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Originally Posted by Aus_Mal
One issue I don't think has been properly covered is the allegation that upsetting language was used against QF staff.
From what I read (I wasn't there so can't comment fully) other non-FT guests were also removed if they weren't flying.
Is it possible that one or more of them let off a barrage of abuse when advised that they were being removed? I'm sure some people would be very offended if they were being removed from a place they thought they had full access to ...
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Actually I do think it as been rather
well covered.
If you read all 165 posts in this thread, you will find several of those
who were there have clearly stated they neither heard, nor were aware at the time, nor even heard discussed afterwards, any instance of any in-appropriate language used by any FlyerTalker.
We went to supper at Darling Harbour after this incident at 6pm, and then most of us went on to a 4 hour Harbour cruise after that at 7.30pm. This matter was discussed of course most heavily among us at both events. I feel sure if one of our number had let fly a verbal barrage others would have heard it, or discussed it later among ourselves. I am aware of absolutely nothing of this type being said by FT'ers.
I agree the comments here are largely one-sided, as Qantas as yet have chosen to say nothing officially, other than their very welcome "unofficial" contact with
willyroo. where allegations were made by QF staff, and passed upstairs to
willyroo's contact. They now appear more and more likely (to me) to be completely unsubstantiated.
Many very honest and decent and very conservative folks have posted here that ARE Qantas Elites, and
not one has alleged or even hinted here that any of the following took place from Flyertalkers:
1. Anyone was drunk or even remotely intoxicated
2. Anyone used, or was seen to use, or known to use use both entrances to enter.
3. Anyone at tables used any language even remotely abusive to any QF staff.
I was not at every table, and can only report what I saw and heard, but I know if any of the above occurred it
would have been discussed seeing 50 FT'ers were involved. Some clearly would have heard it, and some might have even owned up to it. None has.
I more and more get the feeling senior management have been told an army of drunken, foul mouthed yobs had stormed the Club by both doors, with no QC entitlements whatever, stole all the computers, raped and pillaged, drunk it dry, and beat up the staff on the way out. Or words to that general effect.
I do know as mentioned very early on that I passed a noisy table of about a dozen young male football yob types, dressed like they were all heading to the beach. They were there when I left, and I'll bet my house Mr Hxxx and his 2 uniformed security guards did not visit them at any time.
I do also know of the
very threatening QFF threat [name removed by willyroo] the duty manager is
alleged to have made to one Elite member as he left the door to catch his plane home, (on QF) based on an email received from that person. Again I was not there, and have no idea if it is correct, but
if it is true, huge shame on Qantas.
Willyroo has passed it on to his contact, omitting the FT'ers handle or name of course. Possibly there
are two sides to every story.
Bottom line,
not one Flyertalker in the lounge was there other than in
strict accordance with the printed entry rules. There were
no scams, no drunks, or no abusive language
from FT'ers - to my knowledge. And as many have pointed out, had their been you can
BET the on-hand security would have gleefully removed that person(s) in a heartbeat.
The fact Qantas chose to cancel the usual printed rules on that day, and not pre-advise the organisers of this visit is of course their call, but is the
direct cause of the current unfortunate situation. As is their complete and inexplicable failure to police entry at one door, or record those entering in any way at either door. If they had concerns in advance, that was the obvious and logical course to take. None of these 165 posts would then have been made.
The way Qantas later handled it - ordering over the PA
ALL persons in their largest Club in Australia not travelling that day to leave immediately, or be physically ejected by security, clearly
did affect others in the club who had
nothing to do with FT, as alluded to in
Aus_Mal's post.
As host of OzFest, where all the many first-time foreign visitors constantly gushed just how very friendly and wonderful and charming
everyone at Hotels, and restaurants and functions had been to that point, I am very embarassed that they were treated in this heavy-handed way by our national carrier, when they
all had 100% legitimate entry sponsors. Taking the shine off their day, and possibly their entire visit. Not something Qantas should be very proud of. And these folks are ALL top level flyers on major world carriers, to make the Qantas bob-boo even dumber.
"Qantas - The Spirit Of Australia" it says on your website. I think NOT. 
Senior Qantas staff also instructed the bar staff not to serve drinks to
"those people". (Who at this stage had ordered just
one drink) How the bar staff were to know whose "those people" were, when management themselves had absolutely no clue, is another of life's little mysteries, as we were spread out all over the Club. Clearly all folks in the Club that day who had never heard of FT, had issues getting a drink after 2.30pm.
It is looking more and like Derryn Hinch and his Graeme Kennedy "AIDS": death allegation - Qantas just can't seem to say:
"Terribly sorry, we were wrong - and acted on incorrect, third hand information".
And like Derryn, the PR damage will linger for a
VERY long time in some memories. Just a couple of hours back
Leumas, a current Qantas Platinum member, who was there Saturday,
posted he will not make any further Qantas bookings until this matter is resolved by Qantas.
Now I am sure the forgone profit from just that
one person is many, many, times greater than a few rounds of drinks would have cost Qantas on Saturday. And
Leumas feeling seems to be held by others, reading these posts.
If Qantas thinks this matter is just a few Platinums whingeing quietly in a corner, they might go look at the page views of this thread. 8,500 page views in a few days is I believe an
all-time record for this Forum. That is
8,500 people who, whilst they may not have posted,
have read this thread. And more and more are reading it every day.
I do hope
willyroo's senior contact conveys a message to those 8,500 folks
very soon.
Evil Qantas Crew" from an foreign visitor (and top elite on 2 other large airlines) is not such a great advertisement for an intending Qantas Club or Platinum FF member, nor are the other negative comments just on that page alone. (None by me on that thread yet, I might add!) 
