OLCI: Assigned bulkhead seat - weird behaviour

[reductionist]

Hi,

I just attempted to do OLCI for a SYD-MEL flight tomorrow and saw that I'd been allocated a bulkhead seat (did not request this, but thanks QF!).

I got a message at the final step to the effect of "you can't print a boarding pass because you've been assigned an exit row seat - see staff at the bag drop area when you check-in".

Fair enough.

But, now if I view the seating allocation again it seems that I have not actually been allocated a seat at all. No seat is showing up as being selected for me. Has anyone else seen this OLCI behaviour at all?

My current plan is to not select another seat and hope that my initial seat allocation still stands.

Also, do you guys think it's safe to ignore the instruction to go to the bag drop area and just see the staff at the counter in the QP lounge? I don't have any luggage to check and would rather not line up in the bag drop queue.

 

[samh004]

I wouldn’t select another seat but simply turn up on time and claim the exit row seat. If you aren’t allocated one (which would be very rare) you could always ask nicely in the QP to move further up the cabin.

I guess if they can’t see you in the QP you wouldn’t have very far to go back, but I’m sure you could use any counter you’re entitled to for the confirmation that you’re able-bodied and to claim your ticket.

 

[dfcatch]

Perhaps they have a "more comfortable seat" in mind for you ...

 

[ric_melb]

I am trying to think of what happened last time I was allocated an exit row when doing OLCI.
From memory it told me I had been assigned an exit row, and had to get my boarding pass at the airport. However I am sure I printed off a confirmation that I had checked in, to give them at the airport. I don't think the seat shows as allocated on the seat map, as you don't have a boarding pass, however it is "reserved".
Then when I got to the airport without luggage I presented my printout at Qantas Club and they printed my boarding pass.

 

[reductionist]

Perhaps they have a "more comfortable seat" in mind for you ...

As long as I actually get a seat I don't really care.

On a slightly OT note, under normal circumstances where I have been able to OLCI & choose a seat, should I just be able to turn up to the gate with my QFF card? It's not one of the new ones.

The last time I tried this in MEL they made me go to the desk and get a boarding pass but I'm sure I read on AFF that it's possible.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

My understanding is that ALL exit row seat boarding passes are issued when you present at terminal.

This overcomes any problem with physically unsuitable pax having pre-assigned seats and then having to be moved - well that is what a FA that I was wooing at that time told me.

Might I suggest you do a screen capture of your bulkhead seat assignment and take it with you as security and just present in terminal.

 

[Awesom Andy]

But, now if I view the seating allocation again it seems that I have not actually been allocated a seat at all.

That's pretty much what I had last time when I did OLCI for an exit row. I think you can go straight to the QP if you have no check-in baggage, but last time, I had to go to a counter since I had baggage and also was also had an international connection.

 

[reductionist]

That's pretty much what I had last time when I did OLCI for an exit row. I think you can go straight to the QP if you have no check-in baggage

Yep, exactly as you said. I just went straight through to the lounge and got a boarding pass for a bulkhead seat from the service desk.

Must not be (m)any elites on this flight. I really didn't think they'd seat a QP NB so close to the front. I presume the fact that my SEQ NBR was 1 does not make a difference.

 

[samh004]

As long as I actually get a seat I don't really care.

On a slightly OT note, under normal circumstances where I have been able to OLCI & choose a seat, should I just be able to turn up to the gate with my QFF card? It's not one of the new ones.

The last time I tried this in MEL they made me go to the desk and get a boarding pass but I'm sure I read on AFF that it's possible.

If your card has a barcode on the back then it will work with the scanners at the gate right now, when you get your NGCI card and they roll out the chip scanners, then you’ll have two options at the gate (barcode or chip). And if you’re worried it wont work, bring a boarding pass with you the first couple of times, but don’t present anything but your card. You’ll soon see it’s a lot easier, even if you want to collect the boarding passes as you can keep them pristine away from anyone else touching them