Boarding via the rear stairs - Qantas flight

[eastwest101]

Don't most non Capital airports use Tarmac access? I don't get the excitement about aerobridges.

True - but in a lot of cases where aerobridges do exist VA choose to use both front aerobridge plus the rear stairs for boarding in comparison to QF whom use the aerobridge front door only. I am thinking TSV, ADL, CNS, DRW, CBR examples here.

But I agree - where the aerobridges don't exist - such as OOL its stairs for everyone. Any OOL regulars whom can say if QF does front and rear stairs at OOL or front only?

 

[cmon0005]

Any OOL regulars whom can say if QF does front and rear stairs at OOL or front only?

From my OOL-SYD QF flights the last few times last year they had stairs at both ends, however most people tended to use the front stairs even when sitting down the back, and it works well as everyone is heading in the one direction other than the occasional person using the back stairs and trying to back track.
My last OOL flight was over 6 months ago!

 

[dk4]

Qantas is the only major domestic airline NOT to board their jets via rear stairs at aerobridge equipped ports. (The other three major airlines all board from the front aerobridge and back stairs at most terminals, where this facility is available.)

So Qantas might be trialling adapting to national industry standards? Presumably the intent would be to shave ~10 minutes off the turn around time? (~5 at each end of the disembarking/boarding process) To improve utilisation?

 

[cmon0005]

Qantas is the only major domestic airline NOT to board their jets via rear stairs at aerobridge equipped ports. (The other three major airlines all board from the front aerobridge and back stairs at most terminals, where this facility is available.)

So Qantas might be trialling adapting to national industry standards? Presumably the intent would be to shave ~10 minutes off the turn around time? (~5 at each end of the disembarking/boarding process) To improve utilisation?

Saying that, QF month after month always seems to have the best domestic OTP (on time performance) so what does that say about back stairs loading on other domestic airlines?
My guess is that QF are just trialing it to validate if they could be doing something differently?

 

[dk4]

Saying that, QF month after month always seems to have the best domestic OTP (on time performance) so what does that say about back stairs loading on other domestic airlines?

It says many things, but in relation to the activity being discussed, it suggests that Qantas allows its aircraft to sit on the ground for too long!

 

[eastwest101]

Saying that, QF month after month always seems to have the best domestic OTP (on time performance) so what does that say about back stairs loading on other domestic airlines?
My guess is that QF are just trialing it to validate if they could be doing something differently?

I think all that says is that QF probably/mave have lower aircraft utilization and/or more "padding" built in their schedules than other domestic airlines.

And I do agree with your suggestion that its possible QF are looking at their options now for several reasons.
1. Everyone else (VA, JQ & TT) does it for a reason.
2. Looking at improving efficiencies, increasing aircraft utilization and/or on time performance
3. Loss of B767s and change to A330s may mean slower turnarounds, more narrow body services with the same number of available gates meaning that aircraft have to be turned around more efficiently, assuming the A330s take longer to turn around than the B767s.

(Edit: for clarification I am talking about gate availibility with more numerous but smaller aircraft - you certainly don't want aircraft held up on the tarmac waiting for gates to become available if things are moving slowly/delays already happening as those delays quickly cascade across the fleet and network)

 

[drron]

And most other regional airports.

But they never let me use the rear stairs at DPO.

 

[UP4014]

Don't most non Capital airports use Tarmac access? I don't get the excitement about aerobridges.

I did away with stairs (except regional) with the 727. Why climb down and up when I don't need to climb at all.

Matt

 

[jpk]

If it means getting everyone one quicker and a better chance of leaving on time, then I am all for it. I actually enjoy the chance to check out the plane up close while walking to the stairs.

 

[roncritch]

On PER-KTA flights, very lucky to get an aerobridge, but at Perth on flights from gates 7-9 they only board and disembark from the front stairs. At KTA they use both,and I don't know whether its that everyone is so glad to leave Karratha, or the crew want to get back and knock off, but flights are always ready to go at least 10 minutes before departure

 

[TripleB]

Saying that, QF month after month always seems to have the best domestic OTP (on time performance) so what does that say about back stairs loading on other domestic airlines?
My guess is that QF are just trialing it to validate if they could be doing something differently?

I seem to recall back in the day that there was a slight mis-match of information on what constitutes 'on-time'.

DJ (as it was) trumpeted the fact that they had the best on-time departure figures and QF would say that they had the best on-time arrival figures. I seem to recall the subtle distinction was that if they were running late QF were more inclined to use a higher cost factor (I think that's right) in some setting in the coughpit which resulted in a faster speed, but more fuel burn whereas DJ would not. With the upshot being that if a DJ plane departed late it would often stay late whereas QF might have departed late but made up some of that time on the way by burning more fuel.

This may well have since been standardised and potentially fudged a bit - I know that the skies and airports are more congested than they were 10 years ago but the cynic in me noticed the other day that SYD-MEL is no longer scheduled for 80 minutes (like it was the last time I was paying attention - which may well be several years ago) but something slightly more - which no doubt helps with the on time figures a little.

Back to the topic at hand - I don't have a problem with it - particularly if it speeds up arrivals and departures a little. I would imagine that the actual cost is fairly minimal (the capital cost of the stairs (which they no doubt have any way) the cost of someone to stand at the end of the wing to stop people taking a short cut under the wing and an otto bin full of bunting).

If it saves just 2 minutes on every 737 arrival and departure (so 4 minutes a turnaround) x 55 (my estimate of the number of 737 aircraft operating domestic routes on any given day (they have 75 frames including tasman routes) a day x say average of 4 flights a day (which seems a bit small) less say 20% for times when it isn't used due to rain etc = 11.7 hours a day... that's quite a lot of time (even if it is spread very thinly across a number of aircraft).

Even if it doesn't allow an extra cycle a day and only allows them to better keep their existing schedules then that surely will keep the bean counters and the public happy.

 

[Buzzard]

Very third world :mrgreen:

That makes it a perfect fit for ADL

 

[UP4014]

That makes it a perfect fit for ADL

Unkind .

 

[Clivem]

People get quite precious about having to use stairs (full stop) or walk outside.

But ..........

 

[TomVexille]

But .......... View attachment 41385

Where do I get that???

 

[QFBOY]

It's a trial for possible introduction in the future. It's only for boarding at this stage, or that's the plan. Quicker turns and better utilisation. ADL is the test city.
The plan is on arrival cleaners will come through while catering is loaded for Y then removed and stairs added.

 

[medhead]

It's a trial for possible introduction in the future. It's only for boarding at this stage, or that's the plan. Quicker turns and better utilisation. ADL is the test city.
The plan is on arrival cleaners will come through while catering is loaded for Y then removed and stairs added.

Really? Catering is loaded from the starboard side normally. JQ/VA stairs are on the port side. Surely they can do catering and add the stairs at about the same time?

 

[NFF]

Older passengers would prefer to use a bridge. Stairs can be quite slippery on a rainy day.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Older passengers would prefer to use a bridge. Stairs can be quite slippery on a rainy day.

And if the bridge is available they are free to do so, and can pre-board if they have trouble walking.

 

[pauly7]

Some good points raised, QF is already well established as the most on time airline despite VA having this boarding method since birth, so will be interesting if with all these minor saves they are aiming to slot in an extra hop for some airframes or they just want to be even 'more' on time to make sure VA never get close.

I've always wondered why VA can't seem to crack it despite having the licence to be able to 'boss' their pax around more without making front page news, so the post about VA allegedly not allowing pilots to make up time in the air by lead footing it is interesting, especially since I've been on many a late VA flight and the pilot has claimed to 'step on the gas' or similar to make up lost time.... Mmmm hmmm?!?

As long as pax aren't forced to trek across the tarmac if they don't feel comfortable for whatever reason I have no problems. Perhaps row 4 won't be as sought after