We're Not Rich Enough To Afford "low-cost" Airfares

[YohYack]

Low-cost airlines have the habit of closing the check-in counter sharply on time, forcing those who are late even by one minute to buy a new ticket at full price. This practice is known, and somehow accepted by those who choose to use their services.

But I experienced something more interesting. With Jetstar Airlines, a subsidiary of Quantas, checking in on time is not enough.

The immigration services (for a Bangkok-Singapore flight) were particularly slow and overflown that morning, taking more time to clear people out... At least foreign people, because Thai lines generally move much faster. The plane took off without waiting for the last foreigners getting their passports checked.

I was among those. And the airline refused to refund or reshedule, arguing that it was not their fault if the immigration counters were slow. That's how they intendedly get you to pay twice for your ticket. I can't imagine that they don't know how slow the immigration counters can be.

So, well... "Jetstar Airlines"... Do remember this name, and avoid it .

[farangsay]

These days if you check a bag they won't take off with it and leave you behind.

That would slow them down a bit.

[taxexile]

I can't imagine that they don't know how slow the immigration counters can be.

and i cant imagine how any passenger doesn't know about the long lines at the airport .

if the plane misses its take off slot , it could be delayed a long time , inconveniencing all the passengers who took the trouble to board on time and the airline may be forced to pay a financial penalty , plus they could lose their landing slot at singapore.

its your fault , so stop complaining.

[YohYack]

My fault?

Why don't they just specify a check-in time that is compatible with the logistics of this airport?

I guess they intend to have people caught in this situation, because it allows them to sell tickets twice, and it is part of their business-model.

[Jimjim]

I can't imagine that they don't know how slow the immigration counters can be.

and i cant imagine how any passenger doesn't know about the long lines at the airport .

if the plane misses its take off slot , it could be delayed a long time , inconveniencing all the passengers who took the trouble to board on time and the airline may be forced to pay a financial penalty , plus they could lose their landing slot at singapore.

its your fault , so stop complaining.

It's not his fault, as he indicated he made the check-in time. So, no, it's the fault of the airline for not being understanding. He can't control the immigration line.

[flightcrew1]

It happens! But poster is right. If we miss our take off time we go to end of the queue and must wait for new take off slot. If we at a gate this costs more money as well as we are charged for time at gate. I don't beleive it's built into the business model but the other poster who mentioned if you check a bag it's more likely they will wait for you as we have to offload the bag and that can take up to half an hour to find. We have no idea if the passenger has gone through immigration or not and most of the time the passengers who miss the flight are because they 1. were saying long goodbyes before immigration or 2. were shopping in duty free and not paying attention to the time or 3. they were selfish and thought...hey they will wait for me. That is my experience anyway.

But in general most passengers are at airport and checked in way before the check-in time but I also agree if the flight was missed because of delays at immigration the airline should have been more understanding. Now as crew on one of the majors here in BKK I have seen passengers running late and they just ask their fellow passengers if they can cut in front of them. I have never seen a passenger say no.

[peter991]

Long before the Liquids, Potions and Lotions drama - I always worked on the following principles:

1) Domestic flights: Always arrive at the check-in counter ONE HOUR prior to scheduled take-off time.

2) International flights: Always arrive at the check-in counter TWO HOURS prior to scheduled take-off time.

3) If I am making the transit from a Domestic Flight to an International Flight (for example, Khon Kaen-Bangkok-Singapore-Australia), I always make sure I have THREE HOURS between the scheduled arrival time of the Domestic Flight and the scheduled Departure of the International Flight.

Touch wood - I haven't missed a flight yet.

Peter

[SmokeandIce]

If a passenger checks in on time but misses the flight due to immigrations, the airline (be it low-cost or full-service) should in good faith rebook the customer on the airlines next available flight without charge or offer standby if the flight is full. It is obvious that the passengers had the intent to take the flight and the airline should not gouge the customer by charging a full fare ticket.

Edited September 7, 2007 by SmokeandIce

[lazeeboy]

Low-cost airlines have the habit of closing the check-in counter sharply on time, forcing those who are late even by one minute to buy a new ticket at full price. This practice is known, and somehow accepted by those who choose to use their services.

But I experienced something more interesting. With Jetstar Airlines, a subsidiary of Quantas, checking in on time is not enough.

The immigration services (for a Bangkok-Singapore flight) were particularly slow and overflown that morning, taking more time to clear people out... At least foreign people, because Thai lines generally move much faster. The plane took off without waiting for the last foreigners getting their passports checked.

I was among those. And the airline refused to refund or reshedule, arguing that it was not their fault if the immigration counters were slow. That's how they intendedly get you to pay twice for your ticket. I can't imagine that they don't know how slow the immigration counters can be.

So, well... "Jetstar Airlines"... Do remember this name, and avoid it .

if you get to the airport on time ,you wont miss your flight ,get there early and have a coffee ,if you cant get there early ,take another flight ,its that simple................

[Smithson]

if you get to the airport on time ,you wont miss your flight ,get there early and have a coffee ,if you cant get there early ,take another flight ,its that simple................

Those immigration queues can be ridiculous, I've seen heaps of ppl push forward worried about missing their flights.

[Aussietraveller]

On most international flights. for as long as i have known, it has been standard to advise passengers be at the airport 2 - 2/12 hrs before.

Last year in USA we were advise to be at LAX 4-5 hours before our flight to Australia.

The time that check in closes would be the bare minimum required if there were no waits at immigration and it is a small airport.

LHR is a good example of that , so is LAX.

Bangkok is not far behind.

Unfortunately it is an expensive lesson that you have learnt.

Probably not your fault. (someone else is to blame)

It is quite reasonable to expect that the other couple of hundred people on the flight that were organised, should wait for you.

[britmaveric]

Well budget airlines warn of such things - so leave plenty of time to checkin and get through security. Not hard concept, rather be early than late.