Lounge Hitchhikers

[boomy]

Recently I've witnessed a group of people standing outside QF domestic lounge asking complete strangers to guest them.
I don't mind guesting people and regularly offer it here to AFF members in the lounge meeting thread but the selfish part of me thinks that if everyone will start guesting random strangers the lounges will become overcrowded (some already are).
Interested to hear what others think about this issue, is it ok to stand outside lounges and ask to be guested and should people agree to guest random strangers?

 

[opusman]

How do they even do that? Are they holding up a sign or something?

 

[harvyk]

Asking ppl for entry whilst standing around at the door, just out of eyesight of the dragons / angels.

 

[UP4014]

I haven't seen anyone outside standing waiting to accost someone. Like the road rules, I'm happy to grant right of way but they can't just take it.

Matt

 

[Denali]

You make eye contact with people?

 

[boomy]

They were standing just next to the glass doors asking random people who were about to enter, the lounge staff could not see them.

 

[Daver6]

I think that's a bit rich.

Would be a bit of fun to say sure, follow me. Get up to the dragon and say to him/her. This person is annoying your guests at the entrance while you enter and leave the dragon to deal with said person

 

[dmitri]

I think you got to earn the opportunity to get in, I'll happily offer someone the chance to come in with me and do regularly but getting approached is poor form, especially by randoms

 

[JohnK]

I started a thread regarding this a few years ago.

My position hasn't changed. Qantas doesn't respect my loyalty or my status. I would guest a total stranger into the lounge. There have been times where I have offered to guest strangers but I haven't done that in a while.

P.S. I haven't noticed anyone hanging around outside lounges recently as that is one of the first things I try to notice.

 

[atreides]

Ah! 'Door Lice'. I encountered this one at the *A fcl at LAX late last year.

Maybe if the backpacker who wasn't even wearing shoes at the time was a little better dressed, he may have had more luck.

Sad to see it's becoming more prevalent.

 

[ReLoad]

I've let in random strangers before, but mostly when I've met people going through security, or people are having a hard time or whatever, but if someone asked me I'd tell em to shove off.

 

[Deleted member]

I've not seen this, but I don't do anywhere near the number of lounge visits some manage to do.

 

[Anna]

I've guested in strangers before, if I've noticed them having a problem at check-in or if they're on their own and look out of their depth, but if someone approached me near the door to the QP and asked to be guested I think I would mention it to the people on the desk and suggest they be moved on.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I've never done it and not sure I would either.

Wouldn't the rules about guest being on the same flight, etc pretty much prevent this from happening except in the rare circumstance that the lice was on the same flight as the random they ask to host them into the lounge?

 

[baggyred]

Would be an interesting scenario if there was a group of three people and two could get in and one needed guesting!

Also - what is the etiquette when guesting strangers.. surely you don't have to converse once in ? hahahaha

 

[Hvr]

I've never done it and not sure I would either.

Wouldn't the rules about guest being on the same flight, etc pretty much prevent this from happening except in the rare circumstance that the lice was on the same flight as the random they ask to host them into the lounge?

Same flight requirement is only for international lounges. For Domestic lounges the guest doesn't need to be flying.

As others have mentioned I've occasionally done it for people I've met at check in/security lines but am generally careful because ultimately I am responsible if the guest misbehaves.

 

[boomy]

Wouldn't the rules about guest being on the same flight, etc pretty much prevent this from happening except in the rare circumstance that the lice was on the same flight as the random they ask to host them into the lounge?

In domestic the guests don't even need to fly to get access to the lounge.

 

[nonpop]

I've guested strangers into the Perth pub twice.
Has happened where they seem to have a group going in but not enough allowances.
All of a sudden I'm happy to have a new best friend for a moment - I do size them up first.

1st time was a large family. They got knocked back, so timing was right and the chap asked me very politely and even gave me an 'out' to not embarrass me if I wanted to say no. Because he was so respectful and the sob story, I happily agreed. So I strolled in with a temporary Nanna & Poppy.

2nd time was a troop of dancers (cabaret show) ... so I (+ 2 associates I was with) proudly strolled into the QF pub with our gorgeous fillies on our arms ... but then we went our separate ways. Oh such a brief encounter.

I'm fine doing it where there seems to be a genuine cause (or as best as possible trying to determine if they are worthy). Though I'm a sucker.

 

[juddles]

Before I earnt (the hard way) my way up to lounge access, I was never guested, and would never NEVER have even THOUGHT about asking someone.

¨Door lice¨ - I like that!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Recently I've witnessed a group of people standing outside QF domestic lounge asking complete strangers to guest them.

Boomy is this in a particular city in Australia or several?

I have no issues with people guesting random pax in to lounges if they're doing the inviting however because it's the member's decision & good karma to that person.

What I do find objectionable is people, some of who may be backpackers, looking like they've just rolled out of a hedge trying to freeload their way in on the coat tails of a member else by ambushing them at the entry to the lounge. You can bet your bottom dollar that if there were 6 party pies left in the bain marie that these grubs wouldn't even think twice about piling all 6 on to their own plate leaving zero for genuine lounge guests.

Probably the same kinds of ppl who are too tight to pay for hostels or campsite and leave their mess and waste behind in the coastal suburbs of some of our major cities where they've illegally camped overnight after dining on free soup and sandwiches given out by charity vans who feed the homeless.

Or the same ppl who ask for free upgrades to First Class (no mention of business class even) at checkin.

I would rehearse ahead of time what you would say if challenged by the said lice and respond with something like "my guest spot is already taken" then tell the lounge angels what they're up to so they can be moved on.