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As THAI celebrates its longevity e-Travel Blackboard take a peek behind the doors at its Sydney office and have a chat with some of the airline's long service staff - some who have been around since the airline launched in Australia.
Considering the Sydney office team sees fewer than 70 members, it's impressive that there are ten team members who have been there for over 20 years, and several more who are quickly approaching that mark.
When asked why they've stayed committed to the airline, many agree that it's the "love of country as well as love of the product" which have kept them loyal to the company. We've asked about some of the highlights at THAI and what the office was like when they first joined.
"Even average retention is in double digits," notes Melinda Stevens from Human Resources and working at THAI since 1984. Investment in people is also paralleled in investment in capital, as she notes that one of the biggest motions during her tenure was the purchase of the current Sydney office at Pitt Street.
"Buying the building was a huge thing, and the move happened soon after I joined," Ms Stevens notes.
Every new manager brings new changes, but these ladies have outlast the GMs. "Every new GM has a different vision," notes Barbara Christian from sales. Starting in 1974, "Barbie" is the second-longest serving member of the Australian team and has seen nine different country general managers preside over the airline.
"I joined THAI after I won an educational as an agent. After travelling with the airline I thought to myself, this would be a great company to work for," she notes.
At that time THAI was still in partnership with Scandinavian Airlines, and Ms Christian remembers most of her training being undertaken under the European airline.
Travel agents who have been around for a while may remember Ms Christian as Tina Turner at the agent roadshows, she was often accompanied by partner in Crime Denise Dalton, also from accounts who joined in 1986 and often played Bette Middler.
"We didn't sing though, just mimed the songs," adds Ms Dalton. "Some of the agents may also remember us as the ABBA girls."
While many of these remarkable women have stayed in the same department during their tenure, Ms Dalton is one of the few who have seen a few different departments before settling into Sales. Interestingly, she was recommended by a travel agent, who said that "if you can get into THAI, you'll never look back".
Someone who has stayed out of the limelight is Margaret Belcheff who works in accounts and joined in 1986. THAI was her first job, headed straight into accounts, she's still at the same desk today.
Asked if she also gets to travel with the company, she nods and notes that everyone in the company gets to travel, but "I used to travel to go on the courses… But I've done all the courses now!"
Also from accounts is Dolly "the Lolly" Francis, joining the team in 1989 after a transfer from the London offices.
"I joined THAI in 1977 at the London office, it was a big change to transfer to Australia," she quips. "I was meant to come down to Sydney to get some experience… but I never left!"
She distinctly remembers the split from SAS taking place in London, then the slightly later split from SAS for the THAI operations in Australia in 1984.
Another SAS transfer into THAI is Danielle Vattan, from ticketing, who transferred from SAS into THAI in 1988. Transferring from SAS ticketing to THAI ticketing saw some changes mainly in how tickets were processed.
"Those were the days we were still writing out tickets by hand," she notes. "I still have the bumps on my hands from that… You used to have to press so hard!"
Ms Vattan says that e-ticketing and computer fare construction definitely made life much easier, but that it also has its downsides, "many people these days don't know how to construct a fare anymore… it makes your brain lazy."
Also on the frontline, but in a different manner is Sue Marr from the Public Relations department, who joined the THAI team in 1983.
"When I joined the team there was no such thing as PR," she notes wryly. "I actually joined Royal Orchid Holidays then made the transition later."
Royal Orchid Holidays has seen its ups and downs, even for a period in the 1990s being considered for separation into a GSA, instead of handling it from head office. Now while most of the wholesaling arm is separate, accounts is still handled in-house by Judy Mancini another team member who joined the in 1986.
Things were much more different when she joined, she remembers. "I was given a brochure and then told 'okay now get on the phones'."
Sue, Melinda, Barbara, Korakot (current THAI GM), Dolly, Danielle, Judy, Denise, Margaret
And it's not just Sydney who have seen such high retention levels, we asked around and found other THAI team members around the country who have committed much of their life to the airline.
Not to be excluded, below is a quick glimpse at some of THAI Airway's national team members.
Jeanie Chung, Reservations (NSW)
In what year did you join THAI, and what had motivated you to apply?
1981 Hongkong Airport and 1988 Sydney Office. Interested in building a career in travel industry and gaining opportunities in travelling.
How has your THAI position evolved?
Started as a trainee in Hongkong Airport in 1981 and became a passenger operation officer (ground handling staff) until migration to Australia in 1987. Joins Sydney Office as reservation officer in 1988 and moved into group reservation officer position in 1995.
During your tenure, what has been the most memorable experience?
The connection and relationship with colleagues, both local and international, makes me proud of being a member of an International Icon Company.
What has been your favourite part of the job, and on the flipside, if there's one thing you could change what would it be?
Able to provide service to satisfy customers' needs as well as to achieve business benefits for the Company. More colleagues to participate in the group reservation function.
What would you say your greatest achievement has been?
Have built great working relationship with colleagues and able to master the skills in group reservation function.
Where would you take your dream holiday and why?
Africa because I have never been there!
What skill have you always wished you could learn?
Ticketing
Debra Matthews, Sales (WA)
In what year did you join THAI, and what had motivated you to apply?
October 1985. Recruited by the then WA Manager Warwick Blacker.
How has your THAI position evolved?
THAI in 1985 was relatively small and ICT nowhere near as advanced as now so we all did everything. I was employed as Sales Assistant/PA to Warwick Blacker, was also the telephonist, receptionist, reservations and cargo consultant, and sales support.
During your tenure, what has been the most memorable experience?
Too many to mention, but on a broader note, watching my colleagues around me growing up, getting married, having children; the comings and goings of staff.
What has been your favourite part of the job, and on the flipside, if there's one thing you could change what would it be?
Being in the extended family that is the travel industry, especially in Perth. Great life long friends.
If I could have changed one thing, probably our original Perth phone number being one digit off the then police departments number. No matter how many times you greeted the caller with THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL, they would insist you were the police.
How is your department celebrating the airline's 50th anniversary?
Birthday cakes being delivered by the sales staff to our top largest supporting partners in Perth on Friday 30 April, hopefully some leftovers for the THAI team.
The sales team will be greeting passengers at check in for TG486 1st May Perth to Phuket with some goodies, and more goodies onboard.
What would you say your greatest achievement has been?
Balancing a full time job and a full time gorgeous family.
Where would you take your dream holiday and why?
Can't help myself - Phuket, Kata Beach specifically.
What skill have you always wished you could learn?
To be able to do 5 things at once, instead of just 4 things at once!
Steven Fowler, Airport Services (QLD)
In what year did you join THAI, and what had motivated you to apply?
I started with THAI on the 5th of January 1983. I always wanted to work with aeroplanes.
How has your THAI position evolved?
I have had the pleasure to work at Sydney, Cairns and now Brisbane Airport since 1991.
During your tenure, what has been the most memorable experience?
Some that come to mind are:
Opening a new station; when THAI started flying to Cairns in May 1988.
Moving our Office from 'Lego Land' at the Old Terminal; also affectionately known as 'the shed'; to the current International Terminal Building at Brisbane Airport in 1995.
Working with some fantastic people and helping THAI grow and develop in Australia and especially in Queensland over the past 28 years.
Being elected for another term as Chairman of the Airline Operators Committee at Brisbane Airport, and being involved in the Airport Community at many different levels.
What has been your favourite part of the job, and on the flipside, if there's one thing you could change what would it be?
Meeting people from all around the world, mostly at their best, but sometimes at their worst and every place in between; and helping them get where they want or need to go.
Airports are wonderful places to observe people's behaviour as everyday you see sad goodbyes and joyful reunions. No two days are the same.
The favourite part of my job is watching aircraft 'commit' aviation and as our team at Brisbane Airport will tell you; "aircraft will come and aircraft go" as long as those two things keep happening, then you're having a good day.
Airport people always have suggestions on what you can change, just ask them.
How is your department celebrating the airline's 50th anniversary?
We will be making it very special for our customers and joining in with all of our staff at as many celebrations as possible.
What would you say your greatest achievement has been?
Learning to ski, about 25 years to late
Where would you take your dream holiday and why?
Villa Royale in Phuket in October and Big White Skiing in Canada mid January, otherwise Noosa anytime of the year.
What skill have you always wished you could learn?
Learn to carve better.
Esther Fischer, Reservations (WA)
In what year did you join THAI, and what had motivated you to apply?
1984, at the time working for Pam Am who went bankrupt and office closed, two jobs available at the time, one at THAI and the other at Air India... need I say more? I did apply for another job within two weeks of starting as I was so frustrated with the system at the time, but that did not eventuate...
How has your THAI position evolved?
Initially HT/HF, relieve airport and relieve cargo
During your tenure, what has been the most memorable experience?
Being the 3rd office in the world (ZRH/FRA/PER) and the first in Australia to have PC based CRTs
What has been your favourite part of the job, and on the flipside, if there's one thing you could change what would it be?
The variety of it in a small office is what makes it so interesting and the people I work with (staff and customers), i won't go into the second part of your question... (casting my eyes to heaven...)
How is your department celebrating the airline's 50th anniversary?
Cake in the office with a nice coffee from Rosso's (as I'm writing this)!
What would you say your greatest achievement has been?
Getting the server installed in the Perth office and linking airport and city offices and giving each workstation high-speed internet access and backing up the whole lot offsite, etc - an 8 year project/battle to get this far but it is happening right now and we are up and running!
Where would you take your dream holiday and why?
I was 'born on skis' and there is no place like the powder snow of Utah, USA
What skill have you always wished you could learn?
If I could go back in my life I would go into IT or cooking, however that has not stopped me from learning as much as possible as a hobby, just wish I could have started earlier as it hard to catch up...
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