Next Generation Check In

[anat0l]

The Qantas letter was a good one to get as at least it was not a Bill.

Yes... because your house is just too small to have too many Bills.

Unless they are of the polymer* dollars kind, of course.

 

[nlagalle]

Well got my card today. Noted that on the return SYD flights during the seat selection it had the dangerous good declaration.

No we'll see if I get the plat by the end of the year. (I wonder if I will still get the old tags - Hope so!)

 

[Siegfried]

Well got my card today. Noted that on the return SYD flights during the seat selection it had the dangerous good declaration.

No we'll see if I get the plat by the end of the year. (I wonder if I will still get the old tags - Hope so!)

Probably not much help to you nlagalle, but for those who have been WP for a couple of years, you should be able to grab a few to keep in reserve. A couple of years back, I noticed that my original issue of WP tags were basically trashed due to wear and tear. I had to make a number of calls to QFF HQ while organising several trips over the space of about 2 months, and each time I asked for a replacement set of tags (I kept asking because they didn't show up after 2 weeks, at which point I had to make my next call). About 3 weeks after my last call, I received a package with 16 tags, so I think I'm pretty well set for life.

 

[nlagalle]

Probably not much help to you nlagalle, but for those who have been WP for a couple of years, you should be able to grab a few to keep in reserve. A couple of years back, I noticed that my original issue of WP tags were basically trashed due to wear and tear. I had to make a number of calls to QFF HQ while organising several trips over the space of about 2 months, and each time I asked for a replacement set of tags (I kept asking because they didn't show up after 2 weeks, at which point I had to make my next call). About 3 weeks after my last call, I received a package with 16 tags, so I think I'm pretty well set for life.

I'm hoping that they will still give you the older tags for OS travel as I am guessing it will still be a few years away. You did well getting 16 tags!! I thought getting 6 when i went gold was good!!

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Probably not much help to you nlagalle, but for those who have been WP for a couple of years, you should be able to grab a few to keep in reserve. A couple of years back, I noticed that my original issue of WP tags were basically trashed due to wear and tear. I had to make a number of calls to QFF HQ while organising several trips over the space of about 2 months, and each time I asked for a replacement set of tags (I kept asking because they didn't show up after 2 weeks, at which point I had to make my next call). About 3 weeks after my last call, I received a package with 16 tags, so I think I'm pretty well set for life.

Nice one.
OT - I've noticed (to me) that tags don't make a difference when coming out onto the carousel. I've had tagged luggage, come out last; no tagged luggage come out first. Figure that one out?!?!?!? And all through the status tiers, it has not made a difference. Maybe l angered a baggage handler someone where in my past life? lol

Today will be "the" test for me. PER-SYD, QF580, checking in 3 bags. 2 will have WP tags, 1 with nothing. Should be interesting.

 

[anat0l]

Nice one.
OT - I've noticed (to me) that tags don't make a difference when coming out onto the carousel. I've had tagged luggage, come out last; no tagged luggage come out first. Figure that one out?!?!?!? And all through the status tiers, it has not made a difference. Maybe l angered a baggage handler someone where in my past life? lol

Today will be "the" test for me. PER-SYD, QF580, checking in 3 bags. 2 will have WP tags, 1 with nothing. Should be interesting.

As I've said before, and as we've discovered as well, it is not a 100% thing (probably not close ).

There are some here - who shall remain nameless - who are adamant that priority baggage doesn't work. For me, the system works enough times to be considered a benefit. More often than not (N.B. the words, I didn't say every time), those pink tags on my baggage do the trick and I am off and away from the chaos of the carousel area nice and quick.

I'm hoping that with the new Q Bag Tags the system will remain as good as it is (a minimum expectation!) or will get better. However, the rumour / speculation is that there will be slightly more handling required to accommodate the new bag tags, which casts some doubt as to whether the system will really go well.

 

[simongr]

My bag came out first landing in WLG on Sunday night... although we waited almost 45 mins for any bags to appear at all...

 

[drewbles]

Current WP/SG/PS/QP tags mean SFA in the overall picture. They're nothing more than bag tags. It's what's on the checked luggage strip/sticker that counts (and perhaps the actual Priority/Business/First tag although they often get torn off too).

I've seen plenty of NB's with WP tags on their bag, hoping that that'll get them priority luggage (I've actually seen someone try to get in to a QP and the J checkin queues with them too, people will try anything!).

 

[anat0l]

Current WP/SG/PS/QP tags mean SFA in the overall picture. They're nothing more than bag tags. It's what's on the checked luggage strip/sticker that counts (and perhaps the actual Priority/Business/First tag although they often get torn off too).

I've seen plenty of NB's with WP tags on their bag, hoping that that'll get them priority luggage (I've actually seen someone try to get in to a QP and the J checkin queues with them too, people will try anything!).

Oh yes, that makes sense!

There's a confusion going around here as to what "tag" refers to. "Baggage tag" can actually refer to three things:

1. An attachment by the customer which identifies that baggage has their own
2. The sticker strip attached by check-in staff (and soon with QF NGCI, by customers themselves) that directs a bag to its correct location
3. A strip of cardboard or cardboard on a string which is attached to the above tag or onto the bag to show it should be handled with priority

Now how's that for confusing!

Of course, for priority handling purposes, only #3 in the list above works. Pretty soon, we're lead to believe that this information will be printed with #2 (NGCI), and with Q Bag Tags, it may then be integrated with other information read off special tags (#1)!

 

[medhead]

it may then be integrated with other information read off special tags (#1)!

I hope not #1 my kids will be very disappointed if they can't take my luggage tags and squirrel them away somewhere.

 

[anat0l]

I hope not #1 my kids will be very disappointed if they can't take my luggage tags and squirrel them away somewhere.

Now why would they do that?

Or rather, what would stop them from doing that??

 

[medhead]

Now why would they do that?

Or rather, what would stop them from doing that??

Exactly I'd have to try to exert some parental authority.

 

[drewbles]

Oh yes, that makes sense!

There's a confusion going around here as to what "tag" refers to. "Baggage tag" can actually refer to three things:

1. An attachment by the customer which identifies that baggage has their own
2. The sticker strip attached by check-in staff (and soon with QF NGCI, by customers themselves) that directs a bag to its correct location
3. A strip of cardboard or cardboard on a string which is attached to the above tag or onto the bag to show it should be handled with priority

Now how's that for confusing!

Of course, for priority handling purposes, only #3 in the list above works. Pretty soon, we're lead to believe that this information will be printed with #2 (NGCI), and with Q Bag Tags, it may then be integrated with other information read off special tags (#1)!

For most people on here, I think we can safely assume that "baggage tag" would refer to the QP/PS/SG/WP plastic tags provided in your welcome membership kit (where you don't get any for PS if you're already QP).

 

[straitman]

Yes... because your house is just too small to have too many Bills.

Thanks for that.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

More often than not (N.B. the words, I didn't say every time), those pink tags on my baggage do the trick and I am off and away from the chaos of the carousel area nice and quick.

I'm hoping that with the new Q Bag Tags the system will remain as good as it is (a minimum expectation!) or will get better. However, the rumour / speculation is that there will be slightly more handling required to accommodate the new bag tags, which casts some doubt as to whether the system will really go well.

Update
Did PER-SYD leg yesterday.
Used the new Check-in system in Perth.
Printed out 3 baggage tags. I "purposely" went to the J check in counter for bag dropping (because l was overweight by 3.5kg - yes, l had 41.5KG. Relocating from West Coast to East Coast), was told that, l am 3.5 kg over, may need to pay $20. I smiled and sweet talked to the lovely young QF Check in Agent. She waved the fee, god bless her.
She told me, that usually, once your bags are tagged, you can just use the bag drop and off you go. And, don't panic working out how to get the tags on, there were 2 or 3 QF ladies making sure that no one was in any distress and they were gladly helping out anyone that needed any help.

Now, once your bags are tagged, they don't get any additional "Priority" - (orange) or "Business" - (pink) tags put on them. These are already on the printed out tags itself.

Landed @ SYD. Was off the plane in about 3 minutes as l was in row 34 on a A330. Went to "J Lounge" for a water and apple, literally 1 minute in the lounge, went straight to carousel and to find my 3 bags, in order, on the belt right in front of me. WOW. First time something like this has ever happened to me. I was in "surprise mode" - mentioned it the a fellow pax next to me, he says, "First time for everything mate". Yes indeed.

OT - has anyone else noticed on the A330's, that the "headphone" jacks are starting to get a little bit of "wear and tear". Sometimes l was only getting audio out of 1 side. Little bit annoying and I've noticed this a few times now (as l try to get the Airbus' on the trans-con routes l make.) Can be fixed by wiggling the jack around, but l suspect this may cause even more "wear and tear".

View attachment 1079

 

[anat0l]

Interesting how the new priority information is printed. Looks barely perceptible when you think a baggage handler has to separate the priority and non-priority bags, sometimes at night (i.e. low light).

But if it works, I won't complain.

 

[Flashback]

Will get to try this out in a week.

Will most likely OLCI then head straight from the QP to the gate, letting them scan my PS card.

Will be interesting to see how this affects entering the QP.. quite often when I flash my card, they ask to see my boarding pass too. I wonder if it means they'll be more diligent in checking if you do actually have a flight by swiping your card and bringing up the details.......

 

[serfty]

Note the the 330's (along with the 763's and 320's) use containerised (ULD) luggage.

This is automatically 'sorted' in the larger airports using the Barcode number so it's generally a matter of loading the "Priority" ULD's last - these then become first off.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Will be interesting to see how this affects entering the QP.. quite often when I flash my card, they ask to see my boarding pass too. I wonder if it means they'll be more diligent in checking if you do actually have a flight by swiping your card and bringing up the details.......

Good point.

I thought about this yesterday as l entered the PER QP and SYD J Lounge. I just "flashed" my WP Card. No "in-depth" check. Are there people who have "fake" WP cards and entering the QP's and J Lounges fraudulently? Just get a blank plastic card, color photocopy front and back, clear double sided tape and hey presto, you have unlimited QP entry for about $5. Just like doing a fake ID. It's not rocket science.

 

[Flashback]

Good point.

I thought about this yesterday as l entered the PER QP and SYD J Lounge. I just "flashed" my WP Card. No "in-depth" check. Are there people who have "fake" WP cards and entering the QP's and J Lounges fraudulently? Just get a blank plastic card, color photocopy front and back, clear double sided tape and hey presto, you have unlimited QP entry for about $5. Just like doing a fake ID. It's not rocket science.

I don't think it would look anything like it though.....!

With you being WP though, and having any-time access, just flashing the card isn't a problem for you.