Qantas trialling Aerobridges for Dash 8s?

[MarkD]

but im guessing it can be an 'undignified' experience for those involved (pax) getting someone onboard who is differently abled.

Is this a new term, is it suddenly Politically incorrect to use the term disabled?
I have never heard that term before? Personally, I really dont wish to again.

 

[samh004]

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.

Number of Aircraft Fleet | About JAL | JAPAN AIRLINES Corporate Information

I though a Q100/Q200 was the same thing, more or less, which QantasLink have too (Dash-8 200).

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/aircraft-seat-map-dash-8/global/en

 

[Foreigner]

I though a Q100/Q200 was the same thing, more or less, which QantasLink have too (Dash-8 200).

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/aircraft-seat-map-dash-8/global/en

Same capacity (39) but apparently the Q200 have more powerful engines...more here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_Dash_8

 

[oz_mark]

Is this a new term, is it suddenly Politically incorrect to use the term disabled?
I have never heard that term before

I personally would have gone with it being euphemistic and condescending. Of this phrase, the Los Angeles Times said in 1985:

"In a valiant effort to find a kinder term than handicapped, the Democratic National Committee has coined differently abled. The committee itself shows signs of being differently abled in the use of English."

 

[Jacques Vert]

Those who are less abled (wheelchairs, walking frames, etc.) are boarded using a lifting machine (which looks a bit like the Popemobile). Usually takes 3 staff members and slows boarding down by about 5 minutes per pax.

Also, AFAIK the Q200 also has the noise and vibration suppression which the 100 doesn't. Strictly speaking the 100 doesn't have the Q (which is supposed to indicate Quiet, according to some references). JV

 

[themanfromoz]

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.

You must have been lucky. Premium hand luggage was simply dumped at bottom of the actual aerobridge.

 

[samh004]

In TMW at the end of last year I saw a ramp that was quickly and easily manoeuvred close to the door and worked very well instead of the stairs, or the aerobridge, but obviously only good in a regional port where you stay on the ground level after that.

 

[maninblack]

VA might like to think about an aerobridge for gate 10 at MEL :!:

 

[themanfromoz]

Slightly off topic but Qantas Dash-8 are now using Gate 11 more than Gate 14 in CBR.
Bit hard on the knees as Gate 14 is serviced by an escalator.
Budget cuts from Qantas end or Canberra Airport?

 

[N860CR]

Neither. With the apron works on the adjacent gates the 737s can't fit on 11, so the Dash 8s have been using it until they've finished.

 

[pauly7]

VA might like to think about an aerobridge for gate 10 at MEL :!:

Or an innovative aero bridge solution for the rear doors instead of making people schlep it down stairs, across the tarmac and back up again

 

[harvyk]

Neither. With the apron works on the adjacent gates the 737s can't fit on 11, so the Dash 8s have been using it until they've finished.

Well that explains it. I was wondering why they would "waste" a bridge on a dash, and then have 737's boarded by stairs. I have to admit I didn't exactly think about it for long.

 

[ABC1]

Slightly off topic but Qantas Dash-8 are now using Gate 11 more than Gate 14 in CBR.
Bit hard on the knees as Gate 14 is serviced by an escalator.
Budget cuts from Qantas end or Canberra Airport?

Hi, it's because the new section of apron is being constructed. 737's wing span reach over the construction area therefore making it unsafe. Jets will be back at that gate once it's done which will be soon. QF will get two more gates including the middle one so any QF plane parked there will be seen right through the terminal from out front.

And i should add the two new aerobridges are sitting between the old RAAF hangers.

 

[Altair]

Or an innovative aero bridge solution for the rear doors instead of making people schlep it down stairs, across the tarmac and back up again

Hamilton (International) Airport in New Zealand (HLZ) used to use their aerobridge, now removed, for the NZ ATR-72. The aerobridge must be the arm type with steerable wheels, the ATR was parked parrallel to the terminal, door opened then aerobridge connected. I thought it was only for when it rained but after more 5 trips I then saw it was for al weather. Must have been too costly to maintain as the aerobridge was removed during the terminal expansion, which also was entirely unncessary.
The other type of aerobridge, with fixed walkway to the 2D (vertical and horizontal) moveable connector cannot do this as there is insufficient clearance for the ATR to make its turn.

 

[samh004]

Or an innovative aero bridge solution for the rear doors instead of making people schlep it down stairs, across the tarmac and back up again

I'd imagine you'd need to use two gates with very far extending aerobridges and a plane parked parallel to do this.

Although, if you had gates that were only for 737's/A320's and smaller, I'm not sure why a fixed gate couldn't extend from the terminal to the approx length of the end of the wings, and then a gate moved from parallel to that walkway into parallel with the terminal to facilitate boarding from the rear? Does that make sense?

I've included a bad drawing.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

nice pic but bad use of space as the jetway has to be built further out than the wing span, as they are now they can get more planes in because the jetway sticks out in front of the wing not beside it.

 

[samh004]

nice pic but bad use of space as the jetway has to be built further out than the wing span, as they are now they can get more planes in because the jetway sticks out in front of the wing not beside it.

You'd lose some space, but not nearly as much as parking planes parallel to the terminal to accomplish the same thing. I just wonder if front and rear jet/aerobridges would yield much of a reduction in turnaround time...

 

[maninblack]

I've included a bad drawing.

View attachment 24432

That's the first drawing I have ever seen on the forum. Bloody excellent work!

 

[pauly7]

You'd lose some space, but not nearly as much as parking planes parallel to the terminal to accomplish the same thing. I just wonder if front and rear jet/aerobridges would yield much of a reduction in turnaround time...

Hmmm interesting question.

But just picked up a friend from Tulla and VA still 'forced' people to walk the Tarmac in this heat. Would have been past 40 out there :/

Think your invention has legs Sam - maybe go and post it in the ask Virgin forum see if the customer service rep takes it up

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yes it's hot but how long are you on the tarmac for exactly?