OLCI trap for the unwary

[spiggy_topes]

Just found out - if you log into the Qantas on-line check in to see which seat you've been given but don't actually print out a boarding pass, the system thinks you've checked in and won't let you use the boarding pass machines when you arrive at the airport, and tells you to see a boarding agent.

Happened to me this morning at Brisbane. Fortunately I could check in at the QP (no luggage) but it would be a bore to be caught this way and have to queue....

 

[oz_mark]

Just found out - if you log into the Qantas on-line check in to see which seat you've been given but don't actually print out a boarding pass, the system thinks you've checked in and won't let you use the boarding pass machines when you arrive at the airport, and tells you to see a boarding agent.

When you get to the screen that displays your seat, there is a comment on the screen that says you are checked in. So not only does the system think you are checked in, you are checked in.

 

[littl_flier]

Yeah, I first discovered this the hard way last year when I tried to dodge the system and a little card spat out telling me to see a rep.

I don't usually print a boarding pass even when I have checked in online. (I like the real ones) Because QuikCheck doesn't let you print them out, I always just jump in the QP/Premium line to get them if I have luggage to check (I have to do it anyway) or I grab it at the boarding gate or QP, depending on how late I am. So whilst it's a pain it doesn't just spit them out, I haven't found that it adds too much time to the process.

 

[Mal]

If you don't tell the staff you've already online checked-in, then you can get a very quizical look as to what you're up to (I think they see you as checked in already, so expect you to either have a boarding pass or a reason why you're turning up looking for your boarding pass).

 

[littl_flier]

If you don't tell the staff you've already online checked-in, then you can get a very quizical look as to what you're up to (I think they see you as checked in already, so expect you to either have a boarding pass or a reason why you're turning up looking for your boarding pass).

Lol, I did it twice and the first time the lady goes, "oh, you've checked in sir" and the second after 30 seconds of furious bashing was "sir, it would be much easier if you'd told me you had checked in" in a stern way. So now I tell them.

 

[openseat]

I discovered quite by accident that the new Quick Check machines (the ones with the passport swipe that produce a flimsy paper boarding pass) will print out a boarding pass for you if you have OLCI'd.

I got a rap at BNE QP for asking for a new boarding pass after OLCI. In fact the guy at the counter had a real attitude problem which emerged with the customer who followed me in the queue.

 

[spiggy_topes]

I gathered from the lady who checked me in that this happens quite often - once you started the OLCI process 'you can't turn back'. Sounds like they need to fix up the software.

 

[Febs]

Add me to the "always checks in online, but never prints their boarding pass" crowd.

I always just tell them I've checked in, but couldn't print my BP (which is often true).

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Petch]

I think the moral of the story is; many of us use Qantas OLCI to try and snare a good seat selection only, rather than bother to print our passes. (I like Tiger & Jetstar, who each let you select your seat at time of booking to some degree, if you want/pay.)

 

[chrisb]

I gathered from the lady who checked me in that this happens quite often - once you started the OLCI process 'you can't turn back'. Sounds like they need to fix up the software.

The obvious fix would be to let people use the Quickcheck machine to get a boarding pass! I've never understood why this doesn't work.

99% of the time I travel with luggage so i generally use OLCI and then get a BP from the bag drop.

Chrisb.

 

[albatross710]

When I was at a hotel without a printer I use our company's fax server to fax the print job to hotel reception. The bar code still works when boarding.

I like doing it in a geek sort of way.

 

[codash1099]

This trapped me once or twice too. (Slow on the uptake? Who? Me?)

As an aside, I've tried to work out why OLCI in PER is so difficult at -24 hours. Found out yesterday - somehow QF forgot or missed daylight saving in WA. OLCI is only available from -23 hours !!

 

[tscharke]

I too am guilty of the "snaring the best seat" trick without printing the BP!

I follow up their raised eyebrow with "the printer malfunctioned" excuse

 

[serfty]

On Sunday, OLCI'd from KIX for my SYD-MEL flight Monday afternoon but was unable to print my BP.

At international transfer in SYD I had to queue to get one printed; was easily done at the counter and I was on my way.

 

[JohnK]

If you don't tell the staff you've already online checked-in, then you can get a very quizical look as to what you're up to (I think they see you as checked in already, so expect you to either have a boarding pass or a reason why you're turning up looking for your boarding pass).

I had this happen to me a few times last week. I kept checking in online the night before, did not print boarding pass, and would just turn up to the regional airports to check in luggage and get boarding passes.

They could see that I had already checked in online and were more concerned that I did not print boarding pass. I kept using the excuse that I did not have access to printer at which point they said OK and printed off boarding passes for the day.

I did not have the heart to tell them that I detest plain A4 paper boarding passes and preferred the real cardboard boarding passes. :-|

 

[moa999]

Report on FT that the new machines will print a Boarding Pass even if you have already OLCI'd

 

[openseat]

Report on FT that the new machines will print a Boarding Pass even if you have already OLCI'd

As already posted above in post #6.

 

[serfty]

Except that these new machine do not print traditional cardboard BP's; a flimsy piece of paper with the 2D barcode.

Far less robust than paper OLCI BP's.