How do you use the lounges?

[harvyk]

Whilst I guess there is no right or wrong way to use an airport lounge, some people have posted up in other threads that they feel their use of the lounge is more valid as they are using it as their own private work space.

So I guess the question is where do AFFer's in general see the purpose of the lounges? Should they be our own private sanctuary with all the mod cons of the average office? Are they simply an open bar where the airline picks up the tab?

I guess for my own use, I do see them as an open bar. They are a place where I can relax, and I try to put all work matters out of mind. I have done work in the lounges in the past, but I try and avoid it if possible, if nothing else certain clients of mine would be none too happy that I had commercial in confidence information displayed on a screen in a public space.

Your thoughts?

 

[MatF]

It's a lounge ... so I lounge

I don't do any work while I'm in the lounge, except for maybe the occasional phonecall. I'm not normally there long enough to bother.

 

[simongr]

I tend to walk through the doors and sit down.

I don't care how anyone uses the lounge or for what purpose they use the lounge as long as it doesn't impinge on what I am doing (equally I only use the lounge in a manner that doesn't impinge on others' usage).

I don't find the lounges great places to work - there is a lot of background noise (compared to the tip tap of computer keyboards in my office) and the relaxing seats are not really ergonomic for working.

My general use of the DOM lounge is too take a long deep breath after back to back meetings in Melbourne.

My general use of the INT F lounge in SYD is to get a great feed before embarking on a marathon trip and to look out over the wonderful Sydney skyline and maybe give my wife a last call before I leave.

 

[Fantic125]

I'm of similar mind to simongr, except I'll maybe give my wife a call & not his.

For my flights out of AU I'll do some work in the lounge if there's work relevant to where I am travelling to that I haven't completed, but as most of my flights are long-haul in Y or Y+ I tend to use the lounges to relax, have a meal and enjoy a few bevvies before the flight.

The return trip to AU is pretty well the same, but with maybe a shower in SIN/HKG or SYD/MEL to freshen up before getting back home to ADL.

 

[Mardi]

I don't travel for business so I always use them to relax. They are just somewhere pleasant where I can get some food and a drink (usually a cup of tea) when I travel domestically. Internationally ditto if they are Qantas lounges. Other affiliate lounges vary but I'd still rather use them than sit in the hustle and bustle of the terminal. Very little others do in the lounge bothers me, other than noisy/running children. And when I can't get a seat of course!

**I have never personally been entitled to lounge access, I sponge off my QFF gold husband who I'm trying to get to platinum before we travel overseas again next year.

 

[Major]

I use Lounges to get away from the mob, relax and maybe have a nibble or a quiet drink. I don't have to travel for business any more so tend not to be there during peak times.

 

[samh004]

I use them for breakfast, occasionally a light lunch, a few beers at the bar and arrival access dinner when I land before close. They're my haven away from the terminal, where I can relax (if I can find a seat) and very rarely, use a computer to get something done. In fact, the last time I needed to book a flight for someone and all that jazz, I walked out of the BNE lounge to the corridor connecting the satellite and did my business there, then came back to the lounge for island dining

 

[anat0l]

The way I see it, you can broadly split people who are travelling by air into two groups - one is for business purposes and the other is for leisure purposes. (Yes there are those where both of those intermingle with each other; we'll leave the fence straddlers to the side).

So a lounge needs to cater approximately for both. The bar / buffet / coffee stand / cake station / etc. is probably the section which is the most common between the two purposes. The lounge (with audible TV) is probably more for the leisure minded, whilst the office facilities (computers, printers, fax machine) are more for the business minded.

That all said and done, it should be well noted that airport lounges are public spaces. (An airport lounge can be designed with private suites and what not, but then that's up to them.) I would like to think those who are handling potentially sensitive information also know how to conduct themselves with that information in a public space - whether it be an airport lounge, any other area of an airport, a food court, a hotel lobby... even an office / premises not belonging to the employee's company. If that means you do not load it up in a lounge, then so be it.


My experience is that sometimes I have to work so I will. Obviously if I'm dealing with sensitive stuff I'll either avoid bringing it up or try and find a secluded area of the lounge. If I use a lounge computer, almost always I will force cache clearing, and if possible, a reimage on reboot. Other times when the information isn't so sensitive, I'll just work away in a comfy spot. Since I'm not adept to working with my computer on my lap, or slouching over in a lounge chair, almost always I will try and find an area with a table where I can sit up properly. In Qantas lounges, for example, this is either the business area, or the long benches with office chairs, or the long benches with high stools. (The Qantas F lounge lounge chairs have arm rests which are thick enough they can balance a laptop easily on it, so I can get away working on them).

Admittedly lounges are, by and large, not the best places to get work done, but when you're pushed you can work anywhere, even in the middle of traffic in Jakarta.


Other times when I'm not working or trying not to, then I try to relax and enjoy whatever the lounge has to offer. That usually means enjoying any of the relaxing features of the lounge (e.g. spa), having something to eat (if it looks good), having a bit to drink, having a relaxing shower (if one is available).... approximately in that order. Last but not least you'll find me in a lounge chair somewhere in the lounge, perhaps just watching time pass by, perhaps firing up the laptop (or smartphone now) and browsing random stuff (or AFF, of course )...

 

[nlagalle]

over 90% of my travel is for work, however i try and not work in the lounge. rather use it as some time out for a quiet drink and relax.

 

[Warks]

Gives me that extra half hour for early flights so I don't have to have breakfast at home and disturb the family. Don't do a lot of work there but sometimes catch up on emails when coming home. If I've been in the field getting dirty I will use the shower.
When on holidays it's just a place to be away from the noise and crowds at the gate plus free food and drinks to keep the kids happy.

 

[tuapekastar]

My knowledge of what else exists at frequently used airports is rather scant because if I have nothing else specific to do, it is straight to the lounge.

My travel is all leisure, hence the lounge is used however I feel like at the time, within the bounds of what is open and what is not (eg. the bar). Usually some food, drink (alc or non-alc depending on time of day and mood, though I do like to have a glass or two of fizz in the F lounge) and some internet use. And always take a few of the mints (J) or choc eclairs (F) when leaving.

And the lounge access is a good reason to arrive early. Not so much to 'take advantage', but I'd sooner spend an extra hour in the lounge than be sitting in a traffic jam due to the accident on the airport road wondering if I'm going to miss my flight. :shock:

 

[Archphoto]

I use the lounge as my little sanctuary away from the hell of the masses; 99% of my travel is work related - so it's nice to just take some time out from the craziness attached to international and domestic travel (and all the to-and-fro to get there).

The couple of hours (if lucky) that I spend there, is usually to *try* and unwind afterwards or review any & all paperwork for the next job. I rarely use it to do solid work, but have on occasion needed to print out any updates that have come through overnight or whilst on my domestic/international connections.

Love the F lounge - alas, that has become a rare opportunity for me now, but at least I can grab a shower in the business lounge in SYD, when coming in from BKK etc before my connection to ADL. At least I can then feel like a normal human being, after being crammed in whY for what *always* feels like an eternity.

 

[Jkyn]

When travelling for work its breakfast before an early flight and at the end of the day a drink to wind down, try to avoid doing any work but if experiencing flight delays will turn the computer on. When travelling for pleasure its good to relax a little set the tone for the rest of the holiday.


Sent from my iPad using AustFreqFly app

 

[jetlagger]

I walked out of the BNE lounge to the corridor connecting the satellite and did my business there, then came back to the lounge for island dining

I usually 'do my business" in the convenience facilities attached to the lounge..

 

[Blinky]

My company pays for my flights, so I catch up with and respond to emails in the lounge. I do so having a beer (usually), something I would never do otherwise. So a bit of both.

 

[Ausbt]

There are times when I've sent that incredibly important email and made that vital phone call. Then there are times when I've simply slugged five rosso vinos and logged onto AFF to have a good spray (and claim an infraction, usually ). Times even using arrivals access when I've made my lunch for the day (...well, you don't actually think I stop for a break do you?) or simply picked up a 'roadie' for the cab ride home. Times when I've taken a shower, times when I've stocked up on the latest magazine. But the dream, the unrealised dream, lives on: to the join the Lounge-High Club. I know it's do-able, just waiting to meet that special and equally-trashy female-person!

 

[coyote25]

Agree with simongr I try not to impinge on anyone and hope for the same back. On world trips, especially for transits, I look for a shower before another flight.

Also for world trip like to use free wifi (if exists most times does) or to print travel documents / make last minute holiday related bookings. Printers however seem to be rare.

Not a big alcohol drinker but occasionally grab a beer.

 

[juddles]

As per Coyote, a huge plus for me is the chnce to have a shower before yet another long-haul flight. I rarely do much work travelling, usually check emails and maybe make one or two urgent emails/calls. But I just dont work well travelling - I consider that ¨my time¨. I do have rituals, such as smashing a large proportion of a bottle of good bourbon every time I leave LAX heading for SYD or BNE. Makes the flight so much shorter. But quite often (apart from the showers) it is simply a refuge from the masses and a chance to quietly have a bite to eat in peace.
+1 for simongr as to enjoying lounge without wanting to be infringed on nor infringing on others.

 

[amaroo]

After years of business flying I now time my flights around the time I want to spend in the lounges.....I.E. I'll avoid any morning Int flight ex-SYD.....the earliest I like to step on board a OW flight is around 2pm - really enjoy the late afternoon/evening flights

 

[juddles]

amaroo, by sheer fluke I get to indulge in the SYD flounge tomorrow during the late arvo. First time i think that I will have been after midday. I will enjoy.