Are the Lounge staff playing with me... Or are they serious!

[Mal]

Is it a Christmas only thing or at other times of the year? It sounds incredibly odd in this day and age. Almost like the regulation of years past that you couldn't buy petrol on Good Friday.

There are several days when these type of restrictions occur.

Christmas is one. Anzac Day and Good Friday also have certain restrictions.

Trading hours (OLGR)

Good Friday, Anzac and Christmas Eves

On these days, trading must finish at 12 midnight regardless of whether your extended hours authority allows later trading at other times. This means that the bar must finish serving at 12 midnight on the eve of the special day. Patrons must finish drinks and leave the premises by 12.30am.

Easter trading hours

Special restrictions are in place for licensed premises over the Easter holidays:

Good Friday: Licensed premises can open at 10am, however, patrons will only be able to buy or be supplied alcohol while eating a meal prepared on the premises and eaten in an area of the premises ordinarily set aside for dining.
Easter Sunday and Monday: Licensed premises can trade at their usual opening times.

More information can be found in the 'Easter trading hours' fact sheet.

Anzac Day trading conditions

Standard licence conditions

Before 1pm on Anzac Day, liquor may only be sold or supplied in conjunction with a meal in a part of the premises that is ordinarily set aside for dining, if the meal is also prepared, served and intended to be eaten on the premises.

The sale of takeaway liquor is not permitted prior to 1pm on Anzac Day. After 1pm on Anzac Day, normal trading hours apply.

5am trading on Anzac Day for RSL or services clubs

All licensed RSL and services clubs can trade from 5am on Anzac Day as part of their ordinary trading hours. They do not need to apply for a permit to do this, as was previously the case. However, conditions do apply.

Conditions can be found in the 'Anzac Day trading conditions' fact sheet.

Christmas and New Year trading hours

Christmas Day trading

Hotel in-house guests can be provided with alcohol in their room or unit. Patrons who are not in-house guests can be provided with alcohol only while eating a meal in the dining area between 10am and 12 midnight. Bottle shops and adult entertainment venues are closed. More information can be found in the 'Christmas and New Year trading hours' fact sheet (PDF 70 K).

Boxing Day trading

On Boxing Day, usual trading hours and conditions resume.

New Year’s Eve trading

On New Year’s Eve, all licensees are permitted to trade until 2am. This applies regardless of your regular approved trading hours. Licensees who are not currently approved to trade past 2am and wish to trade after 2am must apply for a ‘one-off’ extended hours permit.

More information can be found in the 'Christmas and New Year trading hours' fact sheet (PDF 70 K).

 

[VA-MEL]

Strangely, I was in the lounge at the same time and travelling on the same flight, but getting to the point I didnt get questioned at all regarding consumption of alcohol. I had 5 pure blonde and nothing mentioned of the sort. Seems very selective i say at the least.

OSo another working Xmas is over here in lovely Brisbane. Fortunately I'm done intime to get the 14:00 flight back to Sydney.

I've had to laugh a bit here in the DJ lounge... I went to ask for a Peroni from the attendant who store me down and pointed to a sign stuck on the fridge (oops... Glasses in bag so I can't read it). I then receive a lovely condescending story about how due to it being "Xmas" they will not serve alcohol unless I am consuming a "substantial" meal and that a bowl of chips doesn't count. She suggested I make myself a sandwich. I was waiting for a laugh, but none came.

A little amused, I walk away and make a sandwich that will go to waste and return to ask for a beer again. I'm now told that she won't serve it unless I take a knife and fork. Seriously!

Finally... After a great effort, I obtain my one Peroni (and no way can I be bothered going for another). Not an explanation, smile or even embarrassed laugh was received from the charmer behind the bar.

Seriously... Have I just been had or are Virgin looking for new cost cutting measures. Or is there some stupid Queensland rule that I'm not aware of?

Merry Xmas to all!

 

[medhead]

So I take it my long held belief that because the major airports are on crown land the state licensing laws didn't apply was just that? Only a belief?

All laws both state and federal include a preamble that this Act is 'binding on the crown'. Both state and federal governments represent the crown. Therefore all laws apply, in general, to both state and federal jurisdictions. There are, of course, exceptions and limitations to that general rule but in general state laws will apply on commonwealth land.

 

[yo yo ma]

...due to it being "Xmas" they will not serve alcohol unless I am consuming a "substantial" meal and that a bowl of chips doesn't count. She suggested I make myself a sandwich. I was waiting for a laugh, but none came.

Seriously... Have I just been had

Seems like you have been had because you are allowed to drink one hour before the meal.

http://www.olgr.qld.gov.au/resources/liquorDocs/FactSheet-ChristmasTradingHoursLicensees.pdf

"Alcohol may be supplied for one hour before dining, while the meal is being eaten and for one hour after finishing the meal."

 

[N860CR]

Strangely, I was in the lounge at the same time and travelling on the same flight, but getting to the point I didnt get questioned at all regarding consumption of alcohol. I had 5 pure blonde and nothing mentioned of the sort. Seems very selective i say at the least.

That is very interesting... maybe I got the one overly cough person.

 

[Cynicor]

Probably similar to the way this law was policed in WA. Not sure if it exists still though, someone with a more active social life may know.

Many required you to purchase a substantial meal, but some would be happy with a small plate and others went by the word of the law- that you need to have only the 'intent to consume' a meal and would let you drink if you were going to order food sometime in the near future. The last group was the best, obviously, and within the letter (if not the spirit) of the law.

 

[markis10]

but in general state laws will apply on commonwealth land.

Unless there is a commonwealth law which by virtue takes precedence, which is why Adelaide had a bottle shop at the servo that was open when every other one in the state was closed, it's also why I can operate a transmitter while driving and not be fined, as I hold a federal licence for mobile operation of transmitters.

 

[Blinky]

While its ultra ridiculous, I have sympathy for the Lounge staff. I can just see Queensland licensing inspectors everywhere working on their "gotcha" techniques.

 

[KCMil]

They would be looking for a big company to fine lots of money, to help balance the budget!

 

[medhead]

Unless there is a commonwealth law which by virtue takes precedence, which is why Adelaide had a bottle shop at the servo that was open when every other one in the state was closed, it's also why I can operate a transmitter while driving and not be fined, as I hold a federal licence for mobile operation of transmitters.

Yep, if you bothered to read the rest of my post you would have found a sentence acknowledging exemptions and exceptions, which covers the concept of legislative precedence. You will also find that those exceptions you've listed arise from legislation that also says it binds the crown. So, for example, that transmitter law would binding on state governments as well. However, given the nationally agreed road rules I imagine that those road rules cede precedence I the other legislation.

Legislative precedence is also a bit more complex than commonwealth wins.

 

[DC3]

It all sounds very Joh Bjelke-Petersenesque.

 

[amaroo]

NZ has similar laws still as well, IIRC.

This strange act comes out to play on Sunday......certainly we ran into it about 18 years ago....no idea if it's still being used today.

 

[JessicaTam]

All laws both state and federal include a preamble that this Act is 'binding on the crown'. Both state and federal governments represent the crown. Therefore all laws apply, in general, to both state and federal jurisdictions. There are, of course, exceptions and limitations to that general rule but in general state laws will apply on commonwealth land.

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[MrJetset]

I had my first experience with DJ's Lounge at T2 on Xmas Day to utilise some unspent Velocity points. The staff were walking around taking food from the buffet, and I'm pretty sure the plate plied with brownies finished all of what was left for the pax at 1:30PM.

Went to the bar, and despite there being 3 staff, they just stood around chatting, and filling up the fridge. Asked for a Crown. Got served, and made to feel like I was interrupting. Had to also ask foe a glass.

Returned once more about 20 mins later, and the smart a.. kid ignored me again, so I asked the young lady who gave me the bottle, and the young lad quipped "Oh, he expects a glass with his beer!"

Seriously, WTF? I know it's Xmas day, but you're in place to do a job.

It was my first, and probably last time flying DJ domestically as the ground experienced was matched by an equally unimpressive cabin crew member.

 

[Simo]

Nothing surprises.

I have traveled on Xmas day and never been told that in a lounge and I did leave from BNE.

 

[N860CR]

I've had similar rude attitude from the staff in Sydney.

I think DJ are starting to fall into the QF trap... Get cheap contractors in to save on labour costs, but if they're not controlled (and they rarely are), it's the company (and customers) who suffer.

 

[BVT]

I was in Salt lake City, Utah two weeks ago. They have nothing on Queensland!

Agreed.

Some of the most bizarre drinking rules, I have ever come acroos; by way of example:

*In a group of six in a cafe for a meal, the women were not allowed to ask for alcohol, but they could consume alcohol, if ordered by a man
*At the Conference opening reception is a flash hotel, drinks had to be obtained from a bar - no circulating waiters, with thirst quenching trays - and a two drink maximum, per visit.

 

[RWJ777]

I had my first experience with DJ's Lounge at T2 on Xmas Day to utilise some unspent Velocity points. The staff were walking around taking food from the buffet, and I'm pretty sure the plate plied with brownies finished all of what was left for the pax at 1:30PM.

Went to the bar, and despite there being 3 staff, they just stood around chatting, and filling up the fridge. Asked for a Crown. Got served, and made to feel like I was interrupting. Had to also ask foe a glass.

Returned once more about 20 mins later, and the smart a.. kid ignored me again, so I asked the young lady who gave me the bottle, and the young lad quipped "Oh, he expects a glass with his beer!"

Seriously, WTF? I know it's Xmas day, but you're in place to do a job.

It was my first, and probably last time flying DJ domestically as the ground experienced was matched by an equally unimpressive cabin crew member.

Hardly very merry is it. I've had experiences like that at the DJ lounges. My tip would be to email their customer service area and complain -- they need to know.

 

[Qld4101]

I don't think VA are that interested in feedback, I sent them some via their web form 4 weeks ago and asked for a response to date nothing (now well outside their 21 days) and that was after putting my WP number on the form as well...........

 

[AlterEgo]

I was in the Sydney Lounge on the Xmas day and had no issues with the staff. I was able to get a couple of Crown(s) without any questions.