Does anyone still think VA is superior?

[Pleb Status]

I think a tightening up of HLO size/number is actually a great thing. Too many do it as they think they can get away with it, but I think the OP was more to do with the way the staff reacted when a perfectly legitimate solution was proposed by the OP, rather than the luggage weight. The OP didn't mention baggage size, so perhaps it was larger than the defined limits, but it does sound more like an obstinate check-in staffer (which occasionally happens).

I have had my HLO weighed. Certainly JQ has done it with even very small bags (backpack well within the limits) and I can recall check-in asking to weigh my cabin baggage, but I can't recall which airline. Customs in AKL also did it to me as well.

The problem was the 'solution' was dodgy at best and everyone knows (including the check in staff) as soon as the pax left the check in area the laptop would have gone straight back into the carry on, making it 10kg again.

The pax just wanted to be given special treatment as they were a 'priority' customer and become unhappy when they were told that the weight limits also applied to them.

QF (and/or agents for QF) weighed my HL on numerous occasions when I was a P1. Should I have taken offence at that?

 

[dajop]

The problem was the 'solution' was dodgy at best and everyone knows (including the check in staff) as soon as the pax left the check in area the laptop would have gone straight back into the carry on, making it 10kg again.

The pax just wanted to be given special treatment as they were a 'priority' customer and become unhappy when they were told that the weight limits also applied to them?

Absolute rubbish. Don't try and I guess what my motives were.

I didn't want special treatment and didn't even argue at the time - in retrospect it would have been a better experience if they just let me do what was allowed under their own policy. And if I didn't have partner status - ironically I wouldn't have needed to present to desk and would have carried it on without dramas.

Also note If I didn't have laptop to remove i would not have even raised this (and to be honest at the time I didn't argue either or pull a DYKWIA because I wasn't aware of the personal item rule, I just accepted it - someone pointed out that to me later).

The carry on was definitely within domestic size limits and once at airport the laptop would have stayed in the plastic bag because easier than taking it out again in the lounge to use, then out again through security and out again once on plane to use.

As for the plane there were lots of people with bigger carry on + big back packs - no way compliant. The reason I was told to check it was space limitations!

Anyway this was just an observation about the process - and in the context of an outsider who has not flown VA for two years. A little leeway to allow at least status - if not all - customers to find solutions to comply with such rules surely can't hurt when you're the one struggling against the competition at the high end of the market. If you choose to believe that I was just trying to pull a DYKWIA well you can believe that.

 

[bean]

The problem was the 'solution' was dodgy at best and everyone knows (including the check in staff) as soon as the pax left the check in area the laptop would have gone straight back into the carry on, making it 10kg again.

The pax just wanted to be given special treatment as they were a 'priority' customer and become unhappy when they were told that the weight limits also applied to them.

QF (and/or agents for QF) weighed my HL on numerous occasions when I was a P1. Should I have taken offence at that?

I thought the whole idea of status was to be given special treatment?

 

[OzEire]

I thought the whole idea of status was to be given special treatment?

Status handcuffs are there to benefit the airline not the pax.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The problem was the 'solution' was dodgy at best and everyone knows (including the check in staff) as soon as the pax left the check in area the laptop would have gone straight back into the carry on, making it 10kg again.

Now that's a bit harsh. The solution complied and should have been allowed. Check-in staff don't have a crystal ball as far as I'm aware, nor is it their job to predict what may happen in the future.

 

[QF WP]

After just completing a Coast-to-Coast with both carriers, the win does go to VA. On Sunday, I flew BNE/MEL on a 738 in Y, then MEL/PER in J on an A332. On the return, I flew QF on an A332 PER/SYD and again in J on a 738.

When comparing hard and soft products, service, price, points (for J upgrades) and Club access, the win goes to VA. Product win goes to VA by a couple of points, similarly service and price. Value for points was split and Club access goes hands down to QF. That has made me confirm the reason why I am focusing on VA and filling in the remainder with QF so I can slowly creep up on LTG. YMMV

 

[cove]

Availability for July seats in business class redemptions has VA streets ahead for PER-SYD and PER-MEL returns on A330s.

 

[cove]

Based on redemption of J tickets for coast to coast runs I am thinking of making more VA points. I don't see why Virgin hasn't done a name change as they have paid RB $103 million for it so far for that one word.

 

[pauly7]

It's just a pity VA are pulling the A330's off C2C bit by bit, and sub too much for my liking which is really irritating. Hopefully when the re-route the A330's to Hong Kong their avails for J redemptions will be good