Seating preference - who gets what?

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rormad

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Jan 10, 2003
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I'm a Gold QFF and fly quite a bit domestically and occasionally internationally. Haven't made Platinum at any stage. I was wondering how on some flights like SYD-MEL, even though I have a forward/aisle seating preference I often end up at least 10 rows back in Economy if not more sometimes. This occurs even when I check in an hour before the flight. Are there so many Platinums who bump me back? I've noticed on less well-travelled flights I usually end up in the front row - in a 717 this is no good as there's nowhere to put hand luggage - can't use floor in front and the lockers above have safety demonstration stuff in them (or other uses). So now I ask for the 2nd row.
Is this (forward/aisle) the seating most FFs would choose (if not in Business)? The aim is to get off the plane ASAP so the best way is to be closest to the front and not have to wait forever while Johnny and Jane Slowcoach block the aisle while getting down their 10 bags and having a chat to each other.
The only problem with the aisle is that the drinks trolley inevitably bashes into you (yeah I know I'm not the first person to say that) and the person in the window seat next to you is INVARIABLY the last one on the plane!!!
 
rormad said:
how on some flights like SYD-MEL, even though I have a forward/aisle seating preference I often end up at least 10 rows back in Economy if not more sometimes. This occurs even when I check in an hour before the flight. Are there so many Platinums who bump me back?

Yes! Especially around peak times.

It's even worse on MEL-CBR (at peak times), where even as a Platinum, I have struggled to be further forward than about row 16/17, despite my forward aisle preference.
 
If you don't have any luggage to 'check in'...
Then try using Qantas's new self serve Quick Check unit in the QC.
You can see where your current seating is, and if you want to change, or think you're in a 'bad' seat... move yourself to a 'better' vacant seat!

regards,
 
Gordon said:
You can see where your current seating is, and if you want to change, or think your in a 'bad' seat... move yourself to a 'better' vacant seat!

Vacant is the keyword here.
 
Looks like it's a case of too many Platinums! I was checking in (with luggage unfortunately) in Melbourne last week and the queue for QC check-in was long but a bit shorter than Economy. BUT there were only two people checking us in while on Economy there were 5 so they moved a lot quicker. Where's the advantage? Getting the Priority tagging I suppose. It's great to see your bag come off in the first batch.
With the last lot of changes to QFF I suppose that Gold or Platinum has become harder to get but I don't see any drop-off in numbers just yet - may have to wait a while. Also I suppose the addition of all those former Ansett Golden Wing (or whatever it was) folks has swelled the ranks of QC.
 
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rormad, along as you and everyone else keeps checking in in the QC queue, I'll be happy. I'm astounded that more people don't use quick check (even with luggage). Last few times I've travelled from MEL (with luggage) there's been 4-5 in the business queue, about 20-25 in the QC queue, and I've walked straight up to the quickcheck and checked in within a minute. I can 't believe that the supposedly frequent flyers (QC, Silv, Gold & Plat) still insist on queuing for 5-10 mins when they could quick check!
 
In response to dajop: it's extremely rare that I check luggage - normally carry hand luggage only and either go to the machine or up to the counter inside the QClub. I was looking at the Quickcheck luggage counters but I wasn't sure they got Priority tagging so I waited with all the other poor joes. I also agree about the frequent flyers who seem somewhat inexperienced. They line up to check bags which are about half the size of the allowable baggage in the USA. Over there virtually no one checks in baggage - you have to get on your flight pretty early to grab a space for your oversized bag. When I've been waiting at the carousel in Orlando there have sometimes been only about a dozen bags.

Will take your sage advice and use the Quickcheck for luggage IF they give it Priority - I hate waiting for bags.
 
rormad said:
Will take your sage advice and use the Quickcheck for luggage IF they give it Priority - I hate waiting for bags.

They definitely DO have Priority tags - even on the non QC side of check in hall. I always make sure they have put it on the luggage before I walk away, just in case they forget (unless I'm travelling on or connecting to a Dash 8 - where priority doesn't really matter).

Interesting your comments about the US, our carry on sizes are smaller , and often enforced. I think you'll find though on some of the peak flights (eg MEL-SYD at 5pm) it is also the case here. I've got off a full 767 and been one of only twenty people waiting for baggage, which of course comes pretty quickly - especially given the time it takes to deplane, where everyone has to lift their carry on down from the overhead lockers, pull the handle out and wheel it down the aisle, bumping into every second seat in the process..... :wink: I'd just rather stow it below and forget about it (especially if connecting)!
 
Don't forget what the terms forward, middle and rear mean. They mean a block of seats that can be chosen from. If you use a CSA at check-in, they have the untimate ability to seat you. If you use a QuickCheck machine, you get to essentially see what the CSA sees (except for the blocked off seats that they may have sole access to select pax).

Yes, status gives some privileges, but just because I'm Plat and have forward aisle as my preference, doesn't mean I get Front row of Y on every flight I take. I agree with rormad and the second row strategy. In fact, I'm happy with anything in the first 5 rows, I just get frustrated if I get too far back and strike the non-travellers with no idea.
 
My father who's a Chairman's Lounge member always get the first row, always in business and when he fly's economy say, 95% of the time
 
So God help us if a plane full of CL members gets on ! :D Any WPs will be sitting in the dunny at the back, SG in the galley and Silver + Bronze, well, you'll be hanging off the tail.
 
icemann said:
So God help us if a plane full of CL members gets on ! :D Any WPs will be sitting in the dunny at the back, SG in the galley and Silver + Bronze, well, you'll be hanging off the tail.

It would certainly take the bordem out of the flight :!:

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
 
icemann said:
So God help us if a plane full of CL members gets on ! :D Any WPs will be sitting in the dunny at the back, SG in the galley and Silver + Bronze, well, you'll be hanging off the tail.

Been on em, out of CBR when parliament Adjourns for summer. :(

Not too bad in the Gally but; don't need to push the button for a beer. :D
 
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