Asking unnecessarily tough questions of Qantas...

[medhead]

umm have you considered the possiblilty that the number of pax on the flight was exactly = the # of aisle and window seats + 1. That + 1 pax when confronted with only aisle seats decided to OLCI into row 4. :shock: (who wouldn't in such a situation?)

As many an NCO has said to me - "stuff" happens, suck it up princess

 

[trippin_the_rift]

umm have you considered the possiblilty that the number of pax on the flight was exactly = the # of aisle and window seats + 1. That + 1 pax when confronted with only aisle seats decided to OLCI into row 4. :shock: (who wouldn't in such a situation?)

As many an NCO has said to me - "stuff" happens, suck it up princess

In that case, non-status pax should not be able to select the first few rows if there are seats avail down further.

This would also make it easier for FA's, knowing for a fact the first XX rows of the aircraft are for status only pax.

 

[medhead]

In that case, non-status pax should not be able to select the first few rows if there are seats avail down further.

This would also make it easier for FA's, knowing for a fact the first XX rows of the aircraft are for status only pax.

For what reason. They have paid the same and possible more for their seat. Exactly why shouldn't they be able to select the first row in Y? It is not like the few rows of Y are business class seats or anything.

Maybe they work of a company that spends millions with QF every year but doesn't allow their employees to collect points. In such case, I'd expect QF to treat those pax as good as if not better than the average WP.

 

[Dave Noble]

For what reason. They have paid the same and possible more for their seat. Exactly why shouldn't they be able to select the first row in Y? It is not like the few rows of Y are business class seats or anything.
.

Eggzactly. The seats are the same and all economy passengers have just as much right to sit

Dave

 

[drewbles]

Eggzactly. The seats are the same and all economy passengers have just as much right to sit

Dave

Right perhaps, but like any business, wouldn't QF want to look after their very loyal customers? It would make some sense to allow no status (or even no FF membership) passengers to only select middle seats from the back-forwards if the flight is not full. They block the first few rows for WP/SG when allocating aisles/windows, why not middle seats too? A little thing like that would go a long way towards keeping "elites" happy, and non-status passengers would not really be any wiser (and aren't going to swap seats to another middle seat mid-flight).

 

[Dave Noble]

Right perhaps, but like any business, wouldn't QF want to look after their very loyal customers? It would make some sense to allow no status (or even no FF membership) passengers to only select middle seats from the back-forwards if the flight is not full. They block the first few rows for WP/SG when allocating aisles/windows, why not middle seats too? A little thing like that would go a long way towards keeping "elites" happy, and non-status passengers would not really be any wiser (and aren't going to swap seats to another middle seat mid-flight).

They do some of this in advance , but on day of departure at the airport it seems only fair that any passenger be able to select any available seat. Sitting near the front seems to be more popular than further back; there are techniques that help the chance of getting an empty seat adjacent by choosing seats but it seems unreasonable to expect the adjacent seats to be kept empty unless prepared to pay for an additional seat ; alternatively, if wanting more space purchase ( or upgrade to ) a business class seat or , perhaps when in lounge close to departure have a word with the lounge agent and see if they can move you to a seat where there will be an empty seat adjacent

There are benefits associated with status, but having an empty seat adjacent is not one of them as far as I can see from the programme

Dave

 

[RB]

Right perhaps, but like any business, wouldn't QF want to look after their very loyal customers? It would make some sense to allow no status (or even no FF membership) passengers to only select middle seats from the back-forwards if the flight is not full. They block the first few rows for WP/SG when allocating aisles/windows, why not middle seats too? A little thing like that would go a long way towards keeping "elites" happy, and non-status passengers would not really be any wiser (and aren't going to swap seats to another middle seat mid-flight).

I am a NB in the eyes of Qantas but I don't believe that precludes me from being wise.

 

[oz_mark]

It seems that some of the WP's frequenting this board view the ability to have a front row aisle seat and have the adjacent middle seat empty as some god given right.

It is certainly my experience that moving from my original allocated (theoretical) seat seems to increase my chances of having a neighbour. The difficulty is in knowing whether a seat showing as available on the OLCI seat map is free or is someones allocated/theoretical seat - allocated but the passener has not checked in yet. So it entirely possible that if you move yourself to 4C you have in actual fact moved yourself next to someone.

I just hope that the reply that Qantas sends to munitalP is crafted with the flair and creativity befitting of the question

 

[harvyk]

just playing devil's advocate here,
Just remember that today's no status PAX is tomorrows WP... QF know that, so whilst QF should treat their status PAX well, it shouldn't be at the expense of the no-status pax.
That said, the idea of squeezing three people into a single row of a 737 (without reason) in a nearly empty plane does seem weird.
I've had the same thing done to me, I was placed near the back (row 20 from memory) as was nearly everyone else on the plane. There were a few in J, a couple in rows 4, 5 and 6, as well as a couple in the exit rows, but there were 6 rows with no one in them... It was quite strange, almost as if they had reserved the seats for a footy team which did a no-show...

 

[pauly7]

It seems that some of the WP's frequenting this board view the ability to have a front row aisle seat and have the adjacent middle seat empty as some god given right.

I just hope that the reply that Qantas sends to munitalP is crafted with the flair and creativity befitting of the question

+1

I actually thought that this thread was a joke thread

But now I see the platinum princesses out in force and its not pretty!

Maybe there should be a sub group of the WP species... PP's.....

 

[drewbles]

+1

I actually thought that this thread was a joke thread

But now I see the platinum princesses out in force and its not pretty!

Maybe there should be a sub group of the WP species... PP's.....

Wouldn't they just go hand-in-hand with the "DYKWIA" people?

I don't view it as a right to have an empty seat as a SG (And soon WP) but to me, it would make sense to only allow access to the middle seats up front if the rest are full. It's always nice to have an empty seat next to you, but I don't demand/expect it. I do try and look at OLCI on a regular basis after checking in to see if someone has taken it, and move if necessary, but if I get to the plane and there's the middle seat taken, I'm not going to bother complaining

 

[rambisyouth]

Dave, can't you for once stop being so analytical and critical of peoples posts? Offering information of about status - BTW 2720 as of now - empty seats in J and whatever other offered info is to build a picture in ones mind of the situation at hand - I am sure you understand that...

Mr!

I think you're being hard on Dave here. His advice is always to the point and well balanced. More importantly it is usually correct.

In this case you probably need to decide which is more important - being up the front or having a spare seat.

 

[medhead]

Right perhaps, but like any business, wouldn't QF want to look after their very loyal customers? It would make some sense to allow no status (or even no FF membership) passengers to only select middle seats from the back-forwards if the flight is not full.

Some of those loyal customers are companies that spend lots of money with QF but don't allow their staff to collect points. In those cases it makes absolutely no sense for QF to prevent those employees accessing forward seats.

There are so many exceptions to the normal in this type of thing that the sensible approach is to have very few controls or restrictions, but basis the initial seat allocation.

 

[JohnK]

They do some of this in advance , but on day of departure at the airport it seems only fair that any passenger be able to select any available seat.

I agree with you but that is not always the case especially with the ALTEA software system.

My example of being given an aisle seat 6 rows back and not being able to improve on it at the Qantas Lounge and the gate (when there are at least 3 vacant aisle seats further forward and a non status passenger in an aisle seat a few rows in front of me with also vacant middle seat) suggests to me that the way the system has been implemented by QF and the authority levels for different staff is totally wrong.

 

[Dave Noble]

I agree with you but that is not always the case especially with the ALTEA software system.

My example of being given an aisle seat 6 rows back and not being able to improve on it at the Qantas Lounge and the gate (when there are at least 3 vacant aisle seats further forward and a non status passenger in an aisle seat a few rows in front of me with also vacant middle seat) suggests to me that the way the system has been implemented by QF and the authority levels for different staff is totally wrong.

Perhaps they were on full fare tickets and the system rates fare into the mix. There is some algorithm in place to determine which they believe meets their intents in allowing seat selection. Some people may like it, others may not .. as with any change that occurs

It seems to work pretty reasonably from what I can see. on recent flight in U , I had access to most seats in the cabin (row 2 or 3) whilst person travelling in U but with no OW status had a choice of row 3A or B only. worked out ok since could get the adjacent seat in row 3. Could have been a pain for 2 non-status passengers who mighta found themselves unable to sit together On a full fare SIN-PER-MEL-SYD journey at weekend ( after using the seat guarantee option for the SIN-PER and PER-MEL sectors 25 hours before departure from SIN) , the domestic sectors got auto allocated the 1st or 2nd row of economy.

Not meeting the ideals of some passengers does not imply that it has been implemented wrongly

 

[Mr Ed]

Dear munitalP,

Your problem should be easily fixed.

Don't fly to The Isa in first place, The Gateway to Hell, I call it. Boullia is Hell.:evil::mrgreen:
Yes I've been there too many times, but I always made sure I was a drunk as a skunk by the time I arrived. Those stairs get tricky when your drunk.
I always flew up the pointy end.
All said with tongue firmly in cheek.
Best part about Mt Isa...............The flight out. boom boom.

 

[JohnK]

Perhaps they were on full fare tickets and the system rates fare into the mix. There is some algorithm in place to determine which they believe meets their intents in allowing seat selection. Some people may like it, others may not .. as with any change that occurs

I don't want to sound argumentative and perhaps I am misunderstanding your original statement "They do some of this in advance , but on day of departure at the airport it seems only fair that any passenger be able to select any available seat." but from my experience any passenger, regardless of status, does not have access to any available seat on the day of the flight.

In fact it would appear that some Qantas staff do not have access to every available seat....

 

[drron]

Dear munitalP,

Your problem should be easily fixed.

Don't fly to The Isa in first place, The Gateway to Hell, I call it. Boullia is Hell.:evil::mrgreen:
Yes I've been there too many times, but I always made sure I was a drunk as a skunk by the time I arrived. Those stairs get tricky when your drunk.
I always flew up the pointy end.
All said with tongue firmly in cheek.
Best part about Mt Isa...............The flight out. boom boom.

Hey I like The Isa.Great seafood(think about it),great beef,lovely mangoes and dinner at Doms-great.

 

[straitman]

+1

I actually thought that this thread was a joke thread

But now I see the platinum princesses out in force and its not pretty!

Maybe there should be a sub group of the WP species... PP's.....

I was looking for a after your post but obviously missed it.