VA flight misses SYD curfew, returns to HBA

[Stealthflyer]

How often do SYD-bound aircraft take off and then have to return due to curfew?

The 8.25pm HBA-SYD flight was late boarding tonight. We were told to rush because they didn’t want to miss SYD curfew. Then we sat on the tarmac for what seemed like ages, probably waiting for the okay to chance it. I thought we were going to be unloaded again, but all of a sudden, the ground crew whisked the ramp away and at 9.30, the pilot took off with such pace you’d think he’d been taking tips from the youth of Bridgewater. Half an hour into the flight, we were told we were turning around because we were going to miss curfew. Then we all had to line up for a photocopied piece of paper saying our flight had been cancelled. A bit of a time and jet fuel waster.

Is it common for pilots to take such a risk with curfew? I mean, HBA-SYD is usually a 1 hour 50 min flight, so taking off 1.5 hours before curfew seems pretty tight.

 

[dajop]

Is it common for pilots to take such a risk with curfew? I mean, HBA-SYD is usually a 1 hour 50 min flight, so taking off 1.5 hours before curfew seems pretty tight.

Flying time is usually around 1:30 and as low as 1:24. 1:20 might have been a bit too optimistic though. Maybe they were hoping for a landing from the south, and then it became clear it would be from the north. Noticed a couple of weeks ago it diverted to MEL, presumably for the same reason.




Perhaps WSI + some buses will eventually solve these curfew problems. At least get people within an hour's drive of where they wanted to be. Although if VA have no presence there then may not be an option for them (and it would also leave an aircraft at the wrong airport).

 

[Stealthflyer]

Flying time is usually around 1:30 and as low as 1:24. 1:20 might have been a bit too optimistic though. Maybe they were hoping for a landing from the south, and then it became clear it would be from the north. Noticed a couple of weeks ago it diverted to MEL, presumably for the same reason.

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Perhaps WSI + some buses will eventually solve these curfew problems. At least get people within an hour's drive of where they wanted to be. Although if VA have no presence there then may not be an option for them (and it would also leave an aircraft at the wrong airport).

Interesting, thanks for that info. I suppose at least diverting to MEL, there are more options for early morning flights /international connections.

 

[MH_fan]

Why was the flight delayed in the first place?
Being on a flight that lands close to curfew always stresses me out. Closest I ever came to curfew was with 10-15 minutes to spare after a delayed departure.

 

[Saab34]

Does curfew start at when the aircraft is cleared to land or when the gear touches the runway?

I recall for departures as long as you request pushback by 22.59 you are safe. I’ve had that before, we pushed at 22.59 then sat for 10 minutes while the crew kept doing what they needed to do. Sneaky, but it was safe and it worked.

 

[AIRwin]

Why was the flight delayed in the first place?

Inbound aircraft was late

 

[shuuy]

Being on a flight that lands close to curfew always stresses me out. Closest I ever came to curfew was with 10-15 minutes to spare after a delayed departure.

I've landed at 23h30 on a PER-SYD. I never knew who was on that plane.

My time sitting next to John Howard we had no issues at 22h15.

 

[Quickstatus]

Does curfew start at when the aircraft is cleared to land or when the gear touches the runway?

Touchdown.
The aircraft could be on approach say 10 feet from touching down but if the cinderella time ticks over before wheels touch the tarmac, landing would result in fines.

 

[DAC1]

I've landed at 23h30 on a PER-SYD.

It is possible for the airlines to get dispensation to land or take off after 11pm from time to time if they meet specific requirements.

There is also a register online of all requests for dispensation and whether they were approved or denied.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Inbound aircraft was late

Which in itself is disingenuous and not a ‘real’ reason for a flight delay.

The incoming flight must have been delayed for a reason, the plane can’t delay itself.

Hate it when airlines hide behind the ‘late inbound’ excuse, which they hope cuts off any further enquires as to why, or where the liability lies.

 

[Rebus]

Did VA arrange hotels for those who didn't live close to Hobart?

 

[Stealthflyer]

Did VA arrange hotels for those who didn't live close to Hobart?

They gave us a piece of paper that said you can be reimbursed for a hotel via the feedback form. But we had to line up individually in the check in line to get the paper. Fortunately I was close to the beginning of the line so I was able to head home pretty quickly.

People were ropable and confused though. There were boos and calls of “why don’t you value our time”, to which the VA staff member yelled back something about respect. Not the best start. I was glad to get out of there. VA’s processing and communication could have been better, particularly as it was so late already. They rescheduled the flight for midday today. I guess they had to give the crew a rest.

 

[kyle]

I always find the concept of fines funny as the people who are supposed to benefit from the curfew would not get the benefit of any fines paid.

People were ropable and confused though. There were boos and calls of “why don’t you value our time”, to which the VA staff member yelled back something about respect. Not the best start.

I'm just hating the "respect" line being thrown around since COVID days in any industry whenever there's a disagreement or argument with the customer.

 

[OZDUCK]

I always find the concept of fines funny as the people who are supposed to benefit from the curfew would not get the benefit of any fines paid.

I'm just hating the "respect" line being thrown around since COVID days in any industry whenever there's a disagreement or argument with the customer.

Yes, 'respect' is only a one way street for many companies.

 

[dajop]

Yes, 'respect' is only a one way street for many companies.

Yes, not that is not fair on staff or customers.

And it's also 2025. Any system that relies on handing out a piece of paper is just plain ridiculous. Reserve that for the technologically illiterate, who staff can deal with calmly and quicklyh. For the rest, push out something to an App or Email. It would save both staff and customers a lot of angst.

 

[RooFlyer]

For the rest, push out something to an App or Email. It would save both staff and customers a lot of angst.

Thats an annoyance of mine across many industries. They insist on collecting all this data - e-mail, phone etc, but never use them when expeditious to do so.

 

[Aeryn]

And it's also 2025.

Well 2026 actually although maybe Tasmania is lagging behind.

 

[transpactraveller]

I'm just hating the "respect" line being thrown around since COVID days in any industry whenever there's a disagreement or argument with the customer.

I've found most companies that need to beg people to "respect their staff" are usually providing disrespectful service. Good service earns more respect than a passive aggressive demand for it.