New Departure Card feature

[ozbeachbabe]

Would I be correct in assuming this is an immigration dept initiative rather than BNE airport and if so, is BNE just a trial? Are there other airports with them? Are they proposing other airports have these as well?

It's a BAC initiative as they've got a bee in their bonnet about being the world's most whizz bang automated airport in the world - apparently. Besides the automated departure card venture their other prized baby is the automated kiosks they've started to rollout and are forcing all airlines to use because they've run out of checkin counters for airlines to use at peak times.

Space isn't the issue as they've got plenty of space it's just that it's full of retail shops instead of checkin counters. Only QF & HA are hosted on the kiosks at the moment but VA are meant to be one of the next airlines to 'go live'. Not all airlines embrace the new vision with the same enthusiasm as BAC with EK & EY basically telling BAC to get stuffed & if they're made to use the kiosks they'll pull out of Brisbane.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

It's a BAC initiative as they've got a bee in their bonnet about being the world's most whizz bang automated airport in the world - apparently. ..... Not all airlines embrace the new vision with the same enthusiasm as BAC with EK & EY basically telling BAC to get stuffed & if they're made to use the kiosks they'll pull out of Brisbane.

Thanks OBB,

OK, so I wait and watch. Why is it so hard for companies to agree on an idea which may be beneficial..... oh yes, I forgot....our money!

 

[anat0l]

It's a BAC initiative as they've got a bee in their bonnet about being the world's most whizz bang automated airport in the world - apparently. Besides the automated departure card venture their other prized baby is the automated kiosks they've started to rollout and are forcing all airlines to use because they've run out of checkin counters for airlines to use at peak times.

Space isn't the issue as they've got plenty of space it's just that it's full of retail shops instead of checkin counters. Only QF & HA are hosted on the kiosks at the moment but VA are meant to be one of the next airlines to 'go live'. Not all airlines embrace the new vision with the same enthusiasm as BAC with EK & EY basically telling BAC to get stuffed & if they're made to use the kiosks they'll pull out of Brisbane.

They just expanded the damn area to have 10 rows of check-in and they are still running out of counters to use? WTF?

I still bet that BAC could call the bluff on the Middle Eastern pair, and they will still be here. They could set up makeshift counters with concierge service, I guess.

The other alternative is that they could just have those super consolidated service counter banks, e.g. one set of "generic" check-in staff who can accommodate between 2-6 airlines / flights all at the same time. Lines might be rather horrific, but what would BAC care. For example, in Geneva, a set of approximately 10 counters are dedicated to check in all passengers serviced by any Star Alliance carrier - that's right, all Star Alliance carriers (except possibly United, but anyway).

 

[ksthommo]

Used the phone app departure card for myself & wife yesterday, no problems had the 2 passenger details on my phone.
No one else used the kiosk around the same time.

 

[eric2011]

"QUOTE: I have to type my details on my tiny touchscreen keyboard on my phone, "UNQUOTE"

It takes approx 40 keystrokes,
....We all use our phones (and Im sure you are the same) to send messages via Facebook and Twitter, send some SMS's, compile and send an email or 2, update and enter some contacts detail, post some replies on AFF, and we embrace this technology, all with this same "tiny touchscreen keyboard"

 

[eric2011]

I also have the app on my i-pad if the small keyboard of a phone is an issue

 

[cmon0005]

The other alternative is that they could just have those super consolidated service counter banks, e.g. one set of "generic" check-in staff who can accommodate between 2-6 airlines / flights all at the same time. Lines might be rather horrific, but what would BAC care.

Maybe they should make LCC's share checkin lines and give them reduced fees I'm sure they would take it up.

 

[seanpodge]

At the risk of being the only dissenter, I find this quite pointless - not the concept, which is great, but the actual implementation.

Instead of filling out the departure card using a good old fashioned pen, I have to type my details on my tiny touchscreen keyboard on my phone, then go up to the machine, queue up, and to PRINT OUT MY CARD. Even then I am not saved the hassle of needing to have a pen - because I have to sign the damn card. So much easier if I just filled out the departure card by hand beforehand.

When they bring out a departure card that is fully electronic so that you can just scan a QR code on your phone or something to go through, then YAY.

I tend to agree. There does seem to be a bit of adding technology for its own sake rather than making the process more user friendly. The only potential benefit I can see is that you can save your details to auto fill in the card next time, which might be useful for more frequent international flyers. But given how limited government funds are meant to be at the moment, I'd rather that they spent more money on immigration officers to process people faster (has anyone ever seen all the outbound immigration booths in MEL used at once?) than on new machines that seem to be little more than glorified pens.

The other alternative is that they could just have those super consolidated service counter banks, e.g. one set of "generic" check-in staff who can accommodate between 2-6 airlines / flights all at the same time. Lines might be rather horrific, but what would BAC care. For example, in Geneva, a set of approximately 10 counters are dedicated to check in all passengers serviced by any Star Alliance carrier - that's right, all Star Alliance carriers (except possibly United, but anyway).

I think CPH has a similar system with the SAS check in desks handling check in for all *A flights.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

It's a BAC initiative as they've got a bee in their bonnet about being the world's most whizz bang automated airport in the world - apparently. Besides the automated departure card venture their other prized baby is the automated kiosks they've started to rollout and are forcing all airlines to use because they've run out of checkin counters for airlines to use at peak times.

Space isn't the issue as they've got plenty of space it's just that it's full of retail shops instead of checkin counters. Only QF & HA are hosted on the kiosks at the moment but VA are meant to be one of the next airlines to 'go live'. Not all airlines embrace the new vision with the same enthusiasm as BAC with EK & EY basically telling BAC to get stuffed & if they're made to use the kiosks they'll pull out of Brisbane.

Bangkok Airport has these terminals as well.

I quite liked them. Made getting BPs much quicker and the queue for the bag drop off was SOOOOOO much shorter than the standard checkin counter.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

There does seem to be a bit of adding technology for its own sake

From what I understand from this thread, once the details have been entered once, you don't need to enter them again, they're saved. For me (approx. a dozen or so O/S trips a year) it'd be great. I'm not overly worried with filling out the cards manually, but a print and sign would be far easier.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Just used the Brisbane Airport iPhone app for their electronic departure cards.

Worked like a charm!