Priority Boarding Line Etiquitte

[Berlin]

The only issue that QF has got is that they don't put new/fresh people in different areas, it's all the same ****!

I recon some nice new/fresh Singapore- or Thailand-based crew would not harm Qantas' quality of service what so ever!

 

[mannej]

I recon some nice new/fresh Singapore- or Thailand-based crew would not harm Qantas' quality of service what so ever!

Good luck getting that past the unions...

 

[horseman]

id feel like a real wanker pushing my way to the front of the line, id much rather be last on board, take my aisle seat and let the FA do whatever with my carry on if theres no room for it above

 

[rechoboam]

I simply turn up in dark glasses and shield my eyes with my hand while my wife walks ahead of me shouting "make way"!

No seriously, I get on last (usually sitting in the empty chairs reading AFF on my phone). If in Y I would never take a bag that can't fit below the seat in front, and in J if I can't fit my bag up the top (which has never happened to me even in Y) I would also hand it to the CC, they have been working long enough to know where it can go, they can stick it in the coughpit if they need to, not my problem if Y pax have filled the J lockers.

When I was in the LOTFAP there were significant numbers of uniformed armed forces personnel allowed to go through the PB channel and I think that underscored the fact to other pax that it was a special line.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

When I was in the LOTFAP there were significant numbers of uniformed armed forces personnel allowed to go through the PB channel and I think that underscored the fact to other pax that it was a special line.

It's not uncommon for AA to say in their initial boarding calls "we welcome Executive Platinum members and US Military Personnel in uniform to board via the Priority AAcess lane". Apparently in First you can board at this stage but they don't always announce it.

 

[Daver6]

I'm going to echo what I've always said about PB....

Either offer it or don't.

If you're gonna offer it - do it properly.

AA, DJ, and QFi all do it well.

Perhaps DJ do it a little too well. No one else is in the PB line so I walk up to the front and about to present my BP. Rude hostie tells me this is the PB line for business and gold/plat members. I told her, yes I know...that's why I'm standing in this line. I perhaps suggested under my breathe as I walked past that with an attitude like that she would fit right in at QF!

 

[Moopere]

Maybe I'm too mellow, but I don't take offence at that. I'm sometimes asked, though not normally. I just smile and say yes, in agreement that this is, in fact, the PB line, give my BP and all is well.

 

[Daver6]

Generally, I dont have a problem either. But it was more her attitude and tone that she took with me which annoyed me.

 

[ashleyn]

id feel like a real wanker pushing my way to the front of the line, id much rather be last on board, take my aisle seat and let the FA do whatever with my carry on if theres no room for it above

Thank you Dave, voice of reason at last.

 

[straitman]

id feel like a real wanker pushing my way to the front of the line, id much rather be last on board, take my aisle seat and let the FA do whatever with my carry on if theres no room for it above

Why? The system is in place to be used. Your way just gives the staff more to do IMHO.

Thank you Dave, voice of reason at last.

I ask the same why question. They have a system and invite you to use it.

 

[ashleyn]

Why? The system is in place to be used. Your way just gives the staff more to do IMHO.

I ask the same why question. They have a system and invite you to use it.

I just can't see the point of getting on early ? You are on the plane for a long time and I bet most people can't wait to get off so why race to get onboard ? The FAs will find a place for your carry on, your seat is guaranteed, I just don't understand this whole priority boarding concept. For me, late boarding would be great.

Having said that, I'm usually in cattle class, maybe in J or above you get time for a glass of champers but why not just stay in the lounge and have that while the masses are boarding ?

 

[Moopere]

I just can't see the point of getting on early ? You are on the plane for a long time and I bet most people can't wait to get off so why race to get onboard ? The FAs will find a place for your carry on, your seat is guaranteed, I just don't understand this whole priority boarding concept. For me, late boarding would be great.

Having said that, I'm usually in cattle class, maybe in J or above you get time for a glass of champers but why not just stay in the lounge and have that while the masses are boarding ?

Its subtle, thats for sure. Also without doubt subjective. But for me, it matters. I've had quite the chance to use DJ's version and I must say that I understand why its a good thing when it works and when you can pretty much count on it.

Subjectively then:

1) I hear the boarding call and the urge to go to the gate takes over. I've been trying lately to fight the urge and stay longer in the lounge, but the urge is so strong that I don't enjoy my last few minutes in the lounge. I think this feeling relates to the possibility of being too smart by half and getting locked out. Irrational I know, but there it is.

2) Given point #1, surely not many folk enjoy milling around the scrummage which is the gate area a few moment/minutes after the first boarding call? I leave the lounge, go to the gate. The area is full. Standing room only ... no point lining up in a line thats already spilling out into the common area. So, stand and wait? Its not fun.

3) With PB, I don't have to fight the irrational lounge fear, I can leave the lounge when boarding is called. Go to the thronging gate and, usually, leave that rather unpleasant area with a minute or two.

4) I've been lucky I admit, can't remember ever having been stuck in the aero bridge with more than 2-3 folks in front of me. So, within say 5 minutes of leaving the lounge I'm in my comfy chair, and yes, if the crew are up to the job I'm quite possibly already sipping a chardy and looking at the paper


I'm happy to contribute part of the ticket cost to this little thing. Along with the aforementioned Chardonnay, newspaper, something to eat, a movie and the (hopefully) comfy chair, the whole end-to-end package can making flying if not 100% enjoyable surely less abhorrent.

 

[MichaelD]

I've found even Qantas' priority boarding queues beginning to work well (at least in MEL where currently I have the most experience of them). By the time I have strolled out of the lounge and to the gate, I find the priority queue usually empty and I can just stroll through. There's usually a bit of a queue on the aerobridge - I would not dream of pushing through this; 1. it's rude, and 2. I don't see the point of getting TO my seat 30 seconds early. Since I mostly sit in 1A, I know I'm going to be one of the first off the plane and on my way...and THAT's where it actually matters. The DYKWIAers with the QTags on every conceivable object of theirs in the cabin can wave them around as much as they want, but they're getting off well after me since they are sitting MUCH further back in the plane than they think they ought to be.

I must say that I particularly enjoy it when casually travelling with my daughter (11 yo) when a DYKWIAer big-notes themselves past us in the queue and then stares in disbelief from row 6+ at us in 1A & 1B. Priceless.

Note to DYKWIA types: You want the J you think you're entitled to? Pay for it.
(hmmm, slightly off topic rant there).

 

[TonyHancock]

I must say that I particularly enjoy it when casually travelling with my daughter (11 yo) when a DYKWIAer big-notes themselves past us in the queue and then stares in disbelief from row 6+ at us in 1A & 1B. Priceless.

Note to DYKWIA types: You want the J you think you're entitled to? Pay for it.
(hmmm, slightly off topic rant there).

Thanks for the advice, but I already pay for J. I like to sit in row 2*, it gives me the chance to see those in row one, pretending not to be DYKWIA's, looking down upon the people in row 6 and beyond.



*I like row two because I like to have my backpack under the seat in front of the empty seat next to me.

 

[MichaelD]

I like to sit in row 2

Then I will deliberately and passive aggressively recline upon you at mealtime for no reason at all. Except on the DJ A330 cross country where I will envy your superior seat instead.

(Must be a thread somewhere around here where we can rail upon the boorish habits of the DYKWIA brigade.)

 

[ReLoad]

MichaelD, just to complete the stereotype, what sort of car do you drive?

 

[MichaelD]

MichaelD, just to complete the stereotype, what sort of car do you drive?

One with a sticker that says "My other car is a Mercedes".

 

[horseman]

I agree with all of the above, and always wonder to myself, what are they thinking / have a bit of a chuckle, to all the DYKWIA types with the electronic Q bag tags on theyre carry on. Surely the point of those is for checked bags only isnt it? I dont care what colour your Q tag is.

 

[TonyHancock]

I agree with all of the above, and always wonder to myself, what are they thinking / have a bit of a chuckle, to all the DYKWIA types with the electronic Q bag tags on theyre carry on. Surely the point of those is for checked bags only isnt it? I dont care what colour your Q tag is.

I always have my Q Tag on my 115cm Rollaboard* which I rarely check in....however if the occasion arises that I do need to check it then I am prepared. (Preparedness is that essential requirement for the very frequent traveler and of course The Scouts.)

*This is of course the secondary reason for having my Q Tag on my carry on luggage. Primarily I want the world to know I am a QFF PS.....given that the WP Q Tag is pretty much the same as a PS Tag.

Then I will deliberately and passive aggressively recline upon you at mealtime for no reason at all.

Fortunately, these days, my only QF domestic travel is to connect to international flights from SYD so I rarely eat on these short flights. You'll have to do that on DJ/VA flights, although the different baggage requirements mean I do, more often than not, finish up in row one.....apart from the A330 flights to PER. (row two then!!)

 

[horseman]

hahaha.. yeah
in cases like yours that makes perfect sense, I was thinking more along the lines of people that have them on a bag that would very easily fit under the seat