The Mess That Is Qantas

From http://www.crikey.com.au/

Poor old Qantas really is turning itself into a whipping boy as CEO Geoff Dixon blunders from controversial statement to controversial statement.
This is a bloke who can't look after staff and can't look after passengers, especially frequent flyers. A subscriber has pointed out that he can't even spell. Qantas's frequent flyer activity statement now trumpets: "Qantas flys direct to Shanghai".
Flys? No matter how hard he trys, the puff-par writer cannot spell. He probably crys about it, though.
Meanwhile, Crikey hears the celebrated influence of Geoff Dixon over Australia's transport policy is really starting to irk a few federal bureaucrats, some of whom might just start blowing the whistle if it goes on much longer.
There is no more captured Federal front bencher than John Anderson, the Minister for Qantas, who continues to argue against opening up the lucrative Pacific route despite ample evidence of gouging.
For instance, Crikey hears the tale of a senior Microsoft executive who came to Australia and has visited 27 countries in the past 18 months. The Qantas plane was half empty with only a couple of people in business class so said executive asked for an upgrade, but was denied.
He then offered to use his points but was told the only way he would be upgraded was if he handed over $6000.

A missive from a Qantas insider

The latest announcement from Geoff Dixon about needing/having to remain competitive is yet another scare campaign. Dixon and the top 20 executives at Qantas are on very lucrative bonus schemes reputably worth about 50% of their base salary. If things are that tough, why don't these same executives give up a little of their bonuses to keep the airline even more profitable?Putting their personal greed aside, one needs to ask, why after so many years of "rationalisation, cost cutting and outsourcing" does a major Australian public company need to continue chasing cheap labour overseas?
The Qantas Board, led by Dame Margaret Jackson, is the real reason! All Geoff and his loyal bonus hungry side kick, Peter Gregg, need to do is follow the Board's instructions. I suggest the Australian media start demanding one-on-one interviews with Dame Margaret to get the real story.Better to talk to the Organ Grinder, not the Monkeys, on these occasions!Finally, why did Geoff announce his new plan regarding job reductions, just before the Australian Services Unon, were about to convince their members to ratify the latest EBA orchestrated by Ian Oldmeadow? Geoff is either getting too old for the job or had one too many merlots the night before!