FA Unilaterally Downgrading PAX from J to Y on Trans Tasman (Jetconnect)

[serfty]

Note that QF25 MEL-AKL has 12 J seats; AKL-LAX it has 56 - that may have something to do with it.

Still doesn't mitigate the action stated.

 

[maninblack]

Re: Jetconnect 737-800

a recent trip of QF25 with jetconnect from MEL-AKL that i took was somewhat quite the opposite! The plane was old - and i say OLD because the plastics inside the aircraft where not white, nor cream but yellow, aged yellow! And to be frank the plane stank.

The FA's were grumpy and can you believe, had the audacity to ask me to move from my J seat to a Y seat to allow a couple ( that had individualy booked tickets one in J and the other in Y) to take my seat so they could sit together. When i asked "will i get a refund", the response i got from the FA was, and i quote, " please sir dont be a nuisance, it is only a 3 hr flight im sure you will be fine back in economy" and then litterly pushed me down the cabin. Needless to say i was furious!

I will avoid Jetconnect from now on i think!

Surely not. I have never heard of anything like this. You should have simply refused and asked to see the QF ops ground manager if the flight was still on the ground. If not you have to obey flight crew instructions but this is simply not on.

Some of the flights are 734's at full J fares a total disgrace.

 

[MelUser]

This is one of the most shocking things I have read on this website (it beats the complaint about the stuffed toy not arriving from the Qantas Frequent Flyer shop hands down).

I guess we are all different - If this had happened to me I would be getting names of cabin crew, photos of my new seat, preparing a statutory declaration etc etc. This poor passenger needs to get as much evidence and ammunition together as possible and then prepare a clear chronology and statutory declaration of what happened. (After that judge went to jail in NSW stat declarations have now more weight attached to them.)

All material should be posted to customer care and the CEO.

This is all going to depend on how much energy is put into the complaint.

 

[Keith009]

I hope the OP does follow up with the complaint very vigorously, and I look forward to hearing about the outcome. This is outrageous and deserves compensation IMO. Even when I've agreed to change seats in the same cabin to accomodate couples, I have been generously compensated for doing so by the v nice FAs by way of a heightened level of service, eg champers to take home, served my meal first etc even though I would not consider myself any more than slightly inconvenienced in that situation. So this FA was clearly out of line. I am not sure how I'd react there and then if I were in the OP's shoes as I've never experienced anything like this; but I'd expect to be extremely angry and will be sure to put a lot of energy into pursuing my case when I've calmed down and am sufficiently composed.

 

[taswegian77]

Wow!!! I traveled in June with mrs taswegian who is pregnant expecting triplets and I had a J booking and she was booked in Y, long story my ticket was booked first and she decided at last second to come and no other J seats availabe. Anyway I let hr sit in my J seat and I sat in Y, sort of tried to see if we both could be seated together but was told no spare seats but they were open to the idea, but wehn plant took off and I visited her there was a spare seat right next to her, quite funny but I went back to my Y seat and never said a word.

If they did this to me in making me go to Y I would have fastened my seat belt and said c'mon try!!!!

 

[Dalescott]

Have heard of this before on BA, but they refused (It was my then boss). FA asked, and then threatened. They were told in no uncertain terms where to get off. BA also tried to bump me off a flight in Heathrow, with the old over booked story. Told them no way as I had a meeting on the very morning of arrival. I was told that my seat (a J) was sold to somebody else. Desk attendant was the most annoying and rude person that I have ever had to deal with in regard to travel anywhere. When I pushed it, the Desk manager arrived and threatened to have me arrested. She also informed me to the conditions of flying with BA, and yes they can change your seat, and the flight at their discretion. What was I to do, but accept the BA offer of a First class seat, a hotel for the night and 500 pounds sterling. Nice

 

[medhead]

They simply paid out his contractual obligations.

Umm my reading of the financial news pages sugests that it was that simple.

I'm also waiting to hear if there is anymore on this, like a satisfaactory result.

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: Unilateral Downgrading of PAX from J Trans Tasman by FA

was a couple weeks ago (early sept) at the time it happened, it all happened so fast i really didnt give myself the chance to chuck a hissy fit ( i really wish i had of). As you know its a way early flight - i had travelled from Phillip Island (160kms south of MEL airport) that morning, mixed with a head ache from hell and a itchy runny nose from somewhere far worse than hell! I just wanted to sleep.

Im pretty sure the FA knew the couple on a personal level hence her behavor, and as Q call center staff said - i had no proof of what happened so there is supposidly nothing they can do for me! The whole thing really... well sucked!!!

I had work meetings all the during the day i arrived in LAX with a LHR bound flight that eve (which i must say was one of the most pleasent J flights ive ever had - mostly cause i was 'way' high on sleeping pills and slept the whole way from LAX to LHR - after which had to sit on the tarmac for 45 mins why another a departure bay became avail) by the time i got to London i was buggered and had completely forgot about my Jetconnect ordeal. After a few days i wrote to Q only to receive no actual response, and after a few phone calls i got no where so i just gave up ( to which i tihnk is Qantas's hope)

If it were to ever happen again i think id refuse to move, even if i got a tap on the shoulder from a flight marshal! (that'd be interesting!!!)

Sorry to hear about ALL of your troubles on that day.

Before I read this post, I was actually thinking what proof did you have of being moved....

If this ever happened to me I would ask for proof that they moved me via a letter from the CSM on the flight and for them to take a photo of me in the new seat.

With that evidence I would be making enough noise at customer service to get a full refund and a credit for a future flight

 

[chrizzz14]

6 weeks later .... ive received a response from Q.

They simply apologised for what inconvenience that may have been caused.

They claim to have looked into the matter and spoken with the CSM on the flight who assured them that such a situation did not occur.

* pretty much calling me a liar! *

They then went on to say and i quote " however this situation is unique, and because you have stated you are prepared to submit a statutory declaration we are forced to compensate you in some regard....... Please accept the enclosed voucher as form of compensation for your inconvenience....."
blaa blaa blaa

the voucher is for AUD150

I sent a reply, brief reply.

" .... i do not accept.... I will continue to submit a statutory declaration when i return to Australia and continue to seek legal advice...... "

i await their next reply!

This entire ordeal is enough to push me away from OW!

 

[Mal]

" .... i do not accept.... I will continue to submit a statutory declaration when i return to Australia and continue to seek legal advice...... "

Good on you

I sense they're calling your bluff at the moment. But if you persist, then you should get compensated appropriately.

Heck, if I was in that situation, I would be sending registered mail to Mr Joyce himself and asking him to justify what happened.

 

[Diesellife]

I agree... Don't let them trick you with the $150.
Accepting it will waive you from any further claim in this matter...
Submit the complaint and get her fired!

 

[Dave Noble]

" .... i do not accept.... I will continue to submit a statutory declaration when i return to Australia and continue to seek legal advice...... "

i await their next reply!

This entire ordeal is enough to push me away from OW!

The issue I see is regardless of whether you write a statutory declaration, can you prove what happened which is what would be needed in order to successfully take action against the airline, or is it going to be purely your word vs the cabin crew?

Dave

 

[Moody]

I have read this topic with interest but also a nagging feeling in the back of my mind. That you were seated in Business and then were moved to Economy (and not a good seat) is a given. What I would like to understand a bit more is how the FA managed to con you out of your rightful place.

I think we would all have experienced times when a series of small steps leads to an adverse outcome that we would never have agreed to at the start. This thread is full of people who believe it would never happen to them and they would have shackled themselves to the seat and been straight on to their lawyer and blah blah blah. Yes - its easy to be wise after the event but to help me understand how you were scammed could you please detail exactly how the FA approached you, what she said, what you said, and any other factors that led to this sorry situation.

 

[harvyk]

What I would like to understand a bit more is how the FA managed to con you out of your rightful place.

Simple, thanks to the current age of terror, FA's hold a lot of power... They can virtually prevent you from flying just because they don't like you...

 

[chrizzz14]

........... Yes - its easy to be wise after the event but to help me understand how you were scammed could you please detail exactly how the FA approached you, what she said, what you said, and any other factors that led to this sorry situation.

ive stated it a few times!

At the time i was overly tired, stressed, and somewhat sick.

I was seated in 2C if i remember correctly. Very shortly after i had sat down the FA came to me with a big smile on her face and asked if i could do her a favor and swap seats to enable this woman to sit with her husband as they were seated apart.
I simply assumed it would be to another J seat.

I stood, the FA then very smartly took my luggage from the overhead cabin and 'politely' pushed me down the cabin... before i knew it i was in the Y cabin.
It happened awfully fast - with people piling up behind the FA boarding the aircraft. I did make a small attempt to complain but i was told not to cause trouble - at the time i just felt it 'easier' to sit down and shut up.. silly maybe but cough happens.

Like i said i think the FA new the PAX on a personal level - as it was kind of strange that a Y pax bored the plane when only J were being allowed on.

 

[serfty]

People with high status can board at any time using "Preferred Boarding".

 

[Commuter]

I would not accept $150 compensation, unless this is the same or larger than the economy class and business class fare difference, in which case I would.

I have been given $100+ for breakdown in communication and all sorts of minor things for which I have not even asked for compensation - I was merely asking them to improve things. So $150 does not seem sufficient.

Heck, if I was in that situation, I would be sending registered mail to Mr Dixon himself and asking him to justify what happened.

Mr Joyce (depending on how you see that), not Mr Dixon, nowadays.

 

[djfuzz]

ive stated it a few times!

At the time i was overly tired, stressed, and somewhat sick.

I was seated in 2C if i remember correctly. Very shortly after i had sat down the FA came to me with a big smile on her face and asked if i could do her a favor and swap seats to enable this woman to sit with her husband as they were seated apart.
I simply assumed it would be to another J seat.

I stood, the FA then very smartly took my luggage from the overhead cabin and 'politely' pushed me down the cabin... before i knew it i was in the Y cabin.
It happened awfully fast - with people piling up behind the FA boarding the aircraft. I did make a small attempt to complain but i was told not to cause trouble - at the time i just felt it 'easier' to sit down and shut up.. silly maybe but cough happens.

Like i said i think the FA new the PAX on a personal level - as it was kind of strange that a Y pax bored the plane when only J were being allowed on.

Ah, the old 'request to switch seats but actually downgrade' bait trick - very crafty by the FA.

This has happened to me in the past - actually not even an FA, but ground staff coming on board asking me to switch seats! But seeing as I was travelling on QF staff travel at the time, I actually had no basis on which to complain (not that I was inclined to), which is why I can't believe they would try that on with a paid J passenger.

I know you've said you were tired, but upon hitting the J cabin curtain, I'd have stopped and tapped her on the shoulder to politely ask her what she thought she was doing.

 

[Dave Noble]

I would not accept $150 compensation, unless this is the same or larger than the economy class and business class fare difference, in which case I would.

The issue I see is the question If the $150 is refused , is there evidence that the OP can use to prove the downgrade. If not, then I would be wary of refusing to accept the $150

Dave

 

[dajop]

The issue I see is the question If the $150 is refused , is there evidence that the OP can use to prove the downgrade. If not, then I would be wary of refusing to accept the $150

Dave

Frankly, what' a $150 voucher? Big whoopy doo!

I'd happily refuse to accept it on a matter of principle, even if there is chance of further compensation being denied - at the end of the day $150 isn't that significant, and I would consider it a risk worth taking. A longshot, and I don't know how good pax records are, but there may be someone sitting next to chrizzz15 who could be contacted to verify if they were sitting next to him or not - I'd certainly raise that with QF in any event if they still refuse to believe him. Also would they have a record of who was sitting in 2A and could they chcck if that person's wife was also on board?