Anyone heard that Qantas are replacing check-in with self check?

[dairyfloss]

I had to double-check the year this thread started… been like this in Sydney for a while! That said, I think they’ll likely retain something at international for premium pax, particularly where F services originate

 

[Himeno]

What does app handed mean?

They want everyone to use the app for everything.

They assume that everyone will always have a working, online device that is compatible with the apps.

 

[BD1959]

Re Darwin: The bag drops are DRW airport infrastructure not QF, hence they do not accept Q-tags. Everyone has to first retrieve their booking via the kiosk to print the paper tags, then retrieve their booking on the bag drop facility to accept the bags. The bag drop chute on the extreme left is marked "Business Class". Both the Tag and Chute kiosks require you to select Qantas first as your operating airline, although there are no others available as options.

Yes, the process could all be a little more streamlined!!

Regards,

BD

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

For Paulyb.
Maybe it was a scare tactic under AJ or someone under his watch...
Maybe VH will do things differently, or will keep the same motto, ie, keep costs down.
On here and on the QF website, there was talk that they were going to remove all check in methods at our Aust dom QF terminals, and you or they will save time and money, by all pax having done OLCI before getting to the airport, so you would have to do OLCI by printing out your own BP, or do the app way, and hope the BP will stick on the app, sometimes, it will drop off, ie not fail safe.
Paper BP cost them (QF) money, and time, so their idea was that we did all the pre flight procedures, prior to getting to the airport.
Now that AJ is retiring, and VH is new CEO, we will have to wait and see what happens, re if more check in kiosk will be removed from Aust dom QF terminals.
Sorry for the short hand, maybe app handed wasn't the right terrm.
===
They also had the idea to change (take away check in kiosks, and only then replace them with the kiosks that can only print bag tags), and you tear off the backing, (DIY bag agent), and then stick the sticky labels onto bag handles yourself.

 

[RichardMEL]

Just linking back to this thread from last year discussing all these issues to the nth degree:

Qantas to Remove Domestic Boarding Pass Printing from Kiosks

The domestic kiosks that are being used have now been around for 10 years without any hardware updates! By saying that, wait until mid-year. The machines will only be printing bag tags - no longer will check-in (from some reports).

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[pauly7]

Just linking back to this thread from last year discussing all these issues to the nth degree:

Qantas to Remove Domestic Boarding Pass Printing from Kiosks

The domestic kiosks that are being used have now been around for 10 years without any hardware updates! By saying that, wait until mid-year. The machines will only be printing bag tags - no longer will check-in (from some reports).

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

And all the misinformation as well too

 

[wandering_fred]

They want everyone to use the app for everything.

They assume that everyone will always have a working, online device that is compatible with the apps.

Isn;t this illegal tying in business systems?
that is, having to possess a graphical interface phone to be permitted to fly?
Maybe some corporate lawyers need some anti-trust education?
Maybe this is why international is my favorite wandering
Fred

 

[VPS]

Checking into Qantas LHR in February they wanted us to do self check in and got very antsy when there was a problem.

 

[drron]

Checking into Qantas LHR in February they wanted us to do self check in and got very antsy when there was a problem.

One thing for which it is good being old. SQ have tried to do the kiosk check in out of brisbane by kiosk in J. We just say we are too old to know what to do. On our last trip an agent did the checkin at the kiosk for us and then we didn't have to queue for the bag drop as he opened one and did it for us.
And I'm afraid we have forgotten everything he told us we had to do!

 

[SYD]

TBH, the majority of simple bag drop offs are much better off if there are plenty of kiosks and plenty of bag drop off spots. The majority will actually get through quicker than getting stuck beyond someone fluffing around because they didn’t select seats or they’re trying to checkin 2t of luggage on seperate bookings etc.

 

[jpp42]

TBH, the majority of simple bag drop offs are much better off if there are plenty of kiosks and plenty of bag drop off spots. The majority will actually get through quicker than getting stuck beyond someone fluffing around because they didn’t select seats or they’re trying to checkin 2t of luggage on seperate bookings etc.

Agree - kiosk check-in and baggage drop is SO much better than long queues when flying Y without access to premium check-ins (and even then, for some airlines/situations the premium check-in waits can be quite long). I really find the opposition to them annoying, particularly when it's obvious that the airlines are still staffing up with enough people to help out with problems/difficult situations.

My recent SQ flight, SIN-SYD, I didn't talk to a single human, the only interaction where I made eye contact would have been at the security checkpoint and boarding pass check at the gate, and the final customs check at Sydney. All check-in and immigration (at both ports) was kiosks, and it was amazing. The only room for improvement was at SYD immigration, where there are way too few of the immigration kiosks for the first step (and why Australia still requires two steps, both a kiosk and a gate, is beyond me).

 

[justinbrett]

Isn;t this illegal tying in business systems?
that is, having to possess a graphical interface phone to be permitted to fly?
Maybe some corporate lawyers need some anti-trust education?
Maybe this is why international is my favorite wandering
Fred

Which is why this is mis/disinformation.

You do not need a mobile phone, or an app, to fly. Airlines will always provide an alternative option.

 

[theblank]

cant check in Oversize bags at Self Service either!

 

[nancypants]

Not sure if this is on or off topic but the situation in Darwin is pretty dire
-1 priority bag drop- not manned
-2 manned bag drops processing all international flights, international connections and groups (1/2 may not be a large feature here but 3 most definitely is)

Thus today, not at a peak time, we had queues stretching out to the door. Agitated people in danger of missing their flights. Malfunctions (?user error- bearing in mind most Territorians haven’t used them and a fair chunk could be charitably described as a bit Luddite-y), insufficient staff to assist and those available not really appearing to know what to do either. Just generally not good

Hopefully this will improve when what appears to be another section of kiosks and bag drops to the left of the current crop opens ?when, and when there is sufficient knowledge and experience to speed it up

Also note the “tag’s” has been corrected

 

[encryptededdy]

Agree - kiosk check-in and baggage drop is SO much better than long queues when flying Y without access to premium check-ins (and even then, for some airlines/situations the premium check-in waits can be quite long). I really find the opposition to them annoying, particularly when it's obvious that the airlines are still staffing up with enough people to help out with problems/difficult situations.

I agree and I'm generally prefer self-service, but Qantas' Domestic kiosks not allowing check-in is a bit daft. What could've been a one-step process where a user can check-in and print bag tags at the same kiosk is now a two-step process because you must use your phone to check-in first, and retain the digital boarding pass on your phone.

I don't accept that the cost savings of removing one boarding pass printer (and perhaps the software development costs of not having a check-in UI, but I'm sure they license the kiosk software from a vendor anyway so this is moot) is worth it for the extra pain it causes users who don't use mobile check-in.

Heck, plenty of LCCs overseas print a 2D barcode on receipt paper as a boarding pass. The new QF terminals already have a receipt printer, just make them print boarding passes!?

The only thing I can think of is they've decided this is a good way to nudge users to download the app, as opposed to actually thinking removing check-in from the kiosks is actually saving them money. I personally don't think it'll work though - those who want to do online check-in are already doing it, and some people would just like a paper boarding pass.

 

[Eastwick20]

The airline is also assuming that passengers have access to Wi-Fi at some point to get online to check in
Now yes in this day and age its fairly easy to and most airports have some form of free internet access but to assume that every passenger ( in particular international travellers /tourists ) are going to get an opportunity to log in to Wi-Fi after online check in opens is problematic and in no way customer focused.

 

[Basalt]

cant check in Oversize bags at Self Service either!

Or if you're carrying dangerous items.

 

[wandering_fred]

Which is why this is mis/disinformation.

You do not need a mobile phone, or an app, to fly. Airlines will always provide an alternative option.

But QF is seemingly making it quite plain they wish to make the alternative option as difficult as possible for the (independent minded) traveler.....
And the preponderance of comments on this thread seem to support this
If and when you attempt to go wandering
Fred

 

[justinbrett]

But QF is seemingly making it quite plain they wish to make the alternative option as difficult as possible for the (independent minded) traveler.....
And the preponderance of comments on this thread seem to support this
If and when you attempt to go wandering
Fred

Discourage, yes. Remove, no.

 

[Seat0B]

TBH, the majority of simple bag drop offs are much better off if there are plenty of kiosks and plenty of bag drop off spots. The majority will actually get through quicker than getting stuck beyond someone fluffing around because they didn’t select seats or they’re trying to checkin 2t of luggage on seperate bookings etc.

Totally agree - and as I am sometimes the person with all that luggage, that’s why they still need to let people use the staffed check in