Qantas to Remove Domestic Boarding Pass Printing from Kiosks

[RealtimeY]

I believe that used to be the case a few years ago, but all the airlines have phased that out now. JQ staff even used to wear portable, wireless printers that would spit out a paper boarding pass when you scan your digital one.

 

[Port Power]

I think the slip only prints if you scan your FF card at the gate so you have something to show FAs at the plane door. If you are using the app you don't get a slip of paper and just show them your phone screen. (didn't get a paper slip when scanning digital boarding pass on two flights last week)

I have also checked in with the app for many domestic flights this year, so obviously no paper boarding pass option. Just show the digital BP to FA. And as I use QR tags, I haven’t even printed luggage tags. Straight to bag drop from entry.

When bag dropping at the counter, luggage tags will be printed, but I have not been given a printed boarding pass. Since digital BP is used even to identify at the counter, attendants don’t need to print one. Different, of course, if actually “checking in” at the counter, but that is exactly what QF is wanting to phase out. Serviced check in counters will be phased out almost entirely eventually, with maybe one or two left for the disabled and elderly. Another priority privilege “enhanced” away!

 

[AlistairG]

Starting (continuing?) to look more like Jetstar day by day.

 

[Blackadder]

I'll believe it when I see it in terms of ease to scan the QR code.
All attempts by me at the existing bag drops just result in a exercise in frustration, in trying to get the machine to read the code.
As for the Bag tag, will stick with my QF Tag.

 

[kookaburra75]

I believe that used to be the case a few years ago, but all the airlines have phased that out now. JQ staff even used to wear portable, wireless printers that would spit out a paper boarding pass when you scan your digital one.

That's true, as you now just have to show your phone as you board. But you can still get the 'shopper docket' boarding pass if you scan your Frequent Flyer card at the gate - which I normally do. I find fumbling around with a phone while I'm boarding one thing I can do without.

 

[TheInsider]

Starting (continuing?) to look more like Jetstar day by day.

Why? Because the check-in doesn't suit you?

 

[JohnK]

Starting (continuing?) to look more like Jetstar day by day.

Isn't this where most airlines will end up if schedules don't return to normal?

I suspect we'll approach normal at some point in the future but there will still be quite a few people who'll be hesitant to travel.

 

[Beano]

My first Qantas flight since early June 2021 is about to happen, WLG-SYD-BNE. I will see what BPs I will be given or if it will all be smartphone.

 

[TheInsider]

My first Qantas flight since early June 2021 is about to happen, WLG-SYD-BNE. I will see what BPs I will be given or if it will all be smartphone.

This is currently in relation to domestic flights.

 

[jrfsp]

Starting (continuing?) to look more like Jetstar day by day.

On the contrary - JQ provide fully manned check in desks should you want to use them.

 

[RooFlyer]

Why? Because the check-in doesn't suit you?

I think the sentiment was that in toto, Qantas is starting to look more and more like JetStar. And it isn't the first time such had been posted recently. Now, being like JetStar ain't all bad, except the price you pay for JetStar lite.

 

[jgm]

There is only ONE reason for all of this - COST CUTTING. You don't have to pay wages to machines.

 

[TheInsider]

There is only ONE reason for all of this - COST CUTTING. You don't have to pay wages to machines.

You know the current machines have been in for over 10 years yeah?

Also, it's even in the ground staff EBA that no jobs are to be lost over 'next generation check-in'. Also, there is actually more staff then what there was prior to the machines...

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

My first Qantas flight since early June 2021 is about to happen, WLG-SYD-BNE. I will see what BPs I will be given or if it will all be smartphone.

At WLG strongly encouraged to use kiosk with manned desks reserved for bag drop. The kiosks are airport ones not QF and give boarding passes.

 

[Beano]

This is currently in relation to domestic flights.

Syd-bne is domestic but coukd be BPs all the way. Two days later BNE-CBR and that will tell.

 

[encryptededdy]

I really don't get the no BP printing and no check-in to be honest. Does it make the machines cheaper with one less printer? Is that it? Easier system design since you don't need to handle the user flow for checking in?

 

[sudoer]

I really don't get the no BP printing and no check-in to be honest. Does it make the machines cheaper with one less printer? Is that it?

Would be bucket loads cheaper without printers which need consumables and regular maintenance. A simple touch panel would run around the clock without needing much maintenance, and it set up correctly, any maintenance would be remote and deployed in batches. I wouldn't be surprised if the new check-in machines save Qantas millions of dollars annually.

 

[encryptededdy]

Would be bucket loads cheaper without printers which need consumables and regular maintenance. A simple touch panel would run around the clock without needing much maintenance, and it set up correctly, any maintenance would be remote and deployed in batches. I wouldn't be surprised if the new check-in machines save Qantas millions of dollars annually.

Well, it still has a printer, so someone still has to go around and maintain them. It does require one less printer to maintain though (actually not even then - they still have a secondary printer for the baggage receipt). I guess the printer is used less often.

 

[dylarr]

Well, it still has a printer, so someone still has to go around and maintain them. It does require one less printer to maintain though (actually not even then - they still have a secondary printer for the baggage receipt). I guess the printer is used less often.

This is what I was thinking too. Same amount of printers in them as the current kiosk - one for the bag tag and another for the receipt. Keep in mind, the current kiosk boarding pass printer doubles up as the baggage receipt printer as well.

 

[RichardMEL]

Well, it still has a printer, so someone still has to go around and maintain them. It does require one less printer to maintain though (actually not even then - they still have a secondary printer for the baggage receipt). I guess the printer is used less often.

Exactly my point pages back. The kiosks already print bag tags, so still consume ink, paper etc and need to be restocked.

In theory with far less people needing/wanting paper BP's actually a need to restock those components should be even less than for bag tags too.

this is the whole aspect that doesn't quite make a lot of sense to me as it seems to me the incremental cost of a BP print ability and managing that (stocks, ink, maintenance etc) wouldn't be much on top of that that exists for the bag tag printing.

(and i don't think the coasters really come int this much as probably less people use them vs average joe public who never got one and those who use paper tags as standard).

so while obviously there is a cost cut here, it doesn't quite make a lot of sense to me and seems the cost to keep those functions vs the people cost to manage those at desks is probably still less (after all, let's not forget, BP's printed on stock at a desk ALSO need stocking, maintenance etc...)

Fully understand the current kiosks are old and slow and need replacement. No question. Seems assumptions have gone into this refresh that don't quite stack up. So be it.