Qantas priority boarding - crippled by Communists?

[juddles]

On a recent VA flight, I was talking to a FA and they said that any delays can cost the airline financially (through fines). So, maybe you claim is correct - get everyone on board and depart on time so as not to get a penalty/fine. If that means sacrificing PB to avoid a fine, then so be it....

Maybe someone else could shed some light on this?

But oneworldplus2, if this was the issue, the occurrence would not have occurred. As per my opening post, the non-PB staff member refused to let through PB flyers, even though no-one was ready in the non-PB queue. Even though a small amount, the staff's actions INCREASED boarding time.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Old mate could have just had a bad day. If l were in that (your) situation, l would have said something or at least got his name. If you were shy about saying something at the time, maybe after arriving you tell the CSM.

 

[Ewing]

Whenever I've flown VA they only seem to have a handful of elites to pre-board anyway.

I remember one VA flight where I was the only one eligible for priority boarding.

Worked so well that while I was getting comfortable the CSM (who hadn't received the manifest at that point) came and asked me if anyone else was getting on (they apparently waited for a bit before starting general boarding)

 

[dk4]

Whenever I've flown VA they only seem to have a handful of elites to pre-board anyway.

IME it depends on the route and the time of the day. I have seen some pretty long purple queues waiting for boarding to commence. When this happens (as posted upthread) at the start of boarding - I have seen both GAs call forward passengers only from the purple queue until it is depleted, and hold back the red carpet queue until ALL queuing purple lane passengers are processed, before both GAs then start processing red carpet passengers.

This then leaves the purple boarding lane empty, allowing late arriving premium passengers to walk down it directly to the GA positioned there, that GA will then stop calling forward from the red carpet while they process anyone in the purple lane. However, the red carpet lane GA will continue to process passengers in the their lane once they have started, and generally not return to processing purple lane passengers for the rest of boarding.

IME the flow and volume of passengers through the scanners is not effected by this system when compared to QF's dual priority/non-priority simultaneous boarding process (nor their 30 minute turn around), it just means all queuing priority passengers get scanned through first, using both scanners (at the commencement of boarding). And then any priority passengers arriving once general boarding has begun, can skip to the front of the red carpet queue by using the purple lane.

IMO Virgin's domestic boarding system is vastly superior to QF, as it takes into account various premium customer boarding behaviours, e.g. those wanting to; 1) queue to be first onboard, 2) head to the front of the queue during general boarding, and 3) last to board.

 

[opusman]

I don’t understand why an effective priority boarding system would make boarding take longer. It’s still single-file down the airbridge, it’s still single file down the aisle while people scrabble around putting their bags away. All you’re changing is the order in which people enter the single file system.

 

[hmmm]

I agree.....

It’s not priority boarding, it’s priority boarding pass scanning.

Qantas is the WORST at this but what makes me frustrated is that they see no problem with not providing a published and advertised benefit. They’ve also become far more militant in that if you dare speak up about your unhappiness and dissatisfaction, you get denied boarding and then banned for a few months!

It’s absurd.

I have been a QF FF since 2002 and within a few months went from bronze to gold, where I comfortably stayed for 10 or so years until I became platinum for the next 6 years. In my last ‘year’ I accrued ZERO status credits with Qantas because I simply can’t be bothered tolerating their dismissive and indifferent attitude to their ‘most valued customers’

I don’t understand why an effective priority boarding system would make boarding take longer. It’s still single-file down the airbridge, it’s still single file down the aisle while people scrabble around putting their bags away. All you’re changing is the order in which people enter the single file system.

ree.

 

[Sojourner]

QF could easily just copy VA's very effective PB system... no idea why they haven't after all these years.

Next time some coughpy staffer pulls this stunt, make a point to acknowledge their decision by name. e.g. If denied boarding in a non-priority boarding lane, I would suggest saying in a polite but firm manner, "Okay, Mr John Smith" then immediately whip out your phone as you walk away. (i.e. I know your name and you can spend the rest of the day squirming while wondering if I'm going to lodge a complaint about you). Don't explicitly threaten (they could make things difficult for you if you do), but just show them you know their name and may have just written it down.

 

[eastwest101]

But oneworldplus2, if this was the issue, the occurrence would not have occurred. As per my opening post, the non-PB staff member refused to let through PB flyers, even though no-one was ready in the non-PB queue. Even though a small amount, the staff's actions INCREASED boarding time.

Hi juddles - have you heard anything further back from QF yet?

 

[juddles]

Hi juddles - have you heard anything further back from QF yet?

As I posted, I flicked a complaint thru to P1 team to forward to whoever deals with such, but still no answer. I will provide this. But I sense nothing will come. Pretty poor reflection if that is the case - a complaint requiring no cash resolution from a premium flyer! Let's see

 

[GoldCanyon340]

... Pretty poor reflection if that is the case - a complaint requiring no cash resolution from a premium flyer! Let's see

There's your answer .... ask for a fare refund

 

[Sdtravel]

I must say that while i have given up on PB working on domestic on a few recent international trips im not sure its working their either.
Just last week on the way to SFO their were 2 lines. When boarding started they just started loading the line. A gate agent was going through just announcing that the left was for J pax, there was no checking just an informational announcement. When someone questioned about Y+ they confirmed yes J, Y+, WP, SG, OWE & OWS. But boarding wasnt separated at all. All these pax were just boarded in any order.

On the return yesterday. The line just formed. At some point someone decided that since the list wrapped around some chairs that a second line could be formed at this junction point. Although im my opinion it was more like queue jumping as the line had moved on from that point when this happened. When boarding started it was just priority on the left and preboarding for those needing extra time on the right followed by a guy with a sign indicating the back rows of Y. The PB line had one agent checking passports before people proceeded to be scanned and boarded. This looked like more of an ID check than a check of if they should be in the line. The guy behind me kept making comments how it was a shambles and that pax should be checked and turned out.

These were trips on 747's Perhaps im used to A380's where it is broken up a little more.
My preference would be to at least try a little harder or separate boarding more. My flight out was running late so i guess it was a case of get everyone one fast. But the flight back i think we were all boarded ahead of time and the door was closed right on time.

 

[drron]

Another unusual boarding in BNE today.Even after the unacomoanied kids and wheelchair pax had been boarded no one else was lining up in either lane.An elderly couple were lurking near the PB line,walked around everyone to be near the front.Doubt they were entitled to PB as their BPs showed row 21.On boarding being called everyone made for the PB line.I followed 2 others into the Y line and we all boarded before anyone in the PB line as the couple had a problem with their BPs.I think they had dropped one in their rush to be first.

 

[TomVexille]

Another unusual boarding in BNE today.Even after the unacomoanied kids and wheelchair pax had been boarded no one else was lining up in either lane.An elderly couple were lurking near the PB line,walked around everyone to be near the front.Doubt they were entitled to PB as their BPs showed row 21.On boarding being called everyone made for the PB line.I followed 2 others into the Y line and we all boarded before anyone in the PB line as the couple had a problem with their BPs.I think they had dropped one in their rush to be first.

Sounds like the couple in front of us on our recent SYD-MEL flight, rushed to be at the front of the priority queue but row 24 and no status on the BP. But then again, they were from the entitlement generation...

 

[kermatu]

the couple had a problem with their BPs.I think they had dropped one in their rush to be first.

Way OT but bizarrely three times in the past 6 weeks I have intervened at security to tell or call out to pax in front of me they have dropped their BPs on the floor and have proceeded through the scanners (or were about to). Has happened before, but never so frequently. And I actually haven't been travelling as much as usual.

One was at MEL international. I imagine it would be pretty painful not having your BP and only realising at the gate.

 

[ICUDr]

As a mostly VA customer, it beggars belief why QF customers put up with this type of thing. It must be that LTG is considered very, very, very valuable, and worth the abuse.

I was thinking about this today on my 6am BNE-NTL.

Its the Business lounge and stable alliance (1W) that keeps me going as I'll likely never obtain LTG

Overall VA has provided me with better customer service (I'm WP with both QF/VA) I did have an issue with a FA on a VA flight were she demanded me to remove my noise cancelling headphones for landing .. I know how stupid .. but I was post night shift, tired and grumpy .. so I took them off and put them back on 2 minutes later when she had sat down for landing.

That was a stupid and inappropriate use of power by the gate agent. Appropriately managed by Juddles.
We all know that sometimes things escalate rather quickly at "the Terminal"

 

[blackcat20]

Sounds like the couple in front of us on our recent SYD-MEL flight, rushed to be at the front of the priority queue but row 24 and no status on the BP. But then again, they were from the entitlement generation...

Or the ones that shuffled in front of me when I was hovering near the J line at HKG...joke was on them though, we got to board from the F/WP lane

 

[strongarmAU]

travelled a few times last week and confirm it still doesn't work in Sydney, Melbourne or Hobart.
Just use the shortest queue, which is usually the economy one. Would be good if it worked, it doesn't for Qantas domestic for a variety of reasons it seems.

 

[Denali]

....I did have an issue with a FA on a VA flight were she demanded me to remove my noise cancelling headphones for landing ......

Ive had SQ FAs ask us to remove NC headphones because we wont be able to hear instructions clearly in the event of an accident and when I thought about it, shes right. They do block out a lost of verbal noise.

Annoys hubby because hes usually already into a movie before takeoff but he complies.

 

[eminere]

Ive had SQ FAs ask us to remove NC headphones because we wont be able to hear instructions clearly in the event of an accident and when I thought about it, shes right. They do block out a lost of verbal noise.

I think that's why AC provides those crummy earphones while on the ground and only distributes the noise-cancelling headphones after takeoff? And then they collect them before landing.

 

[Toad]

I think that's why AC provides those crummy earphones while on the ground and only distributes the noise-cancelling headphones after takeoff? And then they collect them before landing.

QF: Headsets not connected through the aircrafts inflight entertainment system, including those with noise cancelling ability, can only be used from after take-off until the cabin is prepared for arrival.