Beware the Check-IN naz_'s

[zulu]

So I'm coming back to Oz from HK and i've done some shopping. I check in and have a suitcase, roll-on and laptop bag.

The QF checkin chick is not impressed as I am overweight. I ask did she note that I am a Silver FF and therefore have a 35kg allowance.

She checks. She agrees but I am still 5 kg over and must pay up. I'm hot and bothered. Ask her to check with her supervisor. Checks with super - nope no way. Asked her is the plane is full - nope its not full (in fact only 60 ppl on the plane)

10 min later we're still getting nowhere and I'm so annoyed at her attitude over a measly 5kgs. Note now that I am about 80kgs in weight anyway so you;d expect some slack.

Theres a small scene brewing now and other people are looking on and gate agents asking to assist. I explain to them and they are like "rules are rules".

So right there, I decided to unpack my suitcase and proceeded to put on a pair of jeans over my long shorts, put on a jumper, swap shoes for my sneakers, put on a jacket into which I now slip in my mobile phone and camera, which I had stowed.

Zip up case. Check that I told her. :twisted: Sure enough, it came well under and left her looking very embarrassed.

Why do QF treat their 'loyal' customers with so much contempt? Its not a wonder their flight was only 1/4 full.

 

[arun]

I think the check-in chick might have been offended that you pointed out at her ignorance of the siver FF's entitlements. Then to cover it up, she must have taken it upon you. Quite surprised that her supervisors also supported her. I think you should complain to QF. 5kgs excess is really insignificant on check-in baggage. It is indeed mistreatment.

 

[HardieBoys]

Just checked up the Qantas website on baggage allowances. The extra allowance for Silver FF members is 10 kg, bringing the total to 30 kg. If you thought you had a 35 kg limit, and were 5 kg over, you were actually 10 kg over the limit.

 

[The Pope]

A can of deoderant and some shaving cream.

At Perth if you carry a aerosol can in hand luggage, they'll check that it has a lid and that it fits properly, otherwise you can't take it on board. Probably to avoid accidental release of the contents.

 

[icemann]

Oh, the fun I had on the 4th of July. Picture this....

ADL-SIN. I'm helping my VIP Japanese client check in on an SQ flight, and then I'll go and check-in for a DOM flight to BNE later after my conference in ADL. Get to the check in desk, and the guy behind wants to weigh the carry-on.

My VIP puts the briefcase on the scale, and it reads....shock.... :roll: a whole 8 KGs.

The check-in guy then proceeds to write two boxes on a piece of paper and draws '8' in one and '7' in the other and talks to my VIP like he doesn't understand English at all. Oh my God. I was sooo embarrassed by this guy's COMPLETE lack of sensitivity. There's me, apologising profusely in Japanese to my client.

He takes the laptop battery out, and then puts it in the other case. It reads 7.3KGs now. He's like..."Oh, I suppose I'll let you on now". What a complete jerk. He deserved a good smack. I mean, 1 KG ?! It's not like QF / SQ staff are carrying the bags, is it ? If it was 5 KGs, I would understand, but 1 ?! Please.

Question of the day....if I take out the battery and put it in another case, will the weight have gone anywhere ? No. It's the old interview question of 'if you're in a boat, holding a rock, and drop it over the side, will the water level rise, fall or stay the same ?'.

 

[clifford]

Hey Icemann,

I think you need to play them at their own game. Take a few items out of your carry on and leave them in your car (or wherever). Then check in (you will always be under the limit, unless your bag weighs more than the limit when empty).

Then, go back to your car, put the stuff back into your carry on, and hey presto.

Usually works a charm.

PS, if you're travelling business class, they're not usually so anally retentive.

 

[Dazzler]

The jokes on you....

I find it hilarious that everyone has posted stories of how easy it is to get away with excess baggage on QF Flights. However, even though you KNOW what the policy is, you continue to ignore it and push your luck. When the day comes that they refuse to let it on, then you'll all have a cry about how strict QF is.

Baggage is subject to the flight capacity. Because it is all distributed by weight, when a plane isn't full, they will allow people heavier baggage then usual. If the plane is full, then you will be refused!! :wink:

You should continue to take that risk.. I know I'll be laughing when you have to leave your clothes behind.

 

[icemann]

But, with all due respect Dazzler, I think that's fair to say to those people who have, like 10KGs over and full on, KNOW that they're doing wrong.

But 1KG ? May I say that when my VIP pulled out his Air Nippon Gold card to get the miles for the flight (don't ask me...it's a Japanese card thing and I have no idea ), the gate agent softened slightly.

Really though, 1KG. Something tells me that this will get balanced out in someone else who will have 6KG carry on.

 

[clifford]

Hi Dazzler,

Just to let you know that I really am quite responsible with carry ons (however it's a bit hard when my Qantas brand rollaboard weighs about 5 Kg empty).

I've travelled internationally more than 2 million miles over the last 25 years or so, and have never had to check my carry on (I have a nice smile).

So perhaps you'll be quite a long time between laughs.

Regards,
cliffie.

 

[Alan in CBR]

Just to let you know that I really am quite responsible with carry ons (however it's a bit hard when my Qantas brand rollaboard weighs about 5 Kg empty).

We must have the same rollaboard. I couldn't believe it when I weighed it and found out that strictly speaking I could only put 2kg of contents into it! If it's going to have the airline's brand name on it, it should at least be useable for aircraft travel!

Now that most of my international travel is in economy (mutter, mutter, company policy, mumble, mumble) I have stopped using it and use a smaller, lighter one. I'm very risk-averse when travelling and hate confrontation, so try to play by their rules wherever possible. Having said that, there have been the odd occasions when I have just had to risk it and carry a couple of extra kilos - never ridiculous amounts though.

 

[ksthommo]

I had a nice experience flying Melbourne to Singapore around 7 years back. I was a Qantas Club member and checked in at the Business Class Stalls. The check in lady questioned why I didn't have a return ticket out of Singapore, I informed her I was stationed there with defence and that the stamp in my passport let's me stay there. I don't what got up her but she wanted to charge me excess for the foodstuffs I was taking back.

Got out of her queue, checked in at the economy section, no dramas and the lady even tried to upgrade me, no luck there though. Should have made a complaint about the business class check in, guess she didn't like being wrong or didn't like working on Sundays.

 

[Dazzler]

Those who cry about Qantas....

Ksthommo,

Why you were checking in at a stall?? in an airport is a mystery to me, maybe next time you should try the counter and maybe they won't question you about your foodstuffs.

Personally, I think that she was probably right to question you. Firstly, maybe it was a customs issue that she questioned you about your food, possibly you were taking a hell of a lot of food. Or maybe, your stamp story sounded a little odd even if it is true. I know for sure that I would rather travel with the paranoid airline then the airline that lets any old suicide bomber lookalike or crazy man on board (I am not implying that you are either).

What strikes me as odd though and the part about your story that makes it very difficult for me to care is this;

If you were checking in at the Business Class counter, then why were you trying to be upgraded when you went to Economy Check In because you had your nose out of joint???? Could the attendant have been rude to you because some people pay double their ticket price to travel in Business Class to have those sorts of privileges so that economy ticket holders can check in at the same line because they failed to read the BIG sign that says 'BUSINESS CLASS' Check In.

Consider this -

1. Melbourne Airport has a designated line "stall" for both Business Class and Qantas Club members.. Qantas Club members can only check in at Business Class check in if - surprise, surprise - they are travelling Business Class.
2. The attendant at the Business Class check in would more then likely tell you to wait in the other line (in a bid not to upset the real Business Class passengers) and not really bothered to check your things. So why would she try and charge you for foodstuffs?? SHE ISN'T CHECKING YOUR BAGS!!
3. Possibly your ignorance to the rules and procedures at the airport made this lady quite cold toward you. Maybe next time you might try and do the right thing and then everyone can be happy.
4. As for economy class lady, your a Qantas Club member checking in at the wrong line - AGAIN! Only this time you have some priority!!
5. I fail to see where the Business Check In lady went wrong. As far as I can tell - YOU were wrong.

Possibly you should have lodged that complaint.
Then they could have laughed themselves as hard as I did.

No sympathy here.

Dazzler

 

[ksthommo]

Dazzler,

I'll set a few of my WRONG things right.

It was seven years ago, so there has been a few beers under the bridge since then. Maybe back then the counter was dual business/qc, either way I was in the right queue. She picked me up because my luggage was overweight. This was because I had a styrofoam box full of Aussie meats, that's my fault. No dramas taking food into Singapore back then, might be different now with mad cow and bird flu.

I did not ask for an upgrade with this check in lady or the economy lady.
The lady at the economy counter said "I'll see if I can get you a better seat", she asked her supervisor and it was knocked back, so be it.

Hope you can have another laugh about this one. I may have made a few errors putting my story across, but I was in the correct stall, okay counter and the check in lady at the Business/QC was not very helpful.

By the way I'm not one of those economy class passengers as you put it who line up at the business class counter. Have a good day mister.

 

[Dazzler]

Two wrongs not making a right.....

Dear Ksthommo,

It was nice to see someone accept a little bit of responsibility for doing the wrong thing instead of always blaming the Airline.

"....She picked me up because my luggage was overweight. This was because I had a styrofoam box full of Aussie meats, that's my fault..."

You stated in your first letter “I don't know what got up her but she wanted to charge me excess for the foodstuffs I was taking back….” Is it just me or did you just completely contradict yourself ?

I think it’s pretty obvious what the problem was here. Its not rudeness, it’s called rules and regulations.

Oh yeah, and Mister is a term usually reserved for Men. Wrong again Ksthommo.

Dazzler……..

 

[thadocta]

One of the nice things about the new FlyerTalk board is the ability to ignore a poster, for whatever reason, but usually because they are an idiot.

Such a feature would be useful on this board for people who just wander in and start being an idiot.... people like Dazzler, for example.

Dave

 

[sully]

Ditto from me too Dazzler. So you are a girl huh? Trying to start of by attempting to cuckold some bloke who is honestly giving us his story eh?

I have said it before when newbies decide to immediately set their agenda by snarling at everyone from the outset. Don't.

Provide the forum with some humility, amusing anecdotes or helpful advice and you shall be welcomed by all.

 

[icemann]

And the QC/Bus line can be used by QC members, regardless of the class they are travelling. At least, the T+Cs said that last night I checked.

And there's me thinking that I was getting away with sooo much as a lowly QC bronze all those years ago

 

[toetoes]

check in


Hi all,

I was once check CSO with AN, we also handled other internation Flts. I would turn a blind eye to some over weight carry on's if and only if the flt was not 100% full or if the international airline layed down the rules I had to stick to the 7kg rule. However, it all comes down to the PAX, If he or she is only a few Kg's over is nice about it then it is fine for us both, but come to check in with a right to fly type attitude with over 10 Kg's, it was trouble for us both.

The worst was doing MH flts to AKL, many Kiwi's thought that after a few mth's in Au that they could check in with 30+ kg's of checked and 15 kg's of carry on to rtn to NZ. I had not a few but many heated little talks to just why this was not possible. MH 100% of the time backed me up, pay up or get rid of the extra Kg's.( I love NZ people just an example)

So, if you do get away with over 7kg's of carry on thank the CSO as he/she is putting the job on the line if there is a problem with weight, storage etc. on the FLT it is his/her neck on the block not your own.

Just my two cents worth, Thks.

 

[redrat]

Phew Dazzler, you just dazzled me :shock:

Does it really bother you that much that an economy paying passenger is getting an upgrade or trying for one? As a plat & standing in the FC line I've never had anyone look sideways at me. In fact how can you tell?

From a customer perspective there is NEVER an excuse for a CS agent being cold toward anyone.

BTW, are you using Linux or something 'cause I have no idea what your codes mean?

 

[Dazzler]

The Rebuttle...

Ok, I think you have mistaken me for someone who was trying to make friends. Thanks for the tips guys but I don't really care if you think I am a snarling newbie.
I did however enjoy your letters.
This is the quote I found the best!! ".....Provide the forum with some humility, amusing anecdotes or helpful advice and you shall be welcomed by all...."
Personally, when I stumbled across this site, all I found was a bunch of people using this notice board as a way to vent anger and whinge about Qantas. People ignoring the facts, telling stories where they are clearly in the wrong, or just getting angry at the same company for just about anything they possibly can.
Ksthommo, can tell his story and no-one gets upset. Why? Because you all agree with him. Because you all do exactly the same thing. Tell a sad story about a time when Qantas wronged you. Ignoring where you yourself were at fault.
However, someone disagree's with a story but gives you valid reasons why and their a snarling newby?? Is it opinion or fact that you have a problem with?? Besides, I am not the one who resorted to name calling.
I couldn't care less about an economy class passenger trying to get an upgrade. I care that someone tries to make someone else look bad when they were actually the one in the wrong.
The only thing that stands out for me is this...."From a customer perspective there is NEVER an excuse for a CS agent being cold toward anyone." This I can relate to and something that I have always believed in. But you find bad customer service everywhere, not just Qantas. I am sure if everyone thinks back they can recall a time when their Customer Service wasn't at an exceptional standard.

My intention is not to come on this website and try and be as nasty as I can to everyone.

Just to point out the facts.

Dazzler