Toughen up, 'princesses', Jetstar manager tells pilots

Photo / Simon Baker.

Jetstar was yesterday labelled a toxic place to work, where pilots who complained of fatigue were called "princesses" and told they should toughen up.

An Australian Senate inquiry heard a flight attendant say morale was very low at the budget airline, and an email from a senior manager, presented at the inquiry, also raised issues of bullying of staff.

The inquiry is being held over issues of pilot training, staffing requirements and airline safety.

Monique Neeteson-Lemkes, a domestic flight attendant with Jetstar, said morale was very low and Jetstar "is a very toxic workplace at the moment", news.com.au reported.

She said airline management was not impressed with cabin crew who turned down shifts because of fatigue.

"The action is not looked upon favourably," she told the inquiry.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon used an email from a Jetstar senior manager to raise concerns about bullying. The manager told pilots complaining of fatigue from long shifts to "toughen up, princesses".

"You aren't fatigued, you are tired and can't be bothered going to work," the email said.

The inquiry was hearing evidence from Qantas boss Alan Joyce and Jetstar chief executive Bruce Buchanan. Mr Buchanan had earlier told the hearing Jetstar pilots were working fewer hours than the maximum allowed, so the company could manage fatigue among cabin crew.

He said he had not seen the email before, prompting Senator Xenophon to question the company's culture.

Mr Buchanan said Jetstar pilots were flying on average 18 hours a week; the compliance maximum is 25.

Mr Joyce said there was dual responsibility for pilot fatigue, and the airline could not regulate an off-duty pilot's activities. But pilots had an obligation to be fit to work.

- Staff reporter