In an effort to combat the ongoing labour shortage, Qantas is now recruiting baggage handlers from its pool of senior executives.
An expression of interest (EOI) issued via internal memo revealed the airline is seeking at least 100 managers to sort, scan, and transport luggage for the next three months.
“People who respond to the EOI will be trained and rostered into the ramp environment at Sydney and Melbourne airports,” Qantas Chief Operating Officer Colin Hughes wrote to staff in said memo.
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“These people will support our ground handling partners, who are managing the Qantas operation, over a three-month period from mid-August.”
“There is no expectation that you will opt into this role on top of your full-time position.”
During lockdown, Qantas sacked approximately 1,600 ground staff before outsourcing the service to contractors. Since then, the federal court has ruled this decision unlawful – which the airline is prepared to appeal – and passenger complaints have only mounted.
Suffice it to say, the crimson carrier’s reputation has certainly been in better shape.
“We’ve been clear that our operational performance has not been meeting our customers’ expectations or the standards that we expect of ourselves – and that we’ve been pulling out all stops to improve our performance,” stated a Qantas spokesperson.
“As we have done in the past during busy periods, around 200 head office staff have helped at airports during peak travel periods since Easter.”
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“While we manage the impacts of a record flu season and ongoing COVID cases coupled with the tightest labour market in decades, we’re continuing that contingency planning across our airport operations for the next three months.”
In addition to recruiting baggage handlers from its pool of senior executives, Qantas is currently aiming to address its other post-COVID problems by scheduling fewer flights in the coming months and going on a hiring frenzy.
Because a company can only offer so many apologies before they reach a point of no return.
