Feasibiility for in town/remote check in for Australian Domestic and International services

[Quickstatus]

counter at Southern Cross station (bus terminal) with dedicated service straight to MEL on Skybus

But if already going to MEL, what is the point?
The only benefit would be if earlier check- in is possible, giving a bit more time in town.
But that raises the risk the passenger might misjudge their airport arrival - like some passengers missing the cruise ships after a shore day trip.

Rather than remote check in, a baggage forwarding service to the airport would be better.
This way the liability falls on the passenger to check in on time, rather than the airline
However in Australia, I dont think that would happen. The cost structure is too high for that to happen even with minimum wages.

 

[Forg]

Wonder what the take-up rate is for the Swiss railways one, an organisation which amuses me being (in one language) called FFS and putting FFS on all their trains?
We arrived in CH by air but left by train … if we’d have been flying out at night however, and given it only takes a couple of hours to get to any Swiss airport from anywhere in Switzerland, the time between accommodation checkout & flight-time would’ve definitely had me asking how much that service was rather than lugging an extra bag around all day.

 

[kookaburra75]

But if already going to MEL, what is the point?
The only benefit would be if earlier check- in is possible, giving a bit more time in town.
But that raises the risk the passenger might misjudge their airport arrival - like some passengers missing the cruise ships after a shore day trip.

Yes, all you need is an accident the the freeway and it all goes to custard. I've had that happen a couple of time in the past decade and it's not fun.

Being of a certain vintage I remember the Melbourne check in/bus on A Becket St. It wasn't really that convenient, just one less thing to worry about as back then HLO wasn't a thing.

While I was in WA in the 80s as most of the regional airports were well out of town, MMA/AWA allowed you to check-in in town and provided a bus to get you to the airport. In Kununurra the bus broke down more times I cared to remember. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[LionKing]

Rather than remote check in, a baggage forwarding service to the airport would be better.
This way the liability falls on the passenger to check in on time, rather than the airline
However in Australia, I dont think that would happen. The cost structure is too high for that to happen even with minimum wages.

I agree, and that's where I suggested a remote check in service with use of UberCourier technology.

Uber already partners with Qantas, so why not use the Qantas app to get an Uber driver to check your baggage at home, at least for domestic services?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I find it perplexing that there has been some - inadequate - acknowledgement of security issues in this thread, yet some contributors remain obsessed with the idea that the workers involved in such a service MUST work for minimum wage. This is self-defeating. Exploiting people provides both an incentive and a moral justification for corruption.

 

[LionKing]

Yes, all you need is an accident the the freeway and it all goes to custard. I've had that happen a couple of time in the past decade and it's not fun.

I would say traffic accidents happens every day. Maybe leave early with that in mind is helpful.

Even with rail transport, I can guarantee there's delays every day, either from signal failures, electrical failures, or simply just some kids on board with Matchetes will set you back 2 - 3 hours for your trip.

I find it perplexing that there has been some - inadequate - acknowledgement of security issues in this thread, yet some contributors remain obsessed with the idea that the workers involved in such a service MUST work for minimum wage. This is self-defeating. Exploiting people provides both an incentive and a moral justification for corruption.

I am sure having some sort of security seal or bag to avoid tempering will make this service secure.