..... thought I would use this thread as a "catch-all" for stuff pertaining to QF found in other forums.

Dave

http://www.vpmag.com/yssy/viewtopic.php?t=5508

The initial post started out about DJ increasing their capacity on some sectors, and finishes up with a typical DJ rant about the government preferring QF over DJ.

The thread has since gone on to debate the merits or otherwise of QF having the majority of government trael.

Quite an interesting discussion.

Dave

Do you blame people (ie Govt) for preferring to use a QP, having a reasonable seat pitch, enjoying the luxury of a DH8 over a Saab on CBR-SYD, having a slightly more mature cabin attituide when working?

Received from UA today:

"Dear QF WP,

We continue to add attractive benefits to make our #1-rated*1 Mileage Plus programme even better and your travels on United even more rewarding.

Every mile counts.

Each paid, qualifying mile you fly on United and United Express, US Airways and most of our Star Alliance partners continues to earn at least one mile towards elite status and redemption, regardless of booking class.

Automatic upgrades to United First and United Business.

Elite members who purchase full-fare United Economy E-Tickets (select Y and B booking classes) are upgraded when seats are available. No mileage redemptions, money or upgrade certificates are necessary!

Secure your 2004 elite status.

You have more opportunities to earn or maintain elite status with special offers including our Double Elite Qualifying Miles promotion, which expires 15 December 2003.


<sigh> I wish QF did this...

as well as this...

[b]Here's a sneak preview of 2004:[b]

It's more rewarding than ever to reach elite status.

* 2,500 redeemable miles awarded to Premier members with 25,000 flight miles*3 or 30 flight segments earned in 2003.
* 10,000 redeemable miles awarded to Premier Executive members with 50,000 flight miles*3 or 60 flight segments earned in 2003.


Systemwide Upgrades (SWUs) for Premier Executive 1K members.

* Six SWUs for 1Ks with 100,000 Elite Qualifying Miles or 100 Elite Qualifying Segments in 2003.
* Two additional SWUs for 1Ks with 100,000 flight miles*3 or 100 flight segments in 2003.
* In 2004, SWUs will be electronic rather than paper certificates, making them easier to track and use throughout the year.
* 2004 SWUs will be eligible for travel in Region 1 from all booking classes except Z and G, and in Region 2 from all booking classes except Z, S, T, K, L and G.


More rewards for Million Mile Flyers.

* Two Confirmed Regional Upgrades for members with one million lifetime flight miles*3 on United or United Express.


There's a new plus for flying United in 2004.

Starting 1 January 2004, you have a new opportunity to earn more Systemwide Upgrades:
* Two SWUs as soon as you fly 125,000 flight miles*3 or 125 flight segments during 2004.
* Two additional SWUs when you fly 150,000+ flight miles*3 or 150+ flight segments during 2004.


Earn 2005 elite status faster...by miles and segments.

Starting 1 January 2004, class-of-service bonus miles and segments will count toward elite status. The 50% mileage bonus you enjoy when flying in United First and the 25% mileage bonus in United Business will be added to your total 2004 Elite Qualifying Miles balance. Plus, earn new class-of-service bonus segments when flying in United First (50% bonus) and United Business (25% bonus).

<sigh> I wish I got this kind of recognition...

http://www.cardatabase.net/modifieda...hp?id=00000286

Dave

I had breakfast with ABN AMRO this morning in BNE (Polo Club), with guest speaker Brett Godfrey (MD & CEO, Virgin Blue)...a very interesting talk about his days in the industry and where DJ has come to - now that it is a listed entity, he has restrictions about telling us where it's going to (given ASX and Corporation Act laws)...but watch this space

I trust that given the location and audience, Mr Godfrey spoke maturely and professionally, avoiding the childish publicity seeking and Qantas bashing that he and the bearded one indulge in far too frequently. The main reason I dislike DJ is due to these antics and from what I've seen recently that's not going to change. I just loved the bearded one's spraying the FemBot accoutrements with champagne at the stock market launch, so that he could perve at their wet, pneumatically enhanced breasts .

I notice that DJ copped a huge serve in Crikey from a female exec for their sexist attitudes and it seems they haven't learned. But then again, the McCaffertys crowd flying with them probably like that sort of thing, along with their Ralph magazines.

Brett was his usual expressive self...he tells it as he sees it, so there were a couple of expletives not "bleeped", but none were aimed at QF. In fact, he believed that QF management were very good but believes that Jetstar model will reshape the QF model in some way (particularly his belief that driving the QF model back into the Jetstar costing structure may be one of the important structural changes that that QF are doing - after all DJ only have 3 unions, QF have around 13).

Look out for their announcement that they made to the market after 10am about pax numbers for October or November presumably(now that it is public knowledge, I can release my embargo)

Very interesting. I won't be surprised if Qantas use Jetstar as a means of simplifying their mainline operations and 'streamline' their relationship with the unions. I would too if I was in their position.

I'm pleased to see that Mr Godfrey has some respect for the competition's management - he certainly doesn't show it publicly. I have no problems with a company promoting themselves but I dislike it when they try and belittle their competitors. And don't get me started on the whining when things don't go your way (if DJ want more govt business, schedule CBR-SYD and CBR-MEL flights at appropriate times and offer more than 2 services per day!).