The WP shadow

[pjm99au]

I'm starting to wonder if my shadow has been "enhanced". No shadow from time of booking for my 3 flights last week and my 2 for this week. Usually I would see them up to at least T-24. I'm sure they were stickier as a WP than they are now as a P1. Load factors understandably come into play but I would have some hope that my shadow was one of the last to go rather than be non existent

 

[amaroo]

I've noticed my last dozen or so flights have been X free on EF. Not that long ago every flight started with the precious X

 

[opusman]

It's probably Simpler™ & Fairer™ without it.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Load factors understandably come into play but I would have some hope that my shadow was one of the last to go rather than be non existent

On a narrow body, even at 83.3% load, a max of 40% of the pax can have a free seat next to them. Even at 90% load, there are more than a dozen free seats on a 738. Surely a shadow for the P1s shouldn't be that hard?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

On a narrow body, even at 83.3% load, a max of 40% of the pax can have a free seat next to them. Even at 90% load, there are more than a dozen free seats on a 738. Surely a shadow for the P1s shouldn't be that hard?

Clearly the cost of implementing such a basic system is prohibitive.
I mean - I could whip up a basic script in a few hours that would do this and solve all the problems, but that wouldn't be Simpler™ or Fairer™.

 

[medhead]

Flying HKG-BNE this Friday and EF (with my QF number removed) is showing the seat next to me as available and not blocked. What gives? I would have expected to see it blocked as certain other seats are on EF and to me in seat selection in MMB.

I'm not sure what you mean. I don't think expert flyer will return a seat map without a QFF number. Perhaps try putting in a bronze QFF number for a family member. If it is still using your QFF number the seat next to you will almost always be available. I take this as meaning that QF will let you select your shadow. When I see a block in the shadow seat there is usually a black of white bag tag with the person on the other side of the shadow. Ie it's their shadow not mine.

 

[pjm99au]

I use a WP FF number and name to check mine on EF ( I'm starting to recognise some obsessive compulsive behaviours relating to status )

 

[Mr_Orange]

I'm not sure what you mean. I don't think expert flyer will return a seat map without a QFF number. Perhaps try putting in a bronze QFF number for a family member.

EF does return a seat map without a FF#. I've done it before to prove the existence of my shadow but I will try a family member too to see what happens.

If it is still using your QFF number the seat next to you will almost always be available. I take this as meaning that QF will let you select your shadow.

Yep, I get that, cheers.

 

[medhead]

EF does return a seat map without a FF#. I've done it before to prove the existence of my shadow but I will try a family member too to see what happens.

I'll have to give it a try. Last time I removed the QFF number I got an error trying to retrieve a QF seat map.

 

[Ansett]

I'm starting to wonder if my shadow has been "enhanced". No shadow from time of booking for my 3 flights last week and my 2 for this week. Usually I would see them up to at least T-24. I'm sure they were stickier as a WP than they are now as a P1. Load factors understandably come into play but I would have some hope that my shadow was one of the last to go rather than be non existent

As a P1 I was advised by the P1 team that it is not an entitlement that either WP or WP1s should expect as it is a courtesy. If you would like a courtesy seat as they call then you need to advise the P1 Team, preferably in writing, 3 days before your departure that you would like to have a shadow/courtesy seat or what ever they call it next week. I have done this and it has stuck.

My only additional comment is that aren't the P1 team supposed to monitor our flights and make arrangements automatically to ensure our flights are enjoyable as possible? I take it that whilst they may be aware they don't pro-actively do anything

 

[Mr_Orange]

I'll have to give it a try. Last time I removed the QFF number I got an error trying to retrieve a QF seat map.

Just tried it with a bronze number and it still showed the seat next to me as available. Au revoir shadow it seems .

 

[pjm99au]

As a P1 I was advised by the P1 team that it is not an entitlement that either WP or WP1s should expect as it is a courtesy. If you would like a courtesy seat as they call then you need to advise the P1 Team, preferably in writing, 3 days before your departure that you would like to have a shadow/courtesy seat or what ever they call it next week. I have done this and it has stuck.

My only additional comment is that aren't the P1 team supposed to monitor our flights and make arrangements automatically to ensure our flights are enjoyable as possible? I take it that whilst they may be aware they don't pro-actively do anything

The cynic in me thinks the formal process has been devised as intentionally difficult to stop me from whinging but I'm sure I'm just being overly cynical. I do look at the shadow whether official or not as being nice on a none full flight without any expectation on a heavily loaded flight.

The difference of late is that it doesn't exist at all from booking whereas prior it existed automatically until overridden which seems a recent change. I suspect my internal QF value rating has changed even though I am on target to retain P1. With LTG achieved and partner gold locked away for the year perhaps I should take the opportunity to obtain Virgin platinum. Something I've never considered previously.

 

[medhead]

Just tried it with a bronze number and it still showed the seat next to me as available. Au revoir shadow it seems .

I was a bit put out when I last flew to HKG and I didn't get a shadow in 80A but there was a whole 4 empty middle seats at a a nearby bulkhead and a couple of empty B/C combinations in the row 50 to 55 area. The couple in 80B/C could have easily been better accommodated to maximise everyone's comfort.

For domestic I try not to be bothered about shadow seats. I might start to buy comfort seats if I get that hassled.

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

I was a bit put out when I last flew to HKG and I didn't get a shadow in 80A but there was a whole 4 empty middle seats at a a nearby bulkhead and a couple of empty B/C combinations in the row 50 to 55 area. The couple in 80B/C could have easily been better accommodated to maximise everyone's comfort.

For domestic I try not to be bothered about shadow seats. I might start to buy comfort seats if I get that hassled.

You were in 80A and put out...wow, hard to please eh...

Last time I was in 80A I didn't complain, just stretched out to the max and enjoyed it.

Maybe you should have asked to be moved to better accomodate those next to you...goes both ways...Anyway, I'm sure you enjoyed HKG once u got there and that is the main objective.

Nothing personal, I'm just in the mood for some humour

 

[medhead]

You were in 80A and put out...wow, hard to please eh...

Last time I was in 80A I didn't complain, just stretched out to the max and enjoyed it.

Maybe you should have asked to be moved to better accomodate those next to you...goes both ways...Anyway, I'm sure you enjoyed HKG once u got there and that is the main objective.

Nothing personal, I'm just in the mood for some humour

I guess you won't mind if I humorously wonder about the comprehension skills of the youth of today then. I wasn't put out by 80A.

Anyway, I did move to this

View attachment 34724

Which I enjoyed. And 80B enjoyed 80A. So that was pretty good. Just I really don't know why I had to arrange for our comfort and qantas didn't.

 

[Ansett]

The cynic in me thinks the formal process has been devised as intentionally difficult to stop me from whinging but I'm sure I'm just being overly cynical. I do look at the shadow whether official or not as being nice on a none full flight without any expectation on a heavily loaded flight.

The difference of late is that it doesn't exist at all from booking whereas prior it existed automatically until overridden which seems a recent change. I suspect my internal QF value rating has changed even though I am on target to retain P1. With LTG achieved and partner gold locked away for the year perhaps I should take the opportunity to obtain Virgin platinum. Something I've never considered previously.

It seems to be the case that what was once simple and implemented automatically is now enhanced to be fairer and not automatic requiring the WP/WP1 to have to manually request now.

Is this a further sign of QFF weakening benefits whether they be written or not?

Got to Love the new IT system LOL

 

[JohnK]

Nothing personal, I'm just in the mood for some humour

I'm impressed. A "u" in humour? You've been here too long.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

The difference of late is that it doesn't exist at all from booking whereas prior it existed automatically until overridden which seems a recent change. I suspect my internal QF value rating has changed even though I am on target to retain P1. With LTG achieved and partner gold locked away for the year perhaps I should take the opportunity to obtain Virgin platinum. Something I've never considered previously.

So you're on your way to retaining Plat One. Why would QF care to fix something that isn't affecting your spend with them?
QF doesn't care about lost opportunity. I don't think anyone in the organisation understands the term.

Unfortunately in my experience you need to actively shift spend away before **** hits the QF radar.

 

[Ansett]

So you're on your way to retaining Plat One. Why would QF care to fix something that isn't affecting your spend with them?
QF doesn't care about lost opportunity. I don't think anyone in the organisation understands the term.

Unfortunately in my experience you need to actively shift spend away before **** hits the QF radar.

Well I will be lucky to make 1000 Status Credits this year after having diverted a good amount of spend from QF and I don't think they have noticed nor care.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Well I will be lucky to make 1000 Status Credits this year after having diverted a good amount of spend from QF and I don't think they have noticed nor care.

I went from 3700 SC two years in a row to under 200 SC last year. Also shifted nearly 7 figures/year of CC points out of QFF. No call, no email, nothing. It's like I never existed to them

In saying that - I've had more flights on Virgin with Shadows this year than shadows on Qantas in the past 2-3 years combined.