QF enforcing 3 hour checkin time limit at MEL?

[Rangalad]

I have used both the TAA and Ansett check in bus in the seventies. They each had their own very separate buses and depots in Franklin St.

Don’t think Qantas had the facility though. But I do remember once using the TAA’s bus from Brisbane to catch a Qantas flight to New Zealand instead of a taxi in 1972.

I seem to recall that BEA and later BA had such a facility in Kensington for LHR flights in the sixties and seventies.

At the time I just took it for granted that that was how you got to the airport for domestic flights.

IIRC - Qantas had downtown check-in facilities at the Hyatt on Collins Melbourne (now Grand Hyatt Melbourne) , and the Regent Sydney (now Four Seasons).

 

[Rangalad]

Any recent experiences?

I've been knocked back a few times this year at the MEL QFi F-class check-in area when I had bags to check. Even 5 minutes early resulted in a "sorry - we can't - MEL airport only allows bags to be checked-in 3 hours prior to your flight".

But over on AUSBT it seems others have had better luck?

Also been knocked back 4 hours prior. Told to come back in an hour.

 

[HS-TQE]

Hadn't experienced this yet, but a question I'd ask is that a MEL-enforced decision? (or QF's MEL base). Okay checking back, seems to be MEL enforced decision. Much like their priorities in upgrades (e.g shops rather than gate/parking space).

 

[Beano]

3 hour check-in used to be the norm in Sydney, especially with checked-in luggage. I was once allowed to check in, reluctantly, before the 3 hours. The staff member said it was something to do with baggage handlers. PS Check in at Wellington opens at 1:30 pm for a 3:55 pm flight, so 2 hrs at best in the lounge, but international does not open until 2 pm, so down to 1hr 30 minutes.

 

[Booter]

After reading your story about the Melbourne airport check in time,
I want to point out, Gold Coast Airport has a very big problem which is also preventing "Early" check in.

As repeated to me by a Gold Coast airport employee, the OOL baggage holding room isn't capable of handling all the additional flights that the airport keeps accepting.

As a result, Qantas refuses to accept checked lugguge until two hours prior to departure. and the check in agents are very rude and obnoxious about this. I was a business traveller (Platinum) and I was treated with such rudeness by the check in agent. A second Qantas agent stuck his nose in and remarked "Why are you here so early? - Don't come early... go walk around until it's time to check in - now go away as we have other passengers to check in".

This is something that passengers should be advised about - but we are not. We, the passenger, try to do the right thing and follow the requests by airlines to arrive early... only to be told, you're early, go away!! It's even more frustrating at OOL, as a regional airport, families, backpackers and various other travellers from other remote locations have no choice but to arrive early at Gold Coast airport, as they travel from rural and regional centres to the Gold Coast for their air travel needs. To comply with airline requirements, The ground transportation can arrive several hours early.

As a result of this encounter, we now try to avoid Gold Coast airport where possible and travel to Brisbane for our travel needs. If the airport won't upgrade its facilities, then it has no business accepting more carriers.

What they didn't realise, is that I'm a radio broadcaster and journalist. So I reported this incident on my radio show. In October 218, I lodged a complaint with Qantas, as well as Gold Coast airport - but I did not get a response from iether. As I said during my radio broadcast, Looks like they just stick their heads in the sand, while passengers are the ones who suffer.

 

[p--and--t]

For Melbourne, its definitely an airport operator rule, not QF.

I have been denied check-in by Emirates, Cathay and others if arrival >3hr

 

[Beano]

Heathrow also

 

[Austman]

Qantas does advise the 2 hour check-in limit at Gold Coast:

Gold Coast airport guide | Qantas

Find out the parking options, transport connections, lounge facilities and more at Gold Coast airport.

www.qantas.com

IMO, airport information on the Qantas website is better than most airlines.

 

[kpc]

Heathrow also

4 hours...In Nov, I had to wait 30 mins to checkin for Qf2

 

[Beano]

Sorry, A while since I was there. Ever since avoided Heathrow. I remember I had to wait. There were no staff at the First Class check in until ready.

 

[p--and--t]

Also Athens airport.


My connecting flight arrived 6 hours before my next (different alliance).
Was not allowed to check-in
The only lounge I had access to was behind security
All of the limited chairs were taken.
Had to sit on airport floor with my luggage for 3 hours.

 

[Kangol]

Since when is all day check in (luggage) considered the norm these days? Correct answer: it is not.
Given that people choose to come to the airport early, the inconvenience is a consequence of making that choice.
People are expecting too much which is not in line with reality.
The simplest solution is to buy your own plane, fly it when you want and not take public transport.

 

[BD1959]

Since when is all day check in (luggage) considered the norm these days? Correct answer: it is not.
Given that people choose to come to the airport early, the inconvenience is a consequence of making that choice.
People are expecting too much which is not in line with reality.
The simplest solution is to buy your own plane, fly it when you want and not take public transport.

Case in point: 5 hr transit at DFW arriving off BA and on to QF. DFW is one delight to transit in the US in that with the BA/QF arrangement bags do not need to be retrieved/re-checked. However, on this occasion BA at LHR could not issue my onward BPs (I've previously had similar issues transiting the other way: QF->BA at SYD). QF check-in did not open until T-3, cannot re-enter landside without a BP. Had to sit land-side for 2 hrs for check-in to open.

Not expecting all-day check-in at DFW. All one ticket: my fault for arriving on my inbound early? My fault for BA/QF systems not talking to each other properly? I was expecting too much for an Alliance Partner to be able to issue a BP for another Alliance Partner? I *do* fly my own plane however PA28s don't have the range of your average A380/B747 so therefore I'm constrained to using the seamless experience of oneWorld Public Transport ...

Regards,

BD

 

[Austman]

However, on this occasion BA at LHR could not issue my onward BPs (I've previously had similar issues transiting the other way: QF->BA at SYD).

BA infamously won’t through-check luggage anymore unless it’s on the same ticket.

I guess that’s an example of why earlier check-ins should be the norm. Some airlines and alliances have abandoned through-checking, leaving pax to fend for themselves during transit connections.

 

[p--and--t]

BA infamously won’t through-check luggage anymore unless it’s on the same ticket.

I guess that’s an example of why earlier check-ins should be the norm. Some airlines and alliances have abandoned through-checking, leaving pax to fend for themselves during transit connections.

Much to our chagrin we discovered similar in 2017.

The check-in agent for SG in Mel happily issued boarding passes Mel-Sin-Fra-Sof and checked our luggage all the way through on SG and LH all the way.

On the return Dbv-Fra-Sin-Mel, LH resolutely refused to issue more than one boarding pass at a time and we had to check-in again at every transit on the way home - but wait for it - they checked our luggage all the way through ??? Potentially unaccompanied luggage???

 

[BD1959]

BA infamously won’t through-check luggage anymore unless it’s on the same ticket.

Was all one ticket and baggage *was* interlined. Issue was lack of BPs and check-in opening 2 hrs after arrival.

Regards,

BD

 

[Austman]

Was all one ticket and baggage *was* interlined.

Sure, but my comments still stand.

And BA won’t even through-check to another BA flight unless it’s on the same ticket.

Airlines seem to be putting more requirements on both the passenger and the airport.

 

[DC3]

Since when is all day check in (luggage) considered the norm these days? Correct answer: it is not.
Given that people choose to come to the airport early, the inconvenience is a consequence of making that choice.
People are expecting too much which is not in line with reality.
The simplest solution is to buy your own plane, fly it when you want and not take public transport.

Probably a bit harsh.

There's all sorts of reasons that we end up early for flights. Not always the fault of the passenger.

 

[Kangol]

It is not about fault - I did not mention that word.
It is about choice and the consequences of making that choice.
If there is no earlier connection, live with it. If there is, take it.
Be prepared to wait. Just because you want something, does not mean it is right.
Disagree all you want, remember you chose to book the flights and take them.

 

[RooFlyer]

Since when is all day check in (luggage) considered the norm these days? Correct answer: it is not.

It is in Hong Kong

Given that people choose to come to the airport early, the inconvenience is a consequence of making that choice.

It's not always a choice. Connecting flights without through checking of bags and/or long layover times often cannot be avoided.