Voluntary de-boarding

[mosanator]

BR - whilst I can't imagine what it is like to have your discomfort at flying, I tend to agree with your sentiment re NBW. Whatever makes you feel as comfortable as possible, is absolutely your perogative.

As they say - Caveat Emptor - and whilst some over the top things have been said regarding your status with QF, I would think the very minimum you could expect would be to be able to contact your CL desk and request someone from Scheduling contact you regarding the current planned AC for your flight. I don't think that is an unreasonable request, considering your expenditure and loyalty with QF. Maybe even Red Roo could help?

PS - you (or anyone in the group) don't need a specialist luggage handler for the trip by any chance ????

 

[bossreggie]

BR - whilst I can't imagine what it is like to have your discomfort at flying, I tend to agree with your sentiment re NBW. Whatever makes you feel as comfortable as possible, is absolutely your perogative.

As they say - Caveat Emptor - and whilst some over the top things have been said regarding your status with QF, I would think the very minimum you could expect would be to be able to contact your CL desk and request someone from Scheduling contact you regarding the current planned AC for your flight. I don't think that is an unreasonable request, considering your expenditure and loyalty with QF. Maybe even Red Roo could help?

PS - you (or anyone in the group) don't need a specialist luggage handler for the trip by any chance ????

I will be fine with the luggage this trip thanks. Since Myself and +1 have paid for flights, event tickets and accommodation for everyone in our group, I'm sure they can look after the luggage.

In the past I did call with regard to 734's and also OJH. As there was always the possibility of a late equipment change, I stopped calling.

I am a very small fish in the overall scheme of things and I don't have any DYKWIA attitude. If the aircraft is one I do not feel comfortable to fly on... I just won't do it. Qantas will still get my future business.

Boss

 

[UP4014]

Nope and wouldn't do it, I leave the judgement to the airline if they believe the plane is safe enough to fly then that is good enough for me.
Also wouldn't voluntary disembark just because I wasn't happy with the type of Plane.

I would, say I expecting a Dragon Air Boeing, they have a problem and charter a nearby Tupolev that Aeroflot has sitting idle. (this can happen in some parts of the world)

Matt

 

[agent009]

Talking to my wife about this she did remind me of 2 incidents:

1. On the flight to London last year, captain comes on the PA & says flight is delayed as "we have 2 passengers who have decided not to fly with us, we are just retrieving their luggage".

2. My wifes cousin was all booked, checked in and at the last minute did not choose to go through the gates and get on the plane. He did go 2 days later but it cost him a few thousand extra.

Dont know if these things happen often though, but seems they are not as rare as we might think.

 

[rechoboam]

Totally your call BR - I have no fear of flying but try and get me to stand on a desk without checking structural integrity, having multiple hand holds and potential falling on to hazards removed from the potential fall areas...

My suggestion to make life easier for you would be to call QF the day before to check and get moved onto a different A/C rather than it being a trauma at the airport. If I was travelling with you I would prefer for you not to be in the position of seeing your look of horror as you see the wrong a/c at the gate.

Well ladders or other climbing implements cause vast amounts of injury and permanent disability...you wouldn't believe the figures. Relatively OK in under 50s but then it rockets up.


I did get a Tupolov on a route that Dragon Air would probably have flown. I got on the Tupolov (I was very young). It was scary. Fluid was dripping into the cabin. It was raining but I can't see how that would have contributed. We were given little hand-held fans. Seats weren't really anchored. A couple thousand people died that year in Chinese aircraft accidents I was told- can that be true? Commercial aircraft flew in uncontrolled airspace.

I would disembark these days.

 

[coolumbla]

Having the entire F cabin booked
We also have 13 people in J on the same flight so it will be party time!!

Boss

Party time?

sounds like you're going to need a bouncer
Where will you find one of them???

Hang on
I know!

They already have a hi viz vest to comply with security regulations!

 

[bossreggie]

Party time?

sounds like you're going to need a bouncer
Where will you find one of them???

Hang on
I know!

They already have a hi viz vest to comply with security regulations!

Now now..... You could be my travelling medical manager..... Your delinquent can be the bouncer!!!

Kind of winning.

Boss

 

[coolumbla]

maybe next time!

I'll byo vest!

 

[TonyHancock]

Never even considered voluntary de-boarding....but then again my epitaph will be Tony Hancock.....just couldn't be a*sed.

 

[vitagen]

If you volunteer to be de-boarded due to your safety concerns will QF move you to the next flight? Or is it tough luck? Go buy another ticket (if not fully flex y/j/f)?

 

[penegal]

If you volunteer to be de-boarded due to your safety concerns will QF move you to the next flight? Or is it tough luck? Go buy another ticket (if not fully flex y/j/f)?

There is no guarantee/requirement for them to do it on a discount Y ticket. You would theoretically be liable to be charged a change fee and fare difference, or buy a new ticket. If flying full Y, J or F your ticket should be flexible (except some awards).

However status can help with cheap tickets, and people do post success stories from time to time. Also if it is clear you would be "unwell" on the flight, they will sometimes allow you to rebook for free.

 

[Austman]

I decided to mention my concerns about flying on NBW after I knew it was NBW that I would be flying on. So that was after I checked- in and then saw the actual aircraft at the gate.

My experience of how Qantas handled the situation was very different to the above suggestions.

 

[mannej]

I decided to mention my concerns about flying on NBW after I knew it was NBW that I would be flying on. So that was after I checked- in and then saw the actual aircraft at the gate.

My experience of how Qantas handled the situation was very different to the above suggestions.

How was it handled, and what class were you traveling?

 

[v8Statesman]

I don't think that I could tell an unsafe plane from a safe one. They all look the same to me.

Really? A shiny painted plane looks the same as a smouldering pile of twisted metal???

 

[Peabody]

Flew the NBW again today on QF9, and am about to board her again for the onward trip to London. I feel safer on Nancy-Bird than I do any other A380 really.

 

[Austman]

How was it handled, and what class were you traveling?

They were polite but firm in their view that there should be absolutely no concerns about the aircraft. And they appeared to be a bit surprised that I could even raise the concerns.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Several years ago we were asked by UA to "go tomorrow night" instead of tonight.
Being new to being off loaded a friendly American who obviously new the rules helped us negotiate and we received $1,000 US cash, and upgrade
from Y to J, overnight hotel, meal vouchers and a limo for the day in SFO.

Every time we go to the States now I live in hope !