Virgin Blue - the Kindergarten of the Air

[straitman]

Damn right - otherwise I'm sure CASA would have shut them down.

ANstar,

You obviously have more faith in CASA's oversight abilities than I do. CASA is so understaffed they have trouble making a cup of coffee let alone actually looking after anything to do with aviation.

I have much more faith in Virgin Blue's culture and self monitoring abilities than that of CASA.

 

[samh004]

As they say (and I read here on another day), chacun à son goût.

 

[Grooba]

To the OP - if you don't like it don't fly them... That's the beauty of choice, if you want to pay more then fly QF. If you don't, then put up with the choice that you have made.

QF are often cheaper than DJ. Have a look around adn more often than not you'll find a better deal with QF.

Yes i do fly them, they are indeed my preferred airline. Not because of anything other than i don't want to fly Tiger/JQ and cant pay QF's fares even though i want to.

So you actually want to fly QF but you can't find a good fare?

Yes, they are repetitve, yes they arent funny and yes i groan as well, but guess what, its all about choice. As a rule though they are better and friendlier than QF and locally better IMHO. Internationally i havent had the cahnce to fly VA but as they dont offer unlimited alcohol and the rest they are second choice, but when it comes to saving $1000 or more then i know where my loyalties lie. Add to that the chance to get Gold on DJ and things change dramtically...

I fail to see how they are better, I really do. QF are often than not cheaper, and for the cheaper price you get free on board meal, free beer/wine on citifliers after 4pm, free entertainment, etc. They have many more lounges which are better equipped.

As you can probably guess I do cringe when I have to fly with DJ, fortunately this only happens once or twice a year. I do understand how families/holiday makers appreciate the "kindergarten in the air", quite appropriate IMHO.

 

[drron]

Well from the sunny coast it is DJ,JQ or TT.DJ is my choice.I really dont mind the banter.JQ has to be at least $20 cheaper for me to switch from DJ.Unfortunately in a months time i have another stint in Mackay-flying there on a Sunday evening and back on friday evening is expensive.So when JQ is~$110,DJ~$160 and QF~ $250 then shudder,shudder I have 4 JQ sectors coming up.

 

[brissyflyer]

I'm one who likes the friendliness and generally the humour of DJ cabin crew, I'm sure we all at times tell a joke and it just doesn't work but hey nobody is perfect. I like humourous announcements when they are done in a somewhat subtle way where they catch you off guard, silly giggling is somewhat annoying though.

One thing I have always liked about DJ crew is being greeted by first name, its more personal and I just don't really like being called Mr or Sir.

 

[kages]

Just relax. After the third time you've heard the jokes you dont notice them anymore. Just like after the third time you've been snobbed by a QF FA you dont notice it either.

 

[thegurio]

Yes I would rather fly QF but unfortunately as the owner of the company it's coming out of my own pocket and therefore value for money rules...

I base my assumptions on ex HBA flights at which point, like Drron, my choices are JQ, TT or DJ. JQ have managed to annoy me in ways I didn't think were possible so there is no way that will happen unless internationally in *Class at a substantially reduced rate and I will stay away from TT until I have a compelling reason to go with them whatever that might be. QF are often up to $100 more expensive on most of the sectors that I travel. I guess if I was travelling the SYD/MEL/BNE triangle it might be better by I'm not.

 

[dimgai]

I actually enjoy the relax attitude of DJ compared to QF and DJ is my preferred airline, especially after recently watching QF FAs doing the manual part of the safety demo (mask, life vest and exits) and if ever there was someone who did not want to be there, they certainly did not hide it. Give me fake smiles, hand waves and bad jokes anyday!

On my last QF SYD MEL I managed to be snobbed by 4 different FAs walking past me, whom all failed to notice that I was not served breakfast (they served the rows in front and the last row behind me), pressing the call button didn't work as I was continued to be ignored for the next 5-10 minutes until I literally jumped in one of the FA's way, and the response was 'Oh cough, we missed 1' to another FA, not even an apology.

Having done both Y+ on VS and SQ J earlier in the year, I found the VS crews were certainly more relaxed, which I prefer more.

In the end, it's each to their own I guess, some may say unprofessional just cause they try to convey essentially the same information and complete the same task in a different style, I think the tasks was completed just as efficiently and to me, that's professional.

 

[pauly7]

To be honest I haven't really noticed an increase in DJ 'sillyness or humour - good or bad' recently...

I did notice about 1-2 years ago I think a big reduction in joking around and casual treatment of passengers, in line with their push to be a 'new world' rather than 'low cost'... Have been flying them about 20% of total travel this year on my BFOD employer and haven't really noticed a difference!

They are pretty much the same as JQ, polite and friendly while being a bit more casual than QF - who have been excellent recently as well.

 

[stryker]

They are pretty much the same as JQ, polite and friendly while being a bit more casual than QF - who have been excellent recently as well.

I fully agree with your comments on JQ and QF, but not DJ. They are as impolite and unhelpful as ever IMHO.

 

[medhead]

or when they give the crew nicknames when announcing or "its been your pleasure having us on board"

It would be my pleasure if some of them would let me "have" them, on board. :shock:

But then my name isn't Ralph

 

[skeeo]

I still remember when they first launched, they had some of the finest blonde and brunette things working on board, now they have gotten plumper and older (and will be like qantas staff) in a few years time

 

[bambbbam2]

Does that mean they will end up with United - age hosties?

 

[drron]

Does that mean they will end up with United - age hosties?

I really dont think I will live long enough to see that

 

[tassiedude]

Just when I thought someone in authority had finally instructed the Virgin Blue cabin crew to stop (trying) to be funny and cute with their cabin announcements, they have started again. On 2 recent flights, once again passengers were bombarded with remarks from the cabin supervisor that only he and his fellow crew thought were hilarious. Has no-one in the airline yet realised that passengers wish to be treated as adults and not a captive audience for someone who thinks they are a stand up comedian. And, I am insulted that we were called "guys" instead of ladies and gentlemen. "Welcome aboard, guys" "Well, guys, we have landed in Sydney" etc. etc.
Even people who have never travelled before deserve more respect, ("it's fun to fly") let alone we business travellers who thought they had finally stopped acting like a kindergarten of the air.

When are people going to realise Virgin Blue IS NOT Qantas and they have their own way of doing things, if you don't like it then don't fly them.

 

[pauly7]

I still remember when they first launched, they had some of the finest blonde and brunette things working on board, now they have gotten plumper and older (and will be like qantas staff) in a few years time

Jetstar and QF Link have some talent at the moment I've noticed!

 

[stryker]

When are people going to realise Virgin Blue IS NOT Qantas and they have their own way of doing things, if you don't like it then don't fly them.

Good advice indeed!

Not sure if Brett Godfrey would agree with you though.

 

[wallacej]

It would be my pleasure if some of them would let me "have" them, on board. :shock:

But then my name isn't Ralph

Hehehe - might change my name if that would help

 

[Warks]

I hadn't flown DJ for a year when I went SYD-PER recently. I found that the 'fun' had been toned down with the old announcement "Lazen Gem, Boizen Gurlz" reverting to the traditional "Ladies and Gentlemen".
Nothing wrong with the service but paying for a meal that is no better (and often worse) than the 'free' one on QF sticks in my craw a bit especially when there wasn't that big a difference in fares - I didn't book it.
I'll avoid them for this trip in future but it doesn't bother me for the short hops. It's over before you know it.

 

[DJGuy]

If it really makes a negative impact on your travel experience, if you haven't already done so, might I suggest you submit your complaint directly to Virgin Blue's Guest Relations, where there will be more chance of having things changed than posting it on here. Complaints like yours are not uncommon - the more complaints they receive, the more they will sit up and listen, so please do it!

Just go to contact us up the top on the home page and go from there. I assure you someone will read it, add it to the database where trends are established, and they will reply to you.

Cheers,