I believe there’s a dedicated thread for this somewhere (or plenty!) and I feel a bit guilty because I was the one who derailed the conversation so mods please move.
To the point above: Staff will not intervene at all. Actually, in this particular set up in Melbourne, the point where you “push in” is way ahead of where the boarding passes get scanned (by the ‘priority sign’ while the scanning is further up the gate) so staff couldn’t even intervene from up there, hence also no walking up and asking them. I have seen on the very rare occasion though that staff was indeed caring and sent up someone to stand at the actual or sign or even, science forbid, move up and down the monster queue to advise people that this is actually the priority queue. Needless to say, this requires enough staff and caring enough to forgo a nice chit chat in favour of actual work so very unlikely to happen unless Qantas decides a promised benefit really matters. Ha!
And where to cut in? Groups of “very important” business people in their suits just do it anywhere I’ve noticed so I’ve learnt my lesson: Looks can be deceiving but if there’s a backpacker with an actual oversized backpack and a clueless look on their face up the front of the priority queue: Perfect opportunity. Same with a mum and her three screaming children who is struggling to make sure she’s at the right gate (airport/planet), you can bet she’s unaware which is the priority queue and snap, here you go. And if you really cut in front of someone who’s also rightfully there, then just behave like the before mentioned people in their suits: Ignore it and move on to the gate.
Sounds all pretty tough but if I pay upwards of $400 for a business class ticket Sydney-Melbourne, then the least one can ask is Qantas providing the promised benefits. Again- mods please move as this discussion belongs elsewhere.