WP asking Etiquette when flying International Y

[Hvr]

The last time I flew QF Y internationally was on the MEL-NRT route (Jan'08) as a SG. I got the exit row aisle (thanks to the CBR lounge angels) and for some reason got a personal greeting from the CSM. Asked if I wanted any thing special and I requested a hot chocolate.

They were surprised that was all I wanted and it was delivered very quickly.

Now if I was travelling in QF Y I would probably ask for the noise cancelling head phones or a J amenities pack since I don't drink alcohol. I reckon much would be a bit too much.

 

[Ewing]

They were surprised that was all I wanted and it was delivered very quickly.

They were probably surprised because you can get a hot chocolate in QF international Y anyway (might be route dependent though)

 

[RickyT84]

Most NZ flights should be ok as all the Jetconnect (ZK registered planes) have PTVs. Qantas still operate a small few number of Tasman flights however sometimes use the ZK aircraft or otherwise the newer VH 737s. Moody and I got unlucky unfortunatley (in a few ways!)

From SYD at least, all Qantas flights to/from NZ (with the exception of QF141/114 which used to continue on/come from LAX) are operated by JetConnect. The reason that a QF aircraft is used is when the JetConnect birds go in for a service. Checking the Qantassource website, it appears that VH-VXR has been enlisted to operate the JetConnect services late last week/early this week.

As you pointed out in your post, Qantas occassionally uses the newer VH-VZ* birds for Trans Tasman services (I guess to ensure product consistency).

 

[RickyT84]

I have seen the newer 737's on the BNE-TSV run a few times and hardly ever see them on the busier routes such as SYD-BNE.

I don't think Qantas sperates the newer 73H into a different pool and specifically puts them on medium/long-haul domestic flights. I had the plesaure of travelling on a couple of them on short hops between SYD-MEL. It is complete pot luck whether you get a newer 73H or not.

 

[markis10]

I don't think Qantas sperates the newer 73H into a different pool and specifically puts them on medium/long-haul domestic flights. I had the plesaure of travelling on a couple of them on short hops between SYD-MEL. It is complete pot luck whether you get a newer 73H or not.

They get put where they are needed:

Date	Registration	Type	Flight No	From	Via	To	Notes
01/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF507	Brisbane		Sydney
01/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF435	Sydney		Melbourne
01/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF446	Melbourne		Sydney
01/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF544	Sydney		Brisbane
01/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF557	Brisbane		Sydney
02/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF121	Sydney		Queenstown
02/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF544	Sydney		Brisbane
02/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF557	Brisbane		Sydney
03/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF121	Sydney		Queenstown
03/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF122	Queenstown		Sydney
04/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF141	Sydney		Auckland
04/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF114	Auckland		Sydney
05/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF671	Melbourne		Adelaide
05/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF754	Adelaide		Darwin
05/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF757	Darwin		Adelaide
05/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF692	Adelaide		Melbourne
05/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF490	Melbourne		Sydney
06/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF121	Sydney		Queenstown
06/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF122	Queenstown		Sydney
06/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF548	Sydney		Brisbane
07/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF505	Brisbane		Sydney
07/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF790	Sydney		Alice Springs
07/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF113	Sydney		Auckland
08/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF142	Auckland		Sydney
08/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF43	Sydney		Auckland
08/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF44	Auckland		Sydney
09/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF141	Sydney		Auckland
09/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF114	Auckland		Sydney
09/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF459	Sydney		Melbourne
10/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF475	Melbourne		Perth
11/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF906	Perth		Karratha
11/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF907	Karratha		Perth
11/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1094	Perth		Newman
11/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1095	Newman		Perth
11/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF918	Perth		Karratha
11/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF917	Karratha		Perth
12/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF910	Perth		Karratha
12/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF911	Karratha		Perth
12/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1124	Perth		Port Hedland
12/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1125	Port Hedland		Perth
13/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF906	Perth		Karratha
13/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF907	Karratha		Perth
13/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF914	Perth		Karratha
13/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF913	Karratha		Perth
13/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1096	Perth		Newman
13/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1097	Newman		Perth
14/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF792	Perth		Darwin
14/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF793	Darwin		Perth
14/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1065	Kalgoorlie		Perth
15/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1110	Perth		Port Hedland
15/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1111	Port Hedland		Perth
15/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1089	Newman		Perth
16/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF582	Perth		Sydney
17/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF415	Sydney		Melbourne
17/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF614	Melbourne		Brisbane
17/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF663	Brisbane		Adelaide
17/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF656	Adelaide		Brisbane
18/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF605	Brisbane		Melbourne
18/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF418	Melbourne		Sydney
18/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF747	Sydney		Adelaide
18/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF585	Adelaide		Perth
18/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1096	Perth		Newman
18/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1097	Newman		Perth
19/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1123	Port Hedland		Perth
19/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1000	Perth		Karratha
19/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1001	Karratha		Perth
19/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1122	Melbourne		Sydney
20/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1092	Perth		Newman
20/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1093	Newman		Perth
20/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1089	Newman		Perth
21/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF912	Perth		Karratha
21/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF919	Karratha		Perth
21/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1115	Port Hedland		Perth
22/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF590	Perth		Adelaide
23/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF611	Brisbane		Melbourne
23/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF614	Melbourne		Brisbane
23/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF784	Brisbane		Cairns
23/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF655	Cairns		Brisbane
24/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF981	Brisbane		Alice Springs
24/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF982	Alice Springs		Brisbane
24/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1078	Brisbane		Mount Isa
24/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF1079	Mount Isa		Brisbane
25/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF501	Brisbane		Sydney
25/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF739	Sydney		Adelaide
25/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF680	Adelaide		Melbourne
25/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF434	Melbourne		Sydney
25/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF445	Sydney		Melbourne
25/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF458	Melbourne		Sydney
25/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF785	Sydney		Adelaide
26/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF593	Adelaide		Perth
26/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF668	Perth		Adelaide
26/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF632	Melbourne		Brisbane
27/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF798	Brisbane		Cairns
27/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF649	Cairns		Brisbane
27/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF627	Brisbane		Melbourne
27/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF701	Melbourne		Adelaide
28/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF732	Adelaide		Sydney
28/06/2012	VH-VZZ	B737-800	QF783	Sydney		Adelaide

 

[Ewing]

I have seen the newer 737's on the BNE-TSV run a few times and hardly ever see them on the busier routes such as SYD-BNE.

I had a new 737 (VH-VZV) with Boeing sky interior and AVOD on SYD-MEL on Wednesday.

 

[Moody]

It was a rather sad plane. I wrongly assumed they only sent the newer birds with the ptv's across the Tasman.

It was an interesting altercation from my viewpoint in Row 5. The guy in 6 was WP (saw him in the F Lounge) however the lady in 5F was Gold or lower (no welcome from the CSM - as great as it was - nor an express card).

What didn't impress me was that the two WPs in the Row 4 aisles (plus companions) told the first FA that they'd have the red from J (and received it) and the proceeded to tell every other FA the same when they wanted refills and continued to get it while the WPs in Row 5 got the standard stuff. If they're going to do it for one, do it for all! Worst was when I called for a wine, the FA came up with a white for me and reds for row 4 and then announces "oh you're having the stuff from up the front" and went to get it.

Yep - there was a lot of love for Row 4 .... to the point of being offensive. I don't mind a bit of subtle stroking of the Platinums who are slumming it with the rest of us in economy. What I do mind is being made to feel like an Untouchable because of the stark differences in the service provided. It was definitely the worst example of toadying I have seen whilst travelling on Qantas, and I hope it's not a trend.

 

[Global Tripper]

Just like zachary.august I am a CL 1. On the very few occasions I have travelled Y. The offer invariably made was low key and my response was moderate in response such as 'perhaps a glass of wine' asking for more is just out of order. If you want more then pay for it.

 

[klavdy]

The lovely Qantas Head Hostie (and she most definitely was a Hostie) on a recent trip packed up several ice cream bars in dry ice and gave them to me to take home.
They weren't asked for, not even a hint, we'd got to talking and I said I really liked them.
As we were getting off the plane, she gave me a package of them.
I was delighted.

 

[bodog]

What didn't impress me was that the two WPs in the Row 4 aisles (plus companions) told the first FA that they'd have the red from J (and received it) and the proceeded to tell every other FA the same when they wanted refills and continued to get it while the WPs in Row 5 got the standard stuff. If they're going to do it for one, do it for all! Worst was when I called for a wine, the FA came up with a white for me...

Similar experience on QF48 yesterday from WLG - I'm in 4A but didn't feel the love but the guy in 4C must have been WP as he got the Fin Review offered and the wine (albeit Y class level) kept coming for him (have to say I don't believe he asked for the special attention)- when I requested a second bottle they kind of looked at me like I was asking for something I shouldn't have expected to get, and they took their sweet time to bring it (same happened with the third one too!)

Can't wait til next month when I tick over to WP - it will be the land of express cards, newspapers and flowing wine (maybe even from J when in Y) for me - life will be good

 

[Kangol]

Yep - there was a lot of love for Row 4 .... to the point of being offensive. I don't mind a bit of subtle stroking of the Platinums who are slumming it with the rest of us in economy. What I do mind is being made to feel like an Untouchable because of the stark differences in the service provided. It was definitely the worst example of toadying I have seen whilst travelling on Qantas, and I hope it's not a trend.

Not int, but dom last night - was in 6C and once the seatbelt sign was off the FA in J came through with a tray of 3 glasses of red, put one on the tray table of 5D then proceeded to walk down the aisle - lady in 5D must've been P1 or CL as it'd be safe to say that everyone in row 4, 5 and 6 were WPs at least...

Then later on a different FA came up to the guy in 4A and proceeded to make conversation with him then later brought some wine from J as well as the guy in 4C...

 

[freepyjamas]

Not int, but dom last night - was in 6C and once the seatbelt sign was off the FA in J came through with a tray of 3 glasses of red, put one on the tray table of 5D then proceeded to walk down the aisle - lady in 5D must've been P1 or CL as it'd be safe to say that everyone in row 4, 5 and 6 were WPs at least...

Then later on a different FA came up to the guy in 4A and proceeded to make conversation with him then later brought some wine from J as well as the guy in 4C...

Pretty efficient way to make their Platinum FF's feel second-rate. You'd think any P1 perks would be a little more discreet than that.

 

[TonyHancock]

Pretty efficient way to make their Platinum FF's feel second-rate. You'd think any P1 perks would be a little more discreet than that.

It's hard to see how FA's can be that discreet, especially on a 737. Despite P1 being pretty poor I actually have no desire to go back to WP, because it is even worse. I honestly believe that WP is really SG+ these days. QF has too many status FF's in my opinion, but I guess that is the way it has to be.

 

[Happy Trails]

Not int, but dom last night - was in 6C and once the seatbelt sign was off the FA in J came through with a tray of 3 glasses of red, put one on the tray table of 5D then proceeded to walk down the aisle - lady in 5D must've been P1 or CL as it'd be safe to say that everyone in row 4, 5 and 6 were WPs at least...

Then later on a different FA came up to the guy in 4A and proceeded to make conversation with him then later brought some wine from J as well as the guy in 4C...

Lady 5D might have been staff perhaps?

 

[N860CR]

Lady 5D might have been staff perhaps?

No way. As somebody who has used QF staff travel in the past, believe me there's no special treatment. It's the very opposite in fact.

 

[scheps]

I only have one experience, but i disagree.

A couple got comped up to PE and given at least J food and bottle of (insert type of ETOH - in duty free bag). The reason? the wife used to work as a FA. This was LAX to Syd. Flight. I had to give up my seat for them ( i had empty seat next to me).

 

[N860CR]

I'd say that's just a one off. Generally, as a staff traveller you get treated very poorly by the crew. This is especially evident in the Business/First cabin. Many FA's aren't entitled to staff travel in premium cabins (need to be a 7 year employee) and I've found a few of them have a bit of a jealous attitude about it. More often than not, staff are skipped over for meals and miss out on things like PJ's and amenity kits. There's no reason to complain, it's clearly written in the staff travel T&C's, however receiving any extra special attention would certainly be a rare exception to the rule.

 

[Kangol]

Lady 5D might have been staff perhaps?

She wasn't in uniform, but I doubt it. Do staff travellers in Y get access to emerald city anyway?
I have been in dom J several times with staff members (looked like FAs) in uniform sitting next to me - might have been positioning flights for crew or other operational reasons but in those instances they have not received any special treatment.

I only have one experience, but i disagree.

A couple got comped up to PE and given at least J food and bottle of (insert type of ETOH - in duty free bag). The reason? the wife used to work as a FA. This was LAX to Syd. Flight. I had to give up my seat for them ( i had empty seat next to me).

Where did you get moved to? Hopefully not a downgrade!
How did you find out that she used to be an FA?

 

[Kangol]

It's hard to see how FA's can be that discreet, especially on a 737. Despite P1 being pretty poor I actually have no desire to go back to WP, because it is even worse. I honestly believe that WP is really SG+ these days. QF has too many status FF's in my opinion, but I guess that is the way it has to be.

You're probably right. I don't know how it'd feel going back to SG/PS after being WP for such a short time but it doesn't appear to be anything to look forward to.

For those of you who were WPs say 5-10 years ago, what was it like? Were the benefits (relative to lower tiered FFers) much better?

 

[JohnK]

Despite P1 being pretty poor I actually have no desire to go back to WP, because it is even worse. I honestly believe that WP is really SG+ these days.

I have been saying it for a number of years now. When I first made Platinum in 2007 the benefits were really nice and it was a huge step from Gold. Now I am not so sure.

QF has too many status FF's in my opinion, but I guess that is the way it has to be.

Way too many but it does not have to be this way. First step is to stop these stupid double SCs promotions.