Priority Boarding led to threats of violence to me from another passenger

[Pushka]

Why? To commence the sense of overblown and unwarranted sense of entitlement they'll never grow out of?

Priority boarding should be reserved for passengers travelling in premium cabins and with status. If children meet those criterion then join the queue, otherwise wait your turn.

It is a good idea to board children first in case of trampling.

However, these days with so much hand luggage being brought on board, while the seat will be waiting for me, space overhead may not. Therefore, as it is a benefit of status, such flyers should also be allowed to board as a priority. When I have this boarding priority I will always use it. The OP did not do anything wrong in moving to his place in the queue.

 

[samiam]

It is a good idea to board children first in case of trampling.

Good point... I hate being trampled by kids

 

[ozbeachbabe]

It seems that 50% of families are super organised & checkin on time then at the boarding gate in time to be pre-boarded & the other 50% are the complete opposite ie last to checkin & last to board.

 

[JohnK]

I really don't see how Priority Boarding can be so difficult for some airlines to police.

Cathay seem to do a marvellous job and Thai and Singapore are not too far behind but perhaps that is more to do with culture rather than implementing a simple thing like Priority Boarding.

Most times I do not use Priority Boarding as I stay back in the Lounge as late as possible to board the flight and even in places such as SIN and BKK I will arrive at the gate after boarding has commenced. Sometimes I do want to use Priority Boarding, especially if I am tired, but luckily I have never come across anyone who has threatened me.

And why didn't the guy holding the child board when pre-boarding was called? Not ready? Too busy doing other things?

 

[Pushka]

And why didn't the guy holding the child board when pre-boarding was called? Not ready? Too busy doing other things?

Have you ever been on a Fiji flight? Everyone has kids.

 

[wilco]

Hmmm..... This is a tough one.
Whilst the OP was entitled to priority boarding he was not entitled to push and shove to get to it. As hes mentioned, there was a not insignificant delay and I suspect this contributed to the situation. I also don't agree that it's the OP's job to police/enforce priority boarding despite his entitlement to it. That is the airlines responsibility. I too would have been pissed if he cut in front of me. Would I have resorted to making threats? NO. But nor would I have cut in line either.

This reminds me of a lax-syd flight in F (1A). I was dressed "like an economy passenger" in the J/F priority lane waiting behind other pax ahead of me when this ogre of a woman, loaded with 5(?) carry on bags starts pushing her way forward, knocking people out of the way with her weight and bags, waving her F BP and shouting "I'm In First class, I'm a First class passenger". When she pushed me, I politely told her that I too was in first class and that it was no excuse for her behavior and that she really ought to have some decorum and learn how queue's work. It ended with a not so friendly "now get to the back of the line"!!.

The FA's heard about this and fanned over me like crazy saying things like it was such a pleasure to see me again and that the captain would be down shortly to say hello. You should have seen her face. I'm sure she was wondering who I was and why I got better treatment than her. As it turned out, she was on a FF reward seat. She did come up mid flight to try and apologize saying that I looked like an economy passenger, but I just couldn't be bothered. Icing on the cake was being met onboard by the QF F host, escorted through customs and immigration with my bag already collected and waiting for me. She was mortified!!

Moral of the story is that just because youre entitled to something, doesn't mean you need to be an xx_xx_x about it!

 

[Austman]

Whilst the OP was entitled to priority boarding he was not entitled to push and shove to get to it.
Moral of the story is that just because youre entitled to something, doesn't mean you need to be an xx_xx_x about it!

But who pushed and shoved? I announced why I was cutting into the line. No-one was pushed, no-one was shoved. It all seemed OK at first.

I wonder what others here, if answered honestly, would have done? It's very easy to say 'I'd have gone back to the end of the 50 person queue despite already lining up once and despite what the sign I was standing right next to clearly said", if you were not actually there at the time. Have others here actually done that? The other business class passengers in front of me certainly did not do that. I suppose looking for FJ staff was another alternative - but there weren't any around.

 

[medhead]

But who pushed and shoved? I announced why I was cutting into the line. No-one was pushed, no-one was shoved. It all seemed OK at first.

I wonder what others here, if answered honestly, would have done? It's very easy to say 'I'd have gone back to the end of the 50 person queue despite already lining up once and despite what the sign I was standing right next to clearly said", if you were not actually there at the time. Have others here actually done that? The other business class passengers in front of me certainly did not do that. I suppose looking for FJ staff was another alternative - but there weren't any around.

Bit hard to be definitive on what I would do as I have trouble picturing the situation. But I know I would have used the business line as best possible and I would not have gone to the back of the line. There is no problem passing though a queue that blocks access, IMO. But as I said I'm not sure what I would do exactly having got to the empty business lane as I don't understand the exact setup. Overall, I think you were reasonable. Again as I implied I might have invited the guy to try to knock me out. At least ridiculed him for hiding behind the kid.

Or in fact, I got a good one from Stephen Fry the other day. "Don't touch/hit me, I'll get an erection". That should make people back off.

 

[wilco]

But who pushed and shoved? I announced why I was cutting into the line. No-one was pushed, no-one was shoved. It all seemed OK at first.

I wonder what others here, if answered honestly, would have done? It's very easy to say 'I'd have gone back to the end of the 50 person queue despite already lining up once and despite what the sign I was standing right next to clearly said", if you were not actually there at the time. Have others here actually done that? The other business class passengers in front of me certainly did not do that. I suppose looking for FJ staff was another alternative - but there weren't any around.

im not disagreeing with you... just playing devils advocate.

Why should he or anyone else care "why" you are cutting in line? Personally, I think its great that you were courteous to explain why you were cutting the line, but with all due respect, it kind of wouldn't have been my problem. im not in anyway condoning or trying to justify the threatening behaviour but he pax in question may not have got the SMS you did, was sat at the airport for hours dealing with a screaming child and the icing on his cake was you, a business class pax, trying to cut in front of him. just because other business pax did the same, is no excuse for you to have followed.

As for your question, im not certain what I would have done, as I wasn't there and don't know the specific circumstances, but if the situation demanded that I return to the end of a 50 person queue, so be it. Im uncertain of the urgency to board as the aircraft was not going to depart without you.

 

[Austman]

im not disagreeing with you... just playing devils advocate.

That's fine - but there was no pushing or shoving. It's the assumption that there was that's a bit unfair.

im not in anyway condoning or trying to justify the threatening behaviour but he pax in question may not have got the SMS you did, was sat at the airport for hours dealing with a screaming child and the icing on his cake was you, a business class pax, trying to cut in front of him.

I've thought about this. I got 2 SMS's, the first of them the day before the flight. I then checked on the Air Pacific and Qantas websites and even then they already showed the delay to from 09:00 to 14:20. And even others on this thread got the SMS. And I know some resorts keep track of these things too for their guests. So for many there was lots of time to readjust travel plans. Bottom line: A lot, if not most pax would have been well aware of the delay well before check-in. And for those that missed the information and checked-in expecting a 09:00 departure, Air Pacific by then knew it was a 15:00 boarding time (the AC was coming from LAX). They gave these pax meal vouchers and these pax could of course have spent the delay hours outside the airport had they wished (eg at nearby Nadi or any number of near resorts).

Im uncertain of the urgency to board as the aircraft was not going to depart without you.

I had my reasons - but your same argument could apply to any from of priority boarding - the plane will not be leaving without you - so why have PB at all, anywhere, in that case?

 

[wilco]

That's fine - but there was no pushing or shoving. It's the assumption that there was that's a bit unfair.

Thats a fair call. But I have some reservations as to how exactly you or anyone for that matter can move through a "crowd" without some element of pushing and shoving.

For those that missed the information and checked-in expecting a 09:00 departure, Air Pacific by then knew it was a 15:00 boarding time (the AC was coming from LAX). They gave these pax meal vouchers and these pax could of course have spent the delay hours outside the airport had they wished (eg at nearby Nadi or any number of near resorts).

Everyones circumstances are different. I know very few people who go out of their way to double and triple check their departure time. Also, FJ isnt the most helpful when it comes to mishandled pax. Having been to Nadi, there really isnt that much near the airport. Sure there are some hotels nearby, but the majority are a fair cab ride away and travelling with a child is not the easiest, let alone the additional expenses that some just cannot afford.

I had my reasons - but your same argument could apply to any from of priority boarding - the plane will not be leaving without you - so why have PB at all, anywhere, in that case?

Another fair call, but IMO, its not for you to police but rather the airline. I dont think its fair to take it out on other pax because the airline hasn't provided what it was supposed to. From your description, it ought to have been evident that PB wasnt working as it should, and I think it was somewhat misguided to try and force it to.

 

[Austman]

Sure there are some hotels nearby, but the majority are a fair cab ride away and travelling with a child is not the easiest, let alone the additional expenses that some just cannot afford.

It's FJD 10.00 (about AUD 5.40) to go much further than to Nadi or Denarau. But OK, it's extra. And extra to spend at a hotel/resort too - a judgement call for a family I suppose. But the option could be more comfortable than staying in a departure lounge for 7 or more hours. Travel insurance might cut in here now too (delays > 6 hours where meals/hotels can be covered).

From your description, it ought to have been evident that PB wasnt working as it should, and I think it was somewhat misguided to try and force it to.

As I have mentioned , the "Express Lane" worked fine at security and migration (they had the same sign but with clear separate lanes). So I certainly had the expectation it would work again at boarding.

 

[JohnK]

Have you ever been on a Fiji flight? Everyone has kids.

Everyone takes their children on holidays to Fiji? Is Fiji the new Bali?

Sorry never been on a Fiji flight and unless I am doing a status run Fiji is very low on the "must visit" list. I generally try and avoid places where large numbers of (bogan) Australians are likely to be tourists. Places such as Fiji, Bali, coughet are on the avoid list.

And this thread highlights one of the reasons....

 

[wilco]

As I have mentioned , the "Express Lane" worked fine at security and migration (they had the same sign but with clear separate lanes). So I certainly had the expectation it would work again at boarding.

Surely you understand that security and immigration have nothing to do with the airline, and that those facilities working as expected has no bearing whatsoever on PB lanes.

 

[reductionist]

Austman, don't take the bait.

Nothing you did was inappropriate. You don't have to explain yourself to people who weren't there but continue to persist with the line that you pushed and shoved your way into this mess.

 

[wilco]

Austman, don't take the bait.

Nothing you did was inappropriate. You don't have to explain yourself to people who weren't there but continue to persist with the line that you pushed and shoved your way into this mess.

Wow. Just wow! No one has made any such suggestions or assertions.

If you're driving on a busy rd and can see a situation that will end in an accident, would you push on, just because you have right of way? Sometimes in life, you need to take the high road. It seems to me that people with a similar attitude to yours are the cause behind so much avoidable drama!

 

[browski]

Can somebody kill this thread before I kill myself?
Austman, just let it go buddy, just let it go.

 

[tuapekastar]

Can somebody kill this thread before I kill myself?
Austman, just let it go buddy, just let it go.

It's probably more appropriate that those who were not there let it go.

 

[Austman]

What I meant to discuss is the implementation of Priority Boarding at NAN. There has been lots written about BP on AFF elsewhere. Qantas domestic has been trialling it, not without problems: Qantas ends Sydney trial of priority domestic boarding - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

I'm sure that if an FJ person was at the PB Express Lane sign, things would have turned out different. I'd have gone to that person, showed my BP and would have been ushered into the front of the line. That's the way it works elsewhere.

Take away the 'policeman' and the system breaks down. Regardless of any signs. It shouldn't, but it does. And it can turn really nasty.

 

[rockyroad]

What I meant to discuss is the implementation of Priority Boarding at NAN. There has been lots written about BP on AFF elsewhere. Qantas domestic has been trialling it, not without problems: Qantas ends Sydney trial of priority domestic boarding - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

I'm sure that if an FJ person was at the PB Express Lane sign, things would have turned out different. I'd have gone to that person, showed my BP and would have been ushered into the front of the line. That's the way it works elsewhere.

Take away the 'policeman' and the system breaks down. Regardless of any signs. It shouldn't, but it does. And it can turn really nasty.

Everywhere I have seen PB work well, it is policed by the ground staff. Here AA is the star. With short PB lines, the person at the BP scanner can do this and with long PB lines, there are line dragons who ask to see your BP. These same line dragons have been seen to pull families with kids out of a long non PB line and send them to the PB line, especially if the PB line is short or empty.

So yes we agree. For PB to work it need to be seen to be policed / enforced.