Adelaide premium screening for whole group?

[Hugoetal]

Go through nearly every week and have never been stopped or checked to verify my eligibility to use the Premium line.

We got stopped entering the premium lane into the screening area today by a volunteer granny that asked if we had a “premium” ticket, then when we responded that we did she asked to see the boarding pass to prove it. It’s enough (too much imo) to be asked if we have eligibility to use the premium lane, but to have to prove it, to a volunteer “ambassador” is just freaking annoying bureaucracy (why a massively profitable business needs to engage aged volunteers to do what is effectively an unnecessary task is a different but salient question - if it’s a job that needs doing, they should be forced to employ a paid person to do it). Airports and airlines … actively making travel less fun every day.

 

[Daver6]

We got stopped entering the premium lane into the screening area today by a volunteer granny that asked if we had a “premium” ticket, then when we responded that we did she asked to see the boarding pass to prove it. It’s enough (too much imo) to be asked if we have eligibility to use the premium lane, but to have to prove it, to a volunteer “ambassador” is just freaking annoying bureaucracy (why a massively profitable business needs to engage aged volunteers to do what is effectively an unnecessary task is a different but salient question - if it’s a job that needs doing, they should be forced to employ a paid person to do it). Airports and airlines … actively making travel less fun every day.

How do you know she was a volunteer ambassador? Do these people have any power anyway? Just ignore her and continue on your way perhaps?

 

[kookaburra75]

We got stopped entering the premium lane into the screening area today by a volunteer granny that asked if we had a “premium” ticket, then when we responded that we did she asked to see the boarding pass to prove it. It’s enough (too much imo) to be asked if we have eligibility to use the premium lane, but to have to prove it, to a volunteer “ambassador” is just freaking annoying bureaucracy (why a massively profitable business needs to engage aged volunteers to do what is effectively an unnecessary task is a different but salient question - if it’s a job that needs doing, they should be forced to employ a paid person to do it). Airports and airlines … actively making travel less fun every day.

It's an Adelaide thing. They hang around in their red jackets and pounce on unsuspecting people, who they feel need to be 'organised'. I've seen them send groups of people down into the premium lane just before I'm about to go down it. Along with the inconsistency with the security people, I just put it down to the Adelaide 'vibe' - says me now ducking cover from our Rad-elaide members

 

[Pushka]

Adelaide security has really improved now and MrP reckons, having travelled to Melbourne Sydney and Canberra in last couple of weeks that it's now the best he's experienced. Not sure about the volunteer thing, never experienced that in security as they hang around near baggage section. He's always in a suit and in the premium lane so maybe they don't bother him. We will both be casual next Friday. I'll report back.

Was the word Volunteer on a badge etc? If so then I'll just say we know the drill and move on. No power as mentioned.

 

[jase05]

How do you know she was a volunteer ambassador? Do these people have any power anyway? Just ignore her and continue on your way perhaps?

They are volunteers and they have been pretty noticeable for the last few months. I usually just walk on by and no questions asked but in the last couple of weeks I have been asked twice to show proof.
They don’t have any power as such but they will call over security if you ignore them.

 

[Pushka]

They don’t have any power as such but they will call over security if you ignore them.

That's pretty annoying. I'm ready for security by having everything in a bag and not exactly interested in getting things out again to show a volunteer something. Security yes if asked.

 

[Daver6]

They are volunteers and they have been pretty noticeable for the last few months. I usually just walk on by and no questions asked but in the last couple of weeks I have been asked twice to show proof.
They don’t have any power as such but they will call over security if you ignore them.

Scenario. Ignore them and enter the line. Security come up to you in the line and show them your entitlement. At some point security is going to just start ignoring the vunteers too.

 

[muppet]

I must say I don’t really understand this thread. Do we want a premium security line or not? If we do, then surely confirming who is eligible to use it, is the only thing that actually makes it premium. If the volunteer isn’t turning away those ineligible, won’t the queue just get as long as the regular queue?

 

[pauldab]

I must say I don’t really understand this thread. Do we want a premium security line or not? If we do, then surely confirming who is eligible to use it, is the only thing that actually makes it premium. If the volunteer isn’t turning away those ineligible, won’t the queue just get as long as the regular

Also this complaint makes zero sense seeing Qantas staff the premium lanes in Melb and Syd and have the premium entry in BNE which doubles as the entry to the lounge

 

[Daver6]

I think the point being made is it was volunteers and that they should use paid staff. Also seemed implied they don't know what they're doing and people who are entitled to use the premium lane have experienced the volunteers sending a large group of people down that lane when they weren't entitled to do so.

 

[Pushka]

I must say I don’t really understand this thread. Do we want a premium security line or not? If we do, then surely confirming who is eligible to use it, is the only thing that actually makes it premium. If the volunteer isn’t turning away those ineligible, won’t the queue just get as long as the regular queue?

Isn't the point being made that Volunteers are not the correct personnel to administer airport security protocols. I'd show my card to security. I would not show it to a volunteer. So security are going to be called over anyway. Redundant. And Volunteers should not be used to redirect people who clearly and likely knowingly used the wrong lane. It's well sign posted and even somewhat hidden.

 

[muppet]

Ok I misunderstood. So we’re fine and agree the checking is necessary in order for it to be priority security - just they need to be paid by the airline or airport.

 

[Pushka]

Ok I misunderstood. So we’re fine and agree the checking is necessary in order for it to be priority security - just they need to be paid by the airline or airport.

In Adelaide though, it just isn't necessary. Most people know the drill. There's usually at most three or four people walking down that aisle at any time. Maybe 6am is busier but really not worth paying someone but nor also is it worth the issues that will come with having a volunteer doing what should be paid work.