This doesn't surprise me - Qantas kick off The Veronicas

[Denali]

Well that is very un-AFF like - having zero knowledge of subject being discussed rarely precludes AFFers from solving the problems of the world.

Oh, OK I'll do better My sister in law would be struggling to break 5ft 1 and managed to catch a couple of flights last month without being tossed off the plane. Wonder what sister in law did differently.

Also, ask the FA to show the "rule" that bags have to go in wheels first...? I can't find it on the QF website. Yes, sure, we know anecdotally that is the preference, and I've seen from time to time placards which show this is preferable (maybe on an airline in the USA...?) but if QF can't produce the written evidence in a publicly accessible location, how can they enforce such a "rule"? Again, sounds like over-zealous FA to me... and I've seen plenty of them on board. (In fairness, I've also experienced plenty of non over-zealous crew members... in my experience, these outweigh the cranky ones....).

I think it depends on the plane fitout but some overhead wont close with wheels towards the aisle but if you flip the case around, ta dahhhhh, overhead now closes. Happened a lot on US domestic/Delta flights Ive flown.

 

[Lynda2475]

Wheels first is always mentioned during the boarding announcements.

 

[p--and--t]

Also, ask the FA to show the "rule" that bags have to go in wheels first...? I can't find it on the QF website. Yes, sure, we know anecdotally that is the preference, and I've seen from time to time placards which show this is preferable (maybe on an airline in the USA...?) but if QF can't produce the written evidence in a publicly accessible location, how can they enforce such a "rule"? Again, sounds like over-zealous FA to me... and I've seen plenty of them on board. (In fairness, I've also experienced plenty of non over-zealous crew members... in my experience, these outweigh the cranky ones....).

I can't recall which airline, but I've seen on a safety video somewhere in the last couple of years where it was demonstrated that wheels out was not acceptable and the passenger turning the bag around

Good point.
On at least one occasion when I couldn't find space in the overhead lockers, a crew member took my bag aft to find space, then returned the bag to me prior to diembarkation so I didn't have to "swim upstream" to retrieve it.

Yes you are correct, on occasion a flight attendant, despite being advised it is not part of their job by their employer and being advised by their union not to because of occupational health and safety issues will assist a passenger who smiles, is polite, and does not show attitude.

The article states the FA indicated they're not allowed to handle passenger's luggage....!?!? Yet I've seen crew handle passenger's hand luggage on many of my flights. This type of inconsistency in messaging is ridiculous. What do we make of it? 1. this FA is blatantly lying? 2. Other crew member's are breaking the rules when they handle luggage? In either result, the crew are at fault and applying the rules inconsistently.

Two direct quotes from QF Terms and conditions of carriage

• It’s up to you to ensure your baggage doesn’t exceed the allowance and you’re able to lift your bag into the overhead locker.
• You are responsible for your personal items that are in your care and control.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Two direct quotes from QF Terms and conditions of carriage

• It’s up to you to ensure your baggage doesn’t exceed the allowance and you’re able to lift your bag into the overhead locker.
• You are responsible for your personal items that are in your care and control.

Clearly this doesn't mean disabled people can't fly.
Nor should it mean a short person can't ask for assistance.
Either of these would be unlawful discrimination.

 

[p--and--t]

Clearly this doesn't mean disabled people can't fly.
Nor should it mean a short person can't ask for assistance.
Either of these would be unlawful discrimination.

There are separate clauses which say, if you require assistance (disabled, frail or otherwise), contact the airline before the flight to arrange same.


Edit: My mother is elderly and frail and has difficulty walking without a frame. When she books her ticket she advises the airline. They convey her and her luggage to the plane via golf cart, assist her on board and store her luggage. You just have to have a genuine reason and pre-arrange same. She has never had an issue and very happy with the way she is treated.

 

[jb747]

Cabin crew are not supposed to lift luggage, for OHS reasons. They will have issues with coverage if they are injured doing so. So, yes some will help, but they are doing so at their own risk.

 

[p--and--t]

Oh, OK I'll do better My sister in law would be struggling to break 5ft 1 and managed to catch a couple of flights last month without being tossed off the plane. Wonder what sister in law did differently.

Maybe your SIL had already met her Instagram posting target for the week

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Cabin crew are not supposed to lift luggage, for OHS reasons. They will have issues with coverage if they are injured doing so. So, yes some will help, but they are doing so at their own risk.

Cabin crew are advised not to lift luggage for OHS reasons but if they did so, it would not be at their own risk.
They would be covered by workers' compensation insurance if they injured themselves lifting luggage in the course of their employment.
This is because workers' compensation insurance is "no fault" insurance. There is no obligation to prove the employer was at fault.
An employee will not be disentitled simply because they didn't follow procedures or were partly at fault.

 

[BAM1748]

Cabin crew are advised not to lift luggage for OHS reasons but if they did so, it would not be at their own risk.
They would be covered by workers' compensation insurance if they injured themselves lifting luggage in the course of their employment.
This is because workers' compensation insurance is "no fault" insurance. There is no obligation to prove the employer was at fault.
An employee will not be disentitled simply because they didn't follow procedures or were partly at fault.

Yep, if you are on the job, you are covered.

 

[oz_mark]

prediction: it will all be settled with a confidential agreement with both sides admitting nothing, and putting an NDA in place.

 

[albatross710]

sad to see they were travelling in Y.

 

[Scarlett]

sad to see they were travelling in Y.

Ha, hahaha. Yep - nothing says "successful" musician/entertainer like travelling in whY.

 

[banana boy]

No idea who escalated it or what was said or who had the biggest chip on their shoulder, but it seems that the standard procedure is:- 1. FA has an attitude and passenger gets thrown off the plane or 2. passenger has an attitude and passenger gets thrown off the plane.

 

[Ausbt]

But don't let the facts get in the way...

I won't. It's pure filth and no decent society should have to put up with it. 'Take me' / 'do me' - all I hear is the pure sinfulness of these 'musical-types' !!!

 

[Melburnian1]

The article states the FA indicated they're not allowed to handle passenger's luggage....!?!? Yet I've seen crew handle passenger's hand luggage on many of my flights. This type of inconsistency in messaging is ridiculous. What do we make of it? 1. this FA is blatantly lying? 2. Other crew member's are breaking the rules when they handle luggage? In either result, the crew are at fault and applying the rules inconsistently.

I've never had a problem as I put my carryon under the seat in front of me, and don't bring on board a 'wheelie' (some of which seem too big/heavy) but given that a passenger who gave his name (unlike the second one) has reported the QF staff attitude, it's another reason not to fly Qantas.

An overrated airline - not even in the world's top 20 - with a coughy CEO who lectures us on issues outside the spectrum of aviation operations. Many complaints online from reasonable posters about a culture of declining service (and food.)

These cabin crew ought just turn the luggage around if passengers are too short to easily reach it. (No doubt they'd claim 'occupational health and safety!')

And what a misuse of the Australian Federal Police in what is a civil matter. Hardly a 'security incident', especially if some other passenger stepped in and moved the luggage. How long was the delay to other passengers? 45 minutes as the article suggests, or longer?

From reports, some airline passengers can be incredibly demanding (I've never seen one having a meltdown though) but Asian airlines don't seem to have problems coping in such situations. Is it perhaps because their staff are trained to remain calm and to smile, and focus on solving any problem not calling the police?

The QF staff aggressiveness and arrogance rolls to a different drum.

Why are so many Australians obsessed about patronising QF when so many of the staff seem to have an attitude that passengers are an 'inconvenience?'

 

[kevrosmith]

Cabin crew are not supposed to lift luggage, for OHS reasons. They will have issues with coverage if they are injured doing so. So, yes some will help, but they are doing so at their own risk.

Does this include their own luggage they bring on board? Pardon my skepticism though such a blanket statement is, quite frankly, ridiculous. What's the limit of what they can reach up to lift up and down? A pillow? A blanket? The satchel with the safety demonstration equipment? What about when they have to retrieve the life boats from the stowage locations? I bet they're heavier than 10 kgs. Are they not allowed to reach up to lift these down?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

It's true that some airline passengers can be incredibly demanding but Asian airlines don't seem to have problems coping in such situations.

The QF staff aggressiveness and arrogance rolls to a different drum.

Why are so many Australians obsessed about patronising QF when so many of the staff seem to have an attitude that passengers are an 'inconvenience?'

I agree with your observations and will attempt to answer your question.

(1) Some misplaced loyalty left over from the days before privatisation when QF was a truly national airline. Remember the "I own an airline" t-shirts?

(2) Purely practical reasons for those of us who fly frequently on both domestic and international routes. VA simply doesn't have the same level of agreements with other airlines which deliver the consistent, hassle-free benefits which OneWorld delivers.

If you can afford to do ALL your flying in premium cabins, (2) probably doesn't matter too much.
However if you have to fly economy sometimes, status benefits are useful. Lounge access in SIN, HKG or DXB can make a trip to Europe in Y much more bearable.
As can priority check in, extra baggage allowance, priority baggage and access to fast track security lanes - especially in Europe where the "green lanes" are often almost like a second airport within an airport (such as in MAD).
Recently I flew to Paris with a friend for whom a premium cabin simply wasn't an option.
Rather than abandon him I was able to make our trip in cattle class bearable with these benefits.
Although to be honest I am leaning towards using OneWorld partners such as CX for international travel from now on.
As you observe, the service is just so much better.

 

[Melburnian1]

Does this include their own luggage they bring on board? Pardon my skepticism though such a blanket statement is, quite frankly, ridiculous. What's the limit of what they can reach up to lift up and down? A pillow? A blanket? The satchel with the safety demonstration equipment? What about when they have to retrieve the life boats from the stowage locations? I bet they're heavier than 10 kgs. Are they not allowed to reach up to lift these down?

Union rules. Not commonsense as with many overseas companies.

Fewer than 15 per cent of private sector workers in Oz are in a union, but regrettably they control important sectors. Not to the community's benefit.

 

[Denali]

I won't. It's pure filth and no decent society should have to put up with it. 'Take me' / 'do me' - all I hear is the pure sinfulness of these 'musical-types' !!!

You must have been outraged when the Beatles wanted to hold your hand and Chrissy wanted to touch herself

 

[only4tehlulz]

Ha, hahaha. Yep - nothing says "successful" musician/entertainer like travelling in whY.

I am sure that even the most hardcore of J/F flyers in this forum can "tolerate" a Sydney - Brisbane flight in Qantas Economy...