Kerbside Check In

[simongr]

I was just reading on FT this post in this thread and the thing that piqued my interest was the kerbside checkin at MEL.

Since the new F check in and lounges opened I have consistently heard about kerbside check in but never experienced it.

I have had fligths when I have been F through upgrade and J through being on a J ticket as a n AA EXP and not once has departure documentation been prefilled nor have I been able to find the kerbside check in.

In the linked post the person was on a whY ticket as a QF WP but did get kerbside check in. Am I missing a trick?

Cheers

Simon

 

[tuapekastar]

I was just reading on FT this post in this thread and the thing that piqued my interest was the kerbside checkin at MEL.

Since the new F check in and lounges opened I have consistently heard about kerbside check in but never experienced it.

I have had fligths when I have been F through upgrade and J through being on a J ticket as a n AA EXP and not once has departure documentation been prefilled nor have I been able to find the kerbside check in.

In the linked post the person was on a whY ticket as a QF WP but did get kerbside check in. Am I missing a trick?

Cheers

Simon

Don't know about missing a trick, but you're not missing much as far as 'kerbside' checkin goes (IMHO ).

Enter direct from outside the terminal (if you are dropped off directly in front, this is fine, if not it may be a PITA). Otherwise you may have to walk away from where you ultimately wish to go.

Once checked in, you can exit this area via a side door leading into the main terminal building. So you still have to walk the same distances to immigration etc. I'd venture to say that, apart from the fact that it is a pleasant 'self contained' area with a bit of "exclusivity" feeling, it is actually no better than traditional F checkin counters. That is, if dropped anywhere other than right in front of it, you need to walk outside the terminal till you find it, then check in and walk back through the terminal to immigration. Not much chop on a rotten winter day.

That said, there's not really anything 'wrong' with it. Just not anything sensational.

Edit: I think it's towards the 'far' end of the Int'l terminal at MEL

 

[egoode]

I flew in First in January from Sydney and when they called me the day before the flight they asked if I wanted to be pre-checked in and have someone help me with my bags. I said yes as had 3 bags to check in and my carry-on.

They gave me a mobile number to call as I was approaching the airport and they meet us at the front of the terminal. They then escort you to the First check-in area where you can skip the line of people queuing up (must have been about 6 people when I arrived). Sit down fill in your departure form while they weigh and tag the bags. Then they handover your boarding passes with the luggage checks and your priority security pass.

They then asked if I needed an escort to the first class lounge but as I needed to go to the TRS office I said no to that.

 

[Flying Fox]

They gave me a mobile number to call as I was approaching the airport and they meet us at the front of the terminal. They then escort you to the First check-in area where you can skip the line of people queuing up (must have been about 6 people when I arrived). Sit down fill in your departure form while they weigh and tag the bags. Then they handover your boarding passes with the luggage checks and your priority security pass.

They then asked if I needed an escort to the first class lounge but as I needed to go to the TRS office I said no to that.

This sounds similar to the F experience with SQ in SIN. However, there is no number to call. You simply drive up to the F Departures area and someone from the Bell-Hop team comes to your vehicle. They ask if you are flying F and then unload all your bags (and boxes in my case) from your car and places them on a trolley which they push for you.

They escourt you to their F checkin mini-lounge and you sit on the sofa whilst they do everything else for you. From memory everything is pre-filled and you simply need to sign the imigration forms. Then you can be escorted right to the lounge if you like.

 

[simongr]

A detailed response is now on FT - in summary:

MEL - the kerbside check in is the only form of check in for F/OWE and you drive right up to it
SYD - Kerbside only availabile to people ticketed in F (excludes points upgrades) and essentially consists of a little chap stealing your bags when you call to tell him which car you are arriving in. Poor little OWE have to carry their own bags to the walled off section that is the F check in

Cheers all

 

[serfty]

I've put together a little slideshow on FT of the MEL & SYD F Check-in areas.

Here's the link:

• Qantas First Class Check-in MEL & SYD

 

[straitman]

I've put together a little slideshow on FT of the MEL & SYD F Check-in areas.

Here's the link:

• Qantas First Class Check-in MEL & SYD

Good one thanks serfty.