Improvements to the Qantas Lounge Access Policy for families

[TonyHancock]

During weekday peak times I have rarely seen kids in the domestic J lounges anyway so not sure it's really that important. I don't have kids but if I did I'd probably not like having to go to the QC I stead of the J lounge just because my kids were traveling with me. On weekends it's family time anyway so I don't see a problem

Or Qantas could build a small 'play area' in the lounge so the kids have something to do, in one place which is less like to annoy others - cause in reality there aren't many things a little kid is going to want in a lounge other than a juice/cake.. This will keep them happy and occupied and less likely to cause annoyance to others.

I think a paragraph saying that if you're a bogan and you've let your feral kids run wild in the lounge with no supervision you will be asked to leave would be better.

The problem is that not all involved in business travel have the luxury of flying during business hours. (Oh how I am looking forward to QF400 on Easter Monday, and a week on Sunday!)

I don't doubt that the vast majority of parents will be doing their best to keep the children entertained and quiet, but let's face it if we are to see a greater number of children in the lounge the best will in the world won't stop crying and general noise.

Don't get me wrong I think QF is doing the right thing in looking after families I just hope they build a soundproof shelter in the lounges! I don't have any children....you won't be surprised to hear.

My preference would definitely be no kids in the J lounge as a compromise. That way families get to keep together and the business traveller gets his/her "sanctuary".

 

[simongr]

I think at weekends though the lounges are generally less busy anyway? Thinking Dom rather than INTq maybe.

I do think a kids area is a good idea in theory but it does lead to the risk (like yesterday in ED) that parents think their kids are under control if in a kids room despite them running in and out screaming... Yesterday was not a good lounge day...

 

[Reggie]

Yesterday was not a good lounge day...

I second that. As a father, even though travelling alone, yesterday in the lounge and the plane was .... lets say eventful

 

[Deleted member]

The problem is that not all involved in business travel have the luxury of flying during business hours. (Oh how I am looking forward to QF400 on Easter Monday, and a week on Sunday!)

I don't doubt that the vast majority of parents will be doing their best to keep the children entertained and quiet, but let's face it if we are to see a greater number of children in the lounge the best will in the world won't stop crying and general noise.

Don't get me wrong I think QF is doing the right thing in looking after families I just hope they build a soundproof shelter in the lounges! I don't have any children....you won't be surprised to hear.

My preference would definitely be no kids in the J lounge as a compromise. That way families get to keep together and the business traveller gets his/her "sanctuary".

I agree , but I makes it hard when flying international

 

[nlagalle]

My preference would definitely be no kids in the J lounge as a compromise. That way families get to keep together and the business traveller gets his/her "sanctuary".

Sorry Tony, I don't agree with you there. I've never seen kids being loud or running amok in the J lounge. And anyway, why "business travellers"? They fill up both lounges anyway. Perhaps families need the J lounge as sanctuary from then!

For the record my 8yo daughter has been in the J lounge plenty of times. She always behaves, as have all the other kids I've seen there.

 

[amaroo]

I can't recall any kids having a negative impact on any of my lounge visits......can't say the same thing about adults!

 

[medhead]

This is getting into a bit of a children no children debate. As such I just want to mention that this policy doesn't change the already existing infant policy. Infants are the ones that are likely to result in uncontrolled crying and such noise. Sure toddlers in the 2/3 age range have other issues, but generally over 4 children can be pretty well behaved, well at least not randomly crying for no reason.

By way of toddler issues, one of my children when 2/3 would not stay seated if we went out. Not running and scream, she just liked to walk around, I don't know why, testing her legs? Now that made it hard for us, as we had to eat meals in shifts while one walked with her and kept her out of trouble. But in a lounge situation it would just be 2 more people walking past.

 

[Princess Fiona]

This is getting into a bit of a children no children debate. As such I just want to mention that this policy doesn't change the already existing infant policy. Infants are the ones that are likely to result in uncontrolled crying and such noise. Sure toddlers in the 2/3 age range have other issues, but generally over 4 children can be pretty well behaved, well at least not randomly crying for no reason.

By way of toddler issues, one of my children when 2/3 would not stay seated if we went out. Not running and scream, she just liked to walk around, I don't know why, testing her legs? Now that made it hard for us, as we had to eat meals in shifts while one walked with her and kept her out of trouble. But in a lounge situation it would just be 2 more people walking past.

I agree with you medhead.
The very generous QF Lounge access for families has meant that my youngest two have grown up accustomed to visiting and behaving in them.
Miss 7 even has a special "Lounge" voice which she refers to.
Noticeable by the fact that it's several decibels lower than her usual

 

[jono88888]

Every time I've taken my kids to the QF lounge and asked if it was ok, it's always been a case of 'Of course'. That said, I'm always worried this will be the day I hit the QF door person who is having a bad day. So it's great to get this in writing.

It now means I don't have to tell my kids to put on their sweetest smiles each time we approach the lounge door.

 

[AVC]

This is getting into a bit of a children no children debate. As such I just want to mention that this policy doesn't change the already existing infant policy. Infants are the ones that are likely to result in uncontrolled crying and such noise. Sure toddlers in the 2/3 age range have other issues, but generally over 4 children can be pretty well behaved, well at least not randomly crying for no reason.

True true. Not that infants cry for no reason. It just seems that way sometimes. Or they are crying for pretty much any reason.

By way of toddler issues, one of my children when 2/3 would not stay seated if we went out. Not running and scream, she just liked to walk around, I don't know why, testing her legs? Now that made it hard for us, as we had to eat meals in shifts while one walked with her and kept her out of trouble. But in a lounge situation it would just be 2 more people walking past.

Same problem. My daughter is 4 and every time we are at a restaurant she will always get up and either dance about or walk around counting chairs or something. It annoys my wife more than it does me. She also likes to pretend to take our orders using a straw or chopstick and a plate as "pen and paper". I wonder if the FAs need a "Santas Little Helper"?

Or Qantas could build a small 'play area' in the lounge so the kids have something to do, in one place which is less like to annoy others - cause in reality there aren't many things a little kid is going to want in a lounge other than a juice/cake.. This will keep them happy and occupied and less likely to cause annoyance to others.

Qantas have already introduced the kids zones in SYD and MEL QP
What's New with The Qantas Club

 

[TonyHancock]

Last Sunday I was in the Virgin Melbourne Lounge. (Yes I know this thread is about QF lounges.) There were two children, about 2 or 3 years old with toys everywhere, and two dads desperately trying to keep them under control. I felt sorry for one set of parents who were clearly embarrassed at the amount of noise their child was making. I felt less sorry for the other parents who felt that changing the nappy on their other child, in the lounge, whilst others were attempting to eat breakfast was appropriate.

I don't want this to be a children v no children debate. I think that QF has made a smart move here, and families should be kept together.

Perhaps a better solution might be to have a child free zone in the lounges in the same way there are mobile free zones? (Funnily enough I have never seen the mobile free zones enforced.) That way miserable old gits like me can go and shelter there!

 

[tuapekastar]

indeed this is great. It addresses one of my bugbears of having beg to take the kids in, while also "wasting" hundreds of guest spots flying solo
Sent from the Throne

I've always kinda liked the idea of accumulating credits for non-used guest spots, so after 20 solo visits I can guest in my entire footy team.

 

[amaroo]

Perhaps a better solution might be to have a child free zone in the lounges in the same way there are mobile free zones? (Funnily enough I have never seen the mobile free zones enforced.) That way miserable old gits like me can go and shelter there!

As someone who travels with children & uses lounges regularly I wouldn't have an issue with this......As long as it didn't include dining areas.

 

[Deleted member]

As a grandparent I am more tolerant then when I was a parent.

 

[harvyk]

Qantas have already introduced the kids zones in SYD and MEL QP
What's New with The Qantas Club

The little harvyk's have quite enjoyed the kids zones in the SYD QP...
It's a cleaver way of making a child free zone, without actually having to tell families that they are not allowed to be somewhere. Last year when I was there with the kids, there was no way we'd be anywhere else in the lounge, and subsequently, I would say someone who didn't want to be around kids would be anywhere else in the lounge except for at the kids zone...

My one suggestion (and this is as a parent) would be to make it an actual room, rather than simply a partitioned off area. Much easier to keep small kids in a room than on a carpeted mat...

 

[oz_mark]

It's a cleaver way of making a child free zone,

I am a bit concerned about your use of cleavers to make child-free zones.

 

[pagingjoan]

I am a bit concerned about your use of cleavers to make child-free zones.

Whoops! That anonymous "Like" was me.
Haven't managed to make that work with a name attached.

 

[harvyk]

I am a bit concerned about your use of cleavers to make child-free zones.

Stupid iPad... :evil:

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Last Sunday I was in the Virgin Melbourne Lounge. (Yes I know this thread is about QF lounges.) There were two children, about 2 or 3 years old with toys everywhere, and two dads desperately trying to keep them under control. I felt sorry for one set of parents who were clearly embarrassed at the amount of noise their child was making. I felt less sorry for the other parents who felt that changing the nappy on their other child, in the lounge, whilst others were attempting to eat breakfast was appropriate.

Bet that put you right off your pancakes! :shock:

 

[JohnK]

As a grandparent I am more tolerant then when I was a parent.

Is that because you can now hand the children back?