Virgin Blue steals AFL official airline contract from Qantas

[samh004]

One would think that Virgin Blue is being paid the $8 million, rather than being the one spending it.

True, but then they paid a certain amount to win the contract?

 

[burrco]

I view anything that means I don't have to share a plane/lounge/terminal with Collingwood players and officials as a bonus.

Hopefully Tiger Airlines puts in a bid next time.

 

[bossreggie]

I have NEVER seen an AFL player in J unless they have been travelling by themselves. I'm completely down with DJ ferrying the teams around the country.

I have no idea how some of them will fit into the seats!?!? I have only looked at the seats though, on a walk down the aisle. I can't imagine what it would be like to be cramped in like that.... Even with QANTAS!! Bear in mind of course that I am 190cm tall.

I agree with some.... AFL is a local competition, and outside of Australia (with the exception of expats) holds pretty much ZERO interest!

I'm glad QANTAS let the contract end.

 

[Groundfeeder]

I'm glad QANTAS let the contract end.

Yes, QF is far better of with the well mannered and non-misbehaving teetotalling NRL teams

 

[oz_mark]

AFL airline switch concerns players | Herald Sun

THE AFL is on a collision course with its players over a decision to dump Qantas in favour of Virgin Blue as the league's official airline.


The AFL Players' Association will seek a meeting with the league next week to raise concerns about the switch and a perceived lack of concern about player welfare on interstate flights.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

In the short term, the AFLPA will suggest that players travelling economy on Virgin Blue next year be allocated a spare seat between them.

A tad simplistic in the eyes of the AFLPA as I don't know whether they grasp the fact that for the players to be 'allocated a spare seat between them' they are in effect asking the airline to stop sale on 10 or so seats on every flight. Profit is not a dirty word.

Sounds great in theory however when flights are full which is entirely possible given that there would be a lot of footy fans on the same flights, it ain't gonna happen.

Ultimately, an airline is still a business and there to make money so whilst this may be possible if the flight is not full, DJ would need to ask themselves whether they're prepared to drop $3,000.00 per flight (average $300.00 per seat x 10) for the comfort of the AFL players.

Should DJ be happy with doing this, they could block off the B & E middle seats on several rows so players could have a window or aisle seat. Still this doesn't really address the issue of the seat pitch or extra leg room.

The AFL made a mistake by not consulting with the players before signing on the dotted line. Had they spoken to the players first, they could have taken their concerns to the boardroom and possibly made it a condition of the DJ contract with that 10 seats were blocked per flight for player comfort.

 

[Must...Fly!]

The AFLPA is a joke in any case, I wouldn't listen to one word coming out of that glorified union!

 

[Hvr]

Rumour file on 3AW this morning, Andrew Demetriou's CL membership will be ending soon.

 

[nlagalle]

Rumour file on 3AW this morning, Andrew Demetriou's CL membership will be ending soon.

And fair enough too! Can't stand that guy.

 

[bossreggie]

If I were QANTAS... I would have terminated it immediately!

Bye-Bye any OP-UPS for Andrew from now on!

 

[ejb]

If I were QANTAS... I would have terminated it immediately!

Bye-Bye any OP-UPS for Andrew from now on!

I agree, I would have thought QF would have immediately cancelled the membership as surely he only had it due to the spend on QF.

More room for you bossreggie

ejb

 

[Joshua]

They could at least provide him with a complimentary pass to the QP

I wonder post CL if you would drop to any status or would it just be calculated on your SC's for where you're at. So what's the DJ equivalent for such individuals? CIP on the BP at least I'd hope.

 

[Justinf]

Interesting that the clubs are concerned about seat pitch for their players.
Now forgive me if I am wrong, but isn't an economy seat an economy seat regardless of whether it's QF or DJ? They're pretty much the same?

 

[nlagalle]

The Herald Sun confirmed that he was denied entry to the Chairmans Lounge!!! gold!!

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a.../story-e6frf9jf-1225963928586?from=public_rss

 

[bossreggie]

The Herald Sun confirmed that he was denied entry to the Chairmans Lounge!!! gold!!

Made my day!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The Herald Sun confirmed that he was denied entry to the Chairmans Lounge!!! gold!!

Hawks president Jeff Kennett labels AFL arrogant over deal with Virgin | Herald Sun

“The reason that has given to me and was publicised at the time was that Andrew Demetriou said if you don’t give us exclusivity over soccer and union, then we’re going to change the airline,” Kennett said.

If Andrew Demetriou is is arrogant enough to say the above then he was probably arrogant enough to assume that he would retain his CL Membership.

I mean seriously we're talking about a game of aerial ping pong that essentially makes a few elite sportsmen legends in their own state with a select following in some other states/territories within Australia. A couple of games of Gaelic Football in Ireland or exhibition games in Canada still does not cut the mustard.

For him to even think he can compare AFL to a truly global sport of soccer or to a slightly lesser extent Union, this guy serously needs a reality check & I think he just got it!

 

[bossreggie]

If Andrew Demetriou is is arrogant enough to say the above then he was probably arrogant enough to assume that he would retain his CL Membership.

I mean seriously we're talking about a game of aerial ping pong that essentially makes a few elite sportsmen legends in their own state with a select following is some other states/territories within Australia. A a couple of games of Gaelic Football in Ireland or exhibition games in Canada still does not cut the mustard.

For him to even think he can compare AFL to a truly global sport of soccer or to a slightly lesser extent Union, this guy serously needs a reality check & I think he just got it!

+1 Oz....

I enjoy AFL.. (Brisbane Lions Fan) It's not and never will be a global sport.

I don't know why the players are complaining... I have been on at least a dozen flights over the years with various AFL teams and very rarely see the players in J.

 

[medhead]

+1 Oz....

I enjoy AFL.. (Brisbane Lions Fan) It's not and never will be a global sport.

Yep I'm a Fitzroy fan as well.

Seriously AFL is barely of interest outside Victoria. Even is SA I would say the SANFL is just as important in terms of supporter interest.

But then again I get payTV for the Rah Rah so what would I know.

 

[nlagalle]

If Andrew Demetriou is is arrogant enough to say the above then he was probably arrogant enough to assume that he would retain his CL Membership.

I mean seriously we're talking about a game of aerial ping pong that essentially makes a few elite sportsmen legends in their own state with a select following in some other states/territories within Australia. A couple of games of Gaelic Football in Ireland or exhibition games in Canada still does not cut the mustard.

For him to even think he can compare AFL to a truly global sport of soccer or to a slightly lesser extent Union, this guy serously needs a reality check & I think he just got it!

+1.. I love going to the footy, but you need to look at the bigger picture. And i agree with you about Demetriou, he would be that arrogant to think he'd keep his CL membership. glad he got booted out. I wish I was there to watch and laugh!

 

[VHOEJ]

Interesting Andy D thought he would still be able to use the card - everyone at Qantas knows they lost the contract, so denying him entry would have been a little bit of revenge.

I still think you will find that the Collingwoods etc will charter private jets to WA and maybe Brisbane. It wouldn't surprise me if the WA teams also charter an aircraft for at least some of the games. It would be expensive to do it for all of them but it might be a worthwhile investment.