Final flights for the B767

[RichardMEL]

I was planning to try OLCI at 5:01pm Friday and see if any joy there.

I suspect the magical seat roundabout is but one of the surprises QF has with this flight - but I think any others will be positives. Like the last minute mechanical.... KIDDING!

 

[slc767338]

I notice there are now seats for sale again (albeit at a high cost). Perhaps some VIPs couldn't attend

 

[RickyT84]

Just travelled on my last QF 763 service earlier today. It was QF 453 from SYD on VH-OGT (Maroochydore).

Decided to upgrade myself to J for this special occasion and was happy with the Dreamtime seat on the short hop. Had a chat with both the cabin crew and the flight crew and they were all sad to see the 763s being retired. Here are a couple shots from today (apologies for the lack of coughpit shots):




The crew also took a couple of pictures of me in the captain's seat. All in all, it was an excellent trip with an amazing crew.

After 80 flights, over 43,500 miles, it is time to say farewell to the QF 763s.

 

[RichardMEL]

I notice there are now seats for sale again (albeit at a high cost). Perhaps some VIPs couldn't attend 

AJ's been booted out of 1A but Kelly's in 38J?
interesting.

Suspect there's some things going on. interesting if seats are for sale. lol At $446 for the Flex Saver it's cheaer than the flight prior to it

 

[slc767338]

AJ's been booted out of 1A but Kelly's in 38J?
interesting.

Suspect there's some things going on. interesting if seats are for sale. lol At $446 for the Flex Saver it's cheaer than the flight prior to it

Seems 7 seats have materialised

 

[TomVexille]

I am annoyed with whoever allocates seating... On the original QF490 I had 23A.

Cue the change to QF452 and I'm able to select 29K next to my travel companion. (Having done a TCP/PNR link) This sticks until the flight number change to QF767 when I am plonked right back in row 40? I subsequently select 30K, (the now furthest forward available with two abreast window/aisle seats) and this sticks also - until the other day, at which point I was seemingly turfed out of my seat by someone else and put back into 43A?

I am now unable to re select my original 30K given it is now 'occupied', nor any other aisle seat. Even after several HUACAs and ExpertFlyer searches. Not happy to say the least given that I am currently sitting 13 rows from my travel partner and they are seemingly unwilling to reciprocate what they did to me and kick 'someone else' out of row 30 for me.

I did get bumped to 43K when they did the fight number change to QF767 but thankfully my original seat was still available to move back into.

 

[Buzzard]

At the end of the day, regardless of where I am sitting, at least I am sitting somewhere on this flight.
I am sure many have missed out for one reason or another.

Certainly the atmosphere will be electric in the lounge and in the air. I'm moist with excitement just thinking about it!

Will be interesting to see if anything is put on afterwards - visit to the flight deck for example or will we just be herded off?
Fingers crossed.

 

[MarkD]

You are moist with excitement ???? Wow

 

[Buzzard]

Gotta have a laugh..... it is Christmas.

Which reminds me, I must go. Have to get supper ready as Mrs. B will be home from work soon.

Merry Christmas everybody

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Buzzard, unless you are in the "select" group, I believe you can be "expected" to be herded off, or encouraged to move on.
I am not too keen on them calling the AFP agents/guards to come and get me if I had tried to squeeze in the door between J and the flight deck, after the 767 had landed.
It was parked on arrival down the end of MEL QFd gate 10/11/12 at an angle, so I couldn't see the plane rego number.
As you know, at certain angles, trying to find out the plane rego is hard.
I did catch a glimpse of the QF409's dials, seats, etc, as I had to shuffle past the front door, out onto the gate getting off.
Seems that kids are the only ones to get to walk into the flight deck these days, post 9/11.
OR you know the captain (4 gold bar) or the 3 gold bar shoulder padded epauletted girl or guy.
There is supposed to be drinks or something at the Rydges (I am not attending) after, so your time to peek/peep into the flight deck might only come true via Youtube.

 

[RichardMEL]

Buzzard, unless you are in the "select" group, I believe you can be "expected" to be herded off, or encouraged to move on.
I am not too keen on them calling the AFP agents/guards to come and get me if I had tried to squeeze in the door between J and the flight deck, after the 767 had landed.
It was parked on arrival down the end of MEL QFd gate 10/11/12 at an angle, so I couldn't see the plane rego number.
As you know, at certain angles, trying to find out the plane rego is hard.
I did catch a glimpse of the QF409's dials, seats, etc, as I had to shuffle past the front door, out onto the gate getting off.
Seems that kids are the only ones to get to walk into the flight deck these days, post 9/11.
OR you know the captain (4 gold bar) or the 3 gold bar shoulder padded epauletted girl or guy.
There is supposed to be drinks or something at the Rydges (I am not attending) after, so your time to peek/peep into the flight deck might only come true via Youtube.

A few comments AP....

1. The rego would also be on the plate above door 1L, but it's pretty small and hard to see

2. Getting to the coughpit post docking was no issue, was none for me. I simply walked to the front, the coughpit door was open, but I asked the nearest FA politely if it would be possible to give my regards to the front office. She ducked in and asked, they said fine, and I got about 5 minutes with the lovely flight crew who even offered me to sit in the BIG CHAIR (left seat). I borrowed the observers seat (nice cushy lambswool cover ). They couldn't have been kinder with their time or words. As soon as I asked if this was their final flight and they said they had another rotation on another a/c I knew I needed to vamoose so I thanked them again so they could finish their paperwork and get onto where they needed to be.

I strongly suspect in the case of QF767 the coughpit will be an open door post docking. I would definitely think QF will understand that everyone bar those that expected to get to SYD on a normal flight will want to remain and pay their respects.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Seems that kids are the only ones to get to walk into the flight deck these days, post 9/11.
OR you know the captain (4 gold bar) or the 3 gold bar shoulder padded epauletted girl or guy.

AP I can endorse Richard view. I was on a 767 today and all it took was a smile and a polite request. The crew were very happy to oblige even though they had to turn the AC around for another sector. The FO stood at 1L thanking all the guests while the Captain and I chatted and took pics.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ok.
A very very long time ago, when Adelaide Airport had its opening for the new (at that time, now the international current terminal), would have been 10 or more years ago, I was able to get to get into the flight deck of the 737 that I think QF had parked at the international terminal for its opening.
It was from 9am, and all of Adelaide had to line up, got to pass "fake" immigration, ie, a walk through of the current location of ADLi incoming immigration, without any true international flights. I was one of the last ones through, to the flight deck, and also got to touch the non moving prop of a Rex plane, and felt the groove of the runway, most people will think its smooth, but its grooved.
From what I can see from Youtube videos about the 767, it does have a wow factor.
Anyway, thanks for saying that if you ask, they will "if they can" say yes.
WOULD be great, as mentioned by some, if one of the last 767s could be donated to the Qantas Museum at Longreach, but I guess there is money to be made, with the sale of the last 6 of the birds to the storage zone/dead zone in the US.
Ok, must leave space for those who will take that final flight.
Thanks again, all.
Resistance, like a dog kibble treat to a pooch, its hard, saying no. But I will try.

 

[Princess Fiona]

A few comments AP....

1. The rego would also be on the plate above door 1L, but it's pretty small and hard to see

2. Getting to the coughpit post docking was no issue, was none for me. I simply walked to the front, the coughpit door was open, but I asked the nearest FA politely if it would be possible to give my regards to the front office. She ducked in and asked, they said fine, and I got about 5 minutes with the lovely flight crew who even offered me to sit in the BIG CHAIR (left seat). I borrowed the observers seat (nice cushy lambswool cover ). They couldn't have been kinder with their time or words. As soon as I asked if this was their final flight and they said they had another rotation on another a/c I knew I needed to vamoose so I thanked them again so they could finish their paperwork and get onto where they needed to be.

I strongly suspect in the case of QF767 the coughpit will be an open door post docking. I would definitely think QF will understand that everyone bar those that expected to get to SYD on a normal flight will want to remain and pay their respects.

I definitely want to get into the coughpit after we land in SYD and suspect I'm not the only one

 

[slc767338]

I definitely want to get into the coughpit after we land in SYD and suspect I'm not the only one

It might be pooch vs pooch post flight!

 

[TripleB]

Some random questions/dreams/musings:

What do you think the chances of a fly by are? I know it is more traditional for first flights but is it out of the question for the last?

Do you think that the 767 chief captain gets dibbs on the last flight? I would think so...

My window seat assignment is thankfully still holding. I don't mind so much if swmbo gets a middle seat in row 45 but I'll be a tad sad if I miss out on a window.

I was going to see if I could get my boarding pass laminated in Melbourne cbd on saturday morning and then present it to the qp front desk and at the gate and try and keep a straight face whilst doing so...

 

[RichardMEL]

A fly by could be possible, but perhaps not given the current tensions around SYD (for obvious reasons) but it would be a perfect shot as the sun is heading into sunset I imagine. Definitely water canon salute (which is why I'd love a window, but changes are next to nil I'd get one of course - our booking has zero seat assignments and says something like "not available"?!) so I spect middle back row but hey all good right?

I'm also thinking they'd probably hold somethng pre-departure in MEL.. possibly. Like making sure the Golds get in the PB!

I do think the 767 Chief Pilot would have dibs on it, but she's on her way to JQ so not sure if she's still official at this point or not.. probably is (sorry I can't think of her name just now).

WHATEVER QF does vis-a-vis this flight will be great I am sure.

 

[RichardMEL]

Seems like someone may have purchased a ticket....

QF 767 0 MEL
27/12/14 5:00 PM SYD
27/12/14 6:25 PM 763
J0 C0 D0 I0 Y6 B6 H6 K6 M6 G0

(I find the lack of lower fare classes even displaying as interesting too, but I'm a nerd for that sort of thing)

 

[slc767338]

Seems like someone may have purchased a ticket....

Correct. I know the person who has purchased one

 

[jb747]

What do you think the chances of a fly by are? I know it is more traditional for first flights but is it out of the question for the last?

Very limited...but you never know.

Do you think that the 767 chief captain gets dibbs on the last flight? I would think so...

There are a number of 767 qualified management pilots...and most of the line pilots are now in training for other types. The flight was originally going to be done by the 767 fleet Captain, but she has moved on to the chief pilot job at Jetstar. It's now going to be flown by the QF deputy chief pilot. A really nice bloke, who has been on the 767 for many years.

I expect there will be a long queue to visit the coughpit after the flight, but as the aircraft won't be going anywhere in a hurry, anyone who wants to visit should be able to.