How can I get a shower in MEL? and other crazy scheduling..

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GaryBne

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I was hoping that some of the experienced flyers can help me with a work around on a crazy travel schedule.

In August I will be with the family in coughet, with a special birthday Thur 10[SUP]th[/SUP] August , but I now find I need to be in MEL for an hour the next day More specifically I need to be in Richmond for 12:00 to 13:30.

This all has no budget. I’ve been on this community/ environmental project for 11 years now and its finally bearing fruit this year. Mostly out of my own pocket, but it will make a big difference to AU. In any case private jet is not an option!

I can see a flight JQ18 HKT-MEL 10:20 pm - 9:50 am that would be Ok Im sure to get to Richmond by 12?
I’m QF Gold, and using the Club for a shower and shave then to the meeting would be ideal. But I think as I’m not flying QF, access would be denied. Any thoughts?

The whole trip is hand luggage only. Could I check in for the 2:50 pm flight before I leave the airport in the morning? .... And possibly make it from Richmond at 1:30 for a 2:50 International flight? Or is that just too crazy to contemplate.

If nothing else I will have a story to tell…

Thanks for your advice

Gary BNE
 
I think you would be far better off changing the day and time of your meeting in Richmond.
Flying overnight from coughet for a meeting in Melbourne, then immediately turning round and catching another International flight will be totally stressful on mind and body.
I do not believe Gold frequent flyers have arrival access to Qantas Lounges, and the question would be which lounge would you access. International or Domestic? Others may have more knowledge in regard to this aspect.
On a good day you could breeze through Customs but at other times it may take an hour. You also have to allow time for showering and shaving if possible. The taxi or Uber trip to Richmond can technically take 30 minutes, but I would allow 45 minutes. So you are only allowing yourself 2 hours and 10 minutes for all this. Cutting it too fine.
On the way back you are allowing yourself only 1 hour and 20 minutes. That is insufficient. Qantas recommend check in or airport arrival 90 minutes before flight. Lets say we reduce this to 60 minutes. Then allow 45 minutes for the taxi. You are already up at 1 hour 45 minutes.
You should be aware that the Tullamarine Freeway carries considerable traffic at all hours and is undergoing extensive road upgrades. That is partly why I think you need to allow a generous amount of time, and more than your proposal either way.
 
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Thanks ric

The date is immovable - its an AGM.

Do those Express passes make much difference. I think I saw some on Ebay once. naughty but necessary

G
 
Not sure of how punctual the HKT-MEL flight is but assuming it arrives on time you would need to jump straight into a taxi with your destination pre-loaded onto your phone.

Sadly, most Melbourne taxi drivers can barely find their home let alone a destination. As noted above the Tullamarine freeway can be a nightmare at the best of times.

Getting back to the airport will probably be more dramatic. If your meeting location isn't near a taxi rank then getting one to arrive in a timely manner is a huge gamble. You will probably need to direct them via the quickest route so they don't take you on a scenic your.

If you're keen on a quick turnaround hire a car and driver to take you both ways and wait at the meeting location until you're finished.

Unless you have a shower at your meeting location the forget about it.


Would it be possible to have the meeting at the airport? Qantas have meeting rooms you can book.
https://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/meeting-rooms-terms/global/en

Otherwise, book your return trip for the next day and prepare your colleagues for your potential late arrival.
 
FWIW, I would not consider Jetstar if you need to be there at that particular time. They are too prone to delays and cancellations and you risk missing the event. (If JQ have a conveniently-timed return flight back to HKT then that might be OK.)

Regarding lounge access on arrival, perhaps purchase the cheapest JQ domestic flight for that day you can find and use it to get into the domestic MEL QF lounge?
 
What are your actual timing limitations, and do you have any points?

Looks like MH has some flights that might work:

10/08 MH791 HKT-KUL 18:10 20:40
MH149 KUL-MEL 22:10 07:50

11/08 MH128 MEL-KUL 23:25 06:00
MH786 KUL-HKT 09:25 09:45

Pricing around THB25,000 but looks like there may well be a single Business Class award available both way, Economy available HKT-MEL but not for the return.

Arrival and departure times would give you much more leeway on the MEL end, but may not fit with your HKT commitments.
 
JQ is not reliable and your timings won't work even if it all happens to schedule. The freeway has lots of works on it and it can take a long or little time and you can't predict. Even without showers, you probably won't make it to Richmond. With showers, no hope. And ZERO hope of making it back on the schedule you proposed.

The MH option will work and use the public showers (take a towel? Not sure about that) sounds stressful but good luck
 
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I too would not rely on JQ.

In my experience Express cards make zero difference inbound in Australian airports these days, either in Immigration or Customs.
 
Remember that any flight can be delayed.

Friends just headed off to Hawai and their Jetstar flight was over 5 hours late leaving.
A number of years ago my Qantas Flight to New York was delayed 13 hours.

So how important is it for you to be at the AGM? If critically important then your buffer really needs to be 12-24hrs. Probably more like 24hours.
 
Thanks All

The MH schedule looks achievable - but dumb question, how do I book it as classic? ( I have 250k points) I try to book on the QF website but MH doesn't show up as an option.

Gary
 
Thanks All

The MH schedule looks achievable - but dumb question, how do I book it as classic? ( I have 250k points) I try to book on the QF website but MH doesn't show up as an option.

Gary

You need to call Qantas to book MH award seats. They don't show online so they should waive the phone booking fee. :)
 
BYO Towel - lol

Bring a towel suddenly reminded me of the first chapter of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy where the advice to the new intergalactic traveller was to BYO towel.

well it amused me .. but I do need more sleep

night all

Gary
 
Re: BYO Towel - lol

Is your attendance THAT important that you can't dial in? That would seem to be a much more sensible option to me?

JB
 
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