Virgin priority boarding fail

[Harrison_133]

Absolute shocker out of the Gold Coast today.

Boarding in progress on arrival to gate. Priority lane completely clear. But only one staff member scanning BPs, on the general side, completely ignoring the presence of people in the priority lane, which was growing at this point as more arrived from the lounge. We had to awkwardly shuffle our way in front of the general people who didn’t seem too pleased about us queue jumpers.

Then we get outside and the cabin crew aren’t actually ready for passengers to board. So we stand outside on the tarmac until they’re ready and told to form two lines, one for the front door and one for the back. Felt very Ryanair. So I’d consider priority boarding completely useless on this flight.

Usually it’s Melbourne that have very liberal interpretations of the new procedure, but I think this one takes the cake.

Time to submit some more feedback…

 

[jakeseven7]

Absolute shocker out of the Gold Coast today we get outside and the cabin crew aren’t actually ready for passengers to board. So we stand outside on the tarmac until they’re ready and told to form two lines, one for the front door and one for the back. Felt very Ryanair.

Cutting this part out - this happened to me a couple of weeks ago as well!

I actually think this is seperate to the mess of the ‘new normal’ VA2 PB now, this is apparently a part of the new SOP at GC that the gate dragons are allowed to use to help OTP, as one of my friends works there, says they do it to speed boarding up because it’s all tarmac boarding there….They don’t do it when it’s raining though apparently….!

So VA2 will in the GC quite possibly ‘preboard’ like we both experienced, shuffle you out 50m into the tarmac then hold you there for approx 5-10 mins which feels a lot longer than it sounds!

 

[SeaWolf]

then hold you there for approx 5-10 mins which feels a lot longer than it sounds!

Especially when you're not supposed to use your phones on the tarmac!

 

[kookaburra75]

Heading out of Canberra this afternoon, on the 1.40 flight. Was up in the Lounge and the flight was called at 1.15. when we got down they had started boarding and there was a long queue for the main line. There was no one in the Priority Boarding line, so MrsK and I jumped into that - as a Plat. They only had one person scanning (as there was only one scanner), but they called us across straight away and zapped us through. It all worked ok in the end.

 

[dk4]

I had my first version of the new system with front door only boarding the other day (due to rain, the back door was not opened). So it was; pre-board/extra-assistance, then straight to priority, then wait until the priority lane almost emptied, and then call general boarding 15-30 (The last of priority zip-merged into general 15-30, after the BP scanners, as everyone headed to 1L). Then presumably some time later (after I was onboard) a call for full general boarding all rows, while priority queue remained empty for those who prefer to board last.

 

[PERLHR]

All good in priority boarding yesterday at Cairns to Brisbane and also Brisbane to Perth. No issues at all. Were even patient as I showed the wrong electronic boarding card.....and then fumbled finding the correct....(technology eh!).

 

[HeavyElectricity]

First time experiencing this mess myself MEL-PER on Monday (the PER-MEL leg was handled fine).

Priority called, then immediately general boarding. One staff member started processing general boarding whilst the staff member at priority line wrestled with the computer for quite some time before even being able to start processing the line.

Didn't appear to cross either of their minds to get the priority line going via the other machine and halt general boarding whilst sorting the issue out.

 

[Harrison_133]

Not wanting to jinx myself here… but priority boarding enforced well on all of 6 of my flights in the last 2 weeks (surprisingly even the Melbourne departures).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not wanting to jinx myself here… but priority boarding enforced well on all of 6 of my flights in the last 2 weeks (surprisingly even the Melbourne departures).

Yeah, Melbourne seems to still be doing it ‘old skool’. Last night it was priority boarding only first, until that queue was exhausted. Then while the priority boarding lane was kept free, boarding only for rows 15 and beyond. Then finally rows 3-15, again only through the non-priority lane.

Pax not entitled to priority boarding were sent to the right queue. Multiple pax not happy with this, despite regular calls saying the priority lane was only for business class, platinums, golds and economy X.

 

[Harrison_133]

Yeah, Melbourne seems to still be doing it ‘old skool’. Last night it was priority boarding only first, until that queue was exhausted.

Pax not entitled to priority boarding were sent to the right queue. Multiple pax not happy with this, despite regular calls saying the priority lane was only for business class, platinums, golds and economy X.

Good to hear, and in my opinion, as it should be done.

Dare I say they’ve actually taken the feedback onboard… or maybe I’m stretching my luck a bit thin

 

[RooFlyer]

Dare I say they’ve actually taken the feedback onboard… or maybe I’m stretching my luck a bit thin

When the expensive consultants start whinging, ya gotta act .... fast

 

[RooFlyer]

PB executed as it should be ( at least for the time I watched) at BNE bound for MEL Sun morning.

Priority boarding announced and commenced in PB lane. Few moments later, general boarding called. A couple of voice calls by the 2 agents as to who should be in which lane (that was good - should be more of it).

I stopped and watched for a minute. PB lane emptied and then both agents checked non PB pax. Kept the PB lane clear.

 

[TMP]

First flight out of Melbourne yesterday to ADL. Scheduled 0710 departure. Cabin manager arrived at about 650 (after boarding was due to commence). Gate agent on PA says "due to late arrival of cabin manager, we will be boarding in groups, rear to front". When boarding commences the usual priority was called first, we were straight on and so didn't see/hear whether they cleared PB first or did the boarding by seat groups. Cabin manager said that their clock on time was 650am. Which tells me that flight was NEVER going to depart on time. Cabin manager referred to staff shortages, which would certainly have driven that strange scenario (i.e. VA not rostering someone on from 630). Cabin manager and crew were great.

 

[RooFlyer]

Now PB MEL-HBA. PB called on time but scanners not ready for half a min.

As before, both scanning agents called PBorders forward, cleared the PB lane then started on non PBers. I then went on board - didn't see if PB lane kept clear.

So this worked well on both recent flights. Even if PB lane then gets filled by non PBers, what they need is for PBers simply to walk to the head of the queue when they arrive.

Edit: both this and my prior flight had doors closed 2-5 mins ahead of departure time.

 

[Must...Fly!]

First flight out of Melbourne yesterday to ADL. Scheduled 0710 departure. Cabin manager arrived at about 650 (after boarding was due to commence). Gate agent on PA says "due to late arrival of cabin manager, we will be boarding in groups, rear to front". When boarding commences the usual priority was called first, we were straight on and so didn't see/hear whether they cleared PB first or did the boarding by seat groups. Cabin manager said that their clock on time was 650am. Which tells me that flight was NEVER going to depart on time. Cabin manager referred to staff shortages, which would certainly have driven that strange scenario (i.e. VA not rostering someone on from 630). Cabin manager and crew were great.

Probably late notice sickness or something and minimum rest dictated the earliest possible sign on time for a replacement.

 

[RooFlyer]

At SYD, watching boarding of adjacent gate VA557 to Perth. Massive PB queue with the non PB queue snaking off in separate direction ( so signing very clear).

Gate agent called out eligibility and maybe 75% of PB queue went across to the other

 

[RooFlyer]

BNE this morning for HBA flight. Arrived from lounge just before boarding called and then found .... no one in either queue! One guy was standing back from the Priority lane and I stood behind him.

When boarding called, we two moved forward, but still no one else queuing in the lanes. A very relaxed mob; we still pushed back 3 mins early.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Fail in SYD a couple of days ago… boarding through forward door only, via stairs only (gate 43?)

PB called then general called two seconds later.

Ground staff commenting ‘there’s a bit of a queue on the tarmac’. Didn’t occur to them that perhaps the new style of boarding doesn’t make sense with a single door?

 

[flyingfan]

BNE-MEL: one queue for premium and the other for general (second half of Y rows I think). I really preferred the old way.

 

[Axe_L_Thief]

Had no issues with Priority on SYD-HBA, HBA-MEL and MEL-SYD last week. Priority offerred to board first on all legs, and honoured.