QF now charging WP for all Exit Row economy seats [CL/WP1 exempt]

[waltervp]

You have to agree to the exit row conditions and meet the criteria both when purchasing it and when on board, before take off. Else the crew will move you.

Never seen people moved. I've even asked about it in particularly ridiculous cases and all I get is the 'dont sorry sir we won't crash' reassurances and they think I'm scared of flying!!

My strategy in emergency with old person fumbling to open exit is count to three and tear them away to open the hatch for them/us if I'm anywhere close.... I hope other people act the same instead of letting people die or suffocate at the expense of one poor individual. I can already see the responses to this attitude, but what are you to do? Watch a helpless individual fumble while the cabin fills up with smoke?

 

[Daver6]

Probably getting a little OT here...but I've seen people in the over-wing 737 exit seats who were so obese they physically would not fit through that little door.

 

[TheInsider]

Probably getting a little OT here...but I've seen people in the over-wing 737 exit seats who were so obese they physically would not fit through that little door.

If they can fit in the normal belt size then they are fine (which i think exits are a bit smaller anyway, feels like it IMO). If they need an extender belt, then this excluded them from the exit row.

 

[BorisWood]

Sorry to seem dumb but can someone explain T-80 please.
For the record, this change is bad for me as I am 6'4" and WP so always select exit rows if not in J.
Lifetime gold is looming in the next year or so but it is becoming less and less useful.

 

[Kangol]

Sorry to seem dumb but can someone explain T-80 please.
For the record, this change is bad for me as I am 6'4" and WP so always select exit rows if not in J.
Lifetime gold is looming in the next year or so but it is becoming less and less useful.

80 hours prior to flight departure. This is when the flight is opened to "airport control".
"T-" is timer minus, or a countdown timer, as a colloquialism.

 

[serfty]

80 hours prior to flight departure. This is when the flight is opened to "airport control".
"T-" is timer minus, or a countdown timer, as a colloquialism.

Moreover, at the time of "opening", available seating switches from pre defined zones to "notional seating".

On a QF 73H services, rows 4 & 5 are generally blocked for preallocation by other than WP1 and CL until this time.

After then one or more seats in rows 4 & 5 may become available to be selected by WP, SG and others.

 

[Austman]

Never seen people moved.

Wil Anderson's recent arrest is a case where a pax was moved.

 

[OzEire]

If they can fit in the normal belt size then they are fine (which i think exits are a bit smaller anyway, feels like it IMO). If they need an extender belt, then this excluded them from the exit row.

Wait, if one can wrap a seatbelt around the smallest part of their torso then I guess one could get hips out the door, only to have the bulk above (belly) get stuck? Also, it's not just about actually fitting (barely), speed is a factor since everyone behind is waiting (choking, burning) and seconds count.

Seatbelt seems a poor way to judge suitability, but I can see what a minefield it could be dealing with the issue... paid seating in exit rows only complicates matters.

 

[mviy]

After then one or more seats in rows 4 & 5 may become available to be selected by WP, SG and others.

Just selected row 4 for two flights for myself and a friend after T-80. Not going to pay for exit row when I can get front row economy seats for free. I've had success getting 3 seats together after T-80 in row 4 before.

Try to avoid peak commute times (e.g. Monday morning and Friday evening) if you are flexible enough as many P1/CL would travel at these times and grab row 4 seats before T-80. Depending on the route and loads you may have greater/less success.

 

[bismarck]

Hmmm....have had no problems getting Row 4 at T-80 before, now showing as blocked on Expert Flyer.

 

[TheInsider]

paid seating in exit rows only complicates matters.

Considering Tiger, Virgin and Jetstar have charged for a while, I don't think it will complicate matters too much.

 

[TheInsider]

Hmmm....have had no problems getting Row 4 at T-80 before, now showing as blocked on Expert Flyer.

Once again, nothing apart from charging for exit rows has changed. The same algorithm is there, and nothing has been amended.

 

[bismarck]

Once again, nothing apart from charging for exit rows has changed. The same algorithm is there, and nothing has been amended.

Sorry, but clearly something has changed. Previously, WPs could access Row 4 at T-80 (validated over dozens of flights over the last few years) and now they can't.

 

[mannej]

Sorry, but clearly something has changed. Previously, WPs could access Row 4 at T-80 (validated over dozens of flights over the last few years) and now they can't.

T-80 isn't always set in stone, which has been noted over the last few years as well.

 

[kevrosmith]

Sorry, but clearly something has changed. Previously, WPs could access Row 4 at T-80 (validated over dozens of flights over the last few years) and now they can't.

I disagree. Did you see my screen shots back here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....now-charging-wp-all-83704-15.html#post1663047 ?

Out of 216 Row 4 seats on 36 flights, 115 were available, 40 blocked and 61 occupied as at the time I took the screen shots. I think that's still pretty good chances for WPs to get Row 4 and as TheInsider indicates, I don't think anything has changed regarding Row 4 availability post T-80.

 

[TheInsider]

Sorry, but clearly something has changed. Previously, WPs could access Row 4 at T-80 (validated over dozens of flights over the last few years) and now they can't.

No, nothing has changed. You have to remember your flight that you are looking at probably already has WP1 and CL's (or even higher valued WP's) sitting in those seats or the system is reserving the seats for them.

 

[serfty]

Sorry, but clearly something has changed. Previously, WPs could access Row 4 at T-80 (validated over dozens of flights over the last few years) and now they can't.

Sometimes yes ... sometimes no ... it mainly depends on your PCV for the flight segment relative to that of others on the flight.

A WP on a higher economy fare class than yours might see seats 4ABC as available.

 

[Isolar]

Sorry, but clearly something has changed. Previously, WPs could access Row 4 at T-80 (validated over dozens of flights over the last few years) and now they can't.

Can't see that it has changed for me, apart from seat selection showing the price for choosing an exit row seat. For example, booked SYD-MEL-SYD on Wednesday for a day trip this Saturday. Row 4 was open for me to select in both directions as a WP.

Perhaps it depends on P1/CL pax who have not pre allocated seats as yet for that flight you are looking at.

 

[zildaz]

I've just noticed this new charging on an upcoming flight and as a WP this change is pretty disappointing.

Its made me look at the Virgin Platinum benefits which seem to be substantially better these days. I think if Virgin did a status match I'de switch.

 

[bPeteb]

Had my bid now accepted for QF626 on Thursday afternoon. My last free exit row. Travelling with my boss who said you could have given it to me When she checked in she'd been allocated 13A. Got to her seat and someone was sitting in it. FA arrived and asked if she'd be ok moving as the person now in 13A had some kind of issue with her knee and needed to keep it stretched out!! My boss asked where was the move to and told 12A. She questioned the FA about the ER 'fit and able' requirements and literally got no response about that but was told she'd be reimbursed for the er seat payment, that she hadn't paid (ha!) Boss decided it wasn't worth arguing over. I actually think that I would have stood my ground, specifically on the fit and able issue. If that person need stretch room their choice was business, or fly VA...