Priority Checked Baggage - What a joke !

[TripleB]

I've noticed an significant improvement in my bags being amongst the first batch out in both Sydney and Darwin over the last 12 months. I don't use the Q-tags (3 lost bags in a row using those put me off).

 

[medhead]

Yes, I see the shortcomings of my comment, although at the time I was thinking only of the Q-Tag, which most obviously advertises the FF status of the owner.

But I think they still use the coloured paper things for international.

In terms of the Q-tag the colour is only possibly related to status. People change status but the old tags are still the same colour. Someone mentioned in thread that they used gold tags when silver to check for better service.

 

[coriander]

I'm learning so much on these forums, thank you. I had always thought the QTag was linked to my FF number, so when Mrs C and I got 2 silver QTags each, I made sure I labelled them his and hers; a week later we received 2 Gold QTags each which I also carefully labelled.

There's so much misinformation on the 'web - one site says "the Qantas Q-Tag is a permanent luggage tag that passengers keep on their bags, flight after flight after flight. The Qantas Q-Tag is registered by passengers to their frequent flyer information, or passenger information, this information is then linked an embedded RFID chip within the Q-Tag." Which leads one to believe that it is personalised. Qantas themselves say "each tag contains world-first technology that synchronises your details on your boarding pass or Qantas card with your baggage" which could be interpreted as the Q-Tag being personalised. However, now I understand it's the Q-Tag number that gets attached to your boarding pass, I can see how these devices appear on gumtree and Ebay.

As it has an embedded microchip, I guess you theoretically could put the Q-Tag INSIDE your suitcase and it should still be picked up by the Qantas scanners (after all you put a microchip inside a dog and walk-through scanners at the Lost Dogs' Home can pick it up).

Sounds like great technology in search of a clear explanation as to how it (should) works.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Damage to my luggage contents on our last trip back from the USA was mostly thanks to TSA.

Departing MCO I had wrapped my CPAP machine, cups and mugs and other memorabilia inside socks and various clothes and placed them in the middle of my case. On opening the case at home, there was a "love letter" from TSA saying the contents of the case had been inspected. The suitcase had been upacked for inspection and clothes were thrown back in with CPAP machine, mugs etc unwrapped and thrown in last so that they were on top of the case contents against the top of the case with thus no padding or protection. The mugs were smashed, of course, and the LCD screen on the CPAP machine had to be replaced. My packing technique had previously served me well over the past 20 years but were undermined by the TSA. TI didn't cover because damage was less than $100 excess - cost wasn't issue, just the loss of memorabilia and loss of my beloved CPAP machine for a week whilst being repaired!

Miss FM had the same experience with half her souvenirs smashed after TSA got their paws on her case. She had to pick bits of glass out of her clothes. In hind sight she should have carried them all in hand luggage.....

 

[medhead]

I'm learning so much on these forums, thank you. I had always thought the QTag was linked to my FF number, so when Mrs C and I got 2 silver QTags each, I made sure I labelled them his and hers; a week later we received 2 Gold QTags each which I also carefully labelled.

There's so much misinformation on the 'web - one site says "the Qantas Q-Tag is a permanent luggage tag that passengers keep on their bags, flight after flight after flight. The Qantas Q-Tag is registered by passengers to their frequent flyer information, or passenger information, this information is then linked an embedded RFID chip within the Q-Tag." Which leads one to believe that it is personalised. Qantas themselves say "each tag contains world-first technology that synchronises your details on your boarding pass or Qantas card with your baggage" which could be interpreted as the Q-Tag being personalised. However, now I understand it's the Q-Tag number that gets attached to your boarding pass, I can see how these devices appear on gumtree and Ebay.

As it has an embedded microchip, I guess you theoretically could put the Q-Tag INSIDE your suitcase and it should still be picked up by the Qantas scanners (after all you put a microchip inside a dog and walk-through scanners at the Lost Dogs' Home can pick it up).

Sounds like great technology in search of a clear explanation as to how it (should) works.

As I understand the personalisation happens when a bag with Qtag is checked in. Details from the booking about the passenger and routing are transferred to the RFID chip in that process. The synchronisation has to occur for each flight. I expect the chips just have a unique number, but I wouldn't expect Qantas to do anything about recovering the tag by tracking that number if lost.

Previous discussion as also concluded that the routing rules are retained on the Tag until new information is added. When first introduced I recall one report of a bag that ended up in the city that was the destination of a Qtag inside the bag. If I recall correctly.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

As I understand the personalisation happens when a bag with Qtag is checked in. Details from the booking about the passenger and routing are transferred to the RFID chip in that process. The synchronisation has to occur for each flight. I expect the chips just have a unique number, but I wouldn't expect Qantas to do anything about recovering the tag by tracking that number if lost.

The chips do have a unique number which is printed on the baggage receipt each time. It is the only identifier the bags have, without a paper tag.

Previous discussion as also concluded that the routing rules are retained on the Tag until new information is added. When first introduced I recall one report of a bag that ended up in the city that was the destination of a Qtag inside the bag. If I recall correctly.

I often travel with a different number of bags each way, and have sometimes had to unpack a bag to remove a packed Q-tag - thankfully avoiding such a fate!
Perhaps the bag drops have been reprogrammed to reject bags with more than one tag detected.

 

[CaviAck]

But I think they still use the coloured paper things for international.

That's correct, F uses yellow tags and J uses pink tags.

 

[Groundfeeder]

... sometimes the bag is out first, others the very last. QF don't care either way.

The promised priority luggage system/benefit provided to QP members simply should be removed by QF as it clearly is NOT a permanent demonstrable benefit of QP membership as advertised in my (20+ years) QP term experience.

 

[BD1959]

The promised priority luggage system/benefit provided to QP members simply should be removed by QF as it clearly is NOT a permanent demonstrable benefit of QP membership as advertised in my (20+ years) QP term experience.

Perhaps it's time for Qantas to follow BA's lead and just drop the promise of this benefit (across ALL tiers) if they are incapable of delivering?

Data point: my bag came off the carousel at ADL yesterday in the midst of the non-status bags ... so contrary to earlier posts, ADL too is inconsistent.

Regards,

BD

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Perhaps it's time for Qantas to follow BA's lead and just drop the promise of this benefit (across ALL tiers) if they are incapable of delivering.

I would still rather it 75% or even 50% of the time than 0%. It's a definite time saver if HLO can't be done.

That's correct, F uses yellow tags and J uses pink tags.

The QF international tags look pretty ordinary IMO. I think SQ's stick-on orange/star alliance priority tags are the most stylish.

 

[TomVexille]

Yes, I see the shortcomings of my comment, although at the time I was thinking only of the Q-Tag, which most obviously advertises the FF status of the owner.

The Q-Tag means nothing. Have you seen how many are on eBay?

 

[BD1959]

I would still rather it 75% or even 50% of the time than 0%. It's a definite time saver if HLO can't be done.

If it's random, it can't be 0% of the time!! 50% would only be a "definite time saver" half of the time, the other half you fume at the ability of QF to be consistently inconsistent.

My way, you just accept your bag gratefully ... if it arrives!!

Regards,

BD

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

The promised priority luggage system/benefit provided to QP members simply should be removed by QF as it clearly is NOT a permanent demonstrable benefit of QP membership as advertised in my (20+ years) QP term experience.

It's not just QP (who in my opinion should get their bags second last above non status pax/NB), they promote this as an elite tier and class of service benefit that they don't deliver on either, so at least they don't discriminate - it's patchy for everyone.

 

[BD1959]

Perhaps the next time QF corral a group of elites to breathlessly announce some new initiative ... service ... wonder-award, some brave soul - in an "Emperor's Clothes moment" can ask:

Yes, all very nice, but when is QF going to address the core issue of providing existing services in a consistent manner??

The vast majority of complaints on this forum would have to be lack of consistent service: Call Centre responses; Inflight Service; QP Lounge Access; this... the list is endless!

Regards,

BD

 

[CaviAck]

The QF international tags look pretty ordinary IMO. I think SQ's stick-on orange/star alliance priority tags are the most stylish.

I quite like the QF F tags, the J tags however are a little harsh on the eyes at a bright pink. The variations of the *A ones can be boring and nice, I can't remember which one it was but it was either the NH F or the LH J one that I like out of *A so far. AA's priority tag is nice if it wasn't for the ghastly bright orange (a different shade of orange would've been nicer).

 

[madrooster]

The QF F tags have recently changed, still yellow but the content has changed. I suspect the J tag and orange priority tags may change soon too.

 

[vetrade]

The Q-Tag means nothing. Have you seen how many are on eBay?

You've taken my comment out of context, which my prior post to the one you referenced, made clear, Tom.
The gist of my comment was that behind the scenes baggage handlers have "form" when it comes to damaging luggage through rough handling and it isn't inconceivable that they could notice a Q-Tagged bag and deliberately give it less priority just because they might think it fun to inconvenience a priority passenger.

 

[TomVexille]

You've taken my comment out of context, which my prior post to the one you referenced, made clear, Tom.
The gist of my comment was that behind the scenes baggage handlers have "form" when it comes to damaging luggage through rough handling and it isn't inconceivable that they could notice a Q-Tagged bag and deliberately give it less priority just because they might think it fun to inconvenience a priority passenger.

So the true test is to take two WP tags, one belonging to a WP and the other to a NB and see which if either comes out first, or neither...

As for your prior post, I don't see why "those guys" would resent Frequent Flyers at all since they have the ability to fly themselves and families around the world for cents on the dollar.

 

[Groundfeeder]

The vast majority of complaints on this forum would have to be lack of consistent service: Call Centre responses; Inflight Service; QP Lounge Access; this... the list is endless!

With all due respect to QF elites, QF introduced priority boarding following numerous criticisms from same, who are a small number overall within the QP ranks (millions). What if ALL QP members complained en-mass to QF that the priority baggage "membership benefit" deserves an equivalent amount of attention? The oft said remark that baggage handlers ignore the priority system seems to me to be simplistic - you either manage your staff or contractors to support published company conditions or find another business.

 

[medhead]

With all due respect to QF elites, QF introduced priority boarding following numerous criticisms from same, who are a small number overall within the QP ranks (millions). What if ALL QP members complained en-mass to QF that the priority baggage "membership benefit" deserves an equivalent amount of attention? The oft said remark that baggage handlers ignore the priority system seems to me to be simplistic - you either manage your staff or contractors to support published company conditions or find another business.

QF started to actually provide the advertised benefit of domestic priority boarding. Introduced has the wrong connotation.