Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[medhead]

They don't own the gates in ADL either

 

[Danger]

But she does make a point that Qantas does not own the gates so a bit hard to have their own barriers and big signs that might have to get moved around. Though in reality they are the only users of the gates on that side of the security check point.

So why have the sign at all?

 

[TomVexille]

They don't own the gates in ADL either

Is that why it doesn't work in ADL either?

 

[medhead]

Is that why it doesn't work in ADL either?

I guess so but they still put out the sign.

 

[ashleyn]

We have never had trouble boarding signs or not. The missus has a Gough Whitlam (bless his soul) attitude and marches past the line up to the FA hands our business boarding pass/QF card and gives the Julie Bishop death stare. Works every time.

I'm good with that, done it myself but said "excuse me is there a PB ?" when clearly there isn't and been served.

 

[TomVexille]

I guess so but they still put out the sign.

They do do that much.

 

[BD1959]

Is that why it doesn't work in ADL either?

Ouch! A little unfair, methinks! I fly out of ADL at least once every two weeks and I've not found their PB any less effective than SYD or MEL.

Regards,

BD

 

[TomVexille]

Ouch! A little unfair, methinks! I fly out of ADL at least once every two weeks and I've not found their PB any less effective than SYD or MEL.

Regards,

BD

It seems pretty ineffective everywhere

 

[BD1959]

It seems pretty ineffective everywhere

Compared with "real" PB, I wouldn't disagree TomVexille. However, I don't think there's any reason to single out ADL is all I'm saying..!

Regards,

BD

 

[TomVexille]

Compared with "real" PB, I wouldn't disagree TomVexille. However, I don't think there's any reason to single out ADL is all I'm saying..!

Regards,

BD

It was tongue in cheek based on the comment upthread that QF don't own their ADL gates. Hence actually have a (not very good) excuse as to why pb doesn't work.

 

[blackcat20]

Compared with "real" PB, I wouldn't disagree TomVexille. However, I don't think there's any reason to single out ADL is all I'm saying..!

Regards,

BD

Because our experience at ADL was pretty poor. The gate agents beckoned random milling pax to push in front of us, and had the GB line boarding ahead of the PB line.

 

[ajw373]

So why have the sign at all?

Because they offer it on 737 services. When they do the sign normally goes up on the black part of the counter. Looks like they have out it were it is to get it out of the way for the 717 flight, though of course a fail because it is partially visible.

 

[Danger]

Because they offer it on 737 services. When they do the sign normally goes up on the black part of the counter. Looks like they have out it were it is to get it out of the way for the 717 flight, though of course a fail because it is partially visible.

So do they own the airport when 737s depart?

 

[Pleb Status]

Best priority boarding experience I have ever seen in Australia today on my BNE-PER flight, with about 10 people in the PB line rejected and sent to the back of the general boarding line. Too bad (for QF) it was on VA rather than QF who have never been able to get it right.

 

[van]

Brisbane is a bit hit and miss. The CityFlyers have functional PB but the regional business class flights appear to rely on whether they are one or two FA at the gate. When there are at least 4 FA on a flight what the rest doing? QF needs to lift its standard for high paying customers.

 

[BD1959]

Because our experience at ADL was pretty poor. The gate agents beckoned random milling pax to push in front of us, and had the GB line boarding ahead of the PB line.

Fair enough, but one other point to note ...

Boarding is usually conducted by the FAs and not the Gate Agents. As such I would expect to see consistent (inconsistent) service around the various ports ... which is my experience at MEL/SYD/ADL.

Regards,

BD

 

[TomVexille]

Fair enough, but one other point to note ...

Boarding is usually conducted by the FAs and not the Gate Agents. As such I would expect to see consistent (inconsistent) service around the various ports ... which is my experience at MEL/SYD/ADL.

Regards,

BD

Do you think it would be handled better if boarding was conducted by the gate agents?

 

[BD1959]

Do you think it would be handled better if boarding was conducted by the gate agents?

I think there's probably not enough, especially if QF decide to roll-out rear stair boarding across the network.

I really fail to see why VA can deliver PB consistently and QC cannot.

Regards,

BD

 

[TomVexille]

I think there's probably not enough, especially if QF decide to roll-out rear stair boarding across the network.

I really fail to see why VA can deliver PB consistently and QC cannot.

Regards,

BD

Got to agree with you there.

And my only take on the why is that VA try and QF don't (most of the time).

 

[medhead]

As a broken record the reason I see VA is able to do priority boarding is that they do an announcement first to provide information. - "we will commence boarding shortly" etc.

QF don't and as soon as an announcement starts people rush the gate.