Domestic to Internation connection - Syd

[RB]

Whilst on this subject of tight connections...

In couple of weeks, I am arriving SYD from SIN (SQ) Bus Class at 11:10 and connecting SYD - TMW (domestic) Qantaslink Dep 12:20. I will check in with QF on line before I leave SIN to save time and will use the Transfer & baggage drop service between INT & Dom terminals but will still have to walk across to Terminal 2 Dom after the shuttle bus drops me at T3 and go thru security again.

I think it is OK as long as there are no customs holdups etc.

What do you think

Regards,

Mitch

We have faced similar circumstances connecting to PQQ & I believe there is very little to be gained with such a tight connection. The dash across to T2 even when things click takes time. We have seen misplaced assurances from QF staff at connections area before people have waited for the transfer bus.

 

[PineappleSkip]

If they say 'she'll be right' it seems the option of going for the earlier flight is academic, unless you want to pay a change fee.

Personally I would not trust any inter terminal connections and go for a long connection ime, my last experience (into AU at BNE, admitedly rather different) had a theoretical 130 mins connect time - heaps I thought. Until I scored the hat trick of a late flight in, a customs blitzkrieg, and a missed train connection. Then the run from train all the way to gate at the satellite, with that damned PA announcement shrieking "MR PINEAPPLE! MR PINEAPPLE!" all the way.

I bet you've all had experiences like that... who wants to repeat them.

Cheers skip

 

[JohnK]

In couple of weeks, I am arriving SYD from SIN (SQ) Bus Class at 11:10 and connecting SYD - TMW (domestic) Qantaslink Dep 12:20. I will check in with QF on line before I leave SIN to save time and will use the Transfer & baggage drop service between INT & Dom terminals but will still have to walk across to Terminal 2 Dom after the shuttle bus drops me at T3 and go thru security again.

I think it is OK as long as there are no customs holdups etc.

I think that is extremely risky especially since it is a SQ->QF connection and I don't think you can use QF seamless transfer.

I have only ever done 1 SYD international-domestic connection and I am no expert but assuming it takes 30 minutes to get through customs, wait for luggage and clear quarantine and then get to transfer desk another 10 minutes and wait for next transfer bus to domestic (runs frequently during the morning peak but then every half hour until 8pm) and then rush to try an make your flight.

Everything needs to go your way. Just not worth the risk....

 

[Mal]

I think that is extremely risky especially since it is a SQ->QF connection and I don't think you can use QF seamless transfer.

I have only ever done 1 SYD international-domestic connection and I am no expert but assuming it takes 30 minutes to get through customs, wait for luggage and clear quarantine and then get to transfer desk another 10 minutes and wait for next transfer bus to domestic (runs frequently during the morning peak but then every half hour until 8pm) and then rush to try an make your flight.

Everything needs to go your way. Just not worth the risk....

The poster can use the connections bus as they are connecting to or from a Qantas/oneworld flight.
( Fly - At the Airport - Airport Guide - Sydney International Airport (T1) ) ... however, everything else said is true. I would be surprised if someone was able to get from plane to T2 in under an hour...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Originally Posted by Mitch_W
Whilst on this subject of tight connections...

In couple of weeks, I am arriving SYD from SIN (SQ) Bus Class at 11:10 and connecting SYD - TMW (domestic) Qantaslink Dep 12:20. I will check in with QF on line before I leave SIN to save time and will use the Transfer & baggage drop service between INT & Dom terminals but will still have to walk across to Terminal 2 Dom after the shuttle bus drops me at T3 and go thru security again

I don't even think that's a legal connection. If that's the case SQ won't through tag your bag through to TMW because they don't want the responsibility of getting your bag to you if it misses your 'connecting' flight.

IMHO it would be an absolute bloody miracle if you were able to disembark your SQ flight, clear customs, collect your bag, pass AQIS then get to the bag drop at intl by minus 30. Does anyone know when bag close off is at QF at the international transit area? Is it the same as if you were at the domestic terminal?

Does the QF shuttle bus not drop you off at T2 from the intl terminal? If it doesn't you are pushing the proverbial up hill if you then have to get from T3 to T2. Keep in mind that even if you OLCI for the SYD/TMW, if you are not at the boarding gate at minus 12 you will be offloaded from the flight.

Seriously, I would only attempt this if I had carry on luggage only and if I was on a changeable ticket SYD/TMW that could be transferred on the day to a later flight should I not make the first flight.

Oz

 

[serfty]

... Does the QF shuttle bus not drop you off at T2 from the intl terminal? If it doesn't you are pushing the proverbial up hill if you then have to get from T3 to T2. Keep in mind that even if you OLCI for the SYD/TMW, if you are not at the boarding gate at minus 12 you will be offloaded from the flight.

Seriously, I would only attempt this if I had carry on luggage only and if I was on a changeable ticket SYD/TMW that could be transferred on the day to a later flight should I not make the first flight.

The bus drops you off at T3, you arrive airside near gate 1.

On Saturday's there is no "next flight" once the 12:20pm has departed, other days the next flight is at 3:40pm.

Mitch_W,

Irrespective of minimum connection times etc I would not be comfortable with this. Can you swap to a later flight out of SYD :?:

Concur, I would not even contemplate this, even with carry-on luggage (note there are well policed restrictions on carry-on luggage for most regional flights).

 

[Mitch_W]

Thanks all for the advice. It is probably not worth the risk after hearing others experiences.

I am doing this on a Sunday and yes the next flight is 15:40 and I will have check in luggage. Also, the QF fare is lost if I miss the flight on the day and would need to buy another probably at $400 each (x2). I think I will switch to the 15:40 now and cop the $50 change fee.

PS ozbeachbabe... SQ would not send bags right thru to TMW as you must clear customs with bags at SYD.

Regards,

Mitch :-|

 

[serfty]

...
PS ozbeachbabe... SQ would not send bags right thru to TMW as you must clear customs with bags at SYD. ...

Nor would Qantas in that context.

What SQ (and Qantas) would do (if MCT was met) is to "through" tag the bags to TMW (SIN-xSYD-TMW) - saves a minute or two at the "Seamless" transfer desk.

 

[harvyk]

Mitch_W,

There is no way I'd be doing that connection.

Last night I landed at T1 on QF56 at 5:05pm. With carry on only, and the fact I already had a ticket ready for smartgate (Auckland airport has smart gate machines there to start the aussie customs process off), I was waived through at AQIS and given the fact that a train was sitting there waiting for me (I walked past the train I noticed next train to dom was leaving in 3 minutes, exactly enough time to go down and get a ticket and run downstairs to get onto it as the doors where closing). So with everything pretty much going my way it still took me 45 minutes to get to T3.

All you need is one thing to not go your way (eg big customs lines \ 3rd degree by AQIS \ check baggage not coming out first) and it's all over. Given it's not a through connection QF probably won't change your ticket.

 

[markis10]

PS ozbeachbabe... SQ would not send bags right thru to TMW as you must clear customs with bags at SYD.

I think that was clearly posted by Ozbeachbabe to be frank

"able to disembark your SQ flight, clear customs, collect your bag, pass AQIS then get to the bag drop at intl by minus 30"

Agree with others, its too tight.

 

[PineappleSkip]

through" tag the bags to TMW (SIN-xSYD-TMW) - saves a minute or two at the "Seamless" transfer desk.

Have often wondered the value of this when transferring onto a domestic flight, as opposed to transiting through somewhere. Take through tagged bags off the carousel, clear customs, then every time I've had them ripped off at the transfer desk and new tags printed and stuck on. Not very clear to me where the saving is.

Cheers skip

 

[serfty]

... Take through tagged bags off the carousel, clear customs, then every time I've had them ripped off at the transfer desk and new tags printed and stuck on. Not very clear to me where the saving is.
...

If that's the case, then I'm not sure about savings either.

FWIW, I rarely have luggage to check and IIRC, the last time I did have - I was moved to an earlier flight to MEL so it was necessary anyway.

 

[harvyk]

Thanks all for the advice. It is probably not worth the risk after hearing others experiences.

I am doing this on a Sunday and yes the next flight is 15:40 and I will have check in luggage. Also, the QF fare is lost if I miss the flight on the day and would need to buy another probably at $400 each (x2). I think I will switch to the 15:40 now and cop the $50 change fee.

PS ozbeachbabe... SQ would not send bags right thru to TMW as you must clear customs with bags at SYD.

Regards,

Mitch :-|

Good idea, ps they "may" waive the $50 if you explain to them the change is due to the flight not making minimum connection times...

 

[Mitch_W]

Yes you are quite right. My apologies, ozbeachbabe was actually talking about ticketing of baggage from SIN to TMW which of course is possible.

Mitch

 

[JohnK]

Good idea, ps they "may" waive the $50 if you explain to them the change is due to the flight not making minimum connection times...

You may find that it would be booked on separate tickets and from memory it does technically meet minimum connection time in SYD.

 

[straitman]

You may find that it would be booked on separate tickets and from memory it does technically meet minimum connection time in SYD.

It does not hurt to ask though.

 

[Mitch_W]

It does not hurt to ask though.

Yes, ticketing is separate. One is SQ(KF award) & one is QF. Both booked on airline websites.
Phoned QF and they confirmed the $50pp would stand. As it is, it will cost $300 to change to the later flight (QF regional flights are so expensive!). After much deliberation, I have decided to stay with the tight connection & take my chances. If all fails, I will hire a car & drive home & arrive around the same time as the 15:40 reaches Tamworth. I will repost when I return 2nd week March & let you know how it went.

Regards,

Mitch

 

[JohnK]

Yes, ticketing is separate. One is SQ(KF award) & one is QF. Both booked on airline websites.
Phoned QF and they confirmed the $50pp would stand. As it is, it will cost $300 to change to the later flight (QF regional flights are so expensive!). After much deliberation, I have decided to stay with the tight connection & take my chances. If all fails, I will hire a car & drive home & arrive around the same time as the 15:40 reaches Tamworth. I will repost when I return 2nd week March & let you know how it went.

I hope you make the connection although it will not be easy.

Have you considered how much a one-way car rental SYD-TMW booked at the airport (+ fuel) will cost you? I would spend the extra money now to change flights and have peace of mind.

The 15:40 SYD-TMW flight is $180 and assuming you purchased the 12:20 flight for $95 then to book the later flight will cost you $129 per person or $258 for both of you. There is a 19:00 SYD-TMW flight for $135 and to change to this one will cost $84 per person or $168 for both of you. Can you find something to do in SYD for a few hours?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The business of having bags tagged thru to the final destination regardless of where you clear customs has merits in some places eg SFO where after clearing customs on arrival you simply fast track to the boarding gate of your connecting flight after bag dropping before exiting customs.

If the bags are only tagged to SFO you must exit the customs area into the main part of the terminal then go to the airline as though you were checking in from scratch.

Also if you had to pax excess baggage you would only be paying it once when you initially check in, however if having to checkin again at an intermediate point particularly if a different airline was involved they could ask you for excess again. :evil: :evil:

It's really just a case of horses for courses.

Cheers

Oz

 

[40yovirgin]

I have worked for airlines for 20yrs 1.15 is a legal connection, but I also had 1.15 with Ansett adl/syd/osaka and missed the flight because of air traffic control in sydney holding us in adelaide....if it gets dicey you can always jump up and down at adelaide airport and see if they will reroute you...