Greeted by QF on arrival and escorted to immigration

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I flew on QF30 HKG-MEL yesterday which was very lightly loaded. As a result, the on board CSM came to visit me a few times during the flight to check on me (I was in Y). In my experience, having the CSM even saying hello to me has been hit and miss - mostly miss. I guess I am too far from the nose of the aircraft for them to walk all that way.... :shock:

Anyway, the thing that really surprised me was when I arrived at MEL at the aircraft door, the CSM pointed me out to a QF 'greeter' who greeted by name and as we walked to immigration, chatted about the weather, the flight and my future flights. She even knew that I didn't have any checked luggage. She mentioned that I was the last of 'her' pax off the plane because I was seated "a bit further back" .

I am guessing that I was the only WP in Y, so the other pax must have been CL, WP and F pax I suppose. I was in 40A, the pax departing immediately ahead of me were from Y+ and upstairs J, yet she didn't say boo to them. Back before the GFC, when I travelled in J for 8hr+ flights I was never greeted at the door like this before or since converting to all Y travel.

Has anyone else seen this before?

 

[samh004]

Sounds like you’re important to them, don’t question it!

Although perhaps it was at the CSM’s discretion and because of that chat you had they thought they’d call ahead for you, for what purpose I’m not so sure, but it certainly should make you think you’re important to them.

 

[tuppaware]

On my BNE-AKL-LAX Air NZ flight last year we had a 2 hour delay in ALK and while I was waiting at the gate the CSM for the flight came up and started chatting to me for a good 30 mins. On board 6 hours into the flight she found me in the back of Y and sneaked me a Y+ amenity pack. At LAX she walked with me for a few mins before customs.

I was so shocked about the service as I have no status with Air NZ.. but needless to say I was impressed. I did also let her use my Ipad for an hour on the flight ( she wanted to try one to purchase for her husband!)

 

[pauly7]

Has anyone else seen this before?

Yup - when I've been traveling with celebs who we've got working for us. We get express everything and walk throughs.

Not when by myself though So Congrats!!

 

[Cardinal]

Never been escorted to immigration but when I am I’m more likely to find myself accompanied by the authorities.
I once had the CSM personally attend my seat in Y prior to take off on a 747. He offered me a glass of Champagne and informed me that the beverage was courtesy of my wife who he understood was traveling up front. He offered me the opportunity to get up and say hello to her - this may or may not be normal. However, I’m unmarried and my partner at the time, (who coincidently had earlier traveling from SIN to SYD) was not on my flight. Being a cautious and fearful of causing embarrassment for either the CSM or the lady in question, I told the CSM that I was happy to drink the Champagne but would have to decline the opportunity to visit my wife as (in all honesty) she could not the PAX in question.

Now I admit I can dress as well as a the next movie star and my classic good looks find me often accused of being some sort of celebrity but to this day but I’ve never replicated this scenario. Maybe I was Keanu Reeves, maybe Kate Moss thought I was the sex bomb, perhaps it was an upgrade opportunity (although my possessions would have been left in my s seat)? More than likely it was actually a case of mistaken seat number. I’m unsure what it all means and regret not taking the opportunity to find out.

 

[jono88888]

I've only had the CSM talk to me once, I was in Y and it was the flight after I had just made SG. He came not long after take off, knew my name, asked how everything was etc and offered to get me a drink. But what I particularly liked was he also offered the same to a guy I was sat next to and chatting with, otherwise to be honest I'd have felt a little embarrased to be getting special treatment while he sat their thirsty. As I had just made SG I did think for a moment this was the new life for me, but the next trip brought me back to reality, hasn't happened since.

 

[markis10]

I often see the greeters etc with the famous people on TV at the airport, especially Kyle Sandilands lately, and the other sort of greeters I have seen are those in uniform waiting for a pax who had some interesting wrist ware or when we were asked to remain in our seats on arrival as someone on the plane was of interest to waiting officials.

I have only ever had it once and that was AY when I had a tight transfer, ironically to the same plane I was getting off.

BTW Welcome to AFF jono88888.

 

[flyinghightoday]

On arrival into LAX last year, I remember hearing an announcement just in the terminal if any Gold, Platinum or CL members require assistance to immigration and there were QF staff standing by just outside the gate.

 

[ozmille]

Only time being accompanied was when I was travelling as UM

 

[LiamR]

Only time being accompanied was when I was travelling as UM

+1

They also let me scan everybody's boarding passes.

 

[lsmi4126]

The CSM came and chatted to me in my seat on a SYD - JFK trip last year (I was in Y) just after take off from SYD.

I had just made PS at the time and assumed that was why he approached me (ha), however he soon asked me if I had gone to school with his son (which I had). I have no idea how he figured that out...

 

[samh004]

The CSM came and chatted to me in my seat on a SYD - JFK trip last year (I was in Y) just after take off from SYD.

I had just made PS at the time and assumed that was why he approached me (ha), however he soon asked me if I had gone to school with his son (which I had). I have no idea how he figured that out...

He has access to the passenger manifest and your name probably rung a bell in his head

 

[Flying Fox]

Closest I get to this was when I was flying ADL - MEL - AKL.

Called by QF the day before to be told that my ADL - MEL flight was cancelled but they put me on the next one. Told them about my connection and they said that they would hold the flight for me (I had my doubts).

On board ADL - MEL everything was normal but got told just before landing that everyone would be asked to remain seated whilst me and about 3 others would be asked to exit the aircraft first.

Once we could stand, everyone was asked to remain seated. 4 of us were asked to exit first which we did and then directed to a buggy. I got shot-gun and we were driven right to the gate for the MEL-AKL flight.

Put boarding pass through and it beeped. Op-uped as another bonus. Sat down, door closed and we pushed back!

Felt totally spoilt as I just had the 'rock-star' experience!