Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[ozbeachbabe]

I earned on QF (National Jet) Perth - Mt Keith back in the day.

Who knows? FIFO flights were always a bit of a lucky dip with points. With National Jet, it used to vary depending on whether it was dressed up as a Qantas flight or not.

Pax also earned points on the NJ Dash8 flight DRW/MCV (McArthur River) even though it didn't have a QF flight number. That route is now served by TL on the E170.

 

[niemann]

Posted in this in the 'upcoming changes' thread but realised it probably deserves its own.

I was in J on a full 767 flight from SYD-MEL on Friday night. Arrived at the gate to see a massive line extending about 100m+ back into the terminal.

No sign of a priority boarding lane and a few pissed looking J passengers trying to decide whether they should just walk up to the front of the line.

Any word from QF on whether this is meant to be in place? It's not a great J experience when you line up for 20 minutes to board...

The problem is the non-enforcement of the queue. Qantas don't push it hard, and pax consequently ignore the half-hearted request. To implement priority boarding, you need to be very firm to the point of cabin crew telling people out of order to go back and sit down in the gate lounge. It's doable, but will take a bit of a culture change. The other difficulty is that the cabin crew at the gate will need to read the boarding passes properly, as opposed to just scanning them now, OR they could review the screen (the status pops up there too). Either way, it's an extra step in the process, but there's no point having a policy if you're not going to apply it.

 

[Reggie]

Pax also earned points on the NJ Dash8 flight DRW/MCV (McArthur River) even though it didn't have a QF flight number. That route is now served by TL on the E170.

My first flights credited to QFF were DRW-MCV-DRW, on a QF flight number purchased through a travel agent. I think both flights where on the 29th of March 2000, and I earn't 8 SC's per sector.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

My first flights credited to QFF were DRW-MCV-DRW, on a QF flight number purchased through a travel agent. I think both flights where on the 29th of March 2000, and I earn't 8 SC's per sector.

I didn't think there was a QF flight number as well but obviously there was! Even if it was booked under NC27, National Jet were still a QF FF partner so points could be earned.

The problem is the non-enforcement of the queue. Qantas don't push it hard, and pax consequently ignore the half-hearted request. To implement priority boarding, you need to be very firm to the point of cabin crew telling people out of order to go back and sit down in the gate lounge. It's doable, but will take a bit of a culture change. The other difficulty is that the cabin crew at the gate will need to read the boarding passes properly, as opposed to just scanning them now, OR they could review the screen (the status pops up there too). Either way, it's an extra step in the process, but there's no point having a policy if you're not going to apply it.

The issue with a pax's status appearing on the screen is that only happens once the boarding pass or similar has been scanned & the pax is 'boarded' so if a PS pax slips through the FA's are not going to 'deboard' the pax & then tell them to sit & wait their turn. Even if they didn't deboard them you don't want them to have been scanned as 'boarded' then tell them they can't board & to take a seat as they could then go AWOL & not travel when inf fact they are showing as boarding so won't be missing.

 

[simongr]

Surely the status is on the BP or on the QFF card they present for boarding - before it is scanned.

Frankly if QF set up a system that clearly says "DYKWIA this side, plebs other side" and someone presents in the wrong queue for boarding then there should be no issue sending them back.

 

[rechoboam]

Surely the status is on the BP or on the QFF card they present for boarding - before it is scanned.

Frankly if QF set up a system that clearly says "DYKWIA this side, plebs other side" and someone presents in the wrong queue for boarding then there should be no issue sending them back.

Nothing at all here on the flight to SYD. I'm getting on last anyway.

 

[connieguy]

Update from AusBT

Qantas ends Sydney trial of priority domestic boarding - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Gotta like the last line:

"Qantas says it will now run the trial at other airports to see whether priority domestic boarding should be introduced as a permanent feature or if the program should be abandoned."

More WP "Enhancements" on the way? Wonder if WPs flying -Y or Y will lose toilet and shower access like SQ do?

 

[straitman]

Update from AusBT

Qantas ends Sydney trial of priority domestic boarding - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Gotta like the last line:

"Qantas says it will now run the trial at other airports to see whether priority domestic boarding should be introduced as a permanent feature or if the program should be abandoned."

More WP "Enhancements" on the way? Wonder if WPs flying -Y or Y will lose toilet and shower access like SQ do?

Look to me that if they drop it that QF itself will be the biggest loser.

 

[opusman]

Even with a priority boarding lane at the gate, there's still only one aerobridge and one aisle (on a 737 anyway) - what happens one you get through the gate and stop dead because of the queue in the aerobridge? Do you just elbow the plebs aside?

 

[dfcatch]

I would suggest they want to drop it but want an excuse to do so.

That said - it would have been less painful to just simply drop it without any fanfare.

Perhaps they are buying themselves time given the VA improvements.

IMHO I stick by my previous comments - I suggest there is a personality struggle within QF where a particularly high ranking management type is blocking it for some unknown reason.

 

[connieguy]

Look to me that if they drop it that QF itself will be the biggest loser.

It was never there, except on the Status tier benefit comparison page:
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Benefits & Privileges - Status Privileges

What a joke, QF saying it takes up too much room. Better tell VA that fact as they seem to not have noticed.

 

[connieguy]

Even with a priority boarding lane at the gate, there's still only one aerobridge and one aisle (on a 737 anyway) - what happens one you get through the gate and stop dead because of the queue in the aerobridge? Do you just elbow the plebs aside?

For me it is about getting priority access to the over head bins, especially if you are sitting in a exit row and the 3 exit row Paxs need to stow everything into the same bin.

 

[connieguy]

I would suggest they want to drop it but want an excuse to do so.

Yup I agree.

IMHO I stick by my previous comments - I suggest there is a personality struggle within QF where a particularly high ranking management type is blocking it for some unknown reason.

Ditto.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I've remained pretty quiet so far on this but honestly this is bad form by QF.
Paging Red Roo :-(

 

[awilcockson]

I would suggest they want to drop it but want an excuse to do so.

I agree.

Congestion at the gate itself was also a factor, with a second boarding queue requiring more space

No doubt, considering the ridiculous size of the banners they put up. It seriously looks as though this was set up to fail from the start.

 

[connieguy]

I've remained pretty quiet so far on this but honestly this is bad form by QF.
Paging Red Roo :-(

You think that is bad form, well then watch out for having your BP checked before you can use the lounge toilet or shower.

 

[connieguy]

No doubt, considering the ridiculous size of the banners they put up. It seriously looks as though this was set up to fail from the start.

We think alike. I suggest that QF feels they will not be dictated to by a group of WPs, unlike VA which seems to lap up all that we say, good or bad.

 

[straitman]

We think alike. I suggest that QF feels they will not be dictated to by a group of WPs, unlike VA which seems to lap up all that we say, good or bad.

I think your answer would actually be a whole lot more effective you you reworded it as follows:

'I suggest that QF feels they will not be dictated to by a group of its customers, unlike VA which seems to lap up all that we say, good or bad.'

 

[rsellens]

They have priority boarding at JQ, why not QF??????

 

[markehlers]

I was flying Economy from Sydney to Melbourne the other Sunday on a B767. The crew announced boarding for familes and Platinum & Gold FF and J passengers. Being Gold FF I walked on ignoring the evil looks from the other people in the line. QF should have priority boarding on all flights for J class, Platinum and Gold FF's..