Why bother with carry-on bags?

[serfty]

On QF44 last year in exit 34A, travelling with Mrs serfty in 34B, the CSM came along with an express card for myself only. I did request one for her, the CSM was hesitant, but then looked at her sheet, saw she was SG (I guess) gave us another.

 

[simongr]

I have been wondering on the epass thingos whether you need more than one if travelling with someone - it would seem weird...

 

[JohnK]

At least BA are doing this. My experience to date flying QF Y is that I have never received an express card.

The only time I did not receive one from QF was on a WLG-SYD flight last November when they were not loaded onto the flight and the CSM acted as if she was not aware they were in use. It never hurts to ask for one.

 

[Shano]

The only time I did not receive one from QF was on a WLG-SYD flight last November when they were not loaded onto the flight and the CSM acted as if she was not aware they were in use. It never hurts to ask for one.

I've always asked and always been told that they didn't have enough on board for anyone other than F/J passengers.

The first time I asked the CSM was not even aware of the express cards

 

[Chucksta]

Sorry, what is an express card?

Which flights can they be obtained?

Are they only for F/J pax?

 

[Shano]

Sorry, what is an express card?

Which flights can they be obtained?

Are they only for F/J pax?

A BP sized card that enables you to use APEC/crew lanes at immigration, as well as separate security screening.

They are available for all F/J/Emerald passengers.

When checking in this morning at the First check-in area at MEL, I was handed an express card with my BP.

You should be able to obtain one for arrival into AU as well while on baord the aircraft, however this is a bit hit and miss for Emerald passengers flying Y.

 

[Chucksta]

A BP sized card that enables you to use APEC/crew lanes at immigration, as well as separate security screening.

When checking in this morning at the First check-in area at MEL, I was handed an express card with my BP.
.

Is it only for use in Australian airports? Which airports?

Is it for arrivals or departures?

 

[simongr]

SYD and MEL dep and arr (definitely arr for SYD - not sure about MEL)
Maybe others.
S

 

[dajop]

I haven't flown back into MEL on QF since they've introduced express clearance inbound, but I have quite a few times on SQ, and noticed they hand them out as the read your BP at SIN. Different approach to handing out on board, and saves confusion, although I think they probably only offer to J/F pax and not elites flying Y.

 

[Optics]

SYD and MEL dep and arr (definitely arr for SYD - not sure about MEL)
Maybe others.
S

I can confirm they are used for arr in MEL as well. I can also claim a 100% success rate in receiving one as a WP flying Y, but thankfully that is only one time

 

[winetraveller]

SYD and MEL dep and arr (definitely arr for SYD - not sure about MEL)
Maybe others.
S

Last week I passed the TG staff member rushing to hand them out. Obviously she was to late. Luckily there was no queue.

I like the Thai version were F *A passengers are escorted personally through customs.

 

[dot]

Well, of my six enties (4 x CX, 2 x QF) to Australia since the inbound express cards were introduced, I have only recieved the card once (QF form AKL). All of my travel has been in J. After I missed the cards the first few times, I started asking. The CX cabin staff didn't seem to know about the passes. So, for me, the inbound Express card clearance has been a lousy 17%.

Interestingly, the priority passes for LHR that J & F pax are supposed to get to speed inbound clearances, I have never recieved (in three flights to LHR over the past year and a half) - I guess I need to silver the palm of the priority pass fairy

 

[simongr]

The last CX entry to Oz they gave me CX branded epass vouchers

 

[dajop]

The next question is who is amassing a collection of express cards to use when they really need to, but don't get one? I've had a good hit rate of getting them, but probably only a 50% hit rate of needing to use them, so guess what I have sitting in my travel wallet?

 

[simongr]

I have three Going cheep!

 

[NM]

I have a collection of such "invitations" from several airlines and ports. My biggest collection is for "Premium" immigration lane access in KUL.

 

[winetraveller]

The next question is who is amassing a collection of express cards to use when they really need to, but don't get one? I've had a good hit rate of getting them, but probably only a 50% hit rate of needing to use them, so guess what I have sitting in my travel wallet?

I have a couple, and tried to get another today but the lovely lady at security screening took it off me.

 

[simongr]

I think outbound are less likely to be saved than inbound. At outbound I have used mine to skip the security queues rather than the immigration queues (which have been a lot less than my early experiences with SYD) - but on inbound using the duty free lane option I can take a punt on Quarantine...

 

[millesm]

a can of deodorant is the only reason I use checked baggage with international travel. Hotels would make a killing selling this stuff at check in.

I long for the good old days of low security travel, then I would never need checked bags for any length of trip. You can stuff a lot in a backpack, then steam shirts and pants in the shower on arrival followed by a quick iron.

domestic is always carry on... not that it helps much with the taxi queues in Sydney!

 

[acampbel]

Roll-on deodorant is typically 40-60ml, and you just have to be carefull with toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. The only impact to my normal ablutions is that I take a brush and small tube of shaving cream rather than the usual foam.

And it's not just the long baggage delays at third-world airports like Sydney - last year a number of my colleagues had their bags go AWOL on a trip to and from Houston. Shopping for clothes at WalMart on a Dunday evening was not what they had in mind to do, so a few of them are new converts to carry-on only.



Cheers,


Andrew

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