Priority boarding my cough

[stm1sydney]

I'm not sure why priority boarding is that difficult but I'm glad I have never felt the need to be first on board. I prefer to leave it as late as possible to board.

When travelling in Y on a narrow-body, it's quite useful because overhead bin space will be tight if you are a late boarder with anything more than a daypack. Otherwise, yes, I'm with you.

 

[Blinky]

When travelling in Y on a narrow-body, it's quite useful because overhead bin space will be tight if you are a late boarder with anything more than a daypack.

And this is why I do my best to board early. Even boarding a few minutes later means the lockers are full, often with luggage over the allowance. Yes, not the end of the world, but if you are a regular business traveller, the minutes you save grabbing carry-on and getting off quickly are extra minutes you can spend with family. I’m not ashamed using my hard-earned status to get on and off the plane quickly.

 

[kyle]

Now I know what you all mean! Was in OOL going to MEL via SYD in the afternoon yesterday for my status run. First the OOL lounge was absolutely packed. A lot of ppl in AIS polo shirts (Aust Institute of Sport?). And the priority line has about 50 ppl. Only saw some of those AIS had status and the others are tagging along. Then in SYD the line was nearly as long as general boarding.

 

[get me outta here]

They’re still feeling the donkey.

So does your donkey have status? If not they can join the queue.

 

[jamestran84]

i had this issue when there was only one person scanning in Cairns. I waited at the front of PB line until 5 people were scanned before i was scanned. To be honest i'm not usually fussed on a normal day but I just had a super bad day at work, and coming to the airport I just wanted to feel the love and sit down asap. I didn't feel valued at all.

first world problems

 

[jase05]

ADL-MEL on Saturday was fine and PB was being enforced. MEL-CRB the priority lane was being policed but both lanes were boarding at the same time

 

[UP4014]

I'm not sure why people get so excited by priority boarding.

 

[jase05]

I'm not sure why people get so excited by priority boarding.

PB doesn’t bother me greatly but I’m one for companies delivering what they promise or are advertising. If you aren’t going to enforce PB don’t list it as a benefit for your FF’s

 

[oz_mark]

PB doesn’t bother me greatly but I’m one for companies delivering what they promise or are advertising. If you aren’t going to enforce PB don’t list it as a benefit for your FF’s

Like all things, there are occasional failures - but Virgin generally does PB well.

 

[Denali]

Shout out to this Facebook VA complaint.

J pax who was forced to be #21 to board demands compensation and staff get disciplinary action.

 

[Ausbt]

I was travelling SYD-OOL last Monday. That flight was full of families no doubt heading for a week of surf and sun. Usually with PB, people hang back from the gate counter until actually called, however on this occasion there was a queue. I joined it and thus had plenty of time to study the BPs of the two adults and three kids in front of me. All were Red and all were seated in row 6, which is not EconomyX. I guess its possible they had priority on some other basis. The gate agent didn't blink. I should also point out, I couldn't care less.

 

[Pleb Status]

Shout out to this Facebook VA complaint.

J pax who was forced to be #21 to board demands compensation and staff get disciplinary action.

View attachment 149760

It would have been funny if they then got their carry on weighed and it was found to be over the limit...

 

[kermatu]

PB very well enforced in MEL on A330 flight to PER a few days ago. Called business and platinum, golds and (I think) priority economy. Boarding only from the priority lane. I didn't rush but when got to the queue there was a group of 8 (more mature in years) pax attempting to show their BPs. The agent said they needed to wait and asked them to step aside or into the adjacent line. Then called out for any remaining business passengers - at which point I stepped up.

After I was through I heard her say to colleagues that general boarding by rows should commence. nicely done.

 

[pauly7]

I'm not sure why people get so excited by priority boarding.

Neither. I only care when I’m going to have to battle for overhead space with first time fliers or professional over packers on the sardine can 737 fleet.

That’s why I applaud VA, JQ and QF for colluding on a PR campaign to crack down on carry on .

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

...I guess its possible they had priority on some other basis. The gate agent didn't blink. I should also point out, I couldn't care less.

Those who need special assistance, or with families (ie kids), can board earlier than plebs, even if they were VFF NR.
Worst is when your flight is cancelled, and you go from paid 4F to 20B... not a happy pooch was I on the day it happened, 04 Jan...
As we all know, 4F is Y(x).
So my Y(x) seat got given to someone else, because my original flight was cancelled, and on the replacement flight, no 4F for me, so no PB.
Grr...
So, sometimes, PB does NOT work, to which I now see as a problem.

 

[Astro]

I left Qantas for Virgin mid last year and I don't think I've had one flight where priority boarding has been an issue. Seeing this thread surprises me. I do understand no airline is perfect - however lucky you aren't flying Qantas. They really haven't been able to get it together.

 

[jase05]

I left Qantas for Virgin mid last year and I don't think I've had one flight where priority boarding has been an issue. Seeing this thread surprises me. I do understand no airline is perfect - however lucky you aren't flying Qantas. They really haven't been able to get it together.

Agree. Reckon VA get it right about 8 out of 10 times

 

[Blinky]

Agree. Reckon VA get it right about 8 out of 10 times

I’d even go higher. I don’t recall one time in the hundreds of sectors I’ve flown with VA, even from smaller airports.

 

[jasecao]

I think the facebook post is a bit over the top, I mean what if the 20 in front of them was Gold, Platinum or economy x people..

they should check out Syd <-> Melb on a weekday in the morning or afternoon when half the plane is priority boarding!

All in all, the Priority Boarding works most of the time, however there are some instances where the plane is late to take off so they scan both lanes in at the same time.

 

[kermatu]

All in all, the Priority Boarding works most of the time, however there are some instances where the plane is late to take off so they scan both lanes in at the same time.

Agree, and in the end it's not the most important feature for me, but in this scenario shouldn't both agents be processing the priority lane only?