TIGER AIRWAYS AUSTRALIA- 24th Nov( MEL-OOL)

[milocole]

Well here i go, i arrived at the front of the TT terminal, very new, big anf bright. Walked through the doors to see that there were about 10 or so check in desks, with 4 marked "coolangatta". The STUPID schoolies of course were all over the place, and i was in que for 20mins, TT would have made a huge profit on this flight with all the excess luggage. Anyways when it was my turn, she asked for our ID, then typed god knows what into the computer, took about 5mins, called 2 or so people over to help, and looked at her computer screen like she had no idea what the hell she was doing. I guess it was only their second day, but serioulsy, hurry up. After you check in, you can go through security, or elsewhere around the airport, but theres no going back once you have been thorugh security. well, i then wondered around the corner to security, same as anywhere really. The TT terminal is a replicar of Avalon, big and heaps of seating. There is a Cafe, and Newslink, Internet (4 coms), and a few game machines. If you want to watch planes, you have to walk up to the boarding gate window, so now windows to watch planes, if your flight was delayed (most are), you would most likely be bored of your brains. My advice is not to turn up too early, but not to late either, mabye somewhere in the middle. Well out of all 180 seats that were sold, yes it was a full full full flight, there was prob about 160 schollies, well it was basically the flight from hell. When they call their flight up, make sure you get to the line at the gate quickly, because 180 people wraps around the terminal and not good. Also the paying for the alocated seating is a scam, they ask you what seat you want, show you the map of the plane, or you can just say "24B!". So dont waste your money allocating, but make sure you know your A320 seating plans and window numbers etc. Well when we walk out the terminal gate, we walk about 300m to the awating planes. The planes are not out the front of the terminal, they are a bit of a walk on the tarmac. If its raining, your kinda in trouble. Well the usual standards, front and back boarding. I saw three planes, VH-VND, VH-VNB and VH-VNC(new), well i was hoping VH-VNC cause its new,and it was. I boarded the stairs and soon as i walked on the plane, it smelt like a new car, serioulsly. The seats are blue, qantas like seats, and seemed bit smaller than JQ, anyways, i was in 25A. I would have thougnt that they seats would at least be orange or yellow, nothing inside the a/c represented Tiger Airways. If you had a photo and had to guess which interior it was you would prob say- Ansett, Qantas, Skywest. The FA have a yellow top, with their TT sash, same as sing. well as we all seated, schollies satring to get crazy and scared (first time flyers(90% of them!!!)), the engines started up, and the safety procedures are done. The safety procedures are not like JQ, where and automated machine reads it out, it the head FA that reads out the instructions from a sheet of paper(i didn't know they were that cheap). Well the FA are aussies, except for one, Connie. And there was 3 girls, and one guy, who was an idiot, flirting with the schollies, what a tool, which he was, and ill get to that later. Anyways, the safety cough is read out, no one is listening, and we just want to LEAVE (already 30mins late, hopeless). Well once that was done, the FA sat down, someone crazy loser, got up while taxing to the runway, to the toilet, seriosly, what a moron, of couse he was spotted and told to sit, by the ASIAN FA, that was a funny scene, lol. Well we are now getting close to the main runway, and all the stupid schoolies were pressing that stupid call button, to piss of the FA , and everyone else. Well as we get on the runway, everyone is screaming scared, and i thought it was hirlarous, with all these school leavers shaking, crying, but then think they are so tough by pressing the FA call button and pissing off everyone. Well, as the roar of engine start up, yes you get everyone scremaing at the same time when the thrust happens, and then everyone well just closes their eyes, and we have lift off, yay. we reach up for the sky, a few drops here and there, and asend for the sky!!. After we have got to the stage where we can take off our belts, the inflight service is about to start. The prices are about 50c cheaper to JQ, and a bit more variety, mainly in alcohol. Anyway, The FA were getting a bit fed up with the schollies, who were leaving mess everywhere and pressing that damn button. Now i was bored (no magazine yet), so i was watching around the cabin. I was watching the male FA, who seemed weird. "Matthew" who must have been an ex FA, was the most worst FA i have seen in my life. He didn't care about anyone on board, nor did he concentrate doing the safety procedures. He was too busy flirting and laughing with the Immature schoollies. However when we arrived (smooth landing, smooth takeoff, smooth sailing!), he was stading against the door with Connie(Femaile FA), and he was just eating food, i should have taken a photo, then Connie hit him, saying cmon, say bye etc. Anyway the terminal at GC is good, very new, well it is new, and clean. You can collect your bags and be out of the airport within 4mins from leaving th A/C. The Ground crew wear a yellow top, that says Aero crew or something like that. I would give TT 8/10, they have a few things to get done, make checkin faster, make FA more friendly, make Safety instructions more effective, and MAKE SURE THAT THE A/C is going to leave and land ON TIME. On time Performace is a few field in travel, and nobody like being late. Well i have a few more TT flights over the next few months so i hope that they can settle in and get better, yes i know its only day 2. I would fly JQ over TT, because the service is star standard, and the seats are excellent, and just the atmosphere of being on a JQ flight feels better than TT, well thats my story anway, feel free to ask questions and comment

 

[simongr]

So was it worth the wait/excitement/build up?

One tip though - if you post a "coming soon" post I would advise against going back and editing your trip report into the original post. If someone uses "New Posts" to check they will see your "coming soon" post but the actual trip report will not then be caught on "New Posts".

 

[milocole]

So was it worth the wait/excitement/build up?

One tip though - if you post a "coming soon" post I would advise against going back and editing your trip report into the original post. If someone uses "New Posts" to check they will see your "coming soon" post but the actual trip report will not then be caught on "New Posts".

meh, well it was intesting to be on one of the first few TT flights. Anyway they are a BUDGET airline, no frills all the way

 

[drron]

Mental note to self.Never travel on a discount airline during schoolies.

 

[Petch]

Hilarious trip report, reading it made me feel like I was 17 all over again. A few question/requests though, please…

After you check in, you can go through security, or elsewhere around the airport, but theres no going back once you have been thorugh security.

I followed the tiger tracks from the main terminal to have a look at T4 the other day, before it opened. I noticed that only passengers could get through security, but am surprised that you can’t get back out. So, two questions;
· did the security remain open the whole time you were in the waiting area? (i.e. it didn't close once check-in was shut?)
· Did you actually ask a security person if you could go back out?

I ask these questions so I can work out how to maximise my time in the main terminal post-check-in and pre-delayed-departure. i.e. spend as much time as possible in T2(landside), T3 or the Priority Pass lounge before moving back to T4.

Second question is for anyone that has used Rex at T3 MEL;
· Is it possible to access the Rex ground exit (to the car park, which is obviously right next to T4), from the upper-level on the departure pier?

This question is to determine, if, on leaving T3 airside to go to T4, it is possible to nip out a back way, instead of walking all the way back through baggage claim.

…they ask you what seat you want, show you the map of the plane, or you can just say "24B!". So dont waste your money allocating

So, that’s the same as Jetstar then, good news. But did you manage to get some pictures of inside the aircraft, particularly row 1ABC, row1DEF & the exit rows (i.e. the seats that cost $25 more)?

And are the front few rows on the left, out of alignement with those on the right? (Like on Jetstar.)

The safety procedures are not like JQ, where and automated machine reads it out, it the head FA that reads out the instructions from a sheet of paper(i didn't know they were that cheap).

Oddly enough, JQ operated by Jetconnect (NZ) don’t do it either - they read off cheat sheets, which I find weird as well.

Anyway the terminal at GC is good, very new, well it is new, and clean.

Is the set up the same as T4 Melbourne, in regard to passing back out through security to the main terminal if there is a delay?

 

[milocole]

Hilarious trip report, reading it made me feel like I was 17 all over again. A few question/requests though, please…

I followed the tiger tracks from the main terminal to have a look at T4 the other day, before it opened. I noticed that only passengers could get through security, but am surprised that you can’t get back out. So, two questions;
· did the security remain open the whole time you were in the waiting area? (i.e. it didn't close once check-in was shut?)
· Did you actually ask a security person if you could go back out?

I ask these questions so I can work out how to maximise my time in the main terminal post-check-in and pre-delayed-departure. i.e. spend as much time as possible in T2(landside), T3 or the Priority Pass lounge before moving back to T4.

Second question is for anyone that has used Rex at T3 MEL;
· Is it possible to access the Rex ground exit (to the car park, which is obviously right next to T4), from the upper-level on the departure pier?

This question is to determine, if, on leaving T3 airside to go to T4, it is possible to nip out a back way, instead of walking all the way back through baggage claim.


So, that’s the same as Jetstar then, good news. But did you manage to get some pictures of inside the aircraft, particularly row 1ABC, row1DEF & the exit rows (i.e. the seats that cost $25 more)?

And are the front few rows on the left, out of alignement with those on the right? (Like on Jetstar.)


Oddly enough, JQ operated by Jetconnect (NZ) don’t do it either - they read off cheat sheets, which I find weird as well.


Is the set up the same as T4 Melbourne, in regard to passing back out through security to the main terminal if there is a delay?

Well, when i saw the tv screen saying that the flight is 30mins late, i still had to wait another 2 hours to board!!!!!!, so no way was i spending this 2 hours in T4, so i asked security, and they wouldn't let me out!!, and when going through security, they check your boarding pass, so if you dont have one, looks like your not going in to T4. And the security people stay there until the plane leaves

Well i had my camera out to take photos of Emerg exit row, but stupid FA, goes "no photo,no photo in plane", damn, but that didn't stop me filming takeoff and landing, and in flight experience, which ill post on youtube in a minute. I also filmed footage of TT landing at OOL from vidoeing it from Currumbun. Also the t4 is only one level, so theres no observation deck, which is a shame, cause i like watching those planes, and you dont feel to good, when you can hear the sounds of a QF 747 taking off and your only meters away, and you cant look at it outside, nor inside

Well , if you like looking at walls for two or so hours, well T4 is definately for you, but i would go to other terminals to watch the planes, just be careful with that 30mins pre boarding time before takeoff.

The Gc has a small terminal, bit worried if there was 400 or so peoples, they have divided the section at GC and T4 in an arrivals, and departures section. Seeing i flew JQ on the way back, im not sure if family, friends, or us plane spotters are allwoed to get into the departures.
Well, i beleive tiger can work here in australia, but some advice that was mentioned before, DONT FLY WITH those SCHOLLIES, they just about bought the plane down, plus once every 10secs that damn call button was being pressed to piss off those poor flight attends.

 

[milocole]

im trying to add photos but how????????????????????????????????????

 

[simongr]

Either upload them to your own personal webspace (if you have any) and then link to them here using:

[ img] url of offsite image [/ img]

Or attach them here using the paperclip. They need to be fairly small images to attached here though.

 

[milocole]

im currently in the process of uploading 9 Youtube videos, from my TT experience, which ranges from landings, takeoffs, Gold coast terminal and in flight video i will post all the links HERE soon as those videos are finished loading on to youtube

 

[serfty]

Either upload them to your own personal webspace (if you have any) and then link to them here using:

[ img] url of offsite image [/ img]

OT: One may employ the NOPARSE tags to show syntactical content.

e.g. [NOPARSE][NOPARSE]

[/NOPARSE][/NOPARSE]

 

[futaris]

Thanks for the trip report. I'm not surprised that 90% of the schoolies haven't flown before... An interesting read even though it could do with some punctuation / spacing.

 

[milocole]

Thanks for the trip report. I'm not surprised that 90% of the schoolies haven't flown before... An interesting read even though it could do with some punctuation / spacing.

Sorry if the Spelling etc is bad, ill edit it later, I didn't get home until 3am, got to sleep by 4am this morning because damn JQ delayed their last GC flight for the day, I just wanted to get home!!!, the 20.25 departure turned into the 22.30 departure. JQ only sold their i flight food on request with the call button, cause everyone was asleep and not exactly in the mood for alcohol or plane food, and there was only about 5 calls, so it pays to be on time!, funny watching the TT flight depart at 20.25, which is the same time my JQ was meant to leave, i only chose JQ just in case TT was cough, seeing they were the same price, but i felt so Jealous seeing that Tiger tail leave the runway, So basically im 99% asleep and not in the mood for pressing the backspace key!!

Also on the TT flight, well the people behind me, all three of them spent a combined total of $65 on alcohol, and the people in front of me spent $55 and food/alcohol, Tiger Certiantly did well on this flight and many others most likely that were leading up to Last monday when was the date the Victorian Schoolies arrived at GC, by the time they got to me, they were sold out of Pringles, Damn!,

 

[milocole]

Also, does anyone know, seeing TT are using seperate terminals at OOL and MEL, will they be using sepertae terminals at Sunshine Coast, Launceston, HObart, Newcastle,Adelaide, Canberra, Mackay or Rocky. I know that they are using aerobridges in perth, but has anyone SEEN the TT location at those airports, are they currently building at Can, Hob and Alice. If Anyone knows any info, please leave it here

 

[Petch]

And the security people stay there until the plane leaves...just be careful with that 30mins pre boarding time before takeoff.

Okay, I am trying to understand the ramifications of the pre-boarding time limit & a security team that vets boarding passes, in a domestic airport.

Let me preface this by saying, at Jetstar (as you know) they say be at the gate at least 30minutes before scheduled boarding or "dire consequences" etc, etc… But the reality of what they mean is, be at the gate before the queue to get on board finishes. Thus, generally the Qantas Club (you might not know) gives an announcement to go to the gate at either –

· First and Final @ “the orange boarding pass gate announcement” mark (e.g. those clubs with staff who consider they work only for Qantas "the Airline")
· OR, Final @ “the queue is now small, and it will take you that long to get to the gate anyway” mark (e.g. those clubs staffed with people who consider they work for Qantas "the Group", and that my dollar is important to them regardless of the brand I fly)

So, a few questions –

· Did you see the security people turn anyone away with a boarding pass after the 30 minute mark;
o 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time
o 30 minutes prior to re-scheduled departure time
· Did the monitors or staff on the check-in side of security advise you that your flight was delayed, or were you only made aware of this after you had proceeded through security and it was too late to get back out?

Thanks.

 

[milocole]

Okay, I am trying to understand the ramifications of the pre-boarding time limit & a security team that vets boarding passes, in a domestic airport.

Let me preface this by saying, at Jetstar (as you know) they say be at the gate at least 30minutes before scheduled boarding or "dire consequences" etc, etc… But the reality of what they mean is, be at the gate before the queue to get on board finishes. Thus, generally the Qantas Club (you might not know) gives an announcement to go to the gate at either –

· First and Final @ “the orange boarding pass gate announcement” mark (e.g. those clubs with staff who consider they work only for Qantas "the Airline")
· OR, Final @ “the queue is now small, and it will take you that long to get to the gate anyway” mark (e.g. those clubs staffed with people who consider they work for Qantas "the Group", and that my dollar is important to them regardless of the brand I fly)

So, a few questions –

· Did you see the security people turn anyone away with a boarding pass after the 30 minute mark;
o 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time
o 30 minutes prior to re-scheduled departure time
· Did the monitors or staff on the check-in side of security advise you that your flight was delayed, or were you only made aware of this after you had proceeded through security and it was too late to get back out?

Thanks.

No well you cant see if the turn away anyone because there is a huge wall, and i wouldn't think so, the security people just makes sure that no peoples who are not on the plane dont go through security. Well the reasons we were late was that, check in takes ages cause the staff are SO slow, and have no idea, and nearly everyone, especially scholies were paying excess baggage, and it was a full flight of them, so you can imagine. Anyway while in the terminal the screen displayed 2.25 departure under "Est", and that turned into 1 hour cause they are so UNORGANISED. Anway they need to pick up their game with speed, effiectcy and yeah. Well also they go "Passengers who are boarding flight TT blah blah blah" please proceed to gate 1", and "stand their for 30mins while we all run around like headless chickens having no idea what to do" Sorry about that comment, lol, well then 180 passengers or so join one LONG line which actually ends back up at security. SO yeah, a few tips
-get to the gate STRAIGHT AWAY
-DONT allocate your seat online, AT check-in is the same
-mabye go for a walk around the airport beofre boarding, cause its HELL boring insideT4

 

[Petch]

LOL, thanks for the reply, that’s great…

mabye go for a walk around the airport beofre boarding, cause its HELL boring insideT4

I am certainly getting that impression. Hence why I don’t want to go thru T4 security before I absolutely have to.

But, I would ask you to "hypothetically" consider a different strategy than the one you employed! I, just like you, do not like to queue or wait around in a “boring” environment before I get onto a flight. So, consider what you said here -

get to the gate STRAIGHT AWAY

What if, someone was trying, instead of being 1st, to be that last person to get onto the aeroplane, and stay outside T4 for as long as possible, what would be your strategy then?

 

[milocole]

LOL, thanks for the reply, that’s great…

I am certainly getting that impression. Hence why I don’t want to go thru T4 security before I absolutely have to.

But, I would ask you to "hypothetically" consider a different strategy than the one you employed! I, just like you, do not like to queue or wait around in a “boring” environment before I get onto a flight. So, consider what you said here -
What if, someone was trying, instead of being 1st, to be that last person to get onto the aeroplane, and stay outside T4 for as long as possible, what would be your strategy then?

well meh, do you have a TT flight coming up. I can imagine how congested it will get in there once all 12 destinations are up and running. Well, If its your first time in T4, mabye spend your first experice in there, But i was at least expecting windows at the front of the terminal to view and video planes. I heard a 747 QF taking off and i couldnt see it, and i was only meters away!!!!

 

[drron]

Also, does anyone know, seeing TT are using seperate terminals at OOL and MEL, will they be using sepertae terminals at Sunshine Coast, Launceston, HObart, Newcastle,Adelaide, Canberra, Mackay or Rocky. I know that they are using aerobridges in perth, but has anyone SEEN the TT location at those airports, are they currently building at Can, Hob and Alice. If Anyone knows any info, please leave it here

As posted before I saw a practice flight in and out of the Sunshine Coast.They used the gate right beside the JQ gate I was waiting on.There is only one secure area so I dont think that will change.

 

[Dave Noble]

Would all passengers aboard AFF please observe the No Feeding signs

Closing the thread due to the nature of the path it had headed in past the information at the start