Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[medhead]

Currently at Oz Comicon. Guess what? They can manage to operate a priority line properly. Priority line emptied, plebs line next. Plebs get stopped if a platinum arrives. Even unpaid volunteers can do it

 

[marki]

The great Qantas consistency in action.

Again thought you were referring to number two

 

[tuapekastar]

Was going write that PB worked perfectly recently in that at both MEL and on the return from ADL boarding had commenced by the time I reached the gate and in each case there was s long(ish) regular line and an empty PB line, each one staffed, and I was able to walk straight up and get scanned. No way of telling if the priority line had been policed, but all went perfectly for me.

 

[Wardy]

boarding soon for SYD - PER.....will be interesting to see if they have PB and if it works. (and this is the trip that puts me in WP for the first time )

 

[YSSY]

boarding soon for SYD - PER.....will be interesting to see if they have PB and if it works. (and this is the trip that puts me in WP for the first time )

Sydney-Perth-Sydney is usually well managed for priority boarding, no real issues.

 

[jpboyce]

QF598 to Brisbane seemed to work well today. Using 2 air bridges helps.

 

[$CJ]

Just boarded QF759. One agent on economy side. Premiums left to "excuse me" merge themselves into the economy side.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Just boarded QF759. One agent on economy side. Premiums left to "excuse me" merge themselves into the economy side.

Which leaves one feeling like a DYKWIA!! Maybe that is QF's plan so they can turn round and say, 'nobody really wanted to use priority boarding so we are abolishing it.'.

 

[TheInsider]

Next time it doesn't work, why not speak to the CSM or even the airport managers?

 

[UP4014]

Which leaves one feeling like a DYKWIA!! Maybe that is QF's plan so they can turn round and say, 'nobody really wanted to use priority boarding so we are abolishing it.'.

Often I don't use priority boarding anyway even though entitled to, it's not that hard to simply line up and wait ones turn As I've said before, it would be quicker to simply have two lines.

 

[juddles]

Have never read this whole thread, I understand the angst at a benefit not being enforced, but at the same time I always try to board last to minimize time in plane. And I have never had a problem finding somewhere to put my carry-on. Seriously guys, what is the problem???? I truly don't get it.

 

[mviy]

I'm looking forward to having priority boarding.

Some people can find it harder to make room in overhead lockers for their bags and find the lockers being full more stressful than others. Whilst you might not find this stressful for me this is probably the most stressful part of the flying experience (apart from wondering whether I will make the flight if I visit the lounge and leave it a bit later than I should).

 

[juddles]

I'm looking forward to having priority boarding.

Some people can find it harder to make room in overhead lockers for their bags and find the lockers being full more stressful than others. Whilst you might not find this stressful for me this is probably the most stressful part of the flying experience (apart from wondering whether I will make the flight if I visit the lounge and leave it a bit later than I should).

mviy, I hear you. I used to get stressed about the thought of not finding locker space and suffering the embarrassment (in my own head) of "making a fuss" to store my carry-on. But I have come to understand that it almost always works out. I am no longer shy to gently re-accommodate someone else luggage so mine fits. A small detail while travelling, but it removes for me the stress as I wait to board. I have spent countless boarding queues worrying, I get it

 

[RooFlyer]

Have never read this whole thread, I understand the angst at a benefit not being enforced, but at the same time I always try to board last to minimize time in plane. And I have never had a problem finding somewhere to put my carry-on. Seriously guys, what is the problem???? I truly don't get it.

Sure, in the end the plane takes off one way or the other. But what if there is only room say 15 rows back from your seat? Don't you (like me) ask for the Emerald seats on LAN, up the front, for a reason? Or, in the extreme, maybe there is no room at all and you have to put that full sized carry-on under the seat in front of you for a 4 hr gate-to-gate journey? If one isn't tall and don't need the leg room and/or you don't mind hanging around until the plane empties so you can go back and get your carry-on, then its no drama. But otherwise, its an issue big enough for me to make sure I'm boarded early, everything stowed close and accessible to me.

 

[Danger]

Have never read this whole thread, I understand the angst at a benefit not being enforced, but at the same time I always try to board last to minimize time in plane. And I have never had a problem finding somewhere to put my carry-on. Seriously guys, what is the problem???? I truly don't get it.

It's covered multiple times in the thread. I respect that you haven't read it entirely (and who would given how long it's got) but even the past few pages should give you an understanding as to why it's important to a lot of people. Indeed, for some it's not even necessarily that priority boarding is a benefit at all, but that a published benefit, used to spruik the lofty heights of Gold and Platinum, isn't offered or enforced.

 

[katiebell]

Have never read this whole thread, I understand the angst at a benefit not being enforced, but at the same time I always try to board last to minimize time in plane. And I have never had a problem finding somewhere to put my carry-on. Seriously guys, what is the problem???? I truly don't get it.

The issues:
1 it is promoted as a benefit of status: if marketted it should be provided
2 you may not have had a problem but I have seen many pax not being able to put their bags above their seat or within a few rows. We have all seen the scrum to get off so if the bag is further back then it is impossible to get. Also, some late boarders have their cabin bags put in the hold if there is no room left overhead. (this might be less of an issue if pax at the back of the plane did not dump thier bags in the forward overhead bins)
3 QFi can do it so why not another part of hte same company?

 

[juddles]

..... We have all seen the scrum to get off ....

I sit in my seat until there is a window to calmly and decently deplane amidst that "scrum". It amazes me every time how everyone leaps up as soon as the aircraft has come to a standstill. This is basic pack mentality that every novice passenger learns from the people around him.


I fly a lot, but to this day I have never been unable to accommodate my carryon near me.


I agree that if QF offer a priority boarding they should make it work. But their failure does not really upset me.

 

[opusman]

I sit in my seat until there is a window to calmly and decently deplane amidst that "scrum". It amazes me every time how everyone leaps up as soon as the aircraft has come to a standstill. This is basic pack mentality that every novice passenger learns from the people around him.


I fly a lot, but to this day I have never been unable to accommodate my carryon near me.


I agree that if QF offer a priority boarding they should make it work. But their failure does not really upset me.

Very zen...

 

[mviy]

Had a mixed experience today. Had priority boarding on some flights but on others there was not. On at least one of the flights everyone was queuing up in the priority lane. I'm sure at least some of them didn't have priority.

 

[DC3]

Priority boarding suits me, when it is done properly. And I like to be able to see the overhead locker where my carry-on is located. Board early and settle in. No last minute rushing to board. That's just me.