Karratha - another horror story, whats up with this airport?

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munitalP

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I can't believe this happened to me... :shock:

Yesterday I arrived at KTA for a KTA/PER/MEL flight home. I was approx 2 hours early for the flight and I was travelling with one of my employees who was on a KTA/PER/SYD

On checking in, I passed my FF card over the counter as ID at which point the CIP asked me for photo ID. I asked her why I needed photo ID as if I used OLCI or QC (which isn't available at KTA) I don't have a requirement to show photo ID - please note that while asking this, I am handing over my ID...

She then started to lecture me that in all the training she had had etc, photo ID was required. I didn't argue as I don't know the rules on this point, however, I pointed out to her that it didn't seem to be a requirement in other airports such as MEL, SYD or PER!

Then came the first bombshell...

Quote, "It has been like this ever since Osama Bin Laden flew his planes into the buildings in America... you don't like it, tough..."

I looked at my employee and we just shook our heads in disbelief.

In her credit, she then asked if we would like the plane that was departing now - she then proceeded to muck up my booking to such an impossible mess that it took over 1/2 an hour standing at the counter (by ourselves as she had gone "out back" to get the supervisor to help fix the mess) to finally get boarding passes. (we missed that flight and ended up back on the original)

I was issued 23D KTA/PER and 30E PER/MEL

The boarding passes had no QF info on them and this lady to say the least was becoming unfriendly towards us, in particular, me...

I decided to crack it at Qantas at that point, walked away from the counter and called QFF premium. I asked to be put through to a supervisor and was placed on hold. After 15 minutes or so, I hung up, redialed and asked the QFF rep to have the supervisor call me back when he/she was free (which was about 10 minutes later)

While standing away from checkin on hold to QFF, the CIP asked my employee to get my QFF card which he did, and she then issued me seat 5C. She would not move my employee to sit next to me from is rear of the plane seat allocation...it was too much hassle...(her words)

She then dropped the second bombshell...

Quoted from my employee (as I was away from the counter still on hold) "with utter contempt, she just said he's using his status to sit at the front of the plane - typical!".

It is difficult to explain her demeanour, her mannor or the open hostility she showed - trust me, it was there...

Waiting for my return call from QFF, we went into the little lounge and grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat somewhat in shock at the events of the previous 3/4 of an hour.

Another CIP came into the lounge to stock the fridge at which point I asked her if there was a supervisor on site? She said yes and what was it about. I quickly explained I was rather upset at how I had just been treated and I wished to lay a complaint against the original CIP.

She was quite shocked herself and immediatley went away to get her supervisor. Low and behold, the original CIP came into the lounge and tried to explain her point of view to me - I said to her that this was not the time or place and to take it outside of the lounge which we did, and to which she made a half coughd appology to me regarding the screw up with the BP's.

Again - shocked - what happened to my request to see the supervisor?

QFF rang back and I relayed the entire event to this person and his words were quite sobering...

He said to me that if I had of made mention OBL or had been hostile to the CIP, I would have been regarded as a security threat and I wouldn't have boarded - he said what had happened was wrong and he would pass it onto someone else.

In my opinon, that will be the end of the line, however, credit where credit's due, he must have rattled KTA's cage because 10 or so minutes later, the CIP came out clutching a new BP for my employee - guess what, in the seat next to me.

I will await an outcome - I am still sitting here shaking my head nearly a day later..

A couple of points...

1. I was not agressive towards the CIP
2. I never raised my voice or showed my anger at the CIP
3. I wasn't rude in anyway
4. I didn't tell the CIP what I thought of her
5. When I finally losty my cool, I walked away from the CIP before she saw my anger
6. We were not drunk, drugged or in any other out of mind state
7. If I was a Muslim, I would have been pretty cheesed off at the OBL comment, not needed nor required
8. My week has been MEL/SYD/CKG/SIN/PER/KTA/PER/MEL

I eagerly await comments

Mr!

:!:
 
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All I can say is... wow. There are simply no words I can think of to describe this.
 
She then started to lecture me that in all the training she had had etc
I'd suggest that the training she referred to was with Jetstar. I've encountered a few Jet* CIPs with "attitude" problems similar to what you describe.

I believe she was correct about Qantas policy re photo ID (even if it is rarely enforced) but of course that doesn't excuse her behaviour.
 
Thats terrible to hear. I can't say I'm too supprised though, I copped similar rude treatment from a QF staff member recently and after a few attempts at complaints - nothing was done. It seems Qantas is happy to tollerate this kind of behaviour, and the staff have figured it out so they know they can get away with it.

I believe the QF ID requirements are photo ID, or your QFF card (which you provided - so she had no case to comment). Her own comments would have been sufficient grounds to have her removed from the airport if she was a passenger... why are the staff allowed to get away with it?
 
At any time while flying on a commercial flight you may be asked to show photo ID. It is a requirement for all passengers over the age of 18 to carry suitable government issued photo ID. However, it is not always asked to be viewed and in most cases Qantas check in agents are happy to use your FF card as identification. But they do have the right to ask for photo ID.

But that does not excuse poor customer service or the treatment described in the initial post.
 
At any time while flying on a commercial flight you may be asked to show photo ID. It is a requirement for all passengers over the age of 18 to carry suitable government issued photo ID.

Where is this requirement documented?
 
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hi i accept you felt you had been treated badly but would it have been better to just hand over your photo id when seeking your boarding pass at check in?
we meet these petty bossy types when we travel sometimes who seem to want to display power?
rather than engage in a power struggle smile go with the flow.
treat it as a storm in a tea cup.
just a thought.
regards
 
At any time while flying on a commercial flight you may be asked to show photo ID. It is a requirement for all passengers over the age of 18 to carry suitable government issued photo ID. However, it is not always asked to be viewed and in most cases Qantas check in agents are happy to use your FF card as identification. But they do have the right to ask for photo ID.

But that does not excuse poor customer service or the treatment described in the initial post.
NM,

I have not looked this up myself so will leave you and serfty to fight it out :!:

See Identification Requirements.
 
I had a similar but opposite experience many years ago as QC check in. Showed my licence as it was definitely a requirement to show photo ID for e tickets. CI lady was extremely rude and then when I asked about the missing priority tag. She asked if there was any reason for her to put one on. (No, I just use the prioirty line for the hell of it :rolleyes:). When informed that I was QC member she told me I should use QC card for checking in despite that this was clearly against the T&C. It was a bad experieicne for me, as much as it sounds like for you. (sometimes I still wish I did a complaint)

On the question of photo ID despite the one link already proovided I think it is pretty much a requirement. I will explain my reasons in the other thread you started
 
I once had an issue at Karratha airport (not QF though) and put it down to the difficulty in getting decent staff out there.
 
.... that overlap approx 80%, hence my comment on merging.

One is essentially a rant on bad customer service, though in another way could be a TR.

The other is a valid question about what sort of ID is required for a DOM Qantas flight. Seems there are lots of interpretations too.

Sounds like an awful experience anyway, and a badly run airport, though all airports have staff that know each other I suppose. I don't think I'd have a reason to want to visit, but it'll certainly go to the bottom of the list now.
 
Sounds like an awful experience anyway, and a badly run airport, though all airports have staff that know each other I suppose. I don't think I'd have a reason to want to visit, but it'll certainly go to the bottom of the list now.

Funny you mention people knowing each other at these regional airports. My aunt lives in karratha and has flown out of there a lot, she used to talk a lot about the great treatment she got from the staff up there. late check ins, op ups and that type of thing. classic YMMV.

But doesn't excuse the absolutely shocking treatment of other customers.
 
hi i accept you felt you had been treated badly but would it have been better to just hand over your photo id when seeking your boarding pass at check in?....

FYI

...On checking in, I passed my FF card over the counter as ID at which point the CIP asked me for photo ID. I asked her why I needed photo ID as if I used OLCI or QC (which isn't available at KTA) I don't have a requirement to show photo ID - please note that while asking this, I am handing over my ID...

and...

Maybe our esteemed mods should merge the threads :!:



Nah Bill, never was intended to be similar threads, this is about the fantastic treatment I had at Karratha by the checkin people, the other about clarification of the ID requirements - I do admit there could be seen some form of overlap however obtruse

Mr!

:-|


 
"Photo ID at Check-in
If you are travelling on an international flight, your passport and relevant
documents will be required. For domestic flights in Australia and New Zealand
(flights QF400 and above), you must be able to produce identification, such as
your driver’s licence, Qantas booking reference, Qantas Frequent Flyer card,
Qantas Club card or credit card used for the ticket purchased. For domestic
flights departing from an international terminal (flights QF001-399), you may be
required to produce photo identification."


This appears at the bottom of Qantas etickets. Above is pasted from my most recent purchased last week. I have never been asked to produce photo Id and I don't posses photo ID (I never quite got around to the driving thing).
 
my my this is turning into a saga!
is it possible questioning the check in staff or the way in which the question was asked was a source of agro?
how hard is it to hand over photo id?
the qantas ff card shows no photo so could it be anyones?
storm in a tea cup. move on IMHO.
regards
 
my my this is turning into a saga!
is it possible questioning the check in staff or the way in which the question was asked was a source of agro?
how hard is it to hand over photo id? ...
Please note the red part:
...On checking in, I passed my FF card over the counter as ID at which point the CIP asked me for photo ID. I asked her why I needed photo ID as if I used OLCI or QC (which isn't available at KTA) I don't have a requirement to show photo ID - please note that while asking this, I am handing over my ID...
... the qantas ff card shows no photo so could it be anyones?
storm in a tea cup. move on IMHO.
regards
Does not appear to be aggro to me ...
 
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