Virgin priority boarding fail

[jase05]

MEL was a charm last night.
On arrival at the gate the purple line had about 20-30 in it already and the red line snaked it’s way back a fair bit. I was thinking that there must have been a stack of status holders on the flight and then the VA enforcer came along and checked everyone’s ticket. Those without Priority privileges were promptly sent to the back of the red line and we ended up being fourth in line

 

[MH_fan]

MEL was a charm last night.
On arrival at the gate the purple line had about 20-30 in it already and the red line snaked it’s way back a fair bit. I was thinking that there must have been a stack of status holders on the flight and then the VA enforcer came along and checked everyone’s ticket. Those without Priority privileges were promptly sent to the back of the red line and we ended up being fourth in line

And that's how it should be done!

 

[Milefest]

Priority boarding fail this morning on VA551 SYD-PER. Gate agents began general boarding before priority boarding. Priority boarding didn't begin until a second gate agent appeared sometime later and began scanning BPs in the priority lane.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have generally found VA priority boarding to be quite well managed. Flying weekly ex MEL and SYD.

The main gripe is premature ejection from the lounge when boarding is announced to be underway… but is not

 

[Keilobyte]

I have generally found VA priority boarding to be quite well managed. Flying weekly ex MEL and SYD.

The main gripe is premature ejection from the lounge when boarding is announced to be underway… but is not

I had the opposite issue once where boarding was announced in the MEL lounge (on time departure), I'd gone straight to the gate, and when getting there was confronted with a slightly grumpy lady telling those us arriving at the gate from the lounge to hurry and that boarding was closing.

 

[AIRwin]

I had the opposite issue once where boarding was announced in the MEL lounge (on time departure), I'd gone straight to the gate, and when getting there was confronted with a slightly grumpy lady telling those us arriving at the gate from the lounge to hurry and that boarding was closing.

Was that when the lounge was still landside?

 

[ferntree]

Priority boarding fail this morning on VA551 SYD-PER. Gate agents began general boarding before priority boarding. Priority boarding didn't begin until a second gate agent appeared sometime later and began scanning BPs in the priority lane.

That really isn't good enough ... they should have done it the other way round.

 

[Keilobyte]

Was that when the lounge was still landside?

It was, but priority exit was open and I was straight through (no queue). Normally, as the other person said, you get to the gate and stand among the gate lice wondering where the priority lane is so I was very surprised.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I was impressed by the effort put in by the gate agents last night in Melbourne. Being very dilligent, telling gate lice (Perth flight, of course...) to bugger off until they call general boarding/their row.

 

[Harrison_133]

Both of my flights out of MEL and SYD today used the “old” priority boarding method. General was held back while they cleared priority through both scanning lanes. It was well enforced, with the SYD agent even roping off general so they couldn’t get through early.

Hopefully we’re back to normal programming with priority boarding. Simultaneously calling rows 15-30 through general was causing too many inconsistencies with it in my experience.

 

[servicerequired]

It was, but priority exit was open and I was straight through (no queue). Normally, as the other person said, you get to the gate and stand among the gate lice wondering where the priority lane is so I was very surprised.

Gate lice ... love it. Very accurate.

 

[jakeseven7]

Priority boarding fail this morning on VA551 SYD-PER. Gate agents began general boarding before priority boarding. Priority boarding didn't begin until a second gate agent appeared sometime later and began scanning BPs in the priority lane.

I had both lines processed at exactly the same time this morning, which is their ‘new’ way of doing things unfortunately- preferred their old way of only doing priority first. I’m still not sure why they changed it - discussion is up thread….

Better than what your experienced though.

 

[blackcat20]

I had the opposite issue once where boarding was announced in the MEL lounge (on time departure), I'd gone straight to the gate, and when getting there was confronted with a slightly grumpy lady telling those us arriving at the gate from the lounge to hurry and that boarding was closing.

We had the same three weeks ago. Gate was empty and they were announcing final call as we rushed (with two toddlers) towards the gate. And the flight didn't even manage to leave early

 

[RooFlyer]

Three boardings in past week - HBA, MEL and BNE, all done in the 'traditional' manner. Priority lane called, and processed first. I was in the first 5 each time, so don't know when general lane opened. Pleased that they still do it so consistently

 

[jase05]

which is their ‘new’ way of doing things unfortunately

Is it though?
I’ve only come across it once or twice out of my last dozen flights.
I agree it is a pain when they do it that way and can’t understand why they would do it

 

[RooFlyer]

Is it though?

From our collective experience, a couple of occurrences does not constitute a 'new way of doing things'.

 

[liamsal]

Not sure if it’s just me but my last few flights out of OOL have seen the priority line swamped with non-status PAX. It seems to be a problem since they’ve moved the boarding lines into that hallway that leads to the tarmac as they’re poorly signed.

 

[p--and--t]

Two flights last month one out of BNE and one out of ADL. No attempt at PB all. Open slather.

One was one of their one class planes and they didn't bother at all, I guessed because nobody paid for J but what about status passengers?

The other flight was running quite late and they just boarded everyone at once through front and back doors in one go.

 

[kookaburra75]

Sunday afternoon, flying out of Melbourne to Canberra. Priority Lane was called up first, and was managed - I didn't see if anyone got kicked out of the line. It was a full flight, so I was glad to board first and get my bag up top before everything filled up.

 

[blackcat20]

Not sure if it’s just me but my last few flights out of OOL have seen the priority line swamped with non-status PAX. It seems to be a problem since they’ve moved the boarding lines into that hallway that leads to the tarmac as they’re poorly signed.

I've found the new setup really good. All general pax to one side so we wandered up the empty lane and were seen to quickly.