Lounge Hitchhikers

[JohnK]

I've guested in strangers before, if I've noticed them having a problem at check-in or if they're on their own and look out of their depth, but if someone approached me near the door to the QP and asked to be guested I think I would mention it to the people on the desk and suggest they be moved on.

I remember flying Tiger ex-BNE in April 2012 and I was pacing around outside the Qantas lounge for ~30 minutes. I didn't have the courage to ask anyone to guest me. A few days later flying back ex-SYD the QF81/QF82 wake attendees guested me into the lounge.

Over the years, even before I had status, I have been guested into lounges at various times. I will repay that kindness whenever possible. It costs me nothing.

 

[Jousams]

This happened to me whilst i was about to get on the escalators to go up the QC / J lounge entry area in SYD last year. I was flying J with no status so I couldn't anyway (not that I would if it were a VA lounge anyway...). But I did think it was a bit unfair to the shy kinds who would have trouble saying no if they were asked (personally I have no issue with saying no, and making my feelings very clear should that be justified).

Surely QF must be aware of this.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I have never been approached for lounge access, although I guess I don't look like the type who would normally get lounge access.

 

[boomy]

Boomy is this in a particular city in Australia or several?

I have no issues with people guesting random pax in to lounges if they're doing the inviting however because it's the member's decision & good karma to that person.

What I do find objectionable is people, some of who may be backpackers, looking like they've just rolled out of a hedge trying to freeload their way in on the coat tails of a member else by ambushing them at the entry to the lounge. You can bet your bottom dollar that if there were 6 party pies left in the bain marie that these grubs wouldn't even think twice about piling all 6 on to their own plate leaving zero for genuine lounge guests.

Probably the same kinds of ppl who are too tight to pay for hostels or campsite and leave their mess and waste behind in the coastal suburbs of some of our major cities where they've illegally camped overnight after dining on free soup and sandwiches given out by charity vans who feed the homeless.

Or the same ppl who ask for free upgrades to First Class (no mention of business class even) at checkin.

I would rehearse ahead of time what you would say if challenged by the said lice and respond with something like "my guest spot is already taken" then tell the lounge angels what they're up to so they can be moved on.

This year I've spotted pax once at the bottom of the escalators of the QP lounge in SYD (I don't usually use that entrance so no idea if it's a common "hitchhike area") and the second time just before the entrance to the QP lounge in ADL, standing in an angle that avoids being detected by the QF staff sitting inside. On both occasions the people indeed looked like the backpacker type and probably will be denied entry soon anyway if the dress code is indeed enforced

 

[Gogo65]

Last year, I was checking in at Santiago airport for a LAN Chile flight home, when the gentlemen next to me asked me a few questions about luggage, we started chatting, he told me he has lost his wallet the week before, so had no cash or credit cards, he managed to get by as he was with work colleagues for his trip. After security I offered to buy him a coffee and something to eat, which he appreciated, we landed at Auckland airport in transit, and he was waiting for me to get off the plane, he was able to guest me into the lounge at Auckland airport due to his status. First time I have been guested in (normally I try to fly business on points otherwise it's economy with no lounge access).
Of course I appreciated the offer!

 

[BCons]

Door lice - they have more front than Myers (its a once large department store in Mel for those unaware) hitting on QF/VA pub members just to get in. Tho I do accept once in a while - as nonpop details earlier - there are times when the kindness of strangers can be well applied. Owise tell the dragons..

 

[snabbu]

You make eye contact with people?

Exactly. If you treat airports like major cities then you'll have no harassment problems (earphones in whilst making your way to your destination).

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Recently I've witnessed a group of people standing outside QF domestic lounge asking complete strangers to guest them.
I don't mind guesting people and regularly offer it here to AFF members in the lounge meeting thread but the selfish part of me thinks that if everyone will start guesting random strangers the lounges will become overcrowded (some already are).
Interested to hear what others think about this issue, is it ok to stand outside lounges and ask to be guested and should people agree to guest random strangers?

No...no.no...downright rude and and affront to the generosity of people entitled to use it. Freeloaders IMHO

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

Last year, I was checking in at Santiago airport for a LAN Chile flight home, when the gentlemen next to me asked me a few questions about luggage, we started chatting, he told me he has lost his wallet the week before, so had no cash or credit cards, he managed to get by as he was with work colleagues for his trip. After security I offered to buy him a coffee and something to eat, which he appreciated, we landed at Auckland airport in transit, and he was waiting for me to get off the plane, he was able to guest me into the lounge at Auckland airport due to his status. First time I have been guested in (normally I try to fly business on points otherwise it's economy with no lounge access).
Of course I appreciated the offer!

I apologise for what I thought was coming !!!

 

[vetrade]

It's a problem that will probably gradually get worse. There is a generation of predominantly "20 & 30 somethings" who have grown up with a sense of entitlement and little concept of privileges earned. The ones with rehearsed routines are really just seasoned bludgers who you can bet are on enough welfare to afford the plane fare to Byron Bay or Surfers. Freeloaders soliciting for guesting should never be accommodated IMHO because, as ozbeachbabe said, they are also the very ones who are likely be inconsiderate and abuse the system. Completely different scenario if you strike up a conversation with a stranger at the terminal and offer to guest them on your own initiative, which is simply a nice thing to do.

 

[vetrade]

I apologise for what I thought was coming !!!

Me too!

 

[Gogo65]

I apologise for what I thought was coming !!!

Sorry to ruin it for you! Just a nice feel good story!

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

It's a problem that will probably gradually get worse. There is a generation of predominantly "20 & 30 somethings" who have grown up with a sense of entitlement and little concept of privileges earned. The ones with rehearsed routines are really just seasoned bludgers who you can bet are on enough welfare to afford the plane fare to Byron Bay or Surfers. Freeloaders soliciting for guesting should never be accommodated IMHO because, as ozbeachbabe said, they are also the very ones who are likely be inconsiderate and abuse the system. Completely different scenario if you strike up a conversation with a stranger at the terminal and offer to guest them on your own initiative, which is simply a nice thing to do.

Tell them you would love too but are waiting for a gorgeous blonde you met on the plane on the way up to join you ...................

 

[vetrade]

Tell them you would love too but are waiting for a gorgeous blonde you met on the plane on the way up to join you ...................

Notwithstanding the fact that the only "gorgeous blonde" I'd be chatting up on the plane would be my +1, I definitely wouldn't feel obliged to offer any sort of explanation to door lice.

 

[Deleted member]

My most enjoyable guesting experience is when I am able to have an AFF'r as a guest.
The opportunity to spend time with someone who is genuinely interested in the experience vs the free food and wine.
I only wish I could do it more often.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Who will be the first to post a pic of some would be offenders? I think some shaming is required.

 

[bryanjones]

For any good looking european backpackers out there, pretending to be door lice, please PM me

 

[boomy]

Thinking about it I'm surprised this practice is not more common. Airline lounges are an absolute gold mine for backpackers with the amount of free food and alcohol they can consume there in a few hours. I think that anyone who stands outside a lounge for a while will eventually find their way in but a mix group of boys and (good looking) girls, with the girls doing the talking will almost guarantee instant access

 

[drron]

I have noticed it at BNE but not been asked.
Worst instances I have had are at JFK and LAX.There you get access to the Flagship lounge through the AC.you are given a card key.Often people hang around and come through straight after you hoping the agent is too busy to notice.If they don't notice I point out the offender.

 

[boomy]

Worst instances I have had are at JFK and LAX.There you get access to the Flagship lounge through the AC.you are given a card key.Often people hang around and come through straight after you hoping the agent is too busy to notice.

I've seen people doing that in hotel lounges.