Plat bumped out of Economy X - Twice.

[juliusg]

My lovely wife (Platinum) was bumped out of Row 3 and into row 6 on the way to and from Melbourne this weekend. On the flight down, her previously allocated seat in row 3 was empty! And flying into Sydney Sunday arvo, the crew did not alert pax to the need to download and fill in an entry form, which then required they show a confirmation email to get through the screening. Caused chaos, avoidable if it was announced. Would be distressing for older customers, and people may have run down their phone batteries. What is going on at VA?

 

[BAM1748]

It's not the VA of old, it's VA Lite.

 

[juliusg]

It's not the VA of old, it's VA Lite.

Seemingly - what possible benefit do they get advertising a Platinum perk then bumping her out of it? Not like they had sold Economy X out as there was still seats empty. We're also QF Plats, so we may well jump ship from VA after we use up a pile of travel credits.

 

[openseat]

I've had four VA flights in the last week (BNE-ADL-MEL-CBR-OOL) and no problems with downgrades from EconomyX.

 

[Vic]

Is the airline required to tell people about screening requirements? Or should people take responsibility for themselves?
I have certainly checked and double check the border requirements for my couple of trips.

The seat things sounds bad. What reasoning was given?

 

[serfty]

My lovely wife (Platinum) was bumped out of Row 3 and into row 6 on the way to and from Melbourne this weekend.

What reasoning was given?

Agree - I'd like to understand the reason for this too - seems strange.

 

[henrus]

I 100% agree with airlines shouldn't have to announce the requirements for travel. If you travel overseas, airlines don't tell you that you need a visa/esta for a country that's just something you're expected to do yourself. In fact I've flown a few times and they did make announcements about border requirements and the announcement they made was wrong making people panic even more... it's understandable given borders change hourly around the country but all could be avoided if they just left it up to the traveler.

As for the seat thing... did you do anything tricky like changing frequent flyer numbers or something similar? There must have been something else going on here because I've never heard of anyone being bumped out of economy x before especially if the seat was left empty.

 

[Bagpuss]

As at plat I've only been bumped out of Economy X once, though moved into a Business class seat.
All B737's are unified with Economy X, ableit with the 2 -700 aircrafts only having 1 emergency row of over wing exits.

With the requirements on entry, seems a bit strange though there are prompts about eligability on cross border travel at check-in.

It would be worth knowing what the VA response is.

Though I'm unsure whether to take this thread with a pinch of salt.

 

[RooFlyer]

I 100% agree with airlines shouldn't have to announce the requirements for travel.

Is the airline required to tell people about screening requirements? Or should people take responsibility for themselves?
I have certainly checked and double check the border requirements for my couple of trips.

Well, maybe not required, but doesn't it make the experience of flying with the airline a bit more pleasant if they alert you to some requirement on arrival? For those who know it all ... no skin off their nose; for those that don't - it might help avoid or mitigate an issue. I like airlines that do more than required.

 

[milehighclub]

Well, maybe not required, but doesn't it make the experience of flying with the airline a bit more pleasant if they alert you to some requirement on arrival? For those who know it all ... no skin off their nose; for those that don't - it might help avoid or mitigate an issue. I like airlines that do more than required.

I would say in normal circumstances yes, but as I have mentioned in another thread, our COVID document is sitting at 80 pages and is updated so often that it can be incorrect as soon as its republished. When there are closures it is even worse, so airlines are probably best to remind people to check the Government websites. I imagine all the airlines are sending reminders though to check these sites prior to travel.

In fact I've flown a few times and they did make announcements about border requirements and the announcement they made was wrong making people panic even more... it's understandable given borders change hourly around the country but all could be avoided if they just left it up to the traveler.

The following states currently have mandatory PAs around COVID and the requirements to enter the state - WA,VIC,NT and TAS.

 

[MH_fan]

I 100% agree with airlines shouldn't have to announce the requirements for travel. If you travel overseas, airlines don't tell you that you need a visa/esta for a country that's just something you're expected to do yourself. In fact I've flown a few times and they did make announcements about border requirements and the announcement they made was wrong making people panic even more... it's understandable given borders change hourly around the country but all could be avoided if they just left it up to the traveler.

As for the seat thing... did you do anything tricky like changing frequent flyer numbers or something similar? There must have been something else going on here because I've never heard of anyone being bumped out of economy x before especially if the seat was left empty

I agree about overseas travel because visa requirements are usually static but I think it would be helpful for domestic flights here during the pandemic because, firstly, people generally don't think about border requirements when travelling domestically and, secondly, the border restrictions change so suddenly that it is quite hard to keep up, especially when borders close mid air!!!

 

[jakeseven7]

Seemingly - what possible benefit do they get advertising a Platinum perk then bumping her out of it? Not like they had sold Economy X out as there was still seats empty. We're also QF Plats, so we may well jump ship from VA after we use up a pile of travel credits.

Have you put in a formal complaint to VA2?

Be interested to hear their response about this involuntary downgrade.

 

[Vic]

Well, maybe not required, but doesn't it make the experience of flying with the airline a bit more pleasant if they alert you to some requirement on arrival? For those who know it all ... no skin off their nose; for those that don't - it might help avoid or mitigate an issue. I like airlines that do more than required.

I think the term is due diligence. It's not as if border restrictions haven't been all over the news for almost a year or anything. unless someone has been living in outer Mongolia for the last 12 months, I think there should be a general awareness that something might need to be done to travel interstate. not to mention making an onboard announcement doesn't remove the need to then do something on arrival, which was the OPs compliant.

In any case, both Qantas (based on my experience) and Virgin do give a warning about border restriction during the booking process.



Just need to read is all.

 

[ozstamps]

.
Flew to Adelaide yesterday.

Not a word or a link on the Virgin email flight advice of needing to have the SA Police clearance submitted 72 hours in advance. (Despite no new SYD cases for 21 days - and then they wonder why no tourists bother.)

Well my wife had hers approved but mine was not, despite being lodged at same time, same computer, same flight, same age, same address. Emailed SA Police to ask why mine was not approved and got no response. Did it all a day later and that was approved.

MANDATORY COVID test on day one here, and mandatory self-quarantine until a clear test text, which arrived after MIDNIGHT. (and they also then wonder why no tourists bother!)

Testing done by a private company near airport that dumbly does not note the flight number, or the unique SA Police approval number, on their brief form, so our negative test is still unknown to anyone in bureaucracy I'd say. No-one has phoned to ask.

Airlines and State government have had a year to get a smooth and foolproof system in place. Pretty major FAIL, despite the mega-millions expended so far. We all want things to be secure and smooth of course, but even now it is not.

What tourist will fly in, if they need to self-quarantine until a clear test is obtained, even from States with zero current outbreaks.

Why airlines do not use some brains to do a fast forehead temperature check of all boarding pax at gate I have no idea. It at least LOOKS like they are interested in welfare of staff and other passengers.

Cheap and quick, which Virgin have always shown they are not interested in doing, not even insisting check in agents wore masks until forced to by law along with all others in airports.

 

[RooFlyer]

Before COVID I was going overseas 2-3 times a year, including one RTW. I made sure I was fully conversant with all the immigration, arrival, fee etc requirements but still got caught out occasionally with some arrival proceedures.

Some people need reminders - no big deal, it’s it?

But if you go into warnings etc at booking, if I book 6 months ago, will that info be useful to me other than as a general reminder?

 

[TheInsider]

Agree - I'd like to understand the reason for this too - seems strange.

I would be assuming it had to do with trim requirements on the aircraft, so the weight and balance. I'd be 99% sure this is the case.

 

[Bagpuss]

.
Flew to Adelaide yesterday.

Not a word or a link on the Virgin email flight advice of needing to have the SA Police clearance submitted 72 hours in advance. (Despite no new SYD cases for 21 days - and then they wonder why no tourists bother.)

Well my wife had hers approved but mine was not, despite being lodged at same time, same computer, same flight, same age, same address. Emailed SA Police to ask why mine was not approved and got no response. Did it all a day later and that was approved.

MANDATORY COVID test on day one here, and mandatory self-quarantine until a clear test text, which arrived after MIDNIGHT. (and they also then wonder why no tourists bother!)

Testing done by a private company near airport that dumbly does not note the flight number, or the unique SA Police approval number, on their brief form, so our negative test is still unknown to anyone in bureaucracy I'd say. No-one has phoned to ask.

Airlines and State government have had a year to get a smooth and foolproof system in place. Pretty major FAIL, despite the mega-millions expended so far. We all want things to be secure and smooth of course, but even now it is not.

What tourist will fly in, if they need to self-quarantine until a clear test is obtained, even from States with zero current outbreaks.

Why airlines do not use some brains to do a fast forehead temperature check of all boarding pax at gate I have no idea. It at least LOOKS like they are interested in welfare of staff and other passengers.

Cheap and quick, which Virgin have always shown they are not interested in doing, not even insisting check in agents wore masks until forced to by law along with all others in airports.

Your post is really issues at a number of different levels from government, police to the airline.

In reality everyone is in a loose-loose situation.

When aircraft are sitting are sitting at the gate whilst health checks are conducted taking hours according to some reports ... I'm sure everyone is unhappy and the next flight could also be majorly delayed.

It's a panademic and not perfection. Whilst people / companies are strive for perfection, nothing is perfect.

FYI, the SA police state to complete the cross border registration at least 7 days prior, not 72 hours : SAPOL - Cross border travel
"All travellers coming to South Australia must complete the Cross Border Travel Registration at least 7 days prior" even the SA police have put that in bold with a blue background so it stands out.

With check-in opening up 48 hours prior to departure, you should have already have the registration completed 5 days prior.
As already commented the Virgin website advises to check border restrictions.

 

[ozstamps]

When aircraft are sitting are sitting at the gate whilst health checks are conducted taking hours according to some reports ... I'm sure everyone is unhappy and the next flight could also be majorly delayed.

A temp check gun takes 5 seconds a person to complete. If done at gate and pax boarding passes marked when done, or an OK they passed the test given via sticker or similar it clearly adds zero time to boarding the plane.

Please post here the alleged reports of this simple process "taking hours".

As far as Virgin knew some passengers on our plane were heavily COVID infected, and they had high temperatures. The entire plane were then breathing their exhalations for 90 mins. To passengers AND all staff.

Testing such persons ON ARRIVAL is clearly the dumb way to do things. Laziness and total disinterest on Virgin's part.

 

[Bagpuss]

A temp check gun takes 5 seconds a person to complete. If done at gate and pax boarding passes marked when done, or an OK they passed the test given via sticker or similar it adds zero time to boarding the plane.

Post here the alleged reports of this "taking hours".

As far as Virgin knew passengers on our plane were heavily COVID infected and they had high temperatures. The entire plane were breathing their exhalations for 90 mins.

Testing such persons ON ARRIVAL is clearly the dumb way to do things. Laziness and total disinterest on Virgin's part.

So who pays for all these temparture check devices? Are Qantas, Air North, Rex etc doing this?

Regarding the on arrival checks which are done from my understanding in the relevant health authorites, some of these are the tests have caused delays of hours on the tarmac. Maybe drop them your concern

NOTE: I my post I said health checks, not temparture checks. A health check can include a covid test.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I would be assuming it had to do with trim requirements on the aircraft, so the weight and balance. I'd be 99% sure this is the case.

I am really challenging my brain here but I don't think the zones split at that row

Regardless moving a Platinum is not the way to solve that problem and I'd wager something else has happened such as the FF number dropping out.