OOL Priority Queue

[LiamR]

Has anybody else noticed that the Priority Checkin Queue at Gold Coast Airport has started to get fairly crowded lately?

There only seems to be one (two desks signed with Priority Checkin, but in practice the left desk serves those in the regular queue) for Priority Pax and is frequently busy.

There's been times where the ordinary queue is out the door, and I'm grateful. But there's also other times when the Priority Queue has more people in it that the normal.

Is it just me, am I travelling at peak times? What are others observations?

(Yes, this is most certainly a First World Problem.)

 

[Reg Reagan]

When I've walked past it hasn't been crowded but I mostly fly out first thing in the morning so it may get busier later on. Not really an issue anyway since I use OLCI & travel light.

 

[Fruitcake]

Update... The introduction of priority security at OOL is already widely known, but Velocity have now formally updated their website, listing it as a status benefit for Plat and Gold pax.

Gold Membership | Velocity Frequent Flyer
Platinum Membership | Velocity Frequent Flyer

Access to a separate security screening lane at Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Gold Coast domestic airports during peak times

 

[Major]

I looked at using this yesterday but the ordinary lanes were quicker. All I could see in the priority queue were DYKWIA's emptying their briefcases looking for pieces of electronic junk to fill up several trays.

 

[Jousams]

I looked at using this yesterday but the ordinary lanes were quicker. All I could see in the priority queue were DYKWIA's emptying their briefcases looking for pieces of electronic junk to fill up several trays.

It should be just QF & DJ using it, not like scoot or air Asia would have corporate customers...


Sent from AFF Mobile Edition

 

[Mackey]

After a flight cancellation at HBA last month, there was only 1-2 desks serving the priority line and 3 desks serving the general line (which was moving much faster). After a while 3 desks started serving the priority line. I mentioned to the staff member that there were grumblings in the priority line that it wasn't exactly priority and she said that because the general line was past the roped off area, they had to clear that line first in order to clear the area infront of the other airlines check-in desks.

I guess it depends on the circumstances. The staff are aware the priority line is priority, but there are other factors they need to take into account.

 

[LiamR]

The only time I find Priority checkin at OOL useful is on Weekends when the general queue is stretching to the back door, even then it's a 2-3min wait in the priority queue. Is it me or is it every time I'm checking in at OOL there is always some platinum with a problem in his booking and takes forever to get sorted out.

I've got a feeling priority security will only be useful at times like this too, especially Saturday morning.

 

[cavemanzk]

Is it me or is it every time I'm checking in at OOL there is always some platinum with a problem in his booking and takes forever to get sorted out.

Its not just you, I know because I'm one of them. It seems to be every time I fly out of OOL there is some problem with my booking that I get told about at check-in. I generally fly out of OOL with about 4-5 people each time and it seems to take then 20minutes to check us all in, its like they struggle to handle International Passengers.

On a plus side, they always let me get away with excess baggage

 

[Sprucegoose]

Looks like some tweaking to be done at OOL

 

[LiamR]

Its not just you, I know because I'm one of them. It seems to be every time I fly out of OOL there is some problem with my booking that I get told about at check-in. I generally fly out of OOL with about 4-5 people each time and it seems to take then 20minutes to check us all in, its like they struggle to handle International Passengers.

On a plus side, they always let me get away with excess baggage

*grumble grumble*

 

[cavemanzk]

Looks like some tweaking to be done at OOL

International Self Check-in would fix the problem, the new machines have passport readers!

It worked out pretty well for NZ, before they introduced it 3 years ago for Tasman services it used to take about 45minutes in the standard check-in line at AKL, now now down to 30seconds at peak!

 

[Ausbt]

Yep, last week when I came through it was as long as any other queue with a fair few confused folks as well. Then, a chap decided to take his Swiss army knife through and every single scanner was 'shut down' for a period of about 4 minutes (no idea whether these incidents were related or not). My bag was in the scanner at the time. An older chap in a similar situation then went berko and started yelling at the Swiss army-knife guy about how selfish he was and how he held everyone up. Ahhh the joys of the Goldie. At least the lounge was wonderfully quiet.

 

[Jousams]

Yep, last week when I came through it was as long as any other queue with a fair few confused folks as well. Then, a chap decided to take his Swiss army knife through and every single scanner was 'shut down' for a period of about 4 minutes (no idea whether these incidents were related or not). My bag was in the scanner at the time. An older chap in a similar situation then went berko and started yelling at the Swiss army-knife guy about how selfish he was and how he held everyone up. Ahhh the joys of the Goldie. At least the lounge was wonderfully quiet.

That sounds like something of A Current Affair.

 

[AviatorPJ]

Looks like some tweaking to be done at OOL

I was tweaked most favourably by DJ/VA priority checkin on Monday 10 Dec at OOL. My 3 bags were checked seamlessly through at OOL for transfer in SYD to a connecting SQ flight to SIN on my separate VA codeshare PNR booking connecting with an MIflight to PNH.

Yes, it took about 10 mins for the CSA to effect this in OOL with a few phonecalls and some-one walking her through the "new system" over the phone, but it was well done and dusted thank you Virgin.

Having a mending broken arm in a sling had also been recorded by DJ for the first OOL SYD flight for special assist in SYD with bags: which wasn't needed thanks to the courtesy, persistence and patience of DJ priority checkin CSA to assist... and to master the intracacies.

Fullsome praise to the great airline DJ/VA is becoming for sharp-end travellers' with this sort of approach.

And yes, if I held up the priority line for 10 mins at OOl as an international plat, then future priority lane DJ/VA international travelers will benefit from having experienced staff able to tackle the curly ones.
PJ

 

[Sprucegoose]

So everything worked as it should have, excellent result. I like people who don't know but ask.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The new OOL priority screening is bloody annoying.

For those yet to try it, it's a combined airline priority screening lane (so not quite as exclusive as just a sole airline queue as it is) but this morning all queues were long and they guy in front of us in the priority queue suddenly realised he was not entitled to use it. To his credit, he asked a near by AFP guy whether he should move and the AFP guy said for him to stay there as no one takes any notice of it anyway :evil:. Well, I saw red over that and politely told the AFP gent that with that response no one would take it seriously either. He claimed as a genuine priority guest I could simply walk to the front of the queue! As if I would. How do I know who else has the rights in the queue. I don't appreciate queue jumping and wouldn't do it myself. He said I'd need to make a complaint with the airline> WTF? It's a joint facility. No one airline polices it. He also said it was airport policy that in times of large queues, non-status should be directed to the priority queue...............what then is the point of a priority queue? No queue, no need for priority screening! Long queue and it reverts to no priority so why bother in the first place? It's a lose, lose situation.

OOL is such a slum of an airport and with bogan attitudes like that, no wonder the GC struggles with its reputation!

I did make a complaint to VA who said they would follow that through as they are aware the priority screening is a failure as it stands currently (or as lovestotravel would say....EPIC FAILURE) and I must point out this is no way VAs fault. Seems its the bogan attitude of GC Airport.

 

[Major]

The new OOL priority screening is bloody annoying.

For those yet to try it, it's a combined airline priority screening lane (so not quite as exclusive as just a sole airline queue as it is) but this morning all queues were long and they guy in front of us in the priority queue suddenly realised he was not entitled to use it. To his credit, he asked a near by AFP guy whether he should move and the AFP guy said for him to stay there as no one takes any notice of it anyway :evil:. Well, I saw red over that and politely told the AFP gent that with that response no one would take it seriously either. He claimed as a genuine priority guest I could simply walk to the front of the queue! As if I would. How do I know who else has the rights in the queue. I don't appreciate queue jumping and wouldn't do it myself. He said I'd need to make a complaint with the airline> WTF? It's a joint facility. No one airline polices it. He also said it was airport policy that in times of large queues, non-status should be directed to the priority queue...............what then is the point of a priority queue? No queue, no need for priority screening! Long queue and it reverts to no priority so why bother in the first place? It's a lose, lose situation.

OOL is such a slum of an airport and with bogan attitudes like that, no wonder the GC struggles with its reputation!

I did make a complaint to VA who said they would follow that through as they are aware the priority screening is a failure as it stands currently (or as lovestotravel would say....EPIC FAILURE) and I must point out this is no way VAs fault. Seems its the bogan attitude of GC Airport.

I totally agree, and if it's still a waste of time when next I travel I will be complaining to GC Airport via their website as follows

Communication and feedback
For further information on Gold Coast Airport or to provide feedback, please phone (07) 5589 1100 between 8.00 am – 5.00 pm weekdays. If you would like to provide any feedback to Gold Coast Airport or have a complaint about your experience within the Airport, please Contact us via email or phone our reception during office hours on (07) 5589 1100.
Complaints
Gold Coast Airport is committed to serving the needs of our passengers, guests and business partners to the highest possible standard. We strive to ensure every part of your experience at the airport is as pleasant and enjoyable as possible. We aim to provide prompt, courteous, helpful, open and informative information in response to every approach made by a member of the public to our staff.

 

[hydrabyss]

I have always found the Virgin Lounge staff exceptional, but hit and miss with other companys.Like being told by a Hertz agent I did not have a booking and try elsewhere.Wasnt till I went to call the Head office when it seamed to appear from nowhere.

 

[Plutonus]

Yeah when I went through last week pretty much anyone was going priority queue, including gentleman who had a Tiger Airways boarding pass and spat the dummy when he had to take his shoes off but I didn't.

I would have thought VA is paying the airport and/or the security firms an additional fee to have this, so would be in their best interests it is used by only those it is intended for...?

 

[LiamR]

This doesn't sound good, I'll be there on Thursday to test out the new Priority Lane, if it's not policed decently I'll be happy to send in a complaint!