Why does QF collect headsets in Y cabin up to an hour before landing???

[bossreggie]

Given the other thread started by Max today, I too see a clear pattern emerging!

I'm with you... I also see a QF bashing pattern occuring.

 

[serfty]

On a long haul flight last year a fellow traveller with his own headphones was told to remove them about 35 mins before landing (F class). The person asked the FA why as it was his own headphones and did not need to be collected. The reply given was that if for any reason there was a safety announcement all passengers must be able to hear clearly any instructions.....makes sense I suppose.

Kind regards, Traveller F

Of course, it's NOT a safety issue on Domestic ...

 

[thewinchester]

On a long haul flight last year a fellow traveller with his own headphones was told to remove them about 35 mins before landing (F class). The person asked the FA why as it was his own headphones and did not need to be collected. The reply given was that if for any reason there was a safety announcement all passengers must be able to hear clearly any instructions.....makes sense I suppose.

I call BS on this for two reasons.

1) I've never been asked to take off my own headphones, and keep them on generally all the way to the gate - if only for radio.

2) In all my travels, all cabin announcements come through the headphones and break into programming. If an announcement was to be made, then you'd get it...

... and if they weren't using the PA and had to make an announcement because something was wrong, I suspect the wind blowing into the cabin or the violent rate of descent would have already grabbed your attention.

 

[under the radar]

STOP PRESS!!! QF A380 services introducing 'gate to gate' IFE in the near future.. meaning access to the IFE will be available from boarding til disembarking... FAs not required to to collect headsets at all.. and hopefully when the 747 400 are refitted with the A380 IFE system (starting end of 2011) these a/c will also become 'gate to gate' IFE... and also the future 787!!! watch this space!!!

 

[possumFF]

Tis a good question.... I'd like to know why also.

Many other airlines do gate to gate entertainment, so I find it hard believing safety is the issue.

I guess it comes back to crew levels. QF generally operate with less crew that other airlines. Even the purser pushes a trolley. Result: Poorer service but fatter profits.

 

[FlyboyAl]

I came back last week on a 380 from LAX to SYD, and my QC3's went over my ears as I sat down in the seat, and came off when I stood up to get off in Syd. The IFE was up and running when I sat down, and I saw the end of Hill 60 as we taxied up to the gate to disembark.
At no time did any of the FA's pay me any attention at all.

 

[harvyk]

I came back last week on a 380 from LAX to SYD, and my QC3's went over my ears as I sat down in the seat, and came off when I stood up to get off in Syd. The IFE was up and running when I sat down, and I saw the end of Hill 60 as we taxied up to the gate to disembark.
At no time did any of the FA's pay me any attention at all.

Last year when I did LAX-SYD, the IFE was "gate to gate". The FA's asked for the headsets back on landing, but didn't switch the system off.

On that note is anyone able to tell me why they can't operate their current B747 IFE system gate to gate?

 

[flychrisfly]

I came back last week on a 380 from LAX to SYD, and my QC3's went over my ears as I sat down in the seat, and came off when I stood up to get off in Syd. The IFE was up and running when I sat down, and I saw the end of Hill 60 as we taxied up to the gate to disembark.
At no time did any of the FA's pay me any attention at all.

Were you flying in whY?

 

[FlyboyAl]

yes, 54 a and 54 b.

 

[laffer]

I'm with you... I also see a QF bashing pattern occuring.

Why is someone raising a legitimate criticism or two seen as being engaged in Qantas bashing?

 

[bossreggie]

Why is someone raising a legitimate criticism or two seen as being engaged in Qantas bashing?

It is more the fact that the OP's first 2 threads were both anti QF. I found that a little unusual, and to me it indicated a pattern.

 

[harvyk]

I'm with you... I also see a QF bashing pattern occuring.

After reading his "Is QF the worlds worst airline" thread, yes I also think there is a bit of QF bashing going on.

Why is someone raising a legitimate criticism or two seen as being engaged in Qantas bashing?

Because most people who have a legitimate criticism do two things

1 - They post on here with the intention of actually fixing or at least understanding the issue at play.

2 - They don't do a drive by posting, they actually come back and get engaged in the thread.

Given Max's other posts, and given the fact that all his posts are done on June 30, which is also the day that he joined I'd say this is an anti QF rant from someone we are unlikely to ever see again. (prove me wrong Max, prove me wrong)

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Why is someone raising a legitimate criticism or two seen as being engaged in Qantas bashing?

I'm with you laffer. The OP's question is legit and something I would like to know too.

Who cares if it's bashing? It's not like airlines are proactive in their approach to improving service.

 

[nlagalle]

I'm with you laffer. The OP's question is legit and something I would like to know too.

Who cares if it's bashing? It's not like airlines are proactive in their approach to improving service.

I'm guessing people get their back up here as someone swings by bags XX to have their vent and vanish again. I guess if they took the time to introduce themselves first, then posted a complaint, people wouldn't jump on the xx bashing band wagon. I've seen a trend on 1 posters who use AFF to bag XX airline and vanish again. The board shouldn't be a venting post IMO...

 

[simongr]

I believe Gate-to-Gate IFE will be launched on the A380 very soon, so there will no longer be headset collection for those flights. Pax will be able to use the full AVOD from boarding to disembarkation. No more missing out on the last bit of the movie because my headset was collected early!

WT

STOP PRESS!!! QF A380 services introducing 'gate to gate' IFE in the near future.. meaning access to the IFE will be available from boarding til disembarking... FAs not required to to collect headsets at all.. and hopefully when the 747 400 are refitted with the A380 IFE system (starting end of 2011) these a/c will also become 'gate to gate' IFE... and also the future 787!!! watch this space!!!

Hmm - this actually wont be a benefit on the A380 for J and y+ pax as I the screen is in the seat arm and has to be stowed during take off and landing. Now if they allowed personal portable devices..

 

[dajop]

Hmm - this actually wont be a benefit on the A380 for J and y+ pax as I the screen is in the seat arm and has to be stowed during take off and landing. Now if they allowed personal portable devices..

So the quest becomes to find a show/entertainment that is still good enough without the visuals. Some comedies fit the bill. Then again there's always playlist + book.

 

[simongr]

One unusual challenge the ipad is presenting is what to do in those 20 or so minutes when no devices can be switched on. Currently I am reading books and comics on the iPad (dramatic weight saving) which is what I normally do on take off/landing - but as that is all electronic now I might be a tad bored at those points...

 

[Ewing]

One unusual challenge the ipad is presenting is what to do in those 20 or so minutes when no devices can be switched on.

It's my biggest frustration with the Kindle as well (I have a Kindle and an iPad) - sitting there twiddling your thumbs or looking through the QF magazine for the 10th time that month while everyone else is reading away.

 

[Max Samuels]

2 - They don't do a drive by posting, they actually come back and get engaged in the thread.

I'm back! Excuse me for being absent for a few days; I do after all have a life. I was not aware that joining this discussion group required almost facebook-like obsessiveness with keeping up to date!

I am not a mere Qantas-basher. When I get exceptional service I am the first one to point it out. When I get poor service I also like to mention it.

I know that as Australians many of us feel compelled to love everything Aussie: Our Nic, Our Kylie, Our Russ, Our insert-name-of-sports-team etc etc.

I choose to be different and call a spade a spade!

Anyway I have really appreciated everyone's feedback re the headsets as I always suspected it was a load of rubbish, the line about safety etc.

I don't have time to write any more tonight but I do have an excellent piece I want to publish in the next day or so. It's going to be called "The Tale of 2 Flights"... keep posted. :shock:

 

[docjames]

I don't have time to write any more tonight but I do have an excellent piece I want to publish in the next day or so. It's going to be called "The Tale of 2 Flights"... keep posted. :shock:

Looking forward to it.