Aiming to be last to board QF Dom J flight. When to leave lounge

[Quickstatus]

When should I leave lounge in SYD to go to gate if Im aiming to be the last to board?. Assume minimal carryon luggage.

What do AFF members do when in J?. Board early or late?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Paging JohnK to the white courtesy phone.....

 

[Deleted member 29185]

When should I leave lounge in SYD to go to gate if Im aiming to be the last to board?. Assume minimal carryon luggage.

What do AFF members do when in J?. Board early or late?

Most would prefer you do not delay the plane. Early has the advantage of securing O/H locker space and the seat is comfier than the lounge anyway.

 

[ashleyn]

Flying J, definitely early for me.

 

[kalboy]

Board early... That way you don't hold anyone up. Sit back and enjoy a drink in a real glass.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

When should I leave lounge in SYD to go to gate if Im aiming to be the last to board?. Assume minimal carryon luggage.

What do AFF members do when in J?. Board early or late?

Personally, I'd aim to be at the gate at or just after the boarding time. So leaving the lounge a few minutes before that. The flight could be lightly loaded, or could board quickly. On time departure is key.

You can always ask on entry to the lounge what time they suggest you leave.

 

[UP4014]

I don't mind being the last on board, I check my bag though and have little carry on. Much more pleasant to step on, sit down and go.

You don't have all those people pushing and panting putting their kitchen sinks in the overhead.

 

[boomy]

Leaving 5-10 minutes after first boarding announcement is ok, depends on the size of the plane and how fast can you walk.
For QF flights there will be at least two announcements (first and final call) followed by personal calls but you don't want to be one of those who do the walk of shame into the plane while everyone is staring at you.

 

[JohnK]

Most gates are not that far from lounge.

I look at the load of a flight and will usually wait for the second boarding call which is as boomy said is ~5-10 minutes after first boarding call.

I usually end up at the gate as the last person is scanned through. If I am there early I usually let them know I am there so no need to page/call me.

I hate days like this week though. Left the lounge and ambled down to gate 13 and was walking around looking for newspaper to flick through the sports pages in flight and receive a call on phone. I realised it was the boarding gate. Scanned boarding pass and walked inside aerobridge only to find the queue was more than halfway back. It was really hot. I was struggling to breathe.

I get it that I should board in time not to hold up departure but I am not going to stand in a queue in a stuffy aerobridge.

 

[Quickstatus]

Most gates are not that far from lounge.

I look at the load of a flight and will usually wait for the second boarding call which is as boomy said is ~5-10 minutes after first boarding call.

I usually end up at the gate as the last person is scanned through. If I am there early I usually let them know I am there so no need to page/call me.

I hate days like this week though. Left the lounge and ambled down to gate 13 and was walking around looking for newspaper to flick through the sports pages in flight and receive a call on phone. I realised it was the boarding gate. Scanned boarding pass and walked inside aerobridge only to find the queue was more than halfway back. It was really hot. I was struggling to breathe.

I get it that I should board in time not to hold up departure but I am not going to stand in a queue in a stuffy aerobridge.

That happens to me all the time. i go from lounge to gate a few minutes after boarding call and I endup in the aerobridge.

I suppose it would be impossible to finesse it a bit more. The imperative is afterall an ontime departure.

 

[JohnK]

That happens to me all the time. i go from lounge to gate a few minutes after boarding call and I endup in the aerobridge.

I suppose it would be impossible to finesse it a bit more. The imperative is afterall an ontime departure.

I agree on time departure is the most important part but that doesn't mean you have to stand in a queue in the aerobridge.

If you can't refine the process a bit more then hang around at the gate or even at entrance to aerobridge until queue in aerobridge clears. Plane is not going to take off any quicker by queuing in aerobridge.

 

[vertisol]

You've got to get seated early so you can absorb the envious looks from the rest of the crowd as they trudge down to 44B

 

[ashleyn]

You've got to get seated early so you can absorb the envious looks from the rest of the crowd as they trudge down to 44B

Why can't we sit here Mummy. Move along Johnny these seats are for the rich people (actually heard this more than once)

 

[boomy]

Why can't we sit here Mummy. Move along Johnny these seats are for the rich people (actually heard this more than once)

Rich with FF points

 

[robd]

Rich with FF points

….and AFF knowledge.

 

[boomy]

….and AFF knowledge.

True
I remember once looking at these people who fly in premium cabins with their nice suits and fancy bags thinking they must be rich... Little I knew most of them are exactly the same type of people who fly Y, just with a bigger points balance and knowledge how to use them wisely

 

[JohnK]

Little I knew most of them are exactly the same type of people who fly Y, just with a bigger points balance and knowledge how to use them wisely

As opposed to those with a huge points balance but no idea how to use them wisely?

 

[boomy]

As opposed to those with a huge points balance but no idea how to use them wisely?

Exactly.
I used to be one of those with plenty QFF points and used them for Y redemptions because I didn't know how to maximise their value. There is also the online shop which survives on lack of knowledge

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Just don't turn up at the boarding gate at 0658 for an 0700 departure wondering why the doors to the departure gate are closed saying "but the flight doesn't depart for another 2 minutes".

[video=youtube;Bk_G1Df0_qg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk_G1Df0_qg[/video]