Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[Pushka]

to be honest i don't see the point in priority boarding, you all land at the same time - why spend longer in a plane than you need too! Big rush to get on the plane only to be sitting down for next 4 hours

So you like queuing then? I hate it. Never had to juggle to put your sole item up top?

I'd say four times out of 10 the priority boarding failed because there was only 1 scanner operating.

 

[TomVexille]

I maintain that the original, small signage was a very large part of the problem and part of that was because it left the staff to carry too much of the segregation burden too late along the zoo-like lines - with the attendant aggro from some pax.

Ah okay. I get where you're at now. The small signage is inadequate. We've had the big ones at MEL for a while now, hence my comment that it was fine.

 

[TomVexille]

to be honest i don't see the point in priority boarding, you all land at the same time - why spend longer in a plane than you need too! Big rush to get on the plane only to be sitting down for next 4 hours

Personally I like getting onboard early and settling in. Priority boarding works well for me. I don't mind that you want to be one of the last on.

 

[get me outta here]

If you are Richerd Gere, you are the very last one on and the very first off.

 

[Mr_Orange]

If you are Richerd Gere, you are the very last one on and the very first off.

That was my tactic when I used to fly Easyjet . I considered the last row to be the best on their aircraft and I didn't need to pay for Speedy Boarding.

 

[medhead]

to be honest i don't see the point in priority boarding, you all land at the same time - why spend longer in a plane than you need too! Big rush to get on the plane only to be sitting down for next 4 hours

That's an excellent question. Nominally, I take 100 domestic flights a year. If I don't get on the aircraft with priority then I don't find overhead space for my 105cm carry on bag. This is a major pain that may result in delayed disembarkation. Priority boarding means I don't have to rush to line up. The alternative of checked luggage may then result in a 20 minute wait for baggage to appear. 2000 minutes or 33 hours a year waiting for luggage. No thanks.

 

[boomy]

That's an excellent question. Nominally, I take 100 domestic flights a year. If I don't get on the aircraft with priority then I don't find overhead space for my 105cm carry on bag. This is a major pain that may result in delayed disembarkation. Priority boarding means I don't have to rush to line up. The alternative of checked luggage may then result in a 20 minute wait for baggage to appear. 2000 minutes or 33 hours a year waiting for luggage. No thanks.

Agree about checked luggage, it's a waste of time. But what I also find a waste of time is showing up early at the gate and sit on the plane instead of having another drink in the lounge. I take ~200 domestic flights a year, usually don't bother with PB and rarely have any issues finding a place for my luggage, either in overhead bin or underneath the seat next to me if I get a shadow. On the rare occasion I can't find any spare room within rows 1-5 (usually sit in row 4) then I politely ask for the FA for help and they will store it somewhere further back and bring it back as soon as we land. This only happens if I travel with two items (cabin-size trolley+backpack).

 

[medhead]

Agree about checked luggage, it's a waste of time. But what I also find a waste of time is showing up early at the gate and sit on the plane instead of having another drink in the lounge. I take ~200 domestic flights a year, usually don't bother with PB and rarely have any issues finding a place for my luggage, either in overhead bin or underneath the seat next to me if I get a shadow. On the rare occasion I can't find any spare room within rows 1-5 (usually sit in row 4) then I politely ask for the FA for help and they will store it somewhere further back and bring it back as soon as we land. This only happens if I travel with two items (cabin-size trolley+backpack).

I just plan my lounge time to suit my needs. At 5 am I really don't need an extra drink. In the evening, again I see little attraction in an extra drink. What PB does do is allow me to leave for the airport a little bit later.

Perhaps if I flew 200 flights i'd get the personal hand service you receive. I also have a thing against taking business overhead space.

 

[boomy]

I just plan my lounge time to suit my needs. At 5 am I really don't need an extra drink. In the evening, again I see little attraction in an extra drink. What PB does do is allow me to leave for the airport a little bit later.

Perhaps if I flew 200 flights i'd get the personal hand service you receive. I also have a thing against taking business overhead space.

Not sure what personal service you are talking about, maybe you can find out and let me know so I can enjoy it as well. Regarding J space, after everyone bordered, if no space up on rows 4 & 5 can ask politely the FA and there is no problem using that space.
Bottom line, if you like boarding early that's perfectly fine but there is no problem finding space to store normal size luggage if choose to board late. I was never asked to check in any bag(s) for lack of space onboard.
Btw, an extra drink can also be coffee, and at 5am there is always need for another one

 

[medhead]

Not sure what personal service you are talking about, maybe you can find out and let me know so I can enjoy it as well.

It seems you already enjoy it.

Agree about checked luggage, it's a waste of time. But what I also find a waste of time is showing up early at the gate and sit on the plane instead of having another drink in the lounge. I take ~200 domestic flights a year, usually don't bother with PB and rarely have any issues finding a place for my luggage, either in overhead bin or underneath the seat next to me if I get a shadow. On the rare occasion I can't find any spare room within rows 1-5 (usually sit in row 4) then I politely ask for the FA for help and they will store it somewhere further back and bring it back as soon as we land. This only happens if I travel with two items (cabin-size trolley+backpack).

 

[TonyHancock]

I must confess I get a bit OCD about boarding in time to get my bag in space above me. I don't fly that much domestic QF but I do like to have my stuff near to me and I'm not sure I do want to test the "finding space v offloading scenario", but I guess I am a little off topic, the point is QF sees fit to advertise a Premium Boarding feature but in my opinion fails to deliver it.

I'm sure there are many reasons why it is not possible to provide PB, but I do wish QF would just stick their collective management hands up and say "Sorry chaps and chapesses, it is too hard so we are not going to offer PB any more." That way we know exactly where we all stand. Those that want to board early know they need to be at the gate early and queue, or alternatively fly VA, and those that don't care can enjoy their lounge time etc.

 

[boomy]

It seems you already enjoy it.

Can't find where I've said its personal service.
I suggest you read my post more carefully next time as I clearly said it rarely happens that I can't find spare space and only then request assistance which anyone onboard can also ask for, even you.

 

[Pushka]

The last few flights I've been on the overhead lockers have been jam packed and people/attendants wandering around trying to find space. Just not happy to have my gear put down the back when I'm up the front. They really need to enforce carry on. The amount of stuff some people bring on is ridiculous.

 

[BD1959]

The last few flights I've been on the overhead lockers have been jam packed and people/attendants wandering around trying to find space. Just not happy to have my gear put down the back when I'm up the front. They really need to enforce carry on. The amount of stuff some people bring on is ridiculous.

Just like PB, there's no point in attaching tags to second bags and then not enforcing them being excluded from the overhead.

Two weeks ago, sat in the exit row, the FA moved my laptop bag to two bins forward to make room for a latecomer's bag.

Regards

BD

 

[medhead]

Can't find where I've said its personal service.
I suggest you read my post more carefully next time as I clearly said it rarely happens that I can't find spare space and only then request assistance which anyone onboard can also ask for, even you.

The frequency of occurrence is irrelevant. The personal service is because some of us plebs don't get an FA bringing our bag to us at the end of a flight. You've said you do, that is a personal service to do that for you.

Or in other words I've pointed out that is an extra personal service.

 

[boomy]

The frequency of occurrence is irrelevant. The personal service is because some of us plebs don't get an FA bringing our bag to us at the end of a flight. You've said you do, that is a personal service to do that for you.

Or in other words I've pointed out that is an extra personal service.

This is not a special of personal service reserved to FFs. In the rare occasion you need assistance with storing and then getting back your bag at the end of the flight all you need to do is politely ask for it. I'm sure the lovely QF crew will be happy to assist you, regardless of how often you fly.

 

[Foreigner]

Slightly OT but are Silver members able to use priority check-in lane along with business, Platinum and Gold and QC members?

 

[gaz0303]

Slightly OT but are Silver members able to use priority check-in lane along with business, Platinum and Gold and QC members?

Yes for domestic but need to use premium economy for international - https://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/flying/tier-benefits#at-the-airport

 

[$CJ]

751 today - one scanner, one queue. I'll let you guess which lane it was..... The red economy sign was pushed off to the side and angled out of view. Pax were loaded despite cabin air con out of action and repair taking some time.

Additionally for some unknown reason my bag gained a rush tag and ended up with baggage services at the destination, thereby wasting my time standing at the conveyer.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Only one staff member personising the queue eh?
Typical.
Same happened on my trip back from BNE - ADL a few weeks ago, departing BNE 15.30...
2 staff members, chatting, when then come boarding time, one toddles off somewhere, so only 1 staff member left personising the Y pleb side, she was stopping all true Y pax, but blipping J/WP1/WP/SG queue first... (not good).