My Virgin Gold experience

[cambriamarsh]

luck of the draw, travelled maybe 200 domestic flights, id never requested.

 

[get me outta here]

I must look really honest as I have never been asked for my DL or similar on domestic. If I were I'd hand it over forthwith.

 

[JKjnr]

Just a couple of points on this one. I am also Plat, andhave been asked maybe twice for ID. If you have concerns about the DL, you can show other photo ID, which I have done.

What I find endemic and annoying with this event is the inconsistency of the experience. Our lives are being demoralised in this country by poor service delivery and inane regulation. If showing ID is part of the process Virgin –bloody make it part of the process.

For the OP - I knowit is is "un-australian" but if you are not happy with a service provider - have a go at them right there and then (the waiter, the carpark attendant,the customs official, the cop whoever)– not later or stew about it. Some Clients/PAX/Customers deal with unsatisfactory events by indeed just submitting or acceptingthe poor or stupid experience. But if you feel better venting – it IS better to do it there and then. It took me a while to become Russian (thus unpopular with some) and be like this, but not only do you feel better – you get a better outcome.

 

[anat0l]

You should always travel with ID and be prepared to present it.

That's all. No further analysis required.

For such a trivial request (barring some elaborate novel scheme to steal your identity), I really don't see the practical issues with satisfying it.

I realise there is now an outstanding attitude issue you're raising, but suffice to say that there is a great deal you could've done to help yourself in the first place.

 

[medhead]

I can honestly say I've formed no opinion of you. Just simply mentioned that photo ID is actually the gold standard. I've actually copped the attitude for the opposite situation when I presented a DL and not a card. (I'm still annoyed about that situation for a number of reasons mainly to do with the abuse at my dad and my inability to resolve that before he died)

Since then my approach to the check in desk is to get out as quick as possible. Along those lines I would say that shuffling around with check in agents fails my golden rule to get in and get out ASAP. Once you're committed to an agent there is no reason at all to try to manage the operations. Concern about the other passenger and desk utilisation is nice and considerate. (And everyone knows more consideration in this world is a good thing) However, management of the check in desks is not your responsibility.

I know you travel a lot and I'm probably teaching you how to suck eggs, but I really would suggest forgetting it (unless they abused your dad while you stood by and said nothing ). I'd also suggest just taking the path of less resistance in future. It makes your life easier and it speeds up things for others.

No judgement, just saying.

 

[medhead]

.

I realise there is now an outstanding attitude issue you're raising, but suffice to say that there is a great deal you could've done to help yourself in the first place.

As usual someone else expresses it better than me. The check in agent was possibly trying to manage their position, with instructions to take the priority line as a priority. You've come along and slowed them down, first with the desk shuffling and then with the licence discussion. It doesn't excuse the attitude but it is the reason I try minimise interaction.

 

[Justinf]

I once had a JQ check-in attendant ask my then 6-year-old daughter who she was travelling with. presumably to make sure she wasn't being kidnapped or anything.
She replied "With my daddy" and that was enough for the attendant. No big deal.

 

[Justinf]

And god knows how many times I have been asked for ID in the US. check-in, security, at the gate...

 

[medhead]

I once had a JQ check-in attendant ask my then 6-year-old daughter who she was travelling with. presumably to make sure she wasn't being kidnapped or anything.
She replied "With my daddy" and that was enough for the attendant. No big deal.

In my rumblings I forgot about that; a Medicare card does not prove they're someone's children anyway. Just that you pay their medical bills.

 

[Justinf]

In my rumblings I forgot about that; a Medicare card does not prove they're someone's children anyway. Just that you pay their medical bills.

I should have said that I did have to show a Medicare card as well.

 

[medhead]

I should have said that I did have to show a Medicare card as well.

I can understand why someone might ask to see a Medicare card, just it doesn't prove much about the relationship.

 

[Plutonus]

I'm confused. Why are we getting upset at being asked to show photo identification at Virgin's discretion as per their terms and conditions?

 

[day_mee]

Just a couple of points on this one. I am also Plat, andhave been asked maybe twice for ID. If you have concerns about the DL, you can show other photo ID, which I have done.

What I find endemic and annoying with this event is the inconsistency of the experience. Our lives are being demoralised in this country by poor service delivery and inane regulation. If showing ID is part of the process Virgin –bloody make it part of the process.

For the OP - I knowit is is "un-australian" but if you are not happy with a service provider - have a go at them right there and then (the waiter, the carpark attendant,the customs official, the cop whoever)– not later or stew about it. Some Clients/PAX/Customers deal with unsatisfactory events by indeed just submitting or acceptingthe poor or stupid experience. But if you feel better venting – it IS better to do it there and then. It took me a while to become Russian (thus unpopular with some) and be like this, but not only do you feel better – you get a better outcome.

When you book your flight, I am pretty sure it says that you must travel with some form of ID. Virgin is actually pretty bad at asking for ID, I find Tiger and Jetstar much stricter when it comes to providing a form if ID. Mind you, I generally do web or mobile checkin so that means that there are less opportunities for Virgin to check it.

 

[williamsf1]

I am confused ( as appears most otheres on this thread are) with regards to the OP "issue"

From the conditions of carriage

If you have been issued with an Electronic Ticket, you will not be entitled to be carried on a flight unless you provide positive valid, satisfactory identification and a valid Electronic Ticket has been duly issued in the same name

and

1. You must bring with you all travel documentation necessary for us to accept you on your flight, including a valid passport (if travelling on an International Flight) or other valid and satisfactory identification, and all necessary travel documentation for your Destination and your Stopovers. You must present all of these documents to our staff at the airport if you are asked to do so
2. 
   If you are late or you do not comply with check-in rules. If you are late or you do not comply with the check-in procedures set out in these Conditions, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking, refuse to carry you, and to charge you a reasonable service fee, subject to the Fare Rules applicable to your Booking

 

[Blinky]

I'm confused. Why are we getting upset at being asked to show photo identification at Virgin's discretion as per their terms and conditions?

Oh, exactly. I have only been asked a few times when checking luggage, but never when I check in at the Lounge (although the staff may know me after 5+ years on Gold). I simply can't believe that a frequent flyer can see the need to have conformation of identity other than the non-photo Velocity card. This isn't even a First World Problem. It's really a kindergarten one.

 

[Revolio]

This is my point precisely William.
Travel documentation (and I flew domestic so that is all that I am talking about) is not defined in the Terms (glossary) that precede 10.3 All Travel that you have referred to. I have been told before this, and on a number of occasions since, that a Gold Card is a recognized piece of travel documentation.

Now everyone in here seems to contend that it definitely is not and does not constitute identity. Given the fact I had never been asked before this confirmed my belief.

Its only a domestic flight; if there are security issues I'll be picked up at screening. If it was a lost card and was flagged it would have been obviously appropriate to take it a step further. It must be that Virgin is concerned a fully paid for ticket is being slipped to someone else.


I am more than happy to drive, catch a bus/train, fly Qantas or other carrier, or not go in the future. For a domestic flight, without the need for a passport I thought I was carrying all travel documentation I required to fly internally.


Maybe "travel documentation" (and it still seems ambiguous to me for internal flights) can be defined in the future by Virgin to clarify exactly what is and what isn't identification.

(the only analogy I can think of is when you walk into a Club as a member you only display your badge/card. If not a member you id has to be validated via a DL or Passport before you can gain entry).

 

[docjames]

I don't understand the outrage.

The airline (any airline) has the right to verify any passengers identity (at any stage).

An official photo ID (d/l, passport, proof of age card etc) are valid IDs for identity confirmation.

You may be ID'd 100/100 or 0/100. Luck of the draw.

Time to move on.

 

[Revolio]

Thanks Doc. No outrage now. Moved on - other options. Cheers. (final post)

 

[Jack_OC]

I've been asked to show photo I'd by DJ/VA more than once. It seems a bit random, but I have no idea why you find it objectionable.

On the contrary, what I can't get my head around is the fact that it's still generally possible to fly in Oz without showing photo id. I don't think that is the case in many other countries. IMHO, it defies logic to have more lax security procedures for domestic flights than for intl - all of the hijacked 9-11 flights were domestic.

 

[Hvr]

Actually apart from revenue protection for the airlines why is there is any need for identification at all? Surely the security personnel are there to ensure no unauthorised items go airside? Nothing else.