On The Wing of a Bird, or Tail of a Roo
On flight SQ221, I noticed a child who is unusually tall for her age and demeanour. She reminded one of a budding Singapore Girl, the iconic enduring symbol for what Singapore Airlines has stood for in all these past forty or so years. I then wondered about where the original Singapore Girls- like those from the eighties and even before the new Millennium - have landed up today. Every new SQ flight seems to have an endless supply of the slim and cheek-boned female crew that the airline projects - and delivers. How are the incumbent Singapore Girls managing their career - and more importantly, life?
Whilst Qantas continues its ever apparent consistent recent pattern of delivering the occasional aircraft performance incident, and budget airlines in South-east Asia persist with late arrivals of aircraft and the inevitable flying delays, Singapore Airlines offers no more irritation than provide the incorrect economy class menu on board and/or misplace checked -in bags at certain busy transfers. This may have been echoed in their current retiring CEO's remark on CNBC that despite economic downturns and volatility, there are still market segments who choose to and can pay more for their experience with SIA.
Sydney International Airport terminals have finally refurbished their retail outlets in an obvious move to catch up with the major airports up north like Seoul, Chep Lap Kok and Changi. Creating a pleasant shopping mall is one thing - charging sky high vehicle parking fees and not streamlining passenger arrivals with the Australian customs checking imperatives are natters that need to be seriously resolved.. Sydney offers ridiculous ten or fifteen minute complimentary parking arrangements for vehicles picking up arriving passengers, knowing that these are never practical. The insincerity of such management directives will surely lead to how airlines and passengers vote with their choice of flights. Holding customers in monopolistic captivity is never a viable free market strategy. Again, one reflects on the sudden strikes around Christmas, Easter and when the air travel customer is most vulnerable. And Sydney is the primary base for Qantas.
Whilst both Singapore Air and Qantas do in their own way to keep their operating margins and travel reputation, each airline takes a different approach. One can overwhelm with attention and care for details, whilst the other can underwhelm with chosen attitude and minimalism. One shows hunger coming from an island with little natural resources, and the other also comes from an island, but one with so much natural wealth. Both are continuing pioneers in their selected business - one sits at the trade and travel cross hubs of the world, and another seems to be sitting on the corner of the Earth. Most of the original Singapore Girls no longer fly the globe as cabin crew, whilst one can bet that you can still spot the odd veteran Qantas stewardess from a few decades ago. One airline represents the Lucky Country, whilst the other comes from a nation that was not even supposed to actually survive on the cusp of its political independence. Both serve ice cream and fruits on board. One has more choice of wines to reflect its desired cosmopolitan image, whilst another strongly supports its home grown vino culture. Both have invested in new aircraft for the future - but what about relative confidence in the hearts of its paying clients?
Whilst Qantas continues its ever apparent consistent recent pattern of delivering the occasional aircraft performance incident, and budget airlines in South-east Asia persist with late arrivals of aircraft and the inevitable flying delays, Singapore Airlines offers no more irritation than provide the incorrect economy class menu on board and/or misplace checked -in bags at certain busy transfers. This may have been echoed in their current retiring CEO's remark on CNBC that despite economic downturns and volatility, there are still market segments who choose to and can pay more for their experience with SIA.
Sydney International Airport terminals have finally refurbished their retail outlets in an obvious move to catch up with the major airports up north like Seoul, Chep Lap Kok and Changi. Creating a pleasant shopping mall is one thing - charging sky high vehicle parking fees and not streamlining passenger arrivals with the Australian customs checking imperatives are natters that need to be seriously resolved.. Sydney offers ridiculous ten or fifteen minute complimentary parking arrangements for vehicles picking up arriving passengers, knowing that these are never practical. The insincerity of such management directives will surely lead to how airlines and passengers vote with their choice of flights. Holding customers in monopolistic captivity is never a viable free market strategy. Again, one reflects on the sudden strikes around Christmas, Easter and when the air travel customer is most vulnerable. And Sydney is the primary base for Qantas.
Whilst both Singapore Air and Qantas do in their own way to keep their operating margins and travel reputation, each airline takes a different approach. One can overwhelm with attention and care for details, whilst the other can underwhelm with chosen attitude and minimalism. One shows hunger coming from an island with little natural resources, and the other also comes from an island, but one with so much natural wealth. Both are continuing pioneers in their selected business - one sits at the trade and travel cross hubs of the world, and another seems to be sitting on the corner of the Earth. Most of the original Singapore Girls no longer fly the globe as cabin crew, whilst one can bet that you can still spot the odd veteran Qantas stewardess from a few decades ago. One airline represents the Lucky Country, whilst the other comes from a nation that was not even supposed to actually survive on the cusp of its political independence. Both serve ice cream and fruits on board. One has more choice of wines to reflect its desired cosmopolitan image, whilst another strongly supports its home grown vino culture. Both have invested in new aircraft for the future - but what about relative confidence in the hearts of its paying clients?
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