Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[Flying mermaid]

To be honest the only place where priority boarding doesn't seem to work is in Australia with domestic Qantas. In Europe I saw BA staff turn away people a number of times when they tried to board during priority boarding. Even in South Africa both SAA and Comair did it properly and AA is always good in the States.

 

[kermatu]

And they also deal very well with the passengers who don't understand the priority system through no fault of their own - perhaps because they do not have English language skills - a polite and helpful but clear, "not yet, please wait" gets the message across just fine.

I reckon staff can tell the genuine misunderstandings (where they'll offer to assist by calling specifically when it is their turn) from those who are just pushing in. Would be really good if Qantas made this a priority, at all gates at all airports, and made it work.

 

[JohnM]

To be honest the only place where priority boarding doesn't seem to work is in Australia with domestic Qantas. In Europe I saw BA staff turn away people a number of times when they tried to board during priority boarding. Even in South Africa both SAA and Comair did it properly and AA is always good in the States.

+1 - and, as anyone who has travelled with LAN in S America would know, they do it perfectly there.

 

[kermatu]

On a QF international flight this week boarding from Sydney, a number of passengers started lining up in the premium lane. A quick and loud but polite request from one of the gate staff advising that it was only for business class and status passengers quickly saw almost everyone move back and over to the correct lane.

Not it too hard to do domestically I would have thought.

 

[Danger]

On a QF international flight this week boarding from Sydney, a number of passengers started lining up in the premium lane. A quick and loud but polite request from one of the gate staff advising that it was only for business class and status passengers quickly saw almost everyone move back and over to the correct lane.

Not it too hard to do domestically I would have thought.

Wow. Perhaps the gate agent is a new recruit from VA.

 

[DC3]

... and for overhead storage near to my seat and not 10 rows back ...

 

[drron]

On Tuesday I flew QF SYD-MEL at 1600.When I got to the gate there were about 15 in the PB line but only 4 in the general line.Boarding had commenced and 2 staff doing the checking.So though I can now use the PB line I went down the general line.Some still went to the PB line.

 

[Danger]

On Tuesday I flew QF SYD-MEL at 1600.When I got to the gate there were about 15 in the PB line but only 4 in the general line.Boarding had commenced and 2 staff doing the checking.So though I can now use the PB line I went down the general line.Some still went to the PB line.

And I think is key when comments are made like 'Well if you had priority boarding in CBR that'd be most of the plane'. Just because you're entitled to the higher benefit, doesn't mean you can't 'downgrade' yourself every once in awhile. It's not, for example, like lining in the non-Australian immigration line at an Australian airport simply because those lines are shorter.

 

[TomVexille]

It's not, for example, like lining in the non-Australian immigration line at an Australian airport simply because those lines are shorter.

But not always quicker

 

[Cynicor]

And I think is key when comments are made like 'Well if you had priority boarding in CBR that'd be most of the plane'. Just because you're entitled to the higher benefit, doesn't mean you can't 'downgrade' yourself every once in awhile. It's not, for example, like lining in the non-Australian immigration line at an Australian airport simply because those lines are shorter.

But if it was done properly, the priority line would be emptied before anyone from general boarding.

 

[katiebell]

On Tuesday I flew QF SYD-MEL at 1600.When I got to the gate there were about 15 in the PB line but only 4 in the general line.Boarding had commenced and 2 staff doing the checking.So though I can now use the PB line I went down the general line.Some still went to the PB line.

Same happened SYD-MEL on Friday evening. I swaped to the shorter std queue and we were, in effect, boarded first because of a problem in the PB queue. QF do a fantastic job on internatonal flights (other than at DXB where boarding from the first lounge is last… which means WP not in F never get to put bags in the bins over their own seats). Given that QF know how to make PB work why is it that they cannot train the dQF staff to do it well? As with iQF: board the PB queue first, ensure anyone not entitled to be there is politely but firmly sent back to the std queue and publicise it just like they are doing with the QP dress code posters.

 

[Bigglesworth]

This is an area where Virgin Australia is light years ahead of Qantas. QF staff are indifferent to the differing lines. Where it is irritating for me is, like many others, when I am flying on a full 737 especially from Perth to Brisbane: late lounge calls, lots of WP and Gold members because of the FIFO and by the time one gets to one's seat there are few places to get your bag into overhead.

 

[Buzzard]

+1 and I didn't have an issue with PB yesterday except for the configuration of the 2 queues.
Because PB was on the left and general on the right, the only way you could get into the PB queue was to push your way through the general line. PB should have been on the right hand side so that you could walk past and go around the long line of general pax.

Once in the PB line, the staff member (there were 2) immediately stopped general and processed us both.
Overall well done.

 

[boomy]

QF611 this morning GB queue was shorter and faster then PB. As with security lanes, priority doesn't always mean faster lane.

 

[gaz0303]

QF611 this morning GB queue was shorter and faster then PB. As with security lanes, priority doesn't always mean faster lane.

After experiencing priority boarding with MH in KUL, QF have it all under control. Poor MH staff could do nothing to stop the stampede when families with young children were invited to board.

 

[grrofunger]

This really needs to be fixed.

Yesterday departing Perth, two lines clearly marked and orderly lines.

Two Qantas staff checking people on. The faster, better operator was on the standard line whilst the bumbling slow operator was on the priority line.

The standard line moved much much quicker in getting people on board.

The two operators should both clear the priority line first.

it's really not that hard.

(note: i was already grumpy due to long delay with flight and an evac of the terminal due to false fire alarm)

 

[wooley]

That always seems to be the case grrofunger...

Has anyone raised this issue with RedRoo or Qantas social media?

 

[Flying mermaid]

That always seems to be the case grrofunger...

Has anyone raised this issue with RedRoo or Qantas social media?

Is that sarcasm?

 

[monoccular]

That always seems to be the case grrofunger...

Has anyone raised this issue with RedRoo or Qantas social media?

qantas always reply with the usual corporate gobbledygook "valued customer" "your input is valued" etc but it is very hit and miss

Boarding MEL PER recently some PAX were being sent back to the rear of the regular queue after trying the black lane; other times nobody gives a stuff

What is apparent is that Qantas generally are caring for their loyal ffs less and less

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

That always seems to be the case grrofunger...

Has anyone raised this issue with RedRoo or Qantas social media?

"Dear frequent flyer # 6389536845789544256,

Our cabin crew could not be bothered with correctly enforcing priority boarding, nor are our social media or management teams interested in addressing this either.

If you'd like to experience true priority boarding, we would suggest flying with our competitor, who have a dedicated ground crew who don't have to deal with the attitude of the passenger once onboard.

We know you have a choice of airline, so please make your first destination virginaustralia.com.

Enjoy your journey. Oh, we mean, now you're flying.

Warm regards,

Customer Dissatisfaction Department
Disinterested Airways"