Another Qantas enhancement? Q Reader

[Pushka]

Just wondering. No Q tag kiosks in Adelaide yesterday and the ones in MEL were turned off.

Are they going?

 

[Sdtravel]

Do you mean the Poles?
I think months ago there was mentions they were being phased out due to low use.

Qantas to retire Q Card readers - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Pushka]

Do you mean the Poles?
I think months ago there was mentions they were being phased out due to low use.

Qantas to retire Q Card readers - Australian Business Traveller

Yes. Well that's a pain then. We use them all the time. So now join the masses at the machines? I don't have my phone out at airport departure areas.

 

[Sdtravel]

Or checkin online, at the premium service desk, if HLO in the lounges, im not sure but if you checkin online cant you just rock up at the gate and scan your card, No prior scanning anywhere else is needed if you dont like the kiosk.

I assume if you were using the pole you have status and are HLO. Granted i havent been to ADL or MEL in a long time but i know at least BNE & SYD have a kiosk at the lounge entrance which never really have lines.

 

[Pushka]

It assumes that everyone has online access prior to check in or wants to spend the time doing so. Half the time he is driving himself to the airport post business meetings and barely gets time to check emails.

We usually have luggage so no lounge checkin.

We use the poles with checkin luggage. Swipe card on the pole then off to the luggage area. The main kiosks are always busy with people pfaffing around and luggage everywhere. Not much space.

It is a real downgrade to status passengers - not me so much but husband who just this week has four separate flights. Annoying.

 

[TheInsider]

It really only takes about 30 seconds to check-in when you receive the SMS to check-in for your flight. The Automatic Check-in things were taken out because not enough people were using them.

 

[Pushka]

It really only takes about 30 seconds to check-in when you receive the SMS to check-in for your flight. The Automatic Check-in things were taken out because not enough people were using them.

But why remove them? They didn't take up much space and provided a service for those who do. They didn't require any human contact.

I am starting to feel like my mother when technology removes services that I find convenient. If travelling with someone else on the booking I'm guessing only one text received?

 

[TheInsider]

But why remove them? They didn't take up much space and provided a service for those who do. They didn't require any human contact.

No idea, staff still don't have a clue because they were used, and like you said didn't take up much space. Just another decision made by someone who maybe goes through an airport 1 or 2 times a year.

 

[Pushka]

No idea, staff still don't have a clue because they were used, and like you said didn't take up much space. Just another decision made by someone who maybe goes through an airport 1 or 2 times a year.

Yep. And who probably doesn't have to use them either as their lackey does it.

 

[ric_melb]

Realistically Qantas have now given us a wide range of options for booking a flight, choosing a seat, and subsequent check in.
I find the easiest way of checking in is online 24 hours before the flight. It also gives you the opportunity of making sure you are allocated the seat you chose, or choosing another one. And you can do it on a laptop, tablet, or phone. Boarding pass can be printed, or stored on tablet or phone.
I have also gone to the airport with just my frequent flyer card and used this at the gate to get a boarding pass. If you haven't checked in online then you can check in at the machines, which I have not found over busy, or at the Qantas Club.
I believe I can recall checking my baggage in at the airport first and then officially checking in at the Qantas Club.
Others may care to comment on whether that is possible.
If Qantas say the poles were seldom used then I believe we can accept that statement at face value, and adapt to a changed method, that will then be the best to suit us.

 

[Pushka]

We always have checked luggage so lounge checkin wont work. In Adelaide when we have flown the machines are busy. People pfaff around. Just think when travelling on business it's preferable not to have to bother about airline details until at the airport. Phones go flat (have to charge my iPhone twice a day with the most recent (awful) update) and I rankle that I now have to use that and go online rather than a quick swipe of the card to checkin.

As far as the explanation that Qantas has said they are rarely used - well, like I said - why remove them? Just leave 'em where they are for those few (according to Qantas) who do.

 

[dk4]

...the machines are busy. People pfaff around.

As a pole tapper I agree. So much quicker to tap the conveniently positioned poles as I enter the terminal (hello Qantas, I am here). Then drop the q-bag-tagged checked luggage (if any) at bag drop. Sleek, efficient, and kept me away from the clueless hoards stuck around the machines or service desks.

 

[TheInsider]

...............

 

[moa999]

If you have a q-tag, can you check-in at the bag drop point?? (A question- have only ever had domestic check once)

 

[serfty]

...
As far as the explanation that Qantas has said they are rarely used - well, like I said - why remove them? Just leave 'em where they are for those few (according to Qantas) who do.

Easy answer - cost benefit!

They take up floor space - that's a cost.
They depreciate in value - that's a cost.
There's maintenance - that's a cost.
They are "rarely used" - the lowers the benefit to Qantas.

In they end I guess usage was low enough and the overall costs high enough to make it worthwhile to decommission them.

 

[TheInsider]

If you have a q-tag, can you check-in at the bag drop point?? (A question- have only ever had domestic check once)

No, although if you have checked-in on your phone or online at home, you can still use your card as the boarding pass.

 

[nlagalle]

But why remove them? They didn't take up much space and provided a service for those who do. They didn't require any human contact.

I am starting to feel like my mother when technology removes services that I find convenient. If travelling with someone else on the booking I'm guessing only one text received?

Low use means they cost money to keep going. They still need to be maintained regardless.

There are so many options to check in now, I think in 200 flights I used it once, as a novelty.

 

[opusman]

The poles were a cute idea and must have seemed quite futuristic to whoever at QF approved them, but in reality they were always a bit pointless.

 

[katiebell]

Realistically Qantas have now given us a wide range of options for booking a flight, choosing a seat, and subsequent check in.
I find the easiest way of checking in is online 24 hours before the flight. It also gives you the opportunity of making sure you are allocated the seat you chose, or choosing another one. And you can do it on a laptop, tablet, or phone. Boarding pass can be printed, or stored on tablet or phone.
.

The trouble is that the 'email my BP' now sends a link and not the BP resulting in more faffing around. It used to be so easy...

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I am surprised at everyone using online checkin.
I never check in before I arrive at the airport in case I don't make it.