International priority boarding at PVG

[Haplo]

I want to post this just so people is aware of the chaos I experienced last night at PVG on QF 130. There was no sign for economy boarding so everyone was lined up behind the business/OWS/OWE line. Needless to sign I got directed to the end of the line as a WP on J.

To make the matter worse the plane changed last minute from a 1-2-1 configuration to the 2-2-2 older configuration, and the entertainment system barely worked.

Look it is really a first world problem, but I thought having just one line for all passengers really defeats the priority boarding concept. Everyone knows it doesn't work domestically but it looks like it is not working for international as well.

 

[Hvr]

Everyone knows it doesn't work domestically but it looks like it is not working for international as well.

Damn, looks like someone has transferred from QFd to QFi and is sharing bad ideas.

 

[N860CR]

Had a similar experience in BKK recently. There was no priority line at all. I ended up asking one of the ground staff where the J line was, and she walked a few business passengers to the head of the line. Poor form though.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

That would have been my base level expectation out of PVG. The whole China experience isn't really great outside of the main carriers (CX, SQ, CA) so if QF want to expand into mainland China directly they should invest a little in infrastructure (signs and staff training) etc.

 

[UP4014]

You're correct, it's a first world problem.

 

[moa999]

And with only one flight a day I suspect it's an outsourced ground handling team..
Some Qantas manager just needs to give them a kick.

I'd be complaining about getting EBG (the remaining 2-2-2 aircraft and the IFE - they should be keeping it off longhaul international routes)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I haven't been through T1 at PVG very often, but at T2 - like hong kong, there are always two sides to the podium. One is for premium and status holders and the other is for economy. Some airlines will divide that up again with a third line for F class.

If an airline doesn't differentiate it's just up to the passenger to make themselves known to staff at the podium (like the example given at BKK in post 3 above). Passengers just have to take the initiative (and China is usually very good when it comes to priority boarding and ground services, even with LCCs, so showing your business boarding pass and asking for priority won't usually be seen as anything out of the ordinary).

In the case of the OP - pointing out to staff that 'not all these people can be business/priority' should be enough to prompt some action.

 

[Haplo]

In the case of the OP - pointing out to staff that 'not all these people can be business/priority' should be enough to prompt some action.

The problem is that there is only one queue - with the business/OWS/OWE sign. The economy boarding sign doesnt even exist.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The problem is that there is only one queue - with the business/OWS/OWE sign. The economy boarding sign doesnt even exist.

Yeah. But in China some of the times you just have to take the initiaitve on these things. Pointing out that all these people can't be in business class would more than likely get you taken to the front of the queue or to the other side where there is no sign and you get to board first.

 

[mrsterryn]

Yeah. But in China some of the times you just have to take the initiaitve on these things. Pointing out that all these people can't be in business class would more than likely get you taken to the front of the queue or to the other side where there is no sign and you get to board first.

Is there an advantage to the priority boarding ? On Qantas I mean.... do early loaders take the overhead lockers ?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is there an advantage to the priority boarding ? On Qantas I mean.... do early loaders take the overhead lockers ?

I don't think it's ever much of a problem on wide-bodies. Narrow bodies it can be.

I guess the advantage of priority boarding is to get an early crack at a pre-departure beverage

 

[Matt_01]

At least with a plane most people get on the plane before leaving (assuming they do not miss it). This is a bus in Beijing that was already full, the lady in the blue shirt hanging out the window was yelling at PAX the bus was full, leaving and telling the PAX to get back so the doors could be closed.

Even MissM was amused and we had to stay for another 5-8 minutes (the pink phone at bottom left) until the bus doors closed.