Qantas Asks Management To Work As Baggage Handlers

Airlines around the globe are having labor shortages as they can't keep up with the recovery of travel demand Baggage handler shortage is one of the most common issues. An interesting approach is being taken by Australia's largest airline to tackle this issue.

Qantas looks for volunteers to work on the ramp

Management employees are being asked to work as baggage handler. The airline is looking for volunteers to work at airports in Australia. They would work at airports for three months starting in August with shifts of up to six hours. Their main tasks would be to load and unload bags, as well as driving vehicles that move the bags.

Colin Hughes states that the high levels of winter flu and a Covid spike across the community make resourcing a challenge for our industry. There is no expectation that management employees will take on this role on top of their full time position.

I don't know about a few things.

• Does Qantas really have 100 management employees to spare, especially during such a transitionary period? It seems to me like the head count at headquarters might be a bit bloated if there are this many employees to spare…
• Would the employees who take on this role still receive their standard salary? If so, those are probably some high paid baggage handlers…
• I know it’s stated that there’s no expectation that people would opt into this role on top of full-time positions, but does this mean that management employees would do this in lieu of their normal jobs, or split their time between corporate offices and the ramp?

I don't think you'll see Qantas CEO Alan Joyce filling these positions. I think most of the people would be chosen for this.

Qantas isn’t the first airline to do something like this

Qantas isn't the first airline to attempt to get employees to work at the airport. Delta asked employees to help clean up Sky Clubs in Atlanta as they were short of contractors.

American asked management employees to work at Dallas Fort Worth Airport in order to help travelers get around as they return to the skies.

The Qantas situation is unique because the carrier takes a particular approach to labor relations. Qantas has cut costs wherever it can even though it hasn't acted in good faith in negotiations.

In the case of ground staff, Qantas laid off over 1,600 ground staff in order to save money in the long run. I don't think Qantas is getting sympathy from other frontline workers because of outsourcing roles, which is why the airline is going to management staff to pick up the slack at the airport.

Bottom line

Qantas wants management employees to help load and unload bags for three months in order to improve its operational performance. These are strange times and I think this is an extreme measure.

I want to know if the airline is able to find enough volunteers and how they are paid.

Qantas has a plan to improve the baggage situation.