A close shave

[RooFlyer]

I'm the type of guy who ALWAYS arrives at the airport at least an hour before departure, even when HLO and checked-in, due to a paranoid allowance for a delay on the way to the airport.

So, on a day trip HBA-MEL-HBA travelling Qantas business yesterday with only an iPad, I thought stuff it, I'll arrive just before boarding time (which was 8:35am (according to BP) for a 8:55am departure time). That'll would give me 10-15 mins to go through to the gate. Hobart is a small airport and you can walk from the car park to the departure lounge in about 5 mins, as long as the security queue isn't too bad.

Well, I didn't bank on the traffic delays at that time of morning did I? And so I arrived at the gate at exactly 8:45am, with "Final Call" showing on the gate screen. My phone had gone off a few minutes earlier, but I hung up on it accidently as I fished it out of my pocket. It was a hidden number so I couldn't call back even if I had the opportunity.

"Are you Mr RooFlyer?"
"Yes"
"I just tried to call you; I've just taken you off the flight. "
" Yes, very sorry for my being late can you get me on?"
"Yes, I'm trying".

They did get me on after a minute or so and I boarded the plane, a bit ashamed. We left on time.

Now, I don't have an issue or complaint with what happened - I was late, and they did to to contact me, so if I got bounced, then I only myself to blame. I got on board, and all was OK in the end.


But I was a bit surprised that I had been taken off the flight while the "Final Call" sign was still showing at the gate. But again, we know that airport signs don't always reflect departure reality. There was no 'gate closing' info on the home-printed BP and I've just had a trawl through the QF web site and can't see any reference to 'gate closes XX minutes before departure' or any other reference to gate closing times.

Just say I wasn't allowed on the flight. Does anyone think I would have a leg to stand on if I complained (later) on the grounds that the "final call' sign was still on? After all, if the signs don't mean anything, what's the point of having them?

Does anyone know what the QF policy is on closing the flight - X minutes before departure?; X minutes when all prep is complete except for pax no-shows?; or a flexible thing based on the judgment of the gate personnel?

(BTW - I'm going back to previous practice of early arrival )

 

[opusman]

It seems surprising they took you off at all if you'd already checked in - how could they have known you weren't at the airport yet? You may have just as easily been in the loo or finishing your coffee or something and waiting for the last second to board.

 

[markis10]

But I was a bit surprised that I had been taken off the flight while the "Final Call" sign was still showing at the gate. But again, we know that airport signs don't always reflect departure reality. There was no 'gate closing' info on the home-printed BP and I've just had a trawl through the QF web site and can't see any reference to 'gate closes XX minutes before departure' or any other reference to gate closing times.

Final Call = Gate closing and is no specific time, you need to be at the gate 20 minutes before departure, after that time the flight can be closed at any time.

 

[JohnK]

If you received a call then I am guessing your name has already been called out once or twice and the call is the last resort.

 

[boomy]

I'm the type of guy who ALWAYS arrives at the airport at least an hour before departure, even when HLO and checked-in, due to a paranoid allowance for a delay on the way to the airport.

It's a good idea, I try to do the same.
Sometimes boarding starts earlier and the gate closes 20 min before boarding.
I missed a flight in BNE a few years ago when I arrived 15 before departure and the gate was already closed.

 

[legroom]

Got such call last year @ SYD and I managed to reply asking them to wait for me.

They waited for me to run to the gate from security. And I did run !

Last to board - breathless !

Would not want to do that too often.

If you received a call then I am guessing your name has already been called out once or twice and the call is the last resort.

 

[JohnK]

Last to board - breathless !

Would not want to do that too often.

The adrenalin rush is great though!

 

[crum]

If you received a call then I am guessing your name has already been called out once or twice and the call is the last resort.

Last time I had a call I got it sitting in my seat on the aircraft. It appeared that they hadn't scanned my boarding pass correctly at the gate but had still let me on. Gate staff then came onto the aircraft to confirm that I was actually sitting there.

 

[Chief Wiggum]

Adrenalin rush yes... angry stares from fellow pax kept waiting... not so much

I always say you haven't lived as a flyer until you've been paged by name at the AP at least once . Helps keep you sharp.

But I'm definitely an Early Arriver due to living on Mornington Peninsula and the drive to YMML can be anything from 70-120+ mins depending on many many factors.

 

[Grooba]

Last time I had a call I got it sitting in my seat on the aircraft. It appeared that they hadn't scanned my boarding pass correctly at the gate but had still let me on. Gate staff then came onto the aircraft to confirm that I was actually sitting there.

I've often wondered that! When they announce "If there is a Mr John Doe on board could you please press your call button" my first thought is would they not know the pax is on board as they would have had to scan their BP? Maybe the pax had sat in the incorrect seat?

 

[turnip666]

Back in the Olden days I got there late, ran down the jetway and banged on the door which had already closed.