Qantas forcing everyone to use self-service check-in kiosks in AKL

[justinbrett]

Just noticed that they called out which lounge to use in the service information part of the ticket.

Which I’ve just found out is quite necessary.

I haven’t flown out of AKL on QF for many years. I was flabbergasted that as a WP flying J, I was forced to check in via self service and tag my own bag. What is this, Jetstar?

I went to the area marked business and queued, asked to check in and was flatly told no, I must use self service.

There was nobody at the escalators this morning (5am) so I guess they’re hoping people read their boarding passes.

But honestly not impressed with the QF experience this morning. I have an international connection in SYD so I much prefer to speak with a human about my booking.

 

[Ansett]

I have a dislike of automated Kiosks; I too much prefer to talk to a human being.

 

[CMA222]

Which I’ve just found out is quite necessary.

I haven’t flown out of AKL on QF for many years. I was flabbergasted that as a WP flying J, I was forced to check in via self service and tag my own bag. What is this, Jetstar?

I went to the area marked business and queued, asked to check in and was flatly told no, I must use self service.

There was nobody at the escalators this morning (5am) so I guess they’re hoping people read their boarding passes.

But honestly not impressed with the QF experience this morning. I have an international connection in SYD so I much prefer to speak with a human about my booking.

When I passed through ALK this week I headed to the J check-in counter to get a paper boarding pass, after checking in on-line. The QF staff said I had to use the kiosk to print a boarding pass which was basically the equivalent of checking in again. I handed them my passport and it was obvious they were very reluctantly doing me a favour. The other staff stood and watched. Down to OneStar service from a supposed full service airline. I miss Emirates flights between SYD and ALK when there was real service for J passengers.

At least the use of the Emirates lounge is an improvement over the old "cupboard" in the QF lounge. Of course, there must be a strict budget set by QF as the food was good but the selection was not what is normal in EK J lounges. Pasta, vegetarian food and a chicken dish but no other meat. Only one choice of NZ "bubbles", not the usual (for EK) choice of premium French brands.

 

[Larko1]

When I passed through ALK this week I headed to the J check-in counter to get a paper boarding pass, after checking in on-line. The QF staff said I had to use the kiosk to print a boarding pass which was basically the equivalent of checking in again. I handed them my passport and it was obvious they were very reluctantly doing me a favour. The other staff stood and watched. Down to OneStar service from a supposed full service airline. I miss Emirates flights between SYD and ALK when there was real service for J passengers.

At least the use of the Emirates lounge is an improvement over the old "cupboard" in the QF lounge. Of course, there must be a strict budget set by QF as the food was good but the selection was not what is normal in EK J lounges. Pasta, vegetarian food and a chicken dish but no other meat. Only one choice of NZ "bubbles", not the usual (for EK) choice of premium French brands.

Have never had a problem getting BP's at the lounge.

 

[Speedbird001]

I have a dislike of automated Kiosks; I too much prefer to talk to a human being.

Indeed. They are too unreliable.

An agent had the temerity the other week to tell me why I was running late and I risked the flight being closed.

Perhaps if I hadn't had one machine issue me with a completely different pax and route's BP, and hadn't had to wait for the agent himself, I wouldn't.

I was 50 minutes prior to departure at the first faulty machine but why use up time and risk ire litigating the point at 07h00 SYDMEL.

 

[justinbrett]

Well my bag came out first in HND, and I was worried it wasn’t going to make the connection at all, so perhaps it’s not all bad.