Pet airport lounge hates

[Jacksond]

Not at an airport but on a Qatar flight. Several twenty somethings dominating the lounge. They were noisy the the F word was used constantly. I mentioned it to the FA, but no response. It made the lounge unusable for the other passengers on board.

 

[SeatBackForward]

But some members ARE very much are more entitled than others, and it is precisely this over-entitlement which causes most of the din, the over-crowding and the resentment.

Lounge type Child age Number of children
Qantas owned and operated lounge
0 to 3 years Complimentary access
4 to 17 years Complimentary access for up to two children
If you are travelling with more than two children to a Qantas owned and operated lounge, the Qantas lounge manager will try to accommodate them, subject to reviewing the space available.

I believe I am more entitled to be there, as a Gold/Platinum FF or QC member than the two (or more - could be six or so) children.

SeatBackForward seems to think otherwise. May I remind him or her that it costs a great deal to become a Gold or greater member of QFF or a member of the QC? Why cannot I, whose children are grown-up, and number two only, bring them into the QC?

So yes, SeatBackForward, I am more entitled to be in a Qantas Club than the second - or sixth child - of another member.

Mind you, SeatBackForward, I make no noise other than that The Australian makes as pages are turned and my creaking bones propel me upright for the lengthy walk to the aircraft.

Its very simple, if you're in the lounge you're entitled to be in it, otherwise you wouldn't be in there. Your issue is with the means and methods people use to get into the lounge but there are so many ways: by status, by invitation, by guest access, by complimentary passes, by flying class, by credit card ownership...if you want to start ranking each ofthese go for it, hence my call about it being ironical, if you're in the lounge, you're entitled to it.

 

[sostopher]

The people being rude to waitstaff/loungestaff are usually always in their 50s and 60s. Rarely do I see the younger generations being as rude as they are to the lounge staff. Maybe they've forgotten what it's like to be on the receiving end.

 

[pgsdiver]

Over the past month I've been in the SQ J lounges in Sydney, SIN, Paris (CDG) and then SIN again.
I travelled with my wife and 3 kids, aged 12, 10 and 8.
We always try to ensure we minimise the impact of our small army on other guests, but no doubt some folks didn't appreciate us being in there.
Like the majority of posters I am rabid when it comes to food hygiene and waste. We accompany all but the oldest child (who is more OCD about such things than me!) everywhere they go. And noise is a big no-no.
One particular incident springs to mind, though.
We got into SIN SilverKris J lounge late on Thursday having spent most of our 18 hour layover in town. There was one guy in a section of six, and my wife, being the braver of the two of us, went up and asked if our crew could sit there. He was most obliging (goes to prove there are polite, obliging and quiet New Yorkers!) but did say to us "as long as you aren't going to do what they are doing!" and pointed to a nearby section where a mother had just changed a child's nappy and left it on the table for staff to collect.
With due deference to any older crotchety folks and apologies to "Family Guy" - What The Deuce?
The staff were their usual amenable selves (and we ALWAYS thank them when they clear up our stuff) but you could see the look of disgust on their faces.
Entitlement and obliviousness is everywhere, and the close proximity of people in lounges just makes it all the more visible.
My wife thinks I hate people. Not true, they just constantly disappoint me.

 

[amaroocars]

A main annoyance of mine are single people who use a 4 person table when the lounge is obviously busy and don’t even bother to change tables or sofas

 

[Matt_01]

I am not young nor do I believe my comments to be crude, maybe just a bit short for some. On an annual basis I normally fly in excess of 140 segments across dom and int and a mixture of all classes and spend enough time in lounges to know what annoys myself and most likely other frequent travelers.

 

[Matt_01]

But some members ARE very much are more entitled than others, and it is precisely this over-entitlement which causes most of the din, the over-crowding and the resentment.

Lounge type Child age Number of children
Qantas owned and operated lounge
0 to 3 years Complimentary access
4 to 17 years Complimentary access for up to two children
If you are travelling with more than two children to a Qantas owned and operated lounge, the Qantas lounge manager will try to accommodate them, subject to reviewing the space available.

I believe I am more entitled to be there, as a Gold/Platinum FF or QC member than the two (or more - could be six or so) children.

SeatBackForward seems to think otherwise. May I remind him or her that it costs a great deal to become a Gold or greater member of QFF or a member of the QC? Why cannot I, whose children are grown-up, and number two only, bring them into the QC?

So yes, SeatBackForward, I am more entitled to be in a Qantas Club than the second - or sixth child - of another member.

Mind you, SeatBackForward, I make no noise other than that The Australian makes as pages are turned and my creaking bones propel me upright for the lengthy walk to the aircraft.

In responding to this post you come across as one of those travelers I alluded to in post #37, second point.

As you have thrown status out there as SG/WP and then added cost into the discussion in what seems to be your justification for being more entitled. Yes it costs a bit to be SG, WP or even paying the QP fee is not insignificant to some. However would it be wrong of me to get on my soap box and assume that I have a greater entitlement to be there than you or any other as I maintain QF WP1, VA WP and SQ*G. If you know the cost to remain QF SG/ WP I am sure you may be able to understand what my costs maybe.

Along the same lines should my partner have a greater sense of entitlement as a WP in a QP or feel less entitled than those around her in a Dom J lounge or Int F as her QF WP comes at no cost to her. Should the AFF member who I gifted VA SG last year and will again this year, but not the same person, feel any less entitled just because it came at no cost to them.

Basically it comes down to if you have lounge access, paid, status, guest, upgrades etc. you are all equally entitled to be there, just have consideration for others.

Out of curiosity, does your copy of The Australian require its own seat or is it happy on your lap. Best of luck to you.

 

[JohnK]

The food being touched by bare hands and the extreme waste of food I see on tables after people have left. why so greedy!

It may not be greed. People want to try things and then find the food awful. Perhaps they should take less food to start with but people don't want to go back again.

 

[Seat0B]

I would like more powerpoints too. And food hygiene is a biggie as well.

 

[Blinky]

I am not a curmudgeon and swear with mates, but try to refrain from it in public. So not against swearing per se. In the Brisbane VA lounge today with two men talking loudly and unable to string three words together without the f word, and worse. Children were nearby, but I was not going to act as Lounge police. On the way out I asked one of the staff if there was some code of conduct about swearing. “Not really” was the response.

Yes, swearing is ubiquitous, but after a very early start and a tiring day, a bit of respite from macho posturing is not too much to ask.

 

[eddie 73]

Good thread, fun read, and agree with most so nothing much else to add, but sum up the root casuse...

Lack of manners, empathy for others, and complete absence of respect for those around oneself, staff included. Self entitlement, ego, selfishness, ungrateful, and so on. Sad reflection on where this society is at.

 

[nutwood]

Agree with many of the above, but in the spirit of the original question, if I were able to ban one thing, it would be loud phone calls. With, or without headphones. Appreciate this is a subjective point as I make many phone calls in the lounge. Sometimes it's the only chance I get to return calls missed in flight. When I know I have calls to make, I try and find a seat discreetly away from others, keep my voice down, and use my phone in the conventional manner; with my mouth near the microphone.
I see, or more to the point hear, others walking about with their little ear plugs in, conducting their business in tones several levels higher than they would if their corespondent was walking next to them. I find this way more annoying than someone watching a video without earphones as, despite my best endeavours, I can't help listening, I can't tune them out
Is there an eavesdroppers anonymous? Perhaps it's my problem?

 

[flybynight]

Fact is that newer generations just don’t care about others - its all about “me”!
I’ve been doing 300+ sectors for more than 25 years with about half international. The last 5 years I just shower and get changed (international) or grab a coffee (domestic) then go and find a quiet spot near my gate. It works for me and usually don’t have to put up with some of the vermin that frequent lounges.

 

[Matt_01]

The thread is becoming interesting. Bit OT, on the subject of phones I have no issue with phone usage or discussions in the lounge, due to travel I have and will continue to do so schedule meetings when I know I will be in the lounge. I use my headset or the handset and speak quietly, I find it amazing the number of people that discuss business deals, costs, tenders, competitors, staff performance or details of 1-1 staff discussions that I would only assume were had on an "in-confidence" nature, etc. with little or no consideration as to who may be listening. This is even worse when they are in the lounge in their company supplied/ or purchased clothing displaying their name and the organisation they may work for.

I am showing my and the age of senility may be setting in but I seem to recall in the early days of the QP a marketing point was free local calls. In those days we were not interested on power points and most business travellers were more interested in finding the lounge (2-3 seat types) that had a landline located at the end to make free local calls. If you needed to make a STD (Standard Trunk Dialing) you had to go to the service desk who would make and then time the call as you only had around a 3 minute call time and ISD was not allowed.

 

[Jamie Keane]

Frequented Perth Q pub and have seen the good bad and the ugly. Business people talking loudly on phones doing last minute changes to something, the working flouro brigade who just want to get a few drinks into themselves before flying up for a week or two at work, and surprisingly not many kids are taken in there. Recently became QP so business lounge has same issues as pub but with a lot less people in it and better food options. Yes still same amount people who take up 4 seats by placing bags on everything, still the odd person talking loudly on the phone but in general decent behaviour.

Worst experience was at Melbourne international qantas business lounge, kids let to roam free hands into everything at food counters and helped themselves to the drinks, parents no where to be seen, I think they went and sat other side of lounge so as to not hear kids. Young kids crying and still no parent in sight or even ear shot of them. Must of thought the lounge was a crèche for a break from the kids but they made it a misery for all others in lounge. We left when the crying was out of control and no one seen or heard to be doing anything about it.

 

[Jo145]

8. Businessmen must keep conversations private. Just yesterday I overheard that Bunnings is about to buy Amazon.

That's not a business call, it's a BS call by someone wanting others to believe they are in the know on something that is completely stupid. Another type that needs to be banned...

 

[blackcat20]

Fact is that newer generations just don’t care about others - its all about “me”!

Funny how every time I've seen someone using their phone inconsiderately, either loud calls or watching videos without headphones, they've been in the 40+ age bracket

 

[Pushka]

It seems that Sydney has the issue with floor maintenance and Melbourne has the issue with unsupervised kids at the food areas. Both don’t have enough points to charge devices. Adelaide has poor food offerings and no J lounge and food improvements. OOL is just well, bogan central. Have heard no poor reports about Brisbane. Tasmania is a long suffering out post. Perth is its own little “territory”. Internationally, well, F lounges are really good but can get busy.

Funny how every time I've seen someone using their phone inconsiderately, either loud calls or watching videos without headphones, they've been in the 40+ age bracket

Nah I’ve seen people of all ages. I’d say most of the ones I’ve seen have been in their thirties. Worst was a woman in her thirties at the J lounge in Melbourne. She did manage to clear a large space around her of people trying to escape her noise. Maybe that was her intent. And you know what? I think the guys ( , that word again) were too concerned about harassment to say anything about it. She was on that tall table that used to be parallel to the buffet. I’ve seen some notable AFF’ers use that bench - quietly

 

[Vic]

Sorry what is wrong with me using my hands to pick up a bread roll, without touching any of the other breadrolls, that I fully know I will eat.
I'll give you another tip, using tongs the hand can still touch other food.

I believe I am more entitled to be there, as a Gold/Platinum FF or QC member than the two (or more - could be six or so) children.

You know what they say about assume? What about when the child is ALSO gold FF? What about when the child/ren are flying in business class. Business class costs a lot as well. My children have more time in business class than economy. I guess when that happens they are more entitled to be in the business lounge than a platinum in economy.
Can't teach an old dog new tricks, they say.

 

[Pushka]

Sorry what is wrong with me using my hands to pick up a bread roll, without touching any of the other breadrolls, that I fully know I will eat.
I'll give you another tip, using tongs the hand can still touch other food.



You know what they say about assume? What about when the child is ALSO gold FF? What about when the child/ren are flying in business class. Business class costs a lot as well. My children have more time in business class than economy. I guess when that happens they are more entitled to be in the business lounge than a platinum in economy.
Can't teach an old dog new tricks, they say.

Because people aren’t that careful. Bugs don’t hang around on dry tongs but on warm moist hands they just simply breed. I could never guarantee being able to remove just one roll and not touch another. And my hands aren’t big. Why risk it?