Budget flights turn expensive
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Budget flights turn expensive
Wed "Herald Sun"
Budget flights turn expensive
Liam Houlihan
09jun04
BUDGET airline Jetstar left six passengers stranded far from home and out of pocket after they missed a check-in time by minutes yesterday.
The frustrated would-be flyers were fuming at the hardline 30-minute check-in deadline, saying their delays were caused by holdups at Melbourne Airport.
"I'm totally disgusted," said Stan Bednarek.
"We were five minutes behind time because we were held up queuing at a slow machine for a Tullamarine pass.
"We get up to the terminal and we're told, 'Oh sorry, we can't get you on'," he said.
The six Newcastle-bound passengers were told their money would not be returned and they would have to buy new tickets if they wanted to get home.
All six arrived at least 25 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure at 11.45am.
Jetstar insists check-in must occur 30 minutes before departure and not a minute later.
The Bednarek family, who visited Melbourne for a break and a spot of shopping, said their holiday was ruined by the fiasco.
Mr Bednarek, his wife Cheryl and daughter Melanie lost their $39 Jetstar fares and were forced to buy three $117 Qantas tickets to Sydney and then hire a car to get to Newcastle -- a total cost of about $600 to get home.
Sindy Hoeve said she was minutes late because she was directed to the wrong airport.
"We rang up over the phone and the lady told us to go to Avalon. So we went to Avalon and then they told us to go to Tullamarine. We were not even five minutes late."
Rosalie Harding, who planned to meet her daughter in Newcastle yesterday, was left fuming.
She planned to get connecting trains home that would cost her almost double the price of her wasted $77 Jetstar ticket.
Deborah Winnell had no such game plan. "I don't know what I'm going to do," she said.
Ms Winnell said her Jetstar flight to Melbourne was an hour late. "It's apparently OK for them to be an hour late but not for us to be five minutes late," she said.
The disgruntled passengers vented their anger to Jetstar service manager Keith King for 10 minutes before giving up.
"It's hard and fast 30 minutes," Mr King said of the check-in rule.
Jetstar, a fortnight old yesterday, started to clamp down on tardy travellers from Saturday, Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said.
"We are not being draconian. People are well informed of these aspects of our operation. We allowed a level of flexibility over the first week and a half because we were a new airline," he said.
Qantas also specifies customers should check in 30 minutes before departure time.
But a Qantas spokesman said passengers would not lose their seats if they were a couple of minutes late.
Mr Westaway said the empty seats were not resold, but were occasionally given to Jetstar employees.
He said yesterday's events were an isolated incident.
==========================================
Budget flights turn expensive
Liam Houlihan
09jun04
BUDGET airline Jetstar left six passengers stranded far from home and out of pocket after they missed a check-in time by minutes yesterday.
The frustrated would-be flyers were fuming at the hardline 30-minute check-in deadline, saying their delays were caused by holdups at Melbourne Airport.
"I'm totally disgusted," said Stan Bednarek.
"We were five minutes behind time because we were held up queuing at a slow machine for a Tullamarine pass.
"We get up to the terminal and we're told, 'Oh sorry, we can't get you on'," he said.
The six Newcastle-bound passengers were told their money would not be returned and they would have to buy new tickets if they wanted to get home.
All six arrived at least 25 minutes before the flight's scheduled departure at 11.45am.
Jetstar insists check-in must occur 30 minutes before departure and not a minute later.
The Bednarek family, who visited Melbourne for a break and a spot of shopping, said their holiday was ruined by the fiasco.
Mr Bednarek, his wife Cheryl and daughter Melanie lost their $39 Jetstar fares and were forced to buy three $117 Qantas tickets to Sydney and then hire a car to get to Newcastle -- a total cost of about $600 to get home.
Sindy Hoeve said she was minutes late because she was directed to the wrong airport.
"We rang up over the phone and the lady told us to go to Avalon. So we went to Avalon and then they told us to go to Tullamarine. We were not even five minutes late."
Rosalie Harding, who planned to meet her daughter in Newcastle yesterday, was left fuming.
She planned to get connecting trains home that would cost her almost double the price of her wasted $77 Jetstar ticket.
Deborah Winnell had no such game plan. "I don't know what I'm going to do," she said.
Ms Winnell said her Jetstar flight to Melbourne was an hour late. "It's apparently OK for them to be an hour late but not for us to be five minutes late," she said.
The disgruntled passengers vented their anger to Jetstar service manager Keith King for 10 minutes before giving up.
"It's hard and fast 30 minutes," Mr King said of the check-in rule.
Jetstar, a fortnight old yesterday, started to clamp down on tardy travellers from Saturday, Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said.
"We are not being draconian. People are well informed of these aspects of our operation. We allowed a level of flexibility over the first week and a half because we were a new airline," he said.
Qantas also specifies customers should check in 30 minutes before departure time.
But a Qantas spokesman said passengers would not lose their seats if they were a couple of minutes late.
Mr Westaway said the empty seats were not resold, but were occasionally given to Jetstar employees.
He said yesterday's events were an isolated incident.
==========================================
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Great stuff!
how to woo punters and influence them - not!!!!
Anyone who's checked in at Melbourne would know it can be a nightmare at busy times in particular.
To get to the check-in desk 25 mins before departure and be told 'sorry, but we can't get you on' would be more what you'd expect of outfits the likes of Ryanair.
Very shabby treatment.
"LET'S GO JETSTAR!!"
(they could probably make a good Kath and Kim segment out of it though).....
TJ
how to woo punters and influence them - not!!!!
Anyone who's checked in at Melbourne would know it can be a nightmare at busy times in particular.
To get to the check-in desk 25 mins before departure and be told 'sorry, but we can't get you on' would be more what you'd expect of outfits the likes of Ryanair.
Very shabby treatment.
"LET'S GO JETSTAR!!"
(they could probably make a good Kath and Kim segment out of it though).....
TJ
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
"That'll learn ya - ya f@kas!!"
Jet* is obviously out to teach ALL of those Aussies who have NEVER flown before in their lives, a lesson they NEVER forget!!
"You get your @sses onboard, or we'll leave without yo!"
But the odds are, these people have NEVER flown with an Australian domestic airline in th past 5 years, and that once they've completed their current return journey, they're UNlikely to fly again for at least ANOTHER 5 years - unless they have a "pleasant and rewarding" fkight experience, that encourages them to return!" (Of which 62% sid they MOST definitely WOULD.)!
But go on "instructing" them J* - you are happily stimulating the VB market!!
Jet* is obviously out to teach ALL of those Aussies who have NEVER flown before in their lives, a lesson they NEVER forget!!
"You get your @sses onboard, or we'll leave without yo!"
But the odds are, these people have NEVER flown with an Australian domestic airline in th past 5 years, and that once they've completed their current return journey, they're UNlikely to fly again for at least ANOTHER 5 years - unless they have a "pleasant and rewarding" fkight experience, that encourages them to return!" (Of which 62% sid they MOST definitely WOULD.)!
But go on "instructing" them J* - you are happily stimulating the VB market!!
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Tues "Hobart Mercury"
Long wait for Jetstar passengers
ANGRY Jetstar travellers criticised the discount airline yesterday for its handling of a 4 1/2 hour delay for their flight from Hobart.
The Melbourne flight was delayed from 10am until about 2.30pm because of an equipment breakdown.
About 100 people waited in the departure lounge while a part was flown from Melbourne to repair the master display unit in the cockpit.
Passengers complained of a lack of information about the delay from the fledgling budget carrier.
For Rob and Georgia Kruimink, of Grove, the time spent waiting meant they could not spend the day with their son in Melbourne.
"It is dreadful," Mr Kruimink said.
"We were going over today to have the day with him because he works tomorrow.
"We have just had to sit the whole time and wait."
They had been waiting since 8.30am.
They said that the situation was not frequently updated and they did not know when the flight would depart.
Paul and Tara Gilchrist, of Melbourne, said it was the second Jetstar flight they had been on which had been delayed.
They were heading home after a weekend camping in Tasmania.
Mrs Gilchrist said they were not even offered a drink while they were waiting.
"I guess you get what you pay for," she said.
Tony Hale, of Hobart, was another traveller frustrated by the long delay.
"It's their second week of operation and they've got a jet that doesn't work," he said.
"It's outrageous and is the first and last time I will fly with them."
Jetstar manager of corporate relations Simon Westerway said a master display unit had to be replaced in the cockpit of the plane.
"It is very unfortunate but these things happen," he said.
"We regret any inconvenience to any passengers."
He said the aircraft were normally very reliable and it was the first disruption to its services in Tasmania.
Other Jetstar flights left Hobart as normal yesterday but could not accommodate the waiting passengers because they were already full.
Yesterday's incident was the latest problem for Jetstar since it started service to Tasmania on April 25.
The carrier has been criticised for its strict 30-minute check-in rule in which passengers lose their booking if they are not in the check-in line at least 30 minutes before departure.
There have also been concerns about flight scheduling to the state.
=========================================
Tues "Herald Sun"
Kids the new high flyers
TRUST an enterprising kid to find a scam. The way Jetstar is organised, families with kids in tow get to board the el-cheapo wing of Qantas first.
So some of the more enterprising kids heading off on holiday with mum, dad and their brothers or sisters have been hiring themselves out to kidless travellers.
Once aboard, with an exchange of the folding stuff having been done, the little smarties rejoin the real family.
=========================================
Long wait for Jetstar passengers
ANGRY Jetstar travellers criticised the discount airline yesterday for its handling of a 4 1/2 hour delay for their flight from Hobart.
The Melbourne flight was delayed from 10am until about 2.30pm because of an equipment breakdown.
About 100 people waited in the departure lounge while a part was flown from Melbourne to repair the master display unit in the cockpit.
Passengers complained of a lack of information about the delay from the fledgling budget carrier.
For Rob and Georgia Kruimink, of Grove, the time spent waiting meant they could not spend the day with their son in Melbourne.
"It is dreadful," Mr Kruimink said.
"We were going over today to have the day with him because he works tomorrow.
"We have just had to sit the whole time and wait."
They had been waiting since 8.30am.
They said that the situation was not frequently updated and they did not know when the flight would depart.
Paul and Tara Gilchrist, of Melbourne, said it was the second Jetstar flight they had been on which had been delayed.
They were heading home after a weekend camping in Tasmania.
Mrs Gilchrist said they were not even offered a drink while they were waiting.
"I guess you get what you pay for," she said.
Tony Hale, of Hobart, was another traveller frustrated by the long delay.
"It's their second week of operation and they've got a jet that doesn't work," he said.
"It's outrageous and is the first and last time I will fly with them."
Jetstar manager of corporate relations Simon Westerway said a master display unit had to be replaced in the cockpit of the plane.
"It is very unfortunate but these things happen," he said.
"We regret any inconvenience to any passengers."
He said the aircraft were normally very reliable and it was the first disruption to its services in Tasmania.
Other Jetstar flights left Hobart as normal yesterday but could not accommodate the waiting passengers because they were already full.
Yesterday's incident was the latest problem for Jetstar since it started service to Tasmania on April 25.
The carrier has been criticised for its strict 30-minute check-in rule in which passengers lose their booking if they are not in the check-in line at least 30 minutes before departure.
There have also been concerns about flight scheduling to the state.
=========================================
Tues "Herald Sun"
Kids the new high flyers
TRUST an enterprising kid to find a scam. The way Jetstar is organised, families with kids in tow get to board the el-cheapo wing of Qantas first.
So some of the more enterprising kids heading off on holiday with mum, dad and their brothers or sisters have been hiring themselves out to kidless travellers.
Once aboard, with an exchange of the folding stuff having been done, the little smarties rejoin the real family.
=========================================
Last edited by Wirraway; 8th Jun 2004 at 18:41.
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jetoff star
Perhaps this is QF's stupid little boys club way of getting the loads up on the kanga planes. Why don't they use TWB as destination for BNE? Cessnock for Sydney, perhaps Tindal for Darwin, Mareeba for CNS, Kalgoorlie for Perth, Tullarmarine for Hobart, then offer CONX where if your a minute late they will act like easyjet and the airline show. Bunch of bloody ( 's).
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A good example of you get what you pay for.
Low cost and on time departures can go together but you have to be there on time... I prefer that late people are bumped like these whiners rather than having everybody else delayd...
Well done to these Jetstar guys and gals
Low cost and on time departures can go together but you have to be there on time... I prefer that late people are bumped like these whiners rather than having everybody else delayd...
Well done to these Jetstar guys and gals
Whilst it is easy to complain that Jetstar are being tough they are only following their well advertised policy. Why should everyone else be held up waiting for latecomers?
If you want to get on get there early, it is really that simple.
If you want to get on get there early, it is really that simple.
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Jetstar A320
A good example of you get what you pay for.
Ms Winnell said her Jetstar flight to Melbourne was an hour late. "It's apparently OK for them to be an hour late but not for us to be five minutes late," she said.
Evertonian
I mentioned something along these lines elsewhere. When you pick on people for being late, don't expect obliging courtesy when YOU are late!
Having said that, the duopoly is gone & it's about time the punters realised what they have in it's place...too bad, so sad!
Having said that, the duopoly is gone & it's about time the punters realised what they have in it's place...too bad, so sad!
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"We were five minutes behind time because we were held up queuing at a slow machine for a Tullamarine pass.
Thumbs up to Jetstar in my view.
I don’t know any airline that will board passengers after the flight is closed. There is a very good reason for this, it’s called OTP and the knock on effect it has down the network. If you are late, and I couldn’t give a rats a**e what the reason is, you don’t get on. For self-loading freight to compare denied boarding because “they” were late with an airlines OTP may seem fare to them but frankly is irrelevant unless the circumstances are known for the late departure or arrival. Who knows it could have been caused by a late passenger a couple of sectors ago.
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FlexibleResponse
And the others not employed in the aviation industry. Why are you on this forum? If an a/c breaks down would you like the a/c to be dispatched illegally or the problem fixed. If Jetstar waited for every person who was late the a/c would never leave. You know the conditions.You don't like it fly mainline Keep it up Jestar and I hope the others follow suit. THis may come as a surprise but a/c do break down.
And the others not employed in the aviation industry. Why are you on this forum? If an a/c breaks down would you like the a/c to be dispatched illegally or the problem fixed. If Jetstar waited for every person who was late the a/c would never leave. You know the conditions.You don't like it fly mainline Keep it up Jestar and I hope the others follow suit. THis may come as a surprise but a/c do break down.
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Last I looked, aircraft are machines. Ergo, they break down from time to time.
The anger will last with these so called 'travellers' until the next seat sale occurs. Then all will be magically forgiven.
Buster Hyman - TOO TRUE!
THE PUNTERS WANTED DEREGULATION!
Because THEY WANTED LOW FARES and
THEY WANTED THEM NOW!
Well kids - HERE YOU GO! Like it or lump it! Fly Virgin! Fly Mainline!
IT'S ALL ABOUT CHOICES - and you chose to purchase a $39 fare KNOWING FULL WELL the cut off time stated 30 minutes...not 30 minutes unless you're delayed in traffic, or waiting for mum to do her hair...
It's all an education process.
The anger will last with these so called 'travellers' until the next seat sale occurs. Then all will be magically forgiven.
Buster Hyman - TOO TRUE!
THE PUNTERS WANTED DEREGULATION!
Because THEY WANTED LOW FARES and
THEY WANTED THEM NOW!
Well kids - HERE YOU GO! Like it or lump it! Fly Virgin! Fly Mainline!
IT'S ALL ABOUT CHOICES - and you chose to purchase a $39 fare KNOWING FULL WELL the cut off time stated 30 minutes...not 30 minutes unless you're delayed in traffic, or waiting for mum to do her hair...
It's all an education process.
Moderate, Modest & Mild.
So the 30 minute rule for passengers is obviously NOT to close off check-ins,
And from Mr Seatback 2, "It's all an education process."
Educating people who will probably fly only a couple of times in their entire life - but rest assured, next time it probably WON'T be with the "el-cheapo wing of QANTAS''.
Mr Westaway said the empty seats were not resold, but were occasionally given to Jetstar employees
Educating people who will probably fly only a couple of times in their entire life - but rest assured, next time it probably WON'T be with the "el-cheapo wing of QANTAS''.
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Hello Allan 
-
I think it is a shame they couldn't organise some sort of 'late fee' and have an absolute check in cut off of 15 minutes. Ii dunno. All this media hype and angry pax will go away with time. It is unfortunate that pax get stranded in the process and serve as a 'poster child' for the public.
What was that chick's story about being told to go to the wrong airport? Pretty big stuff up on the staff member's part if its true!
I do agree with others though that say the public were warned. JQ does not hide any fact about it's flights from AVV or the 30 minute cut off. It cannot be accused of decieving poeple like Ryanair.
As for staff getting left over seats. Isn't that basically how staff travel works for EVERY airline throughout the world?!
Buster -
Totally agree about JQ expecting people to be on time but not offering a drink or snack and honouring a connection when THEY are late! BUt you read the fine print. Most airlines actually state that they don't actually have to take you anywhere for you money! Nor do they have to take you where you wanted to go or when! Me thinks the real life application of that fine print would be somewhat difficult to apply.
-I think it is a shame they couldn't organise some sort of 'late fee' and have an absolute check in cut off of 15 minutes. Ii dunno. All this media hype and angry pax will go away with time. It is unfortunate that pax get stranded in the process and serve as a 'poster child' for the public.
What was that chick's story about being told to go to the wrong airport? Pretty big stuff up on the staff member's part if its true!
I do agree with others though that say the public were warned. JQ does not hide any fact about it's flights from AVV or the 30 minute cut off. It cannot be accused of decieving poeple like Ryanair.
As for staff getting left over seats. Isn't that basically how staff travel works for EVERY airline throughout the world?!
Buster -
Totally agree about JQ expecting people to be on time but not offering a drink or snack and honouring a connection when THEY are late! BUt you read the fine print. Most airlines actually state that they don't actually have to take you anywhere for you money! Nor do they have to take you where you wanted to go or when! Me thinks the real life application of that fine print would be somewhat difficult to apply.
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Where do you draw the "line in the sand" though? It is clearly stated that check-in closes 30 minutes prior to departure and if they bothered to look at their flight information which would have been e-mailed to them or posted it CLEARLY states the airport. So now its all Jet* fault that a family from Newcastle doesnt know which airport they are suppose to be at. Next a pax wont be able to find a park so the flight should be delayed, traffic was bad and the taxi driver wasnt sure how to get to the airport all Jet* fault of course. What do these people expect for $39. They dont appreciate that their lateness will delay people out of TAS or QLD later in the day, no its all about them.
Aircraft breakdown every day as you all know, and when Jet* was Qantaslink was this a major news item, or Virgin, Qantas mainline, the regionals, NO. Once Jet* gets going you it wont even be news worth printing.
If the average joe and mrs joe want to fly and dont follow the rules throw them off and let the people that made the effort to check in on time depart on time.
Aircraft breakdown every day as you all know, and when Jet* was Qantaslink was this a major news item, or Virgin, Qantas mainline, the regionals, NO. Once Jet* gets going you it wont even be news worth printing.
If the average joe and mrs joe want to fly and dont follow the rules throw them off and let the people that made the effort to check in on time depart on time.
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A big to Jetstar
My pet hate since joining aviation, late pax soon followed by late departure.
But why the hell do these fools advertise the actual check in deadline, if you want people there no later than 30 minutes before dep. tell 'em 45, then when they rock up 35 before departure, full of excuses, you can be the nice guy/gal : " OK sir, I've had a word with the loaders and we can get you on this time "
As mentioned already, if 30 is not the cut off then what is ? at what stage do you stop excepting late pax, and do you p1ss off 3 or 4 people, or 150 people ?
Whenever I travel somewhere, ID, positive space, whatever, I plan to be at the airport 1 hour prior, then when the taxi is late, or you get all the red lights or whatever, you have plenty of time up your sleeve, its not bluddy brain surgery
And yes, it is alright for jet* to be an hour late. They were'nt an hour late because the crew could'nt be stuffed getting there lazy R'ses out of bed 15 minutes earlier to get to the airport on time, aeroplanes are machines and, shock, horror, do on occasion break down.
to JetstarMy pet hate since joining aviation, late pax soon followed by late departure.
But why the hell do these fools advertise the actual check in deadline, if you want people there no later than 30 minutes before dep. tell 'em 45, then when they rock up 35 before departure, full of excuses, you can be the nice guy/gal : " OK sir, I've had a word with the loaders and we can get you on this time "
As mentioned already, if 30 is not the cut off then what is ? at what stage do you stop excepting late pax, and do you p1ss off 3 or 4 people, or 150 people ?
Whenever I travel somewhere, ID, positive space, whatever, I plan to be at the airport 1 hour prior, then when the taxi is late, or you get all the red lights or whatever, you have plenty of time up your sleeve, its not bluddy brain surgery
And yes, it is alright for jet* to be an hour late. They were'nt an hour late because the crew could'nt be stuffed getting there lazy R'ses out of bed 15 minutes earlier to get to the airport on time, aeroplanes are machines and, shock, horror, do on occasion break down.
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cunninglinguist -
Absolutley agree. Though it is unfortunate that people are dumb / arrogant enough not to get there in time as they have never been bothered before. Then I think that when I fly I make the effort to be early nothing stopping these people.
I wonder if this will pave the way for DJ to follow suit. Apparently this 30 minute close off saves heaps of $$.
Absolutley agree. Though it is unfortunate that people are dumb / arrogant enough not to get there in time as they have never been bothered before. Then I think that when I fly I make the effort to be early nothing stopping these people.
I wonder if this will pave the way for DJ to follow suit. Apparently this 30 minute close off saves heaps of $$.