Jetstar Domestic - Australia

[mstyson]

What is the general feeling with Jetstar's domestic Australian services? I, like many, refused to recognise Jetstar's existence after initially being treated so badly by them. They have since toned down their aggressiveness towards customers. However my check-in experience at Melbourne reflected nothing more than "coughiness" on behalf of the ground staff. Their refusal on three occasions to check me in because I was "too early" became frustrating and intolerable especially when I was also instructed to move well away from the counters because I was obstructing other passengers. I thought an early check-in would be rewarded (not punished) because it may help the airline improve it's so called "on time" record. Thank goodness a kind hearted check-in person could oversee the predicament and decided to overide her superior's dictatorial JetStar attitude!

 

[Saab34]

How early is early??

 

[Mal]

Jetstar (like many other airlines) doesn't like early early check-in's because they then have to store luggage somewhere and either they don't have the room or it may not make the plane.

Other airlines tend to make exceptions in certain cases (eg Qantas let me stash a bag in storage for about 9 hours on checking in), but they didn't like it and forced me to run through a few hoops before they would.

I don't fly Jetstar often. I think I've now clocked up my 5th flight with them since they started (out of many many flights!). I avoid them where I can, but sometimes the price or destination benefits outweigh any other difficulties I have.

 

[sr81]

Don't forget that they are a low cost carrier. You need to set your expectations at a certain level.

The T&C's do state that earliest checkin is two hours prior to departure so if you were earlier than that then I would be very surprised if they had checked you in. The nature of a low cost carrier is that you play be their rules.

 

[mstyson]

I was initially one hour too early. Then 10 minutes too early. Then one minute too early. In Launceston Airport Jetstar treat customers with more respect. Shame big cities have lost that art. But rules are rules and Jetstar passengers are just nuisances - especially if they try and do anything that may be out of line with common sense.

 

[Dave Noble]

I was initially one hour too early. Then 10 minutes too early. Then one minute too early. In Launceston Airport Jetstar treat customers with more respect. Shame big cities have lost that art. But rules are rules and Jetstar passengers are just nuisances - especially if they try and do anything that may be out of line with common sense.

if you were earlier than 2 hours then it is not surprising that they were unable to check you in. I don't see how that makes Jetstar's attitude towards passengers as being nusiances.

I cannot see any way that this would be out of line of "common sense". Common sense to me would be to not arrive so early as not to be able to check in rather than blame the airline for your early arrival

Dave

 

[HardieBoys]

AWP: Avoid Where Possible.

You're essentially getting a coach with wings, though much cheaper per km than any coach.

 

[munitalP]

I initally avoided deathstar as an airline, but after recent bad experiences with Feral Blue, I switched my non QF flights to JQ

I have recently flown JQ to and from AVV / SYD numerous times (including last night), recently done a *Class FLounge flight (SYD/MEL) and a MKY/BNE

All my flights except the *Class have been JetFlex and I have no problems with JQ except the "lite" software on their self check systems - can't choose seats - mind you, I do get 1D or 1F (I wonder if this a combo of WP and JetFlex) most times and... you can't choose an earlier flight if on full Flex fares.

My experience to date with JQ is....

I would fly JQ in *Class to SIN - much further than 7-8 hours would be painfull, it would also have to be a daytime flight...

I will fly JQ Dom happily for short flights

I happily take the 20SC for a $245 fare (MEL/SYD)

Another thing.... Unless FLounging, why on earth wuold you check in more than 2 hours before a flight? (Assumption here is that you are not in transit...)

Mr!

 

[serfty]

... I happily take the 20SC for a $245 fare (MEL/SYD)

Another thing.... Unless FLounging, why on earth wuold you check in more than 2 hours before a flight? (Assumption here is that you are not in transit...) ...

It was even better when you could get 40 SCs for $241. ... now that's $352 :-|

'Tis good that JQi check-in opens 180 minutes before the scheduled flight time.

 

[Evan]

OP Could have been early because if a transit ?

But they are the rules and if you think JQ are a pain, try SQ and early check in a lot of airports.... again no chance ! (A major pain when you have say a 4hr transit and just want to hit the lounge.)
E

 

[drron]

And there is being knocked back at SYD F checkin at 3.10 hours before QF departure when all you want to do is get to the F lounge.

 

[Evan]

And there is being knocked back at SYD F checkin at 3.10 hours before QF departure when all you want to do is get to the F lounge.

No good ! Show me the day when you dont need boarding passes for QF international and just carry-on so straight through into the lounges
E

 

[mstyson]

Yes, I was in transit and had to wait around the departures hall until they opened the check in. No excuses in my opinion sorry. Afterall aren't we living in the 21st century? Surely such antiquated practices adopted by JetStar cannot possibly last much longer. We will all have to cry I suppose when it eventually goes bust. Bring back common decency, fair and sensible treatment of customers and respect for fellow human beings. Oops - clearly I am asking far too much. It is a low cost airline afterall..... I must wait my turn and suffer like everyone else

 

[straitman]

Yes, I was in transit and had to wait around the departures hall until they opened the check in. No excuses in my opinion sorry. Afterall aren't we living in the 21st century? Surely such antiquated practices adopted by JetStar cannot possibly last much longer. We will all have to cry I suppose when it eventually goes bust. Bring back common decency, fair and sensible treatment of customers and respect for fellow human beings. Oops - clearly I am asking far too much. It is a low cost airline afterall..... I must wait my turn and suffer like everyone else

mstyson,

Whilst I agree in principle, you will find the system is set to only allow Checkin at T - 2 hrs. Qantas has the same issues but it's T - 3 hrs. You will find it is not the individuals being a pain but the system will physically not let them check you in any earlier. Whether you agree or disagree, that is the system.

A long time ago I did learn to pick and fight the fights I can win and accept those that I can't. This is one beyond our control so we all need to accept the laid down rules OR go somewhere else :!:

 

[mstyson]

Never have any problems with Air NZ Domestic checking in early or any other airline. Even AirAsia )) seem to handle it with more civility. I seem to be able to check-in early with Virgin too. Perhaps it's just the Melbourne staff of JetStar who cause the upsets. Anyway - there are choices.

 

[munitalP]

Never have any problems with Air NZ Domestic checking in early or any other airline. Even AirAsia seem to handle it with more civility. I seem to be able to check-in early with Virgin too. Perhaps it's just the Melbourne staff of JetStar who cause the upsets. Anyway - there are choices.

As straitman said...

...Qantas has the same issues but it's T - 3 hrs. You will find it is not the individuals being a pain but the system will physically not let them check you in any earlier...

...there's SFA that you can do if the system does not let the airline check you in. I know you will always find an exception to the rule, some kind soul will help you out and stow your bag, but this is rare and like everyone else, you will have to wait. :shock:

I do know for a fact AirNZ will not check you outside the 2 hours for DOM flights - I recently tried that for a flight from AKL-ROT, they said no, I smiled and walked away - what else can you do? Rules are rules.

...But they are the rules and if you think JQ are a pain, try SQ and early check in a lot of airports.... again no chance ! (A major pain when you have say a 4hr transit and just want to hit the lounge.)...

Now, think of us poor souls who only want to access a lounge for free drink, hot showers and FLounge silver service - now heres a gripe... You should consider us the next time you are waiting in the cold - consider our feelings not being able to access our facilities we are so used to - how we bend and manipulate the rules to serve our own selfish FLounge needs yet get knocked back for earlier checkins just like you...

Has this post left the rails? hmmm I think so - now, back to the JET* website to find a *Class flight back to SYD next week just so I can be pampered and spoiled in the FLounge....

mstyson, welcome to AFF! (and don't mind me, I'm having withdrawls from the QF butter chicken having flown JQ too many times recently) - have a look at http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/playground/golf-torney-for-aff-14788.html at the upcoming Golf Tourney - hope you can make it!!

Mr!

 

[drron]

Now, think of us poor souls who only want to access a lounge for free drink, hot showers and FLounge silver service - now heres a gripe... You should consider us the next time you are waiting in the cold - consider our feelings not being able to access our facilities we are so used to - how we bend and manipulate the rules to serve our own selfish FLounge needs yet get knocked back for earlier checkins just like you...

Exactly.My TA can never get her head around the fact that I want my BNE-SYD flight to get into SYD 6 hours before the international departure.Simple-get the BPs in BNE and spend way more time in the Flounge.
Actually another reason i like AA.Recent trip got rental car back to JFK at 1200 when not leaving until 1830-wasnt going to pay another days rental.By 1300 was entering into the Flagship lounge-the Aangels response-what great organisation being here for lunch and dinner service-Ah! Understood at last.

 

[JohnK]

Jetstar? Avoid at all costs....

....and don't mind me, I'm having withdrawls from the QF butter chicken....

No problem you can have mine. There was a time where it felt like every Friday evening BNE-SYD flight QF served butter chicken. Thank God I have not see it for a couple of months now. It has gotten to the stage where I look at the writing on the meal container before I have been served hoping that it is not butter chicken. :-|

 

[Saab34]

Jetstar are "airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services". You will find in some JQ ports, that Staff will not appear in front of a desk until exactly the 2hours proir to departure begins. I think this was the same in SYD before Bagdrop/Self Checkin Commenced, yes??

They are LCC guys, not Qantas, not virgin. Virgin are in no way a LCC as they have Lounges, Premium Ecomomy, Connections... Im sure members on here have used the likes of Easyjet/Ryanair, and it is no different, in fact, they are much more strict in terms of checkin times, baggage charges etc...JQ are not ultra-LCC in terms that they do use Aerobridges, utilize Sydney to begin with, many aircraft types..Compared to the likes of TT, they are a good model of real LCC transport in terms of facilites used, airports served, checkin openings/closings.

Has anyone noticed/found if JQ are tough on Oversized-Bags?

 

[straitman]

Never have any problems with Air NZ Domestic checking in early or any other airline. Even AirAsia )) seem to handle it with more civility. I seem to be able to check-in early with Virgin too. Perhaps it's just the Melbourne staff of JetStar who cause the upsets. Anyway - there are choices.

mstyson,

Please read what people have posted :!:

It has nothing to do with 'the Melbourne staff of JetStar who cause the upsets' The system will physically not let them in earlier. The 2 hrs for JQ is part of the LCC model that has been setup. You will have this problem with most airlines and I've had it with BA in HKG when the staff don't even arrive until the 3 hrs is due to start.

I've had QF and JQ checkin agents attempt to help me earlier but they are locked out until the designated time. The one success I have had was in ADL when the agent managed to open the checkin early but that was for a domestic leg on an international flight. Even then he had to get some over ride codes from his supervisor.