Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[samh004]

Not arguing this, I'm leaning towards the OW point of view per the above post.

oneworld - oneworld Tier Status

I know I might start bringing a copy of that page when I go to board in the priority queue.

 

[simongr]

I dont think that there is much point doing that given that the OW partners have the ability to change any of the benefits as they want as evidenced by AA not allowing their own OWS/E in to the lounge when flying DOM, QF not allowing OWS into the DOM Biz lounge...

 

[TonyHancock]

I dont think that there is much point doing that given that the OW partners have the ability to change any of the benefits as they want as evidenced by AA not allowing their own OWS/E in to the lounge when flying DOM, QF not allowing OWS into the DOM Biz lounge...

You beat me to it. How does AA justify not allowing its own OWS/E into lounges on domestic flights? (Do they even need to justify it?) I guess QF follows the same route with boarding.

 

[oz_mark]

You beat me to it. How does AA justify not allowing its own OWS/E into lounges on domestic flights? (Do they even need to justify it?) I guess QF follows the same route with boarding.

There are exceptions in the lounge access policies

Exceptions:

1. American Airlines AAdvantage® Program: American Airlines AAdvantage® Program members, regardless of their tier status, may not use lounges when travelling on solely North American itineraries (defined as within or between the USA, Canada, Mexico [except Mexico City], the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean). In these cases, access rules are governed by American Airlines' own rules (ie paid lounge-access membership).
2. Qantas Frequent Flyer Programme: Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold members may not use the Qantas Domestic Business Class Lounges.

oneworld - Lounge Access

 

[TonyHancock]

There are exceptions in the lounge access policies



oneworld - Lounge Access

Thanks for that oz-mark.

Presumably QF could just allow OWS members to "board at convenience" through the non priority lane (assuming they go with a priority lane!!) and still meet their obligations to oneworld?

 

[samh004]

I dont think that there is much point doing that given that the OW partners have the ability to change any of the benefits as they want as evidenced by AA not allowing their own OWS/E in to the lounge when flying DOM, QF not allowing OWS into the DOM Biz lounge...

You remind me so much of Dave Noble when you say things like that. I trust the issue has been debated to death though.

Thanks for that oz-mark.

Presumably QF could just allow OWS members to "board at convenience" through the non priority lane (assuming they go with a priority lane!!) and still meet their obligations to oneworld?

Which is what I would expect, but to do that they should then show the OWS logo on the gate area, but then they’d have the QF Golds trying to get in as they have the logo too. Makes things confusing, and I’m not sure why QF can’t offer it to both. It’s been working offering it to neither for so long

 

[TonyHancock]

Which is what I would expect, but to do that they should then show the OWS logo on the gate area, but then they’d have the QF Golds trying to get in as they have the logo too. Makes things confusing, and I’m not sure why QF can’t offer it to both. It’s been working offering it to neither for so long

The whole situation is odd. I just get a feeling that there is more to this than meets the eye. I can't see why QF wouldn't just come into line with oneworld. It makes no sense not to. Unless there is something we don't know about.

Quite why they need to "trial" something as simple as priority boarding before implementing it defies belief. (...and that is without taking into consideration that it is already a published benefit!)

Perhaps there are so many SG's it will make the priority line longer than the the non priority one!! :shock: (All joking aside Canberra might be fun!)

 

[simongr]

The whole situation is odd. I just get a feeling that there is more to this than meets the eye. I can't see why QF wouldn't just come into line with oneworld. It makes no sense not to. Unless there is something we don't know about.

Quite why they need to "trial" something as simple as priority boarding before implementing it defies belief. (...and that is without taking into consideration that it is already a published benefit!)

Have you read the posts where they said they had to go through a process to document where the lines would go for each gate? That is why they are trialling - already one person has commented that in one arrangement the lines didnt work but in another they did.

 

[anat0l]

Cutting through the rigmarole and verbal diarrhea...

Having seen the photo nlagelle put up, I think this is a good sign (no pun intended). I'm not sure what the trials are meant to do, i.e. is it meant to test how fast boarding will be (overall) and whether people will actually pay attention...


In fact, the latter is just my biggest gripe about priority boarding, and I see it all over the world in almost every airline, with the possible exception of the USA where they've had it for so long it just sticks (although the problem is when you have non-eligible pax lining up on the red carpet who then chuck a big spat; whether they get admitted or not they really hold up the whole boarding process). How non-eligible pax in the priority boarding line are handled will be interesting to see. For Gate 4, it will be most interesting as if you are not eligible, you don't just shuffle across (as people can't phase through a plastic wall...yet). Also, what is the etiquette for being denied priority boarding when you are clearly not entitled? Do you shove into the front of the non-priority line or re-line up at the back of it? Again, just another potential source of a spat waiting to hold up the boarding process.

I, for one, am not going to be happy if an on-time departure is held up due to a tussle at the boarding process. I know it probably won't be the airline's fault, but I still won't like it (and naturally there will be a complaint filed in the paper the next day by the offended pax accusing the airline of some sort of moral turpitude).

So, in summary, the enforcement of the benefit is what will be of most interest to me. I personally think any airline needs to take a hard line on it. The same goes for priority security - it needs to be strictly enforced.

On top of this, I hope priority boarding happens all the time, or at least when the load factor is > 70%. None of this "only during peak hours" guff.

Also: does anyone believe that, similar to most Asian airlines (although not officially), families with small children (i.e. under the age of 12) should be allowed to board first as well?

 

[awilcockson]

Perhaps VA will be introducing priority check in lanes to their lounges?

They already have this

 

[TonyHancock]

Have you read the posts where they said they had to go through a process to document where the lines would go for each gate? That is why they are trialling - already one person has commented that in one arrangement the lines didnt work but in another they did.

Yeah I saw that, but it left me a little confused. QF does implement it on international flights, Jetstar seem able to priority board those that pay the extra without much fuss, and of course VA/DJ has priority boarding. The QF boarding lines at the moment are at best chaotic and uncontrolled. QF does seem to be making a lot of fuss about delivering an established benefit.

 

[QF WP]

I'll admit to having missed that photo you posted as well, nlagalle - but did they have "Chairman Lounge" on the sign?

Looks like what any Gold, Plat or Business Class pax would like to see at each Gate and enforced by the staff. Some will try and stretch the rules (travelling with one of those pax, either family or business associate), so wonder how they will look at those situations. Family makes sense that all board together, but not businness associates.

 

[dfcatch]

Have you read the posts where they said they had to go through a process to document where the lines would go for each gate? That is why they are trialling - already one person has commented that in one arrangement the lines didnt work but in another they did.

I wonder how AA (or BA or DJ or JQ or QFi) went about the process of trialling and documenting where to put their priority boarding signs?

Perhaps I could get a job with QF as the senior project team manager for priority boarding scheme assessment and documentation ?

Seriously - come on - it's no more difficult or complex as making sure that the sign above the gate matches the aircraft sitting at that gate - it's not rocket science.

 

[TonyHancock]

Perhaps I could get a job with QF as the senior project team manager for priority boarding scheme assessment and documentation ?

That has be be worth $400k a year, especially with the skills you would need to carry out the risk assessments!!!! If you do get the job will you employ me as the bloke that puts the signs out?

 

[dfcatch]

That has be be worth $400k a year, especially with the skills you would need to carry out the risk assessments!!!! If you do get the job will you employ me as the bloke that puts the signs out?

You would have to be signed off with the appropriate PPE and safety induction forms before you would be allowed to "place" the signs. You know, you have to watch out for sharp edges and stuff.

I do have a Cert IV in workplace assessment though, so I could sign you off after you passed your written exam indicating competence in "Priority Boarding Sign Placement Training".

Don't forget to sign the class attendance sheet though so we can have the AQF Certificate issued in the correct name.

 

[nlagalle]

You would have to be signed off with the appropriate PPE and safety induction forms before you would be allowed to "place" the signs. You know, you have to watch out for sharp edges and stuff.

I do have a Cert IV in workplace assessment though, so I could sign you off after you passed your written exam indicating competence in "Priority Boarding Sign Placement Training".

Don't forget to sign the class attendance sheet though so we can have the AQF Certificate issued in the correct name.

Is that a Certificate III in Priority Boarding sign placement?

 

[simongr]

So QF should bypass their processes and procedures just because you are in a rush to get priority boarding? Also what happens if they just push something out that doesn't work well - you are just going to cough and moan in here aren't you?

 

[medhead]

Not arguing this, I'm leaning towards the OW point of view per the above post.

oneworld - oneworld Tier Status

Personally I've given up caring. But I don't see the QF and OW benefits being mutually exclusive. Semantics weasel words or otherwise, priority boarding and board at convenience are 2 different things. Priority boarding could easily be Board first without needing a priority lane - i.e. PA announcements. But that isn't an argument against a priority lane that gives OWE (&etc.) priority over other passengers. Board at convenience is then board with the general queue at your convenience, such as board anytime when they are boarding by rows. Yes, i have a nuanced position. But given the vast numbers of SG I think it is needed to make WP worthwhile.

 

[TonyHancock]

So QF should bypass their processes and procedures just because you are in a rush to get priority boarding? Also what happens if they just push something out that doesn't work well - you are just going to cough and moan in here aren't you?

You are, of course, quite right. It should be implemented properly and QF should follow it's processes and procedures. There is a lot of impatience and frustration here, borne out of the whole priority boarding farce.

Having said that I would have to question what processes and procedures allow a "premium" airline to publish benefits months in advance of any trials and presumably approvals?

Perhaps it is QF's processes and procedures we should be questioning? Where else is QF falling down? :?:

 

[Stephen65]

I thought of this thread when I was in Coles yesterday in the 12 items or less checkout queue and the woman in front of me had a full shopping trolley...