New priority bag tags

[Deleted member 29185]

I note VA have new priority bag tags. When I queried it, the check in lady said VA had noticed a lot of expired status flyers were still using the string attached tags when they were not entitled to do so, and as such, these new ones stick under the destination label and are ripped off after each trip.

 

[Denali]

I thought they have been using these for a while and who exactly is suppose to "rip them off" as they are easy to remove from the baggage tag once you get home.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I thought they have been using these for a while and who exactly is suppose to "rip them off" as they are easy to remove from the baggage tag once you get home.

First I've seen them, however I must admit to leaving my old ones on until they fall off, so perhaps they're not so new. I think the idea is that on check in, the staff rip off any old tags so theoretically they don't survive two trips.......and the string (elastic) ones were more difficult to rip off I guess.

 

[pointwilliams]

Priority bags - now there's an interesting theory!! Lol

 

[cavemanzk]

Would have thought if they we're going to update the priority tags, they would have gone along the same lines of NZ we're they are digital printed onto the destination tag.

 

[Bigglesworth]

Priority bags - now there's an interesting theory!! Lol

The whole priority baggage system is dependent on the baggage handlers ability or willingness to load and unload the bags in accordance with the priority tags.

The eclectic way bags arrive on the carousel clearly demonstrates this is obviously not as straightforward as one would think.

One never sees anybody from the airline baggage handling area checking to ensure that the priority tagged bags are those that come off first so they can provide feedback to the handlers of our bags!

This is yet another area where the so called benefits provided to frequent flyers are trumpeted wildly by the marketing and communications department but fall down in the inconsistent execution of same.

 

[a330j]

Interesting theory indeed. Coming back from NZ with VA the other day, the priority tags went on at AKL but when the bags (finally) came off in BNE the tags had been ripped off - the elastic was still around the bag handles but no tags. Needless to say, the bags weren't in the first lot off the plane.

 

[russ]

Let's hope the new priority bag tags work better than the old ones

 

[jackthomas]

If only I could be bothered checking in a bag this weekend to see them...

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Checked bags in for PER-SYD on Friday.
New tags applied. Old tags left untouched.
Bags among first off.
Maybe I am just lucky but in my experience this generally works.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Would have thought if they we're going to update the priority tags, they would have gone along the same lines of NZ we're they are digital printed onto the destination tag.

View attachment 51231

Not exactly conspicuous compared to the fluro orange!
Interesting though that nothing related is printed on VA's tags, not even class of travel.

 

[jaspon]

Last week flew, OOL-SYD with new tags, first bag off

 

[doczim]

I've got to admit that I've been pretty impressed with VA Priority Bags. Mine and families have always been one of the first few on to the conveyor.

 

[im.daniel]

I've got to admit that I've been pretty impressed with VA Priority Bags. Mine and families have always been one of the first few on to the conveyor.

Same here! Arriving last night in TSV on a full flight (first time I've seen J full as well) - my box came out literally second! That, combined with the friendly crew, good priority boarding and solid lounge, my move over to VA seems to be paying off!

 

[flying_duck]

Interesting so many think priority baggage works so well. You must be very lucky! I rarely check bags, but coming off a business leg LAX to BNE, our bags were just about last. Which absolutely sucked, because we were just about the first 20 people off the plane and probably in the first 10 to the baggage carousel. AND we had to make a tight connection onto MEL. All the tags were in place, just ignored.

ETA: Delta guarantee priority bags with a points bonus if they don't arrive in time. Every single time I've flown them, bags have been on the carousel by the time I get there. Fantastic perk.

 

[aaronm]

MEL-BNE and back last week, both flights my bag was among the first few off. Tag seemed to work well, might also be the case that those flights didn't have too much checked baggage overall due to a high number of business pax.

 

[jmphoto]

Maybe I am lucky, but I have a phenomenal record with VAs Priority Tags working. I could count on one hand the times that the bags were genuinely late coming out, and normally due to irops, not lazy handlers. Most frequent ports would be SYD & ADL.

 

[SponsorSFC]

We are flying PER-SYD tomorrow in J and unfortunately will have one checked bag as my wife is unable to pack light enough for carry on only.

I was wondering if anyone knows if the self serve bag drop at PER provides priority tags.

Not a big deal as we can always go to the counter but online check in and bag drop would be quicker I imagine.

 

[im.daniel]

We are flying PER-SYD tomorrow in J and unfortunately will have one checked bag as my wife is unable to pack light enough for carry on only.

I was wondering if anyone knows if the self serve bag drop at PER provides priority tags.

Not a big deal as we can always go to the counter but online check in and bag drop would be quicker I imagine.

The word 'Priority' will be written on the paper bag tag.
You can self check in at the bag-drop counters where sometimes they have the orange 'priority' tags on the counter, just pick one up and attach it to your tag.

 

[deepblerg]

The eclectic way bags arrive on the carousel clearly demonstrates this is obviously not as straightforward as one would think.

haha! love this description!

I think one thing missing from this discussion is the huge difference between priority bags when travelling domestic vs international. My experience domestically has always been good. 95% of the time my bag is one of the first few out. Travelling from LAX and arriving to Sydney is a completely different story and I would say its 50/50 if my bag is delivered in the first load. The last time I arrived on VA2, my bag was literally the last out complete with priority tag.