Automatic Barriers coming to BA lounges
Aug 22, 2016, 10:25 am
#61
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,228
I don't see any issue with this. Just like the wailing and gnashing of teeth around self-tagging of bags, there will be staff available for those who need assistance, there will doubtlessly be logic built into the gates to prevent the same boarding card being passed backwards to circumvent guest limits, alarms if the gates are held open or forced open etc. etc. I think it's a positive step and will genuinely benefit the vast majority of lounge guests (luddites excepted of course)!
Aug 22, 2016, 10:27 am
#62
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,464
I don't mind automatic barriers, as long as they can be programmed to understand the nuances of more complicated eligibility situations like connecting flights on separate bookings.
Of course if they have a manned desk as well that won't be such an issue.
Of course if they have a manned desk as well that won't be such an issue.
Aug 22, 2016, 10:31 am
#63
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If the staff can't be programmed to understand the nuances of more complicated eligibility situations, then I doubt the barriers can be, either!
Aug 22, 2016, 10:32 am
#64
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA silver.
Posts: 213
Asking for a friend.
Aug 22, 2016, 10:33 am
#65
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, A3 *Gold
Posts: 887
For my day to day usage this is much much preferable to me - the more automation and speed the better.
I wouldn't be able to charm the automated gate into allowing an extra guest into the lounge as I have been able to do in the past (including Last Friday at the flounge with my boyfriend and daughter) but that is a small price to pay for a better experience on most flights.
I wouldn't be able to charm the automated gate into allowing an extra guest into the lounge as I have been able to do in the past (including Last Friday at the flounge with my boyfriend and daughter) but that is a small price to pay for a better experience on most flights.
Aug 22, 2016, 10:35 am
#66
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The staffed lounge desks take long enough as is to resolve issues. Reducing staff levels at the entrances won't make things faster when things go wrong, even for no fault of the passenger.
If this automation were not meant to facilitate a labor cost-cutting exercise, then that would be another story.
If this automation were not meant to facilitate a labor cost-cutting exercise, then that would be another story.
Aug 22, 2016, 10:38 am
#67
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Aug 22, 2016, 10:47 am
#68
Moderator: Qatar Airways
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As CWS has said, the Senator Lounges operate a similar setup.
At T2, a plain white card is given upon entry to the main Lufthansa Lounge, to those who are eligible. You then walk upto a pair of white frosted glass doors, tap the card, and the doors open.
It is actually quite a classy setup, and BA could implement something similar quite easily. It looks nice, it's easy, and the info is all held on a Boarding Pass - although a CCR card with a chip inside would be fun.
M
At T2, a plain white card is given upon entry to the main Lufthansa Lounge, to those who are eligible. You then walk upto a pair of white frosted glass doors, tap the card, and the doors open.
It is actually quite a classy setup, and BA could implement something similar quite easily. It looks nice, it's easy, and the info is all held on a Boarding Pass - although a CCR card with a chip inside would be fun.
M
Aug 22, 2016, 10:54 am
#69
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Location: Brighton. UK
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So someone checks your eligibility then gives you a card to work the automatic gates?
Aug 22, 2016, 10:56 am
#70
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Upon leaving the Senator Lounge, you drop the card into a chrome card-bin, and you then wander off to the gate.
M
Last edited by msm2000uk; Aug 22, 2016 at 11:01 am
Aug 22, 2016, 11:05 am
#71
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Lemonia. Best Greek ever.
Posts: 2,274
Quite a few soccer/football grounds have automatic barriers nowadays.
I guess Cruz will just buy some of the old ones when places like Sunderland and Arsenal re-furbish their grounds.
See earlier picture.
The ones at Wembley are not due for refurbishment yet.
I guess Cruz will just buy some of the old ones when places like Sunderland and Arsenal re-furbish their grounds.
See earlier picture.
The ones at Wembley are not due for refurbishment yet.
Aug 22, 2016, 11:15 am
#72
Join Date: Oct 2012
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The Lounge Reception staff check your boarding pass, and then issue the Senator Lounge access card - or at least they did on the few occasions I flew on Lufty earlier this year.
Upon leaving the Senator Lounge, you drop the card into a chrome card-bin, and you then wander off to the gate.
M
Upon leaving the Senator Lounge, you drop the card into a chrome card-bin, and you then wander off to the gate.
M
And just to answer UKtravelbear's question. The SEN lounge is located inside the main Business lounge,so one has to walk all the way thru the business lounge to the SEN door. The receptionist's desks are located at the entrance to the main business lounge.
Aug 22, 2016, 11:16 am
#73
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
I wonder when a customer will finally be able to have the complete end to end unattended journey.
1. OLCI and self tag your bags at check in
2. Automatic security scan
3. Automated barriers for lounges
4. Automated barriers at boarding gates (a la Frankfurt)
5. Unmanned flight
6. Automatic passport gates
I suppose whilst in principle it's possible there will always be a need to staff attendants, for safety on the planes and in case things go wrong elsewhere.
1. OLCI and self tag your bags at check in
2. Automatic security scan
3. Automated barriers for lounges
4. Automated barriers at boarding gates (a la Frankfurt)
5. Unmanned flight
6. Automatic passport gates
I suppose whilst in principle it's possible there will always be a need to staff attendants, for safety on the planes and in case things go wrong elsewhere.
Aug 22, 2016, 11:18 am
#74
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Actually,they now hand you a piece of paper with a barcode on it,which you then scan at the SEN lounge entrance. This was the case on the 16th of August.
And just to answer UKtravelbear's question. The SEN lounge is located inside the main Business lounge,so one has to walk all the way thru the business lounge to the SEN door. The receptionist's desks are located at the entrance to the main business lounge.
And just to answer UKtravelbear's question. The SEN lounge is located inside the main Business lounge,so one has to walk all the way thru the business lounge to the SEN door. The receptionist's desks are located at the entrance to the main business lounge.
Aug 22, 2016, 11:20 am
#75
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Actually,they now hand you a piece of paper with a barcode on it,which you then scan at the SEN lounge entrance. This was the case on the 16th of August.
And just to answer UKtravelbear's question. The SEN lounge is located inside the main Business lounge,so one has to walk all the way thru the business lounge to the SEN door. The receptionist's desks are located at the entrance to the main business lounge.
And just to answer UKtravelbear's question. The SEN lounge is located inside the main Business lounge,so one has to walk all the way thru the business lounge to the SEN door. The receptionist's desks are located at the entrance to the main business lounge.
M