Getting toward the front of the plane

[Milefest]

I know it's rude to say, but it does peeve me a bit to hear that reds or nobodies are filling row 3 shadows. In my estimation, row 3 shadows should be filled only as the last available seats (unless selected by a plat member).

I agree, as someone who only began flying frequently recently, I see how important it is to get on and off the plane swiftly.

 

[clarkkent]

fwiw I think at least 3 of last night's SYD-BNE flights actually were 100% full in economy (as judged by inability to fly ahead and zero flexis for sale), so on those flights it's reasonably likely that a non-allocated red would have a decent chance of getting a seat at the front.

 

[Major]

I know it's rude to say, but it does peeve me a bit to hear that reds or nobodies are filling row 3 shadows. In my estimation, row 3 shadows should be filled only as the last available seats (unless selected by a plat member).

I totally agree

 

[Eggsbenedict]

I totally agree

A big +1 for me

 

[JohnK]

I know it's rude to say, but it does peeve me a bit to hear that reds or nobodies are filling row 3 shadows. In my estimation, row 3 shadows should be filled only as the last available seats (unless selected by a plat member).

There wouldn't be many who disagree. Qantas has the same issue with row 4.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

fwiw I think at least 3 of last night's SYD-BNE flights actually were 100% full in economy (as judged by inability to fly ahead and zero flexis for sale), so on those flights it's reasonably likely that a non-allocated red would have a decent chance of getting a seat at the front.

End of Qld school holidays. It's the same reason I saw value in upgrading to J on my CNS-BNE on Sunday arvo. With just two flexis left, I thought the chance of a row 3 shadow was remote (which was later seen to be true). I don't begrudge VA for filling row 3 when the planes are full......that's their goal after all, it's just filling first from the front and leaving heaps of shadows toward the back that irks me a bit. Surely they can program the computer to fill from the back first or perhaps from the middle out in both directions? (load balancing taking a priority of course)

 

[serfty]

While I prefer a shadow - it is far less likely to occur in row 3 ...

For most those 6 seats are the best in the "main" cabin and why should they be not avaulble to all?

 

[blackcat20]

While I prefer a shadow - it is far less likely to occur in row 3 ...

For most those 6 seats are the best in the "main" cabin and why should they be not avaulble to all?

Because they should be offered to status pax first? It's annoying enough as a gold to see a red in those seats when we've arrived early and asked for it, so I can imagine plats can't be too happy either.

 

[serfty]

Because they should be offered to status pax first? It's annoying enough as a gold to see a red in those seats when we've arrived early and asked for it, so I can imagine plats can't be too happy either.

Yeah - I used to think like that, but putting myself in the place of a non status person; I realised I'd be trying ... trying ... trying .... to access these seats.

Those WP who book early (and don't fly ahead) simply have first crack at them ...

Maybe they'll start charging for these seats like exit rows soon ...

 

[clarkkent]

Of course back when golds could choose them they were full of platinums and golds and maybe some lucky silvers. Finding no-status people sitting there on full flights is an obvious consequence of the current setup. On non-full flights though the current situation is clearly suboptimal.

 

[Milefest]

Maybe they'll start charging for these seats like exit rows soon ...

Don't give them ideas for another enhancement..

 

[Deleted member 29185]

For most those 6 seats are the best in the "main" cabin and why should they be not avaulble to all?

Because they are attempting to become a fullservice airline. Because they are trying to attract the upper end of town. Because they are trying to look after their status pax. Because there is so very little now to distiguish between gold and plat. Because they are attempt to lose the LCC tag.

Remember JQ saw LCC as not allocating seats at all to start with. It was a first aboard, best dressed deal. Isn't that concept allowing the best seats to be available to all? The reality is, all can not have row 3 seats, so then in my eyes it just comes down to a question of to whom the carrier wishes to give those seats.

 

[serfty]

Because they are attempting to become a fullservice airline. ... Because they are attempt to lose the LCC tag.

...

Is Qantas a LCC? [Rhetorical Question]

There are plenty of threads and angst elsewhere about NB's and Row 4 on QF 737's.

If that's the competion then VA don't have to do much more. ..

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Is Qantas a LCC? [Rhetorical Question]

There are plenty of threads and angst elsewhere about NB's and Row 4 on QF 737's.

If that's the competion then VA don't have to do much more. ..

QF has a head start though. VA gave away status and almost grovelled in the gutter to win loyalty and that didn't sway the volume of QF shackled flyers they wanted (needed?) so they have to not just be close, not even equal....they have to surpass QF.

 

[MarkD]

How does everyone know these people are red status?
FWIW if there is someone in B or E in row 3 i will just select seats at the back on 737s get off quicker than stuck in the middle

 

[blackcat20]

How does everyone know these people are red status?
FWIW if there is someone in B or E in row 3 i will just select seats at the back on 737s get off quicker than stuck in the middle

When you see their boarding pass? Or when they ask the FA questions no regular flyer would need to ask.

 

[significance]

I've noticed just recently that the seats I can select on Qantas flights have been a bit further back. In the past, whether I've been Silver or Gold, for some reason, I've usually been in the front 10 rows, often about row 5, and almost always with an empty seat next to me. But just recently, though currently SG, I haven't been able to select a seat the front 10 rows at time of booking. Any idea why I might have been doing better than I should in the past, and what might have changed? Things I can think of:

• I have booked flights for colleagues in the past, but not in a long time now. Do they give extra "behind the scenes" status to people who book on behalf of others?
• My employer is one of Qantas' top customers, but became part of the unified federal government arrangements with Qantas a couple of years ago. Maybe I got a behind the scenes status boost because of my employer, and it took a while after the arrangements changed for that to change?
• Just plain coincidence? Have they had fuller aeroplanes lately, or more higher status PAX travelling?