Qantas extends priority boarding to SG frequent flyers

[medhead]

You better get *G if you fly Y otherwise you are going to miss the best J lounge in the world.

whoops. Just realised my mistake. That is IST. My TK flight is from BRU to IST. Departing IST with EY so will miss the best J lounge in the world anyway.

 

[basso]

What I really dislike about PB on QF is that the PB lane and the 'normal' lane are running concurrently. So, if you're near the front of the normal lane, you'll get on before a status person further back in the PB lane. That doesn't make sense to me. Having a PB lane should mean getting on before anyone in the normal lane. That's what VA do at the start of boarding and that's why it works so well. If you come to the gate late, then you can go through the PB lane and bypass the queue in the normal lane. That's what PB is all about.

If there is one thing this forum abhors, it is inconsistency. Qantas have designed PB to be consistent with how a Priority Check-in lane works, and how the Priority Security lane works. To do anything else would have been inconsistent. !!!!

 

[samh004]

Here is an example of PB as it done in IST:
For QF Domestic flights it should be:
A. Business Class
B. P1/CL
C. WP
D. SG
Problem solved.

While I like the solution, it would take too much space to separate people into more than 2 lines at the gate. Besides, as soon as your BP is scanned, unless you were hanging around the gate when it opened you'll be stuck in the bridge, and then in an aisle, and then you may have out your bag above row 2 (because there's no storage above row 1) and be blocked from getting back to your seat, etc...

I get that there's a privilege here, a benefit, and not being able to use it feels like QF has let you down... but you ultimately spend about the same amount of time.

These days when it works I spend forever sitting in my seat watching people go by and stare at me, either thinking "how did he get the front row of economy" or "he doesn't look like a businessman" (in row 1)... so it's not like I particularly enjoy that!

If there is one thing this forum abhors, it is inconsistency. Qantas have designed PB to be consistent with how a Priority Check-in lane works, and how the Priority Security lane works. To do anything else would have been inconsistent. !!!!

Can SG use priority security? Hadn't noticed

 

[TomVexille]

Can SG use priority security? Hadn't noticed

Yes they can

 

[Danger]

I'm going to don the flame suit here but what's the big deal with PB anyway ? To get to sit down for even longer than an eternity ? If the main reason is to ensure you get adequate access to the storage bins then I think that's a whole different problem (or maybe 2 problems). The airlines should police the kitchen sink brigade and I think that's starting to happen and they should also police the Y pax dropping their carryon in the J bins as they move down the cabin. Apart from that is it such a big problem standing in line for a little while and then you'll get in line in the air bridge anyway. I think it's a perception thing, I'm more important than you cos I fly a lot so stand aside. Otherwise, why would the airlines make such a big deal of the benefit.

As medhead has noted, there are more realistic reasons. For me, it's about getting into my seat and either firing up the IFE (when the CSM bothers to turn it on) or throwing on my eye mask and getting some shut eye.

Very good point. Unless, it is a larger aircraft where the air bridge splits in two, PB is rather pointless unless you are first there, but then it wouldn't matter which queue you were in!!

I disagree. The priority boarding lane in theory means you'll be queuing up on the airbridge ahead of a number of other passengers.

Here is an example of PB as it done in IST:

For QF Domestic flights it should be:
A. Business Class
B. P1/CL
C. WP
D. SG
Problem solved.

I'm not a huge fan of the TK process. As AA shows, it doesn't need to be like this to be done properly. And as samh004 points out, there simply isn't the space for it, at least domestically.

 

[boomy]

While I like the solution, it would take too much space to separate people into more than 2 lines at the gate.

I wanted to show an example of PB done properly. Space can be managed and I'm sure there are other examples of effective PB systems, QF just need to find one that works.

Besides, as soon as your BP is scanned, unless you were hanging around the gate when it opened you'll be stuck in the bridge, and then in an aisle

If you want to enjoy the benefit of PB then it's best to be at the gate when boarding starts. The TK system lets A line to board first, then B line etc. effectively preventing the second queue up on the aerobridge, while the QF system lets PB board together with GB at the same time.

 

[RichardMEL]

That picture from IST is very WN-like, except that it just uber hilights anyone there with status (as opposed to grabbing the last drink in the lounge ) folks that go in that lane, so it stands out in a way, and is a big space user.

With a group boarding system like on AA or some others, then the priority is enforced that way 9or at least attempted) and the lounge lizards won't be there anyway.

In general the QF system, domestic anyway, works well enough with most a/c being 73H these days. It's better than a few years back when it would be just "boarding now" free for all.

side comment re "priority" security lanes. I've lost count of the number of times at MEL, during weekdays, I've been at MEL and there's been nobody manning the priority lane so just anyone wanders in there and you wouldn't know if they were supposed to be there or not.... well untl they prove their lack of security experience by taking forever to sort their stuff out.. and then forgetting the keys in their pocket.... (you all know what I mean!)

Anyway some days a general line has been faster so....

 

[YSSY]

Do you suppose in Perth that if you decide to use the non priority lane because it's shorter that they will send you back to the priority lane and make you wait if they discover you have status.

Seriously, the people they are alienating aren't the frequent flyers, but the business class passengers in my opinion.

 

[bismarck]

Do you suppose in Perth that if you decide to use the non priority lane because it's shorter that they will send you back to the priority lane and make you wait if they discover you have status.

Seriously, the people they are alienating aren't the frequent flyers, but the business class passengers in my opinion.

Used PB at Perth today (as a SG). It was quick and efficient and great to get on and settled quickly.

 

[AWSH]

I have finally returned to SG after a year in the wilderness. PB is great but the aerobridge queue does make it a bit of a let down. So is it possible we have things the wrong way around? Wouldn't it be easier to start with a general boarding call for the REAR half or two-thirds of the aircraft? That way status pax (who sit in the front) would be invited to board once there was less of a queue and would make the most of lounge time.

This already happens if you are CL, as you board at the last minute when the lounge attendant comes up to you and invites you to board.

As a WP in the past, I would deliberately wait (particularly in CBR) in the J lounge so I had less time in the queue and on the aircraft, unless flying J or with a roller bag. But I acknowledge CBR is a unique case as everything is so close.

You could still allow premium pax to board at their leisure, but maybe have 2 boarding announcements - one at the gate, and one in the lounges for status pax. The queue would also be more efficient because the whole length of the aircraft aisle(s) would be being used, instead of the inefficient scattergun manner things happen in now.

I acknowledge this isn't perfect and would require carry-on size enforcement as well as making sure people don't use bins in the front half of the aircraft. I noticed yesterday at MEL for my flight to CBR that 2nd smaller carry on items were being tagged at the gate so they would be stored under the seat in front, which is a start.

As an aside, I really hated my US flying experience, particularly all the boarding groups. Even status pax would be standing in the lanes for well over half an hour, sacrificing quality lounge time, just to fight for OH bin space. So stressful, I just started checking in my small roller bag instead.

 

[cmon0005]

I think everyone is reading into this too much (though I can't blame them due to some of the surprise changes QF have made over the last year).

I genuinely think this is just more about matching competitors and with a large % of domestic flights now only flying 737's hence less J seats I think they had some room to move to add SG to PB.

 

[BD1959]

I have finally returned to SG after a year in the wilderness. PB is great but the aerobridge queue does make it a bit of a let down. So is it possible we have things the wrong way around? Wouldn't it be easier to start with a general boarding call for the REAR half or two-thirds of the aircraft? That way status pax (who sit in the front) would be invited to board once there was less of a queue and would make the most of lounge time.

This already happens if you are CL, as you board at the last minute when the lounge attendant comes up to you and invites you to board.

As a WP in the past, I would deliberately wait (particularly in CBR) in the J lounge so I had less time in the queue and on the aircraft, unless flying J or with a roller bag. But I acknowledge CBR is a unique case as everything is so close.

You could still allow premium pax to board at their leisure, but maybe have 2 boarding announcements - one at the gate, and one in the lounges for status pax. The queue would also be more efficient because the whole length of the aircraft aisle(s) would be being used, instead of the inefficient scattergun manner things happen in now.

I acknowledge this isn't perfect and would require carry-on size enforcement as well as making sure people don't use bins in the front half of the aircraft. I noticed yesterday at MEL for my flight to CBR that 2nd smaller carry on items were being tagged at the gate so they would be stored under the seat in front, which is a start.

As an aside, I really hated my US flying experience, particularly all the boarding groups. Even status pax would be standing in the lanes for well over half an hour, sacrificing quality lounge time, just to fight for OH bin space. So stressful, I just started checking in my small roller bag instead.

1. If the FAs don't police the PB queue now, why would they suddenly start correctly policing a GB call for Rows 15-30?

2. Not all WPs prefer the front of the plane; my preference is Rows 13-14, so when 3/4 of the plane has boarded in front of me, I then queue in the aisle instead of the air bridge? ...Some PB!!

Regards,

BD

 

[BD1959]

I think everyone is reading into this too much (though I can't blame them due to some of the surprise changes QF have made over the last year).

I genuinely think this is just more about matching competitors and with a large % of domestic flights now only flying 737's hence less J seats I think they had some room to move to add SG to PB.

Possibly correct if your usual flying was mostly 767s, but what about those of us whose usual metal is 737...no averaging out, just more bodies on the PB side.

*If* QF have done this to match the competitor - why only half-baked? "The competitor" boards the PB lane (of J, WP and SGs) first, then allows GB. Now that *would* be an enhancement!!

Regards,

BD

 

[medhead]

Exactly. Qantas start boarding the PB and GB lane a the same time. Most of the time that starts by passengers just walking up to the FA doing the scanning before any announcement is made.

 

[BD1959]

Exactly. Qantas start boarding the PB and GB lane a the same time. Most of the time that starts by passengers just walking up to the FA doing the scanning before any announcement is made.

Or, as happened to me on Monday's 675, one FA stood at the PB scanner, PB in front of me walks forward, scanned. I'm following behind, first GB wanders forward at the same time as the first PB and the FA waves the GB in front of me.

How impressed am I? OK, tones of DYKWIA but if QF insist they enact PB then "where the bloody hell are ya, QF?"

Regards,

BD

 

[medhead]

Clearly they just don't get the point, and I fully acknowledge they just want to get the plane loaded and away. But PB doesn't have to slow down loading the aircraft. As so many have already stated the delay is on the aerobridge anyway.

Much the same way VA crew don't get the point of recognising status pax during the flight.

 

[BD1959]

Much the same way VA crew don't get the point of recognising status pax during the flight.

There's been an awful lot of VA crew subbing for QF of late then!!

Regards,

BD

 

[Moody]

Or, as happened to me on Monday's 675, one FA stood at the PB scanner, PB in front of me walks forward, scanned. I'm following behind, first GB wanders forward at the same time as the first PB and the FA waves the GB in front of me.

How impressed am I? OK, tones of DYKWIA but if QF insist they enact PB then "where the bloody hell are ya, QF?"

Regards,

BD

I think you could have :-

1. Called the FA a commie.
2. When you were being scanned after the usurper, drop a sarcastic comment. E.g. - "Sorry - am I in the wrong line?"
3. Chill out, as in my experience the PB FA only motions the GB pax across when there is no-one in the PB queue.

I think Option 3 (which you chose) was the best one, but if it happens again then go for #2 or change your deoderant.

 

[medhead]

There's been an awful lot of VA crew subbing for QF of late then!!

Regards,

BD

It is only a real little thing. But Qantas crew will generally do service with a personal touch that is missing for other passengers. Mr XYZ....

I find VA crew lack that, and just ask everyone "Is there anything you'd like to purchase from the menu". no names involved.

as in my experience the PB FA only motions the GB pax across when there is no-one in the PB queue.

We all have different experiences.

 

[BD1959]

I think you could have :-

1. Called the FA a commie.
2. When you were being scanned after the usurper, drop a sarcastic comment. E.g. - "Sorry - am I in the wrong line?"
3. Chill out, as in my experience the PB FA only motions the GB pax across when there is no-one in the PB queue.

I think Option 3 (which you chose) was the best one, but if it happens again then go for #2 or change your deoderant.

... What's deodorant?

Regards,

BD