Pre -pre boarding

[RooFlyer]

Never noticed this before. Waiting by the gate for boarding to commence, QF ADL-MEL.

Before any pre-boards, gate agent approached 3 pax ( well dressed males) standing next to me, checked their names, and invited them forward to the gate, where they were scanned through and boarded. Then wheelchair pax, etc etc.

When I went on board, 2 of them were in 4B and C, (B737) with another pax (edit: not part of the group of three) in 4A.

I, in 6C had a shadow, as did the pax in 4D and F.

Is this bording first a CL perk? If high statue related, then odd that they didn't have a shadow, while we plat scum did

 

[drron]

I've seen it on JAL and SQ.But then those pax were in F and had a woman to show them through the formalities and a fellow to carry their carry ons.
With QF who knows.We did take a flight some years ago and a CL we know was on board but he didn't get pre pre boarded.

Possibly related to the gate agent.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

At a guess I would say more likely senior staff than CL.

 

[AIRwin]

Was business class full?

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes

 

[UP4014]

At a guess I would say more likely senior staff than CL.

I think so, hanging at the gate to see if they are all getting on or not.

 

[kermatu]

Pretty unlikely that CLs are at the gate before boarding. On the few occasions I've been with a CL the lounge attendants come and get you at the last possible moment to board; and the CLs I happen to see on a plane almost always board among the last.

 

[kermatu]

At a guess I would say more likely senior staff than CL.

But then 4B and 4C would have been selectable by the Plat scum in the days leading up to the flight. Surely wouldn't have remained vacant.

 

[AIRwin]

But then 4B and 4C would have been selectable by the Plat scum in the days leading up to the flight. Surely wouldn't have remained vacant.

Gasp! Were they kicked out of their seats?

 

[juddles]

At a guess I would say more likely senior staff than CL.

I agree that this is more likely. But senior staff would probably also suffer the FF syndrome where with experience you want to minimize time in the tube.

If I had to "guess", I would suspect that it was some sort of corporate thing where QF were trying to make a few people feel special, even though they were not high status.

 

[RooFlyer]

If I had to "guess", I would suspect that it was some sort of corporate thing where QF were trying to make a few people feel special, even though they were not high status.

Yes, that's becoming my conclusion. Possibly with status, but Qantas didn't manage to get them a shadow (which would have been 4A).

I arrived at the gate fractionally before normal pre-boarding was called, and the guys were hovering at the front of where the status line would form.

 

[kermatu]

Airlines in general seem to allow (b/v)loggers on early, and give preferential treatment. Might explain seat allocation and early boarding.

 

[Solid]

In a past life I’ve been allowed onto a flight becore boarding started because I’ve been escorting someone somewhere. We went to the last row though. We also had to wait until everyone else was off before we disembarked.

 

[juddles]

''''

I arrived at the gate fractionally before normal pre-boarding was called, and the guys were hovering at the front of where the status line would form.

as kermatu said, maybe they were important for some reason to QF? Bloggers or such? But not important enough to be flying up the front

 

[juddles]

..... 2 of them were in 4B and C, (B737) with another pax (edit: not part of the group of three) in 4A.
......

I rarely travel domestically, but I take it this is the first row of economy? In a rare moment of showing cracks in my perennial defense of QF, I can just imagine the dynamic - "Oh wow, we are going to board you FIRST - you are so lucky! And we are even going to place you in the very first front row of economy!! You will have almost an extra inch in front of you to enjoy throughout your flight!!! And being only 4 rows from the door, you will be able to exit the aircraft almost two minutes (on average) before all the rest of the passengers!!!! And as an additional super service, by boarding first you will actually have ample space to stow your carry-ons - no "Veronicas" treatment for you!!!!!! You are so lucky !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[pauly7]

Pretty unlikely that CLs are at the gate before boarding. On the few occasions I've been with a CL the lounge attendants come and get you at the last possible moment to board; and the CLs I happen to see on a plane almost always board among the last.

Agreed, every time I fly with my work colleague who is CL we are amongst the last to board, the attendent will often call the gate if it’s getting close as well.

 

[Rangalad]

In a past life I’ve been allowed onto a flight becore boarding started because I’ve been escorting someone somewhere. We went to the last row though. We also had to wait until everyone else was off before we disembarked.

Hazard a guess your travelling companion wasn’t a frequent flyer.

 

[Denali]

This is a case of WWTKWYA (We Want To Know Who You Are)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

In a past life I’ve been allowed onto a flight becore boarding started because I’ve been escorting someone somewhere. We went to the last row though. We also had to wait until everyone else was off before we disembarked.

Lol that was my first thought but they certainly wouldn't be in row 4 as one WP travelling in such circumstances found out.

 

[Borisdog]

The whole boarding dynamic is a mystery isn't it.

Me - If I'm in Y I'll try to go early if I'm window and late if aisle. The window/aisle thing depends whether I'm planning to be in the J lounge for an "extended leisure period" or not