Qantas to Introduce Group Boarding and Bag Tracking

[Beano]

Same old! It will work just like the current system if it is not managed well.

 

[JessicaTam]

Well I would say that was a solid ‘pass’.

Before boarding the gate agent explained the group system over the PA. When boarding started group 1 was called and another explanation was given. I thought it was a fail as there were so many queuing for group one, including in the economy queue and no one getting sent away. But more on that soon

Group 2 was then called. So even more people being scanned in both queues. After a while I spotted some people being told they were not in the current boarding group and to go and wait till their group was called. I thought the GAs were just being observant, but no! The system rejected anyone not in the current (or preceding) boarding group.

Quite a few people were sent back including a woman with a toddler. The GA asked a colleague if she should override the rejection but was told ‘no’ as the time for pax requiring assistance was only at the beginning of boarding.

One staff member was in civvies and was watching the flight hole process from next to the gate. She spoke to one person who did the walk of shame to find out what group he was in and what o discuss the process. He was a bit annoyed as he didn’t know about the trial and was used to just walking up to the gate (in the priority queue mind you! ). The staff member asked if he had heard any PA announcements and he said there wasn’t one. *sigh*

I took the time to talk to the staff member about the trial and feedback received. She said that the boarding process seemed to be smoother, and a bit quicker on board too. She also commented that people are hanging back a bit more and not clogging the gate aisles up. I told her I liked the auto reject system and good that it could be overridden if need be. She did say “it helped stop WPs walking on with five friends”. It also encouraged pax to either travel on the one booking or ask the service desk to link them. Mind you, I think the latter is unlikely to happen!

Again, that’s a ‘Pass’ from me. Well done QF. Now just keep up the process.

 

[Beano]

Well I would say that was a solid ‘pass’.

Before boarding the gate agent explained the group system over the PA. When boarding started group 1 was called and another explanation was given. I thought it was a fail as there were so many queuing for group one, including in the economy queue and no one getting sent away. But more on that soon

Group 2 was then called. So even more people being scanned in both queues. After a while I spotted some people being told they were not in the current boarding group and to go and wait till their group was called. I thought the GAs were just being observant, but no! The system rejected anyone not in the current (or preceding) boarding group.

Quite a few people were sent back including a woman with a toddler. The GA asked a colleague if she should override the rejection but was told ‘no’ as the time for pax requiring assistance was only at the beginning of boarding.

One staff member was in civvies and was watching the flight hole process from next to the gate. She spoke to one person who did the walk of shame to find out what group he was in and what o discuss the process. He was a bit annoyed as he didn’t know about the trial and was used to just walking up to the gate (in the priority queue mind you! ). The staff member asked if he had heard any PA announcements and he said there wasn’t one. *sigh*

I took the time to talk to the staff member about the trial and feedback received. She said that the boarding process seemed to be smoother, and a bit quicker on board too. She also commented that people are hanging back a bit more and not clogging the gate aisles up. I told her I liked the auto reject system and good that it could be overridden if need be. She did say “it helped stop WPs walking on with five friends”. It also encouraged pax to either travel on the one booking or ask the service desk to link them. Mind you, I think the latter is unlikely to happen!

Again, that’s a ‘Pass’ from me. Well done QF. Now just keep up the process.

Sorry, thanks for the excellent post. Full of useful information. I'm travelling again in three weeks but just East Coast and SA so will see what happens.

 

[Kangol]

The auto reject system is quite possibly one of the best changes that Qantas has implented in the AJ era.
A lot of you were probably thinking that

 

[JessicaTam]

To add: I just spoke with the CSM and he had quite a few angry pax. SGs (who were not in group 1) previously used to boarding first. When asked why they weren’t in group 1 too, the CSM told them “because you are not WP!”

Hopefully it won’t take long for the frequent flyers to get the idea.

Incidentally my J seat mate is WP and wasn’t even aware of the trial as he still was able to board first.

 

[PERLHR]

Can we just be reminded what the criteria is for Group 1 as 2 for boarding? Then from Group 3 onward?

 

[dairyfloss]

To add: I just spoke with the CSM and he had quite a few angry pax. SGs (who were not in group 1) previously used to boarding first. When asked why they weren’t in group 1 too, the CSM told them “because you are not WP!”

Hopefully it won’t take long for the frequent flyers to get the idea.

Incidentally my J seat mate is WP and wasn’t even aware of the trial as he still was able to board first.

Love this! Just don't tell my SG wife...

 

[Kangol]

While I agree it's well enforced, it's hardly an efficient system. I'm amazed at how long it takes to get everyone on-board a AA 737.

The obesity and chronic health issues would be the first reason to come to mind.

 

[JessicaTam]

I think 1 is J and WP+
Group 2 SG.

Oh, my flight has 60 WP and 2 P1s on it.

 

[Beano]

I think 1 is J and WP+
Group 2 SG.

Oh, my flight has 60 WP and 2 P1s on it.

As a WP, on Trans Tasman flights, once seated, I often get a personal welcome from the chief CA. On domestic Australian flights--nada, just a "welcome back" as I board. Says it all.

 

[kpro]

Can we just be reminded what the criteria is for Group 1 as 2 for boarding? Then from Group 3 onward?

Priority Boarding - Business class passengers, Chairman’s Lounge, Platinum, Platinum One and oneworld Emerald
Group 1 - Gold and oneworld Sapphire
Groups 2A and 2B - Back half of the economy cabin
Groups 3A and 3B - Front half of the economy cabin

 

[justinbrett]

Priority Boarding - Business class passengers, Chairman’s Lounge, Platinum, Platinum One and oneworld Emerald
Group 1 - Gold and oneworld Sapphire
Groups 2A and 2B - Back half of the economy cabin
Groups 3A and 3B - Front half of the economy cabin

It's 1-6 now

 

[muppet]

<snip> I told her I liked the auto reject system and good that it could be overridden if need be. She did say “it helped stop WPs walking on with five friends”. It also encouraged pax to either travel on the one booking or ask the service desk to link them. Mind you, I think the latter is unlikely to happen!
</snip>

Interesting, so your travel companions will take on your group when on the one booking?

I think that’s kind of better than the old system where my boarding pass would say WP and theirs NB, now they will have Group 1. Much simpler.

 

[PERLHR]

It's 1-6 now

Yes that's what I thought...it so needs to be well monitored. Sounds like we are even confused on how it works so heaven knows what the 4 times a year flyer thinks!

 

[Beano]

I look forward to other traveller's experience of this system.

 

[Lynda2475]

Presumeably now:

Group 1 - Business class passengers, Chairman’s Lounge, Platinum, Platinum One and oneworld Emerald
Group 2 - Gold and oneworld Sapphire
Groups 3 and 4 - Back half of the economy cabin
Groups 5 and 6 - Front half of the economy cabin

 

[JohnM]

They do need a bigger ‘Group’ indicator. Perhaps under the flight number.

View attachment 342183

Same old QF - graphics work experience kids making signage too small or in too spindly a typeface. Remember the original black and red gate signs that could only be read by standing close and concentrating hard?

IMO, the Group typeface needs to be at least the same weight and point size as the '0830' boarding time, and probably boxed.

QF just never seems to be able to get things right at first attempt... There's always a later repair job.

Other cases in point: Skybed Mk1 vs Mk2; fixed divider between middle seats in A330 J, but movable on B787.

 

[Beano]

Looks like it's only from BNE at the moment. I am hoping to be there late September so will see how it goes.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds promising. Both passengers and staff will have to get used to this new arrangement over time.

 

[Lynda2475]

Few would have a printed boarding pass as they are near impossible to get on domestic legs these days, what does it look like on the mobile boarding pass? Any clearer?