All Qantaslink flights to depart SYD T3 from August 15th 2013

[footy99]

You should be able to use the T3 business lounge as you'll have a flight on JQ sometime that day (earlier). If you're stopped, be prepared to show evidence that you flew with JQ, as it won't appear on their systems (an itinerary would be sufficient). You can't walk airside, and you wouldn't be eligible to take the QANTAS Domestic Transfer system that puts you into the secure area in T3 as you're flying Rex (they check what your next onward journey is before accepting you for domestic terminal transfer).

If you take the train, you'll have to clear security in T3 to get to the business lounge, then again at T2 for Rex.

So you are saying I can't walk airside between T2 and T3? So the plan is to check my bag with Rex at T2 then walk back to T3 landside to get to the QP, come back out landside and return airside through security at T2 to board?

How long would you recommend allowing to get from the QP back to the boarding gate that way?

 

[gaz0303]

I've had 4 or 5 flights on QLink since the terminal change. Here are some thoughts...
* Avoiding security in T2 a huge plus
* Access to a better lounge, and what seems to me a quieter lounge also a plus.
But
* Planes often delayed due to blockages on the taxiways, I've been stuck behind a 747 and A380 as they come in for service. This isn't a new problem for T3, just now more problematic.
* The bus system is poor. There are more stop/starts from terminal to plane than a trip to the CBD, the tarmac is bumpier than most rural roads and the drivers are inexperienced. Combine this with everybody having to stand and chaos ensures. At T2, the bus drivers stayed in their buses, everybody got in/out and no problems. Now the bus drivers are jumping out, checking passengers, chatting with somebody else who give the impression they are controlling things, and generally appear confused. Qantas seems to have also picked up additional passenger control staff at T3 who add to the confusion. On one trip, we were stuck in the bus while the driver attempted to open the doors.

Hopefully Q can sort things out. So far all but one of my flights has been delayed.

 

[markis10]

* Planes often delayed due to blockages on the taxiways, I've been stuck behind a 747 and A380 as they come in for service. This isn't a new problem for T3, just now more problematic.

I have been expecting that to be the case, they really need another path, which wont be cheap.

 

[Jacques Vert]

How long would you recommend allowing to get from the QP back to the boarding gate that way?

If you have already checked your bags in, then go via the security gate on the ground floor (at the western end near where the buses park); this will save you heaps of time as you will avoid the queues at security upstairs.

JV

 

[RickyT84]

So you are saying I can't walk airside between T2 and T3? So the plan is to check my bag with Rex at T2 then walk back to T3 landside to get to the QP, come back out landside and return airside through security at T2 to board?

How long would you recommend allowing to get from the QP back to the boarding gate that way?

Unfortunately, you have to clear security twice if you choose to visit the lounges in T3 when your flight leaves from T2 as there is no airside link between the two terminals.

Based on my experience last night (around 19:30), it took me 15mins to complete the whole walk from T3 and clear security in T2 process. Granted it was not a busy time of the day and I used the main security screening area. So not too bad in the end.

 

[beardoc]

So far my experience with QFLink in T3 has been mixed:

* Am liking being able to wait in the J Lounge for my flight, and accessing it when I land into SYD too.
* Most of my departures have been via aerobridge from either Gate 9 or Gate 18. This goes very smoothly, although when the flights are called in the J Lounge, I find I'm the last to board as it's a long walk.
* Arriving at T3 on a plane is much slower than the old system at T2. The bus system is slower, and if they land at an aerobridge, setting up the aerobridge attachment seems to take a long time.

Overall, it seems to take more time to land at T3 and deboard and end up in the Terminal than it did in T2. Seemingly at least 10 minutes longer.

 

[Mattg]

After landing in SYD this morning the CSM said in the usual post-landing spiel "if you're connecting to a Qantaslink flight number QF1500 or above, you'll need to make your way to Terminal 2." Aparrantly not everyone at Qantas is aware of the change...

 

[Red Roo]

After landing in SYD this morning the CSM said in the usual post-landing spiel "if you're connecting to a Qantaslink flight number QF1500 or above, you'll need to make your way to Terminal 2." Aparrantly not everyone at Qantas is aware of the change...

So I can follow up internally, please confirm which flight you were on.

 

[esquire]

After landing in SYD this morning the CSM said in the usual post-landing spiel "if you're connecting to a Qantaslink flight number QF1500 or above, you'll need to make your way to Terminal 2." Aparrantly not everyone at Qantas is aware of the change...

Maybe they were being proactive and thinking of the handful of QF codeshares that leave from Terminal 2 ...

 

[Mattg]

So I can follow up internally, please confirm which flight you were on.

QF560 this morning (24 September)

 

[Red Roo]

QF560 this morning (24 September)

Thanks Mattg. I'll pass this on.

 

[Mr_Orange]

So I can follow up internally, please confirm which flight you were on.

After landing in SYD this morning the CSM said in the usual post-landing spiel "if you're connecting to a Qantaslink flight number QF1500 or above, you'll need to make your way to Terminal 2." Aparrantly not everyone at Qantas is aware of the change...

I heard the same thing on QF 505 on Monday 23rd.

 

[Red Roo]

I heard the same thing on QF 505 on Monday 23rd.

Thanks for letting me know. I'll include this with my feedback.

 

[anat0l]

Looks like not all CSMs have got the memo, or too many are just reading the landing script from their manuals, or both.

 

[pauly7]

Looks like not all CSMs have got the memo, or too many are just reading the landing script from their manuals, or both.

I'd guess a lot of them are probably doing it from memory! I see them doing it without the manuals all the time!

 

[gizzard]

As a JQ passenger leaving SYD this morning I made sure that I arrived in plenty of time to use the lounge in T3 even though my JQ flight was, of course, leaving from T2.

Unfortunately there is no JQ flight information posted on the boards anywhere in the lounge and no announcements are made for JQ flights. Also, when I asked at the service desk they weren't able to help and clearly weren't going to be bothered to pick up a phone to find out.....out of sight, out of mind.

As the lounges are available to QF & JQ passengers I think that a modicum of effort needs to be made for those travelling JQ who are willing to accept the walk across from one T3 to T2 for their flight.

In the end I had to spend most of my waiting time in T2 as the JQ flight departure time was pushed out and out with the poor conditions surrounding Sydney caused by the fires. It would have been much more pleasant to have spent that time in the lounge and being able to check on the flight status from there.

 

[MrJetset]

As a JQ passenger leaving SYD this morning I made sure that I arrived in plenty of time to use the lounge in T3 even though my JQ flight was, of course, leaving from T2.

Unfortunately there is no JQ flight information posted on the boards anywhere in the lounge and no announcements are made for JQ flights. Also, when I asked at the service desk they weren't able to help and clearly weren't going to be bothered to pick up a phone to find out.....out of sight, out of mind.

As the lounges are available to QF & JQ passengers I think that a modicum of effort needs to be made for those travelling JQ who are willing to accept the walk across from one T3 to T2 for their flight.

In the end I had to spend most of my waiting time in T2 as the JQ flight departure time was pushed out and out with the poor conditions surrounding Sydney caused by the fires. It would have been much more pleasant to have spent that time in the lounge and being able to check on the flight status from there.

You could check on their internet!

 

[samh004]

As a JQ passenger leaving SYD this morning I made sure that I arrived in plenty of time to use the lounge in T3 even though my JQ flight was, of course, leaving from T2.

Unfortunately there is no JQ flight information posted on the boards anywhere in the lounge and no announcements are made for JQ flights. Also, when I asked at the service desk they weren't able to help and clearly weren't going to be bothered to pick up a phone to find out.....out of sight, out of mind.

As the lounges are available to QF & JQ passengers I think that a modicum of effort needs to be made for those travelling JQ who are willing to accept the walk across from one T3 to T2 for their flight.

In the end I had to spend most of my waiting time in T2 as the JQ flight departure time was pushed out and out with the poor conditions surrounding Sydney caused by the fires. It would have been much more pleasant to have spent that time in the lounge and being able to check on the flight status from there.

I think the solution there is to not fly Jetstar.

Sometimes it's unavoidable, but their strange symbiosis when it suits them and certainly not when it suits you has been like this for a while. I can only see the gap getting wider, not closer.

 

[gizzard]

I think the solution there is to not fly Jetstar.

I think that's an option but I think the solution lies with QF. Their lack of providing an entitled service denies travellers a choice. MEL lounge staff have no problems keeping you updated, phoning JQ if required.

 

[nonscenic]

I think that's an option but I think the solution lies with QF. Their lack of providing an entitled service denies travellers a choice. MEL lounge staff have no problems keeping you updated, phoning JQ if required.

The situation could be partly resolved if the T3 QP had a T2 flight display, but this would not stop the issue when the more common late delays to boarding occur. However judging by the aged CRT monitors (several not working) around lounges, updating lounge and terminal flight displays isn't in the budget any time soon. It would still require an announcement in the T3 QP for JQ passengers to leave approx 15 minutes before anticipated boarding of the JQ flight, so they could take the long walk and go through security again. Another solution might be to provide an airside T3-T2 shuttle bus, or a bus from a T3 gate direct to the T2 gate, but this would require extra expense and coordination.
In short, another reason to not fly JQ!