No more island time at NAN - minimum 60 min checkin now at NAN

[markis10]

Looks like there will be no more island time at NAN when things just happen when people feel like it, at least when it comes to check in, note it applies to the QF codeshares:

As part of its efforts to ensure on-time flights and better service delivery, Air Pacific have advised they will be implementing new check-in times for all customers beginning on the 15 September 2010.

All passengers will now be required to check-in no later than one (1) hour before departure for all Air Pacific flights from Nadi International Airport. This same one hour check-in requirement will also apply to all flights from Suva, Apia, Christmas Island, Funafuti, Nuku’alofa and Tarawa.

This new policy also applies to Qantas codeshare services on Air Pacific. To avoid inconvenience to your passengers we would appreciate your assistance in advising your clients of this new Air Pacific requirement.

Passengers arriving at the airport and attempting to check in after this time will not be permitted to board. Check-in counters open to customers three hours before departure.

 

[samh004]

Surely this is a good thing? Surprising that they didn't have a checkin cutoff limit/ allowed people to front up really late.

 

[markis10]

Surely this is a good thing? Surprising that they didn't have a checkin cutoff limit/ allowed people to front up really late.

I did not make judgement on it as being good or bad, and you are clearly not across the concept of island time

 

[anat0l]

I did not make judgement on it as being good or bad, and you are clearly not across the concept of island time

I didn't even know what the former system was. I presumed it was always 1 hr before departure as the cut-off, irrespective of where you checked in for QF around the world (with other local, more restrictive provisions otherwise). Dammit - could've rocked up a little later when I went in March! Or not.....

I guess they would do well to make it very, very clear to all customers currently booked on services to/from the Pacific as well as on their website etc. I remember how a lot of people were used to the "soft 15 minute" check-in cut-off during the Jetconnect NZ domestic era (and even softer still) who were "very rudely" surprised when JQ NZ domestic came along and had a hardline 30 minute check-in. Everyone pretty much complained that there was not enough notice. Huge negative spectacle for JQNZ in its infancy (apart from aircraft delays, too).

 

[Homer]

In my experience the “Fiji Time” rule/excuse only applies to locals, and then mostly just the locals that are charged with the task of bringing you another coughtail. As a visitor it is difficult to make “Fiji Time” work in your favour.

 

[Ewing]

This is fantastic news, because I've always gone by what shows in "Your Bookings":

If it is indeed 60 minutes, I get to sleep in for an extra 30 minutes for my next trip back from there

 

[nlagalle]

I did not make judgement on it as being good or bad, and you are clearly not across the concept of island time

Fiji Time!!

 

[rotuma1]

It is always funny that they push the SYD, BNE & AKL checking at the same time in the morning. About 8:45am the check in area is dead until later on on the day. Would make logical sense to space out check in times, rather the long ques out the door

 

[anat0l]

It is always funny that they push the SYD, BNE & AKL checking at the same time in the morning. About 8:45am the check in area is dead until later on on the day. Would make logical sense to space out check in times, rather the long ques out the door

Well the departure times are pretty much close to each other as well, and presumably those flights are at good (read: convenient) times, so what can be done about that.

 

[rotuma1]

Abit hard to complete Y check in with in 2hrs (3hrs before open to 1hr close off), with a 747 and 2 737's to check at the same time.

Anyway I have blessed from my last 2 trips to travel J, so had no problem checking in, and walking to front of the line for immigration and boarding.

 

[harvyk]

A big question, have they told the taxi's \ airport shuttles about no more island time for check-in's???

Whilst not NAN, last year at RAR (which also uses island time) had AirNZ actually enforced minimum check-in times they would have flown an empty plane back, as most pax where only checking in at what should have been boarding time, and most of them came off airport shuttles (like ours) which was running about 2 hours late.

 

[anat0l]

A big question, have they told the taxi's \ airport shuttles about no more island time for check-in's???

Whilst not NAN, last year at RAR (which also uses island time) had AirNZ actually enforced minimum check-in times they would have flown an empty plane back, as most pax where only checking in at what should have been boarding time, and most of them came off airport shuttles (like ours) which was running about 2 hours late.

I have to admit being a little scared about this when we ordered our taxi to get to the airport when we were flying out of NAN in March.

Luckily, the taxi arrived on time, and ironically I ended up holding up our ride because the hotel front desk couldn't work out my FFP details properly. I had to hastily say "stuff it" (of course, in a more diplomatic fashion) and then run for the taxi so we could make the check-in cut-off.

 

[Sprucegoose]

This is fantastic news, because I've always gone by what shows in "Your Bookings":

If it is indeed 60 minutes, I get to sleep in for an extra 30 minutes for my next trip back from there

That's an interesting point Ewing. Is that in the queue time or boarding pass in hand time.

I have never had a problem in the tropics for many years and don't ever expect to. More trouble if you misss it one muses!

Cheers

Spruce

 

[Ewing]

That's an interesting point Ewing. Is that in the queue time or boarding pass in hand time.

Boarding pass in hand time. Full version:

 

[ozbeachbabe]

A big question, have they told the taxi's \ airport shuttles about no more island time for check-in's???

Even if they have told them I would still expect heaps of pax turning up late uttering either "but the hotel told me....." or "the taxi driver said....." - that is a certainty!

I think one of the reason shuttle buses are late is because not all the people are ready for pick up when the shuttle arrives at the hotel & rather than being ready out the front or at reception are still in their room, then have to finalise their bill.

I'm a huge fan of express checkouts or finalising the hotel bill the night before.

 

[oz_mark]

I'm a huge fan of express checkouts or finalising the hotel bill the night before.

I'm an ardent opponent of express check-out. Been stung by extra charges using it (mini bar charges mostly). I will never use it again. At any hotel. Anywhere in the world.

 

[Homer]

I'm an ardent opponent of express check-out. Been stung by extra charges using it (mini bar charges mostly). I will never use it again. At any hotel. Anywhere in the world.

I've been caught with this too and I have the same policy now: unless I'm running very late, I never use it.

 

[docjames]

I've been caught with this too and I have the same policy now: unless I'm running very late, I never use it.

+1 to this.

 

[anat0l]

Even if they have told them I would still expect heaps of pax turning up late uttering either "but the hotel told me....." or "the taxi driver said....." - that is a certainty!

You just have to groan at these people.

I think one of the reason shuttle buses are late is because not all the people are ready for pick up when the shuttle arrives at the hotel & rather than being ready out the front or at reception are still in their room, then have to finalise their bill.

I agree that this is a problem, although this can be solved with a rather simple "no show, no go" policy.

Admittedly this might've cost me quite a lot of "no shows" in my travel life, but technically it's the only fair thing to do, especially if the shuttle timing is skirting on the limits of check-in. Better that one tardy party risks missing cut-off than a whole bus load!

I'm a huge fan of express checkouts or finalising the hotel bill the night before.

Like many here, I would like to avoid express check-outs as much as I can, primarily because I like to review the bill before I go. When you have things like complicated rates, discount cards, multiple days, auxiliary charges etc., a review of the bill is definitely preferable!

Only exceptions would be:

• Running very late
• Too many people at check-out, e.g. last day of a conference at a conference recommended hotel

As for settling the bill the night before, a good idea if the establishment will let you. It's more or less treated like an express checkout in a way, and unless the reception is not 24 hour, they will be rather reluctant to do so.