New check-in lines at MEL airport

[lovestotravel]

I usually only have to manually check-in at MEL and last week saw that they now have separate lines/queues for premium check-in. So this could be already happening elsewhere and I have missed it

1. Standard (Saver fares) and no FF status
2. Velocity Silver and Flexi Fares
3. Business, Gold & Platinum

They have also made more counters available for the 2 premium check-in lines, of course this can change as it's just showing on TV monitors, but there was at least an extra 4 staff for the premium check-in lines

Nice Virgin!

 

[jsd]

I saw this the other day as well, I'm happy that the entrance to the priority lanes are staffed as well so the right people go into the right lanes...

Now if only they had a staffer back down at the priority security lane as well

 

[lovestotravel]

Yes there were 2 staff members and then another staff member floating around the priority lanes managing the flow of people

Agree, the priority security lane is used by everyone! I assume this by the "rare/first time travelers" who take ages to sort their belongings out and stuff around etc etc...

I don't mind enhancements like this

 

[LiamR]

1. Standard (Saver fares) and no FF status
2. Velocity Silver and Flexi Fares
3. Business, Gold & Platinum

I like the sound of this!

 

[drewbles]

I like the sound of this!

I think i'd prefer:

1. Standard (Saver/non-status)
2. Silver, Gold and Flexi
3. Platinum, The Club and Business

(Although I very rarely check luggage so queues aren't really much of an issue)

 

[leemin]

I think i'd prefer:

1. Standard (Saver/non-status)
2. Silver, Gold and Flexi
3. Platinum, The Club and Business

I agree, but would also go further:

1. Standard (Economy)
2. Silver & Gold
3. Platinum, The Club and Business

I really don't see why Flexi's get priority check-in. But I've had this rant before...

 

[kevrosmith]

They've made this change at BNE... saw last Thursday as I went through. CNS still had one lane only this morning. Haven't checked at OOL yet. Thought I noticed it at SYD last week too.

Overall I think it's a good thing.

 

[Timba-Jet]

I agree, but would also go further:

1. Standard (Economy)
2. Silver & Gold
3. Platinum, The Club and Business

I really don't see why Flexi's get priority check-in. But I've had this rant before...

Technically valid point, a person who buys a flexi fare could be a first time traveller, why should they get priority. However u think this is a forward thinking move by DJ. It's a little reward/incentive for more people to buy flexi fares = higher yield = more profit.

 

[Fruitcake]

I agree, but would also go further:

1. Standard (Economy)
2. Silver & Gold
3. Platinum, The Club and Business

I really don't see why Flexi's get priority check-in. But I've had this rant before...

I think Flexis seem to be much more popular than DJ expected. Especially with the inclusions on a saver fare increasing (ie full meals on transcons, evening beverages, 'capital connect' refreshments) they need to keep some sort of carrot in the Flexi fares. Offering priority checkin to Flexis - whilst also offering a priority priority checkin to higher status / higher yield pax is a reasonable way to achieve it. Flexis can still get the fuzzy feeling of using the purple line whilst golds/plats can get even faster priority checkin.

Overall I think it's a great, genuine enhancement for status pax but probably a modest negative for non-status Flexi fare holders.

 

[hydrabyss]

Having now been upgraded to Gold it sounds like a good idea.Had you asked me last week my opinion would have been different.

 

[Jamesl]

WRT security lane staff, from my previous experience this only happens during peak times...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Haven't checked at OOL yet.

I think someone has already posted somewhere that's it's at OOL too.

Personally, IMO the check-in at OOL is not the priority (pardon the pun)........it's the woeful security screening. Nothing is more annoying then when you jump in the shortest queue only to find that EVERY single person in front of you have never walked through a metal scanner before and need to retry fifteen times each! "Oh you mean to tell me I can't take my trusty, lucky boy-scout pocket knife on with me?"

 

[Saab34]

OOL still normal, was there Friday.

 

[Jousams]

I think someone has already posted somewhere that's it's at OOL too.

Personally, IMO the check-in at OOL is not the priority (pardon the pun)........it's the woeful security screening. Nothing is more annoying then when you jump in the shortest queue only to find that EVERY single person in front of you have never walked through a metal scanner before and need to retry fifteen times each! "Oh you mean to tell me I can't take my trusty, lucky boy-scout pocket knife on with me?"

Was at OOL thismorming, idiot in front of me had aerosol and screwdrivers. Are people actually that stupid?


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[Carlous Moochous]

I noticed these lanes at MEL last Sunday, and all of the priority lines were completely empty.. Meanwhile the standard line was packed! I rarely ever travel with luggage these days so doesn't really help me much - but looking at the amount of luggage most people seemed to be taking surprised me - what are people taking in those huge cases that I'm not? Carry on bag lasts me 1-4 weeks...

Moving a staff member down to the security lanes would help much more.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Was at OOL thismorming, idiot in front of me had aerosol and screwdrivers. Are people actually that stupid?


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

yes the unwashed have zero intelligence

 

[serfty]

yes the unwashed have zero intelligence

That's a bit unfair ... maybe little experience would be a better way to put it.

 

[KCMil]

I noticed these lanes at MEL last Sunday, and all of the priority lines were completely empty.. Meanwhile the standard line was packed! I rarely ever travel with luggage these days so doesn't really help me much - but looking at the amount of luggage most people seemed to be taking surprised me - what are people taking in those huge cases that I'm not? Carry on bag lasts me 1-4 weeks...

Moving a staff member down to the security lanes would help much more.

Unfortunately at all airports except BNE the security screening points are managed by the airport authority not Virgin. Even the staff member at the priority screening lane has no real authority over the screening staff. I've witnessed this go wrong at MEL where security keep moving people into the priority lane whilst the Virgin rep is trying to keep it clear for the priority guests.
Unfortunately in the Foxtrot fingerway at MEL where the A330 dep's there is only ever one lane open so it's a nightmare getting through and there is no priority lane which seems odd for A330 ops which are normally held up as the premium product!

 

[EuroKick]

Gate 4 is currently being upgraded to handle A330 aircraft. Should solve the problem.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Was at OOL thismorming, idiot in front of me had aerosol and screwdrivers. Are people actually that stupid?

OT I know, but OOL seems to epitomise "security stupidity" and I don't say that in an intentionally derogatory way (I am after all, a Gold Coaster), it just seems true. I also don't just aim that at the pax either. The other week I was watching the next line to the one I was in. My line was longer but I chose it because I saw potential disaster........a pax's carrying on bag that was the size of a small humpback whale. I watched somewhat bemused (and happy I didn't choose that line) whilst the security guy/chick endlessly discussed whether to allow it through..............MAKE A DESCISION GANG AND STOP HOLDING UP THE LINE. It surely couldn't have been that hard, either they have authority to reject an obviously oversized delivery truck or they don't. I passed through security, was bomb screened and gone and they were still arguing with the bags owner!

I think that's why we're not allowed to carry knives....to prevent us slashing our own wrists whilst waiting for the idiots in the security queue!