Taking the Tiger challenge

[FlyboyAl]

After booking a REAL CHEAP fare on Tiger at Xmas to go from ADL to HBA and back last week, it was with some considerable trepidation that we arrived at Adelaide Airport 2 Hours before departure to embark on our little trip to visit my old mum.
I’d read many reports about Tiger, and very few very positive, so I was expecting to hit problems.
The reality was different!
It took about 30min to get along in the queue to the check in chick, who weighed my bag and told me I was 200 grams over the limit!!!!!!!!! She told me to take something out to get it down to 7kg, so I took a book out, she re-weighed it, and then I put the book back in!!!
Flight to HBA was uneventful, other than my knees were missing some skin from rubbing on the seat in front of me.
I guess that for a genuine LCA, they were ok. Now all we have to do is get home on Monday!

 

[straitman]

It's good to hear a positive outcome. There are a few such stories around though most of what we hear are the negative ones.

 

[Saab34]

At least they are using the main terminal at Adelaide, and using aerobridges etc...In fact its the only base in their entire network that does use the main terminal and bridges...:shock:

Lets hope they can sustain ADL, and not do what JQ did...

 

[thegurio]

I'd be fascinated to hear a few more things about the flight i.e was food available? If so, what is it like? Were the hostie nice and attentive? Obviously pitch was an issue but other than that - anything else of note? Stuff like that..


The reason why I ask is becuase MrsGurio is flying them the Wednesday before Easter and I'd like to word her up on what to expect considering she will have GrommetGurio with her as well.

 

[FL360]

Hi thegurio,

What I would advise is before the night of the flight check the booking again
on the web to make sure that they did not change the flight time at the last minute.

Also, absolutely do not go over your luggage weight limit, remember what's on your body does not count.

Also you have to check in 45 minutes before departure time, there has been reports from people that they were refused boarding although they joined the queue 1.5 hours before, however because the queue was too long when they were served it is already
less than 45 mins left, if it is me I will go crazy, push everyone away to make sure I got to the counter before 45 mins limit.

Unfortunately for my return flight ASP=>ADL over Easter they decided to push back the flight time by three hours, and I have to change my connecting flight time and stay one night in ADL... well .... In the past I have paid crazy fares such as MEL=>PER, MEL=>ADL, MEL=>NTL and ADL=>ASP for $30 per person per way, so I am not complaining...

 

[thegurio]

Hi thegurio,

What I would advise is before the night of the flight check the booking again
on the web to make sure that they did not change the flight time at the last minute.

Also, absolutely do not go over your luggage weight limit, remember what's on your body does not count.

MrsGurio doesn't usually take that much stuff at the best of times but having said that she does tend to fill her suitcases on the way back so it might be a good excuse for her to give the credit cards a rest!

And she's staying with the Monster-in-law (hence the reason why I'm happy staying at home!) so a few pushed back times won't bother her - but thanks for the advice.

 

[FL360]

It is quite funny that people did not think of australia post
when traveling interstate.

i.e. Auspost parcel between ADL and MEL is only $23 for 20kgs...

Tiger charge $20 for 20kg and $10 for 15kg...
any over limit would cost more.

IMO it is much better to post than to take the check in luggage
yourself.... don't even need to take it !

 

[comint]

...there has been reports from people that they were refused boarding although they joined the queue 1.5 hours before, however because the queue was too long when they were served it is already less than 45 mins left, ...

I call this as bullsh!t.


Tiger's queues follow the same process just about everywhere.

1. Prior to 2 hours a queue will form at the appropriate place (even though often there is no destination sign mounted yet).
2. Over the 75 minutes that check-in is open, passengers will be processed in an orderly and efficient manner.
3. At the 45 minute to departure mark, an announcement will be made for any last minute passengers still to check-in. (At this point the destination queue sign may be removed.)
4. Any/All passengers already in the queue will be processed.
5. Once everyone in the queue is processed, the check-in person will make a final announcement to all in the vicinity that check-in for that flight will now close.
6. You would have to arrive after that point, to be excluded from flying.

 

[FL360]

Hi comint,

I was just saying there are reports about this encounter,
for me I always arrive way before 45 mins and so far I have no problems.

Because the last announcement at 45 mins before was made by staff,
it is possible that the staff forgot to make the announcement, or the pax did not hear it...
(so for me if I did not hear any last minute announcements near 45 mins I would go crazy..)

from
Review of Tiger Airlines | www.itchy-feet.com.au


"Mark Dallo says: September 22, 2008 at 11:43 am
Three 17 year old girls were declined their schedule flight TT 7402 21/9/08 as it had closed, our party was at MELB terminal T4 at 6.05am flight departure was 7.00am. By the time the queue & got to the Check in Desk it was 6.30am, to be told sorry flight was closed, no accouncement that the flight was closing except for the Rockhampton one which left at 6.55am. The girls were able to rebook on the next flight for an additional $630.00 to the Gold Coast. I have been unable to contact or talk with anyone at Tiger Airways who prompt quality customer service for customers, the check in staff showed no empathy towards our plight and were smirking and smiling during the whole outcome, inside secutirty camera footage would confirm all of this. Ripped Off - Customers have no say or rights anymore."

 

[mcm72]

I Recently took Tiger OOL to ADL and return ( for the Clipsal 500 motor racing)
it only cost me $50 (all up i.e return) for air fare so i could not complain.
Plus $10 each way for 15KGs of checked in luggage.

NOTE : anything more then your "pre purchased" luggage amount is at $15 per KG !!!!!!!!! ( i saw one person put on 2 jackets, at the airport, and stuffing clothing into the jacket pockets, to beat the fee !! )

i made sure to check in early, as i could not afford not to fly !

Though i did see a family with 2 small kids, turned away, about 2 mins after check-in closed (i over heard them mentioning that they hand been looking for tyger in the "normal" OOL terminal and then had to walk over to T3, bottom line, they should have been there earlier i guess) and aircraft was delayed in landing by atleast 10- 15mins, so whilst there are rules,, the staff were just standing around chatting and waiting, there would not have been any harm to sort somthing out.

I understand why Tyger have the cut off times,, as the ground staff are used for multiple jobs ( checkin, bagage handling, aircrarft cleaning, etc etc) so they need the staff to do all these jobs as well,, so they cannot be held up checking people in,

Overall I was expecting not much ,, so i was not disapointed. I got on the "flying bus" from OOL TO ADL and return,, so that part was exactly as required,

Though i did snag a Exit seat on my return,, so the leg room was good for that trip.
Both trips,, the middle seats were not used in most rows,

i did find the seat was very hard , particularly the back.

The only other issue is the delays in waiting for your bags,

Tiger, will off load the bags from the incomming flight, and then reload the plane with the outgoing flight bags, BEFORE taking the (incomming) bags to the carousel. it means ~ 15 - 20 mins waiting for bags,,
Again,, its all about getting the plane back in the air ASAP.


Would i use Tiger again, ??? maybe,, Certainly not for work paid trips,, But for personal stuff where i can save PLENTY of $$ yes its worth it,, for a small difference in the price,, nope,, i dont think so .

 

[thegurio]

Whats available on board? Is there food to buy or is it whatever you want you have to bring?

 

[FL360]

I guess what they have available is whatever they have left on board :mrgreen::mrgreen:

simple stuff, like princles chips, sandwich, soft drinks, alcohol etc etc..

Whats available on board? Is there food to buy or is it whatever you want you have to bring?

 

[taswegian77]

I call this as bullsh!t.


Tiger's queues follow the same process just about everywhere.

1. Prior to 2 hours a queue will form at the appropriate place (even though often there is no destination sign mounted yet).
2. Over the 75 minutes that check-in is open, passengers will be processed in an orderly and efficient manner.
3. At the 45 minute to departure mark, an announcement will be made for any last minute passengers still to check-in. (At this point the destination queue sign may be removed.)
4. Any/All passengers already in the queue will be processed.
5. Once everyone in the queue is processed, the check-in person will make a final announcement to all in the vicinity that check-in for that flight will now close.
6. You would have to arrive after that point, to be excluded from flying.

I have flown Tiger to LST a couple of times and on the last occasion cut the check in quite fine, only arrived with 5 mins to spare. I was lucky that it appears in MEL they have separate lines for each flight now, instead of the combined line for all flights, but I did hear a call for all LST people that check in was closing in 5 minutes. Quite funny as we were the onyl ones in line or getting in line.

I found Tiger efficient, friendly, goo in flight service, and on time. All in all a good experience and a cost friendly flight for a short flight. I woudl nto fly them any further than say 1 hour though just through lack of seat space but I travel with my wife and son so even space is good in that regard. Having a window seat woudl be cramped for a 6 foor 5 man like me but for an average person it woudl be fine.

 

[comint]

Whats available on board? Is there food to buy or is it whatever you want you have to bring?

Tiger's menu, from memory, is very similar to that offered on Jetstar.

 

[FlyboyAl]

Here’s a quick in-flight report on the return leg from HBA to ADL.
Check in was a breeze, and this time we checked one bag at 12kg, which cost nothing.
Flight was about 15 mins late arriving and leaving which was no stress as we did not need to be anywhere at a particular time. We did hear the PA announcement saying that there were only 5 more minutes for passengers to check in, but that was well after we had passed through security.
I watched the bags being unloaded and taken to baggage claim after which they loaded all the new bags.
The culinary delights on board will leave you wondering why you didn’t bring a Maccas with you!
Pringles 50g $3
Cashews $4.50
Byron Bay Cookie $3
Carmen Muesli Bar $2.50
Gourmet Noodle Soup $4
Plus the usual assortment of soft drinks, VB, and wine.
I was somewhat amused at the “cappuccino coffee” being served from the thermos units!!!
On both flights the cabin crew were happy and chirpy and did a good job. One that that did surprise me was the amount of empty galley space in the front section of the aircraft. There were heaps of empty cupboards with the covers open and unlocked on both flights.
Load factors would have been about 90% on the flight down to HBA and about 60% back to ADL. I question how long the ADL-HBA route can support 2 carriers, as I simply don’t think the numbers can be sustained to be economical for 2 airlines to fly the route. I guess time will tell.
Would I travel on Tiger again?
Probably yes, if it was very cheap and only if I did not have to be somewhere at the destination at a particular time, and if I did not have to be back home at a particular time. Lack of leg room is an issue, for me at least, and I guess they just need to prove their on time performan ce, and if it was a longer flight, I think I’d want a little more variety of food to buy. On the whole, it was a pleasant enough experience.
Our bags took 20 mins to come off the flight, but as we were walking to the baggage carousel, I did hear the QANTAS announcement advising that the 2.30 flight to Perth had been delayed for 2 hours due to ongoing baggage problems – I guess that makes the Tiger performance for today better than QF, but for all the wrong reasons

 

[Saab34]

. I question how long the ADL-HBA route can support 2 carriers, as I simply don’t think the numbers can be sustained to be economical for 2 airlines to fly the route. I guess time will tell.

And time did tell! Virgin no longer are flying this route from 27th April

I guess that makes the Tiger performance for today better than QF, but for all the wrong reasons

Consider yourself Lucky! Today was officially the WORST day ever Tiger have had since Launch date in 2007. I doubt OTP would reach 10%. First it started off with 1 A320 going tech due to Hydro Leak, which led to 8 hour delays to MCY...Then another A320 went tech, 4 hours delays. And for some reason, the 3rd Melbourne Bus is not ontime either?...:-| Then one of the Adelaide based 320's struck problems in Canberra this afternoon, 1 hour delay. All in all, most people are getting to their destinations ex-MEL around 4-8 hours late.

Federal Police are all over T4 at Tulla at the moment, some people are starting to go nuts!

 

[thegurio]

And time did tell! Virgin no longer are flying this route from 27th April

Hmmm.... This isn't good news for me really. Where and when was that announcement made - i don't recall hearing it. I guess that just means that the lounge will receive a bit more of a hammering than it used to from me!