Understaffed Brisbane Lounge ??

[Frostydog007]

Travelling from BNE yesterday afternoon I was greeted with a new look lounge entry and thought to myself, finally, the renovations for this lounge had been completed - I wonder how good it is inside.

Walked through around 1300 and struggled to find a place to sit, unless I wanted a table in the corridor (as the louge in fact was still undergoing renovations). There were tables within the "lounge" area but they were covered with used plates and glasses and spillages. We opted to sit at one of those tables, assuming it would be cleared before too long. First mistake - never assume.

After 20 minutes we took the plates and glasses to the servery and advised staff that there are a number of other tables that needed to be cleaned as well.

As more and more people arrived, they did the same - sat for a while and then carried dirty glasses and plates back to the servery so they could use the tables.

A group sat next to us and I explained that we have been here for over an hour and had not seen anyone cleaning the tables. Woman from the group said that was totally unacceptable and went to get someone to clear their table. A staff member came back and removed the used plates and glasses from their table - but no other table was serviced.

In fact it was another 20 minutes or so before the tables began to be cleared - not by lounge staff, but by Virgin suits. Not sure if this was a result of my partner posting something on Virgin's Facebook or if it was just coincidence.

Cramped conditions, lack of air conditioning, dirty cluttered tables - not my usual experience in a Virgin Lounge - be interested if others have been experiencing this in the Brizzie lounge.....

 

[Bigglesworth]

Also was at Brisbane Lounge last night and agree the conditions were less than optimal. Hopefully the air-conditioning will be rectified with the renos together with a larger rest rooms - even a 737 has more than available at the Lounge.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have also noted the coffee shop lounge has been closed on each of my last few visits. That's a PITA as that is a lovely "secret" with minimal crowding, better views and an almost complete selection of F&B. Perhaps staff called in sick or just not turning up but I believe VA subcontract the lounge services out so they should be jumping on them from a great height when these problems occur. Of course, VA may have cut the contract as well.......what's the term? Reverse engineering? Build something that works then slowly remove parts until it no longer works and then replace the last bit that was pulled out......a working model (albeit only just) at the rock bottom price!

 

[darkice]

I see about 2-3 workers this morning. Tables are getting cleaned but does take some time. Also its chockerblocked and people are sitting in the hallway area.

Will be good once everything opens up

 

[cory]

What you have described is the norm for the Perth lounge.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm pleased to say that BNE lounge yesterday around 3-4 pm was experiencing no such problems. Plenty of seating available, clean tables and some nice hot vege samosas being brought around.

 

[MarkD]

I see about 2-3 workers this morning. Tables are getting cleaned but does take some time. Also its chockerblocked and people are sitting in the hallway area.

Will be good once everything opens up

Why would you sit in the hallway? Surely you would just leave and go sit in the terminal. I understand thats not the point of having lounge access, but is it worth using that access if its so packed you cant even sit down on a chair? Not to me.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

is it worth using that access if its so packed you cant even sit down on a chair? Not to me.

The "hallway" does have tables and chairs. It's also very wide but absolutely no privacy (or even a hint thereof).

Here's a photo I took a few weeks ago, but there are now even more tables and chairs in there.

 

[MarkD]

Yeah ok much the same as melbourne, I havnt been in there in 8 months i have been venturing to new places

 

[Grimace1]

The "hallway" does have tables and chairs. It's also very wide but absolutely no privacy (or even a hint thereof).

Here's a photo I took a few weeks ago, but there are now even more tables and chairs in there.

View attachment 49875

Walked past there 8pm last night and it was empty, walked past 10am this morning and most of the tables/chairs were in use in that little hall way

 

[mattyj89]

Was in the Brisbane lounge last night; has anyone else had issues getting in with the front desk staff?

I had scanned my boarding pass at the self serve point to enter the lounge, then proceeded to ask at the front desk about flying ahead.
I showed my boarding pass, assuming this was the point to do it (hadn't been to Brisbane lounge for over a year, so assumed I was at the right place), however, the staff member then demanded me show him my Gold card (despite the boarding pass on my mobile clearly showing Gold).

I informed him I had used the self serve to enter and was simply asking about flying ahead, to which he responded with annoyance 'may I see your gold card' again. Showed him my card and was then rudely directed to the service desk within the lounge to ask about flying ahead, as if I should have known. Reported the above on VA to twitter; they stated the issue would be raised, but it really left me annoyed; especially given I was pretty excited about this flight being the one to give enough status credits to re-Gold me for another year!

All I can assume is that I was treated so poorly as I was wearing jeans and an AFL team polo (having come straight from the Gabba)...................not really good enough when VA are constantly on about how they're the official airline of the AFL yada yada yada.

Back to the original topic; didn't seem to be any issues inside the lounge cleaning/staffing wise.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

has anyone else had issues getting in with the front desk staff?

No not as such but I did have a similar experience. I scanned the BP at the machine, but it didn't appear to register so I went to the front desk for them to scan. The guy said "you've already entered the lounge" with a curious look. When I told him the machine must have registered but not displayed, he accepted that and let me pass!

Really though, in BNE especially, you can enter and exit the lounge as many times as you like, as you need to do that to visit the toilet facilities if you're in the VA coffee shop lounge.

His attitude may have been a bit terse, but my suggestion to you is accept his officiousness gratefully, because it may indicate he is keeping out people who do not rightfully have lounge privileges! The less crowded that place right now, the better!