Qantas doesn't care about priority boarding

[Berlin]

If a glimmer of hope is what keeps you flying QF, then you are a better person than me, Gunga Din.

Well- enforcing priority boarding or not is just one of maaaany aspects that make me decide who I fly with, isn't it.

 

[*A Flyer]

Zero attempt at enforcing priority boarding on a range of recent flights ex-SYD, PER and ASP. What gets me most is that it wouldn’t slow down boarding to actually enforce the priority rules; it just means the priority pax get on first.

 

[pauly7]

No issues with QF PB out of SYD, MEL, PER and BNE this week on the flights I have been on. Good to see.

 

[tdimdad]

They could call them in sequential groups I suppose, with SG/OWS boarding second and together with Y+ on INT flights. So long as OWS are called ahead of general boarding, then they would comply with the OW PB rule.

That tiered priority works marvels in many other airlines. Being a mid-tier flyer, I'm very happy to support it (even when it means I'm in group 2, 3 or whatever). But perhaps it's NIH so can't be implemented at QF. Or it'd require operational discipline to run...

 

[nerdag]

It's NIH so can't be implemented at QF. Or it'd require operational discipline to run...

It's un-Australian, so would fail dismally.

 

[Danger]

Most peak hour flights from 0600-0900 and 1500-1900 on the triangle are full of Golds and WPs. Hence PB being redundant on those flights.

Unless 100% of the passengers are eligible, it's not redundant if done properly.

 

[New to this]

Apart from a brief delay, who really cares if you’re queuing for a few minutes extra?

I think the main issue is that you won’t be able to get your bags in the overhead. That is a perfectly rational sort of concern.

In my experience, the people most strident in this area, are those with two massive carry-ons, hoping to stuff both above and then sit, stoney-faced when the crew ask for help with luggage space.

 

[bladeau1981]

The luggage space is a big issue now, my last couple of Qantas flights have had a lot more than usual carry on and I assume it's because of the beat up Qantas is getting in media (rightly so for the most part) about losing luggage so no-one wants to check theirs in anymore. I hate to go down the LCC carrier weigh and measure checked baggage route but I actually think it is needed. WP/SG can still have the extra bag or whatever but everyone else, check that bag in, it's not going to cost you any more.

 

[nerdag]

my last couple of Qantas flights have had a lot more than usual carry on and I assume it's because of the beat up Qantas is getting in media

Same for all airlines. Hence why I value PB.

 

[henrus]

hate to go down the LCC carrier weigh and measure checked baggage route but I actually think it is needed.

Qantas have the most generous domestic carry-on allowance as well.

I struggle to understand why they allow 2x 7kg bags for all cabins on domestic flights (effectivly 14kg) but why it's just 1x 7kg in Economy on long haul flights (aircraft that have a lot more space?)

 

[oz_mark]

Qantas have the most generous domestic carry-on allowance as well.

I struggle to understand why they allow 2x 7kg bags for all cabins on domestic flights (effectivly 14kg) but why it's just 1x 7kg in Economy on long haul flights (aircraft that have a lot more space?)

Domestic it is 2 pieces, one piece up to 10Kg, 14kg total.

My guess - pressure from corporates. Many of them try to negotiate a cheaper fare by getting rid of a checked allowance altogether,

 

[Quickstatus]

1x 7kg in Economy on long haul flights

Likely the common practice among carriers for international flights.

 

[OATEK]

It is a big proportion of travellers on the triangle.

Maybe it's time to limit PB to those travelling in J or higher, together with QFF WP and above (plus OW equivalent)... though I think that's not in line with the OW benefits. They could call them in sequential groups I suppose, with SG/OWS boarding second and together with Y+ on INT flights. So long as OWS are called ahead of general boarding, then they would comply with the OW PB rule.

Cheers,
Matt.

p.s. I reserve the right to change my tune after I can no longer maintain WP

I am sure that the more layered the PB approach, the greater the delays. My uninformed guess is that often getting the flight away quickly in the eyes of gate staff trumps status recognition. I could be wrong...

 

[jakeseven7]

Qantas have the most generous domestic carry-on allowance as well.

Unpopular opinion - but I think carry on should be tiered as well like checked….

And I think Qantas should implement carry on weighing like Virgin and Jetstar do.

 

[nerdag]

I think Qantas should implement carry on weighing like Virgin and Jetstar do.

Problem with that is that it slows down boarding substantially when it is checked already.

I hate having to fly JQ for work because it is essentially me wanting to get on and off quickly having to deal with leisure travellers who are not used to the subtleties of travel, and tend to overpack their carry on and then have to check it in at the gate. VA is not much better.

It would be easier to have European size limits because you couldn't put more than 7kg even if you wanted to, into those tiny bags.

 

[henrus]

I hate having to fly JQ for work because it is essentially me wanting to get on and off quickly having to deal with leisure travellers who are not used to the subtleties of travel, and tend to overpack their carry on and then have to check it in at the gate. VA is not much better.

There are plenty of "not match fit" travellers on QF as well. Two weekends ago I flew up to Cairns on a Friday afternoon, they did call priority boarding and most Brisbane gates have two lanes however it was blocked by people not eligible. Credit to the staff they did actually tell them to go in the other queue but this did slow down the process on an already slightly late flight.

99% of the time JQ does the weighing and tagging before boarding commences and if you try and board without the tag you get sent elsewhere to someone who'll tag it before you can rejoin the boarding queue.

 

[RooFlyer]

And I think Qantas should implement carry on weighing like Virgin and Jetstar do.

Where do they do it? (I never actually experienced it on VA). At the gate, I guess to be effective. What happens to those 'overweight' and bounced? Have to check the bag, else just take stuff out & leave behind?

 

[sudoer]

And I think Qantas should implement carry on weighing like Virgin and Jetstar do.

I can't remember the last time VA weighed my carry on, but admittedly I only fly them to CBR (Link operated) and MEL.

 

[nerdag]

There are plenty of "not match fit" travellers on QF as well.

They generally don't get held up at the gate, and it's a much smaller proportion than a leisure oriented budget airline like JQ. It only takes a few to slow down the process to make it a nightmare for everybody else.

 

[Quickstatus]

Weigh all bags at checkin. Any bag below X kg and is tagged as carry on eligible.

Size compatibility can be done automatically with 3D laser measurement devices as part of the checkin

A “carry on eligible” tag entitles the passenger to go through security with that carry on. No tag no security entry.

1) only 1 tag per passenger
2) tier status may increase the kg or number

Because carryons are controlled, there should not be any need for PB.