Qantas to Introduce Group Boarding and Bag Tracking

[elanshin]

I'm so confused Qantas. QF440 MEL - SYD, a330. Why are you boarding groups 1+2 together. Surely this is the 330 is the one dom plane you do it 1 group at a time.

That was at least 80+ people with status boarding all at once.

 

[Aeryn]

You should IMO never call boarding group 1 and 2 together, there should always be a small window for just group 1 before you open up to lower group unless that lower group can exclusively board via a different door.

 

[sudoer]

You should IMO never board group 1 and 2 together, there should always be a small window for just group 1 before you open up to lower group unless that lower group can exclusively board via a different door.

Group 1 are rarely at the gate when boarding starts though, they're still sipping champagne plonk in the lounge...

Edit: Ah, domestic, edited.

 

[Aeryn]

Group 1 are rarely at the gate when boarding starts though, they're still sipping champagne plonk in the lounge...

Doesn't mean they cant call Group 1 wait 2 mins or for the line to clear, then call Group 2 etc.

Some may choose to linger in the lounge but many board when called so they can be sure their legit sized carry-on can be above their seat; and not board later to find that economy pax have put their cough in the business overheads or others in their section have abused the carry-on limits and end up separated from their bag by some 20 rows; meaning delayed disembarking on arrival to get your bag from the back.

 

[TheInsider]

I'm so confused Qantas. QF440 MEL - SYD, a330. Why are you boarding groups 1+2 together. Surely this is the 330 is the one dom plane you do it 1 group at a time.

That was at least 80+ people with status boarding all at once.

This is a Melbourne issue and their ground staff, also happens in Sydney too often. Pass the feedback on.

 

[Mattg]

So, my bag was offloaded from my CBR-SYD flight today. When we landed in Sydney, the Qantas app didn't show any bag tracking info at all. Not really that useful if the feature doesn't work when your bag doesn't arrive?

Luckily I have an Airtag in it and can see it's on a later flight.

 

[henrus]

So, my bag was offloaded from my CBR-SYD flight today.

Any clue why?

 

[Mattg]

Any clue why?

Yes - see Pax offloaded from Dash 8 due to weight and balance

 

[Groundfeeder]

Not sure if proper forum but querying if RFID tags will still operate if placed inside checked bags, close to external bag shell.
Mine have suffered cancer of the elastic attachment band (thanks QF) and unable to be properly utilized.

 

[sudoer]

Not sure if proper forum but querying if RFID tags will still operate if placed inside checked bags, close to external bag shell.
Mine have suffered cancer of the elastic attachment band (thanks QF) and unable to be properly utilized.

I wouldn't rely on them to work inside the bag but it would depend on what your bag is made out of. Alloy hardshells probably more of an issue than soft fabric.

Also if the tag doesn't work for any reason, it would be very difficult for the airline to track you down with the tag inside the bag. When the tags are on the outside, they have a barcode which can be used for manual tracking if RFID isn't working for any reason.

 

[Beano]

You would soon find out if the tag is working as soon as the bag is checked in. The conveyor won't accept it if it can't read it. If you also have paper tag the conveyor won't accept your bag if it detects the RFID tag. That happened to me and I had to remove the rfid tag.
Note that the Apple Air Tag and the like are bluetooth devices.
Also the new tags are not RFID.

Is Qantas still using RFID bag tags? i thought it was all through the app?

 

[SYD]

Is Qantas still using RFID bag tags? i thought it was all through the app?

Yes and there’s even a new generation of bag drop machines being rolled out. So not sure why they’re not still selling/giving new smart tags…

 

[Beano]

Yes and there’s even a new generation of bag drop machines being rolled out. So not sure why they’re not still selling/giving new smart tags…

Qantas say that bag tracking is no longer available with the new tags but the old ones can still be used, though no longer available. Qantas recommends using the App.

 

[elanshin]

Yes and there’s even a new generation of bag drop machines being rolled out. So not sure why they’re not still selling/giving new smart tags…

Id hazard a guess that the error and issue rate on the tags were too high for their liking. Plus they only work domestically on checked luggage for status holders which is a very small subset of travellers.

 

[SYD]

Id hazard a guess that the error and issue rate on the tags were too high for their liking. Plus they only work domestically on checked luggage for status holders which is a very small subset of travellers.

Anyone used to be able to buy a smart tag from the QF Market. Yes, albeit only for Dom travel.

But my point was the next Gen bag drops (seen in SYD and MEL and probably elsewhere) still support RFID.

 

[SYD]

Qantas say that bag tracking is no longer available with the new tags but the old ones can still be used, though no longer available. Qantas recommends using the App.

You’re talking about different things. When you checkin your bags either with paper tag or smart tag (RFID) aka “coaster”, the app will show they “have” your bag.

The new tags are decorative and nothing to do with checked luggage.

 

[Beano]

You’re talking about different things. When you checkin your bags either with paper tag or smart tag (RFID) aka “coaster”, the app will show they “have” your bag.

The new tags are decorative and nothing to do with checked luggage.

That's what I said! the new tags don't support tracking so are purely decorative.

 

[Volando]

I can confirm my coaster worked fine the other day from MEL-SYD, checking in on a next gen machine … which was no less temperamental for everyone than the old ones were.

Not sure if proper forum but querying if RFID tags will still operate if placed inside checked bags, close to external bag shell.
Mine have suffered cancer of the elastic attachment band (thanks QF) and unable to be properly utilized.

I don’t think I would be game to try that. Even if the machine accepts it, the first human who encounters your bag will have no visual evidence of the tag’s presence, nor a paper label, and will possibly send it straight to lost property.

 

[Beano]

OK, to look super-cool I should put both tags on my check-in?

 

[kookaburra75]

OK, to look super-cool I should put both tags on my check-in?

Only if you have a coaster on your carry on back pack too, to truly look the part