Qantas doesn't care about priority boarding

[jakeseven7]

Thanks! thats interesting. I don't think I've ever observed the QF staff at gates ever actually checking each BP/Mobile. It's usually just the pleasantries as they put the barcode into the scanner and wait for the green light.

I have a few more SYD<>MEL trips in the next fortnight so will keep an eye out especially for this.

All good! I guess until the new system is rolled out they have to check before they scan or would be too complicated. I do see they are expanded the trial of the new system to Sydney (in the other thread) which is exciting!

 

[SeatBackForward]

All good! I guess until the new system is rolled out they have to check before they scan or would be too complicated. I do see they are expanded the trial of the new system to Sydney (in the other thread) which is exciting!

Well this weeks SYD>MEL and MEL>SYD was announced as priority boarding, but I couldn't see any different method of checking who was boarding at that time. Certainly the gate agents just told me where to place my mobile boarding pass without bothering to look at it. Unless QF is training in stealth status detection methods, I doubt they would've cared if I was a nothing status boarding first.

 

[jakeseven7]

Well this weeks SYD>MEL and MEL>SYD was announced as priority boarding, but I couldn't see any different method of checking who was boarding at that time. Certainly the gate agents just told me where to place my mobile boarding pass without bothering to look at it. Unless QF is training in stealth status detection methods, I doubt they would've cared if I was a nothing status boarding first.

That’s because the new system hasn’t rolled out Syd/Mel yet… read up thread, has all the details. The new system has the scanners rejecting pax.

Edit: sorry wrong thread! Yes the current system is hit and miss.

 

[Mort]

Mon MEL > OOL - arrived at the gate after boarding commence 2 lanes, shorter PB queue with both scanners running one for each lane. Saw my first instance of an economy pax puttying 2 big cases In business luggage bins, FA said nothing.

Sat OOL > MEL - was chaos, queue lined up out the gate blocking PB lane, had to push/ excuse myself forward until I could reach PB queue, by the time I reached the queue there were about 8 PB pax in front, then gate agent called for those needing assistance there were a few and were assisted 1 at a time, by one person whiles the other 2 gate agents appeared to be just hanging around, then travellers with infants, all good, but then they realised the automatic doors to the gate had closed and locked out half the plane, so had to get that fixed, once that opened, started the process all again, eventually business and status boarding called and went smoothly from there except we were about 30 mins behind. Apparently during this delay, no bags were loaded. So once the plane was fully boarded, captain announced we had missed our departure window and we still need to wait for our bags so would be delayed further, eventually pushed back Almost an hour later than expected, but made up 30 mins in the air.

On a positive note, priority baggage worked in both instances.

 

[Bibendum]

Any update on group boarding..? What happened to the trails that were running in October.. does any have an idea of when it will go nationwide as standard..???

 

[FL360]

I think the gate agents are only enforcing when they know they are being watched......

This is hard to say, P P1 could bring an elderly relative with disability permit to join the priority queue and the system won't know that, and if that elderly relative is rejected and cannot scan this won't be a good look.

 

[Hampton Mike]

In my experience priority boarders can take someone traveling with them, who is not otherwise priority in their own right, through the PB queue with them.

 

[Beano]

I did that recently. Not a problem.

In my experience priority boarders can take someone traveling with them, who is not otherwise priority in their own right, through the PB queue with them.

 

[elanshin]

This is hard to say, P P1 could bring an elderly relative with disability permit to join the priority queue and the system won't know that, and if that elderly relative is rejected and cannot scan this won't be a good look.

I imagine the way the system works is it just flags as incorrect, but can be overwritten by staff. Sort of like supermarket self serve where it errors and staff can say "yes we know, its correct" thus allow for staff discretion if needed.

 

[Kangol]

I think the gate agents are only enforcing when they know they are being watched......

This is hard to say, P P1 could bring an elderly relative with disability permit to join the priority queue and the system won't know that, and if that elderly relative is rejected and cannot scan this won't be a good look.

In your example, I would imagine the person requiring special assistance would be already known to staff, at the gate ahead of time and would be pre-boarded, just like any other passenger in a wheelchair/requiring assistance etc.
Whether they are travelling with a status passenger would be irrelevant.

Seen this happen plenty of times - they are boarded before the announcement and some times I've seen them be taken by staff from the lounge early.
Never seen any of these people boarding at any other time and hold up the whole plane (figuratively).

 

[Beano]

Are we assuming the scanners will be able to distinguish the flier's status?

 

[Ade]

I got a query re PB. Flying Y on A380 QF2. Do WPs get PB along with J/F/PE and also get board anytime at your convenience access?

Reason I ask - flew out on QF2 early this week and I don't think I heard their PB announcement. Not a biggie - was able to board as part of the boarding group/zone, fairly quickly.

 

[JessicaTam]

Are we assuming the scanners will be able to distinguish the flier's status?

The scanner would distinguish the group. The check in system will have already used class of service or status to determine the group.

 

[JessicaTam]

I got a query re PB. Flying Y on A380 QF2. Do WPs get PB along with J/F/PE and also get board anytime at your convenience access?

Reason I ask - flew out on QF2 early this week and I don't think I heard their PB announcement. Not a biggie - was able to board as part of the boarding group/zone, fairly quickly.

Yes. A higher boarding group can always board with a lower group if they come to the gate later.

Where a WP sits within the various class of service PBs will be up to the final rollout. But they will be at least group 2 if not 1.

 

[Daver6]

I imagine the way the system works is it just flags as incorrect, but can be overwritten by staff. Sort of like supermarket self serve where it errors and staff can say "yes we know, its correct" thus allow for staff discretion if needed.

But QF front-line staff aren't empowered to make such important decisions

 

[elanshin]

I got a query re PB. Flying Y on A380 QF2. Do WPs get PB along with J/F/PE and also get board anytime at your convenience access?

Reason I ask - flew out on QF2 early this week and I don't think I heard their PB announcement. Not a biggie - was able to board as part of the boarding group/zone, fairly quickly.

I believe currently with QF status boards together with the premium cabins.

This is not necessarily the case with other airlines where they will board F/J first then status holders and so forth.

 

[Prof Henry]

Mon MEL > OOL - arrived at the gate after boarding commence 2 lanes, shorter PB queue with both scanners running one for each lane. Saw my first instance of an economy pax puttying 2 big cases In business luggage bins, FA said nothing.

Sat OOL > MEL - was chaos, queue lined up out the gate blocking PB lane, had to push/ excuse myself forward until I could reach PB queue, by the time I reached the queue there were about 8 PB pax in front, then gate agent called for those needing assistance there were a few and were assisted 1 at a time, by one person whiles the other 2 gate agents appeared to be just hanging around, then travellers with infants, all good, but then they realised the automatic doors to the gate had closed and locked out half the plane, so had to get that fixed, once that opened, started the process all again, eventually business and status boarding called and went smoothly from there except we were about 30 mins behind. Apparently during this delay, no bags were loaded. So once the plane was fully boarded, captain announced we had missed our departure window and we still need to wait for our bags so would be delayed further, eventually pushed back Almost an hour later than expected, but made up 30 mins in the air.

On a positive note, priority baggage worked in both instances.

Saw my first instance of an economy pax puttying 2 big cases In business luggage bins, FA said nothing.

On a couple of occasions when I've been close enough, I've said very calmly and quietly "excuse me, I think you've left your bags behind." It worked and received warm thumbs-ups from adjacent pax. It happens not only in Business bins but in yhe very front of Y, where they cause further disruption holding up the disembarking pax while they retrieve their bags.
BTW: I've never seen a FA address this behaviour

 

[vbap]

I believe currently with QF status boards together with the premium cabins.

This is not necessarily the case with other airlines where they will board F/J first then status holders and so forth.

Boarding at qf10 in London on the weekend, assistance first, then J, then status (CL P1 WP) w Y+, then zones

 

[Franky]

I did that recently. Not a problem.

My wife has been WP for 20+ years, whilst I am a mere NB, and I have always been able to accompany her thru PB. As it should be she says, as I am only there for bag carrying duties….

 

[Beano]

The scanner would distinguish the group. The check in system will have already used class of service or status to determine the group.

Thanks