Seating Allocation??

[dajop]

The CSM came back and welcomed me to the flight and asked me what sort of drink I would like from the J section. It kinda makes you feel special when you're singled out in this way
These type of gestures go a long way to righting the other wrongs endured over the years.
A very pleasant trip indeed.

Works well on QF operated services. I've had this going to/from JFK, it does make you feel a bit special. However, on no such luck on Jetconnect services across the pond, I've done MEL-CHC and back, and now MEL-WLG, and certainly got none of this on them (I only changed seats on the WLG service, and only after the ascent). Although the Jetconnect crews are pretty good anyway - just a shame about the plane!

 

[thadocta]

I tend to side with doc on this one regarding the timing of seat allocation. I'm a Gold and I've been there more than 3 hours early and still found myself halfway down the plane sometimes.

It can happen.

What also happens a lot is that an elite SLC (self loading cargo) has been given the most appropriate seating based on their profile and the preferences of other elite SLC's of equal or higher status. This often means a seat towards the back when the profile states forward, it is just that there are heaps of SLC with higher status who also prefer forward.

Come day of travel, and a WP gets to the airport 3 hours early, and gets put on the next flight. His seat on the original flight all of a sudden becomes empty. Mr "I only travel once a millenium" then shows up, is given 99X and asks if he can change it. "Sure" says the check-in-droid, "8C is available" and then gives him the seat originally allocated to the WP, whilst you (the SG member) are stuck in 27H.

It is a better system than that practiced by third world airlines (you know, the ones with 'N' registered aircraft) but it has its flaws which I can live with.

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

Yup can't help but agree, on my last xx_x flights (can't remember how many) they've all been at pretty full, except 1. The W&B allocations are most evident on Dash 8's where they allocate seating by zone. (front, middle & rear). Often you will get almost full 737's with the first five (Y) rows of middle seats empty (blocked), silly me thought they were actually looking after their high tier fliers, when it is obvious now that they are doing it to balance the aircraft. :wink:

I've noticed this on the CBR->PER flights where forward aisle often gets you in Row 9 or 10, with generally no-one in front of you, aside from the business class cargo (until cruise at least)

 

[rormad]

I've found that on Qantas Link flights with no Business I often get put in the front row which is not the best seat in the house as there's less legroom and often no overhead luggage space due to the sound system or other junk stored there. So when you check in ask to change to row 2.

 

[HardieBoys]

I travel Qantaslink weekly, and prefer the first row on a Dash 8 - 300, the configuration with two rows facing each other. The backwards facing seats are only very rarely allocated, only when the plane is completely full.

I've found that calling the desk a few days before the flight often allows you to choose a seat. In HK, checking in the day before your flight always allows you to choose your seat. The staff at the in-town check-in are usually not busy, and each time I've asked, have been happy to ring up for release of exit rows, or chat about seats. The only time I've not ended up with exactly the seat I requested, was when I was bumped to J upstairs at the gate. (This is the kind of unexpected seat change that I love...)

 

[clifford]

Hello Bill,

I'd just like to briefly respond to your comments on "third world airlines". I apologise in advance if I've somehow misunderstood the issue, and would ask, in this case, for your forbearance.

I am an elite flyer with one of these 3rd world airlines, and can when making a booking on their Internet site, confirm a seat anywhere in the booked class (including exit row), or I can upgrade on line using electronic certificates (of which I have quite a number). If I book through a travel agent, I can also confirm seat assignments at the time of booking.

It's perhaps worth noting that I travel over 160,000 km pa with this airline and can't remember the last time I wasn't upgraded to the next class of service. Haven't flown economy for many years.

They may be 3rd world airlines, but I'd rather get an upgrade to business class every time than travel "super cattle" with yours truly (ie QF).

Sorry to appear to be such a difficult person.

Regards,
clifford.

 

[thadocta]

clifford, we have had this discussion over on another board ad nauseum.

There are pros and cons to both systems, that practiced by third world carriers and that practiced by Qantas.

Summary:

Third world carriers offer advance seating pre-selection based on specific seating. Based on this, 23B when I checked in for my 767 flight would have been a PITA when the aircraft was subsequently changed to a 737 between check-in and departure;

Qantas asks you what *type* of seat you prefer, and allocates accordingly. This takes into account that aircraft types may chage due to operational and unforeseen reasons. It also takes into account that I can still get a forward aisle seat when I am booking at 2000 for a flight at 0700 the next morning, something not possible with US carriers (since all of the good seats have gone).

Having travelled thrughout the Untied States, I much prefer the system of being given the *type* of seat you want, rather than a specific *seat number* (since the charachteristics of the seat number can change if there is an aircraft type change).

Dave

 

[thadocta]

"It's perhaps worth noting that I travel over 160,000 km pa with this airline and can't remember the last time I wasn't upgraded to the next class of service. Haven't flown economy for many years."

Forgot to add that this propensity to upgrade people whenever the day ends in a 'Y' *might* be one of the reasons why US carriers are in such a parlous financial state. Having people actually PAY for the higher cabins seems to be foreign to them. Of course some carriers are exempt from that. SouthWest springs to mind........
[/quote]

 

[clifford]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your comments.

There is a flip side to your views on aircraft changes and seat allocation on 3rd world airlines. Recently I was booked to fly LAX-ORD on a 2-class 767 and they changed the aircraft to a 3-class 777. I was the proud owner of seat 1A, and it was very nice to fly real First class (this has happened to me several times).

There really isn't a downside, as a decent 3rd world airline, like the one I fly, will always look after its top elite flyers and ensure they have appropriate seating.

As for Southwest, if you want to fly them you can, and that's fine (I never have). However, in Australia I prefer to fly DJ, as I can usually get the seat I want (normally 2nd or 3rd from the back, 'cause that way you get on/off faster and you don't have anyone sitting next to you). Can't say that of my nemesis, Qantas.

Regards,
clifford.

PS, I was a Qantas (nee Flight Deck) Club member for 20 years, but threw it in when a surly woman in Melbourne refused to let me in.

 

[redrat]

...PS, I was a Qantas (nee Flight Deck) Club member for 20 years, but threw it in when a surly woman in Melbourne refused to let me in.

clifford,
Why, what did you do wrong?

 

[sully]

...PS, I was a Qantas (nee Flight Deck) Club member for 20 years, but threw it in when a surly woman in Melbourne refused to let me in.

clifford,
Why, what did you do wrong?

Hic???????

 

[clifford]

Dear Friends,

I think what I did wrong was to turn up shortly after Ansett had been killed off and Qantas realised it had an absolute monopoly in Australia.

After being told my Qantas Club membership wasn't really worth anything, I decided that I could put my annual subscription to better use and have studiously ignored Qantas ever since (it's cost them more than it has me).

By the way, I am self employed, seemingly unlike many of the prolific posters on this website, so I actually have to pay for airfares, club memberships, etc, out of my own pocket. When you do this, it gives you a different perspective on things.

I have personally paid for every mile in my 3rd world airline "million miler" status. You should try it. It's character building.

Regards,
clifford.

 

[straitman]

I have personally paid for every mile in my 3rd world airline "million miler" status. You should try it. It's character building.

I'll try to take you at your word with this and avoid the situation for as long as I am able :!:

 

[redrat]

...By the way, I am self employed, seemingly unlike many of the prolific posters on this website, so I actually have to pay for airfares, club memberships, etc, out of my own pocket. When you do this, it gives you a different perspective on things.

I have personally paid for every mile in my 3rd world airline "million miler" status. You should try it. It's character building.

Regards,
clifford.

Self employed or otherwise (like me) doesn't necessarily mean it's out of your own pocket.
Surely this is built into the services you sell?

Cheers,
redrat

 

[Warks]

...By the way, I am self employed, seemingly unlike many of the prolific posters on this website, so I actually have to pay for airfares, club memberships, etc, out of my own pocket. When you do this, it gives you a different perspective on things.

I have personally paid for every mile in my 3rd world airline "million miler" status. You should try it. It's character building.

Regards,
clifford.

Self employed or otherwise (like me) doesn't necessarily mean it's out of your own pocket.
Surely this is built into the services you sell?

Cheers,
redrat

That's right. A good business doesn't pay for its materials. Its customers do.

Us poor suckers on salaries are paying waaaaaay more tax than anyone is business so we've got to get something back somewhere. Points are one of the few untaxed (and non-FBT at present) benefits.

(None of which is relevant to this topic of course)

 

[Dazzler]

ThaDocta

Dave, if your really an airline hot shot, then you should know that the procedures change so often that what happened when you were there doesn't necessarily happen now.
The Domestic seating is allocated 6 hours before a flight. You can fight this until your blue in the face but it's true.
Secondly, Qantas Club members don't have alot of status when it comes to the allocated seating with Domestic. Nor does silver. Gold and Platinum members have earned their status not paid for it which is why this is considered for Domestic. Maybe in your day, say back in Nam, Qantas Club had more status but thats declined now because their is so many members. I will give you the Chairmans Lounge members as i did forget to mention that these will pretty much get any seat they want.
As for you Dave, you sound like you have come here and thrown about a couple of airline terms and think you know what your talking about cause you used to work for the airline.
You all gave me slack for pointing out where others went wrong, so I post something somewhere else that was relatively nice and here you are doing exactly the same thing.
Well let me put it this way Dave.... your rubbish. :wink:

 

[thadocta]

Ok idiot (oops, I meant to type Dazzler), I just got off the phone to a mmate who is a supervisor at the Premium Desk at Camberwell. We worked together at SYD res before it closed a few years back.

From the horses mouth: "Seating is allocated overnight. Even for the flights leaving at 10pm, it is done overnight the previous night."

Also, from the horses mouth: "Qantas Club members do receive priority seating - priority over Bronze."

I never said they do not look after Platinum or Gold mmbers. As a Gold myself, I know this as a fact from personal experience.

As for "You all gave me slack for pointing out where others went wrong, so I post something somewhere else that was relatively nice and here you are doing exactly the same thing." it was more the way you were pointing it out, particularly when you said you would be sitting back laughing at people.

Now do try to keep up with what has actually been said.

Dave

 

[Craigo]

Also, from the horses mouth: "Qantas Club members do receive priority seating - priority over Bronze."

So the allocation order would be Platinum, Gold, Qantas Club Silver, Silver, Qantas Club Bronze, Bronze then those who aren't QFF members?

 

[thadocta]

Chairmans Lounge, Platinum, oneworld Emerald (if seating preferences have come across from the host airlines system), Gold, oneworld Sapphie, Qantas Club Silver, Silver, Qantas Club Bronze.

As far as I can tell there is no provision for Bronzes who are not QC mmembers to record preferences in their profile (it is so long since I have been a Bronze), although it can be noted in individual PNR's.

Dave

 

[sully]

Or does QC-Bronze have it over straight silver? Probably a moot point as all the carve-up probably occurs before this point.

My recent experiences with seating have not been wonderful. Flying from SYD-MNL I was in a centre aisle seat with 3 people next to me. Looking around there were people who had plenty of room with some able to take up all 3 or 4 seats. I didn't ask but they were not business travellers by the looks and so I wondered why they got these better options.

Frequency of flying gets you no-where I have found. Since the start of this month, which is the beginning of my 12 month cycle I have flown BKK-SYD, SYD-MEL-SYD, SYD-PER-MEL-SYD after a month of 4 trips SYD-MEL-SYD and SYD-MNL on 31/7. Requests for special treatment, even changing seats, has been met with a bit of derision.

Given my company's discount economy policy even on long haul the points are accruing OK but the SCs are taking ages to build up. By the end of this month with SYD-AKL-WLG-AKL-SYD flights and another SYD-MEL-SYD I will have earned 165SCs, whacko! Sure, if extrapolated, Platinum would hit halway through April next year but my travel is irregular and sometimes on non OW flights.