VA 637 CBR - SYD is late due to repeated fog

[get me outta here]

I should have booked the first flight out of CBR as it would have been on the ground already and be able to take off in the fog. The CBR-SYD is my free Amex VA card flight. Today, I would have missed my DPS connection at 1130.

The bookings have a note in them to cross reference, but not on the same PNR.

Any advice plse?

 

[Boris spatsky]

In CBR in winter, always book the first flight out if connecting to int'l even if that means 6 hours in the Flounge in SYD.

So did you miss your connection?

 

[get me outta here]

Boris, yes, I know, I just forgot about the fog, it was 35C when I booked it. The flt is on 23 Jul. I phoned Amex who said they'd change it to the 0600 flt and charge $107 change fee. They said the 0600 has plenty of seats so I though I'd wait and look at the BOM site and then change it 7 days before. I'll probably change it anyway as it's the only reliable way to ensure it.

BTW, I have zero access to the Flounge!

 

[Boris spatsky]

Yeah, lots of fog delays in CBR at the moment. First aircraft usually get out, but many not getting back in until 10.30 or 11 on some days.

Which month is it for?

 

[get me outta here]

It's for 23 Jul. I have to decide whether to wait and check BOM; go at 0600 - dread that getting up at 0330; or maybe go up the arvo before and stay w' someone and check in at SYD. I much prefer to check in at CBR though.

When you say, 'usually' you mean that maybe even the first flt doesn't go??

I need a hotline to the fog master.

 

[markis10]

No such thing as the fog master, I once had a BA 747 holding for 7 hours in my airspace waiting for SYD to clear, big deal you might say, she was on a MEL SYD run, ended up turning back to Melbourne and we opened ten minutes later. That was a MEL to MEL flight that lasted 9 odd hours.

 

[Boris spatsky]

There are two circumstances that i have seen recently in CBR that have limited departures:

1) On the odd occasion that there is freezing fog (less than 0 degrees C with fog around), the aircraft may not be able to depart due to de-icing limitations.

2) Sometimes the fog reduces visibility below the aircraft certified visibility takeoff requirement. In this instance, aircraft cannot depart until the vis improves.

 

[OzEire]

Murrays (bus) advertises a fog-buster early morning service Cbr to Syd

Not that I would use it unless i was desperate (such as to avoid missing an int conx).

On CBR fog, has anyone heard of the airlines increasing the number of airframes on the ground in Canberra overnight during the foggy months (its really only 8-12 weeks that fog is often).