Brisbane Domestic

[Platy]

It all sounds like gross mismanagment on the part of Qantas to me. How can you let yourself get to a point where you are 35 down on staff numbers in one area? I don't believe that passenger growth has been so huge and/or unpredictable to be a reasonable excuse for clearly inadequate staffing levels.

Methinks it may have something to do with the obviously brilliant IR strategy of QF executive to lower salaries for check in staff because they do less than before (don't issue a boarding pass at bag drop off counters).

Unfortunately, the laws of supply and demand cut both ways - QF are happy to milk pasengers for maximum profit by charging the highest price for the lowest service levels that the market can withstand - but they also have to come to terms with the reality that bad IR decisions at a time of lowering unemployment may be very stupid and compromise their ability to deliver their product. After all, if passengers can't get to the aircraft they booked on then QF have effectively lost a seat and infuriated a customer - if a premium passenger is in a long queue QF aren't endearing themselves either.

Seems nuts to me...but, hey, QF are making an excellent short term profit so obviously everything is perfectly fine and dandy, right?!

I'm back through Brisbane this coming week and will defintiely stick with hand luggage only.

Incidentally, it took absolutely ages to use the OLCI facility on the QF web site last Thursday morning - the boarding pass pdf was downloading at around 400 bits per second. I tried later from an alternate computer/location and it had only improved slightly.

Can't check in at the counter and can't check in online without a big delay. pathetic effort QF!

 

[straitman]

Something is not quite right with this story.

Sack everyone of them and hire a new set of staff. There are plenty of people looking for work who are prepared to work!

JohnK,

Are you angling for a job :?:

 

[pauly7]

This automatic swipe system has been in effect for close to this entire century!

As far as MEL using it they have basically been diligent. My SG years 'til '05 this century had a swipe to front ratio of between 95%-98%, the none swipes were extremely rare.

BNE are a laugh, they look at yon gold/plat/qp card and wave you through.

Really is that your hit rate with MEL?! That is truly bizarre - I fly almost weekly and I reckon I am swiped about 2-3 times out of 10 MAX.... Weird. Maybe you look like a DJ customer Jokes Jokes!

I should have been clearer in my post, when I meant 'automatic swipe' I meant that I have heard beacause of the 'illegals' haha (people forced onto DJ by work primarilly I guess), they are/were thinking about 'train gate' kind of systems where you (the PAX) swipe either your FF card or put in a boarding pass and the gate opens for you. I have heard of this because a friend works in a related company that was asked for some information.

 

[Love2Fly]

Really is that your hit rate with MEL?! That is truly bizarre - I fly almost weekly and I reckon I am swiped about 2-3 times out of 10 MAX.... Weird. Maybe you look like a DJ customer Jokes Jokes!

I don't think I have had a swipe request at MEL for about 3 years...

 

[littl_flier]

I don't think I have had a swipe request at MEL for about 3 years...

I don't travel to MEL much (only four times in last 18 months) but I've never been asked to swipe anything. They seem to check the status on the boarding card a lot better than BNE though.

 

[Flashback]

QANTAS CLUB: BRISBANE AIRPORT

Flying JQ today from BNE to Prosperine/Airlie Beach on jetstar.

Qantas club was very particular checking JQ boarding pass/QC Card and writing all details down. When I queried why, chap on desk said "to make sure you're not flying Virgin". Strange I thought - is more like a survey - there seems to be white board. Not the usual welcome to QC I receive.

Then JQ flight is called at lounge. We wait 15 minutes and then walk to gate. Plane is only at stage of letting off passengers from incoming flight, let alone boarding.

This is the rudest I have been treated at QC Brisbane ever. It seems they wanted us out of there ASAP.

Is anyone else finding rudeness at Brisbane QC and/or is the reason related to flying Jet*? There is no QF option to Airlie Beach (only alternative is Virgin). Any thoughts?

I encountered the same rudeness at MEL QP last night, with staff up there refusing to do anything for me at all (even *trying* to take a look at my request); and was told I'd have to go downstairs and ask at the JQ counter. Having done so, I asked the checkin staff and they mentioned it shouldn't have been a problem, up in the QP.. not to bother, at least when I went back through security I bumped into Damian Oliver, so had a quick chat with him.

It just topped off a bad trip QP wise, as in Perth I was questioned as to whether I should have been where I was (couldn't understand why, only thing I can put it to is being young? I had no reason not to be there, and was dressed / behaving appropriately).

Just waiting to hear back from customer relations, although I don't hold much hope. Although I may be paid up for life, I will certainly be voting with my feet and flying DJ where the cost of the airfare saves more than the IFE/Food is worth.

 

[straitman]

I will certainly be voting with my feet and flying DJ where the cost of the airfare saves more than the IFE/Food is worth.

Flashware,

I'm sorry to hear of your experiences with the QP. I've never had the issues you refer too though I'm almost officially an 'old fart' these days, so maybe 'age' is the issue. Re the cost of DJ, this is not the case in my experience.

 

[Flashback]

Flashware,

I'm sorry to hear of your experiences with the QP. I've never had the issues you refer too though I'm almost officially an 'old fart' these days, so maybe 'age' is the issue. Re the cost of DJ, this is not the case in my experience.

Thanks It's not the first time I've suspected age to be a determining factor in things.

Nor is it the case in my experiences, my regular route is to SYD and QF has always been cheaper for me, unfortunately..

 

[littl_flier]

Thanks It's not the first time I've suspected age to be a determining factor in things.

That's a real shame Flashware. I'm not exactly an old fart either (hence littl_flier ) but I've always had wonderful experiences in the QP. I have never been questioned about entry and have been waved through numerous times without looking at my BP, even with my baby face.

My only exception, and I'm going to weigh in on the debate because the service was absolute s^!t was in DRW a couple of weeks ago. I was looked at like I had three heads to dare even ask for an upgrade, was questioned re. too many guests when travelling with a J class pax and QF Gold (so we all had entry in our own right) and then I was told off at the bar for requesting two drinks for my colleague and I (apparently it's policy that we can only take one drink at a time). :shock: And this was drink number 1, not 12. I've never struck this before and I think I have three bitter, middle aged women who were angry about doing the night shift.

 

[Flashback]

Agreed, however in my case last night the bar staff was the best part of the stay in MEL QP; on my first drink *she* offered a double, I didn't even have to ask

 

[Reggie]

Agreed, however in my case last night the bar staff was the best part of the stay in MEL QP; on my first drink *she* offered a double, I didn't even have to ask

Flashware, you shuld have asked her for her phone number.

Come to think of it, did you check the coaster for a phone number, she may have already given it to you.

 

[Flashback]

Flashware, you shuld have asked her for her phone number.

Come to think of it, did you check the coaster for a phone number, she may have already given it to you.

Somehow I don't think SWMBO would have been too happy about that, given the fact I was also grabbing a Vodka LLB for her

 

[NM]

No problems at all for me with any delays in processing for my BNE-SYD flight. I checked-in on-line last night, the arrived at the airport and walked straight to the security screening point. Then straight upstairs to the Qantas Club. So from curb to lounge was less than 5mins.

 

[oz_mark]

Somehow I don't think SWMBO would have been too happy about that, given the fact I was also grabbing a Vodka LLB for her

Somehow, I think you are right!

 

[Reggie]

Somehow I don't think SWMBO would have been too happy about that, given the fact I was also grabbing a Vodka LLB for her

Only if you told her.

 

[Yada Yada]

Just waiting to hear back from customer relations, although I don't hold much hope. Although I may be paid up for life, I will certainly be voting with my feet and flying DJ where the cost of the airfare saves more than the IFE/Food is worth.

No-one deserves such bad service.

IMO QF's cost minimisation program has been going for so long that the staff are reaching the end of their tethers. My guess is that the reason for the problems in BNE (and most likely other places too) is because they are reducing check-in staff in an attempt to encourage better take-up of Quick-check and OLCI.

Anyway, I have never experienced bad service from DJ at any level. They are much happier people to deal with.

 

[Flashback]

No-one deserves such bad service.

It's interesting to note, that after lodging the feedback, I got the automated response shortly after, and then about another 5 minutes after that a human response, saying it had been forwarded to the Customer Relations department, which I've never seen before.

 

[serfty]

I don't think I have had a swipe request at MEL for about 3 years...

MEL don't swipe QF WP card - they may visually check the expiry.

Really is that your hit rate with MEL?! That is truly bizarre - I fly almost weekly and I reckon I am swiped about 2-3 times out of 10 MAX.... Weird. Maybe you look like a DJ customer Jokes Jokes! ...

I was referring to my SG era, I have been WP since Nov '05 so things may have changed.

 

[Flashback]

I've never been swiped, ever... the only time I have been, is my BP and that's in the Int QP.

 

[codash1099]

Monday November 19, 12:01 PM Qantas admits Brisbane strain


Qantas has admitted its airport processes in Brisbane are under strain, blaming rapid growth in passenger numbers.

The airline said in a prepared statement that it had been working with Brisbane Airport Corporation over the past six months to address infrastructure issues that were contributing to passenger congestion.

The statement was issued following media reports staff that lengthy delays at the check-in counters have led to staff being regularly subject to abuse, including being booed and spat at for leaving their posts.

Addressing this (passenger congestion) is a priority for Qantas, and we are in the process of accelerating a planned multi-million dollar redesign of our terminal in Brisbane, Qantas Regional General Manager Andrew Hogg said.

The redesign will involve moving the check-in and security areas to the upstairs level, expanding baggage areas, modifying aircraft gates and expanding airport lounges.

Mr Hogg said Qantas was also in the process of recruiting 35 permanent customer service staff for Brisbane Airport in the lead up to Christmas and to cater for growth forecast in early 2008. - Travelpress travel news