My first flight in FIRST by QANTAS was such a let-down, it certainly won't happen again!

[Rick93]

It seems fairly clear that the OP left the lounge before the flight was called. So that's really no-one's fault, just perhaps a misunderstanding of process.

Unless the upgrade was a points upgrade granted the day before, then the OP should have received a call from the F host, even if all the spa appointments were already booked. (It is probably logistically impossible for every F pax to be given a spa treatment in the timeframe available, but that's not the sole point of the phone call.)

I remain mystified by the "Mexican stand off" at the gate. What and why? The aerobridge for F pax in SYD is clearly marked. In my experience, as soon as the staff see that you're an F pax, they board you immediately. I'd like to know *exactly* what the OP said to the QF staffer at the gate that seems to have escalated the situation.

It's unclear when the OP actually boarded the aircraft. If at the end of the process, perhaps there was a rush to prepare the cabin and so the jacket was overlooked. As Princess Fiona asked, though - had the OP taken the jacket off? if so, where was it? (If the crew can't see it, they can't hang it.)

As to the lack of a bottle of anything as "compensation" - did the OP actually raise this with the CSM or another member of the crew? If so, how? ...

When no call in lounge by 10 mins past boarding time, I left lounge via way I came in. I forgot there may have been another way to board ... should every F pax know this in advance ?

Boarded wearing suit jacket ..... plus all through flight. Wasn't asked at anytime if I wanted it hung up.

Many people here seem to have read deeply into the words "Mexican stand-off". I wasn't 'armed' you know !!!

Beats me why every deep critic had to add their own personal 10 cents worth, to make out, they are some sort of 'standard' that should adhered to .....

When this happens, it takes away any benefit to contributing here.
But thanks to a few supporters, who I think realised the general story I had .... and didn't make themselves out to be 'judge, jury & executioner' ......

 

[burmans]

While I do think that some on this forum go way over the top in their analysis and criticism, I can't help but think the internet is the wrong place to be posting if you are only after sympathy.

 

[Rick93]

What I was really after ...

Was what should occur ... without the criticism for not knowing ....

I can then work out a course of action from there.

Must not use certain language in future posts ....it upsets some vulnerable people.

 

[docjames]

Well to start with the jacket would be taken if you’d taken it off but they will assume you wanted to wear it if you’d left it on.

The boarding process sounds weird - again it may have been a one time error, a missed announcement, or indeed a complete muck-up. As seen by the prior posts (and an infamous thread), priority boarding is not something QF does well.

“I waited whilst” may have been less “backlash-inducing” phrasing. Again. Refer above re priority boarding and Qantas really struggles to get it right.

I’ve never had a call re:spa. Again, consistency a problem for QF.

I think by posting here, you’ll get a mixed bag of replies, which reflects the often times lack of consistency. The only “real” answer is from QF. As I posted earlier in the thread, a well worded feedback letter may elicit a response from them to a fare-paying F customer. If that completely fails, then you probably are better off going to a more consistent Airline that suits your travel patterns.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What I was really after ...

Was what should occur ...

What should happen is that you get a call the day before from the First host asking if there's anything you need. They give you their phone number and make sure you know where curb-side or F check-in is located. If they haven't called you by early afternoon, and you wish to make a spa appointment, call them.

You get to the lounge and ask, if you need, whether boarding calls are made.

Either once the call is made, or if the flight is showing 'boarding' or at your conveninece, you go down to the gate.

You join the F queue if you want, or wait to board at your convenience. If you have missed F boarding you can go to the front of the queue at any time, just show your boarding pass. Or you can wait your turn in line.

On board if you need your jacket hung up, just ask. If there is anything else you need, just ask. You may or may not get, depending on what you want, and how the crew is feeling that day. But usually they are ok. Whether you want your bed made, or to delay dining, or to have the partitions raised. Just ask.

 

[Rick93]

Right. That sums it up. Thanks ....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I heard an interesting chat today. VA CS approached 1C in dom J who was wearing a jacket. He said "good morning sir, if you would be more comfortable, I can hang your jacket if you wish".

I thought that was a very polite way of dealing with it. Most people would prefer not to be seated for an extended time with a suit jacket on!

 

[dajop]

I may be a bit thick (or did I miss a post?) but still have no idea what transpired at the gate, other than something that resulted in a less than satisfactory boarding experience when in first.

 

[RooFlyer]

And ( leading on from Mel_Traveller) the CSM or at least one of the F FAs should have come by after boarding before the doors are closed, introduce themselves & ask if you need the features of the seat explained, or if you need anything or have any other questions.

I'm guessing that didn't happen either.

 

[jch]

I may be a bit thick (or did I miss a post?) but still have no idea what transpired at the gate, other than something that resulted in a less than satisfactory boarding experience when in first.

 

[Kangol]

For those of you who have not received the call the day prior for any assistance (porter to meet at kerbside, spa booking), I wonder what phone number you had entered in your booking?
Without knowing, you can't fault them for not having it in there.
Not sure they can access your QFF profile either.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Not sure they can access your QFF profile either.

yes they can - I always used to put my phone number In the booking, they always used to phone Mr FM which was annoying.

 

[drron]

For those of you who have not received the call the day prior for any assistance (porter to meet at kerbside, spa booking), I wonder what phone number you had entered in your booking?
Without knowing, you can't fault them for not having it in there.
Not sure they can access your QFF profile either.

As pointed out before we have never got the call when in F.They have both our correct numbers in our profiles and they have been used both before and after the times in question.

 

[Pleb Status]

For those of you who have not received the call the day prior for any assistance (porter to meet at kerbside, spa booking), I wonder what phone number you had entered in your booking?
Without knowing, you can't fault them for not having it in there.
Not sure they can access your QFF profile either.

All F bookings had my personal mobile number in all fields... plus the P1 SST had my contact details if deemed necessary.

 

[Rick93]

H

And ( leading on from Mel_Traveller) the CSM or at least one of the F FAs should have come by after boarding before the doors are closed, introduce themselves & ask if you need the features of the seat explained, or if you need anything or have any other questions.

I'm guessing that didn't happen either.

CSM did speak to me ... and simply said "sorry".

There was opportunity to 'try' and make me happy ..... there wasn't even a second glass of the cheap bubbly offered .....

 

[Rick93]

This is part of my apparent dysfunctional thinking .....

Funny, but I actually thought ..... THEY KNEW WHAT TO ASK ..... and I didn't have to ask for anything in F .... they would OFFER ....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

..... there wasn't even a second glass of the cheap bubbly offered .....

Something sounds wrong here. QF don't serve 'cheap bubbly' on the ground in F.

 

[Rick93]

Onboard.
It was cough, whatever it was.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Onboard.
It was cough, whatever it was.

Yes, I was referring to on board. You may not have liked it, but whichever one they were offering retails for between $240-$299 a bottle (today's prices at Dan Murphy).

 

[JohnM]

Onboard.
It was cough, whatever it was.

Somehow, an aggressive, unsubstantiated, value judgement like this seems to me to say something...