OLCI

[Neil]

There has been some recent discussions in another thread about OLCI and the benefit (or lack of) of the system and how it compares to other Airlines OLCI facility (BA etc).

I have used it, but really didn't see any great benefit, I couldn't print off a boarding card and the Bag Drop queue was longer that the PE queue so I used what I would of done anyway (and the whole check in procedure seemed to take as long). Yes ok it made me get the seat I wanted but thats about it.

So I wondered what other peoples views of it were and if they used it or not. Also do you think VS will introduce the facility to print off your own boarding card and what is the actual benefit to VS of us using the system (surely the only real benefit could be cost saving, but is it?)

Any comments?
Neil:)

Originally posted by Attitude23
There has been some recent discussions in another thread about OLCI and the benefit (or lack of) of the system and how it compares to other Airlines OLCI facility (BA etc).

I have used it, but really didn't see any great benefit, I couldn't print off a boarding card and the Bag Drop queue was longer that the PE queue so I used what I would of done anyway (and the whole check in procedure seemed to take as long). Yes ok it made me get the seat I wanted but thats about it.

So I wondered what other peoples views of it were and if they used it or not. Also do you think VS will introduce the facility to print off your own boarding card and what is the actual benefit to VS of us using the system (surely the only real benefit could be cost saving, but is it?)

Any comments?
Neil:)

I'm going to try it next week to secure my seats but will use PE checkin anyhow to drop bags as my daughter is looking forward to not being in the Economy line (ideas above her station, that girl).

In its current state it looks like a relatively low cost marketing tactic rather than a solid saver of operational costs.

Paul

It does seem that the only real advantage is the ability to select seats prior. But a quick call to VS way in advance of the 24 hours before departure opening window of OLCI has fixed the situation.

I guess the advantage would be to people who know they are going to be arriving late to the airport (of course, if you have CH access, why would you arrive late )

Originally posted by pjh
In its current state it looks like a relatively low cost marketing tactic rather than a solid saver of operational costs.

I'd have to agree with you there. I don't really see the sense in it. Yes it allows you to secure your seat, but without being able to physiclly print a boarding card, you still have to see an agent at the airport to complete the check-in process.

What they need is something like what DL and other airlines have--where the online check-in actually prints a boarding pass on your printer, which can be used to go through security and board the aircraft. This would be ideal for people not checking luggage.

? how can they call it online check in then? Surely it is just a seat saver?

How is 'check in' defined in real terms by that I mean technically by the airline or ground agent?

Originally posted by Monkey
? how can they call it online check in then? Surely it is just a seat saver?

I think they also collect passport and other stuff the agent normally spends time typing in? Though see VS staffer's view here

Webdes03's point about those not checking luggage is a good point, but I'd have thought the vast majority of VS passengers would be putting something in the hold.

Paul

[Neil]

Originally posted by pjh

Originally posted by Monkey
? how can they call it online check in then? Surely it is just a seat saver?

I think they also collect passport and other stuff the agent normally spends time typing in?

Webdes03's point about those not checking luggage is a good point, but I'd have thought the vast majority of VS passengers would be putting something in the hold.

Paul

But isn't the passport info only collected on US flights when do OLCI?? So again not really that much time saving.

Neil:)

Not just for US flights. It is also necessary to check the passport at some point prior to boarding for security (although this need not be at check in and is often duplicated at the gate). However it is also important for the airline to check that you have the correct immigration documents, as if you are denied imigration at the destination the airline will pick up the tab for bringing you home.

i thought the only advantage is if your traveling to the us and you can do your API but you can do that by update your booking.

Have to say always use OLCI. On VS10 back from NYC last year the flight was massively overbooked and the agents were calling out people who had completed OLCI and moving them to the front of the queue (lucky us!).

Yes we still had to see an agent to collect boarding passes etc but she told us that as we had confirmed via OLCI that they always got those onto the flight before trying to decide who to bump from those remaining pax. For that reason alone I always use OLCI

Jon B

Originally posted by Jon B
Have to say always use OLCI. On VS10 back from NYC last year the flight was massively overbooked and the agents were calling out people who had completed OLCI and moving them to the front of the queue (lucky us!).

Yes we still had to see an agent to collect boarding passes etc but she told us that as we had confirmed via OLCI that they always got those onto the flight before trying to decide who to bump from those remaining pax. For that reason alone I always use OLCI

Jon B

D*mn. Perhaps I won't use OLCI then as being willing to be bumped has thus far given me on one occasion an operational upgrade and on another one Select voucher each for the family.

Paul

We missed a flight by 1 min last year due to a pileup on the M4 (took 2h30m hours in a cab to get to LHR). Was on phone to FlyingClub, who said if we'd checked in online then we'd have been ok. She tried to check us in herself using OLCI over the phone, but it shuts down 2 (or is it 3?) hours before the flight, so no go.

So - yes - OLCI all the way! Not sure if it affects your chance of an op-up at the regular checkin desks, but I'm fairly sure someone's already said those are pre-determined. And I've been op-up'd on BA before when checking in online.

Originally posted by scally
We missed a flight by 1 min last year due to a pileup on the M4 (took 2h30m hours in a cab to get to LHR). Was on phone to FlyingClub, who said if we'd checked in online then we'd have been ok. She tried to check us in herself using OLCI over the phone, but it shuts down 2 (or is it 3?) hours before the flight, so no go.

Ouch. I feel for you. I saw it happen to someone a couple of years back.

So if you'd done OLCI you'd have had some leeway at the airport after the check in for your flight was officially closed ?

Originally posted by scally

So - yes - OLCI all the way! Not sure if it affects your chance of an op-up at the regular checkin desks, but I'm fairly sure someone's already said those are pre-determined. And I've been op-up'd on BA before when checking in online.

I will be using the OLCI anyhow;

a) just to see how it goes
b) I'm on one of those 2/3 times a week routes so there's no flexibility in my schedule

Both my Select vouchers and my u/g to PE were the result of volunteering to take later flights; the latter wasn't an op-up as such.

Paul