Qantas trialling Aerobridges for Dash 8s?

[markis10]

Looks a bit like a cattle grid.

 

[BD1959]

Well, it is an all-cattle-class flight!!

Regards,

BD

 

[samh004]

Lots of hi-viz standing around too, wonder what's going on?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Makes sense, seems to be the norm in the USA

 

[YQY]

How would it work with "Premium" hand luggage?

 

[N860CR]

It's been going on for a while now and will become the norm with the move of QantasLink to terminal 3.

Premium hand luggage is delivered to the customer service stand at the top of the aerobridge.

 

[UP4014]

Makes sense, seems to be the norm in the USA

Some places yes, I didn't have one when boarding in Seattle and getting off in Boise a few months back. Seattle was obviously cold walking to the plane but at Boise we had to step over a snow pile at the edge of the tarmac before entering the building, going from a nice warm plane to frigid conditions made for a fast walk indeed with only a polo shirt on having come from sunny Sydney (via LAX then Seattle to Boise):shock:

Matt

 

[docjames]

TBH if there's decent ground space / setup then it's a bit pointless - a short walk to the plane is a non-event.

I'm sure there's plenty who dislike the tarmac walk, but to a smaller a/c i've always enjoyed it.

It annoys me when it happens from a jet (hello gate 16 at BNE, i'm looking at you......)

 

[Boogs]

I agree it looks silly but for QF it's all about reducing operating (labour) costs and also reducing risks (pax walking the apron is akin to herding cats).

Gate 16 will have an aerobridge soon...

 

[markis10]

TBH if there's decent ground space / setup then it's a bit pointless - a short walk to the plane is a non-event.

I'm sure there's plenty who dislike the tarmac walk, but to a smaller a/c i've always enjoyed it.

It annoys me when it happens from a jet (hello gate 16 at BNE, i'm looking at you......)

I am sure a person who has difficulties walking would not agree with you, and given a lot of country folk fly in to the city for medical work on Dash 8s I am guessing they have a higher proportion of such folk than other flights, so any way to eliminate stairs etc would be appreciated.

 

[samh004]

Took a bit of searching, but here might be a better photo.

Qantas to use the DASH-8 Gantry in Homecoming project | Welcome to EAST ISLAND AVIATION SERVICES, Inc.

 

[docjames]

I am sure a person who has difficulties walking would not agree with you, and given a lot of country folk fly in to the city for medical work on Dash 8s I am guessing they have a higher proportion of such folk than other flights, so any way to eliminate stairs etc would be appreciated.

I agree, that is the benefit.

What is their current approach for those with mobility difficulty?

 

[samh004]

I agree, that is the benefit.

What is their current approach for those with mobility difficulty?

Similar to boarding via the stairs for a 737 I believe, some sort of life that's moved into place when you're inside it. The door is still pretty small, so fitting a wheelchair through looks tricky, even more so with the gantry hand rails in the photos above.

 

[under the radar]

I agree, that is the benefit.

What is their current approach for those with mobility difficulty?

im not sure what the proceedure is currently...but im guessing it can be an 'undignified' experience for those involved (pax) getting someone onboard who is differently abled..and can involve 'awkward moments' between pax and staff....sometimes ending in laughter..sometimes ending in embarrasment!!...kudos to QF for trying to make the boarding experience as seamless and dignifying to a wider community of travellers...it's a fact that many less mobile pax WONT travel because of the various issues/barriers they face during travel..

 

[vertisol]

Qantas has apologised to a Canberra public servant who was not allowed to board a Sydney flight yesterday because there was insufficient time for him to board in his wheelchair.

Read more: Wheelchair user grounded

 

[samh004]

Qantas has apologised to a Canberra public servant who was not allowed to board a Sydney flight yesterday because there was insufficient time for him to board in his wheelchair.

Read more: Wheelchair user grounded

I saw that while looking how its done, but that story is a year old. Didn't say how it's done though.

 

[Hvr]

Qantas has apologised to a Canberra public servant who was not allowed to board a Sydney flight yesterday because there was insufficient time for him to board in his wheelchair.

Read more: Wheelchair user grounded

You do realise that article is more than a year old? I.e. it was published on 08 June 2012.

 

[Noob]

Great idea, will help turn arounds I'd imagine as well.

I'm interested if the above attachment for the turbo-props can be set to an incline to allow for ramp boarding where there isn't an aero bridge? I'd imagine such an improvement would be a good investment in busy, high return regional airports.

 

[Foreigner]

I take it the Gantry will work with both Q400 and Q300. Slightly OT, I was viewing JAL aircraft fleet list and they have four Q100 in service.

http://www.jal.com/en/outline/corporate/aircraft.html

 

[vertisol]

You do realise that article is more than a year old? I.e. it was published on 08 June 2012.

Well yes.
Please preface my post with:

"Here's a link to a newspaper article from 12 months ago that I found which illustrates some of the problems disabled people have found with boarding the Dash 8's from the tarmac".