Wa Dst

[JohnK]

I understand the need to have daylight saving etc, but my question again can they actually include us little people in their mind when making such a decision?

It had been over 5 yrs since we deligently saving for this trip. It is just because I am a Mrs.Nobody. than this should be emposed to us? Had Qantas actually think of this possibility before revising their schedule?

Sorry to hear that your holiday plans have been affected with the changes to daylight savings. Unfortunately when making these types of decisions Qantas could not possibly consider how this change will affect every passenger. They have made schedule changes based on what is best for aircraft utilisation.

With any airfare you purchase you are taking risks. Nothing is guaranteed. Schedule changes happen all the time. It happened to me last year when Qantas cancelled a service and I had an award ticket and then had to reschedule my flights to get to my destination.

Yes Qantas can handle your type of situation a little better and instead of just offering you a full refund they could offer you 3 seats on the next suitable flight at the same price. Have you asked Qantas whether this is possible?

I hope that everything works out well for you and you have an enjoyable holiday.

 

[Zulaiha]

JohnK, I am thanking you for being such a sympathetic soul. Bless your soul for such a sympathetic answer.

I had been trying just every options available to us, after I am the one who had to make all this suggestions. I even ask if we could actually change our flight to Jetstar which will fly out to Bali not via Perth. We paid more to Qantas using Qantas flights and ready to down ourself to Jetstar, but they said this is not an option.

I offered to pay a little bit more to change our flight to Jakarta instead, with detail that had I chosen that option on the day we bought the ticket, it will only cost us around 1,300 per adult ticket to fly us out from ADL to CGK, but the answer is no again, because today flying out ADL to CGK will cost us almost 1,600 per adult. They will not accomodate such a booking, they will refund us of 1,078 what we paid and we have to pay 1,600 if we want to do that.

I ask again can I just change half of the trip, and keep the other half, the answer to that is no. We have to take it as is or take all those what we paid to Qantas and leave.

They make it clear that this is NOT Qantas problem, it is just Government decision just like what Dave stated clearly above.

My heart is broken as my kids has not seen their grandma for over 5 yrs now and nothing can be done to make that rectify the situation we are in.

 

[JohnK]

I offered to pay a little bit more to change our flight to Jakarta instead, with detail that had I chosen that option on the day we bought the ticket, it will only cost us around 1,300 per adult ticket to fly us out from ADL to CGK, but the answer is no again, because today flying out ADL to CGK will cost us almost 1,600 per adult. They will not accomodate such a booking, they will refund us of 1,078 what we paid and we have to pay 1,600 if we want to do that.

What are your dates of travel? Are you flexible with the dates of travel? What dates is your ticket for DPS-CGK?

Have you tried anyone other than Qantas?

 

[Zulaiha]

We are pretty much flexible on dates, the only catch is that the girls have only 60 days visa, my husband's flight had been paid for (seperate from us and been set to be with us on our last week in Indonesia, his schedule is not effected).

I tried Jetstar, i.e to get full refund from Qantas and fly Jetstar instead, the only option I got now is paying over 600$ a leg (that is from Sydney or Melb), not included return airfares to Adel. Their cheap fares are all gone now (till end of December I believe, I stop looking after passed 16th of Dec). That will cost more than if we canned the domestic flights, because Jetstar rate is same for both adult and children.

Today SQ will charge me around $1500 (only available after the 13th of Dec), MAS even charging some $2,000

Don't worry John, I tried every options I can think of, and believe me there is none left. With little money we have, there is not much that we can do. It's been 3 nights I stay awake trying to make all this easier on us, but unless Qantas paying me back today's price, it is practically impossible to get a better flight back home.

Backing out of all these deal is not an option to us. We only need a little more extra money instead of having a little extra spending money. If necessary I could have do busking on the Rundelmall between now and the 7th. I am currently trying to sunk this idea in my head.

I honestly thanking you for your sympathetic approach, you are the first person in the last 3 days of my distressing days that take time to listen.

I have been QF Frequent Flyer members for around 10 yrs now, and taking Qantas above Jetstar is proven dissappointing.

John, thanking you from the bottom of my heart for bringin the smile back into my face.

PS:
I re-read my previous posts, it does sounded like way too melodramatic (typical woman). I appologize for that. My original intention to post all this was only to find out if this is a one handed decision made by government or it is actually a mutual agreement between WA Government and all those affected.

I believe I am not the only victim here.

 

[StevePER]

My original intention to post all this was only to find out if this is a one handed decision made by government or it is actually a mutual agreement between WA Government and all those affected.

It was the government (and a couple of politicians in particular) who decided they know best. I think it was a tactic to divert people's attention after a few weeks of negative publicity for the government.

Steve

 

[Zulaiha]

Thanks Steve, glad that it's not qantas. (I'd be better not making any political comments )

 

[simongr]

WHilst I sympathise with your situation I think to jduge either the airline or the government is a little unfair. Also to claim that this is an attack on poor people is a leap of anger. DST does not impact poor people more than rich people.

It is designed to benefit everyone - on some levels it might benefit poorer families more as they may have more daylight which would be better for travellling on public transport or on foot if they can not afford a car.

I dont think the pollies sat around and thought about specific impacts. Also the change in timezones migth in fact make other connections possible for people. Someone who couldnt make a cheap connection might be able to now.

When Ansett collapsed I blamed everyone I could for what I had lost (first J seat for mrssimongr and our honeymoon) - but it was the luck of the draw and the risk I had taken.

Lets hope when we see the reduction in numbers of pedestrians killed as they can walk in more daylight we migth see the benefit of DST...

 

[Zulaiha]

With all due respect, I for one never question on the need to have a DST, my question was purely the way they implement it.

As I said before, the Kiwis can warn it's citizens a year ahead, why can't that happen here.

From what I gethered from this forum, it is sound like it's been decided by government single handedly. Please note that I have not yet blame WA Government nor Qantas for I am still waiting for their say on the matter.

I am frustrated, have to admit that, but who will not if they are on my shoe?

 

[simongr]

I agree the implementation of DST in WA was ridiculous. How can you give people 1 week's notice of a major change like that? To me it seems that the govt in WA pushed it through like that to avoid a referendum.

 

[JohnK]

We are pretty much flexible on dates, the only catch is that the girls have only 60 days visa, my husband's flight had been paid for (seperate from us and been set to be with us on our last week in Indonesia, his schedule is not effected).

I tried Jetstar, i.e to get full refund from Qantas and fly Jetstar instead, the only option I got now is paying over 600$ a leg (that is from Sydney or Melb), not included return airfares to Adel. Their cheap fares are all gone now (till end of December I believe, I stop looking after passed 16th of Dec). That will cost more than if we canned the domestic flights, because Jetstar rate is same for both adult and children.

I don't know your exact dates but here are some examples I have found on Qantas website for travel ADL-DPS-ADL on Qantas not Jetstar. Closer to Christmas and New Year the price increases rapidly.

If departing Thu 07 Dec 2006 and returning Mon 22 Jan 2007 the return airfare is $1102 for 1 adult, $880 for 1 child between 2-11 years (80% of adult fare). The routing is ADL-PER-DPS-DRW-ADL.

If departing Tue 12 Dec 2006 and returning Wed 31 Jan 2007 the return airfare is $1250 for 1 adult, $990 for 1 child between 2-11 years (80% of adult fare). The routing is ADL-PER-DPS-PER-ADL.

If departing Sat 16 Dec 2006 and returning Fri 09 Feb 2007 the return airfare is $1341 for 1 adult, $1060 for 1 child between 2-11 years (80% of adult fare). The routing is ADL-PER-DPS-PER-ADL.

From DPS-CGK I believe you can get a cheap airfare flying Adam Air for around $50-$100 each way. You mentioned in a previous post that you would be happy if you can travel ADL-CGK for around $1300 return.

 

[oz_mark]

It was the government (and a couple of politicians in particular) who decided they know best. I think it was a tactic to divert people's attention after a few weeks of negative publicity for the government.

Steve

and it shows just how quickly some things can get pushed through government if they need to. Personally, and as a WA voter, I was somewhat dismayed at the way this was pushed through. It would have been better to have implemented it next year or something, not in a weeks time!

 

[Zulaiha]

dear John,

Thanking you for your effort in trying to help us. We settled everything now .

We are going on the 7th and coming back on the 31st of January, giving my kids 55 days (well 50 days) with their grandma.

I am much happier person today than 4 days ago thanks to you (this is an honest appreciation for your help to calm me down). All I need was a help from 131313 person who knows how or what flights available or not, but none were doing so. I was distressed because it seems like they only given me choice to take the revised flight schedule or leave. Despite the clear sign that I was distressed (I was literaly crying over the phone), no one did care.

After I calmed down, I can see everything much clearer and work my way through and managed to re-arrange the domestic Indonesian flights to suit us better and all is done.

Once again, I was hoping that customer service should do what you are doing, i.e at the very least trying to help a distress customer by suggesting alternatives, just the way you do John. (obviously I was asking too much)

 

[JohnK]

Once again, I was hoping that customer service should do what you are doing, i.e at the very least trying to help a distress customer by suggesting alternatives, just the way you do John. (obviously I was asking too much)

You were not asking too much. I am glad that everything has worked out for you. Enjoy your holiday.

If you ever have any questions then please come back to this site as there are many people always willing to assist.

 

[Reggie]

I agree the implementation of DST in WA was ridiculous. How can you give people 1 week's notice of a major change like that? To me it seems that the govt in WA pushed it through like that to avoid a referendum.

Just adding some perspective here. I am sorry Zulaiha was effected badly by the changes, but the DST legislation was widely discussed and promoted in WA. Many people had their opinions heard. In the end the lower house passed the bill very quickly, then the upper house deliberately delayed the bill in the hope of burying it. It was known since the joint bill was proposed that if successful DST would start Dec 3 this year, so saying there was only one weeks notice is deceptive.

Also one of the excuses used by the doomsdayers in WA as to why DST couldn't/shouldn't be trialled in WA this year was that the Qantas and Virgin timetables would be messed up. To which Qantas publicly stated that there would be no problems from there end if the WA Govt did decide to have DST.

Now I understand that news of all this probably didn't filter through to the east, however i can say thank god I no longer have the 3 hour time difference on flights to NSW, Vic and Tas, and the 5 hour difference to NZ. I for one will vote for continuous DST in 3 years time.

Reggie

 

[Zulaiha]

You were not asking too much. I am glad that everything has worked out for you. Enjoy your holiday.

If you ever have any questions then please come back to this site as there are many people always willing to assist.

We will John, thank you.

Yes, I am glad I did join this forum, even if I am not a true sense of a frequent flyer (not in the pass 3 yrs), I do get quite a lot of information from this board. I used to be one of Thai Airways Excecutive Secretary way back on my single days, so I feel home reading this board.

Reggie,
That is part of what I heard from my husband too. The DST been put out for a long time and even been rejected on the first referandum (?). I know more since my changing of flights You see there is always something new to learn in this world.

Thanks for your sympathy anyway.

 

[simongr]

Just adding some perspective here.


<snip>


I for one will vote for continuous DST in 3 years time.

Reggie

Thanks for the update. I was in SIN when I heard the news so I got no context and given that new in relation to anything west of Leichardt (except for bush fires) isnt important in Sydney its no wonder we didnt hear anything

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

It was known since the joint bill was proposed that if successful DST would start Dec 3 this year, so saying there was only one weeks notice is deceptive.

Maybe, but business such as QF cannot change their schedules until it is certain to occur. Imagine the uproar if they adjusted based on assumptions and it didn't work out that way.

Good to see Zulaiha now has a solution that works as well as possible in the circumstances.

 

[oz_mark]

Just a reminder to all, that Daylight Saving commences in WA this evening.

Next week should be interesting given that the Microsoft DST patch moved all my appointments next week one hour

 

[JohnK]

I know this is an old thread but I thought I would post here rather than creating a new thread.

Western Australia voted in the referendum on Saturday 16 May 2009 and it would appear that Daylight Saving is no go in WA.

Are you in favour of daylight saving being introduced in Western Australia by standard time in the State being advanced one hour from the last Sunday in October 2009 until the last Sunday in March 2010 and in similar fashion for each following year?

Apparently it has been a very poor voter turnout. With between 70%-80% of the votes counted

Yes = 447,961 (44.82%)
No = 551,360 (55.18%)

 

[bambbbam2]

Makes me wonder if we are now going to be stuck with the OLCI 23 hour bug all summer, every summer, now.