Who has used QF Next Gen check-in Perth?

[samh004]

I'm guessing it's part of an integrated suite for their reservation system.

There's no reason they couldn't use POSIX compliant OS's or others, but Windows tends to make big inroads into corporate and they try and sell it as a low TCO when often it isn't.

We'll never really know I guess.

But there's no reason to re-invent the wheel. It's just as easy to take a core OS (be it Windows Server/*nix/BSD etc) and build what you need on top of it. Different solutions will suit different situations, but sometimes the wrong solution is implemented.

I've seen ATM's (I believe it was ANZ) crashed out at the windows screen. As others have said there is no need to build solutions from the base OS upwards.

To build your own system from the ground up you'd need

- The Base OS
- Drivers for all hardware
- A set of libraries for standard protocols
- IT Support (keep in mind you can't easily replace technical people for a completely custom system, thus existing people can start naming their price)


and then you may not even end up with something as stable as had you simply used a pre-existing system and built on top of that. Furthermore just because it's custom, doesn't make it more secure.

(PS My day job is a custom software developer)

Cool, cool. I just wondered, as it’s a common site to see Windows giving an error screen on a device, but not to my knowledge have I seen other devices displaying another OS error, though then maybe I have but their error isn’t obvious. So I guess they’re an easy target, but thanks for the insights

 

[UP4014]

I haven't used it. (in answer to the question)

Airlines always say it is to make things easier for the passenger, but what could be easier they walking up to a counter and showing your ID all that it requires is enough helpful staff. :mrgreen:

I avoid auto check in at all costs (like I do with self check out at the local supermarket)

 

[harvyk]

I avoid auto check in at all costs

I'm the same, if I have checked bags I go to the J counter to check in, I don't see the need to line up for a machine, then to line up again to drop a bag off, when the one person can do the lot.

If I don't have checked bags \ don't need to show passports, I'll go up to the QP and check in there (with the person behind the desk).

It takes no more time for me to check in (and I'd even hazzard a guess that with the QP checkin, it's less as I'm not standing in line with the general public for a machine)

 

[dk4]

I'm the same, if I have checked bags I go to the J counter to check in, I don't see the need to line up for a machine, then to line up again to drop a bag off, when the one person can do the lot.

That's the crux to it all isn't it...


I personally see three broad divisions of passenger experiences/requirements/expectations -

• Regular QF Frequent Fliers (i.e. those with a higher tier card. Possibly with two subtypes WP/SG & PS/QP)
• Non-Frequent-QF Premium Fliers (i.e. those in Business Class & those with "other" 1W colourful cards; Ruby-Emerald)
• Bronze & Non-Frequent-QF Fliers

Falling into the top subset (& if with bags) then ideally, I would want to walk through a separate terminal entrance (to avoid any milling crowds trying to figure things out/what to do/where to go), directly to a bag drop conveyor (with no queue) place my bag (with pre-tagged RFID) on it, then move to the premium security entry (scan my card to check-in at THIS point, which will also acknowledge my access to premium security processing) and finally straight into the lounge.

 

[oz_mark]

Cool, cool. I just wondered, as it’s a common site to see Windows giving an error screen on a device, but not to my knowledge have I seen other devices displaying another OS error, though then maybe I have but their error isn’t obvious. So I guess they’re an easy target, but thanks for the insights

I've seen penguins in some unexpected places.

 

[harvyk]

and finally straight into the lounge.

Where they have your poison of choice already poured and are handing to you as you walk through the door...

 

[Flashback]

Cool, cool. I just wondered, as it’s a common site to see Windows giving an error screen on a device, but not to my knowledge have I seen other devices displaying another OS error, though then maybe I have but their error isn’t obvious. So I guess they’re an easy target, but thanks for the insights

Have seen Dos on the old QF 743's, Windows on some screens at Rome Central train station (and they weren't very happy about anat0l and I trying to snap a photo of the error showing up on all the screens! :mrgreen. Having come across and crashed penguins in public yet..

 

[dk4]

Where they have your poison of choice already poured and are handing to you as you walk through the door...

From curb to coughtail: non-stop!

 

[Reggie]

I have used it many times.

Very unimpressed with the priority tagging. No more coloured orange, pink or yellow tags, just a black square on the printed tag, so good luck with the baggage handlers seeing that. When I questioned this, I was told that the forthcoming rfid tags for premiums will allow for priority baggage, which left me wondering how the NB flying J of F will have priority baggage.

Second time TA hadn't put in my QFF which made it very difficult, as per a previous post.

Always been able to walk straight upto a checkin machine, and then straight up to drop off baggage. However I have seen people taking an awful long time to complete a very simple task, I would hate to get stuck behind someone like this.

Finally my OT rant, flying back from PBO on Friday as a WP, my baggage was 5th last and 2nd last with the orange priority tags.:evil::evil: This was after having to wait 30 minutes for the bags starting to come out, not bad for a 100 minute flight. QF baggage handers at PER are the worst I have come across in all my travels WRT priority luggage.

 

[harvyk]

my baggage was 5th last and 2nd last with the orange priority tags.:evil::evil:

See the mistake you made there is assuming those "priority" tags actually mean something.

The pink business tags can certainly help (eg at SFO where they take all J \ F tagged bags off and place it into a VIP area so your bags are ready to go once cleared customs) but the priority tags don't seem to do a thing.

 

[Reggie]

See the mistake you made there is assuming those "priority" tags actually mean something.

The pink business tags can certainly help (eg at SFO where they take all J \ F tagged bags off and place it into a VIP area so your bags are ready to go once cleared customs) but the priority tags don't seem to do a thing.

Believe me living in Perth I have had enough dealings with the QF baggage handlers to know that any sort of priority tag has absolutely no positive meaning to them. Even when flying NZ with priority tags into PER means nothing as QF perform the baggage handling.

I have read elsewhere on this forum that priority tagging actually seems to make the bags come out further towards the end, and somewhat agree.

 

[samh004]

I have used it many times.

Very unimpressed with the priority tagging. No more coloured orange, pink or yellow tags, just a black square on the printed tag, so good luck with the baggage handlers seeing that. When I questioned this, I was told that the forthcoming rfid tags for premiums will allow for priority baggage, which left me wondering how the NB flying J of F will have priority baggage.

I find it a little odd they don’t do anything now when they don’t have RFID tags in place yet, but I would assume they could add an RFID tag into the tag they add to bags, like Hong Kong does, and just add extra info to it so it’s sorted into a J/F box instead of with all the Y bags.

Makes more sense (to me) to just add a chip to a paper tag and make it a standard across the alliance or all airlines. The machines below the airport then can do all the sorting automatically, no need for baggage handlers that don’t care what status is.

 

[jsd]

No more coloured orange, pink or yellow tags, just a black square on the printed tag ...

WHAT! :shock:

This is an outrage, lucky I made myself look like a complete cough before check-in all those times carefully extracting the pink tag from my baggage label trying not to tear it for later use (Bring on the flames).

Maybe I should laminate them and do a bit of creative work to turn them into baggage labels :?: No, that couldn't possibly work, but then again who knows

Or I could merly keep them as a reminder of 'them good ol' days', when I'm bed ridden and have something to show the grandkids when they come to visit

 

[samh004]

WHAT! :shock:

This is an outrage.

All the tags do, as you should know, is make things look pretty. When travelling through Spain the baggage handlers there actually took the time to bend my Gold baggage tags over on themselves, before sending my bags out.

At HKIA the paper tags contain an RFID for better automatic sorting by the machines, so it seems reasonable that the machines could also be programmed to accept a priority code to better sort the bags. Indeed, the new baggage tags from QF will likely do that, but I don’t see why a cheap RFID per paper ticket couldn’t do it instead. Some make it a standard.

And of course there’s the other thing, if you can offset your travel CO2, why would you then want them to waste more paper/cardboard for a tag that doesn’t work?

 

[Mal]

There's a bit about Next Gen check-in in this months mag.

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/inflightMagazine/upfront.pdf

In summary:
- Launching in Sydney in November.
- Platinum, Gold and Silver flyers to get Q Cards (Not Qantas Club).
- Other customers can buy the cards.
- They're sending out more cards soon.
- Full rollout by early 2011.

 

[jsd]

All the tags do, as you should know, is make things look pretty.

I know, but I'm a real sucker for things that are for show. Or things that make other thing look good or special :mrgreen:

And of course there’s the other thing, if you can offset your travel CO2, why would you then want them to waste more paper/cardboard for a tag that doesn’t work?

Because I don't ever carbon offset my flights. I'm not actually sure what is done with that carbon offset money. I know it goes into some government program but then what ...

 

[Flashback]

There's a bit about Next Gen check-in in this months mag.

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/inflightMagazine/upfront.pdf

In summary:
- Launching in Sydney in November.
- Platinum, Gold and Silver flyers to get Q Cards (Not Qantas Club).
- Other customers can buy the cards.
- They're sending out more cards soon.
- Full rollout by early 2011.

Interesting, as they recently said QP cards would be sent out IQ enabled. Hmmm. Also, I wonder what happens when a PS drops to NB? They lose the privilege?

 

[Mal]

I'm not actually sure what is done with that carbon offset money. I know it goes into some government program but then what ...

Not really. Refer to Projects for carbon offset contributions

 

[samh004]

There's a bit about Next Gen check-in in this months mag.

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/inflightMagazine/upfront.pdf

In summary:
- Launching in Sydney in November.
- Platinum, Gold and Silver flyers to get Q Cards (Not Qantas Club).
- Other customers can buy the cards.
- They're sending out more cards soon.
- Full rollout by early 2011.

Per your link they’re also launching the bag tags, which is going to be more interesting surely, Shirley.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Finally my OT rant, flying back from PBO on Friday as a WP, my baggage was 5th last and 2nd last with the orange priority tags.:evil::evil: This was after having to wait 30 minutes for the bags starting to come out, not bad for a 100 minute flight. QF baggage handers at PER are the worst I have come across in all my travels WRT priority luggage.

Was the PBO/PER flight a two class operation ie mainline 738 or a one class 717?

If the former, as a WP you should have received pink business class tags.

If the latter I think we all know the orange 'priority' tag you got is about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike.

ASU National Net - Qantas: Airports of The What Future?

The ASU website is echoing some of your sentiments although the following is from a ground staff perspective:

Poor signage and directions for passengers.
Long periods standing without job rotation.
Increased levels of passengers rage and complaints.
Increased threatening behaviour by passengers who no longer have a check in desk barrier
Lifting more bags because of bag drop not working
Feeling cornered and surrounded at bag drop when it doesn't work.
Some equipment not working
Thermals scattered on floor because of lack of bins.
Some connections not working on Kiosks.
Problems with phone check in.
Difficulties with overweight bags.
Staff without radios to get help or supervisors.
Failure to provide advice about personal panic buttons.
No training on how to accept bags.
No training in conflict resolution.