Possible lounge overcrowding remedy

[harvyk]

With the old QF CBR terminal being the prime example/best case study: With a QP, JL & CL, the amount of floor space & seating that QF devoted to lounges (at its half of the old CBR terminal) far exceeded the amount of space in the general gate area - presumably commensurate with the number of people flying out of CBR with some sort of lounge access.

Well the old CBR terminal was a bit of a waste-land at the QF end if you didn't have lounge access. There was a few uncomfortable seat scattered around some TV's, there was no food / drinks / anything to do at all. At least the VA (DJ / AN) end had an airside bar which you could have a drink and something to eat prior to your flight if you didn't have lounge access. So without lounge access, flying QF, there was a big incentive to at least purchase QP membership, and this was before they annexed half the QP (and my favourite place to sit ) to build the CL.

 

[Ewing]

So without lounge access, flying QF, there was a big incentive to at least purchase QP membership, and this was before they annexed half the QP (and my favourite place to sit ) to build the CL.

I was quite happy flying without lounge access until I moved to CBR in 2005.

When I moved I think I lasted about 3 weeks before buying QP membership.

 

[harvyk]

I was quite happy flying without lounge access until I moved to CBR in 2005.

When I moved I think I lasted about 3 weeks before buying QP membership.

I lasted about a year... Mainly because I didn't know any better...

 

[opusman]

like when MEL gets closed due to itty bitty storms

Hehe yes, OMG lightning within a 10km radius, quick shut down the entire airport!

 

[mannej]

Hehe yes, OMG lightning within a 10km radius, quick shut down the entire airport!

I wouldn't want to be outside with lightning that close. (Yes I'm aware other airlines have the 5k limit)

 

[Pleb Status]

Although the OP is trolling, I will bite (Feper by another name maybe?). QF already offer the ability for companies not to pay FFP/SC to employees to save the company money. I worked for one company that did this. I note it did not take long after that contract expired with QF for that same company to sign a new one where FFP/SC were paid to employees.

'If' overcrowding is a problem, QF should implement each one of the following until the balance is restored -

1) stop all double SC promotions immediately and ban any further promotions of this type (do this no matter what!).

2) stop offering paid QP memberships.

3) raise qualification levels to reduce the number of SG/WP/WP1 members.

I think that 3) would not be required if 1) and 2) were implemented.

 

[DMMatlin]

But company flyers pay too - at least I do. The points and lounge access so towards (but do not fully compensate for) the 4.30am alarms and 8pm arrivals home, which is the lot of most business flyers I know.

What about the salary you're paid?

I've been a constant business traveller for my entire career and have always been paid at a level that represents my role, that role has always included a significant travel component.

 

[Blinky]

What about the salary you're paid?

I've been a constant business traveller for my entire career and have always been paid at a level that represents my role, that role has always included a significant travel component.

I get paid the same as other senior managers who didn't fly. I get your point - I don't get paid for a 38 hour week, but to get the job done. Nevertheless it's only business flying managers in my place who clock up 12 + hour days as a matter of course, so lounge access seems fair.

 

[Austashes]

Easiest way to reduce congestion is to introduce and enforce minimum dress standards.

 

[Hvr]

Easiest way to reduce congestion is to introduce and enforce minimum dress standards.

We've had this conversation before. Now, on Saturday I am doing a JASA to ASP. What dress standards should I adhere to on a Saturday heading to an area where the expected temperature is going to be 38 degrees?

What dress standard should I adhere to when going on a month long holiday with HLO?

A dress standard is an arbitrary and very subjective requirement that doesn't take into account the travellers unique circumstances.

 

[DMMatlin]

...so lounge access seems fair.

Agreed. Your company should pay for lounge access and try to make it as easy as possible when you travel. But the $400-500 per annum of lounge access is hardly compensation. For most frequent business travellers that amount is less than a day's pay or for some a dinner out.

The lounge access is purely a way of squeezing you into a discount Y seat and a a cheaper hotel...

So I guess my point is... Lounge Access should be part of a regular travellers expectation, but not compensation... Because that might might be a bit too close too appearing on a group certificate

 

[Blinky]

Agreed. Your company should pay for lounge access and try to make it as easy as possible when you travel. But the $400-500 per annum of lounge access is hardly compensation. For most frequent business travellers that amount is less than a day's pay or for some a dinner out.

The lounge access is purely a way of squeezing you into a discount Y seat and a a cheaper hotel...

So I guess my point is... Lounge Access should be part of a regular travellers expectation, but not compensation... Because that might might be a bit too close too appearing on a group certificate

Fair enough, I see your point.

 

[Ausbt]

BNE QP has been hard to get a seat. MEL QP.

.

I could not find a seat at all in the BNE QP on last Monday at 7.45 am. No big deal, I stood at the large table near the magazine rack and drank my skinny latte (which was not as good as those made by Virgin's baristas I might add).

 

[Hvr]

I get paid the same as other senior managers who didn't fly. I get your point - I don't get paid for a 38 hour week, but to get the job done. Nevertheless it's only business flying managers in my place who clock up 12 + hour days as a matter of course, so lounge access seems fair.

As someone who has previously done a lot of work flying I find that those who haven't done it don't understand just how much work you actually do. I usually worked on the plane even if it was just preparing for the training session I was going to deliver soon after landing.

In the evening sitting in the hotel I did heaps more work and often caught up on my office duties. I did a lot more work than I was ever paid for (being on an hourly rate rather than salary). The provision of SCs was just the tiniest of benefits I received and that was only if the WOAG fare actually provided more than the basic SCs, or even if the airline I was flying had SCs.

The government organisation I worked for did not pay for lounge access so it was self funded until I accrued enough flights.

Of course my colleagues who didn't fly thought it was all glamour and glitz until they did the occasional flight and realised just how hard it was to effectively do two jobs.

The very minor benefits received for flying do not come close to covering the sheer hard yakka it took to do the job on the road.

 

[ShaneN]

2) stop offering paid QP memberships.

Why stop paid membership. They are the people paying real dollars for the privilege of lounge membership. I have been a paid QP member for about 13 years until I reached SG last year. I probably used the lounge fewer than 10 times per year.

The lounges were established for paid members. Privileges for frequent flyers are a later addition.

 

[fersea]

What about the salary you're paid?

I've been a constant business traveller for my entire career and have always been paid at a level that represents my role, that role has always included a significant travel component.

Finally someone has said it!!

Having said that, I have no problem with regular flyers having lounge access.

 

[fersea]

From my experience in the lounges (which is far less than many on this forum), if people weren't selfish and didn't put jackets, luggage etc over seats, everyone could get a seat. If there was an actual backside in every seat (and I am not talking about those going to the bar, toilet etc) would there be a lack of seats for everyone?

 

[rechoboam]

Some of the airport restaurants are looking fancy these days...given the crowding on a Friday afternoon it seems sometimes more logical to eat some proper food in a comfortable uncrowded restaurant rather than the QP (heresy?)

 

[rechoboam]

From my experience in the lounges (which is fair less than many on this forum), if people weren't selfish and didn't put jackets, luggage etc over seats, everyone could get a seat. If there was an actual backside in every seat (and I am not talking about those going to the bar, toilet etc) would there be a lack of seats for everyone?

No, it seems genuinely crowded in my experience. I don't blame people for being seriously unsociable when waiting for a delayed flight after a 4am wakeup, working all day etc etc

 

[fersea]

No, it seems genuinely crowded in my experience. I don't blame people for being seriously unsociable when waiting for a delayed flight after a 4am wakeup, working all day etc etc

People don't necessarily have to be sociable (although it wouldn't hurt - what is it with travelling and the don't look at me, don't talk to me, don't have anything to do me attitude) but I don't think anyone has the right to take up two seats if there are others without a seat.

Surely that is common courtesy.