Hi there this might sound trivial however I am a QF platinum member and this year I have flown with Qf, SAA, Virgin , Emirates, CA, MU and JAL and have noticed that Qantas is the o

Hi there this might sound trivial however I am a QF platinum member and this year I have flown with Qf, SAA, Virgin , Emirates, CA, MU and JAL and have noticed that Qantas is the only airline that does not provide tooth picks either in the lounge (International 1st) or on the plane I have asked both in the lounge and on the plane and the answer is that no they don't have them, does anyone know when and why tooth picks came off the menu with Qantas?

often they're hiding and you just have to pick them out

These days you would be in a minority - frankly people don't want to be sitting next to someone picking at their teeth. Thus it's one less thing for the airline to worry about. If it's an issue, carry some floss and go hard in the WC after your meal. 

Have you tried asking the crew/lounge attendants for one? A lot of things that are 'missing' are often easily found if you need them...

If Alan Joyce could save 3 Kleenex tissues per aircraft per month he would. The master of nickel and dime.

I am happy for that to happen if it means the company can redirect funds to things that actually make a difference, such as the the new upgrades to Business Class services, new lounges etc. 

Like most businesses, I suspect that it's a cost cutting exercise.  The lounge staff more often than not can accomodate your requirements - particularly in 1st.  If you want to talk about corporate travel in further detail, do let me know.

I often ask at restaurants and 99% of normal restaurants have them. I don't agree that using toothpicks in a restaurant is poor etiquette, you can use your other hand to cover your mouth if you like. It shows you have good hygiene.

I don't believe for 1 second it has anything to do with cost cutting. It's not something that's going to move the needle. Conservatively, say Qantas flys 200,000 flights a year (my estimate), and you need 50 toothpicks per flight, that's an annual cost of like.. $10,000. Assuming $1 for 1,000 toothpicks (based on 2 second google research).

Its more that Qantas has a pattern of NOT caring about the "little things". Having flown CX most of my life (where everyone gets a toothpick and floss in any class), I was really shocked when (flying QF business) I couldn't even get some mouth wash on the entire plane. I think the stewardess offered me a mint or something inane. On CX all business class toilet bags come with mouth wash..

I agree, it's the "little" things that add up. QF does not meet expectation in that regard and has not for some time - long haul especially but short/medium too.

I would have thought that the Flight Attendant offering you a mint was quite appropriate, rather than 'inane', if you're too lazy to carry your own mouthwash, Spinoza (yes, they do come in 100ml sizes).

Further, Cathay having toothpicks is a cultural issue, because Asians generally tend to use them after eating. 

Go and brush your teeth. A toothbrush is one of the 'little things' that QF offer in their amenity kits, afterall. 

You were 'really shocked'? Seriously, I hope you're not a Captain of Industry if such trivial matters throw you to such a degree. 

Haha, ok mate. 

Agree that it is partly a cultural issue, maybe its the same with mouthwash. But Asians do exist and occasionally want to fly Qantas? (e.g. on the Syd-Hkg route, CX flies 4 times daily, QF flies 1.5 times daily, and the CX business class is often close to full, but QF rarely seems to be; just based on my personal experience). 

I know they come in 100mL sizes, because that's the size CX gives out in their business class. I think when a plane ticket costs $10k, I expect these things to be available (which was my point about the little things that count). If I was flying Jetstar economy I wouldn't have bothered asking. 

I don't think a toothbrush counts as one of the "little things" since every long haul airline provides it, even in economy. They serve water during meals too, I don't think that's praiseworthy. 

Mouthwash is used to kill germs, protect your teeth/gums. Mints don't do any of those things. So...

Daniell, I don't think it contributes positively in any way to call spinoza or anyone else "lazy". Personal attacks have no place here. Your finally paragraph is offensive.

Let's face it, Wilsoni and Spinoza. You hate EVERYTHING about Qantas, as is reflected in EVERY post in this forum. Spinoza dislikes the new mattresses, thinks the food delivery is too slow, and now has a meltdown over no toothpicks? Both of you contribute absolutely nothing positive to any posts re Qantas, yet by your own admission (you seem to experience QF's continual shortcomings), you obviously continue to fly with them. If you are indeed 'business travellers', exercise your right as a consumer and use the services of an airline with whom you are happy, instead of continually whingeing about Qantas. Or are you too 'lazy' to find an alternative? If I don't like a product, simple, I use something else. Perhaps you should try it and gain some comfort in your flying experience, and thus contribute some positive experiences rather than constant negatives. 

Oh and yes, Spinoza, mouthwash is indeed used to kill oral germs, but wasn't this a thread over toothpicks, that cause you such angst? It's precisely the germ killing power of mouthwash which causes me to carry my own. So..............

And another dig at Qantas, now having poor load factors? You just can't help yourself, can you. Do me a favour and travel another carrier, because it's precisely people like you who take all the Crew's time and detract from my enjoyment of the flight. It is my pet peeve when I've paid for a premium seat to have grown adults whine and complain about trivial nonsense. Frankly it's embarrassing. So I'll say it again, AS A CONSUMER, YOU HAVE A CHOICE!

Hey Daniell: I was keeping an eye on this thread earlier, and while your first comments to Chinabound were perhaps a little sharp, your latest posts have morphed into direct attacks on other AusBT readers.

Can I ask you to firstly, speak to people here as you'd wish to be spoken to, and especially in person?

And secondly, please remember to "play the ball and not the man". Discussion is great, and disagreement and different points of view are part of that – but please address the issue rather than sledge the person making it.

We've got a nice little community here – very civil, friendly and easy-going – and I'm glad you're part of it, but I'd like to keep it that way and hope I can trust you to do your part.

What do you reckon?

David