Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[Flying mermaid]

A reverse PB - on 763 this morning one of the FAs stood at the back if J to block Y pax from disembarking before J.

This is the first time I recall seeing this.

It happens on occasion - used to be more consistent in the "0lden" days

 

[Danger]

I, too, believe Qantas has significantly improved the priority boarding benefit, so much so that it's now actually offered rather than just being a fluffy 'on paper only' benefit. That said, I would suggest people make an effort to discretely look over the shoulder of the person in front of them at the gate and see whether in fact that person is indeed entitled to the benefit. As I've posted several times before, I frequently use the priority lane with my AA Platinum/oneworld Sapphire membership which is not entitled to the benefit but have not once been politely told to move aside and go to the back of the line.

While it's all well and good to offer it and make the announcement and have the pretty signs, the process doesn't work if people use the priority line when they're not entitled to it and the gate agents simply let them through.

 

[Mr_Orange]

As I've posted several times before, I frequently use the priority lane with my AA Platinum/oneworld Sapphire membership which is not entitled to the benefit but have not once been politely told to move aside and go to the back of the line.

Your attitude is part of the problem. Bragging about it here does nothing for you.

Do you try to get into the First Lounge on your Sapphire status, 'no', so you shouldn't be lining up for PB just because you think you can get away with it.

 

[TonyHancock]

Your attitude is part of the problem. Bragging about it here does nothing for you.

Do you try to get into the First Lounge on your Sapphire status, 'no', so you shouldn't be lining up for PB just because you think you can get away with it.

I believe Danger is entitled to use the lane as a QF WP, just happening to credit particular flights to AA where status is equivalent of SG. No bragging involved from what I can see, just stating the facts. If challenged Danger would produce QFWP card.

 

[Danger]

I believe Danger is entitled to use the lane as a QF WP, just happening to credit particular flights to AA where status is equivalent of SG. No bragging involved from what I can see, just stating the facts. If challenged Danger would produce QFWP card.

100% correct, Tony Hancock. Thank you for clarifying that for Mr_Orange.

 

[Heleigh]

QF539 Fri BNE - SYD perfect down side was wait on tarmac approx 20 min BNE, circling SYD and then nearly 1.5 hours on SYD tarmac at least IFE was switched on. Went to Jlounge on way to bag standing room only. For the 1st time in a very long time my bag was 5th out.

 

[JohnM]

Worked properly QF582 PER-SYD on Tuesday with a staff member guiding people into the appropriate lane.

Good to see enhanced (in the true, not QF, meaning of the word!) signage on Wednesday morning for QF27 SYD-SCL. The priority lane sign now has a black background and is very distinctive next to the red one. It took them a long time to get there with the signage but it looks like it's finally happening.

 

[TonyHancock]

Complete shambles on QF426 on Wednesday. No boarding call and chaos at the gate with people pushing in from everywhere. No attempt to filter out the premium lane at all.

 

[Ansett]

Flew on the folllowing flights yesterday

QF416
QF862
QF863
QF469

And have to say PB worked perfectly for all flights. I also liked the announcements in the lounge about PB ie Plats and Business etc please use the Priority Line to the left all others use Right Lane. Not sure if this announcememt is now also made at the gate area.

WELL DONE QANTAS YOU SEEM TO BE GETTING THIS RIGHT NOW

 

[BD1959]

I also liked the announcements in the lounge about PB ie Plats and Business etc please use the Priority Line to the left all others use Right Lane. Not sure if this announcememt is now also made at the gate area.

WELL DONE QANTAS YOU SEEM TO BE GETTING THIS RIGHT NOW

Was just about to mention this announcement happening in the MEL Lounge, only noticed it from this week (MEL Mon & Weds morning - was in the SYD lounge Mon eve but don't recall this being announced, will check ADL tomorrow eve).

They also switched left/right depending on the gate ... which is probably part of the problem - if only QF were consistent even in the same airport. Surely it makes sense to always PB on the left just in case they are using the dual airbridges - there are gates at MEL (at least) where the PB lane is to the right, though I can see PB from the left at ADL would be an issue given the general seated waiting area naturally feeds into the LH lane.

Regards,

BD

 

[Flying mermaid]

Just a question on etiquette - if 3 of us are travelling together on one booking - 2 WPs and 1 SG, is it OK for the SG to board in the priority lane with us, or should we all just board using the non priority lane?

 

[mrpooky]

QF589 BNE -> PER yesterday. Boarding was ~10 minutes late and probably the worst I've seen in a while. I lined up in the 'normal' lane as it was about 1/4 the length of the PB lane.

 

[BVT]

A reverse PB - on 763 this morning one of the FAs stood at the back if J to block Y pax from disembarking before J.

This is the first time I recall seeing this.

That has been around for quite a while, but is not often enforced IME recently, domestically. Unbelievably rude IMO.

 

[Hvr]

<snip> Unbelievably rude IMO.

Do you consider it rude when enforced or not enforced?

I find it especially important when disembarkation is via a middle door and J and Y pax approach from different ends. In this scenario it is important that J pax be allowed to leave first.

Where disembarkation is via the front door it is nice as a J pax not to be pushed off your feet while trying to leave.

 

[Plutonus]

The blocking Y pax has been strongly enforced on VA for a while now too (excluding E90). I agree it is nice to be able to calmly collect your belongings from the overhead locker without being trampled by the stampede.

 

[pauly7]

The blocking Y pax has been strongly enforced on VA for a while now too (excluding E90). I agree it is nice to be able to calmly collect your belongings from the overhead locker without being trampled by the stampede.

Wasn't present at all on my last 4 VA flights.

Last 3 QF flights was on 2 of the three.

 

[nlagalle]

Just a question on etiquette - if 3 of us are travelling together on one booking - 2 WPs and 1 SG, is it OK for the SG to board in the priority lane with us, or should we all just board using the non priority lane?

Yes it is fine... Its the same as if you are traveling with your partner and they have no status.. Would you make them line up on their own?

 

[nlagalle]

The blocking Y pax has been strongly enforced on VA for a while now too (excluding E90). I agree it is nice to be able to calmly collect your belongings from the overhead locker without being trampled by the stampede.

Every VA flight I've been on it has happened.. As recently as Tuesday. 2 flights that day.

 

[lovestotravel]

PER-MEL during the week - PB working perfectly, always nice stepping onto the A333 too

 

[wafliron]

Good to see enhanced (in the true, not QF, meaning of the word!) signage on Wednesday morning for QF27 SYD-SCL. The priority lane sign now has a black background and is very distinctive next to the red one. It took them a long time to get there with the signage but it looks like it's finally happening.

I saw the new signage for the first time this evening - it was up at the SYD domestic gate my flight arrived into (all other gates in the area still had the old signage). Much, much better.