Mr Grumpy's Thredbo report Thursday 23rd July

[Podlettte]

The lifties don't de ice, the maintenance crew does. In Aus no lifty is allowed up a tower, which is what de icing is about. The maintenance crews are usually up and at it at 6am, well they are at Perisher, so not sure why things are so slack at Thredbo!

[skijacski]

That is true, but we have been seeing the maintenance crew drive the interschools people around on the skidos this week. They don't get paid to start at 6am at Thredbo, it is 8am.

I use the term lifty for lifty and maintenance boys. STaff is broader term.

Spaz and I were just discussing how bad it is this season. Thredbo the company are just cutting costs so to make more dollars for AHL, but they are quickly losing customers to Perisher.

Its a pity, Thredbo will be threadbare and run down soon.

[Top Rock]

Got to say I agree with grumpy this morning....

Not only were they very slack with getting Kosci open today, but on EVERY powder day!

Needless to say no staff around to explain whats happening

They didn't get the T bars open till 9:45.... sure there is going to be some de-icing problems, but...
-why not arrange for maintenance to start early when snow is forecast (stupid question as they are so unionised that even management are afraid of them!).....
(Pssst a hint there going to be fresh snow in a few days)

Hey! why not try a bit, just a wee bit of customer service by having one, only one of the 7 or 8 staff (including 3 managers) that are standing around at Antons T-Bar for 45 mins this morning walk down to the 50-80 customers and explain whats happening...... one customer asked them after 20 mins and was barked at by the lift supervisor..... then they all went back to ignoring everyone......

This year the situation of outright rude staff and bad service is the worst I have ever seen in Thredbo. I highly advise all whom want a fun, stress free day to go to Perisher!

[Polaris]

Originally posted by Top Rock:

-why not arrange for maintenance to start early when snow is forecast (stupid question as they are so unionised that even management are afraid of them!).....

Thats just garbage

Originally posted by Top Rock:
Hey! why not try a bit, just a wee bit of customer service by having one, only one of the 7 or 8 staff (including 3 managers) that are standing around at Antons T-Bar for 45 mins this morning walk down to the 50-80 customers and explain whats happening...... one customer asked them after 20 mins and was barked at by the lift supervisor..... then they all went back to ignoring everyone......

This year the situation of outright rude staff and bad service is the worst I have ever seen in Thredbo.

hmmmmmmmmmmm Thredbo staff with attitude who would have guessed!!!

[chunky]

It sounds like a management issue. If it is continual then someone is not being allowed to make the decisions to get it done in a timely manner.

[Barcoo]

I spoke to the head lift supervisor today and he told me, with the very wet snow, not much wind, then very cold conditions later meant a lot of ice was able to settle. The only way to get it off was to do it by hand (using a hammer). They started at 0630, it takes a while as they have to do it right or they will end up breaking something more serious.
Still, no excuse for bad customer service.

[choc]

Maintenance guys start at 6am. Their start time hasn't changed. They do have a few new guys on the crew though which may explain the problems.

[spaz]

Maybe need more new guys.

[Top Rock]

[quote]Originally posted by Polaris:

Originally posted by Top Rock:
[qb]
-why not arrange for maintenance to start early when snow is forecast (stupid question as they are so unionised that even management are afraid of them!).....Thats just garbage

True maybe the wrong word "unionised" how about inflexible work practices. The dilemma is that this was not a one off situation today (which did, as was pointed out have an tough icing issue), it happens EVERY powderday.

If they start everyday at 6, then why not 5 on snowday (or call in another person or 2).

Its a tough job (bloody tough!) climbing towers deicing in a blizzard etc and no offence or recriminations are meant to the maintenance staff themselves, just the system that organises them

The main gripe is the lack of customer service and rudeness... Not one staff member/manager ever comes out and talks to the customers and tells them whats happening!!

[spaz]

Thredbo have chalk boards & white marker boards for notices, not even a message on them.