Was this abad virgin experience, do I send feedback?

[medhead]

LOL

I was going to say that to med - but then again, I know him and he would have taken it in the context meant.

I think I might only say to spreezy that I do about 100 peak hour domestic flights a year and I have learned to treasure an empty middle seat when they rarely happen. If he is a new member I do really hope he sticks around. But don't call me <A particular name> because that really upsets me.

I think I had that guy next to me on Thursday FWIW in J SYD/AKL. He was:

1. An arm rest hog (in j!)
2. A singer along and random drum player to whatever he was listening to in his iPod
3. .....

I think that you should actually write a letter to VA stating the points that I see are valid, the non-allocated seating and the loyalty bit. You are presumptuous that he didn't fly VA much so I would be leaving that out, but as you know, I am an advocator of 3(4 on QF) B-E through to row 6 or 7 being blocked until absolutely necessary to allocate them seats - FWIW, QF does do this to a certain degree...

I also have a problem with FA's reallocating PAX at will. I have been reallocated at will by CSM's over the years to other classes due to whinging people who thought they had <insert myriad of excuses here like "I though I had booked a window seat...">, but on boarding and without a transparent reason, poor form for all the reasons you mentioned in the last few posts. Yes - write a letter.

I think a lot of my problem is working out the important issues to mention, hence the thread. Made harder as I can't really see any fault from those involved, but it was still an annoyance. I would definitely not characterise the other guy if I did send something, as that is presumptuous. Just the sequence of events was funny:

• Get on check the J cabin
• Pull out wallet, say "I'm a platinum can I use my free upgrades now?" (not familiar with the VA system?)
• Accept the no walk down the cabin
• get to row 3, ask to sit there
• Another presumption is not being familiar with the upgrade, he may not have realised they use both the front and rear stairs

Was this thread meant as [Fanboi bait]?

but it's more to do with the fact you have started a discussion and an airline representative is likely to read it. So, in that sense, formal feedback is mostly redundant at this point.

:shock: - need a whistle or innocent face smiley.

Just be grateful you only had one JQ flight yesterday

I'm eternally grateful I had the one correct JQ flight yesterday.

I should also say that the VA Lougne staff in ADL were amazing yesterday for balance. (and the MEL staff as well) I stopped in for a freshen up, shower etc., before going straight out for dinner. Without going into details the staff member provided extra amendities that I didn't ask to have but did appreciate. Basically a thoughtfulness that can be rare.

 

[amaroo]

Given VA just status matched anyone they could find.....the CSM was probably just following the lead from management

 

[spreezy]

I think I might only say to spreezy that I do about 100 peak hour domestic flights a year and I have learned to treasure an empty middle seat when they rarely happen. If he is a new member I do really hope he sticks around. But don't call me <A particular name> because that really upsets me.

You're not the only one, people have to fly to other places just like you. I'm sure if you were in his situation you would of been happy.
Ahh and i'm not a new member here I just dont post often but I see alot of pretentious complaints and I guess I just singled you out

 

[medhead]

You're not the only one, people have to fly to other places just like you. I'm sure if you were in his situation you would of been happy.

Clearly there is a balance between both our wants, needs and desires. Part of the reason for the thread was to help me clarify that balance.

Ahh and i'm not a new member here I just dont post often but I see alot of pretentious complaints and I guess I just singled you out

Sorry i started my reply before thinking to check your profile. On the singling out, I done the same a few times.

 

[Deleted member]

I think the main issue here is that the guy just picked and chose what seat he wanted. If he was allocated row 30 and had the boarding pass, he should have bloody well sat there. I don't have a row 3 fetish but seriously, don't they issue boarding passes for a reason. Next time I get shoved in row 29 or whatever I am just going to demand row 3 and they will oblige !!!! Seriously doubt it, I would get an AFP escort off the aircraft.
Worthy of a complaint- no I don't think so, but wrong? Bloody oath it's wrong

SWMBO will not fly VA again too often she has booked front row , only to be shoved down the back to accommodate some couple who want to sit together. seems that seats are not allocated with any real need to stay put. Having said that I went to Auckland a few weeks ago and was moved up to row 3 on a fairly full flight. Bear in mind I have no status with VA

 

[Deleted member]

Firstly, let me start with my opinion; I understand the concerns and completely agree with the arguments raised in this thread, but I don't think that you need to pass on feedback. It's not that the feedback wouldn't be valid -- it would -- but it's more to do with the fact you have started a discussion and an airline representative is likely to read it. So, in that sense, formal feedback is mostly redundant at this point.

With regard to whether the FA should have seated the man in Row 3, probably not. There is the chance they saw the mans Platinum Q Tag as you did, and saw this as an opportunity to possibly win over a frequent flyer. But if there were other spare seats onboard, than row three, IMO, should be for Velocity members!

Have you ever wondered how it must be for someone to spend years accumulating status, remaining loyal and basically being a true believer, only to have some johnny Come lately jump the queue as it were and receive treatment / status that has taken them years to achieve ? It may to seem like a big thing , but that's what loyalty is supposed to mean

 

[dfcatch]

Have you ever wondered how it must be for someone to spend years accumulating status, remaining loyal and basically being a true believer, only to have some johnny Come lately jump the queue as it were and receive treatment / status that has taken them years to achieve ? It may to seem like a big thing , but that's what loyalty is supposed to mean

If you're talking about status match - remember two things:

1/ VA is a business - and they need to win over regular flyers who won't jump unless they get status benefits.

2/ If they fail to meet the retain requirements then you'll be back to being the only loyal customer and you can have the benefits to yourself.

Stop being envious of others and just worry about whether you are getting your published benefits or not.

BTW - before you complain about lounge overcrowding etc. remember that lounge upgrades and other improvements to benefits will only occur if there is a critical mass of status members. If it's just you and a few others - benefits will remain exclusive - but also basic.

 

[UP4014]

The crew should of asked him to sit in his assigned seat, but if he is creating a fuss and all he wants is a different seat then perhaps give it to him to keep the peace.

As a QF flyer I'm just glad this guy flew Virgin, and hopefully more often Virgin if he gets his own seat request changes after allocation.

Matt

 

[MarkD]

Good to know that next time I don't get my preferred seat, I can just throw a little tantrum jump up and down and I will get what I want. Thanks for setting the precedent

 

[medhead]

Good to know that next time I don't get my preferred seat, I can just throw a little tantrum jump up and down and I will get what I want. Thanks for setting the precedent

Pas long as you fly a different airline, you're welcome.

 

[MarkD]

Nah I'm gonna try and get on all your flights

 

[maninblack]

Any the guy gets on last and after trying to upgrade spots seats 3A/B are empty and asks to sit there. The CS allowed him to move.

End of story isn't it. Good luck to the guy, well done to him. If you don't ask you probably won't receive. And well done to the Virgin CSM who spotted an unhappy QF Platinum customer, went that extra yard and may have won over his business for her company.

Instead, might I suggest I think you might like to consider giving Virgin some feedback on their deplorable website and their lack of IFE :!:

 

[Mal]

End of story isn't it. Good luck to the guy, well done to him. If you don't ask you probably won't receive. And well done to the Virgin CSM who spotted an unhappy QF Platinum customer, went that extra yard and may have won over his business for her company.

Instead, might I suggest I think you might like to consider giving Virgin some feedback on their deplorable website and their lack of IFE :!:

The DYKWIA type customer is surely one DJ wants to keep. That's cool, however, I doubt he will retain his status match past 12 months. I'm sure he will keep trying his tricks.

(Yes, I am a matched customer, but I at least intend to meet Gold or Plat over my year - does depend on my travel plans for the next few months though)

 

[maninblack]

The DYKWIA type customer is surely one DJ wants to keep. That's cool, however, I doubt he will retain his status match past 12 months. I'm sure he will keep trying his tricks.

(Yes, I am a matched customer, but I at least intend to meet Gold or Plat over my year - does depend on my travel plans for the next few months though)

I am always careful not to make judgments about a persons character and I wouldn't be so sure about a airline persons 'loyalty', we all have a tipping point, and this bloke might have reached his. I was a pretty 'loyal' QF customer until a number of events in quick succession finally tipped me.

As to the guy asking for a seat move, what trick is that, good luck to him, I commend his action.

 

[medhead]

.
As to the guy asking for a seat move, what trick is that, good luck to him, I commend his action.

Fair enough, I'll drag out my platinum card in future and play the same trick then.

 

[straitman]

Fair enough, I'll drag out my platinum card in future and play the same trick then.

Just make sure you post all your flight details so we can ensure someone gets some photos really soon so they can be posted here :!:

 

[Foreigner]

Colleague going from SYD to APW last week had flight cancelled. After waiting long period at check in, finally told that flight would not go. He was offered flight via AKL (consequently delayed arrival in APW) but Virgin wouldn't change the return flight. He struggled for taxi voucher. Eventually he paid his own way home.

He later booked and flew FJ via NAN and will be seeking refund from Virgin. Seems unlikely to get refund but may have credit to use in 12 months.

Anyway...in APW he found out apparently the pilot who was supposed to go to APW had passed away just prior to Departure ex Sydney. Understandably, Virgin couldn't get substitute crew at very short notice.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm siding with the big M on this one. Complaint worthy, no....feedback worthy yes, definitely!

A SMed QF genuine WP (with a capital W) rants and raves and lands a seat that inconveniences (albeit without the prior knowledge of the CS) a genuine DJ Plat. Let's not pretend that shaddows don't exist....they do and I've often been told I've been given a shaddow. That's done pre-aircraft and I'd be disappointed if it was undone onboard for the reason of keeping an unloyal FF quiet (not happy, but quietish).

It's not the same, but may I regail the event of my last QF BNE-LAX flight. I bought the cheapest, nastiest, Y fare going, so I didn't expect much. Boarded the flight, took my assigned seat (aisle, I was very happy with that) and sat waiting for boarding to complete. A commotion erupted from aft of my seat and turning to look, I noticed an agitated gent who had a bulkhead seat that didn't recline. The QF lady, calmed the situation by offering him another seat......the one immediately in front of me. Apart from the realisation that I would have had a spare seat in front (no recline into my lap), the worst realisation was that the disruptive gent (who happened to speak with a distinct American accent) obviously had some mental disorder that made him want to recline the whole journey :-(

To cut a long story short, this pr*ck had his seat fully reclined into my lap the entire journey, including meals and take off and landing. Despite the CS requesting him, to return to the upright for these select times, he did so (with a great deal of huffing and puffing) for only as long as the CS was watching and then fully reclined again. I'm a fairly easy going sort, but with that clown, I made sure in the interest of neighbourly reciprocity one of my lower extermities (knee, foot, baseball bat) was firmly in his back the whole bloody trip! It made it uncomfortable for me, but that was a given from the moment he sat in my lap, so I was determined to repay that generosity in kind.


Did I complain? No. Will I fly QF again? Yes. Will I forget what a pain in the a*#e that flight was........most certainly not.


The CS chose an easy option.......for her, that meant I had to endure hours upon hours of an ignorant clown (and for that matter, he probably says the same thing).

Medheads experience is somewhat different to mine. He is a genuine loyal FF who should be recognised over the once in a lifetime knobs who reckon they deseve preferential treatment.

 

[Justchecking]

I've often been told I've been given a shaddow. That's done pre-aircraft and I'd be disappointed if it was undone onboard for the reason of keeping an unloyal FF quiet (not happy, but quietish).

In which case you might want to check with the airline in question whether or not the mysterious 'shadow' has been communicated to onboard crew and whether or not the maintaining of it is part of their job. To be honest this whole thread is bordering on the petulant. To be sure no-one likes sitting next to\behind\in front of a d@#$head, but it happens. Are you guys really arguing that whether the placement of the d@#$%head in your vicinity happens onboard or off, determines how you're going to feel about it. Have a think about that for a moment. You're only up in arms about it because you were privy to how the d@#$%head got the seat. As the OP said....if he had 3B on his boarding pass this wouldn't even be a topic up for discussion,and the OPs inflight experience would have been the same.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Are you guys really arguing that whether the placement of the d@#$%head in your vicinity happens onboard or off, determines how you're going to feel about it.

No, not at all. In my case, it's a lay down misere. No trick could be taken nor expected to be taken. In Medheads case, it's somewhat different. Most of us have already guessed that row 3 is for status members and any seat adjustments should only be undertaken with a degree of thought. A clearly peed off and outspoken would-be-if-they-could-be is not what I'd consider a "safe" bet. The indication was that there were other suitable alternate seats available and they should have been chosen over row 3. I agree shaddows are a "nice" but unwritten benefit, but if they are indeed an unwritten benefit, they should be semi-respected. QF1+1 weren't in row 145 because they were valued customers.