Virgin Blue Fare Watchout

[dajop]

Not that many users of this BB probably fly on DJ, but for those that do, a watchout when you are booking connecting flights, look at each of the flights separately rather than the connections that the reservation system gives you.

I just looked at fares MEL-CNS. The first option, via Sydney was quoted at $475 one way. If you looked at the SAME MEL-SYD and SYD-CNS flights separately it came to $319! Similarly for an option via Brisbane. Together quoted at $365, separately came to $295. The third option (again via Brisbane) combined flights, $519, separately $479.

A good way for the "friend" of the travelling public to fleece some money off them. I suppose you do have to pay for someone to take your luggage from one plane to the next!

 

[michaelblain]

A good way for the "friend" of the travelling public to fleece some money off them. I suppose you do have to pay for someone to take your luggage from one plane to the next!

They are no "friend" of anyone. They are in business to MAXIMISE shareholder value, just like any other business. A good indicator of shareholder value is PRFOITS. So in other words they want to make as much money as they can for as little investment that is needed.

They are no different in that sense to any other business be it airlines or others.

Branson just likes to make the public think he is their friend by marketing in a certain style.

I like their new method of increasing yield on exit row and front row - reservations at $50 per sector on selected routes....

 

[thadocta]

I like their new method of increasing yield on exit row and front row - reservations at $50 per sector on selected routes....

I don't - exit rows should only be assigned to those fit and physically able to operate them in an emergency. This is the reason why most airlines will not pre-allocate them.

Imagine it is someone paid in advance for an exit row, and then arrived as a totally decrepit 86 year old on crutches? They *could* rightfully claim that they had paid for the row and insist on getting it, when prudence and safety indicates that they shouldn't.

I think this is an unsafe way of doing it, and something that both CASA and the ATSB should be looking at.

Dave

 

[Guest]

exit rows

how many times have emergency exits been used in the last 10 years?

Im by no means defending vermin blue, but if the plane crashes , you're pretty much coughed anyway ... and even if there was a need to evacuate the aircraft... would you help others out the exit if the plane was about to sink/burn/blow up ? I'd be right outta there in a flash!


also my last few sectors , SYD -> SIN, return and SYD -> NRT, return have proved to me that exit rows have their downsides... they are VERY cold and VERY noisey

I'd much rather pay the extra few bucks to fly QF, enjoy free food, drinks, QC pre flight drinks and know the chances of dying are 70000x less than if i was on a DJ flight.

 

[shillard]

Re: exit rows

how many times have emergency exits been used in the last 10 years?

Im by no means defending vermin blue, but if the plane crashes , you're pretty much coughed anyway ... and even if there was a need to evacuate the aircraft... would you help others out the exit if the plane was about to sink/burn/blow up ? I'd be right outta there in a flash!

Emergency exits have been used MANY times in the past 10 years, and likely will be in the next 10 years. Your chances of surviving a plane crash depend on MANY factors - and I'm one of those who strictly wears more "flame retardant" clothing aboard planes - cotton, wool, leather, & leather boots.

Preservation of the species is the overriding imperative - mess with that imperative at your peril.

 

[thadocta]

Re: exit rows

how many times have emergency exits been used in the last 10 years?

Let's see, they were used when VH-OJH decided to go for a round of golf rather than visitting the gate at BKK. They were also used when an AN 747 decided it did not want to lower its nose wheel.

That is two of them, and with Australian carriers too.

Dave

(editted for wrong rego of AN incident aircraft at YSSY)

 

[Guest]

Re: exit rows

how many times have emergency exits been used in the last 10 years?

Let's see, they were used when VH-OJH decided to go for a round of golf rather than visitting the gate at BKK. They were also used when VH-ANA decided it did not want to lower its nose wheel.

That is two of them, and with Australian carriers too.

Dave

ok, let me rephrase : how many times have emergency exits been used in the past ten years where passengers onboard have died as a direct result of not being able to get out of the aircraft?

 

[thadocta]

Re: exit rows

ok, let me rephrase : how many times have emergency exits been used in the past ten years where passengers onboard have died as a direct result of not being able to get out of the aircraft?

None, because they have always made sure that those seated in exit rows are physically capable of assisting if an evacuation is required. Which sort of proves my point.

Dave

 

[Jetboy]

double post sorry

 

[Jetboy]

I would like to see someone challenge Virgin for providing a service to some people (able bodied) even at a cost, that is unavailable to people with a disability.

What would happen in these times of equal opportunity if someone in crutches wished to have a seat with more legroom but was denied the service? Obviously they can't have an exit row but is Virgin creating a potential problem here by charging more for these seats withoout having a similar offering available to people that do not fit the criteria for exit row seats.

BTW, the F#@K word got through in a previous post! Does this mean it's open slather on the AFF board? Interesting times ahead if that's the case.

 

[admin]

BTW, the F#@K word got through in a previous post! Does this mean it's open slather on the AFF board? Interesting times ahead if that's the case.

It was a variation of that word! Have just updated the word censor, to prevent repeat occurrences.

I believe in everyone's right to free speech, and as a policy don't censor content (unless its abusive, racist or slanderous), but please lets avoid vulgarity.

 

[QF WP]

Re: exit rows

Im by no means defending vermin blue, but if the plane crashes , you're pretty much f*ck*d anyway ... and even if there was a need to evacuate the aircraft... would you help others out the exit if the plane was about to sink/burn/blow up ? I'd be right outta there in a flash!

Well if we're in a plane together d00t, remind me not to sit next to or anywhere near you, as we definitely don't share the same DNA. Planes are equipped with a deal of safety equipment and not all crashes have involved total loss of life (or put in the vulgar way that you did). I would suspect (not having done a lot of prior research) that it may have a lot to do with the circumstances of the crash.

You can go first if you like, but I would certainly be there to assist the FA's. Before you attempt to counter my point with a point like "how do you know you wouldn't", I was a lifesaver for many years and have been involved with lending assistance with many accidents subsequently. I also believe in the principle of women and children first, gentlemen last - one I am glad my parents taught me. Then again, the use of vulgarity usually indicates a lack of a good grounding in the english language - there are plenty of suitable non-vulgar words you could have used in it's place. Whilst it may impress your friends, I doubt it impresses too many here.

 

[thadocta]

Re: exit rows

You can go first if you like, but I would certainly be there to assist the FA's. Before you attempt to counter my point with a point like "how do you know you wouldn't", I was a lifesaver for many years and have been involved with lending assistance with many accidents subsequently..

Agree whole-heartedly Lindsay - although I daresay we won't be much use to the cabin crew if we had just finished a FlyerTalk get-together.

Speaking of rendering assistance, ever thought of joining the Qld version of the Rural Fire Service? (Forgetwhat they call it up there, and system is dangerously close to crashing - can't imagine why, I only have eigh browser windows, mIRC, WinAMP and a TV screen in the upper left corner going - shouldn't be a drain on resources).

Dave

 

[icemann]

Cost Price vs. Quality

I'd much rather pay the extra few bucks to fly QF, enjoy free food, drinks, QC pre flight drinks and know the chances of dying are 70000x less than if i was on a DJ flight.

And I agree with that last point (quoted). As an illustration, I am laughing a lot now because my boss has asked us to fly to a workshop in Noosa (MCY) soon. He has given everyone 'free reign' to book their flights, and will reimburse most of the costs (because some of it is pleasure too). So, most people have gone and booked through DJ and will fly up there on that.

At ADL the other day (27/3/03), 1400, the DJ queue was chockers. There was hardly anyone for QF on the other side of the domestic terminal. I looked at it and was glad I was going back to SYD on QF, and even my travel agent mate said "Every time I fly DJ I ask myself why" and made the same point - for $34 more (which is what the difference was), I get the status credits, points, Qantas Club service (which is probably the most important bit for me personally) and in-flight food, legroom and entertainment etc. O.K - yeah, the entertainment may not be to everyone's taste, but my point is, I'd sooner have something to watch / read to take my mind off the trip, instead of sitting there bored. And at the very least, I can always get a 'free' OJ or a coke on board if I just want to relax with a drink and read a book.

Before anyone laughs, I actually like putting the headphones on to some smooth music on the plane, having a bit of a drink of OJ, maybe go over some work ; because for travelling on business, I want to perform at my best when I get to the other end, and a flight over can severely affect that, for better or worse for me. Hence, I'd willingly pay the little extra to fly up on QF, have a relaxing time in the QC beforehand, a snack on board and have the little bit more comfort in boarding and know that my 'priority' sticker on my baggage means I check in faster, get that out of the way and get my bags off at the end faster. It just takes care of the little details and leaves my mind free of worries like that.

I would sooner pay a little more to relax that degree more and enjoy the flight, (read : perform better when I land) rather than 'rough it'. Flying is enough of an ordeal for me already because I hate take off & landing.

 

[straitman]

For those who have to shop around for fares it is often cheaper on QF in any case. Even if QF is the dearer, the difference soon gets eaten up with the cost of the snack and / or drink on DJ.

If you then combine it with the checkin advantages and the QFC (as mentioned) there really is no comparison.
:mrgreen:

 

[QF WP]

Well said, straitsman (are you from SIN?). If I was able to look at the DJ check-in queues as I stroll up to Business/QC queue; I know what I'd see. A lot of people. When I look at how much my time is worth to me (what I charge my clients), I couldn't justify going to DJ.

I'd much rather be sucking on a Hahn Premium in the relative quiet of the QC, trying to get an ODU (somebody else doing all the work), catching up on news or using the Business Centre....where do I stop????

 

[icemann]

I totally agree with you Lindsay. Your crispness and conciseness echoes my point exactly.

I would sooner be in the QC too, nice drink, relax, kick back before the flight and chill out. The better condition I arrive in, the more relaxed I am and the better I will perform.

 

[straitman]

Well said, straitsman (are you from SIN?).

Thanks Lindsay. No I'm not from SIN :!:

My location is now on my details.