Priority boarding on QF domestic - what is the story?

[kermatu]

Some recent experiences:

CNS - perfect experience, self-policed but with attendant giving proper priority to the priority lane.

PER - A330 but only one door used - I boarded after call in J lounge so most had already boarded, but still a reaonable queue in the general lane and no-one in priority lane. A few pax were being called into the priority lane but as I approached the attendant specifically waved me forward. Perfect.

SYD - single door A330 and two 737 flights - free for all. Same with CBR.

Some MEL and ADL flights - arrived and boarded close to last so can't comment.

 

[QF WP]

Similar experiences to kermatu on the weekend for me. Was in the J Lounge and one of the last to board Gate 25 our 12:15pm BNE/MEL flight. Both scanners being operated so presumably that's how they were when the mad scramble was on.

Gate 22 on Sunday for the return leg. Walked from the MEL QC Lounge when called and joined the general boarding line, which was about 20 pax deep. The Priority line had about 5-7 pax and both lines manned, so was a pretty smooth process.

Is there hope that more pax are self-policing because they are listening to boarding calls and/or reading the signage?

 

[katiebell]

Flew between SYD and MEL yesterday and today: PB was the worst ever: one queue for both, no policing, no priority. Absolute shambles and worse than not having PB as there is an expectatio nthat is not met.

Qantas: if you cannot do something simple reliably and consistently then do not even offer it.

 

[Ewing]

BNE last week non-priority boarding worked perfectly. There were about 50 people in the priority line, and the general line was empty so I walked straight on :mrgreen:

 

[monoccular]

Qantas in recent months seem to have totally abandoned any presence at priority in the designated priority boarding (and the priority security screening) lanes.
Anyone seems to use any lane.
If they are not going to enforce it then they shouldn’t pretend to look after their frequent flyers
It would be maybe August since I saw them doing this at MEL PER or BNE

 

[Sprucegoose]

BNE last week non-priority boarding worked perfectly. There were about 50 people in the priority line, and the general line was empty so I walked straight on :mrgreen:

As indeed you should be able to ‘downgrade’ yourself !!

I do this. Practicality must trump status

 

[monoccular]

UPDATE
MEL last Monday shambles as per usual
PER Saturday well ordered like a dream, thanks Qantas

 

[Mr_Orange]

Worked in BNE and CHC for me recently, although I wasn't at the gate very early in BNE.

 

[RickyT84]

Worked a treat yesterday (Sunday) late afternoon at OOL.

 

[Ansett]

I think it is fair to say that QF is getting better at PB not meaning it cant still make improvements especially in terms of consistency.

 

[OzEire]

Our recent family trip on QFi had good (excellent?) PB for elites. Worked exactly as you would hope.

Shame about the rest of the QFi experience, but alas PB actually worked unlike 99% of QFd sectors!

 

[BAM1748]

BNE last week non-priority boarding worked perfectly. There were about 50 people in the priority line, and the general line was empty so I walked straight on :mrgreen:

I'm often bemused that people standin the priority line, at boarding, at security and sometimes checkin, when no queue in the normal line.

They don't call it WP for nothing I guess.

 

[gaz0303]

Expanding the priority experience, my priority bagged tags over the last few months always seem to come out last. My last flight I actually asked for the tags not to be put on. PRiority boarding has been so so for me lately. I have some sympathy for QF. It slows down the whole process to keep sending people away. The bus can only leave once we are all on.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Perhaps QF can see how group boarding goes when BA eventually manage to introduce it.

I imagine this would be most pertinent to international departures but I would like to see this group boarding introduced with specified roped off areas so OWS and other 'gate lice' stop blocking entry.

There could also be application on dom fights with J, CL and P1, then WP, then SG and the rest based on rows.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Perhaps QF can see how group boarding goes when BA eventually manage to introduce it.

I imagine this would be most pertinent to international departures but I would like to see this group boarding introduced with specified roped off areas so OWS and other 'gate lice' stop blocking entry.

There could also be application on dom fights with J, CL and P1, then WP, then SG and the rest based on rows.

Or perhaps anyone who is not WP or higher could go in the luggage hold and then you can have the whole plane to yourself!

Everybody has to get on the plane before it can leave. Everybody has an allocated seat (barring some real cheapo airlines). I understand the argument about overhead locker space on domestic commuter flights but otherwise, really? Time to cool your jets.

 

[straitman]

Or perhaps anyone who is not WP or higher could go in the luggage hold and then you can have the whole plane to yourself!

Everybody has to get on the plane before it can leave. Everybody has an allocated seat (barring some real cheapo airlines). I understand the argument about overhead locker space on domestic commuter flights but otherwise, really? Time to cool your jets.

Que,

This is a discussion forum and people are discussing.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Or perhaps anyone who is not WP or higher could go in the luggage hold and then you can have the whole plane to yourself!
.

I would've expected more from an experienced member. Not sure why this was so provocative remembering OWS recently got dom priority and this is a frequent flyer forum.
As you can see gate lice is in ' ' and a common term and I think over OWS and OWR block lines and hinder the process so genuinely look to see how the BA implentation goes.

Your comment merely restates whats been said 100x prior whereas I am raising a valid point that many in Aus may not be aware of re BAs proposed new boarding system.

 

[Danger]

Perhaps QF can see how group boarding goes when BA eventually manage to introduce it.

I imagine this would be most pertinent to international departures but I would like to see this group boarding introduced with specified roped off areas so OWS and other 'gate lice' stop blocking entry.

There could also be application on dom fights with J, CL and P1, then WP, then SG and the rest based on rows.

Oneworld Sapphires are entitled to priority boarding.

 

[Flying Fox]

Yesterday in SYD the priority boarding line was strictly monitored with a bouncer at the start of the line checking everyone that wanted to use the priority boarding line was actually entitled to do so.

 

[Bigglesworth]

Have just returned to flying QANTAS after a a year break and flying out of Hobart "International" where boarding is a total shambles. For the last four weeks they have not had two operable machines (only one) capable of scanning mobile phone passes therefore the line up is one for those who have paper tickets and one for those who have mobile phone passes. Of course other airlines ie., Virgin and Jetstar would not suffer from this since they do not see the need to generate a paper slip from the mobile phone scan: doesn't this seem to run counter to having a mobile phone pass and all electronic??