SYD Transit Question

[littl_flier]

Hi Guys,

I am travelling from BNE-SYD-JFK in November on 24 November and was wondering about the T3 to T1 transfer. Originally I was booked on QF513, arriving at 1045 for the 1200 departure on QF107. The TA thought 1:15 might be a little short for transfer so I was rebooked onto QF507 because I didn't want the 734 aircraft on QF509 (now 73H). Sheduled departure at 0630, arriving 0900. This gives me three hours which seems quite long, even with the QP.

Turns out, QF have rejigged the BNE-SYD schedule (QF505 is now a 763 along with most of the other flights now) and there is a QF511 that has appeared which is a 763 aircraft. Scheduled departure is 0740 with arrival at 1010. This gives me 1hr 50mins.

I want to spend some time in the QP, although 3hrs seems a little excessive. I had 2hrs in MEL in April and got a little bored.

My questions are:

What is a comfortable connection time DOM-INT in SYD and allowing me to check out the QP? What issues have people had in the transfer? Supposing I can transfer to QF511, would 1hr 50 mins give me ample time to transfer and check out the QP? Boarding is 40 minutes before for a 3 class 744 isn't it?

Should I just leave it as is or go for QF511. I'm thinking cutting 1hr off the trip in whY could be a smart idea.

Cheers,
littl_flier

 

[Dave Noble]

If it was me and the ticket allows the change, then I would definately shorten the connection time. I would go for a 90 min connection if it was me to keep it short but reasonably straightforward. Anyway, assuming you are on a through ticket, in the unlikely event that you misconnect, there is a flight at 15:20 to rebook on

Dave

 

[littl_flier]

Great, thanks for the words of wisdom Dave. I'll have a chat to the TA tomorrow about changing to QF511.

Cheers,
littl_flier

 

[serfty]

Points to Note:

• QF107 should commence boarding at 11:30.
• The (mini Tarmac Tour) B¤s takes about 10 minutes.
• Maximum wait for the B¤s is 20 mins (leaving on, 20 past and 20 to the Hour)
• At that time of day it may take you 20 minutes to get through emigration.
• Maybe a five minute walk to the gate.

So with the 90 minute option and if all flights are on time, your QP may be limited to as little as 5 minutes, maximum 25.

If your inbound is late then you may need to forget about the QP altogether.

Personally, I would allow at least an additional hour.

YMMV

 

[serfty]

I... Anyway, assuming you are on a through ticket, in the unlikely event that you misconnect, there is a flight at 15:20 to rebook on ...

The problem with this is that when this happens, any preferred seating your QP/status may have gained is often lost.

IMHO, it's better to "risk" an additional hour in the QP than risk 13 hours stuck in 70E (for example).

 

[Evan]

From my expereince doing this 10-15 times in the last year you can have a great run and spend 20-30mins in the QP, or you can have a terrible run and spend more than that time in immigration and only just make your plane or worse miss it ! (Seems not to be that much logic as to when its really busy and when it is not for immigration, i have seen 2 completely different situations on the same flight pair, once enpty the other time out the doors with what seemed like 500 people in line)

I usually like 2hr (or even more) on the way out, but happy to cut it short on the way back in unless i want QP time (really not in the morning after 13hr on a plane i only want to get home!) and if you miss plane on the way in you just get the next one, no problems.

E

 

[Dave Noble]

The problem with this is that when this happens, any preferred seating your QP/status may have gained is often lost.

IMHO, it's better to "risk" an additional hour in the QP than risk 13 hours stuck in 70E (for example).

I would disagree since the risk of missing the flight is pretty low vs guaranteeing to have to waste time sat at an airport by taking early flight. The journey is tedious enough without making it longer than necessary.

Dave

 

[serfty]

Dave, a big YMMV on this one, this is one place where our philosophies differ.

For myself, the getting there is half the fun of most travel and I do not find lounge time tedious; It's often a most enjoyable part of travel.

I like to have at least 1 hour of available QP time, preferably two - before each flight, every flight. Anything less and I worry about the little things that can cause minor delays and how with less time to compensate these minor delays can turn in to large problems.

That's why I take into account boarding times, having a habit of leaving lounges so I arrive at the gates just before boarding commences.

As for the OP's desire:

... I want to spend some time in the QP, although 3hrs seems a little excessive. I had 2hrs in MEL in April and got a little bored. ...

Arriving into SYD T3 only 1½ hours before scheduled departure from T1 is not likely to give the QP time (approx. 1 hour?) that the OP desires.

... My questions are:

What is a comfortable connection time DOM-INT in SYD and allowing me to check out the QP? What issues have people had in the transfer? ...

Should I just leave it as is or go for QF511. I'm thinking cutting 1hr off the trip in whY could be a smart idea. ...

IMO, you need about 2 hours for comfort this should give around 60 minutes of QP time if no delays. I suggest you stick with QF511. I personally would go for QF509, but that's just me.

 

[moa999]

and if going to the FL in T1 definitely want more than 15min given it can often take that long just to get a glass of champagne delivered, let alone the food

 

[Sequel]

...going to the FL ...want more than 15min...it can often take that long just to get a glass of champagne delivered...

Yes, that would really upset me too (oh - how the other half live! ).

 

[Sequel]

I'm with Serfty. Even "slumming it" in the QP (Vs. FL), I would prefer a good hr of QP time rather than a rush straight to the gate (via a quick trip to the QP to wolf a drink - I pay for membership and I am going to use it!). Luckily I have never had a shocking run, but by the time you dis-embark, transfer, imigration, the time really disappears.

 

[Dave Noble]

I'm with Serfty. Even "slumming it" in the QP (Vs. FL), I would prefer a good hr of QP time rather than a rush straight to the gate (via a quick trip to the QP to wolf a drink - I pay for membership and I am going to use it!). Luckily I have never had a shocking run, but by the time you dis-embark, transfer, imigration, the time really disappears.

with time spent wasted in the lounge I would be sitting there thinking about how much closer to my destination I would be if I was on a plane travelling rather than stuck in a waiting room. With a 90 min connection I would expect to have a min of 30 mins and max of 60 mins in the lounge but would have 1hr spare ( allowing 30 mins to make it across SYD ) to get to the aircraft if I was delayed.

Also, if on a single ticket, I see no reason to worry about the time as long as it is a legal connection , since it would be protected by the airline

Dave

 

[dajop]

Has anyone here done Myers-Briggs? For those that have, on the P/J factor me thinks that the P's would be more comfortable with a tight connection (as tight as possible), and the J's need a couple of hours just in case.

 

[Hawkeye]

Given this is a frequent flyer forum, I suspect many of us have a great love for the journey, rather than it merely being a means to get to the destination. Often for me, the thrill of the journey far exceeds that derived from the place to which I am headed, particularly if it is work-related travel.

To this end, spending a decent amount of time in the lounge is a way of soaking up the atmosphere, and just chilling. It is simply nice not to be in a hurry to get somewhere.

 

[littl_flier]

Firstly, thanks team for the detailed responses. Sorry to invoke a debate though.

I would disagree since the risk of missing the flight is pretty low vs guaranteeing to have to waste time sat at an airport by taking early flight. The journey is tedious enough without making it longer than necessary.

Dave, I tend to agree but I can't really afford to miss this flight. I agree that perhaps a 3 hour connection would be wasting my time but I'm meeting a friend from QF175 and really do need to connect again in LAX or she'll have kittens. From your original post though, I get the feeling that the 75 minutes previously booked was too short?

Given this is a frequent flyer forum, I suspect many of us have a great love for the journey, rather than it merely being a means to get to the destination. Often for me, the thrill of the journey far exceeds that derived from the place to which I am headed, particularly if it is work-related travel.

For myself, the getting there is half the fun of most travel and I do not find lounge time tedious; It's often a most enjoyable part of travel.

I totally agree Serfty and Hawkeye, why else would one pick to go via SYD when there is QF175 direct and your travelling buddy's on that one. (Ok she booked later so its not like I ditched her)

As for the OP's desire:Arriving into SYD T3 only 1½ hours before scheduled departure from T1 is not likely to give the QP time (approx. 1 hour?) that the OP desires.

1 hour would be ideal for the actaul QP. I just want to check it out and have a quick nibble before the long flight. I also remembered that I intend on buying a better digital camera so I'll need to visit TRS as well.

IMO, you need about 2 hours for comfort this should give around 60 minutes of QP time if no delays. I suggest you stick with QF511. I personally would go for QF509, but that's just me.

Thanks Serfty, I will ask about QF509 (although its not a 763 ). Thanks for the advice everyone (Dave and Serfty particularly). There seems to be a general consensus from all that 3 hours is too long and 75 minutes was too short.

going to the FL in T1 definitely want more than 15min given it can often take that long just to get a glass of champagne delivered, let alone the food.

Unfortunately, FLounge access won't be happening unless pigs fly!

 

[Mal]

Unfortunately, FLounge access won't be happening unless pigs fly!

Or you post in the QF Meetings thread and find a 'sponsor'

Not doing any SYD transits in the near future (perhaps late Sept if a flight happens to the US which is in advanced thinking, but definately going through there very early Nov), but others go through there pretty frequently!

 

[littl_flier]

Or you post in the QF Meetings thread and find a 'sponsor'

Not doing any SYD transits in the near future (perhaps late Sept if a flight happens to the US which is in advanced thinking, but definately going through there very early Nov), but others go through there pretty frequently!

I can think of one transfer (MR) that we're doing together. BNE-BNE isn't it.

 

[Mal]

I can think of one transfer (MR) that we're doing together. BNE-BNE isn't it.

Yeah But that's in Feb - not going to help you 'waste' your transfer time in November

 

[littl_flier]

Yeah But that's in Feb - not going to help you 'waste' your transfer time in November

We could always organise a help littl_flier gathering in the FLounge and all do daily returns again.

What did someone say about pigs flying.

And "waste", all those plebs will be sitting outside on plastic chairs eating takeaway, while I'll be knocking back rum and cokes in an armchair. But then there's the toff's having massages and.........

Seriously though, the QP will be fine. I'll post all my details at a later date and definitely a TR when the occasion finally comes around.

 

[Alan in CBR]

I'm with serfty (and others) too. I want my travels to be as stress-free as possible. 3hrs is my MCT for a T3 to T1 transfer in SYD.

Of course I'm very risk-averse, but an extra hour in the QP is hardly a big downside in order to mitigate the (admittedly small) risk of misconnecting. It also gives the baggage handlers more time to get the luggage on board.

with time spent wasted in the lounge I would be sitting there thinking about how much closer to my destination I would be if I was on a plane travelling rather than stuck in a waiting room.

I would agree with this if the OP had chosen to take a later flight out of SYD, but in this situation it doesn't make sense. Taking either BNE-SYD flight will get the OP to his final destination at the same time - the risk-averse option just means starting out a little earlier.