Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[pshepvic]

It might be time to relax. If this is a problem, it's one of the greatest examples of a #firstworldproblem yet. This thread was set up to monitor the rollout of QANTAS' priority boarding, and people added data points to hopefully identify if there was a gradual improvement in the process. Oneworldplus2 provided yet another piece of information (that showed that in this case, it wasn't being reserved for OWE and J flyers). I hardly think that calls for crucifying them. It's another data point in the process.

Actually I think the thread was set up before QF "implemented" PB - it was the pages and pages of complaints here that actually triggered QF to do something about it. It was always a published benefit, but because of this thread they changed the wording on the rules, brought in signage, and started actually offering what was published. Unfortunately though, they haven't done it particularly well. Again, they should walk down to the DJ end of the terminal and see how it's done properly, virtually every time.


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[SeatBackForward]

QF580 today. QF staff member moving down queue booting out people not supposed to be in PB lane. Including some grumpy suits who tried the DYKWIA line. But humility prevailed.

Good work Qantas

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[simongr]

I have been having success also on recent flights.

 

[medhead]

Good news. I'm back on QFd in 2 weeks. Fingers crossed for improvement.


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[simongr]

I am assuming you aren't on QFd ex-ADL.

 

[QF WP]

medhead, back because of the (apparent) improvements, or the prices are better on QFd than VA after that time period?

I am assuming you aren't on QFd ex-ADL.

I thought he was currently flying VA ex-ADL and QF ex-SYD...

 

[wafliron]

QF580 today. QF staff member moving down queue booting out people not supposed to be in PB lane.

Can we get a hallelujah?

 

[Heleigh]

Can we get a hallelujah?

Hallelujah

 

[medhead]

I am assuming you aren't on QFd ex-ADL.

medhead, back because of the (apparent) improvements, or the prices are better on QFd than VA after that time period?



I thought he was currently flying VA ex-ADL and QF ex-SYD...

I booked that week's flights ages ago. Just a random sort of one off, it's a week when a meeting with my peers from greater sydney happens. Which means a mid-friday finish and the QF SYD-ADL schedule is better, first suitable VA flight @16:00 QF have 2 before then that are regularly 767s. This meeting also means I fly ADL-SYD on Tuesday, which is better than Monday, and I think I must have got a good price. All of this happened before I finally washed my hands of Qantas ex-ADL.

I'm not going to get properly into the VA ex-ADL, QF ex-SYD routine until October/November. (I think the next 4 weeks after that are full VA affairs.)

 

[RWJ777]

I wouldn't disagree about J passengers. But as mentioned the main imperative to board early is overhead space and the cabin crew seem to do a very good job of protecting that space in J, IME.

Interesting you should say that, that hasn't been my experience lately: have seen a few times Y passengers deposit their bags and dunnage in the J bins as they walk past. Yet to see a FA challenge the practice. Is really annoying when you've paid a lot for more space and end up having to walk around looking for spare room in others' overheads bins. Having said that, the QFF FAs are pretty good at pitching in and helping J pax to find a place -- unlike in Y where they normally just watch the theatre!

Back on topic, I flew from Mel to Hobart on Wednesday night. There was indeed a separate queue for Priority boarding, duly announced as boarding commenced. Which was good for the Y passengers as they just availed themselves of the separate queue to shorten their wait! I was travelling J and because the Priority queue was fuller than the Y queue, I boarded in the Y queue!

Both anecdotes go to prove one thing: systems are only as good as their enforcement and I think sometimes the FAs are a bit slack on this aspect.

 

[pshepvic]

I've had a few flights in the last couple of weeks, and here's how they went:

27/7 QF93 MEL-LAX: Fail. Left Flounge to be greeted by a huge queue/mob all trying to get down the single escalator at the bottom because they had to do "additional screening". Separate lanes set up below but no additional screening was happening at all. And separate lanes at bottom of escalator were pointless with the scrum at the top.

28/7 QF107 LAX-JFK: Pass. Probably because it was being run by Americans.

6/8 US1419 BOS-PHL: Pass. We were running late so missed the call but two lanes set up at gate, clearly signed, and priority lane empty. We boarded but had to check one bag as gate valet as all bins in F were full (we were last F to board). On a side note, whilst PB worked perfectly, the service and offering onboard was dismal. Won't fly US again.

11/8 AA1113 BWI-DFW: Pass. Perfect, as always on AA.

12/8 QF8 DFW-BNE: Pass. Again, being run by Americans.

14/8 QF609 BNE-MEL: Epic fail. No call, a scrum was forming before they even opened the doors, barriers and signs were just pushed to the side, and overall they had no interest in the boarding process whatsoever.

My conclusion? QF should hire Americans to come and run the boarding process.


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[BVT]

I wonder how PB will be managed at OOL post 28 October?

Imagine, the "famous" Queensland laissez faire, together with QF couldn't be bothered attitude ......

 

[Ewing]

I wonder how PB will be managed at OOL post 28 October?

Imagine, the "famous" Queensland laissez faire, together with QF couldn't be bothered attitude ......

I'd be surprised if PB is implemented at OOL at all.

 

[Jkyn]

I'd be surprised if PB is implemented at OOL at all.

I agree especially as it not available in all capital cities.


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[Kangol]

From what I could tell, it worked half heartedly in MEL on Friday (737 flight), they announced boarding by rows (rear first) along with J, CL, WP and OWE being invited to board.
It's the first time I've heard them announce CL prior to a dom flight (have heard it for int before).
I would've thought they would announce the PB spiel before the "row number in Y" spiel.
When it was announced, I was a couple of metres from the boarding line and clearly in front of an elderly gentleman and his wife who tried to pass me.. I then stepped forward raising my hand showing my WP card to which they then conceded the position. True DYWKIA moment

 

[LiamR]

I'd be surprised if PB is implemented at OOL at all.

I know I've said it before, but Virgin successfully do it, even at OOL. If they are trying to match the VA product you'd think they would, especially since you can purchase Jetstar priority boarding.

 

[TonyHancock]

I know I've said it before, but Virgin successfully do it, even at OOL. If they are trying to match the VA product you'd think they would, especially since you can purchase Jetstar priority boarding.

Virgin want to deliver it, QF has no interest in it. That's why I can never commit to QF domestically.

 

[medhead]

Well I caught QF82 from ADL. Lo and behold out come the barriers at gate 18 for priority boarding. ADL is a shared domestic/international terminal. I've taken dozens domestic flights without priority boarding from gate 18 - why can't they get out the same barriers they are right there at the gate. The whole situation is a complete and utter joke.


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[QF WP]

That really flies in the face, why can they do it for an Intl but not Dom?? When I flew from Gate 20, I felt like walking over to the barriers in the corner and taking them over to the Gate Agent...

 

[nonpop]

11/8 AA1113 BWI-DFW: Pass. Perfect, as always on AA.

My conclusion? QF should hire Americans to come and run the boarding process.

This is my experience constantly as well. Anything run by AA just works. I can show up at the gate at anytime and know my priority line will be working. Plus when they actually start boarding they take true priority pax first and not in a one from priority and one from non-priority at the same time.