QFF Ideas & Suggestions

[tuapekastar]

I don't see why QF have not implemented a Priority AAccess type arrangement like AA.

Have the sign, "Priority AAccess" to the Left "Main Cabin" to the right. Invite J to board, then elites, then general boarding, with any J/elites rocking up late able to use the priority aaccess queue.

Cheap way of doing it (requires a sign only) and works brilliantly in the USA. Ensures those flying up front or with status get that oh-so-valuable overhead bin space.

A big tick to that! And the magic words "Priority Access" printed on eligible BPs just to put things beyond doubt.

 

[simongr]

Signs also making it easier for crew. Pax can't use the excuse they didn't hear or understand. That said I think culturally we're likely to see everyone behind rush the empty queue (doesn't appear to occur internationally however) and I'll take a guess that overhead bin space is slightly more competitive in the USA

Probably worth QF running a trial of it at least.

Totally agree. They could then board from the rear in groups like the US - this is one area that I think the US airlines have it better than here - but then you get to see what's on board...

 

[JohnK]

Instead of doing general boarding, or even doing priority boarding it started off like "we'll now be boarding from the rear starting with rows 20 through to 25".

To be fair this sounds like a very efficient boarding process where the line does not snake back up the aerobridge waiting for people at the front to put their carry-on in the overhead bins.

That really annoyed me as I was seated in row 4 and could just tell that I was going to board and all the overhead bin space would be taken.

I believe there is a very simple solution to the overhead bin space. Limit the carry-on to one piece. Not one piece + laptop bag + handbag. Just one piece. If you want to take the kitchen sink with you then it will go as checked luggage.

I don't see why QF have not implemented a Priority AAccess type arrangement like AA.

It would appear that for some flights they are using the left boarding pass reader for priority passengers and the right boarding pass reader for non status passengers.

I will not use priority boarding as long as the line to board is backed up the aerobridge and moving very slowly....

 

[drron]

I now have to add consistency.As a QPNB on the MEL-DPO-MEL runs I am regularly assigned 2C.
As a WP mrsdrron always gets assigned 5C.
Rows 1-4 usually have 1 pax each side.In MEL she cant get moved forward,from DPO they will.Yesterday she was moved to 3B from 5C initially allocated.The woman in 3A was a once a year flyer visiting family.
She was not impressed and even less so when a really nice male agent on her DJ flight MEL-MCY made sure there was an empty seat next to her 5C.And she has no status on DJ.

 

[serfty]

With respect to facilities such as Priority AAccess - successful implementation requires the Staff working at the gate to actually enforce it.

It is not 100% in the states, and in some ports it seems almost impossible.

Another issues is that I have lost count of how many times I have approached the gate mid boarding for Qantas international flights where there is a 'business'/priority queue and it's filled up with no status PAX boarding for their row.:-|

It's taken 15 years but these days I am normally found at the gate when boarding commences.

 

[Ewing]

To be fair this sounds like a very efficient boarding process where the line does not snake back up the aerobridge waiting for people at the front to put their carry-on in the overhead bins.

I believe there is a very simple solution to the overhead bin space. Limit the carry-on to one piece. Not one piece + laptop bag + handbag. Just one piece. If you want to take the kitchen sink with you then it will go as checked luggage.

It is more efficient, as long as people stick with using the bins near their row

I have seen countless times people put their cough in overhead bins near the front of the plane (even in business class) before proceeding to their seat in row x (where x is aft of the wings).

Anyway, I only take one bag with me (and even then I sometimes check it if I'm feeling lazy). On those very rare occasions where I have a second bag (typically when flying overseas) it's a smaller messenger bag and contains everything I might need during flight so it gets stowed under the seat in front (or in the overhead lockers when I'm in row 1)

-Shaun

 

[medhead]

I now have to add consistency.As a QPNB on the MEL-DPO-MEL runs I am regularly assigned 2C.
As a WP mrsdrron always gets assigned 5C.
Rows 1-4 usually have 1 pax each side.In MEL she cant get moved forward,from DPO they will.Yesterday she was moved to 3B from 5C initially allocated.The woman in 3A was a once a year flyer visiting family.
She was not impressed

Sounds a lot like my experience yesterday ADL-SYD on a 738. The best seat selection gave was 4B. I decide to OLCI about half way through Sunday to find I was in 8A! Luckily I could move back to 4B. That also explains why expert flyer was showing 4B as available.

Get on board to find 4A is a SG who got snotty at me as well and 4C was a total non-FF who then slept all over me. Very unimpressed.

 

[simongr]

The carry on vs. limited carry is debate almost equal to the recliners/no recliners on short domestic flights... I take either a small satchel if travelling for the day that goes under the seat. However in travelling overnight I will have the rollaboard (fits end on into the overhead) and the satchel. Exactly what I am allowed to take and doesnt impinge on anyone else's "allocation" of space.

If they scaled that back and they forced people to check more luggage I assume ticket prices would rise as they couldnt carry as much cargo and would need more baggage handlers.

It doesnt need more restrictions it needs more effectively enforced restrictions.

 

[markis10]

Should be an interesting month or so ahead as the new baggage restrictions come into play for tickets purchased from tomorrow. Expect more carry on rage.

 

[serfty]

The reality for Qantas Domestic Jet services is that the carry-on allowance for all classes is 2 x "7 Kg" as well as that "personal item".

 

[medhead]

The reality for Qantas Domestic Jet services is that the carry-on allowance for all classes is 2 x "7 Kg" as well as that "personal item".

I think the personal item is no longer included. The website now only mentions 2x105cm or etc.

 

[blackhelicopter]

Totally agree. They could then board from the rear in groups like the US - this is one area that I think the US airlines have it better than here - but then you get to see what's on board...

DJ already do it here, or at least they have the handful of times I've flown with them.

You go out onto the aerobridge, and there's signs saying rows 1 to 18(ish) turn left and board as normal, all others turn right, go down the stairs, across the apron and up the stairs into the back door of the 738.

 

[blackhelicopter]

Instead of doing general boarding, or even doing priority boarding it started off like "we'll now be boarding from the rear starting with rows 20 through to 25". I've only ever encountered that before when it has been preceded with an announcement along the lines of "business class, gold and platinum frequent flyers may board at their leisure" but such an announcement was not made today.

Flew MEL-CBR yesterday morning (in J with most of parliament, rather have sit with the honest folks in Y :evil, and they called for "business, gold and platinum" (and I assume CL) to board first at the same time as the rear rows.

I don't see the point, I just take a seat and leisurely join the line towards the end. It's not like my seat will get there quicker the sooner I'm sitting in it

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I don't see the point, I just take a seat and leisurely join the line towards the end. It's not like my seat will get there quicker the sooner I'm sitting in it

The point has been made numerous times that carry on space will be virtually non-existent on a full flight if you are last to board.

 

[simongr]

There are two reasons I board quickly - first is getting the overhead space allocated. Secondly I would rather be sat reading a paper than standing up whilst everyone in rows 50 - 15 are queued in the aisle trying to board.

The only downside is the twerps who dont seem to realise that their handbags/manbags/backpacks are smacking people in the shoulder/face as they walk down the aisle.

 

[JohnK]

I now have to add consistency.As a QPNB on the MEL-DPO-MEL runs I am regularly assigned 2C.
As a WP mrsdrron always gets assigned 5C.
Rows 1-4 usually have 1 pax each side.In MEL she cant get moved forward,from DPO they will.Yesterday she was moved to 3B from 5C initially allocated.The woman in 3A was a once a year flyer visiting family.

This would happen quite often on the Dash 8's. I have been in rows 3-5 a number of times and could not move further forward (even though there are vacant seats) due to aircraft trim.

I expect this is what is happening to mrs drron but does not explain why you get row 2 and she gets row 5.

It is more efficient, as long as people stick with using the bins near their row

But people don't. Is it logical for the person in the A or F seat to have used up an overhead bin on a 737 on their own? I have had my laptop bag underneath the seat in front on my last 4-5 flights on 737's (QF and DJ) as there has not been any overhead bin space left when I board.

Luckily most times I check all my luggage (unless I have 3 bags + laptop bag) and only have to worry about the laptop bag. No problem on 737's but it becomes an issue when in the front row on a 767 as there is no space underneath the seat in front. Usually the crew find a space for the bag somewhere in front of me.

But it appears that I am asking for too much to be able to board last and still have overhead bin space for my laptop bag.

 

[blackhelicopter]

The point has been made numerous times that carry on space will be virtually non-existent on a full flight if you are last to board.

I only ever have one bag and I put it under the seat, so I've never found it to be an issue.

YMMV of course.

 

[TonyHancock]

The only downside is the twerps who dont seem to realise that their handbags/manbags/backpacks are smacking people in the shoulder/face as they walk down the aisle.

Not to mention kitchen sinks, offspring, and carry ons the size of small villages!! :shock:

But it appears that I am asking for too much to be able to board last and still have overhead bin space for my laptop bag.

I have long since given up on overhead locker space. I now carry a small backpack that fits under the seat in front of me.

I can see both sides to the argument but these days I check luggage.

 

[JohnK]

I have long since given up on overhead locker space. I now carry a small backpack that fits under the seat in front of me.

I have given up on overhead bin space as well (I would much rather be doing other things than sitting in an aircraft waiting for stragglers to board) but what do you do if you are in a bulkhead on a 767?

 

[TonyHancock]

I have given up on overhead bin space as well (I would much rather be doing other things than sitting in an aircraft waiting for stragglers to board) but what do you do if you are in a bulkhead on a 767?

They are the flights I'm always at the gate waiting to get straight on, it is a pain. I then get to sit and watch the economy PAX loading the business overhead lockers with their life's possessions for 20 minutes.