Travelling DJ during "Schoolies"

[djfuzz]

After scoring empty rows 3 on refitted 738s a number of times, the first time I paid for PE we happened to get a non-refitted 737, oversold with schoolies headed to OOL and I think we may possibly have been the only paid pax as the FA made a point to welcome everyone and explain their kind op-up process.

Have had a good run on VA so far but, as with QF, the op-up gods seem to be withholding luck. At least I should be glad for the occasional scraps of vulture bait.

 

[Fruitcake]

Re: How to tell if you are on an aircraft with the new cabin...

After scoring empty rows 3 on refitted 738s a number of times, the first time I paid for PE we happened to get a non-refitted 737, oversold with schoolies headed to OOL and I think we may possibly have been the only paid pax as the FA made a point to welcome everyone and explain their kind op-up process.

My MEL-OOL on 26 Nov was the same - PE cabin (in a refitted aircraft) was full. I was last to board in PE so if there was a "you've been op-upped" spiel I missed it. In my opinion, at least six of the others in PE were schoolie op-ups (based on youthful appearance and propensity to boastfully wave holiday apartment leases around, and I did not notice any of them in the lounge beforehand).

One of the FAs servicing the rear cart came forward to get a top up of gin because two entire rows wanted gin & tonics. This gave the schoolie-age looking gentleman across the aisle from me an idea, and he managed to finish off three Jim Beam & Pepsis before 6:00am QLD time! That was before his girlfriend came forward from the economy cabin and sprawled over his armrest for five minutes of making out before retreating rearward. Beyond that, screaming during the takeoff run and a constant stream of loud profanities from row 3 whilst they kicked the bulkhead through the flight were a little annoying but I think that's just a fact of life about flying into OOL at this time of year. I doubt any carrier would be different.

One amusing observation I made from a status run over the weekend which presumably have a lot of leisure flyers - is the number of pax who come forward, stand near the galley, look left, look right, don't see the toilet, and then retreat rearward.

 

[Mh4k]

Re: How to tell if you are on an aircraft with the new cabin...

I've had a few op-ups and have never been given a spiel either at the gate or in the air. I've flown when the premium cabin has been empty or has had one person in it. I assume they are generally doing op-ups only for operational reasons, i.e. when the flight is oversold in Y. That said these things are always at the discretion of the various agents involved along the way and I have been offered an op-up at checkin and that offer stood even when I asked to be placed on an earlier flight which had ample seats available. I have reached the conclusion that there is no point trying to analyse patterns to these things, beyond perhaps trying to optimise your flight times to put you on flights likely to be oversold, as ultimately these decisions are made by the airline gods and their ways are subtle and beyond the ken of mortal men

 

[maninblack]

Re: How to tell if you are on an aircraft with the new cabin...

My MEL-OOL on 26 Nov was the same - PE cabin (in a refitted aircraft) was full. I was last to board in PE so if there was a "you've been op-upped" spiel I missed it. In my opinion, at least six of the others in PE were schoolie op-ups (based on youthful appearance and propensity to boastfully wave holiday apartment leases around, and I did not notice any of them in the lounge beforehand).

...That was before his girlfriend came forward from the economy cabin and sprawled over his armrest for five minutes of making out before retreating rearward. Beyond that, screaming during the takeoff run and a constant stream of loud profanities from row 3 whilst they kicked the bulkhead through the flight were a little annoying but I think that's just a fact of life about flying into OOL at this time of year. I doubt any carrier would be different.

Virgin will have to stop doing this sort of thing and crack down on unacceptable behaviour if they are really going to run a business class cabin from now on. Yes OOL will always have it's share of this behaviour but the idea of a premium cabin is in part to provide a higher level of service and comfort. Virgin is on a learning curve and without sounding like too much of an old fart I will complain mightily if I pay for PE or J and have to put up with this sort of nonsense.

 

[Fruitcake]

Re: How to tell if you are on an aircraft with the new cabin...

Virgin will have to stop doing this sort of thing and crack down on unacceptable behaviour if they are really going to run a business class cabin from now on. Yes OOL will always have it's share of this behaviour but the idea of a premium cabin is in part to provide a higher level of service and comfort. Virgin is on a learning curve and without sounding like too much of an old fart I will complain mightily if I pay for PE or J and have to put up with this sort of nonsense.

I'm about 85% with you on that. During the flight, I began to form a written complaint in my mind - but the service from the crew manager was attentive, personalised and welcoming enough that by the end of the flight I didn't really feel the grounds to. All of us in the PE cabin received PE service, but I did perceive a little bit more attention for myself and the other passenger who I suspected was most likely to be a PE fare-payer - after the main cabin service was completed we were both asked if we'd like anything further from the cart, and also received a subsequent offer just before top of descent.

Ultimately, I reached the conclusion that there's no rule against being excited to go on holiday, nor drinking at an early hour of the morning. I should emphasise that none of the behaviour had overtones of intoxication - just that of a group of people who were going to having more fun that day than I did. I was still able to sleep for a while and read uninterrupted (possibly the most offensive thing about the flight was accepting the offer of a Digiplayer for the first time ever and discovering its tragically limited content). The only thing I'd really term 'unacceptable' was the visit from seat 2C's girlfriend. The hubbub from row 3 would probably annoy me a lot more if I was stuck in it - especially if I was a Velocity Gold and over the age of 21. I just don't think the FAs can wander up and down cabin saying "shooosh please" when 90% of the cabin wants to talk.

Was it the ideal PE experience? Not exactly. But having had the chance to talk to a few FAs over the weekend their excitement about where Virgin Australia (as opposed to Virgin Blue) is going is palpable, and one said she can't wait for J to be rolled out systemwide because she loves to be able to provide that extra level of service to high status pax. I think they really want to put the days of "toilets are fitted with sensitive smoke alarms and cameras" and "your crew today consists of Bogan Bevan in the middle, Tightblouse Tina down the back and I'm radical Ron" behind them (and to be fair that's been gone for five years now anyway).

But all of this is subjective. In the end I was willing to let it slide (even though I didn't go anywhere near schoolies and my kids sure as hell won't be either), but my father probably wouldn't have!

 

[JohnK]

Schoolies, a group of 16-17 year olds in plague proportions behaving like 6-7 year olds.

* No offence meant to 6-7 year olds....

 

[Noob]

Schoolies, a group of 16-17 year olds in plague proportions behaving like 6-7 year olds.

* No offence meant to 6-7 year olds....

Seriously, I know many 6-7 year olds which would frown upon the behavior at schoolies

 

[jsd]

Schoolies, a group of 16-17 year olds in plague proportions behaving like 6-7 year olds.

* No offence meant to 6-7 year olds....

I would NEVER ever even consider going anywhere near the Gold Coast during 'Schoolies' :!:

Have much more productive things to do with my time...


(Just Saying)

Seriously, I know many 6-7 year olds which would frown upon the behavior at schoolies

Agreed

 

[Casual Class]

I would NEVER ever even consider going anywhere near the Gold Coast during 'Schoolies' :!:

Have much more productive things to do with my time...


(Just Saying)

Some of us do live here and remain productive during these trying times

(Just Saying)

 

[jsd]

I was leaning more towards the point that I would never go as a 'Schoolie'...

Sent from my Garmin A50 using AustFreqFly

 

[Fruitcake]

6-7 year olds on a plane (or on a holiday!) at least have parents on hand to insert the boot when necessary. Unfortunately when it comes to schoolies, the behaviour is self-reinforcing. Which is why until the behaviour reaches the point of being illegal the rest of us poor sods - who will, in many cases, be thanklessly providing their youth allowance and rent assistance payments for the next few years - have to put up with their obnoxiousness because it's their right to be loud and offensive. At least on my flight DJ put them down the back of the plane - the only problem being that with the volumes of them on hand "down the back" started at row 1!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Having also flown SYD-OOL on the day schoolies started AND booked into accomodation in Surfers that same day AND did the touristy bit the next day of shopping and strolling around Surfers, I can honestly say the schoolies (IMHO) added to the experience.

We didn't have any problems, saw no bad behaviour and generally, they gave the whole place an exurberant, youthful buzz that Surfers normally lacks. The organisers did a great job of not just protecting the schoolies, but also controlling (to a degree) and although I've no doubt there were likely problem kids around, we certainly didn't come across them.

That week-end gave us a whole new view of schoolies..............good on them for enjoying life in what can sometimes be a very turbulent world!

 

[Major]

Whilst waiting at OOL to board my VA flight on Sat morning a J* A330 landed from either SYD or MEL and unloaded hundreds of teenagers.

The noise at OOL is never quiet but the decibel level was raised to new heights as they shuffled and slouched their way to baggage claim.

I don't know if J* normally use wide body acft domestically into OOL however the sight of this teenage invasion was frightening.

 

[NM]

I would expect, and had confirmed in previous years, that Schoolies traveling to and from places like the Gold Coast are no trouble at all. On the way there, they are exited but not under the influences that cause the issues when they get there. And the trip home they just sleep.

My 17yo just spend the week at the Sunshine Coast at a Schoolies Week Camp arranged by Scripture Union. He says he had an amazing time and thoroughly enjoyed himself - without any of the alcohol, drugs, sexual exploits etc that plague the more "open" events. He certainly recommends it to anyone as a safe option that was huge fun. They had two sites with about 200 Schoolies combined, did things like go cart racing, tubing etc, partied each night with bands, slept till I'd morning, and generally had a hoot.

 

[Ewing]

So does this mean I should be wearing shorts and thongs on Friday's SYD-OOL flight to fit in with the crowd?

Someone scheduled our company Christmas party on the Gold Coast without considering what other events are on at that time. Fortunately the venue and accommodation (Palazzo Versace) should be reasonably "schoolie safe".

And as for someone who did attend schoolies in surfers (albeit a number of years ago now) there's plenty of fun to be had without engaging in the stupidity that some (most?) do. Unfortunately it doesn't make good press though. I had an absolute blast when I went, and yes - my return flight did involve me collapsing in my seat and falling straight to sleep.

(caveat: it may be different now.).

 

[mannej]

Whilst waiting at OOL to board my VA flight on Sat morning a J* A330 landed from either SYD or MEL and unloaded hundreds of teenagers.

The noise at OOL is never quiet but the decibel level was raised to new heights as they shuffled and slouched their way to baggage claim.

I don't know if J* normally use wide body acft domestically into OOL however the sight of this teenage invasion was frightening.

It could have been JQ19, does that not normally do SYD-OOL-KIX?

 

[Meggsy]

And as for someone who did attend schoolies in surfers (albeit a number of years ago now) there's plenty of fun to be had without engaging in the stupidity that some (most?) do. Unfortunately it doesn't make good press though. I had an absolute blast when I went, and yes - my return flight did involve me collapsing in my seat and falling straight to sleep.

(caveat: it may be different now.).

Unfortunately 20,000 schoolies exhibiting youthful exuberance and actually having reasonably harmless fun does not make good news but 100 fools who can't control themselves does. These few give the whole shebang a rather poor image. Personally, its no different to any large gathering of people, be it a rock concert, cricket international, etc and regardless of age. How many drunken 'adults' get escorted from the MCG etc during a 1 day cricket match. As a local I have no issue with being at Surfers during schoolies. We were all teenagers once.

 

[cavemanzk]

My OOL-AKL flight on the 26/11 wasn't fill of Schoolies but it was fill of drollies (Asian Tour Party). Give me a flight with 100 Schoolies on it any day over that tour party. They where standing up most of the flight screaming & yelling out loud to each other. The Crew did nothing about, even though they where causing a pain to the the other 80 passengers on the flight trying to sleep!

 

[djfuzz]

As the apparent OP of this thread I'd just like to say that I merely noted the fact that the flight I had been on was oversold and was carrying quite a lot of schoolies - and I did not intend to pass judgment or start a discussion about them, but rather report the fact that we had been allocated one of the non-refitted 700s and were perhaps the only PE fare paying pax (though that may not be true, just an assumption based on the FA's spiel). The point being, I was a wee bit disappointed to have missed out on the new cabin on the one occasion we had paid the fare.

More annoying though is that on the return trip we had used the comp upgrade and were due to be on a shiny new BSI plane, but delays in OOL led to that plane being reallocated and eventually the cancellation of our flight. To their credit, VA paged us before announcing the cancellation (as both PE and Velocity elites - but certainly not all of either on board the flight) and offered us a credit voucher and Y seats on the next (also otherwise full) flight home. For other reasons we had to decline that offer and wait for the flight after that on which we could be accommodated in PE - still waiting at the airport hoping we might get another BSI or at the very least a refitted aircraft.

Since my post has nothing to do with schoolies, I fully expect it to be hived off into yet another thread, however it is entirely consistent with my OP so I'm cool with posting it here anyway.

 

[Justinf]

I was in Airlie Beach one year during schoolies a few years ago and after a rain shower I slipped over while trying to cross the main street to get to a cab. It was quite late at night and yes, I had consumed a few. Tripped over right in front of a group of about a dozen schoolies and instead of laughing at me, every one of them came to help. I was in a lot of pain. I was helped to a nearby seat by two young lads and between all of the young women, they managed to clean up my badly scraped knee and band-aid it up with whatever they had in their handbags. Then one of the young men found me and my mate a cab and helped me to it, by assisting me by putting my arms around their shoulders and practically carrying me there.
There are idiot people of all ages, genders, races everywhere.
There are also some pretty awesome people as well.