Recent Experiences with Qantas' terminal transfer at SYD

[Quickstatus]

I guess a bus must've just left before we arrived and then we got lucky with the pilot?

Perhaps there is a wink nod arrangement to get the QF pilot to where they want to go ASAP - sort of like the Uber line at SYD with uniformed crew seemingly being able to get ahead of the line.

However, the only time it would be time critical for pilots is when they commute to operate an aircraft.

As it was a I > D, I can't see a reason for there to be any time criticality. As far as I know QF pilots don't commute from overseas to operate a domestic flight. D > I might be a different kettle of fish. An I pilot may be repositioning at short notice to operate an I flight

 

[Beano]

The only time it would be time critical for a pilot is when the commutes to operate an aircraft.

As it was a I > D, I can't see a reason for there to be any time criticality. As far as I know QF pilots don't commute from overseas to operate a domestic flight. D > I might be a different kettle of fishz An I pilot may be repositioning at short notice to operate an I flight

He may just have been going home. But then he may have also been at the INT terminal for orher reasons and needed to get to DOM.

 

[elanshin]

Still makes a lot of sense for QF to really just increase their buses at 7:00-9:30am in the morning and 18:00-19:30 where they just have big banks of transfers coming through.

 

[kamb1ng]

Purchased MEL-NAN via SYD.

• QF402 MEL-SYD lands at 7:25am
• QF101 SYD-NAN departs at 8:35am
• 70 minutes transfer time

Is this a doable transfer? I assume so since I purchased the flight directly through Qantas.

Thanks.

 

[elanshin]

Purchased MEL-NAN via SYD.

• QF402 MEL-SYD lands at 7:25am
• QF101 SYD-NAN departs at 8:35am
• 70 minutes transfer time

Is this a doable transfer? I assume so since I purchased the flight directly through Qantas.

Thanks.

In terms of doable - yes.

In terms of on the exact day how things are- no idea. There could be lack of buses, security immigration being slow etc. Personally I'd go up to the transfer desk at gate 15 and say you're on the 101 at 8:30 and when the next bus is etc.

70 mins is relatively tight and it all comes down to the exact situation on the day.

 

[justinbrett]

Based on my recent experiences with the buses, I don’t think it’s really doable unless your MEL flight arrives early or NAN departs late. T1 security/passport control is busy at that time. All down to luck really.

10 minutes to get off your flight and walk to Gate 15
15 minutes to wait for a bus
15 minutes to drive to T1
20 minutes for security and passport control
10 minutes to walk to the NAN gate

You’ve missed it.

 

[elanshin]

Based on my recent experiences with the buses, I don’t think it’s really doable unless your MEL flight arrives early or NAN departs late. T1 security/passport control is busy at that time. All down to luck really.

10 minutes to get off your flight and walk to Gate 15
15 minutes to wait for a bus
15 minutes to drive to T1
20 minutes for security and passport control
10 minutes to walk to the NAN gate

You’ve missed it.

The one difference is though, if you're on that transfer bus, QF has an idea where you are located at and they may look to expedite you through immigration/security.

 

[justinbrett]

The one difference is though, if you're on that transfer bus, QF has an idea where you are located at and they may look to expedite you through immigration/security.

They might go to some effort for long haul, but in this case probably easier to rebook you on FJ.

 

[kpro]

Have they replaced the x-ray machines in the international to domestic transfer lounge yet? I don't transit SYD often, but when I did earlier this year they were still the old type where you had to take out your laptop.
Security then got annoyed at me because I left my 11" iPad in my bag - and I haven't taken that out for separate scanning in years, even before 3D scanners started rolling out in Australia.

 

[kamb1ng]

Based on my recent experiences with the buses, I don’t think it’s really doable unless your MEL flight arrives early or NAN departs late. T1 security/passport control is busy at that time. All down to luck really.

10 minutes to get off your flight and walk to Gate 15
15 minutes to wait for a bus
15 minutes to drive to T1
20 minutes for security and passport control
10 minutes to walk to the NAN gate

You’ve missed it.

Fair enough. I looked at the history of QF101 in the past week and it's been consistently 30 minutes+ late.

So I'll be counting on that to make the transfer

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 7:27 PM

They might go to some effort for long haul, but in this case probably easier to rebook you on FJ.

How do I get QF to rebook me on FJ? Should I pre-emptively ask them to do this or do I have to wait until check-in at MEL?

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 7:28 PM

Have they replaced the x-ray machines in the international to domestic transfer lounge yet? I don't transit SYD often, but when I did earlier this year they were still the old type where you had to take out your laptop.
Security then got annoyed at me because I left my 11" iPad in my bag - and I haven't taken that out for separate scanning in years, even before 3D scanners started rolling out in Australia.

Yes they have. I did this transfer in SYD on 30 May and didn't have to take out laptops and tablets.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

How do I get QF to rebook me on FJ? Should I pre-emptively ask them to do this or do I have to wait until check-in at MEL?

You don’t!

They will rebook you if you miss, or it looks like you will miss your connection.

If your original flight is obviously going to misconnect, they might also fly you direct from MEL to NAN.

 

[elanshin]

Have they replaced the x-ray machines in the international to domestic transfer lounge yet? I don't transit SYD often, but when I did earlier this year they were still the old type where you had to take out your laptop.
Security then got annoyed at me because I left my 11" iPad in my bag - and I haven't taken that out for separate scanning in years, even before 3D scanners started rolling out in Australia.

No it's still the old machines here.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Purchased MEL-NAN via SYD.

• QF402 MEL-SYD lands at 7:25am
• QF101 SYD-NAN departs at 8:35am
• 70 minutes transfer time

Is this a doable transfer? I assume so since I purchased the flight directly through Qantas.

Thanks.

I saw those flights @kamb1ng also, thought MCT is 90 minutes at Sydney.

 

[Ubern]

Have they replaced the x-ray machines in the international to domestic transfer lounge yet? I don't transit SYD often, but when I did earlier this year they were still the old type where you had to take out your laptop.
Security then got annoyed at me because I left my 11" iPad in my bag - and I haven't taken that out for separate scanning in years, even before 3D scanners started rolling out in Australia.

Came through there 2 weeks ago, still old machines and had to remove laptop.

 

[CaptJCool]

In terms of doable - yes.

In terms of on the exact day how things are- no idea. There could be lack of buses, security immigration being slow etc. Personally I'd go up to the transfer desk at gate 15 and say you're on the 101 at 8:30 and when the next bus is etc.

70 mins is relatively tight and it all comes down to the exact situation on the day.

Same with a trip to Jo’burg in November 8.25 arrive. Depart 0930

Last two flights departed at 10

Do have 7 days in Cape Town ahead of the cruise so if the flight goes without us, it’s on them

 

[kamb1ng]

You don’t!

They will rebook you if you miss, or it looks like you will miss your connection.

If your original flight is obviously going to misconnect, they might also fly you direct from MEL to NAN.

How do I trigger this action at QF? I most definitely prefer flying FJ from MEL to NAN on the A350 if I don't have to pay extra

 

[elanshin]

How do I trigger this action at QF? I most definitely prefer flying FJ from MEL to NAN on the A350 if I don't have to pay extra

You can't. They can. But only if you get to the airport and there's going to be trouble in the morning with some sort of known delays. Which sadly is not as likely for QF402 as its the first flight out.

 

[SJF211]

I saw those flights @kamb1ng also, thought MCT is 90 minutes at Sydney.

I think they have some exceptions to the 90 minute rule because otherwise same day connections wouldn’t be available to some destinations. Pretty sure QF730 from Adelaide (0600 flight) is less then 90 minutes too for some connecting flights.

 

[justinbrett]

I think they have some exceptions to the 90 minute rule because otherwise same day connections wouldn’t be available to some destinations. Pretty sure QF730 from Adelaide (0600 flight) is less then 90 minutes too for some connecting flights.

They do, it’s 1:00 for this combination.

QF-QF DI 1.00 ALL - FLT 101 - 101 TRM 3 - 1