Narky QF gate staff

[alect]

We were flying PER-MEL yesterday on QF10. Airport was very quiet as it was Easter Saturday. QC was closed we were welcomed in the business lounge in T4.

As boarding neared there was nothing on the board and finally an announcement made that boarding for QF10 was delayed and to stay in the lounge until they announced boarding. Which we did. As soon as boarding was announced we headed to immigration/security and Gate 20. There was a seemingly pointless QF staff person who checked the BPs and stickers (had to fiddle with stickers for the guy in front of us for an eternity, at snail's pace) which was then followed by the seemingly same check by the immigration/customs officers.....

No queues other than for the QF sticker checker, and as we walked towards the gate we were approached by a QF staff person yelling at us that pushback was 1 min away. As if we had done something wrong! I told her there were at least 7-10 people behind us and we had come as soon as called - and maybe she should talk to her colleague sticker checker!

Why the attitude from QF staff towards customers who have done nothing wrong? Either the lounge staff made the announcement too late, or the gate agent/manager needed to pull her head in. (fact was the incoming flight came in on time, but the cleaning staff took too long, and boarding was delayed by over 30 minutes - I know they try and pushback on schedule time but not our fault).

 

[trooper]

Why the attitude? OK..I'll take a guess.... perhaps the "narky QF gate staffer" was unaware of the bottleneck...and assumed you were lollygagging? As I said... that's a guess... (You asked! lol)

 

[serfty]

I suspect the Gate Staff may have an issue with D sticker PAX; those coming from LHR are penned and can't escape so they can be directly herded back onboard.

 

[calmelb]

I suspect the Gate Staff may have an issue with D sticker PAX; those coming from LHR are penned and can't escape so they can be directly herded back onboard.

I was on that flight too and for those who had status/ business (not many) they went to the lounge however the flight was 'Boarding' according to the screens so everyone else started queueing. This probably didn't help the gate agent as probably everyone had already queued up before it officially started (presumably this is when the lounge call was made)

 

[Quickstatus]

I can understand the staff anxiety to get the aircraft going.

There is a relatively tight turnaround in MEL to form the 2100hrs QF49 to SFO or the QF95 to LAX,

Appears that the staff were not all on the same page.

 

[DC3]

I once had a massive run-in with a QF staff member while checking baggage for a big trip. Had to put that behind me at the time so as to enjoy the holiday. However, as the incident was so over the top, I subsequently sent a letter of complaint about the lack of professionalism. The only letter of complaint that I've ever sent to QF.

So, send a complaint/feedback to QF if warranted, or just move on?

Edit: If the OP feels aggrieved enough, follow it up with QF. Being yelled at is not part of the boarding deal.

 

[justinbrett]

Did she actually yell at you or was that a figure of speech?

 

[eminere]

I once had a massive run-in with a QF staff member while checking baggage for a big trip. Had to put that behind me at the time so as to enjoy the holiday. However, as the incident was so over the top, I subsequently sent a letter of complaint about the lack of professionalism. The only letter of complaint that I've ever sent to QF.

Did you hear back from QF?

 

[Quickstatus]

Culturally unexpected so it’s difficult to stomach.
It’s a lot easier if it’s half expected (especially in Land of the Free)

 

[Happy Trails]

Being yelled at is not part of the boarding deal.

It is at SYD gate 26 (bus gate).

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Gate staff with a propensity to yell should be redeployed to combing the priority boarding lines. Can't imagine anyone would sneak into the shorter queue* after that.

* shorter queue not always the priority line.

 

[DC3]

Did you hear back from QF?

Yes, but it was just a “thank you’’ for contacting them and that my comments will be forwarded .....

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Sometimes its very best not to talk back to staff at an airport no matter what.
No matter how rude the staff are, (airline or security or who ever).
You certainly don't need to be taken by away by airport police for being seen as a threat.
Even if you thought you were right but staff might feel threatened.
I certainly wouldn't do it at an airport of all places.

 

[Pushka]

Sometimes its very best not a o talk back yo staff at an airport no natter what.
No natter his had or ruse staff are, airline or security or who ever.
You certainly don't need to be taken by away by airport police for being seen as a threat.
I certainly wouldn't do it at an airport of all places.

Reckon there’s no question of any of that here poochie.

 

[Melburnian1]

In the end, thanks to the padded timetable, there was nothing to worry about. QF10 on Easter Saturday, the 1325 hours PER to MEL was airborne at 1344 (about 5 - 8 late) and arrived at gate in MEL at 1852, three minutes early.

Narky QF staff are unfortunately nothing new. Combined with the sense of self entitlement, laziness and incessant gossiping of so many cabin crew, this contributes to the vast majority of international journeys by air to and from Oz being made on QF's competitors. Even including JQ and EK, far fewer than half all overseas journeys is QF++ market share.

 

[calmelb]

In the end, thanks to the padded timetable, there was nothing to worry about. QF10 on Easter Saturday, the 1325 hours PER to MEL was airborne at 1344 (about 5 - 8 late) and arrived at gate in MEL at 1852, three minutes early.

Narky QF staff are unfortunately nothing new. Combined with the sense of self entitlement, laziness and incessant gossiping of so many cabin crew, this contributes to the vast majority of international journeys by air to and from Oz being made on QF's competitors. Even including JQ and EK, far fewer than half all overseas journeys is QF++ market share.

Also forgot to mention. The announcement on board to why we were late was because of catering and cleaning being slow (even though the London leg arrived in 20 minutes early)

 

[justinbrett]

Maybe it’s a public holiday thing. I barely got a nod out of the BNE J lounge attendant just now on presenting my WP card, let alone a smile. Pretty poor IMHO. She pretty much had a “FML” expression.

 

[Rangalad]

Had a few bad gate staff experiences: MEL This line is for business class. Showed my boarding pass, did not get an apology. AKL- you’re late. The whole plane is waiting for you. Didn’t hear the same comment made to the 10-15 passengers behind me.....

 

[Quickstatus]

That’s nothing compared to US of A

 

[DC3]

That’s nothing compared to US of A

Stop it. You make me want to go back. Now missing it more than ever.