Better QF Ground Service / Benefits?

[drewbles]

The current set ups at domestic gates around the country definitely don't suit the model I've suggested above. Plus, having double boarding aerobridges is only useful to separate classes, not to board priority vs. plebs.

Sure they do. Do what AA do in the USA. One gate agent, and a Sign. Says "Coach" and an arrow pointing to the left side down of the sign and 'First and Priority AAccess" with an arrow pointing to the right side down of the sign.

Coach/Economy lines up on the left, and anyone that didn't pre-board with the First/Elites, can "jump the queue" by going to the right of the sign. The gate agents then just take their BP rather than the next in the Coach queue.

Works great. I'd not fly through the USA without StAAtus, especially where kitchen sinks are regular carry-on items. You have to be amongst the first on to have any hope of having overhead space.

 

[samh004]

You have to be amongst the first on to have any hope of having overhead space.

Not a fan of putting some luggage under the seat in front of you?

 

[anat0l]

Not a fan of putting some luggage under the seat in front of you?

Fact, samh004: No one is - neither the fat nor the thin; neither the short nor the tall.

Women's handbags (and possibly cake boxes, e.g. boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts bought ex-SYD) are the only notable exceptions.

 

[codash1099]

They have a back door. Admit it may be hard to get a aerobridge to service it....

Ideal. Non-QFF members and NB should board via the rear door from the tarmac. Only PS, SG and WP can use the airbridge.

 

[straitman]

Ideal. Non-QFF members and NB should board via the rear door from the tarmac. Only PS, SG and WP can use the airbridge.

Now that is possibly the best comment posted on this thread :!:

 

[drewbles]

Not a fan of putting some luggage under the seat in front of you?

I'm 6'4". Coach on AA? pass I'll stick to getting on early and having a chance at the locker space to let my feet get some room.

 

[anat0l]

While we're talking about priority boarding, how about a real priority check-in?

Instead of any non-pleb in one line, there should be a separate line for J/WP/OWE for domestic check-in.

It is really confusing because they label lines "Business" and "The Qantas Club", which is just plain stupid. The lines never work that way; all the non-plebs just take either line.

Of course, with proposed new check-in procedures coming in, it will be interesting to see what happens to the whole process (I'm wagering "not much").


Now this is going to sound controversial, but priority security screening line(s) for WP/SG/PS and OWR/OWS/OWE (not QP). Now you're probably mad at me for one of two reasons: (a) no QPs allowed, and/or (b) letting other OW elites into the benefit.


Another wild idea: having a small, separate premium check-in lounge at domestic airports for pax who have a QF F booking on the same day, e.g. BNE-SYD-BKK with BNE-SYD in any class (even on a separate itinerary) then SYD-BKK in QF F. Also open for international connections for WPs and OWEs (but international connection must be on a QF or other oneworld flight). I loathe to add (for fear of "now you're crazy" remarks) extending the proposed limo policy to pax who have an international connection but would otherwise qualify under the policy (e.g. if a BNE-based pax holds a BNE-SYD-BKK booking with SYD-BKK in paid QF F, he would be eligible for a limo transfer in BNE).


+1 on getting priority baggage right - I'm talking especially to you, PER!



One thing that always arises is whether other oneworld elites should get some benefits that QF elites get. Certainly, receiving benefits as a oneworld elite which are not part of the oneworld common agreement isn't new; for example, oneworld elites receive free checked baggage on AA as well as Priority AAccess.

 

[notzac]

Now this is going to sound controversial, but priority security screening line(s) for WP/SG/PS and OWR/OWS/OWE (not QP). Now you're probably mad at me for one of two reasons: (a) no QPs allowed, and/or (b) letting other OW elites into the benefit.

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me. AA seemed to have arranged this for most of their ex-US departures and make it available to all oneworld elites; why can't QF do the same?

 

[thewinchester]

...(and possibly cake boxes, e.g. boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts bought ex-SYD) are the only notable exceptions.

Guilty as charged there. While I don't like taking up all that space in the overhead bins, I'd be harassed to death if I didn't bring any KK's back with me to PER.

 

[davidj-bell]

Now this is going to sound controversial, but priority security screening line(s) for WP/SG/PS and OWR/OWS/OWE (not QP). Now you're probably mad at me for one of two reasons: (a) no QPs allowed, and/or (b) letting other OW elites into the benefit.

It's not controversial. In the US and Europe, you can use the fast track security lines if you're OWE (and the airline is able to offer this service. I remember Rome airport having a fast track security, but only alitalia premium passengers were allowed to use it).

 

[jas]

Ewww, KK.

I don't get the hype of PER people with it... then again, I probably did the same before I moved states. Now that I'm here I don't see what the attraction is to feeling like you've just eaten a brick.


[/thread hijack]

 

[drewbles]

Ewww, KK.

I don't get the hype of PER people with it... then again, I probably did the same before I moved states. Now that I'm here I don't see what the attraction is to feeling like you've just eaten a brick.


[/thread hijack]

+1

Probably one of the worst doughnuts i've ever had really.

If you want a *real* doughnut, go to the American Doughnut Caravan at Queen Vic Markets in Melbourne. Fresh (and i mean straight from the oil - they cook them in front of you) balls of fresh light fluffy dough full of warm strawberry jam and coated with sugar.

KK's? over-priced heavy pieces of dough that sit in your stomach like a rock. Sorry, IMHO glazed != doughnut

(we now return you back to the thread on ground benefits... )

 

[dajop]

Now this is going to sound controversial, but priority security screening line(s) for WP/SG/PS and OWR/OWS/OWE (not QP). Now you're probably mad at me for one of two reasons: (a) no QPs allowed, and/or (b) letting other OW elites into the benefit.

Is security getting that bad these days that this is necessary? I know when i was travelling frequently domestically, the longest I ever had to wait one day was about 7 or 8 minutes when the queue was out the door, but typically never more than 3 or 4 minutes. I guess though it has been > 12 mths since travelling frequently domestically, so my experience is not current. This contrasts to the US, where I've had some really doozies of waits (you know in the order of 20+ minutes) where no priority access to screening lanes.

 

[anat0l]

Is security getting that bad these days that this is necessary? I know when i was travelling frequently domestically, the longest I ever had to wait one day was about 7 or 8 minutes when the queue was out the door, but typically never more than 3 or 4 minutes. I guess though it has been > 12 mths since travelling frequently domestically, so my experience is not current. This contrasts to the US, where I've had some really doozies of waits (you know in the order of 20+ minutes) where no priority access to screening lanes.

Well, if you put it that way, then 7-8 minutes wait time is the upper bounds of typical for me. Even at SYD or MEL.

I have had 10-15 minute waits before - again, is that much to ask of people.

I guess most people will crack the sh!ts if the plebs are reduced to one (or two) lines whilst there is a "clear" line only for elites.

Rush hour times - haven't been in many of those, but we may have a case there.

 

[thewinchester]

I don't know which airports some of you have been using, but I've never had 7-8min wait times for security screening at any Australian airport for as long as I can remember.

The longest wait I've ever had was ~5min at HBA, and that's only because all the QP users were cautioned to get moving to security for their flight early as there was already a bit of a queue.

Even then, most pax had everything ready to go, laptops out, pockets cleared, metal off and the like, all ready to dump in the x-ray and get moving to the gate.

 

[dajop]

I guess I find the ground experience in Australia quite reasonable. I can't think of too many places in the world (NZ being the main exception) where I can get step out of the taxi 20 mins before departure and still make my flight and find room in the OH locker for my carry-on. With OLCI have done this several times (although only once on a non-flexible ticket - thanks to a taxi that didn't turn up).

 

[pauly7]

Now this is going to sound controversial, but priority security screening line(s) for WP/SG/PS and OWR/OWS/OWE (not QP). Now you're probably mad at me for one of two reasons: (a) no QPs allowed, and/or (b) letting other OW elites into the benefit.
.

Although the details have not been revealed, QF has already indicated that this is on the way. Hopefully it extends to SG's!

 

[dajop]

I don't know which airports some of you have been using, but I've never had 7-8min wait times for security screening at any Australian airport for as long as I can remember.

Very rare but has happened some times - think it was on first day of school holidays, or around major events or such things.

 

[oz_mark]

I don't know which airports some of you have been using, but I've never had 7-8min wait times for security screening at any Australian airport for as long as I can remember.

Last year, last day of school holidays. Perth.

 

[Aenveigh]

Rush hour times - haven't been in many of those, but we may have a case there.

Certainly MEL on a Monday morning at the QF terminal is horrendous - 10-15 mins easy, sometime more if you pick the wrong line. It's time you'd rather not have to factor in for early bird flights.... Contrast to Virgin, which is usually quick... a priority queue for status at peak time for Qantas would help a lot, as would any extra screening!! (I'm a NB - and would still advocate an (extra) 'status' line just to speed things up... and for when I do get status )