That's a worry....
 

Sitting here in the SYD DOM QC, imbibing a rather pleasant HP, when I receive an SMS - "Qantas apologises that QF1436 10 AUG from CBR hasbeen cancelled. For more info pls call your travel manager, 131313 within Aust or your local Qantas office."

No dramas, I thought, so I approach the service desk to ascertain what my return flight will be. They scratch their heads, it isn't showing as cancelled in their systems.

But the real worry? They say this happens "all the time" - people are always going up to them to ask about delayed or cancelled flights they have been notified about by SMS, even before the staff are notified, and even before - in this case - the departure control systems have been updated.

I suppose it is a good thing that the first thing they do is notify the passengers, but you would think that the staff at the coal face would be a priority.

Dave

thadocta, I had that same experience sitting in CBR QC about 2 months ago, got an SMS saying my SYD-bound flight was running late. I approached the CS Desk and queried the staff about the delay...they didn't know, but as we chatted, they were advised of the delay. They seemed to intimate the same problem..they are advised last http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif...

Guys, the airline industry is not the only place where the staff who deal with the customers find out what's happening last...

True, but it is not often that the customer knows before the customer service staff...

Dave

Several times flying UA and listening to Air Traffic Control Channel 9 the pax know wayyyyy before the FA's and Purser the plane is delayed for weather or traffic reasons.

Bizzare to hear a PA announcement from cabin "we should be pushing back in the next few minutes as we are still waiting for some late bags" when ATC has just told them they missed their slot and will be going nowhere for 30 minutes etc. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

thadocta: I had the exact same thing this evening on 1436 from CBR... were we on the same flight?! woo

I seem to recall this happening on another carrier's SMS alerts... Story I got was that their software was buggy, as anytime the equipment was changed last minute, that change would send out the alert...