It's been over 2 weeks now that the Qantas cabin crew have been wearing their new uniforms.

18 replies

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

It's been over 2 weeks now that the Qantas cabin crew have been wearing their new uniforms.

What do people think of them on the bodies of normal average women and men of the Qantas workforce?

I have my views. Curious to know what others think.

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

It makes the younger crew look very good indeed (both genders), but I don't think it's nearly as forgiving on the older crew and staff as the last one was.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Yes. It did dawn on me how overweight some of the cabin crew were. The bold print and ruck sack cut of the old uniform did seem to conceal things a lot better.

Thoes pink handkerchief round their neck is getting a bit annoying too. Pre-op trannies hiding their Adam's apple comes to mind...

Did Qantas not design the uniforms with plus size staff in mind? Or is this a way to weed them out? The larger ladies didn't seem all too pleased with the uniforms. Same goes for the gents. The tailored trousers makes them look like men with a mid-life crisis.

undertheradar Banned

Member since 28 Oct 2011

Total posts 234

so lets go down the road of some asian airlines who only supply uniforms in a certain size range....and if you dont fit in that range...you dont get/stay in the job!!   the factor that restricts QF employees from wearing the uniform is if you cant meet CASA and other legal  requirements..this covers height/weight/ability...like it or not..QF or any business cant  'please everyone'

dazzaredroo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 24 Mar 2013

Total posts 33

I agree whoelheartedly with your sentiments Rbabs, I love Star Trek and as such enjoy boarding when the crew is predominantly  20-30 svelt something's, however the look is tragic for everyone else. MK will look great in just about anything however her shape couldn't be stated as the norm. I think these outfits will be short lived much like the red mini and royal blue of the early 70's (three changes that decade).  Naturally some staff are unhappy but then again they always have the option to leave or find a way to make it work (rather than voice disapproval as seems to be the norm when some staff don't get their way ALA the Travolta videos). Personally I liked the Indigenous theme and considering the new Mendoowoorrjii flying print I would have thought that QANTAS could have maintained an Australiana theme by simply restyling a new uniform but utilising a different Indigenous theme/print, this would have kept us truly unique on the international stage whilst creating an Australian identity and not merely trying to imitate or copy European Styling or simply adopt a neutral 'corporate look' aka Virgin. (Perhaps they thought the black and ochre of the Mendoowoorrjii aircraft complemented the new outfits???). In any case Borghetti must be quietly chuckling, perhaps when he decided to depart he actively supported some of these decisions so as to ensure a head start in the capacity wars lol. 

undertheradar Banned

Member since 28 Oct 2011

Total posts 234

oh geez...it's time for Australia to grow up!!! ..Australia and QF are evolving and are more than just  'Australiana' and aboriginal prints!!.. no disrespect to either...it's just time to realize that Australia encompasses many cultures/trends/attitudes...i hate the term 'identity'... hey..lets dress em up in the Aus flag!!  

dazzaredroo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 24 Mar 2013

Total posts 33

Grow up based on who's opinion??  BTW last time I looked most (if not all) other countries were fare more multicultural than Australia yet the don't cringe when it comes to a National Identity. Perhaps we just  need to stop aspiring to what we think is better in others (or to what we're led to believe is ) and like ourselves for the people who we are. Nothing wrong with pride in oneself for my liking hmmmm that flag notion now that's worth consideration.

dazzaredroo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 24 Mar 2013

Total posts 33

Sorry about the typos fare and the should have been far and they. Oi Oi Oi 

FrequentFlyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Mar 2012

Total posts 198

I think that if anything Qantas should be moving further towards the Australiana brand. It seems that people do want to support a national airline, it's worked for them in the past and I think it would work for them now.

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

No. They don't, so it won't - they fly with the whoever has the cheapest fare (or best FFP, or best route/schedule, or whatever).

dazzaredroo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 24 Mar 2013

Total posts 33

Yes some will....however the other points you make are well founded.

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

I have yet to find a single person who flies QF because it's the nationally righteous thing to do. I personally fly them because their program suits my needs better than VA's, and they fly to SIN on their own metal without the inventory and blackout restrictions that SQ thinks it can get away with.

dazzaredroo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 24 Mar 2013

Total posts 33

Nationally righteous is an overstatement but some would regardless.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Rbabs... I like that! LOL. Thanks dazzaredroo!

I lie somewhere between indifferent and discomfort at the use of aboriginal print. Discomfort because it seems to me to be cherry picking of our indigenous culture - the paradox in our society where aboriginal art is highly fashionable yet we don't balk at the poor levels of indigenous participation in our work force, particularly in the high end corporate sector of our major capital cities. Before anyone goes mental: I'm not advocating affirmative action!

Notwithstanding, I wonder if the lack of foresight in accommodating the varied sizes of cabin crew is yet another symptom of poor management by the AJ management team. Thoughts?  

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

I know AJ's done some silly things, but I don't think the new uniform's cut not flattering the mid-haul matrons is a management issue. It's more of a fashion issue.

The truth is this. If you have a slim, sexy uniform, your middle-aged crews will look quite silly. (Imagine Mrs. Weasley from Harry Potter in a Singapore Airlines sarong kebaya. Or Professor Dumbledore dressed like a Melbournian hipster. Doesn't work, right?) Vice versa - if you play conservative, you don't bring out the best in your attractive crew.

But I'll grant that the last uniform was stylish and yet reasonably attractive at the same time.

And I agree about the cherry-picking, but it's just lip-service to minorities. I know the City of Sydney council encourages Chinese New Year parades so we don't start an insurrection.

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