Qantas to Introduce Group Boarding and Bag Tracking

[Falcs]

Annoyingly I used to be able to put one FF # on the booking and flash my other card (i.e. use status from one program but collect on another).

Works ok for lounge entry but the automatic BP scanners don't allow this with the group boarding codes.

 

[Beano]

Annoyingly I used to be able to put one FF # on the booking and flash my other card (i.e. use status from one program but collect on another).

Works ok for lounge entry but the automatic BP scanners don't allow this with the group boarding codes.

So why didn't you use the same card in the booking?

 

[Falcs]

So why didn't you use the same card in the booking?

Because I'm collecting points and SC through Qantas (no status) but using OWS status for the benefits. Anyway, 2 more weeks and the problem will be solved.

 

[itsjackson]

Because I'm collecting points and SC through Qantas (no status) but using OWS status for the benefits. Anyway, 2 more weeks and the problem will be solved.

Last time I flew, I had my OWE FF on my BP until boarding. After it was scanned, I was still able to change the FF number back to QF using the QR mmb and it was credited correctly. I ended up boarding late anyway, but this way worked for me.

 

[ksksks]

QF1 on 1/1 also had group boarding.

Got to the gate mid-process and it wasn't the tidiest.. with a couple of groups previously denied boarding standing around (inadvertently) blocking the front of the F and J queues

 

[RealtimeY]

Sounds a bit like domestic boarding where group 1 is called but the lane is awkwardly blocked by the group 2 passengers who are rightfully in the 1/2 boarding lane.

 

[Scooty]

Sounds a bit like domestic boarding where group 1 is called but the lane is awkwardly blocked by the group 2 passengers who are rightfully in the 1/2 boarding lane.

oh yes, absolutely - fixed by not lining up until called, however that's not going to happen

 

[jakeseven7]

QF 803 today. I counted ten people who were obviously illiterate or needed an audiologist and were made to do the walk of shame. I needed a laugh for the day and that sure did it.

This is my second favourite airport activity now, watching the Qantas scanners make people do the walk of shame. It’s brilliant.

My first favourite activity is watching JQ fine overweight hand luggage smugglers by walking down to the JQ gates and watching the poor souls get weighed

I hope QF roll it out group boarding to all domestic flights soon like A220 and Q400 fleet.

 

[Lynda2475]

The new one up one down signage is quite prominent.

I was 3rd to board flight tonight and really enjoyed watching the CSM's interactions with other passengers from my J seat as they boarded. He had a great sense of humour and was quizzing those with BPs for the exit row "You know about your seat?", one girl played dumb and he said "so you just clicked yes without reading that you agreed to help in an emergency?".

He also quickly picked up those ineligible for exit row, a Mum with a toddler and a tween had exit row, she was told she would need to go back to the gate for new seats, argued that she'd sit there and he could move the kids, and he and the other FA said in unison "no a kid can't be responsible for a toddler". He then followed up with "you have way too many bags, check some in whilst you are back at the gate". Excellent.

Mind you he also kept expressing shock that all of J wanted meals, kept saying "didn't you all eat in the lounge?". I bet everyone wished they had as all the 3 options were vego which was crazy.

 

[Beano]

The new one up one down signage is quite prominent.

I was 3rd to board flight tonight and really enjoyed watching the CSM's interactions with other passengers as they boarded. He had a great sense of humour and was quizzing those with BPs for the exit row "You know about your seat?", one girl played dumb and he said "so you just clicked yes without reading that you agreed to help in an emergency?".

He also quickly picked up those ineligible for exit row, a Mum with a toddler and a tween had exit row, she was told she would need to go back to the gate for new seats, argued that she'd sit there and he could move the kids, and he and the other FA said in unison "no a kid can't be responsible for a toddler". He then followed up with "you have way too many bags, check some in whilst you are back at the gate". Excellent.

Mind you he also kept expressing shock that all of J wanted meals, kept saying "didn't you all eat in the lounge?". I bet everyone wished they had as all the 3 options were vego which was crazy.

I've seen people with neck braces in the exit row. Not just J. When I've travelled in Y I received a comment that I would have eaten in the lounge when I declined food!

 

[Lynda2475]

When I've travelled in Y I received a comment that I would have eaten in the lounge when I declined food!

On international probably a valid assumption, but for domestic the lounge offerings can be hit and miss. And with all the traffic chaos yesterday with main route to SYD closed plenty may not have arrived in time to visit a lounge.

I think he knew the offerings were sub par and so was acting surprised none at all passed. The whY lunch time meal I got on return from DRW earlier this month was better than last night's J.

 

[Beano]

On international probably also valid assumption, but for domestic the lounge offerings an be hit and miss. And with all the traffic chaos yesterday with main route to SYD closed plenty may not have arrived in time to visit a lounge.

I think he knew the offerings were sub par and so was acting surprised none at all passed. The whY lunch time meal I got on return from DRW earlier this month was better than last night's J.

That was unusual for me. Sometimes decline on short trips, e.g MEL-SYD, or if on an EM 190.

 

[#flying]

Weird situation at MEL the other day. Before boarding started priority queue was huge, with probably 20-30 people in it. I thought it impossible that all of them were business class or WP given the demographics (definitely leisure travellers and was a Saturday) so was expecting most to get turned away. Maybe 3 people got the buzz of shame and were sent away but the rest let on. Is it possible that the machines are programmed to allow SGs to board during group 1?

As a WP who joined the back of the queue they had already move on to group 2 before I reached the scanners, and there were a few SGs ahead of me who had clearly entered the queue before the group 2 call.

Noticed another WP bypass the crowd by walking straight through the (empty) non-priority lane which seemed to work well for him as he was let straight through. Might try that next time!

 

[Beano]

Weird situation at MEL the other day. Before boarding started priority queue was huge, with probably 20-30 people in it. I thought it impossible that all of them were business class or WP given the demographics (definitely leisure travellers and was a Saturday) so was expecting most to get turned away. Maybe 3 people got the buzz of shame and were sent away but the rest let on. Is it possible that the machines are programmed to allow SGs to board during group 1?

As a WP who joined the back of the queue they had already move on to group 2 before I reached the scanners, and there were a few SGs ahead of me who had clearly entered the queue before the group 2 call.

Noticed another WP bypass the crowd by walking straight through the (empty) non-priority lane which seemed to work well for him as he was let straight through. Might try that next time!

I've bypassed the priority queue when it was empty. No problem.

 

[Capricornus]

I hope QF roll it out group boarding to all domestic flights soon like A220 and Q400 fleet.

Going live today on QLink services, gradually rolling out across ports

 

[Scooty]

Going live today on QLink services, gradually rolling out across ports

Good to see it will be across all services, nice work. Have my first Q-Link flight next Tuesday (from SYD), be keen to see if it's implemented.

For mine, the best perk of priority boarding is just ensuring you can get your bag in the overhead baggage given the nature of folks wanting to not check-in a bag and the madness that ensues.

Will be good for the Embraer 190's, as for the Dash 8's, I love the premium hand luggage option

 

[tdimdad]

I've been on QF less often recently but it's always been groups 1+2 together. On Sunday, QF478 from MEL, started with group 1 only. I arrived at the gate when the last 1's were going in and tailgated a couple who looked insta-ready with their matching bags and all. First they stopped midway through the lane and blocked it and only when I I asked if they were in group 1, they stepped aside.

The boarding was really slow. I got the impression that they purposefully let only a few people at a time to the airbridge because of the 38C heat. It delayed our departure but I appreciate the concern for comfort and well-being in the heat.

 

[TheInsider]

Mind you he also kept expressing shock that all of J wanted meals, kept saying "didn't you all eat in the lounge?". I bet everyone wished they had as all the 3 options were vego which was crazy.

Majority of staff have absolutely no access to any of the lounges and wouldn't have a clue about how little they offer generally in terms of food. A lot of staff just assume it's got a lot of food and a huge variety. There is a massive disconnect from what is being 'advertised' and shown to front line staff to the actual reality.

 

[elanshin]

Majority of staff have absolutely no access to any of the lounges and wouldn't have a clue about how little they offer generally in terms of food. A lot of staff just assume it's got a lot of food and a huge variety. There is a massive disconnect from what is being 'advertised' and shown to front line staff to the actual reality.

I wonder if they expect QF F food as the standard for QClub.

 

[Seat0B]

Slightly off topic but related - I recently boarded JL507 in HND bound for CTS with Mr Sest 0A on the same PNR. Both travelling business. I’m OWE (QF WP) while he is only LTG. Groups were called to board one by one. I was Group 1 he was Group 2 and it was enforced thst he could not board with me. I went ahead in my group because I wanted to be sure of getting luggage space in the overhead locker as many Japanese travel HLO.

We were allowed to board QF 25 together departing SYD ( both allocated Group 1 on our BP).