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Tag: SIA

  • SIA Refutes Netizen’s Claims On MC Rules

    SIA Refutes Netizen’s Claims On MC Rules

    When the death of Singapore Airlines air stewardess, Vanessa Yeap, 38, was reported, tributes began pouring in for her.

    She was found dead in a San Francisco hotel room on Feb 1 (Singapore time) by her colleagues after she failed to turn up at the lobby for the return flight to Singapore.

    She was reportedly ill two days before the incident.

    The cause of death is still under investigation by the authorities there.

    A Facebook user, Philip Lim, on Thursday claimed SIA crew avoid taking sick leave even when ill because it would affect their chances of a promotion.

    He also claimed SIA rewards its flight crew if they maintain an MC-free year.

    He did not reply to queries from The New Paper yesterday.

    SIA refuted his claims.

    An SIA spokesman told TNP yesterday that there is no reward for maintaining an MC-free record.

    She said an MC-free record is a reflection of personal pride and an indication of an employee who manages his health well.

    TNP spoke to two air stewardesses who said there are two categories of medical certificates – casual and non-casual.

    Both of them declined to be named.

    They said when a cabin crew member takes an MC because of a flu or minor ailments such as stomach ache and fever, it is considered a casual MC.

    One of them, who has been with the company for several years, said when they take a casual MC, it can affect their promotion prospects and renewal of contract.

    FEAR

    She claimed she has not taken a casual MC for the past eight years for fear it would affect her record.

    She said: “It prevents people from abusing MCs, but if you’re sick it is a whole different thing.

    “It is easy to spread the flu especially when you are in an enclosed area and the air doesn’t circulate.”

    They said more serious conditions, such as conjunctivitis or torn muscles, are considered non-casual MCs and they will not be penalised for taking them.

    The SIA spokesman added: “Crew members who are given medical leave are encouraged to rest and recuperate at home.

    “Operating with an MC is a disciplinary lapse.

    “Crew members are granted up to 28 days of paid medical leave and six months of paid hospitalisation (non-casual) leave due to chronic or prolonged illness.

    “Crew members diagnosed with tuberculosis or cancer are given additional paid leave.”

    Mr Lim had also claimed points are deducted from crew members’ annual service performance for every MC they take.

    In response to this, the spokesman said: “As with all other businesses, employee productivity and attendance at work is important for a successful airline operation.

    “Although crew attendance is a component in the performance management process, we would like to emphasise that crew performance is nonetheless still measured across many other factors.”

    The second air stewardess said the MC practice should be reviewed.

    She said: “We face issues such as jet lag, adjusting to different temperatures and meal times that could potentially affect our health.

    “A flu can lead to severe consequences. So can that be considered casual?”

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Former SIA Steward: SIA’s Reward System For MC Unfair And Puts Undue Pressure On Sick Staff

    Former SIA Steward: SIA’s Reward System For MC Unfair And Puts Undue Pressure On Sick Staff

    Open note to all my friends and ex-colleagues in SIA:

    I have seen several postings on social media recently, regarding the unfortunate fate of a cabin crew. Most of these postings have mentioned that this crew went for flight despite being unwell, maybe for fear of getting an MC, therefore highlighting the flaws of the medical system of SIA. I DO NOT know the actual facts, but I know 1 thing for certain, the medical ‘rewarding’ system of the company is severely flawed.

    Most of my friends would have known why I left the company. Don’t get me wrong. I was ready to fly for life. I was fully committed. Let me explain something first. If u take MC, u get points deducted, therefore bringing down any opportunities for u to b eligible for an interview for promotion. I was scared. I wanted to be promoted. I took needles to my ass when I was sick, and I went for flight still. I thought I was doing the right thing.

    A few weeks before I resigned, I had an accident. Because I was not to be hospitalized, my Ward Leader who acted on behalf of the company, said this was to be casual MC, that my chances for getting promoted would be hurt, that he can’t help coz it’s company’s POLICY.

    I pleaded my case. I said I had a ZERO discipline record. I said my batch mates were due for an LS interview. I said i really want to fly and work for the company. I said so many things until I felt exhausted. Finally, I said thank you, and left the office. I walked out to the main road, flagged a cab and went home. Opened the front door, sat down in front of the computer, started typing my resignation letter, and all this time I was shaking. Not with sadness, but full of anger towards an organization that I dedicated a good part of my life to. N the next best thing happened….. I clicked SEND. Turned off the com, and just slumped on the couch, wondering wtf I just did. But I knew I did the right thing. Somehow I knew it was the right thing to do.

    Friends, kakis, buddies and acquaintances from SIA, to those who r still flying. I do not know what is the reason as to y u r still with the company. But I know that u r just doing what is best for urself n ur family. Keep doing what u love pls. Be it the lifestyle, the money, the stability, etc. Just b happy pls. But but but….. don’t push urself to fly when u r not well. Ppl back home think about U all the time. Money can earn another day, in another way. Ok?

    To SIA, pls review ur medical ‘rewarding’ system. Reward someone who worked hard, who is loyal. But not because the human is only working hard coz he/she is afraid to lose out on promotion opportunities. That’s not right. That is not right at all.

    ‘Be a man. Do the right thing’ – Russell Peters

     

    Source: Aaron Tan

  • Four Singapore-Bound Flights Diverted To Batam Due To Poor Weather In Singapore

    Four Singapore-Bound Flights Diverted To Batam Due To Poor Weather In Singapore

    Four Singapore-bound flights were diverted to the Indonesian island of Batam on Thursday due to inclement weather in the city state.

    Among the four flights, a Singapore Airlines flight from Tokyo to Singapore touched down at Changi Airport more than five hours behind schedule after making three attempted landings on Thursday afternoon before diverting to Hang Nadim airport in Batam to refuel.

    The SQ631 flight, which carried 259 passengers, landed in Batam at 2.49pm on Thursday and only left for Singapore at 7.25pm. The flight, which was scheduled to land at Changi Airport at 3.25pm, eventually arrived at 8.50pm.

    The other three affected flights are a Tiger Air flight from Hong Kong with 104 passengers, a SIA flight from Brisbane with 289 passengers and a SilkAir flight from Thailand with 131 passengers. All of them arrived in Batam minutes before the SQ631 flight and departed in the evening for Singapore between 4.23pm and 5.46pm.

    All passengers stayed on board at Hang Nadim airport while waiting out the bad weather in Changi, according to local authorities BP Batam.

    A Changi Airport Group spokesman said decisions regarding flight diversions and landings are left to the sole discretion of the pilot and his airline.

    This incident comes just a week after some 200 SIA passengers were stranded in Hokkaido for about 57 hours after heavy snow closed airport runways and caused hundreds of flight cancellations.

     

    Source: The Straits Times

  • Integration Of Scoot, Tigerair To Strengthen SIA’s Position: CEO

    Integration Of Scoot, Tigerair To Strengthen SIA’s Position: CEO

    The integration of Tigerair and Scoot will strengthen parent company Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) position in the low-cost segment and provide new opportunities in a challenging global environment, SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong said on Friday (Nov 4).

    In the second half of next year, Tigerair will come under the Scoot brand name and both airlines will operate under a single licence, according to a statement from Budget Aviation Holdings on Friday, which owns and manages the low-cost airlines under the SIA Group.

    Commenting on the decision, Mr Goh said the group realised that the creation of Budget Aviation Holdings in May was insufficient to capture the full benefits of an integration, and hence “the best way is to go with one brand”.

    “There are a lot of synergies that we cannot fully exploit because they are still two different entities … (under) two different AOCs (air operator’s certificates) and therefore, different regulatory requirements,” he said. “One single brand will bring about the ultimate benefit of a full integration in all aspects of the budget side of the business.”

    Mr Lee Lik Hsin, CEO of Budget Aviation Holdings, added that both Scoot and Tigerair have contributed to the group’s profitability, with both airlines’ earnings improving over the past six months. The integration will help to improve revenue further, he said.

    “There’s a limit as to what (economies of scale) can bring. On the revenue synergy side, however, I think it’s fair to say we are a lot more optimistic about what we can get from a single brand.”

    Some analysts are more cautious, however, given the ongoing stiff competition in the low-cost carrier market. UOB Kay Hian analyst K. Ajith, for one, told Channel NewsAsia: “There will be some degree of cost savings and perhaps some incremental revenue but it will not be material.”

    Meanwhile, in response to queries from Channel NewsAsia on future manpower plans, Budget Aviation Holdings’ Mr Lee said the group will need more staff despite the integration.

    “We have talked about growth over the next one year and beyond that. We recently had some communication about pilots and cabin crew growth that we need. In general, it will be that kind of situation and we need more people.”

    The announcement of a timeline for the integration of Scoot and Tigerair comes one day after a disappointing earnings report card from SIA.

    For the three months to September, the national carrier posted a near 70 per cent plunge in net profit to S$64.9 million, compared to S$213.6 million a year ago. Group revenue fell to S$3.65 billion from S$3.84 billion.

    With the exception of Scoot and Tigerair, all other companies in the group – including parent airline SIA, as well as SilkAir, SIA Cargo and SIA Engineering – saw their earnings take a hit in the second quarter.

    LONGER-TERM STRATEGIES TAKING SHAPE: SIA CEO

    In a briefing with media and analysts on Friday, Mr Goh outlined the group’s continued push in four key areas – strengthening its premium positioning, having a varied portfolio of airlines, maintaining a multi-hub approach and seeking new business opportunities.

    While he does not expect the gloom in the global economy to “last forever”, structural challenges such as an increasingly competitive landscape will likely remain, he said.

    “We have taken proactive actions to put in place longer-term strategies to address these issues,” Mr Goh said. “You will see these strategies now taking shape and (they) augur well for the group in terms of positioning the group (with) a strong foundation for the future.”

    As part of its positioning as a premium airline, SIA will continue to roll out its new SilverKris Lounges, with the latest opening slated to be in Bangkok during the first quarter of 2017.

    Other initiatives include extending its premium economy class to 17 more aircraft by the end of next year, as well as the recent introduction of Teochew dishes to its in-flight menu.

    The national carrier also plans to add 12 new destinations this financial year, Mr Goh revealed, noting that this is “not a small feat” given the challenging business environment.

    “We wouldn’t have been able to do so had we not pushed to go on a portfolio model and take decisive steps to acquire new aircraft,” he said. “With the new aircraft types, we are able to grow in a manner that is commercially feasible. But it’s not just SIA, we have a portfolio of carriers (that) allows us the nimbleness and flexibility to grow.”

     

    Source: ChannelNewsAsia

  • What Did Singapore Airlines Really Give Schooling?

    What Did Singapore Airlines Really Give Schooling?

    Singapore’s Olympic hero, Joseph Schooling, returned home with the country’s first ever gold medal.

    Before his flight back from Brazil, Singapore Airlines gave the 21-year-old 1 million Krisflyer miles along with a KrisFlyer Gold Card.

    Frequent flyer miles are usually accumulated based on the distance you fly or the amount of money spent. These miles can later be used to buy flight tickets or upgrade from economy class to business or first class*.

    A million miles may sound like a lot of free travel, but what does it really translate to? And how far can Schooling go with these free miles?

    1. Some websites estimate that 1 million miles translate to $16,000.

    However, miles can vary in value as it depends on the location a traveller is going to and so on.

    For example, a traveller would need to redeem more miles per km to fly from Singapore to New York than if they were to exchange for shorter flights to say Hong Kong or Bangkok.

    The average monetary value can vary from 0.57 cents per mile to 1.11 cents per mile.

    2. Schooling is based in Texas, where he attends university and where his training base is.

    With the 1 million miles, he can take five return trips on first class, or, if his broad shoulders can fit into economy seats, then 15 return trips in economy.

    3. Schooling could also use his free miles to fly to London to watch his favourite soccer team, Chelsea. The miles will allow him 16 economy class trips or five first-class tickets.

    4. Alternatively, if Schooling wanted to take a trip every year to Hong Kong, he could use his free miles for 40 years (flying economy) or 21 years (on business).

    5. If sushi and ramen are more to his taste buds, Schooling could take annual trips to Tokyo and finish his miles only in 26 years (on economy) or 10 years (if flying first class).

    MILLION MILE AWARDS: 

    Schooling is not the only person to be awarded lots of air miles. Here are some others:

    Aug 9, 2016: A 19-year-old Dutch youth Olivier Beg was given 1 million miles from United Airlines for discovering security flaws in its online system.

    Aug 9, 2016: Djaballah Mohamed Taher, a 23-year-old hacker, was awarded 1.7 million miles from United Airlines for discovering three security problems under the airline’s bug bounty programme.

    July 10, 2015: Jordan Weins earned 1 million miles from United for finding a bug that allows people to seize control of one of the airline websites.

     

    Source: The New Paper