Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[JSN.Wong]

So you swap an airline, just because of priority boarding??

In my case there were many factors. I did not feel any extra benefit of being a WP as compared to SG as I hardly make use of the lounge nowadays. Since I've got my LTG I did not feel the need to keep flying QF anymore and decided to give DJ a try when they did the status match. I had been avoiding them like a plague in the past and my colleagues were shocked when I asked for flights to be booked on DJ. All I can say is they exceeded my expectations especially now with the new cabins/planes. Their first row in economy (row 3) is so much better than QF's row 4 in their 737s. And I almost always get the front row compared to QF where the first 2 rows are blocked out during seat allocations in your bookings. Priority boarding is also another factor. Points and status credits are much better with DJ. Award bookings are more readily available and easier with DJ. I still fly QF once in a while but so far nothing had changed except that I'm no longer WP. Now just half a year later I've already retained my status with DJ.

 

[amaroo]

Unless you're one of the first to approach the gate there is no PB on most DOM flights. Leaving the lounge on the call & waltzing straight through the PB line (if working) will only get me standing in a Q in the bridge!

IMO DOM PB only works if you are one of the first or one of the last on - no matter how strict they enforce the rules.

I like PB as much as the next person however, if you turn up halfway through boarding - we're both going to be stuck in a Q in the bridge.

 

[Danger]

Unless you're one of the first to approach the gate there is no PB on most DOM flights. Leaving the lounge on the call & waltzing straight through the PB line (if working) will only get me standing in a Q in the bridge!

IMO DOM PB only works if you are one of the first or one of the last on - no matter how strict they enforce the rules.

I like PB as much as the next person however, if you turn up halfway through boarding - we're both going to be stuck in a Q in the bridge.

While I respect your opinion, the point of priority boarding isn't to whisk you from the lounge and into your seat in one seamless motion. It's about being given priority to get on the plane and to your seat. Yes, queues on the aerobridge are not at all uncommon, but if priority boarding works the way it is supposed to, you'll be towards the front of that queue with many more behind you.

 

[TonyHancock]

So you swap an airline, just because of priority boarding??

My decision to switch my domestic travel was directly because of QF's inability to provide the published benefit of priority boarding. It was reinforced by QF's further inability to respond to my complaint on the subject.

I am rather liking the dJ product and service.

 

[amaroo]

While I respect your opinion, the point of priority boarding isn't to whisk you from the lounge and into your seat in one seamless motion. It's about being given priority to get on the plane and to your seat. Yes, queues on the aerobridge are not at all uncommon, but if priority boarding works the way it is supposed to, you'll be towards the front of that queue with many more behind you.

Replace the word "lounge" with any other activity one can do in a terminal & the result is the same. It's simply passing people on the right (sometimes left) only to stand in front of them in the same Q as you wait behind everyone else that has entered the bridge before you.

Don't get me wrong, I love PB. However, for it to be done correctly at the majority of DOM gates the PB qualifying passengers would need to herded in before the rest! We would then be left to argue that J supersedes Plat v Gold

I've not taken a VA flight for donkeys - is this how they do their PB?

 

[tm.smile]

Replace the word "lounge" with any other activity one can do in a terminal & the result is the same. It's simply passing people on the right (sometimes left) only to stand in front of them in the same Q as you wait behind everyone else that has entered the bridge before you.

I agree, I don't find waiting at the aerobridge the issue, its the bigger queue at the gate that is the main issue... DJ still has the aerobridge issue even though they do PB well.

 

[medhead]

Replace the word "lounge" with any other activity one can do in a terminal & the result is the same. It's simply passing people on the right (sometimes left) only to stand in front of them in the same Q as you wait behind everyone else that has entered the bridge before you.

Don't get me wrong, I love PB. However, for it to be done correctly at the majority of DOM gates the PB qualifying passengers would need to herded in before the rest! We would then be left to argue that J supersedes Plat v Gold

I've not taken a VA flight for donkeys - is this how they do their PB?

Yes DJ pre-board the priority passengers. Waiting in the aero bridge is not much of an issue at all.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Moopere]

Yes DJ pre-board the priority passengers. Waiting in the aero bridge is not much of an issue at all.

As Medhead says - it doesn't seem to be a problem.

DJ appears to try hard to use both boarding doors even if there is only one aero bridge. So, rearmost passengers tend to be diverted away, part way down the aero bridge, leaving J and forward Y travelling through the forward door. I usually barely break my stride as I leave the lounge, go through priority security (if required) through PB and into my seat. Its hassle free, doesn't make me feel that I'm queue jumping and is a really good start to a journey.

 

[amaroo]

As Medhead says - it doesn't seem to be a problem.

DJ appears to try hard to use both boarding doors even if there is only one aero bridge. So, rearmost passengers tend to be diverted away, part way down the aero bridge, leaving J and forward Y travelling through the forward door. I usually barely break my stride as I leave the lounge, go through priority security (if required) through PB and into my seat. Its hassle free, doesn't make me feel that I'm queue jumping and is a really good start to a journey.

Ok, that makes sense.....having done too many J* flights, I know exactly what you are talking about. Can see how PB would be very efficient compared to QF!

 

[QF WP]

PB worked seamlessly on DJ tonight on our Embraer 190 flight BNE/CBR, as expected. I don't think I'd have the same expectation on QF, whom I now haven't flown since Sept.

Once I've re-qual'ed with VA (my return CBR/BNE and BNE/ADL/BNE in 2 weeks), I'll consider checking out QF again (but by far the biggest consideration will be the double SC's, not the PB as I won't be expecting that they have it right).

 

[bjbrian]

I fund it frustrating that NO real effort is being made by Qantas to make this work properly. To do so the staff need to 'guide' people and if necessary, if people are in the wrong queue, they need to send them back.
It should be possible to make this work?

 

[TonyHancock]

I don't understand why QF announces the commencement of general boarding before announcing that J and status pax should board from the premium lane.

Today on QF423 the requirements for use of the boarding lane were pretty much ignored by pax and unfortunately by the QF staff at the gate.

The moment the gate agent announces general boarding is about to commence the scrum begins with little opportunity to recover priority boarding.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Yesterday.
SYD-MEL - worked
MEL-PER - fail

QF481 MEL-PER. Flight was delayed. Scrum was well and truly formed at the gate before boarding call.
Priority boarding was non-existent.

 

[wafliron]

I don't understand why QF announces the commencement of general boarding before announcing that J and status pax should board from the premium lane.

+1 - making a PB announcement before an announcement for general boarding, and enforcing the PB lane, are the two missing ingredients for QF to implement PB properly. Getting the announcements right helps even if they don't enforce the PB lane properly - the only times I've ever seen PB work properly is when the very first announcement has been an appropriately (strongly) worded boarding call for PB-eligible pax only.

 

[LiamR]

Holding my QF J Boarding pass in HBA today, standing behind some 100 people awaiting to board, I stated to quietly weep when I looked over to my left and saw Virgin Australia preforming Priority Boarding flawlessly.

 

[Blackadder]

Holding my QF J Boarding pass in HBA today, standing behind some 100 people awaiting to board, I stated to quietly weep when I looked over to my left and saw Virgin Australia preforming Priority Boarding flawlessly.

As per the T&C

Board your flight at your convenience with priority boarding available at selected Domestic terminals*

*Sydney,Melbourne,Brisbane,Perth

 

[moa999]

Mostly well done on a 738 bne-SYD last night.

Walked out of the Business lounge to Gate 18 on first announcement in lounge.
Whilst walking down lengthy pa that biz, plat, emerald from the right, general from the left and boarding by rows - signs and colored carpet also correct.
Seemingly started boarding both groups at the same things time. Queue was about 50:10 when I arrived. Girl in front realized she was in wrong queue and moved, but the couple days in front where silver and row 3x, but we're not questioned

 

[TonyHancock]

As per the T&C *Sydney,Melbourne,Brisbane,Perth

I think that is Liam's point. DJ offer PB at:

• Brisbane
• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Adelaide
• Mackay
• Gold Coast
• Hobart

....and from my experience they pretty much get it sorted at NTL too.

 

[LiamR]

As per the T&C *Sydney,Melbourne,Brisbane,Perth when it's the right aircraft type, and the staff can be bothered. We make no guarantee that it will actually work.

I've adjusted your quote to reflect what they really mean.

I think that is Liam's point. DJ offer PB at:

• Brisbane
• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Adelaide
• Mackay
• Gold Coast
• Hobart

....and from my experience they pretty much get it sorted at NTL too.

Hit the nail on the head Tony, it's in most major ports that offer J flights. (Or at least, all the places I travel too.)

 

[TonyHancock]

As per the T&C *Sydney,Melbourne,Brisbane,Perth when it's the right aircraft type, and the staff can be bothered. We make no guarantee that it will actually work.

....and it is not the weekend!!