Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[Danger]

Then I agree, it should have been policed at the gate.

You only need to turn around ineligible customers once to the back of the queue for it to sink in.

I couldn't agree more with this.

 

[BindiBratz]

Is it "polite" for a passenger with status to push in to a queue when obviously there is either no priority boarding in place, or invisible PB in place..??? Is this acceptable and appropriate behaviour?

Am only asking as I was boarding in the scrum at Perth gate 13 yesterday (now a tunnel effect following the QP extension), no signs to be seen anywhere . . . and a really horrible and claustrophobic place to be . . . but the patient penguin just went with the flow whilst another passenger (who I later realised must have dosed up on a healthy serve of DYKWIA for breakfast) pushed in front when I was well along in the queue. Tried to make it look "nonchalant" but hello..!!! not a good look . . . . . we were both in J by the way.

Am I living in the dark ages, or now just a plaintive penguin..???

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Is it "polite" for a passenger with status to push in to a queue when obviously there is either no priority boarding in place, or invisible PB in place..??? Is this acceptable and appropriate behaviour?

Am only asking as I was boarding in the scrum at Perth gate 13 yesterday (now a tunnel effect following the QP extension), no signs to be seen anywhere . . . and a really horrible and claustrophobic place to be . . . but the patient penguin just went with the flow whilst another passenger (who I later realised must have dosed up on a healthy serve of DYKWIA for breakfast) pushed in front when I was well along in the queue. Tried to make it look "nonchalant" but hello..!!! not a good look . . . . . we were both in J by the way.

Am I living in the dark ages, or now just a plaintive penguin..???

Not polite, but in the absence of functional PB, technically "boarding at convenience".

I would never do it though, you'd look like a total knob.

 

[eastwest101]

Not polite, but in the absence of functional PB, technically "boarding at convenience".

I would never do it though, you'd look like a total knob.

Correct - impolite but somewhat understandable! It will only take a few heated arguments and then this could become an issue for QF. Maybe another reason for QF to do PB consistently and enforce it? :shock:

 

[geordieladinoz]

We waited very patiently at Gate 13 at Perth for QF802 to MEL today. The priority boarding sign was pushed out of the way and on questioning a member of staff which was the priority queue she stated 'priority boarding does not really work at this gate so just join that queue'. I looked at the 20m+ long queue she was pointing at and thought of Tony Hancock and the fact that QF really do not show interest in priority.

And QF802 is a domestic config 330 today. Damn!

 

[eastwest101]

We waited very patiently at Gate 13 at Perth for QF802 to MEL today. The priority boarding sign was pushed out of the way and on questioning a member of staff which was the priority queue she stated 'priority boarding does not really work at this gate so just join that queue'. I looked at the 20m+ long queue she was pointing at and thought of Tony Hancock...

Well that is a new one! Sounds like hogwash to me.... especially considering they had to physically move the PB signage out of the way! I suspect it was more a case of "Its a public holiday today in WA so QF management won't be around to ask us why PB isn't being done.", its the only explanation that I can think of.

Its easy to tell that QF management and staff were dragged kicking and screaming to promise PB by DJ implementation of their PB - memo to QF management - simply issuing a press release in 2011 does not equal delivering a benefit/policy to your customers.

 

[nlagalle]

Seems to me PER is a constant failure....

 

[geordieladinoz]

Well that is a new one! Sounds like hogwash to me.... especially considering they had to physically move the PB signage out of the way! I suspect it was more a case of "Its a public holiday today in WA so QF management won't be around to ask us why PB isn't being done.", its the only explanation that I can think of.

Its easy to tell that QF management and staff were dragged kicking and screaming to promise PB by DJ implementation of their PB - memo to QF management - simply issuing a press release in 2011 does not equal delivering a benefit/policy to your customers.

There is some building work happening around the Gate 13 area and the PB lane *is* apparently on the Right as approaching the gate. However, due to the building work people were appearing from two directions and there was limited room to swap if you approached from the wrong direction, hence the 'it is too hard to do anything about it attitude of the staff'. Sign had been dragged out of the way and stood against a wall.

 

[nlagalle]

Working this morning at Gate 6 at MEL. 738 to Syd. 2 people in the PB lane.

 

[serfty]

Sort of "worked" yesterday.

Noon flight from SYD gate 2 (T3).

Boarding had started as I approached, but you can't see the readers from along the concourse as they are around/behind an internal structure (shop/washroom) and there was a queue coming from around the corner running at least 30 metres along in front of the structure.

I walked up past the queue and looked around the corner-the queue was funneling into the red signed PB lane - the 'normal' white signed lane was empty.

So I went straight down the normal lane, had my BP scanned and proceeded (to join the queue in the airbridge :-|).

 

[Ewing]

Worked perfectly in ADL yesterday. I was second on the aircraft! (I got to the gate when boarding started as I wanted space for my bag).

Friendly crew on a full flight, and I enjoyed a complimentary wine

 

[QPProletarian]

This system is terrible. Also, can't believe Gold/Silver or forward rows get nothing.

The AA method with group numbers printed on ticket is far superior.

I just line up straight away anyway, otherwise people from the back will fill my row 4 bin.

 

[tm.smile]

This system is terrible. Also, can't believe Gold/Silver or forward rows get nothing.

The AA method with group numbers printed on ticket is far superior.

I just line up straight away anyway, otherwise people from the back will fill my row 4 bin.

AA only board golds/silvers later on after plats/first/business/armed services anyway. I agree that QF should print priority or a marker in larger font, but rather the system isn't the one that is failing priority boarding, its the failure to enforce it.

As for filling up the bins, the growing number of people who put their bags further up and continue down the plane negate this.

OT - premium boarding was an absolute fail in Heathrow last Wednesday. Plats and golds were all being told to wait for their row.

 

[Plutonus]

Worked okay OOL-SYD yesterday... To be fair the PB line had plenty in it but, and I didn't even try and see whether everyone was entitled, so it may not have been working but I was oblivious.

 

[BindiBratz]

There is some building work happening around the Gate 13 area and the PB lane *is* apparently on the Right as approaching the gate. However, due to the building work people were appearing from two directions and there was limited room to swap if you approached from the wrong direction, hence the 'it is too hard to do anything about it attitude of the staff'. Sign had been dragged out of the way and stood against a wall.

That area around Gate 13 in Perth is a bit of a disaster zone really, narrow and totally unworkable. The building work you mention geordieladinoz is, I think, the back of the new QP, so is there to stay..!!! well, until they take over the entire terminal, remodel it etc etc etc . . . oh, maybe I'm dreaming

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

This system is terrible. Also, can't believe Gold/Silver or forward rows get nothing.

The AA method with group numbers printed on ticket is far superior.

I just line up straight away anyway, otherwise people from the back will fill my row 4 bin.

What the heck are SGs doing in row 4? :shock:

 

[MEL_Traveller]

well... my first qantas flight in a long time that I got to observe priority boarding... departing gate 11 at Melbourne, 767 aircraft to Sydney. priority boarding was just in front of a column and clearly visible. on commencement there were a dozen or so people in there and a hundred or so in general boarding.

what was interesting though was that when passengers came from the business lounge (I recognised them) they arrived when boarding was almost complete... they walked around the column and joined the regular line (which had maybe 20 people in it and was moving quickly).

there was no pushing in, no expectations of getting priority, they were just polite and took their turn. I thought that was very classy.

after watching all of that I was the last to board. overhead lockers wouldn't fit my bag so they stowed it in the coat closet.

it was a good flight although rather rushed. (lots of staff but they were skipped and served last after all revenue pax had been given their meals)

 

[Sprucegoose]

Seems to me PER is a constant failure....

In more ways than one.

Priority luggage forget it

 

[RWJ777]

At Perth I've noticed a few people pass around the queue and go to the boarding desk from the side/rear, they seemed to be allowed through.

The comments about carry on bags and overhead lockers is also a pet hate of mine, I wouldn't want a totally rigid approach, but far too much stuff is being carried on these days. Some of the cheeky sods try to use the bins on J rows on 737s.

i could not agree more. And they do so with seeming immunity.

 

[Dmac6345]

Hi all, just boarded my flight to Perth from Syd.
Flying "J" and there was a QF agent standing at the start of the premium boarding isle, and was checking boarding passes and making sure we were in the correct line. The general boarding line was very, very long. Needless to say it worked a treat and I am already drinking a glass of bubbly before take off. Must be a special treat, because last time I checked it wasn't an international flight.