QF SYD T3 Check In - further elitism?

[simongr]

Ok not sure if I missed the memo but I am thinking that in line with the changes to the QP access and new J/OWE lounges in SYD/MEL/BNE(?) QF seem to have a new (to me) check in structrue at SYD.

In the QP section of check in (not in the QP itself) they have now split it further between J/OWE and QP/OWS - is this news to people?

Amusingly this didnt work for me on two levels as I ha dan int'l connection and had to check in somewhere else and this was after three people had checked in in the QP/OWS line vs. 0 in my line...

As much as we debate it or agree with it, it definitley seems that QF are valuing (through their demonstrated additional benefits) their OWE and J pax more than QP members...

 

[serfty]

These lines have been in various configurations in various airports for years. What's been true at an airport one month may not hold for the next month at the same airport.

Hardly ever affects me these days as I rarely check luggage and in all honesty, the only check in counter I have used in Oz domestic terminals the last two years was the "Domestic Connections to International Flight" desk in MEL T1, and that one time only.

And I really did not even need to do that as I have since found that having no checked luggage it is quite simple to do this in the QP.

 

[Homer]

This is sounding good to me. I hope QF takes it further and creates separate J/OWE boarding lines at the gate.

 

[serfty]

... I hope QF takes it further and creates separate J/OWE boarding lines at the gate.

Actually, they generally do; you just need to be at the gate when boarding commences to make use of them as they tend to become free-for-all lanes by the time general boarding is called.

 

[Homer]

Actually, they generally do; you just need to be at the gate when boarding commences to make use of them as they tend to become free-for-all lanes by the time general boarding is called.

Ahhh...that explains why I sometimes see signs that look like they might be used for this purpose stowed in the airbridge. The only time I am at the gate when boarding commences is when I am late so that must be why I have not seen this happening. It is a pity that they don't enforce this throughout boarding as many of the J/OWE pax would be the last to arrive at the gate because they generally would be in one of the lounges.

 

[Petch]

The only time I am at the gate when boarding commences is when I am late so that must be why I have not seen this happening...

ROFL... I completely understand what you mean! However, there is such hilarity in only being EARLY @ the GATE when you are LATE...

Problem with Qantas domestic operating a J/1Wemerald only check-in, is that one of the major benefits to 1Wruby is J check-in!

 

[simongr]

Actually, they generally do; you just need to be at the gate when boarding commences to make use of them as they tend to become free-for-all lanes by the time general boarding is called.

Not on today's domestic flight they didnt.

 

[Dave Noble]

Problem with Qantas domestic operating a J/1Wemerald only check-in, is that one of the major benefits to 1Wruby is J check-in!

Ahh, but someone with One World Emerald ( other than from QFF ) can use the business check in desk in accordance with OW rules; just that QF can restrict access to its own members

Dave

 

[serfty]

Not on today's domestic flight they didnt.

Domestically, when boarding commences (forgetting the rare situation where dual airbridges are being used), they are supposed to call SG, WP, CL, Sapphire, Emerald after the "preboards", sometimes they do, often they call these along with the back rows, sometimes only the back rows.

If they call only the back rows, I simply board anyway.

 

[drron]

I have no doubt that QF values both OWS and OWE more than QP.After all they are an airline and should be looking after those that fly more.I have not credited flying miles to QFF for some time so my QPlife card is that not so nice bronze colour(though I have kept my old blue ones which are much more useful overseas).Although my QP status lets me put in seating preferences it wasnt until I attained OWS with AA that these were recognised-I usually book through QF and then switch to my AA number later.All my QF flights are reimbursed so costs are not a major consideration.

 

[Homer]

Not on today's domestic flight they didnt.

Nor on my flight from SYD-MEL this morning. I actually stood at the gate to hear the call just to check this out and they simply invited everyone to board at the same time.

 

[Harpoon]

Nor on my flight from SYD-MEL this morning. I actually stood at the gate to hear the call just to check this out and they simply invited everyone to board at the same time.

Same on my last few QF flights. Not sure if it's just laziness of staff or change of policy?

 

[serfty]

Nor on my flight from SYD-MEL this morning. I actually stood at the gate to hear the call just to check this out and they simply invited everyone to board at the same time.

Same on my last few QF flights. Not sure if it's just laziness of staff or change of policy?

They are supposed to, but lets face it, most elites are probably schmoozing in the QP when boarding commences and not many elites (if any) would board at that time.

As I posted:

... If they call only the back rows, I simply board anyway.

I've Never had a problem.

 

[simongr]

I actually prefer to board first - sure then have to endure being smacked on the head by knocked off LV bags and growling at small children that look at me but it means I get to store my two pieces of hand luggage (sorry) and get established in my seat rather than havign oiks push past me whilst I am trying to get gear stowed.

I have no problems consuming the required amount of refreshment in the lounge

 

[serfty]

Actually, it's only been in the last year or so that I have been trying to be at the gates when boarding commences.

For me it a bit of fun trying to time my arrival to about 30 secs before boarding would commence.

If too early, it can be quite fascinating watching the pre-departure processes [especially when flying AA - I endeavor to work out what each of the many PAX approaching the agents are trying to do].

 

[dot]

In the QP section of check in (not in the QP itself) they have now split it further between J/OWE and QP/OWS - is this news to people?

Hi Simon, this has been the case for years at SYD domestic checkin (I remember from way back when I was PG (5 years ago) and lining up in the J/WP/OWE line only to be told that I should not be using that line and that I should use the QP/PG/OWS line. SYD is the only airport in Australia I have seen that split though. At all other Australian airports that I have used they split QP and J/PG/WP lines.

 

[DJ737]

[especially when flying AA - I endeavor to work out what each of the many PAX approaching the agents are trying to do/QUOTE]

Hi there

Probably enquiring as to how far up the upgrade queue they are, although at a lot of AA ports the upgrade info is on the board behind the agents.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[simongr]

Hi Simon, this has been the case for years at SYD domestic checkin (I remember from way back when I was PG (5 years ago) and lining up in the J/WP/OWE line only to be told that I should not be using that line and that I should use the QP/PG/OWS line. SYD is the only airport in Australia I have seen that split though. At all other Australian airports that I have used they split QP and J/PG/WP lines.

This probably tells the story of how little I fly within Australia - in the past 2 years I have probably flown into/out of HKG more often than SYD (dom+int'l)...

 

[straitman]

This probably tells the story of how little I fly within Australia - in the past 2 years I have probably flown into/out of HKG more often than SYD (dom+int'l)...

That sounds like a great way to go. ie avoid SYD as much as possible and travel to HKG as much as possible.

 

[JohnK]

It is a pity that they don't enforce this throughout boarding as many of the J/OWE pax would be the last to arrive at the gate because they generally would be in one of the lounges.

I can understand if you are in business class and you arrive late at the gate you want to bypass the many WHY passengers in the queue to get to your seat. As a QF Platinum travelling mainly in WHY there is no way I want to be seated in WHY waiting for the stragglers. The less time I have to wait on the aircraft the better and I try to be one of the last onboard all the time.

By the way even if both queues are full with WHY passengers as a premium passenger you can still go to the front of the queue and you will be processed immediately.