Next Generation Check In

[ejb]

Hi all,

Just used NGCI and it will (if it continues to work) make flying so much easier.

Place card against reader and 5 seconds later on the way to the lounge.

I look forward to it coming to SYD soon.

ejb

 

[serfty]

Try AirNZ's. (Especially with no luggage to check)

Book your flight and pre-select a seat.

Front up at gate upon boarding, scan your (separate) rfid chip and board.

(Your RFID chip also gets you into the KC lounge)

 

[markis10]

How is it different to internet checkin other than saving 20 secs on a PC, I will be interested to see how the bag handling goes!

 

[serfty]

How is it different to internet checkin other than saving 20 secs on a PC, I will be interested to see how the bag handling goes!

It seems AirNZ have basically done away with the concept of check-in (other than perhaps notionally on ticketing).

Qantas still want some sort of check-in action.

As far as bag drop goes, at the major airports you attend a 'kiosk', get your bag-tags, tag your bags, and place them onto a conveyor.

 

[anat0l]

Can we merge this thread into an appropriate thread already talking about the same thing?

 

[markis10]

Can we merge this thread into an appropriate thread already talking about the same thing?

I was not aware that we had another thread with feedback from actual use versus QF spin or that we were on a thread budget LOL!

 

[anat0l]

I was not aware that we had another thread with feedback from actual use versus QF spin or that we were on a thread budget LOL!

Sorry - not meant to offend.

The thread title I guess didn't suggest the separation so I jumped on that alone, not that this thread was meant to be about what happens now that NGCI is now in service (albeit in 'trial' mode).

There are three threads I know of about NGCI now:

• One that came out of the first announcement of NGCI (http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...troducing-next-generation-check-in-23272.html). This mostly was filled with speculation about what NGCI was (until someone put a brochure that gave an insight into it)
• One that came out of an email for those selected to participate in the PER trial (http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...xciting-news-allan-according-email-24375.html), which mostly was on who got the email (and speculation as to why) as well as more (clearer?) speculation about what NGCI is and how it works (mainly through the Flash videos on QF's website)
• This thread

I don't believe we're on a thread budget, but having quite a few threads with no clear separation on the same topic does make it difficult to follow. But if you say this thread is feedback on the now-installed NGCI, then fair enough - let the feedback flow through!

On topic again........ I can't wait (not the same feeling like a kid on Christmas morning) to try NGCI only to see what all the 'fuss' is about. I can see some advantage in it (apart from the obvious priority benefits at security and boarding...), but so far I don't have any flights to/from PER

 

[markis10]

No offence taken , the big question is what advantages are we getting as a consumer?

I see the real benefit of the changes being the special security lane for WPs etc, I cannot see what benefit the new chip card gives me versus online check in, apart from having a second card when I misplace the first one there is not much benefit to a frequent flyer? I hope to be corrected!

 

[medhead]

The thread title I guess didn't suggest the separation so I jumped on that alone, not that this thread was meant to be about what happens now that NGCI is now in service (albeit in 'trial' mode).

There are three threads I know of about NGCI now:

• One that came out of the first announcement of NGCI (http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...troducing-next-generation-check-in-23272.html). This mostly was filled with speculation about what NGCI was (until someone put a brochure that gave an insight into it)
• One that came out of an email for those selected to participate in the PER trial (http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...xciting-news-allan-according-email-24375.html), which mostly was on who got the email (and speculation as to why) as well as more (clearer?) speculation about what NGCI is and how it works (mainly through the Flash videos on QF's website)
• This thread

I don't believe we're on a thread budget, but having quite a few threads with no clear separation on the same topic does make it difficult to follow. But if you say this thread is feedback on the now-installed NGCI, then fair enough - let the feedback flow through!

I think the separation comes from the discussion in the thread, the OP in this case for me showed me the different focus. Even through I thought there wasn't a difference to the other threads you listed just based on the title.

Are you applying for a Mod position?

 

[anat0l]

No offence taken , the big question is what advantages are we getting as a consumer?

I see the real benefit of the changes being the special security lane for WPs etc, I cannot see what benefit the new chip card gives me versus online check in, apart from having a second card when I misplace the first one there is not much benefit to a frequent flyer? I hope to be corrected!

I guess it gives people more options.

For some people there may not be any difference, and perhaps especially to us seasoned travellers.

There have been times where I can't get to a computer (or internet, perhaps not free of charge either) so I can't complete OLCI. Of course, the only reason before that OLCI was so important was to get to a good seat as soon as possible. With Advance Seat Selection opening up key seats at T-80, the onus of 'getting a seat early' has been shifted back.

So now I check at T-80 for a good seat to slot into. Whilst the chances of getting a good seat diminish quickly after the T-80 "countdown" starts, it does give me more time to find a computer and grab a good seat.

My usual process is:

• As close to T-80 as possible, use Advance Seat Selection to get into a good seat
• Within T-24, use OLCI to check-in (i.e. now I am "committed" to be on the flight, which means all I need to do now is drop my bag then make the flight, or just simply make my flight)

With this new process, I can completely skip OLCI and just scan a card at the airport if I'm on carry-on only.

With checked bags, I like the idea of cutting out the human contact. No, I'm not a sociopath, but it will speed up the process (once people get used to using the system) as you don't have to worry about short-staffing, or staff arriving late at the counters, or a long premium line which is served at most by 2 staff at a time. I've witnessed this with NZ's self-serve check-in; QF's will be slightly slower (due to the injector system vs. NZ which is an open belt), but will still be faster once people know how to use the system. With Q Bag Tags, I can avoid kiosks altogether and just scan my card, drop my bag at the injector and that's it.

I know that sounds pie in the sky, but I can see time savings with this process. I use the word I judiciously because I'm sure for at least some people there will be little or no difference to their experience.

I will miss full BPs which I collect, but I can always get one at the kiosk / service desk on the airside.

Are you applying for a Mod position?

LOL You are joking, right?

Good grief, no.

 

[ejb]

Further.......

When boarding the gate staff scan the bar code which generates a receipt with all your details.

Both gate staff and flight crew were excited by this as I think I may have been the first one they have seen.

I would say slightly quicker than OLCI printout as the machine can read the bar code easier.

Overall I good new system and as I never have a printer with me to print out BP from OLCI I will find this much quicker and now just need to select seats at T-80.

Will be improved even further I feel by the RFID tags for bags.

ejb

 

[moa999]

Further.......

When boarding the gate staff scan the bar code which generates a receipt with all your details.

ejb

so no use of the chip???
Just the barcode that has been on the flat cards for over 12 months??

 

[ejb]

so no use of the chip???
Just the barcode that has been on the flat cards for over 12 months??

The chip was used at CI but at the gate they used the same machine as OLCI, the barcode reader.

Perhaps the chip readers are still to come.

ejb

 

[nlagalle]

The chip was used at CI but at the gate they used the same machine as OLCI, the barcode reader.

Perhaps the chip readers are still to come.

ejb

So you got the barcode from where though? you didn't just scan your card?

 

[anchew]

I assume that upon entering the QP, the Q Card is scaned (similar to mobile check-in). So would just entering the QP have the same effect as check-in? Or would one still need to scan the Q Card at the NGCI kiosk before entering the QP?

 

[ejb]

So you got the barcode from where though? you didn't just scan your card?

The barcode is on the back of the WP Card.

ejb

 

[nlagalle]

The barcode is on the back of the WP Card.

ejb

Ahh that's right! I forgot with the new card..

 

[medhead]

Ngci

LOL You are joking, right?

Good grief, no.

of course a joke

 

[taswegian77]

Oh, I wish they would send me my new QF Platinum card that can be used for NGCI. I received the email stating I would get the new card, wonder what the lag time is. I got the email about 2 weeks ago, I think. I plan ona MEL-PER rtn in Oct.

 

[gumpy]

Oh, I wish they would send me my new QF Platinum card that can be used for NGCI. I received the email stating I would get the new card, wonder what the lag time is. I got the email about 2 weeks ago, I think. I plan ona MEL-PER rtn in Oct.

I'm sure your card is in the mail today or very close, I got mine Thursday last week. I've got a Syd Perth run mid August so it was quite timely.