Priority boarding question

[BD1959]

Thanks for the info, AIRWIN and the confirmation Red Roo - thought it had to be so, good to learn for sure!

Regards,

BD

 

[simongr]

. Our ground staff and crew do all possible to monitor this as per the boarding pass presented at the gate.

No offense meant but frankly this is one of the most ill informed posts on this forum. I know Premium Boarding works for some people nlagalle for example and mostly works for me but the line is not enforced as I have seen people presenting a BP sat in row 50 with silver status, not boarding with anyone else and not presenting another FF card that would entitle them to board via PB.

Unless by "monitor" you mean they look at the BPs and remember how many people boarded via PB when they weren't entitled then you would be correct.

 

[medhead]

I'm glad someone said something. I was trying to decide if I'd actually read that post, or if it was a dream.

 

[Red Roo]

No offense meant but frankly this is one of the most ill informed posts on this forum. I know Premium Boarding works for some people nlagalle for example and mostly works for me but the line is not enforced as I have seen people presenting a BP sat in row 50 with silver status, not boarding with anyone else and not presenting another FF card that would entitle them to board via PB.

Unless by "monitor" you mean they look at the BPs and remember how many people boarded via PB when they weren't entitled then you would be correct.

Please keep in touch if this is not your experience when you next travel as we're doing all possible to improve this aspect of our service, particularly it's consistency.

 

[whughes3]

It seems to me that a major reason PB doesn't work all that well on domestic routes is that the current signs are just not very conspicuous and are very easy to overlook! What is needed is large signs, with conspicuous lettering, and at eye level where people are less likely to overlook them.

 

[Red Roo]

It seems to me that a major reason PB doesn't work all that well on domestic routes is that the current signs are just not very conspicuous and are very easy to overlook! What is needed is large signs, with conspicuous lettering, and at eye level where people are less likely to overlook them.

Noted for future reference.

 

[simongr]

It also needs the FAs to turn people back.

Mind you I saw people push into the main line when they saw they couldn't use the premium lane.

 

[penegal]

It also needs the FAs to turn people back.

Mind you I saw people push into the main line when they saw they couldn't use the premium lane.

I have to agree. Qantas priority boarding is inconsistent. Some times it works a charm, sometimes you might as well be flying a low cost carrier.

I suspect the cause may be a combination of the following (and other factors):

• The signage is ambiguous as to which side is priority
• Loudspeaker announcements do not clearly articulate that there are two lanes and which lane passengers should use
• Passengers do not know which lane they are entitled to use
• Staff simply do not enforce it

I am less assertive than some, so I tend not to 'jump the queue' when priority boarding is obviously not working. In such situations I go back to the lounge if it is nearby, or just hang back and wait to be paged.

 

[medhead]

I have to agree. Qantas priority boarding is inconsistent. Some times it works a charm, sometimes you might as well be flying a low cost carrier.

I suspect the cause may be a combination of the following (and other factors):

• The signage is ambiguous as to which side is priority
• Loudspeaker announcements do not clearly articulate that there are two lanes and which lane passengers should use
• Passengers do not know which lane they are entitled to use
• Staff simply do not enforce it

I am less assertive than some, so I tend not to 'jump the queue' when priority boarding is obviously not working. In such situations I go back to the lounge if it is nearby, or just hang back and wait to be paged.

The loud speaker announcements are a very important point. They really need to be redone. VA get this right and the only substantial difference is the announcements. Noting that Qantas does have big roll up banners now. VA control it by making it clear that boarding does not start on the first announcement for the flight. On Qantas this is usually taken as a signal to rush at the gate. Qantas then automatically lose the ability to call people to board, which VA does very well.

I've always maintained that Qantas have lost control of the boarding process and that the key to PB is to control that process via the announcements.

 

[blackcat20]

It also needs the FAs to turn people back.

Agree as well. I've seen people in the PB line who have seen the sign (and noticed me looking at the sign and them), and said "ah well", and just continued on their way. And they've been allowed to board from that lane. If they know it won't be enforced, why would they bother lining up with the rest of us?

 

[daturtle]

I don't think I'd ever take advantage of PB even if it was offered to me. My back pack goes under the seat in front and I like to be one of the last on the flight because I'm just about always in an aisle seat and hate e having to stand up to let people in (lazy I know).

 

[AIRwin]

I don't think I'd ever take advantage of PB even if it was offered to me. My back pack goes under the seat in front and I like to be one of the last on the flight because I'm just about always in an exit row and hate e having to stand up to let people in (lazy I know).

But if you're in an EMEX row, you won't be allowed to have any items under the seat in front, no?

 

[daturtle]

But if you're in an EMEX row, you won't be allowed to have any items under the seat in front, no?

I'm 6' but avoid the exit row for this reason. Most of my flying is under 3 hours so I can usually put up with the leg room for that amount of time.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Agree as well. I've seen people in the PB line who have seen the sign (and noticed me looking at the sign and them), and said "ah well", and just continued on their way. And they've been allowed to board from that lane. If they know it won't be enforced, why would they bother lining up with the rest of us?

Same could be said for the priority security lane. I wasn't flying the other day and used the priority lane to see if I'd be questioned.

I agree with Penegal about the signage. Currently it appears the signs were made to help guide prem pax to the priority boarding, whereas it needs to be a sign to steer non-priority AWAY from using the lane.

 

[tuapekastar]

A mix of the previous posts nails it:

1. Quality signage first - pax often form lines prior to any announcements so they need signage that clearly tells them where to queue

2. Crystal clear announcements - leaving people in no doubt

3. Enforcement - definitely at the scanner, and optionally patrolling the lines as well

There is always the chance that people will miss 1. and/or 2. due to to distraction/noise, but if they miss them both, 3. should 'get' them, and it will only take one or two returns to the end of the correct queue for them to 'learn'

 

[medhead]

I don't think I'd ever take advantage of PB even if it was offered to me. My back pack goes under the seat in front and I like to be one of the last on the flight because I'm just about always in an exit row and hate e having to stand up to let people in (lazy I know).

I'm 6' but avoid the exit row for this reason. Most of my flying is under 3 hours so I can usually put up with the leg room for that amount of time.

Sorry, which one is it?

Answer: Aisle seat - thanks

 

[simongr]

Same could be said for the priority security lane. I wasn't flying the other day and used the priority lane to see if I'd be questioned.

Priority security (DOM I assume) doesn't require you to be flying - just OWE/OWS/J pax. At busy times I have seen it policed.

 

[daturtle]

Sorry, which one is it?

Aisle seat is what I meant. Sorry for the confusion...

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Priority security (DOM I assume) doesn't require you to be flying - just OWE/OWS/J pax. At busy times I have seen it policed.

I used this when a qf rep was standing there policing it... without showing sny card or anything

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Please keep in touch if this is not your experience when you next travel as we're doing all possible to improve this aspect of our service, particularly it's consistency.

I think there's one or two experiences of PB working or not here....http://www.australianfrequentflyer....priority-boarding-qf-domestic-what-30246.html

But I'm sure this iteration of RedRoo (who seems more proactive in responding to posts) is aware of this thread already.