Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[turnip666]

611 BNE MEL Yesterday......half fail.

PB line on left next to waiting area and general boarding on right. One scanner open.

PB line full. All passengers from waiting area moved to the closest line....which was PB.

I headed for the empty lane with others from the lounge. We were asked if we were in Business or Platinum and were waved up to the scanner. All in the "general PB" line were processed immediately, much to the annoyance of other line who kept on trying to cut over and block us.

At least the gate attendant recognised the issue and dealt with it. They were not helped by the the poor layout which was destined to cause issues.

 

[Ewing]

Worked perfectly on QF774 ADL-SYD yesterday.

Only one person scanning so I thought "uh oh" but as you walked down the priority lane she would stop the normal lane, scan you and then resume the normal lane.

Felt like I was flying AA it worked so well!

 

[blackcat20]

I think it was in CBR that JessicaTam and I were in the PB lane on the left, when two "gentlemen" from the general line cut us off to go to the left-hand scanner. The second one had the nerve to look at me as he did so, even though I made it clear it was my turn. A third gentleman from the general line may have also snuck between the two of us. Was disappointed that the QF crew allowed it.

 

[Hvr]

I think it was in CBR that JessicaTam and I were in the PB lane on the left, when two "gentlemen" from the general line cut us off to go to the left-hand scanner. The second one had the nerve to look at me as he did so, even though I made it clear it was my turn. A third gentleman from the general line may have also snuck between the two of us. Was disappointed that the QF crew allowed it.

I'm more surprised that either of you let them do it without commenting.

 

[blackcat20]

I'm more surprised that either of you let them do it without commenting.

Oh I commented, and was duly ignored.

 

[RickyT84]

PB worked fine on QF743 (SYD-ADL) last Friday with one FA and one ground staff scanning boarding passes.

Worked perfectly on QF774 ADL-SYD yesterday.

Only one person scanning so I thought "uh oh" but as you walked down the priority lane she would stop the normal lane, scan you and then resume the normal lane.

Felt like I was flying AA it worked so well!

I was on the same flight as you (in seat 4A ) and I fully concur with your assessment. Like you, I was pleasantly surprised that it worked so well with only one FA at the gate.

 

[Ewing]

I was on the same flight as you (in seat 4A ) and I fully concur with your assessment. Like you, I was pleasantly surprised that it worked so well with only one FA at the gate.

1A for me :mrgreen:

 

[JohnM]

Worked perfectly on QF774 ADL-SYD yesterday.

Only one person scanning so I thought "uh oh" but as you walked down the priority lane she would stop the normal lane, scan you and then resume the normal lane.

Felt like I was flying AA it worked so well!

LAN is good for doing exactly the same on the occasions where there is only one gate agent.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I notice AusBT gave priority boarding a fail when trying out the J 717 service out of Brisbane

 

[mickeyc747]

Priority boarding QF 862 SYD to OOL today a joke nothing enforced. When I asked gate agent she didn't seem to care. Boarding a joke we all had to wait because a passenger wanted a picture taken with the cabin crew. Don't know why the could not have done it in the air. QF 740 ex ADL all worked well priority boarding and boarding a success.

 

[QF WP]

Wouldn't it be strange if the pax was an AFF'er wanting a photo on the flights that got them Plat or LTG (P.S. it wasn't me)

 

[mickeyc747]

Wouldn't it be strange if the pax was an AFF'er wanting a photo on the flights that got them Plat or LTG (P.S. it wasn't me)

LOL as I said wait till the flight has taken off. Then go to the galley for glamour shots.

 

[dandandandan]

PB, less hits too many misses. Boarding today in Melbourne for the MEL-BNE QF620 flight was quite annoying. Waited at the front of the PB lane, took about 10 GB pax to file through before the FA decided to scan PB pax and don't get me started on the SYD-MEL QF419 I flew on Friday! GB pax lining up in the PB lane, stretching out a good 30-50 metres. I honestly don't care what lane I board my flight in but I'll just say this, don't advertise and then call over the PA for PB to use a specific lane and then NOT enforce it as I'm not a fan of GB pax giving me death stares because QF staff won't enforce their own "privileges".

 

[mickeyc747]

I think it was in CBR that JessicaTam and I were in the PB lane on the left, when two "gentlemen" from the general line cut us off to go to the left-hand scanner. The second one had the nerve to look at me as he did so, even though I made it clear it was my turn. A third gentleman from the general line may have also snuck between the two of us. Was disappointed that the QF crew allowed it.

At least you got it I flew QF737 CBR ADL last Tuesday and no PB at all.

 

[mrpooky]

Fail on QF598 out of PER on the 30th. PB lane was shorter than GB lane, but there were a number of non-P PAX in it, including SGs.

FA scanning BPs greeted each and just kept on scanning.

mrpooky.

 

[Danger]

Fail on QF598 out of PER on the 30th. PB lane was shorter than GB lane, but there were a number of non-P PAX in it, including SGs.

FA scanning BPs greeted each and just kept on scanning.

mrpooky.

I may be cynical but in my experience, that's the norm. In my opinion, priority boarding cannot reasonably be described as being successful just because the priority lane is shorter, or one FA scans both lanes and stops to scan the priority lane when someone is in it, or there's a PB announcement. Priority boarding must be coupled with 'Sorry, sir/m'am. This lane is for J, Platinum, OWE. You'll need to use the other line' whenever appropriate. I'm not suggesting that not hearing those words means a fail (as those in front or behind you may well be worthy users) but I believe too often people who aren't entitled to use the lane are using it without repurcussions.

 

[kevrosmith]

Seems that Qantas has finally introduced PB for flights out of CNS: announcement made in QP Monday morning and it was well policed. Virgin introduced this to CNS some time ago, so I wonder if it's in response to that.

 

[turnip666]

I may be cynical but in my experience, that's the norm. In my opinion, priority boarding cannot reasonably be described as being successful just because the priority lane is shorter, or one FA scans both lanes and stops to scan the priority lane when someone is in it, or there's a PB announcement. Priority boarding must be coupled with 'Sorry, sir/m'am. This lane is for J, Platinum, OWE. You'll need to use the other line' whenever appropriate. I'm not suggesting that not hearing those words means a fail (as those in front or behind you may well be worthy users) but I believe too often people who aren't entitled to use the lane are using it without repurcussions.

When two lines have formed prior to the gates opening it is critical to strictly police this. The people at the head of GB queue are being made to wait even longer for doing the right thing.

I have seen what happens when one or two are sent to the back of the queue. Suddenly people realise they are better getting in the correct lane sooner rather than waiting to be sent back.

Still there is no need to apologise to the GB queue for having them wait for the PB queue to clear. "Thank you for waiting" is more appropriate than "Sorry for the wait". They never apologise for the Y seats compared to comfy J when I haven't paid for them.

It is getting better all things considered.

 

[moa999]

I think its fairly simple - they need to focus to get the "design" right at each gate, and then enforce it.

The general boarding gate should be closest to the gates seats/ holding pen so it is the queue that those automatically go to.
Signs should be clear and large.
And it needs to be announced and enforced.


Virgin has got it correct with the new gates in the SYD terminal where you can't even reach the PB lane if you sit in the gate area!

That said it is much harder at round style gates (eg. one end in SYD and BNE) where seats are more shared between a number of gates.

 

[QF WP]

QF503 BNE/SYD today. Wasn't easy to see that there was a gap in the zip-line - the guy in the blue shirt wasn't sure even when he got there.

The paper stand was across in the J queue, which meant a lot of pax were leaving the line and it was causing consternation for the rest of the queue