Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[goldy]

Hmm, OK, that's certainly a change (and not for the better). I guess it was very difficult for the lounge dragons to explain why Sapphire members from other airlines were OK, but QF Gold were not.

But that means what appears on the oneworld website (as of today, and shown in my previous post) is totally wrong. Red Roo, could someone from QF contact the oneworld webmaster and get this fixed?

Good idea! Because this passenger dragon will print it out as proof of my eligibility to enter when im not flying J. I think im right in saying its my choice wether I prefer to exercise my benefits as a SG or a OWS? Or does your home airlines FF rules prevail in the event of contradiction?

 

[connieguy]

Hi Gowatson,

By that comment, I only meant that I can not give you an exact resolution and exact date.

Reading all the comments on this thread, customers are looking for two lanes at boarding so that as Platinum Frequent Flyer, you can show up and board when you are ready and not have to stand at the back of a long line just because you wanted to finish your drink in the lounge .

The reason implementation is more than just a sign is that airport regulations require we have a plan for where each line will go (regardless of whether it will ever be long or not). This ensures people will not be lining up past fire exits, retail shops, in the way of other gates etc. And we have to have this established for all gates in all airports.

If you have any other questions, just let me know.

Cheers,
Red Roo

With respect.

As a Platinum QF FFer, the QF web site says I should expect to receive Domestic Priority Boarding, which I interpret to mean that QF will provide a dedicated domestic priority boarding lane leading to the BP scanner as is the practice with just about every other airline I have flow with. Same as QF do for Priority Check-in, Priority Security, etc.

As for the comment about drinking in the lounge, I leave the lounge as soon as the lounge boarding call is made, walk swiftly to the gate, only to arrive when boarding is well advanced. With no dedicated priority boarding lane for me to access the BP scanner, all that I can do is to join the end of the queue despite being told by some QF ground staff that I should cut into the head of the queue, which I'm not comfortable doing. I mean hey I could have just cut in front of a CL or a fellow WP?

As I normally fly in exit rows, due to my height, all my carry on must go into the overhead lockers, which are normally full as by the time the lounge boarding call is made, which seems to be after the gate boarding call, and I arrive at the gate, most of the other Paxs have boarded and filled the overhead bins, so my carry on gets put into overhead lockers further back in the aircraft. This means I'm the last to deplane as I need to walk against the others deplaning Paxs to retrieve my carry on.

So this is not about putting down an extra drink in the lounge. It is about gaining quicker access to the aircraft so my carry on is not placed in the rear overhead storage lockers. Or maybe I should do as I have seen others do and shove my wheelie into the first empty overhead space as I walk into the aircraft. But you see I would not do that as I do respect that the Paxs in the seat below expect to use that space for their carry on.

All that I really expect from Priority Boarding is to be able to put my carry on in the overhead lockers above my exit row seat. Is that too much to ask?

 

[Danger]

If having a second lane for priority customers is a new thing and requires planning and time to implement; what was Qantas's current plan to implement priority boarding? Or is there none yet? but simply have it stated in the privileges? Why can't we have an answer to this simple question?

That is a very good question. When QF implemented (and I use that term loosely) this benefit, how did they foresee it occurring in practice?

 

[connieguy]

That is a very good question. When QF implemented (and I use that term loosely) this benefit, how did they foresee it occurring in practice?

Quite some time ago I did ask Red Roo this question. The answer was Domestic Priority Boarding is implemented via a PA announcement at the lounge which invites J and WP Paxs to board the aircraft before all other Paxs. Fine if you were at the gate when that PA announcement is made, if it is made and as some have reported here, sometimes the Priority Boarding PA announcement it is not made. BUT leaving the lounge when the boarding call is made, you would not be at the gate in time to accept the Priority Boarding call and need to join the rear of the boarding queue and battle with full overhead bins, especially if travelling with a wheelie, laptop, over coat and sitting in a exit row.

This is where the existing QF PA Priority Boarding announcement systems fails.

QF could then say, well just leave the lounge early so as to get to the gate BEFORE the PA announcement is made. As that is how the existing systems works, that is what I now do if I sitting in a exit row and I have a wheelie. In reality ANY Pax can do the same thing, so where is the Priority?

 

[OverrideServlet]

Red Roo, thanks for keeping us updated.

Looking forward to hearing more about Qantas' progress on this.

 

[anchew]

I'm quite excited about this. Better late than never I'd say.
Can't wait to see it implemented on CBR flights and whether it would work at all :shock:

 

[Hvr]

I'm quite excited about this. Better late than never I'd say.
Can't wait to see it implemented on CBR flights and whether it would work at all :shock:

Agree, CBR first flight anywhere Monday morning, probably easier to tell both of the non-status pax that they should stand back and watch the fun of attempted priority boarding. :mrgreen:

 

[Danger]

Agree, CBR first flight anywhere Monday morning, probably easier to tell both of the non-status pax that they should stand back and watch the fun of attempted priority boarding. :mrgreen:

Or on 24-odd Thursday nights in the year when Parliament is sitting!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm quite excited about this. Better late than never I'd say.
Can't wait to see it implemented on CBR flights and whether it would work at all :shock:

Surely they could ask AA what happens in IAD ?

 

[medhead]

Quite some time ago I did ask Red Roo this question. The answer was Domestic Priority Boarding is implemented via a PA announcement at the lounge which invites J and WP Paxs to board the aircraft before all other Paxs.

Forget all that other stuff and step back a second. I do not wait in the lounge getting in another drink. I do leave the lounge early enough for get to the gate 10 minutes before scheduled boarding and the simple fact is They NEVER make this PA announcement. So if priority boarding is supposedly implemented by the PA announce Newsflash Red Roo - It never happens.

You can keep all the rest of the priority boarding lane. I want them to do anything at all in the first place.

Fine if you were at the gate when that PA announcement is made, if it is made and as some have reported here, sometimes the Priority Boarding PA announcement it is not made. BUT leaving the lounge when the boarding call is made, you would not be at the gate in time to accept the Priority Boarding call and need to join the rear of the boarding queue and battle with full overhead bins, especially if travelling with a wheelie, laptop, over coat and sitting in a exit row.

This is where the existing QF PA Priority Boarding announcement systems fails.

QF could then say, well just leave the lounge early so as to get to the gate BEFORE the PA announcement is made. As that is how the existing systems works, that is what I now do if I sitting in a exit row and I have a wheelie. In reality ANY Pax can do the same thing, so where is the Priority?

 

[pshepvic]

Hi Gowatson,

By that comment, I only meant that I can not give you an exact resolution and exact date.

Reading all the comments on this thread, customers are looking for two lanes at boarding so that as Platinum Frequent Flyer, you can show up and board when you are ready and not have to stand at the back of a long line just because you wanted to finish your drink in the lounge .

The reason implementation is more than just a sign is that airport regulations require we have a plan for where each line will go (regardless of whether it will ever be long or not). This ensures people will not be lining up past fire exits, retail shops, in the way of other gates etc. And we have to have this established for all gates in all airports.

If you have any other questions, just let me know.

Cheers,
Red Roo

Judging by most lines I've seen in the Qantas terminals lately, the "plan" of where they should go is clearly not working. I've seen them blocking the entire concourse so adding a couple of signs and a bit of tape couldn't actually make it worse, and might actually help make it better.

But I understand that it may take time to get it past those OH&S and Fire regulation people. Let's just try to make that time as short as possible.

 

[kirk7]

Judging by most lines I've seen in the Qantas terminals lately, the "plan" of where they should go is clearly not working. I've seen them blocking the entire concourse so adding a couple of signs and a bit of tape couldn't actually make it worse, and might actually help make it better.

But I understand that it may take time to get it past those OH&S and Fire regulation people. Let's just try to make that time as short as possible.

To be honest I dont see OHS and Fire as a possible problem that QF will encounter as priority boarding is in place with signs for QF and even JQ in the international terminals.

I mean even Virgin can do it.....

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Had breakky in the SYD J Lounge, left the lounge early because the WIFI was hopeless and decided to see if l could catch the next plane for boarding, which happened to be QF409 at gate 9. (I might be wrong on the flight number, but it's not really that important)

I arrived just as the call was made, 'Flight QF409 is now ready for boarding, please have your boarding passes ready for boarding'.
That was it.

I then wandered over to gate 2 for my SYD-BNE flight. About 5 minutes before the boarding call was made, there was a que snaking past the transfer desk and almost to the Gloria Jeans cafe.

When the call first boarding announcement was made, it went like this, "this is QFxx_, we are now ready for boarding, people needing assistance, families with kids and WP's + SG's could now board."
I got stuck behind 2 families with kids and heard the 2nd General call which was, "This is flight QFxx_, we now call all pax to board."

It looks like the 'Priority Boarding' message has been heard by QF Management and are heading in the right direction to resolve this issue.
l'm sure that in a few weeks/month(s), we should see some positive results.

Thanks Red Roo for passing our requests up the food chain.
Oneworldplus2

 

[serfty]

... and the simple fact is They NEVER make this PA announcement. So if priority boarding is supposedly implemented by the PA announce Newsflash Red Roo - It never happens. ...

I do like to be at the gate when boarding commences.

For Qantas domestic flights, I have heard the PA announcement for WP/SG/Emerald/Sapphire/Business (or minor variances) at least ½ the time in recent years.

So while it may not be happening for all, it does happen.

 

[nlagalle]

Forget all that other stuff and step back a second. I do not wait in the lounge getting in another drink. I do leave the lounge early enough for get to the gate 10 minutes before scheduled boarding and the simple fact is They NEVER make this PA announcement. So if priority boarding is supposedly implemented by the PA announce Newsflash Red Roo - It never happens.

You can keep all the rest of the priority boarding lane. I want them to do anything at all in the first place.

I've heard then call WP/SG/J pax first several times in the last couple of months when I have walked to the gate early. guess it must vary on the airport.... I've heard it at SYD and MEL

 

[MatF]

Well I had a new one yesterday - QF511 BNE-SYD. The call was made for "people requiring assistance, plus business and our frequent flyers - platinum, gold and silver"

Of course the scrum had (as always) already formed by this stage, and boarding had already started before the call was even made.

 

[medhead]

Had breakky in the SYD J Lounge, left the lounge early because the WIFI was hopeless and decided to see if l could catch the next plane for boarding, which happened to be QF409 at gate 9. (I might be wrong on the flight number, but it's not really that important)I arrived just as the call was made, 'Flight QF409 is now ready for boarding, please have your boarding passes ready for boarding'. That was it. I then wandered over to gate 2 for my SYD-BNE flight. About 5 minutes before the boarding call was made, there was a que snaking past the transfer desk and almost to the Gloria Jeans cafe. When the call first boarding announcement was made, it went like this, "this is QFxx_, we are now ready for boarding, people needing assistance, families with kids and WP's + SG's could now board." I got stuck behind 2 families with kids and heard the 2nd General call which was, "This is flight QFxx_, we now call all pax to board."

The bold bit needs to be changed to " QFxx_ will be ready for boarding shortly, until then/we now invite"

I do like to be at the gate when boarding commences.For Qantas domestic flights, I have heard the PA announcement for WP/SG/Emerald/Sapphire/Business (or minor variances) at least ½ the time in recent years.So while it may not be happening for all, it does happen.

I've heard then call WP/SG/J pax first several times in the last couple of months when I have walked to the gate early. guess it must vary on the airport.... I've heard it at SYD and MEL

I obviously travel on a limited schedule. Usually for QF730 there is no PA announcement. For QF743 and 785 there is an announcement but not pre-boarding.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

The bold bit needs to be changed to " QFxx_ will be ready for boarding shortly, until then/we now invite".

I will make a mental note on my return flight on Monday morning to see what the announcement is.

 

[mark299]

Well I had a new one yesterday - QF511 BNE-SYD. The call was made for "people requiring assistance, plus business and our frequent flyers - platinum, gold and silver"

Of course the scrum had (as always) already formed by this stage, and boarding had already started before the call was even made.

Why can't they call First and Platinum members first.

Then call Business and Gold next
Followed by rest of the pax boarding.



The staff should be strict will this process happens, if they see anyone without platinum / first class in intial call; they should be asked and checked if they are with someone who is WP etc... that way there is some control. Otherwise, all of them will start queing up as soon as the initial call is made.

 

[chrizzz14]

Somewhat frustrated with Red Roo's last response.

Having lines block exits, retail etc.... have you ever been to an airport at peak hour?

Understandably this is the 'legally proper comment to make' alas your speaking to probably the most frequent of flyers that QF has... we've all stood in lines both before ticket scanning (and on the airbridge) and wondered why QF even advertise about premium status when it obviously means very little...

The raw fact is that QF advertise WP benefits that literally dont exist. Sure there may be a PA announcement but as we have all said - WP's are usually in the lounge (i must admit im offended Red Roo insinuated we're all piss heads) enjoying the WP benefits only to get to a gate that has 100+ people lined up....
ive done it so often now, most of the time i will wait until the (very annoying) urgent boarding call for Mr. xx_x.....

How bout AJ come on here and say a few words in the effort of defending the once great Red Roo....