Gotta say, unfortunately I can't agree with you Zarg.

Many's the time I've been on an aircraft that's been delayed by a late passenger, or been in the check in queue only to see people called up to the front of line just minutes prior to departure. In fact I have friends who deliberately arrive at the airport just prior to the close of the flight as they know they'll be called up.

Its always amazed me that the airline would rather pander to the single late customer, thereby inconveniencing the overwhelming majority who make it on time. Why should the rest of the passengers suffer the delay caused by a latecomer?
In fact I am staggered that JetStar hasn't focussed on the positives of this policy (ie taking care of the majority rather than the minority) in their advertising. After all, they are the only airline that does it.

In attempting to alleviate this JetStar and other low cost carriers overseas have adopted a check in cutoff. You can't account for every situation (delays etc), so I guess you draw the line in the sand somewhere.

The upside is that you get what you pay for. Check in cutoff times, non-changeable tickets and use it or lose it fares, etc, all reduce costs and hence provide the airline with a greater ability to provide affordable fares for everyone.

As has been mentioned elsewhere in this topic, if you want flexibiity and a more compassionate attitude to being late, fly another airline where I'm sure you will pay a small premium for the privilege.

Regards.

FT.

THAT airline that had "CUSTOMERS" is now defunct, more's the pity.

Personally I applaud Jet*'s policy, and I hope it has a follow on effect to all other airlines. I also think that the non-allocation of seats is wrong, as is QF's "express / self check-in".
I also hope that some airline one day does something about the amount of carry-on baggage that people take, and the line "this airplane is pressurised for your comfort" makes me laugh every time I hear it.

And what REALLY annoys me is those stupid , arrogant W*nkers who think that "do not turn your phone on until in the terminal" does not apply to them.

Apart from that, I am basically happy.

Whose comfort is it pressurised for then?

I thought it was pressurised simply to make sure the SLF was kept alive and able to de-plane unaided when the equipment is parked safely back on the blocks.

What's the real reason, Chief?

Interesting remark.

Part of what you describe is known as 'Call forward'
Standard proceedure, executed within the company's required cut-off time for check-in.

I'd say your friends are not the heros they make out to be and they actually do show up at check-in within the specified time frame; albeit, only just.
I predict that if your friends continue to adopt their arrogant attitude, they will have their travel plans sorely disrupted at some stage, and then they will piss and moan etc...

On a recent flight ML-BN, I was travelling sub-load.
Usual sceanrio - full flight, praying for a 'no-show'
With 15 minutes before the ETD, and just about having given up on any hope of a seat when the gate attendant takes a call from check-in.
Check-in requests to load 2 late arriving pax, gate agent politely tells check-in where 2 pax can go!
I get my seat!
I'd checked in about an hour ago ;)

Not really a remarkable account, except to say that the staff member at the gate excercised their right to uphold the policy to thier discretion.

Actually, when you think about it, in the Public Transorpt Industry, I know of not 1 other sector that adopts a 'We will wait for MrABC for a few more minutes' attitude that seems to be so widely acceptable as in the Airline sector as perceived by Mr and Mrs Jo Public. eg If the bus stops at Flinders St at 1300 and you're not there, the driver isn't going to wait until 1310 because you were running late!!!!!!!!!!!
He's got a schedule to stick to!


Arrogant, ignorant people.
Nothing amazes me much any more :hmm:


GG