Unable to disembark as another aircraft boarding

[Mattg]

I flew SYD-CBR on VA yesterday. On arrival in CBR, we arrived at the gate but then just sat there for well over 20 minutes. At first we thought there must have been a problem with the door/stairs, but turns out we weren't allowed off as the Perth-bound aircraft next to us was still boarding via the tarmac (gate 3). There was also a Tiger flight sitting there that couldn't let any passengers off.

I've never seen this before - is this a common issue? What would be the logic behind it? If the problem was that we were sharing a gate, I'm not sure why we couldn't just use one of the other VA gates, two of which were vacant?

 

[ButFli]

I'm guessing they don't allow simultaneous departures and arrivals at Gate 3.

There could be many reasons why your aircraft didn't use another gate. If it was an ATR then it can't use another gate because they are all jet-bridges.

 

[Must...Fly!]

There are rules around when you can and can't disembark next to another aircraft on to the tarmac due to noise. Not sure on this one though

 

[Happy Dude]

I've not experienced that Mattg. Is it possible it was a staff schedule thing?

 

[kermatu]

My guess is staffing as well.

The number of times I've arrived at CBR in a 737 or 717 (on QF) and glided by empty gates 11, 12 and 13 to park in the bay (so no aerobridge) prompted me to ask a few weeks back why. I was told lack of staff can sometimes cause flights to go to the bay (no-one to operate the bridge above and supervise below).

I have seen two planes disembark on the Qantas bay area for gate 14 at the same time, so that can't be a blocker. Perhaps embarking and disembarking are different?

 

[OzEire]

If it was an ATR then it can't use another gate because they are all jet-bridges.

Boarded an ATR via CBR gate 7 this morning. Stairs behind the aerobridge.