, I fail to see how it's my job to do so. We're not talking about K-Mart here, we're talking Qantas Intl Business.



If someone is not capeable of performing on both their good and bad days, then they don't belong in a job like this.

I wasn't suggesting approaching her to tell her to improve her attitude.. I don't believe that will get you anywhere as you said.

Well, maybe its just me but I would rather a cranky honest person over a fake one any day.

Was she attractive?

 

[mannej]

Was she attractive?

What does that have to do with the OP and his bad flight experience?

 

[purplegez]

Was she attractive?

What has that got to do with anything, for goodness sake.

 

[drron]

What has that got to do with anything, for goodness sake.

Well I must admit i first read the title of the thread as-

The QF Response to a pretty terrible flight attendant

 

[SQ1]

My concern is, what exactly does a staff member have to do before Qantas take these things seriously. Short of throwing a glass of red wine in my face, there is not much more that this FA could have done to make the flight more unpleasant, however it seems that QF just want to fob it off.

Opinions?

Hi danielribo

Sorry to hear about that.

Three years ago I flew back from HKG to PER on QF and was treated in a very rude way and I thought if quantas is
treating customers like this .............you'll loose my business. As other FF pointed out, you do depend on FA's up there and a little courtesy goes a long way!!!

I have not been on a quantas flight since!!!!!! :mrgreen::mrgreen:

There are still other airlines, who appreciate your business .... are there???

Cheers
SQ1

 

[KrugBoi]

Hi Daniel

Sorry to hear about your bad flight experience. Am really disappointed but not surprised at both the attitude of the flight attendant and the response from customer service. It really is unacceptable whether you're flying economy or business to be spoken to in that manner. Have definitely noticed that my expectations of having a good flight have lowered over the years with all the airline cutbacks etc. It's a real shame that when you get service with a smile and genuine warmth etc, it is a rarity rather than the norm. Granted she may have been having a bad day but it's no excuse for rude behaviour especially in business class.

Unfortunately, I don't think you will be hearing anymore back from Qantas Customer Service but let us know if you do.

 

[medhead]

Was she attractive?

What does that have to do with the OP and his bad flight experience?

What has that got to do with anything, for goodness sake.

well there was another thread where the attractiveness of the bad service person was mentioned and there was some opinion that said people will temper their reactions and responses depending on the attractiveness of the person giving the bad service. So i think it is a relevant data point in an esoteric kind of way.

 

[N860CR]

It could have been Eva Longoria serving me and it still would have made no difference (or been of any interest to me). Her appearance is not a factor.

 

[blueflamenco]

To those who questioned why I asked whether the FA was attractive, I thought it may have some relevance.

From the information the OP provided I don't see that the service was so very bad that it warrants much thought. Of course it was less than ideal but you come to expect that from time to time. If you go into every experience or flight expecting stellar customer service, you will be disappointed.

Since my thoughts seem to be against the majority perhaps it has a lot to do with ones expectations. I would be inclined to not take the FA's attitude personally and just sit back and relax.. in your oversized pj's

 

[munitalP]

Hi danielribo

Sorry to hear about that.

Three years ago I flew back from HKG to PER on QF and was treated in a very rude way and I thought if quantas is
treating customers like this .............you'll loose my business. As other FF pointed out, you do depend on FA's up there and a little courtesy goes a long way!!!

I have not been on a quantas flight since!!!!!! :mrgreen::mrgreen:

There are still other airlines, who appreciate your business .... are there???

Cheers
SQ1

You could always try Qantas, they provide good service....