A lot depends on where it is you are flying from. For example, for years I found Sydney to be the rudest and least helpful of all CX's airport based ground staff for some reason (and no, they weren't using agents). I'll provide you with an example. Upon checking in as a silver, I used the 'internet check in lane' as I had checked in online. At one point CX's ground staff looked at me and said in a snotty voice 'next time may I advise that you not use the Business Class line and check in via the correct line'. I felt as if I were dirt. I politely told her that I was indeed in the correct lane (internet check in, she hadn't realised it) and not the Business Class lane, even though as I silver I was allowed to do so. I was so mad not only at what she had said, but how she had said it. However, this has been an isolated thing. You will always find ground staff who might not have a good knowledge of their company's own policies and procedures.

That said, I'm not sure how others feel but one of the reasons I fly CX is that generally, across the company, I feel they bend over backwards for me. This is certainly the case at present.

My experiences in flying with QF show that what the OP experienced is small fry when you compare the amazingly poor customer service and open rudness of some of their airport staff.