Melbourne VA Lounge becoming airside from August 2022

[AIRwin]

Virgin Australia launches fast track security screening

A Virgin Australia Group spokesperson said: We are laser focussed on creating great travel experiences for our guests and we are pleased to provide fast track security screening for eligible customers in Melbourne and Brisbane airports.

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

 

[simmomelb]

Ok so apparently the priority screening is only open 5am - 10am, weekdays only.

Which of course is a downgrade for us status VA2 customers

It's not really a downgrade. At the times I've been through security they have been faster than before with or without priority open, although some have reported a different experience. Also, keep in mind that some VA flights depart from T4 which never had priority screening, now we don't need to worry about that after leaving the lounge, which speeds up your trip from the lounge to the gate.
Ultimately if they can speed up security/staff numbers, we shouldn't need priority lanes at security, in a perfect world

 

[jakeseven7]

It's not really a downgrade.

Well pre-covid the VA lounge security was open a lot more than 5-10 weekdays.

But it is true, ever since things opened up again, the premium lounge security was very hit and miss, possibly warming us up for this reduction in manned hours potentially.

Oh well, roll with it.

 

[simmomelb]

Well pre-covid the VA lounge security was open a lot more than 5-10 weekdays.

But it is true, ever since things opened up again, the premium lounge security was very hit and miss, possibly warming us up for this reduction in manned hours potentially.

Oh well, roll with it.

It could also be a staffing issue, given it's impacting just about every business.
This is a real possible scenario given that all airports are struggling to get enough security staff at this point.
It wouldn't really be fair to take what limited security staff the airports have and then throw them just on priority, which isn't that busy compared to everyone else entering.
For the airports, it's better to get everyone through equally, from a logistical/resources point.
Just thinking out loud here

 

[jakeseven7]

It could also be a staffing issue, given it's impacting just about every business.

Quite possibly, but selfishly I don't really care as to the reason the priority lane has been cut back.

Other airports seem to be able to manage it for more than a short period in the AM for 5 days,,,

Hopefully when they can recruit staff properly they will reinstate.

 

[simmomelb]

Quite possibly, but selfishly I don't really care as to the reason the priority lane has been cut back.

Other airports seem to be able to manage it for more than a short period in the AM for 5 days,,,

Hopefully when they can recruit staff properly they will reinstate.

Have you been through Brisbane or Sydney in the last 2 weeks? It's exactly the same at the times I've been through, both of them twice in that period, no priority.
But yes, hopefully, it'll be much better in a few months when they have additional headcount.

 

[MattA]

Ok so apparently the priority screening is only open 5am - 10am, weekdays only.

Which of course is a downgrade for us status VA2 customers

Had my first experience of the new setup at MEL yesterday morning. just after 11am so no priority line but really wasn't necessary at that time of day -- no queue, trays came straight through and we were through security in under 5mins. I know they won't always be as seamless as that but I was impressed.

When the new arrangements were first announced I thought the walk to T4 and back sounded like a terrible idea but actually I think I like it. It is really not that far down to security and it's great to be airside in the lounge. Much better than the old system (even when the old premium exit was operating).

 

[ferntree]

I vaguely recall reading somewhere that this would be new state of the art security with no need to take laptops, aerosols etc out of bags. Is this true or was I having a fanciful dream.

 

[simmomelb]

I vaguely recall reading somewhere that this would be new state of the art security with no need to take laptops, aerosols etc out of bags. Is this true or was I having a fanciful dream.

It sure is, I've been through Melb security 4 times in the last 2 weeks and left all of the above in my bag, straight through, no issues.
If something looks suspicious/unusual they will still pull your luggage off the the side for a possible visual check, but that hasn't happened to me personally.

 

[kerfuffle]

It sure is, I've been through Melb security 4 times in the last 2 weeks and left all of the above in my bag, straight through, no issues.

Can also confirm this, having passed through on Sunday. Make sure to take off your jacket though just in case they get annoyed at you because you weren't instructed to take it off ...

 

[jakeseven7]

Can also confirm this, having passed through on Sunday. Make sure to take off your jacket though just in case they get annoyed at you because you weren't instructed to take it off ...

I wasn't asked to take my suit jacket off by the foul MEL T4 security people - were you wearing something more bulky?

 

[ferntree]

Thanks folks!

 

[GSP]

Virgin Australia launches fast track security screening

A Virgin Australia Group spokesperson said: We are laser focussed on creating great travel experiences for our guests and we are pleased to provide fast track security screening for eligible customers in Melbourne and Brisbane airports.

newsroom.virginaustralia.com

5:00am to 10:00am are good for those in Melbourne (and Brisbane) who typically travel interstate in the morning but not good for anybody visiting Melbourne and typically going through the evening rush from 4.00pm to say 7:00pm.

 

[jakeseven7]

Have you been through Brisbane or Sydney

Yes BNE is my home base and it’s been cut back in Brisbane I just read as well. I find it a little bizzare that there is no priority screening for the afternoon peaks.

 

[simmomelb]

Yes BNE is my home base and it’s been cut back in Brisbane I just read as well. I find it a little bizzare that there is no priority screening for the afternoon peaks.

They don't have priority in Sydney at any time of the day, so it's clearly a staffing issue, and I agree with you regarding the afternoons.
It's just a matter of time before priority in Sydney reopens and Brisbane and Melbourne will undoubtedly open afternoon peak periods also, once they can confidently support these times with staffing.

 

[kerfuffle]

I wasn't asked to take my suit jacket off by the foul MEL T4 security people - were you wearing something more bulky?

No, it was a thin parka. Maybe they treat suits with more respect? (I was dressed in jeans and Chucks) Or they think skinny women are more likely to hide stuff ha.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

They *(probably)* feel that puffer jackets type are iffy.
Can't wait to travel light again this upcoming summer.

 

[JasonK]

I find they tend to ask to remove anything with a zipper, so if the jacket has a zipper on it then that might be why.

 

[Spoon]

There was a fairly long que when I went through at 5:30am, well beyond those portable "S" lanes they set up. There was no priority. From the time I joined the back of the line until the time I entered the lounge was 14 minutes. I thought it was excellent. I did not remove a thing from bag including IPAD and deodorant. I did get selected for a secondary scan where I was required to undo my belt and have a pat down. Sat in the lounge until boarding. The whole thing is a big thumbs up from me and a another nail in the QF coffin. I have two bookings remaining on QF and I think that will be time that the spirit of Australia and I part ways.

 

[ferntree]

I have two bookings remaining on QF and I think that will be time that the spirit of Australia and I part ways.

God help us all if they really are the spirit of Australia.