Official Qantas response please

[FrustratedQP]

So short answer for the OP I don't believe you need to recline but if you do them you should not be kicked. However, I really don't see why you think that is a question that Qantas is going to answer.

Because I'm entitled to know if MY money has paid for my right to recline. Because if it is something I paid for I will stick up for myself if the person behind me deliberately makes is uncomfortable. I am not a person who reclines very much at all and when I do, I always consider all the circumstances, but if i want to recline, i want to know where i stand. I like to know what my rights are in most things in life, that's just the way it is. It's hard to play the game if you don't know the rules.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Because I'm entitled to know if MY money has paid for my right to recline. Because if it is something I paid for I will stick up for myself if the person behind me deliberately makes is uncomfortable. I am not a person who reclines very much at all and when I do, I always consider all the circumstances, but if i want to recline, i want to know where i stand. I like to know what my rights are in most things in life, that's just the way it is. It's hard to play the game if you don't know the rules.

You official answer can be found here: select either mainline domestic economy/business or international economy and you will see that seat recline is advertised as a feature. Travel Classes | Qantas

 

[legroom]

And what is the penalty? Castration or turn the aircraft around?

Maybe your comment was made in jest and therefore forgivable.

Otherwise, it is frankly outrageous and unacceptable.

So, unless there is an enforceable penalty there and then, you would prefer to be / behave like an oaf.

No speed camera? I will speed.

No RBT? I will drink and drive.

No one around? I will bully this person.

No plane turning around ? I will plonk my belongings wherever it suits ME.

Life is more than what you think, you crave or you wish for.

It is about respect for others - rules or no rules.

In this case, you never have the privilege of accessing J cabin but your precious DYKWIA had overtaken your good self.

Like I posted to the 'kick in the seat' anti-recliner, get over it.

Want to access J, easy. Buy a J ticket ($ or JASA).

Want to save some dough, just cop what you are entitled to - in whY, of course.

WP benefits are all published by QF,

IIRC, they never offer 'priority' locker access.

FWIW, WPs already have priority boarding with its implied early locker access benefits.

Of course, if the FA volunteers to assist you and your belongings, it is within their rights to do so.

That does not, however, transfer to you an implied right simply you're a WP or an oaf (or both).

 

[strance]

Sounds to me like the OP paid for full J for the first time ever, was traveling with the kitchen sink, was asked to bring seat back from full recline so somebody could eat dinner and was cranky with a few row4 WP’s using his dunny!
Seriously these things are not an issue for this regular J flyer. I hope red roo has this thread on ignore.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And what is the penalty? Castration or turn the aircraft around?

It's not about the penalty, it's about playing by the rules.

If passengers cannot comply with instructions it might give rise to a presumption that the passenger is difficult to manage and that they might cause further problems later in flight. Situations can escalate quickly, with DYKWIAs feeling entitled, feeling offended or thinking the crew are on a power trip.

Just as airlines don't want to risk carriage of passengers who appear intoxicated (and you might be the sweetest most quiet, peaceful, tipsy person around) - they also don't want to risk pax who don't think instructions apply to them.

 

[FrustratedQP]

Sounds to me like the OP paid for full J for the first time ever, was traveling with the kitchen sink, was asked to bring seat back from full recline so somebody could eat dinner and was cranky with a few row4 WP’s using his dunny!
Seriously these things are not an issue for this regular J flyer. I hope red roo has this thread on ignore.

No, I always fly J wherever possible, sometimes, if a route doesn't offer J ( including Virgin, I will and have flown the opposition if they offer J and QF don't) I am forced into an all economy a/c when this issue becomes relevant. I believe, but want to know, if travelling in J I can expect a bit more peace and quiet, not someone's bum in my wife's face due to the lineup by pax from the other cabin, while my wife is trying to eat her dinner. All I want to know is what I am buying so that I can properly establish the worth of my ticket. I am fully self funded and I deserve to know what I can expect for my hard earned cash. For instance I know that when I buy a Virgin J ticket, I can expect a toilet that is reserved for J pax. For what it's worth I have never been asked to put my seat up. I hope that Red Roo doesn't have this thread on ignore, as that is not very good customer service. Further, we have never carried on more than one bag each, any more and it gets checked in.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

You could just trying ringing Qantas and ask them that way? RR may not be at work during easter.

 

[legroom]

Agree, you are buying a seat, everything else is communal, ie to be shared, something that seems to be an issue for some.

Markis10

Did you mean to say 'everything else is communal, ie to be shared ..... by pax in the same cabin......'?

FWIW, you are not even allowed to 'look at' the F cabin on SQ flights, let alone using its facilities.

J pax is denied visiting access despite my express request & approval (when I was in F).

Remember that SQ suites have doors which can be closed for privacy... to other F pax, but the request is still politely declined.

The $$$$ (or points) required for premier cabins confers on its occupants certain privileges, which are not communal at all.

The opposite scenario is too uncivilised, a free for all approach that would remove any incentive to travel in premium cabins.

 

[FrustratedQP]

You could just trying ringing Qantas and ask them that way? RR may not be at work during easter.

I sent an email in the past but got a very vague response that did not answer my questions. This thread is an attempt to receive a definitive answer in a more public forum. I guess if this doesn't work, Twitter will be next. The other reason for asking here is that these questions go around and around here and there are some very strong views that need confirmation one way or another. I asked the first 2 questions because I want to know and they affect me. I asked the last question ( seat reclining) because it has been debated by others here without a result. It has never affected me (yet) but it seemed appropriate to add it for everyone's sake.

 

[medhead]

Maybe he is tired / sick of being kneed, poked from 'you know what I would do if you recline into "my" space' people and just want an authority (in this case, Qantas) to help him

Well what do you think qantas are going to say. It is a stupid question with and obvious answer, which will never stop some idiot from kicking your seat when you recline.

It makes me remember all the people on AFF who rant about the nanny state.

 

[medhead]

The fact is, 'DYKWIA' Y pax should not be stowing in J lockers. The same applies to the WC unless invited. Reclining of seats would be restricted or locked off if it wasn't to be used - get over it. Pull it up at meal service as that is not just courtesy but unofficial QF policy.

Another logical failure in this line of reasoning. Just because the seat reclines that doesn't mean you must use it. Why don't you get over the fact that some people don't recline out of respect for the person in the seat behind and as reclining is not required on flights less than 3 hours long. It doesn't require a lock out to know you don't have to use the recline just because it exists.

 

[medhead]

Because I'm entitled to know if MY money has paid for my right to recline. Because if it is something I paid for I will stick up for myself if the person behind me deliberately makes is uncomfortable. I am not a person who reclines very much at all and when I do, I always consider all the circumstances, but if i want to recline, i want to know where i stand. I like to know what my rights are in most things in life, that's just the way it is. It's hard to play the game if you don't know the rules.

As has been pointed out a number of times and as common sense would tell is you should already know where you stand from an official point of view. That will not stop some numpty from kicking your seat if you do recline. What are you going to do, wave an email at them?

A pointless question.

 

[medhead]

It is about respect for others - rules or no rules.

Exactly and respect goes both ways. As for a kicker "getting over it". Why don't you just get over having your seat kicked?

 

[JohnK]

Maybe your comment was made in jest and therefore forgivable.

Perhaps.

It is about respect for others - rules or no rules.

And this is where you are totally wrong.

I sit in business class and after my bag goes in the overhead locker or under the seat in front I try to be helpful and offer any space, including under my seat, that is not needed if the crew needs it.

That is showing respect for others who are not so fortunate.

And I could not care less who uses the "business" class toilet.

So when I am in economy I will continue to be one of the last to board and if someone has overtaken "my" overhead bin space I will look for the next best overhead bin space and that will more than likely be in business class on domestic services. I am not going to be separate from my belongings and I am not going to wait for everyone to disembark because I cannot access to my bag.

I will use whichever toilet I feel like unless of course the cabin crew tell me to use another.

As for chronic recliners the majority of them are inconsiderate and I will endeavour to be in a bulkhead or exit row on every flight and rest assured the person behind me will never worry about someone inconveniencing them. And if I happen to be unlucky and get stuck behind a chronic recliner then I will try to fall asleep and hope the time passes quickly. After all one cannot help bad luck.

I think that pretty much covers it in a very nice way....

 

[legroom]

Exactly and respect goes both ways. As for a kicker "getting over it". Why don't you just get over having your seat kicked?

At risk of reviving that odious thread, my response would be oafish behaviour should not be tolerated.

"Getting over it" means the seat kickers go about his business "as he (or she) pleases".

If that's your preferred position, it is yours - not mine.

 

[legroom]

...I sit in business class and after my bag goes in the overhead locker or under the seat in front I try to be helpful and offer any space, including under my seat, that is not needed if the crew needs it.

That is showing respect for others who are not so fortunate.....

Nice

....As for chronic recliners the majority of them are inconsiderate and I will endeavour to be in a bulkhead or exit row on every flight and rest assured the person behind me will never worry about someone inconveniencing them. And if I happen to be unlucky and get stuck behind a chronic recliner then I will try to fall asleep and hope the time passes quickly. After all one cannot help bad luck...

Majority ?

I beg to differ.

.... I will use whichever toilet I feel like unless of course the cabin crew tell me to use another...

This is where I object.

Unless special circumstances exist (blind uncle ?), you are transgressing into a area for which you had not paid to be entitled to.

A more mature person would not wait to be told of the rules "sit down" like a year 2 pupil, or would they?

The curtains and the curt looks are meant to signify "borders", "limits".

They would have spare wine after serving J pax. Would you go forward and grab some unless someone tells you to stop ?

This is in essence DYKWIA writ large.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I sit in business class and after my bag goes in the overhead locker or under the seat in front I try to be helpful and offer any space, including under my seat, that is not needed if the crew needs it.

That is showing respect for others who are not so fortunate.

And I could not care less who uses the "business" class toilet.

So when I am in economy I will continue to be one of the last to board and if someone has overtaken "my" overhead bin space I will look for the next best overhead bin space and that will more than likely be in business class on domestic services. I am not going to be separate from my belongings and I am not going to wait for everyone to disembark because I cannot access to my bag.

I find this concept a little alarming... offering the space under the seat in front for someone else's bag? If any crew member accepted this offer it opens the airline up to a claim for theft or damage. In fact i'll go one further - while it is a nice gesture from you - it would be irresponsible for crew to do it. I'd rather gate check then have someone able to access like that to my belongings.

 

[medhead]

At risk of reviving that odious thread, my response would be oafish behaviour should not be tolerated.

Right so a post from RedRoo on an Internet forum is going to address such oafish behaviour how?

"Getting over it" means the seat kickers go about his business "as he (or she) pleases".

If that's your preferred position, it is yours - not mine.

If it is not you position why did you write get over it?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

JohnK -Qantas policy (and every other carrier ive flown) is for the forward toilets to be business only. Thats why they have better amenities. So no... you shouldn't be using whatever toilet you want.

 

[rjgcooper]

Just from some personal experience on previous flights, there are good and bad things with this, and I think, generally speaking, we have it quite good on QF domestic, at least in my experience.

The use of toilet can be a tricky one. I had a flight the other week in 4, and needed to use the bathroom. The CC were clearing the meal service in Y and there was no way I would get past, let alone could wait - that very annoying need to go to the bathroom. The curtain was drawn back into J. Yes, I used the bathroom there, in an unobtrusive as possible manner. When I have travelled in J, it really doesn't bother me that much. Which is worse: someone intrudes on your J space, or someone has an embarrassing accident? Yes, if everyone was queuing from Y into J, that would be annoying. But I think it's common sense.

On using overhead storage, it is annoying when it's full. Particularly on QF where everyone has hold baggage, I don't see a real need to bring a suitcase into the cabin. I get a little peeved when the bins around my seat are jam packed, and I am trying to store by humble laptop bag. That being said, I am not going to kick up a stink about it, and when it gets really bad, I'll ask the CC for help - that's part of their job.

I don't want to enliven a huge reclining debate. I have to say that my experience in QF has been great. My worst was trans-Pacific on United - the passenger in front put the seat back and went to sleep; the CC refused to do anything, so I was forced to eat my meal in cramped style. Needless to say, United have been added to my don't fly list.

At the end of the day, I think common sense should be applied. I doubt QF are going to explicitly reply to these points, as things could need to change in a given situation. Yes, the doors must be armed. On a QF domestic flight can a Y never use J toilet? There are situations when safety or customer service demands that it does happen. And I am not sure that the SQ comparison is particularly useful - different cuttle of fish, in my opinion.