As an Australian I naturally turned to them when the unexpected news of my wifes critical medical condition arrived. The people I spoke with (yes, I got to speak with caring people not just call center payees) were compassionate and understanding. They didn't ask me to repeat the same mundane information and were exemplary in their professionalism.
This experience was backed up on the Flight with the staff knowing the situation and being caring and accommodating.
When I left I had been told that Anita was critically ill having had a cardiac arrest after a discovery of a serious brain tumor. I was in touch with the hospital every couple of hours by phone and my family was putting the phone to my wifes ear so that I could tell her I was on my way and I would be there soon.
As I stood at the airport waiting departure I took this snap out the window and sent it to her phone so that her sister could tell her I was on my way.
On the flight the staff gave me access to private areas where I could pray for Gods mercy and for a miracle to save her life.
Sadly God was not in a merciful mood this time, and when I got to Singapore I was told she had died. The next 13 hours at the back of a Finnair flight was among the longest time I ever recall in my life. I was at least blessed by the time of a more mature hostess who gave me some hours to talk about my wife and the way we met and how much I loved her in the back of the plane.
On my way home after we had buried Anita I was still deeply grieving. Again the staff (one of whom was on my flight out) were simply special and gave me a place to sit where I could cry as I needed without needing to be self conscious about the other passengers.
This was very much appreciated and helped me to return home with less trauma than having to just sit among other passengers jammed into cattle class.
To the staff at QANTAS I take off my hat to you and give you my heartfelt recognition of your kindness and sensitivity.
While I still suffer from the loss of my beautiful Anita, your work made my life a lot easier at that time.
To Alan Joyce I would ask you to pause for a moment and reflect on your corporate psycopathy and how you are stripping Australia of a business service which is not only about bottom lines. Its about being handled sensitively by people of your own culture and society. People whom with one shares common values compassion and social understanding.
I sincerely hope that QANTAS retains some its character which it still retains to this day. If it doesn't then I hope the future judges you appropriately for your part in killing the spirit of Australia.
1 comment:
Amen! When I got the news my father had passed away in 2004, I called Qantas and explained I needed to be in Portugal asap, why and to help Mum cope and arrange the funeral. 6 hours later I was on my way. I'll never forget that. It made me proud to be part of a country where this sort of thing can happen!
Shame on you Alan Joyce, for helping kill the Spirit of Australia!
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