I've certainly had priority boarding on QF Dom, but it's certainly no benefit, I much prefer getting on last and not having people push past me.
What's the benefit of getting on first, so you can sit there the longest. :shock:
This has been covered up-thread. Ultimately, however, QF is using priority benefit as one of the 'highlights' of Platinum, yet they're not offering it.
IMO priority boarding only works well when there are two aerobridges and/or twin aisle aircraft.
I also think priority boarding can work well on single aereobridge boardings. First, QF could do a priority boarding call for eligible passengers a couple of minutes before the general boarding call. Second, as one or two members have suggested previously, you could still have two lines leading to one reader. One of the lines would be for priority passengers and if it was empty, the FA would simply call passengers from the other line.
+1 Only reason to board early is to get space in the overhead bins. I hope to God we don't head down the American path where they try to bring the kitchen sink as carry-on.
I disagree. For me, one of the big reasons to board early has come about with the advent of gate-to-gate IFE. Based in Perth I'm fortunate to be on A333s a lot of the time so if I get on early I can settle in to the IFE. If it's a midnight departure, I might be able to get a TV episode or two away before I doze off to sleep. Similarly, if I want to settle straight into sleep, I can do so, hopefully nodding off before take-off.
Again, though, the overarching issue is QF is touting a benefit that they're not delivering on.
I was told by a short haul FA that one QF CSM ordered 44 pieces of carry on that he deemed being too big for the cabin to be put underneath.
There should be more of it. I'm sometimes guilty of sneaking in an extra kilo or two on the carry-on but I'm never over size (dimensions). Nonetheless, I'd have no issue with an FA pulling me up and saying 'sir, you're bag is over the limit',
provided it was consistently done. And I agree it should be done.
From MCO to DFW in F I was told (not asked) by the FA to put my 1 and only carry on under my seat to free up bin space for some greedy passenger who needed more space. I refused and told the passenger directly that if he wanted to be inconsiderate of his fellow passengers and carry on so much luggage, he could wedge it under his seat and be uncomfortable because I sure as hell was not going to!
Well done.