Pre-flight Acknowledgement

[kangarooflyer88]

When using mobile check-in on the QF app I see the following screen:


Given COVID is over (at least as far as the State and Commonwealth government is concerned), one wonders what the purpose of this acknowledgement is for? I note that the conditions of carriage is the second thing you "agree" to. Must be Qantas' friendly reminder that we aren't on a flight but have elected for a bundle of rights?

-RooFlyer88

 

[TheInsider]

When using mobile check-in on the QF app I see the following screen:

View attachment 354747
Given COVID is over (at least as far as the State and Commonwealth government is concerned), one wonders what the purpose of this acknowledgement is for? I note that the conditions of carriage is the second thing you "agree" to. Must be Qantas' friendly reminder that we aren't on a flight but have elected for a bundle of rights?

-RooFlyer88

Infectious and unwell doesn't have to relate to COVID. Also from your screenshot, I must be missing where is does say COVID.

 

[ChrisMars]

I am wondering what happens if one declare he/she is unwell / infectious. Will the airline offer a fee-free change?

 

[Mickey Mouse]

Not at all what I was expecting from the thread title!

I was anticipating a

Not so much as a "Ah, welcome back, Kangs, my aren't we looking chipper today? Hitting the gym, eh? Here's your bubbly..."

 

[justinbrett]

I think if anything is retained from Covid, it should be don't go out in public when you're sick.

 

[RooFlyer]

Would you like to be sitting on a plane next to someone with:
* Chicken pox
* Common cold
* Common flu
* Diphtheria
* Measles
* Gastro
* Tuberculosis
* Whooping cough
* Meningococcal Disease.

Or maybe they mean:


That too would be annoying.

 

[yachty]

This question wasn't a thing pre-COVID right? The prompt has become very generic now so it seems a bit redundant. Doesn't stop anyone from flying while sick anyway.

 

[RooFlyer]

This question wasn't a thing pre-COVID right? The prompt has become very generic now so it seems a bit redundant. Doesn't stop anyone from flying while sick anyway.

Probably not so much to protect passengers, but to help shield the airline from potential liability - "they took measures".

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think if anything is retained from Covid, it should be don't go out in public when you're sick.

What does that even mean? I mean if I have a runny nose am I sick? If that’s the case I reckon many with seasonal allergies will be unable to fly Qantas during the summer! And I would go so far as to say it’s impossible to know if you are infectious with something like COVID. Heck I didn’t even know I had it until i did my weekly test and it was positive! At the same time we have technology today that quite frankly didn’t exist in 2019 like N95 respirators which studies have shown greatly reduce the risk of transmission of many respiratory diseases.

But again getting back to the topic at hand, the second thing you agree to is to abide to the conditions of carriage. Presumably you already agreed to this when you bought the flight ticket erm I mean bundle of rights which may or may not include a flight with Qantas

 

[RooFlyer]

What does that even mean? I mean if I have a runny nose am I sick?

The wording asks you if you feel unwell. If yes, they ask you not to fly. Simple.

 

[justinbrett]

What does that even mean? I mean if I have a runny nose am I sick? If that’s the case I reckon many with seasonal allergies will be unable to fly Qantas during the summer! And I would go so far as to say it’s impossible to know if you are infectious with something like COVID. Heck I didn’t even know I had it until i did my weekly test and it was positive! At the same time we have technology today that quite frankly didn’t exist in 2019 like N95 respirators which studies have shown greatly reduce the risk of transmission of many respiratory diseases.

But again getting back to the topic at hand, the second thing you agree to is to abide to the conditions of carriage. Presumably you already agreed to this when you bought the flight ticket erm I mean bundle of rights which may or may not include a flight with Qantas

The fact "don't fly when sick" has to be explained, is probably the same reason QF is putting the acknowledgement in; when really it should be common sense & common courtesy.

Same goes for trains/busses and going to work.

 

[elanshin]

What does that even mean? I mean if I have a runny nose am I sick? If that’s the case I reckon many with seasonal allergies will be unable to fly Qantas during the summer! And I would go so far as to say it’s impossible to know if you are infectious with something like COVID. Heck I didn’t even know I had it until i did my weekly test and it was positive! At the same time we have technology today that quite frankly didn’t exist in 2019 like N95 respirators which studies have shown greatly reduce the risk of transmission of many respiratory diseases.

In a perfect world, yes don't go out and potentially infect other people. Runny nose means your body is reacting to something. In the real world, everyone is responsible for their own decisions and actions and everything is a risk equation. (Also I don't know why you think N95 respirator masks weren't available precovid. We stocked a huge amount thanks to black summer and the smoke everywhere precovid).

But again getting back to the topic at hand, the second thing you agree to is to abide to the conditions of carriage. Presumably you already agreed to this when you bought the flight ticket erm I mean bundle of rights which may or may not include a flight with Qantas

You agreed to the condition of carriage. But that isn't the same as confirming again when you check in that you are indeed not unwell. There's no way for you to know that you could potentially be unwell when you booked tickets well in advance (and if you do know please share with us your crystal ball).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You agreed to the condition of carriage. But that isn't the same as confirming again when you check in that you are indeed not unwell. There's no way for you to know that you could potentially be unwell when you booked tickets well in advance (and if you do know please share with us your crystal ball).

Perhaps they could have stated ‘I have reviewed the conditions of carriage’.

I guess it’s there to protect themselves if you turn up looking sick at the airport and they decide to deny you boarding.

 

[milehighclub]

But again getting back to the topic at hand, the second thing you agree to is to abide to the conditions of carriage.

Recently updated. Can anyone spot what is new?

 

[lovestotravel]

I think if anything is retained from Covid, it should be don't go out in public when you're sick.

Oh how I wish this was the case, however with a flight/holiday booked it's impossible/hard to cancel/change your flight.

All my recent flights I have been next to, or in-front of clearly very sick people. Coughing, sneezing and one of them looking like he was minutes from death

Luckily all flights still had individual air vents, so could point the 2/3 nozzles over the top of my head to direct fresh air on me at least.

However, I did get the disgusting flu/cold that the deadly looking guy had on the most recent flight.

He didn't eat/drink for the 5 hour flight, should have been wearing a mask...

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Oh how I wish this was the case, however with a flight/holiday booked it's impossible/hard to cancel/change your flight.

Most airlines have reversed any flexibility offered during the pandemic. At the same time, there is no requirement to stay at home if you are sick.

All my recent flights I have been next to, or in-front of clearly very sick people. Coughing, sneezing and one of them looking like he was minutes from death

Is it bad that people are still travelling whilst sick? Absolutely. But what can the airlines do about it? As it stands in Australia, there is no requirement to self-isolate if you are infectious with COVID, although it is suggested. And based on your report and my experience at airports I doubt the airlines are doing anything to chat with those people in clear distress, either.

Luckily all flights still had individual air vents, so could point the 2/3 nozzles over the top of my head to direct fresh air on me at least.

It's debatable whether the air vents actually do much. I've read some articles and the benefit (if any) is marginal. This is part of the reason why it's important to wear something like an N95 respirator (something that was invented during COVID to protect yourself). Once you get above a certain altitude, clean air will come in (both from outdoors and filtered via HEPA filters) but that gap between boarding and take off and landing and deplaning are the most dangerous.

He didn't eat/drink for the 5 hour flight, should have been wearing a mask...

Should have? Absolutely. But there is no requirement. I should also point out that you don't have to be coughing to be infectious either.

-RooFlyer88

Post automatically merged: Nov 26, 2023

(Also I don't know why you think N95 respirator masks weren't available precovid. We stocked a huge amount thanks to black summer and the smoke everywhere precovid).

N95 respirators technically existed but they only existed if you knew where to look. And the data on it preventing the transmission and acquisition of respiratory illnesses like COVID was not well known.

 

[ChrisMars]

N95 respirators technically existed but they only existed if you knew where to look. And the data on it preventing the transmission and acquisition of respiratory illnesses like COVID was not well known.

Something exist only of you know where to look? Interesting!

 

[Princess Fiona]

<Mod Hat
All posts discussing Covid +/- the end thereof have been redacted or edited.
Discussion of this is not permitted on AFF


Please do not post or comment further on this.

Mod Hat >

 

[exceladdict]

@AFF Editor on topic but without discussing COVID, it would be interesting to ask Qantas what the official position would be if someone says "no" to this declaration.

Are they able to change date free of charge, for example, move to the next day without any change fees or fare difference, to avoid travelling while "infectious"? What proof is required?

Declaration or no, the financial cost to rebook (change fee + last minute fare) on the next day or later in the week may otherwise be prohibitive to many.

Like other posters, I have witnessed enough people appearing infectious on flights to suggest there is not active enforcement on Qantas' part.

(I have tried to write this post without judging anyone's circumstances, and also want to acknowledge that someone can appear infectious, such as if they suffered condition that causes coughing, without being infectious with a respiratory illness).

 

[kangarooflyer88]

@AFF Editor on topic but without discussing COVID, it would be interesting to ask Qantas what the official position would be if someone says "no" to this declaration.

Are they able to change date free of charge, for example, move to the next day without any change fees or fare difference, to avoid travelling while "infectious"? What proof is required?

And I think equally important is why they also place the "I agree to the Conditions of Carriage" this is the first airline I have flown with where OLCI has in big bold letters, "I agree to the Conditions of Carriage". What is the significance here? Has something changed recently? For instance, suppose when you booked your Qantas flight 6 months ago there was a different Conditions of Carriage, would such a an agreement bind you to this new condition of carriage? It seems unenforceable that they could change those conditions after making your booking especially if you must agree to it in order to check-in for the flight you booked.

-RooFlyer88