SQ's ops at MEL need a serious overhaul!

[Scr77]

Well, gee, what a mess. 3hrs before SQ228 and it’s a zoo. Flying Suites and waited 10mins behind a Business family of 5 who were being checked in at the F counter. Lengthy waits for those in the J queue. Self checkin at Y looked like torcher!

FYI, flying tomorrow in J SIN-DXB on separate tickets and bag can’t be through checked because layover is greater than 12hrs.

 

[maz1]

Well, something to look forward to fit me then

 

[Ade]

because layover is greater than 12hrs.

I thought bags can't be checked thru if the layover is overnight?

 

[dajop]

Yes not to be unexpected arriving around or just after checkin opens for the flight. Arrive about 1.5-2hrs before the flight and will be far less of a problem. Arrive at about 1-1:15 before and you will be the only person at checkin and sail through.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

1. Well, gee, what a mess. 3hrs before SQ228 and it’s a zoo. Flying Suites and waited 10mins behind a Business family of 5 who were being checked in at the F counter.

2. FYI, flying tomorrow in J SIN-DXB on separate tickets and bag can’t be through checked because layover is greater than 12hrs.

1. It is not unreasonable for J pax to be checked in at F counter if no F pax waiting - 10 mins hardly life or death IMHO

2. Who told you this? Bit late now but MEL Station informed me in writing 2 weeks ago up to 24hrs layover bags can be through checked - >24hrs cannot - time was recently reduced from 48hrs to 24hrs - seems your agent made a mistake - sorry I couldn’t post earlier

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yes not to be unexpected arriving around or just after checkin opens for the flight. Arrive about 1.5-2hrs before the flight and will be far less of a problem. Arrive at about 1-1:15 before and you will be the only person at checkin and sail through.

Basically my strategy in MEL int now. When I did SFO with UA I was literally the last person to check in and yet still well in time for the flight.

I am on sq228 in economy in a few weeks so will report back. Good to know the chaos persists so I will once again not be rushing. Not much to rush for anyway, the SQ lounge doesn't bare with spending more than 20 minutes in...

Only thing that changes is if claiming back trs but the lines are so stupidly long 99% of the time now I just do not bother any more. It's not worth the hassle (which, I presume, is probably the point in having processing take so long)

 

[Scr77]

1. It is not unreasonable for J pax to be checked in at F counter if no F pax waiting - 10 mins hardly life or death IMHO

2. Who told you this? Bit late now but MEL Station informed me in writing 2 weeks ago up to 24hrs layover bags can be through checked - >24hrs cannot - time was recently reduced from 48hrs to 24hrs - seems your agent made a mistake - sorry I couldn’t post earlier

1. I agree. I’m definitely not complaining about the wait.

2. The Swissport checkin agent couldn‘t find the flight on her screen. She said the connecting flight had to be within 12hrs of arrival in SIN, so perhaps there’s been a further change.

And of course the on board experience is excellent. Have flown SQ F plenty before Covid, but this is my first suites run and first SQ adventure since Covid. Very satisfied!

 

[lovestotravel]

Well, gee, what a mess. 3hrs before SQ228 and it’s a zoo. Flying Suites and waited 10mins behind a Business family of 5 who were being checked in at the F counter. Lengthy waits for those in the J queue. Self checkin at Y looked like torcher!

10 minutes is fine, the F counter will check in J pax as well at times, just unfortunate it was a family of 5 and not 2 passengers.

Self-check in is a JOKE and I refuse to use it on any airline. Luckily I either have status, or fly in J so can avoid self-check in

 

[dajop]

Self-check in is a JOKE and I refuse to use it on any airline. Luckily I either have status, or fly in J so can avoid self-check in

I've found that self-check works exceptionally well at SIN. Plenty of chutes, plenty of machines, not that I've used it travelling SQ (as I can always use F class check in), but have used it for QF, JQ, 3K, and TR -either for myself or for visiting family, and it is efficient and quick, and beats waiting in a queue for 10+ mins.

I expect it is a dismal failure at MEL, as with everything about MEL it is not done so efficiently. Not enough terminals, not enough baggage check points and not enough space. Also I think it works very well for point to point but not great for connecting flights and where visa checks required (although that can be and is managed efficiently).

 

[Scr77]

……I expect it is a dismal failure at MEL, as with everything about MEL it is not done so efficiently. Not enough terminals, not enough baggage check points and not enough space.…….

You might be onto something here. If there was more self checkin terminals or more space, MEL may have not been such a zoo. Perhaps if my flight was not an A380, there would have been plenty of space.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

2. The Swissport checkin agent couldn‘t find the flight on her screen.

Oh I should mention that if you want to check baggage through on 2 separate flights / PNRs / Booking Refs then always ALWAYS have print out of both bookings and plonk both on counter in front of agent

 

[Scr77]

Oh I should mention that if you want to check baggage through on 2 separate flights / PNRs / Booking Refs then always ALWAYS have print out of both bookings and plonk both on counter in front of agent

Plonk in front of agent I did. Didn’t make a difference. It’s no biggie, so I wasn’t going to make a fuss. Just means that a visit to the private room tonight is less likely as I’ll have to head to baggage claim. First world problems and all….

 

[AIRwin]

Just means that a visit to the private room tonight is less likely as I’ll have to head to baggage claim.

Transfer desk?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Plonk in front of agent I did. Didn’t make a difference.

Fair enough but at risk of going on and on SQ do have their own staff hovering around at check-in - if agents on desk don’t know the drill don’t be backward in asking for SQ staff rep to come and assist - I had a prob heading to China as soon as it opened and had to ask for SQ rep to come and sort it which she did in 2 secs

 

[Scr77]

Transfer desk?

What and where is this magical thing? If it’s after immigration, I’ll probably just collect bags and crash in yotel. (Crowne is not taking new reservations because of Renos).

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Hey Scr77 am I blind or just stupid? Did you drop a 7 off your handle? I always thought your name was Scr777

 

[Scr77]

Hey Scr77 am I blind or just stupid? Did you drop a 7 off your handle? I always thought your name was Scr777

Nope. Always was born in ’77.

You may not remember, but you helped wife and I to secure F before Covid with Eva (?). Hats off to you and what you share with AFF.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Always a pleasure to help others enjoy what SQ have to offer mate

 

[whughes3]

What is the state of things at MEL these days? After nearly 4 years I have finally found some fares/schedules/availability which make reasonable sense for my next trip and am flying SQ for it next month. As my departure time is 0700 (restarted SQ248) I would rather not front up to checkin any earlier than is necessary.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

What class Hughsey? J? There is still manual checkin for J and it worked fine on Oct 25 - S and Y a different kettle of fish