Melbourne's forthcoming T4 is missing something [Carpets]

[Melburnian1]

No doubt from 2015, the delayed Terminal 4 at MEL will be an improvement on the current arrangements for TT passengers who must contend with a lengthy walk to their aircraft sitting on the tarmac near some of the freight forwarders, or the 'prison like' walk through the turnstiles upon arriving in MEL and collecting one's bags.

It may also be better for JQ passengers whose aircraft will presumably have access to a greater number of aircraft gates. It's so bad at present that JQ staff call the limited number of gates (or adjacent tarmac) available 'the alleyway' with resultant delays for JQ making it the least punctual domestic airline.

True, it will be brand spanking new.

There are some negatives.

If passenger growth at MEL picks up further, road access will be even harder at peak times, despite what nlagalle correctly says is the airport's investment (as that AFFer said, Melbourne Airport is not standing still). That, however, has been covered in another AFF thread.

The one thing that struck me most about the artist's impression of the new terminal was a simple thing.

It may not strike many of you as important, but one of the many factors that distinguish SIN Changi from some other airports is the almost constant presence of carpet under one's feet.

Sure, it goes against the trend in MEL (and other Australian airports). The VA terminal at MEL had carpet when it was VA: MEL airport management ripped it up and installed tiling, which is hard on the feet. Pity the airport staff (such as those pushing wheelchairs) who have to walk up and down a fair bit during the day.

Carpet may be costlier to clean. It may show hard to remove stains. It may attract dust.

But overall, it wins for me because of how it makes walking easier (with any noise deadening properties being an added bonus).

How I wish MEL would show some sense and follow SIN and other airports that have carpet not hard tiling as the surface of preference.

 

[jetlagger]

Was eagerly awaiting for a response from AKA .. 'Dr Delay Expert" .. :mrgreen:
Thanks for your valid contributions though.. .

 

[samh004]

I'm not sure about tiling the whole airport, the high traffic areas would surely benefit more from tiling, but the areas around the gates with chairs and what not could have carpeting, which I think is how it looks in BNE but I can't actually recall. Crazy as I walk all over that airport.

 

[Melburnian1]

samh004, SIN manages to keep carpet looking great in the high traffic area of (say) T3 where many of us walk from one gate to another with shops and the odd restaurant to each side.

 

[samh004]

samh004, SIN manages to keep carpet looking great in the high traffic area of (say) T3 where many of us walk from one gate to another with shops and the odd restaurant to each side.

So you're comparing an international airport (perhaps with higher landing fees and increased profits) to a domestic terminal, and an artists impression at that too, so interior fittings could change a dozen times before 2015

Probably also easier to keep everything clean when you can employ an army of cleaners for a fraction of the wages you'd pay in Australia.

That said, the airports do seem to be profitable, so I don't see why they couldn't lose some profits, but doubt they would.

 

[serfty]

samh004, SIN manages to keep carpet looking great in the high traffic area of (say) T3 where many of us walk from one gate to another with shops and the odd restaurant to each side.

To be honest, in my extensive travels, SIN would be among the exceptions in having large expanses of carpet.

ISTR that these days MEL and SYD international arrivals have carpet through the lower concourses leading from the gates and immigration areas, but not on the departures level. (I may be wrong on this.)

 

[jetlagger]

I'm not sure about tiling the whole airport, the high traffic areas would surely benefit more from tiling, but the areas around the gates with chairs and what not could have carpeting, which I think is how it looks in BNE but I can't actually recall. Crazy as I walk all over that airport.

I like the carpet option.. It is significantly quieter.. slightly more luxurious.. & observantly provides a more harmonious relaxation environment.
Sure tiling is more practical, though, focussing on the passenger experience, well maintained carpeting of terminals appears more desirable.. IME.
It can & does work effectively in SIN, as an example, despite the evident psychedelic graphics..

 

[ReLoad]

I just can't wait to see the Tiger F Lounge.

I've even heard there will be GCPP in them. (George Calombaris Party Pies).

I'm not sure about their spa plans though (twenty old massage chairs from shopping centres that take $2 coins)

As for the carpet debate, it's a non issue in the Tiger F lounge with nothing but the best, lacquered cork tiles and Balinese straw mats.

Taking inspiration from the finest airline lounges around the world the designers of the lounge; the students from the parramatta institute of underachievers spent well over 3 lunchtimes coming with this potential Michelin star winning lounge*

*michelin star is actually from the Michelin tyre company who will be providing old tyres to be the coffee tables inside the lounge.

Overall I'm really looking forward to the TT flagship lounge in the new terminal it's going to be a cracker!

 

[Simo]

Do you want to see Rum and Coke stains all over a bogan terminal...

Think about this someone drops a drink on tiles they can lick it up.

Carpet will abosrb it and that will be competition for the Bogans...

 

[ReLoad]

I cant give away too much, but I did manage to get a copy of the internal Memo from TT HQ about the lounge design, Here's a few sneak tidbits which I know will get you brimming with anticipation at your first visit.

Firstly they have some grand plans for the entry to the lounge:
They wanted to take some styling cues from a modern classic cultural icon

Then of course as we all know first impressions count for a lot, so the lounge angels are of most importance:
These of course are dressed by Peter Morrissey.

Seating and the arrangement of space is of paramount importance, both for those who are working (The business traveller is a huge slice of TT market share), and the leisure traveller.
There will be 2 very distinct areas for each.

The Business traveller can of course hit his "office away from his office"
This of course takes its styling from the sub continent.

Then the relax and unwind in the quiet and private part of the lounge:

Finally we know its all about service, so through thier very close association with CASA added an ultra up to date system of letting passengers know the status of their flights.

I probably shouldn't give away too much more, I know John Borghetti was copied in on the memo and he was considering some of the changes for VA, so I wouldn't want to spoil it.

 

[Jamesl]

Sure, it goes against the trend in MEL (and other Australian airports). The VA terminal at MEL had carpet when it was VA: MEL airport management ripped it up and installed tiling, which is hard on the feet. Pity the airport staff (such as those pushing wheelchairs) who have to walk up and down a fair bit during the day.

VA decision, not MELAIR.

 

[ric_melb]

Many people travel with hand luggage usually of the wheeler type that you trundle along behind you. Much less resistance on tiles.
Imagine the same is true pushing a wheelchair.

 

[Melburnian1]

However, some commercial grade carpets can be hardwearing and no so difficult to push a wheelchair or pull along trolley type luggage.

Changi, SIN doesn't appear to have problems like ric_melb suggests installing carpet brings.

Jamesl, isn't the shared VA terminal part of APAC's MEL assets? Hence wouldn't any decision about floor coverings be made by it not VA or other airlines?

 

[Jamesl]

No, VA is the primary tenant of T3 and has the right to make choices as per its brand requirements, much like T1 with QF

 

[SeatBackForward]

Carpet has higher friction and resistance, potentially delaying flight crew from arriving at the gate on time. They listened to you.

 

[Mal]

And the static build up from carpet could cause a plane to go tech too. More delays.

 

[SeatBackForward]

And the static build up from carpet could cause a plane to go tech too. More delays.

Hmm, whole new perspective on the "switch off all electronic devices" argument.

 

[sjd]

michelin star is actually from the Michelin tyre company who will be providing old tyres to be the coffee tables inside the lounge.

OT and pedantic but Michelin stars are from the tyre company, originally it wanted to provide a guide book for motorists and it all grew from there. I am sure that the reviewers of restaurants for Michelin take note of the presence or absence of carpet (and check the butter and the sour dough ).

 

[erkpod]

Carpet is only for SG & WP types only - it's going to be a published benefit on FF programs