QantasLink Dash 8 Discussion

[Beer_budget]

I was a regular flyer CBR-BNE and vv back in my uni days (which was apparently a long time ago), almost always on a Dash 8. I love them, the better views from flying lower, seats less squeezy than the 737s, crew always lovely. Never had many issues with foggy landings, but then I did usually aim for the evening flights for the free wine. I'll still choose a Dash 8 service where available.

Not sure I agree with the folks who think the Saabs are comparable - I think the Saabs are fine, IF you don't mind your fillings being shaken loose. They're dingy, low ceilinged and rattly, and you're lucky to be offered a muesli bar in flight (flown them with Rex on the GFN/LSY loop a couple times and more recently Link CBR-SYD). I try to avoid them wherever possible.

 

[kookaburra75]

For context, is "of late" measured in days/weeks/months or previous year?

I mostly do Dash-8 on one route, which is WTB-SYD (or return). I generally prefer 2A with hope of an empty seat, so that I can put stuff under the seat in front of me and still have room.

Like you I find joy in a forward seat with nobody next to me... because then I can work. And Dash-8 seats facilitate work, because the person in front can't recline into me.

Three things I have learned about seating:
* because there's no preallocation opportunity, I can't tell the system where I'd like to be.
* it's not possible to see seat allocation until t-24, and sometimes the map that comes up at checkin-is-now-open time doesn't relate well to advance loadings shown by (eg) Expertflyer, and
* the airport staff at WTB do load balancing starting from T-72. Truly, I would never ever play the DYKWIA card, but I travel enough that the airport staff know me by name. Consequently I do often find myself in the preferred seat.

Like you I've tried playing checkin tetris with seats, and tried not playing checkin tetris with seats, and my experience is that both options lead to similar outcome because it seems to be a complete coughshoot until the door closes. Sometimes the crew say "of course" to a move and sometimes they play draconian. I've given up trying to fathom the rules, because I think there aren't any and that weight balancing takes no account of status or preference. Occasionally I'm helpfully given an exit row., and I've learned to suck it up rather than try to change anything or second-guess and force a move. And anything is better than being next to the prop.

To be fair, it's hard to argue with someone whose answer is "weight balancing". They're probably right.

Later this year I get to try SYD/ABX and I'll find out if it's any different on that route.

That's the same as my experiences on the Dash8's, but I've learned to love them. Get off at the other end, grab your bag at the back, and off you go. I do the CBR-SYD run and vice versa at least once a month. And more recently CBR-HBA return - that was a bit far. The service going down was great, coming back was a bit hit and miss.
Most of the time I can move to where I want to be on the flight after doing check-in, although flying out of Canberra in the morning or afternoon most of the time the flight is full. But they are better than the Saab340s.

 

[themaiz]

I love them, the better views from flying lower, seats less squeezy than the 737s, crew always lovely.

Thanks for reminding me of the Dash-8 benefits. The lack of entertainment system is definitely offset by proximity to the ground.

Get off at the other end, grab your bag at the back, and off you go.

Definitely, and gives me time to talk to the arrival crew at the bottom of the stairs. Almost always I'm travelling with checked bags, and that's another reminder: I've never, ever, been challenged for checking in two 31kg suitcases. For the longest time during our house move I was commuting and using the flight to relocate... stuff.

I've reviewed the QF site any number of times (as recently as last Friday) and I still can't make sense of the stated luggage policy. I can only conclude that six-bladed turboprop planes aren't treated as Dash-8 for the purposes of checked bags.

 

[kookaburra75]

I've reviewed the QF site any number of times (as recently as last Friday) and I still can't make sense of the stated luggage policy. I can only conclude that six-bladed turboprop planes aren't treated as Dash-8 for the purposes of checked bags.

Shhhh. Don't give them any ideas. I frequently check in for international flights at Canberra with the first leg being on a Dash 8, and have never had any issues. Sydney domestic seems to be pulling people up and weighing bags and backpacks at the start of security. But when I mention I will be flying on a Dash 8 they've waved me through.