Conventional checkin at SYD

[N860CR]

The last few times I've travelled out of SYD I have been forced to use NGCI as there don't seem to be any regular checkin counters anymore.

On my way down here, my NGCI electronic tag was "lost" by the baggage handlers, so I don't really see any point in me using the new checkin and not getting the business tags on my bags (as well as having to put my own paper tag on the bag ).

Are there any business counters left for normal old-school checkin (and where have they hidden them?), or am I going to have to use one of the self-checkin methods?

 

[anat0l]

NGCI replaces all check-in counters.

You can try rocking up to a Service Desk (not the Premium Desk) and see if they will do everything for you. They may just send you back to the kiosks, however.

If you print your own bag routing tags, the priority information is supposed to be printed / coded on it, supposedly. Either way, it'll work as good or as bad as it did previously.

 

[munitalP]

As you walk in, turn left and there are check in counters down near the small security entrance - at least that's what I was told after using the new system last time I was in SYD


munitalP

 

[samh004]

NGCI replaces all check-in counters.

You can try rocking up to a Service Desk (not the Premium Desk) and see if they will do everything for you. They may just send you back to the kiosks, however.

If you print your own bag routing tags, the priority information is supposed to be printed / coded on it, supposedly. Either way, it'll work as good or as bad as it did previously.

I was under the impression Gold members and above could use the Premium Service Desks to checkin.

 

[medhead]

As you walk in, turn left and there are check in counters down near the small security entrance - at least that's what I was told after using the new system last time I was in SYD


munitalP

I was under the impression Gold members and above could use the Premium Service Desks to checkin.

Is it safe to assume that these are the same desks?

I would note that last time a walked past these desks, a couple of weeks ago, they were still labelled with Qantas Club and (something else like J, WP, SG)

 

[Oneworldplus2]

danielribo, have you ordered new tags? You can do that once you log in to the QF site, it's in the "preferences" section

 

[N860CR]

Yep ordered a new one over the phone when the other went missing. It's a three week wait though.

I'll give the far left a go. I tried the service desks at the far right last time and was sent to the pole.

 

[samh004]

Is it safe to assume that these are the same desks?

I would note that last time a walked past these desks, a couple of weeks ago, they were still labelled with Qantas Club and (something else like J, WP, SG)

I would assume so, but haven’t been in SYD DOM land-side for quite a while, so haven’t even set my eyes on the NGCI poles. No doubt a SYD-sider or munitalP can reply to you.

 

[dk4]

As you walk in, turn left and there are check in counters down near the small security entrance...

Indeed.

To the OP - All the "walk thru style" check-in desks in that area have disappeared. The new human check-in desks are located flush back against the wall (where the hoarding was up a few months ago).

I had to use them when the pole refused to check me in. But be prepared for a possible wait, as they have significantly reduced the number of staff working the desks.

 

[N860CR]

Thanks. I'll give it a go.

Annoying to think that on a business class ticket it's so hard to checkin with a person!

 

[serfty]

Looks like I'll never use my tags - seems to d@mn difficult.

Luckily I can carry on up to 30lbs for QF Jet services ...

 

[pauly7]

Looks like I'll never use my tags - seems to d@mn difficult.

Luckily I can carry on up to 30lbs for QF Jet services ...

It's really not Serfty you will be fine. I don't know how I lived without NGCI, can check in less than 45 seconds with bags!

I had predicted mayhem as the general plebs struggled with it but after traveling during the big Xmas rush everyone was coping very well!

 

[russ]

Given that QF hasn't sent me a new card or tags, I check in using previous generation checkin most weeks.

It's at the left hand side against the back wall. There's red LCD screens saying "Business" and "Premium." There's a bouncer in front who tries to convince everyone to use the kiosks instead, so this keeps the line reasonably short.

 

[N860CR]

Yes the bouncer was quick to tell me they're service desks and to go to the machine.

Out of spite, I'm carrying on my probably too large bag!

 

[Homer]

A few weeks ago as I approached the “bouncer", with J boarding passes printed via OLCI in hand, and asked the easiest way to check-in my suitcase she directed me to the kiosk area. I now know that I didn’t need a kiosk as I had already checked in at home but as this was my first time doing NGCI and, I suspect, the “bouncer” skipped the training course, I was directed to the kiosks.

There was a small line behind the bouncer for the service desks, but equally there was at least one person in front of every kiosk. As it happens I chose the “wrong” kiosk because I got stuck behind someone who was having difficulty and he needed to call over one of the “red coat” helpers who also had difficulty (something about a split ticket?) and so I waited and waited and waited...eventually to figure out for myself that I should just have gone straight to the bag drop area.

I would have been better off in the WP/J line so next time I see a “bouncer” that tries to deflect me I’m just going to ignore them.