Qantas doesn't care about priority boarding

[Max Samuels]

A few times our upgrade to J hasn’t happened, we have asked in the lounge and been upgraded. In that case catering wasn’t assured and you wait until last. Also connecting from an International flight, have missed the original domestic and been put on the next one and catering wasn’t assured then either.

Another thing that annoys me.... how can you offer a product but not "assure" the catering? Which is a big part of the product? Oh wait - we are talking about a company that doesn't assure anything! But this also happens with last minute REVENUE tickets. Once I purchased a J ticket at the airport, 30 mins prior to departure... paid full $$ - and "CATERING NOT ASSURED" stamped all over the BP. Seriously? FFS just load all the meals all the time - the staff will eat them if pax don't.

 

[RichardMEL]

A few times our upgrade to J hasn’t happened, we have asked in the lounge and been upgraded. In that case catering wasn’t assured and you wait until last. Also connecting from an International flight, have missed the original domestic and been put on the next one and catering wasn’t assured then either.

True. I thought of the good old CNA after I posted.

Yes, late upgrades too... but from many sectors seems to me more often than not it's staff or pass travellers.

And I don't know if a P1 perk or not but when I've had last minute J upgrades I've never had CNA nor been passed over for meal choice.

 

[JonesBoys]

For me I usually go towards the gate when I get the notification on the app (usually 1-2 minutes before they call the flight) and tend to find the line isn't super long and I can get on with plenty of space to store my hand luggage - although not all the time...

As much as I would like QF to do PB like Virgin does I'm not holding my breath (have also mentioned it on several surveys!).

My only criticism of Virgin is their PB. Everyman and his dog seems to line up and get through.

 

[Max Samuels]

God it's a tough crowd today. Hopefully the improved PB will perk everyone up!

 

[Sabot]

I believe it when I see it. And it doesn't always work on International sectors, from recent experience on the trans-Tasmans, it gets messed up in around 2/3 of cases in AKL, SYD and MEL. Strangely, in Brissy it almost always works as it should.

The excessive exposure to sunlight caused by daylight savings time makes it difficult for the southerners to work out. We don't have this problem in Queensland.

 

[Danger]

We have indeed been in touch with Qantas about this, and I have some good news. Qantas has listened to the feedback and will introduce an enhanced premium boarding experience from next Monday. (Yes, Qantas really did use the word "enhance" to describe these changes!)

Details here: Qantas Vows to Fix Priority Boarding

Congratulations, AFF. If it indeed comes to fruition, it's a big win for the forum, I believe.

 

[jakeseven7]

I've always thought that there should be a DYKWIA queue.

It leads off into a closed aerobridge.

For the people who used to pay your salary you mean

 

[jakeseven7]

Well there you go - QF600 MEL this morning. Premium Boarding was called first, and the Flight Attendant at the gate checked and put Silver/Bronze peeps to the back of the standard lane. She said it fairly loudly to the first couple, so a whole heap of people scurried away. And there were smurks from the WPs

Sounds promising! Once its enforced people will soon learn and avoid the embarrassment of being turned back. Plus being sent to the back of the main line would significantly delay them as well. I have several sectors from the airports on their roll out list next week so will be at gate early to see what goes down....

 

[jakeseven7]

My only criticism of Virgin is their PB. Everyman and his dog seems to line up and get through.

I suspect VA's issue here is with the amount of Golds they may have (as opposed to Plat)

They are still trotting out broad double SC offers , they do Pilot gold and still do a bunch of corporate matching (although this was being pulled back based on recent experiences from friends). They also allow SC earning through FB etc.

 

[jase05]

I suspect VA's issue here is with the amount of Golds they may have (as opposed to Plat)

They are still trotting out broad double SC offers , they do Pilot gold and still do a bunch of corporate matching (although this was being pulled back based on recent experiences from friends). They also allow SC earning through FB etc.

I think you are on the money here. Family pooling is a huge factor IMO as it’s a lot easier to reach Gold with VA

 

[drron]

Well there are quite a few here that have not travelled with someone who has a Type A personality.
You arrive at the airport early.
You leave the lounge before the flight is called.
You line up at the gate.
You are well dressed and can be old.
Then when seated you give the evil eye to those last few entitled elites who have delayed the shutting of the door.

 

[justinbrett]

Next mission - stopping 737 Y pax using the J toilets.

 

[jb747]

Next mission - stopping 737 Y pax using the J toilets.

I thought that J passengers were sufficiently classy that they'd never actually need to use a toilet.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Hey I can relate, except the evil eye bit.

You arrive at the airport early. Especially when departure is 00.55
You leave the lounge before the flight is called. Mmm, because I already know the lounge.
You line up at the gate. Yeah, get there early, stand at the BP scanner and watch the line immediately form behind you
You are well dressed and can be old. Qualify for the latter definitely.
Then when seated you give the evil eye to those last few entitled elites who have delayed the shutting of the door. Hmmm. Last time I was one of those elites I had run the length of the bloody terminal with 'MR PINEAPPLE!!' playing on the PA the whole way (late incoming flight). The FAs understood, even if the evil eyes didn't.

Unfortunately too many early gate people last week when I left before flight MEL-BNE was called in the lounge (which was waaaay too crowded anyway). Enormous priority queue, went for queue ordinaire which was half as long. No brainer really.

So vaguely hopeful about PB Mk II, although the QF promises look very like those made before PB Mk I.

cheers skip

 

[Quickstatus]

OMG! I’ll be watching this with great interest. There is a small implementation cost ie staff training comms which will probably be combined with other material, but indeed all equipment needed is already there.

The priority lane needs to be mercilessly enforced from first to last passenger for this to work and interlopers to learn not to try it on. Whether a premium pax wants to board first, ‘at their leisure’ or indeed come last from the lounge, the lane must be reserved exclusively for them at all times - none of this FAs calling general pax over and thus instantly filling both lanes.

Disagree

Dont need to train anyone.
Just separate the boarding groups according to Group number

Group 1 = disabled
Group 2 = parents and small children
Group 3 = special people like certain VIPs
Group 4 = J, WP1, CL
Group 5 = WP
Group 6 = The great unwashed

Just announce boarding by group number printed on the boarding pass.

This wont be supported by the "elites" some of whom want everyone else to know the are important and how far up the totem pole they are.

If group 1 is late board with group number that is currently being boarded.

 

[DC3]

Disagree

Dont need to train anyone.
Just separate the boarding groups according to Group number

Group 1 = disabled .....

Note to self. Must walk with a limp to fool the FAs.

 

[Quickstatus]

Note to self. Must walk with a limp to fool the FAs.

Why?. The airports have those "miracle" wheelchairs. They miraculously never fail to cure a disability

 

[Quickstatus]

Mrs Quickstatus calls them the Hallelujah Wheelchairs

 

[drron]

I thought that J passengers were sufficiently classy that they'd never actually need to use a toilet.

Yes the thing I forgot about travelling with a Type A person-you visit the facilities just before you leave the lounge.Can't remember the last time I had to use an onboard toilet on a domestic flight.

 

[RichardMEL]

I am all for boarding groups of sorts sort. It also relies on people behaving as expected which can be variable.

Really though if QF is promising to at least board J and elites first (remember disabled and families with small kids and those who need extra tume are usually a pre board anyway) then that works just fine as having groups 1 - x.

I quite like how UA refined their system. They have two lanes at most gates. Group 1 and Group 2 - and after pre-boards (which seems to be an ever increasing list these days - my last flight it was something like disabled, people needing extra time, families with kids under 2 or 3 whatever, uniformed military and finally uber top tier Global Services, which is kinda like CL, THEN group 1). And what they do is when group 1 empties and they call group 2, then group 3 etc can line up in the group 2 lane and basically go from there.

Regarding disabilities - you don't even need wheelchairs or a limp. I mean these days disabilities can have a wide definition (and sometimes I do wonder a bit, but I don't really worry about it).

I have a friend who has poor eyesight (well worse than me) and she ALWAYS goes first with the disabled and they take her to her seat and put her bag up in the overhead for her (this is in the US) and she loves it - but for her it's fair enoigh - she just can't see the row numbers and so on when on the plane so honestly that is fair enough. Me.. I don't go that route - I am fine in that regard.. but it is interesting the defiinition of a disability for pre-board - I mean if one is deaf, for example, does that qualify? I don't know.