MarkD
Established Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2011
- Posts
- 1,275
- Qantas
- Silver
- Virgin
- Platinum
Time for my first trip report.....
Had an industry event in Sydney today, so booked the 6am flight down Saver tkt, and 8.30pm flt back (Saver again)
Arrived at BNE airport around 5am, through security, had the obligitory explosives test, and proceeded up to the lounge. Checked in online, allocated 3A.
Now I wandered up to the offerings, and be buggered, there are HOT pancakes sitting there. Grabbed two and a juice, and devoured them quickly. They were actually quite tasty.
Before too long a boarding call was made, and I headed to gate 39 for DJ908. Sitting there in its perch was a red 737-800, VH-VUW, bugger, no new interior on this one I thought. Passed the hoardes lined up in the boarding line, via Priority lane, I love the death stares and feeling superior :mrgreen:. That was painless, wandered straight onto the aircraft, "Welcome back Mark" as I stepped onboard. Hmmm there is a bulkhead on the front LHS..... What the.... Ok it appears that VUW has been refitted with new J cabin, including divider J seats and new Y seats. The aircraft looked great inside, having said that, this bird is only a year or so old anyway. There was nobody in the J cabin, Row 3 was full both sides, but the legroom was fantastic, I stretched right out, and was so comfortable. Trip departed on time, and was uneventful. on approach to SYD, we levelled out for about 5 mins before touchdown, and we were sitting about 100ft abouve a thick cloud cover. It was the most amazing cloud cover I have ever seen, but the camera was in the overhead, and the seatbelts sign was well and truly on, so no pics. But to just fly above it so close for such a long time was brilliant. Landing was one of the best I have experienced, the skipper must have smiled after that one. Taxied to the gate, and as has been the case lately, the captain was standing at the flightdeck door saying thanks to everyone as they got off, its a nice touch, and something that makes you feel loved.
As I said I was booked on the 8.30pm flight SYD-BNE, well the event I was attending was certainly a boring affair, I had seen what I needed too, and for the sake of my health and well-being, I decided to blow the event off, and go home early. There has been plenty of discussion re Fly early, and thought I would test a different scenario. You see when I checked in online, for AM Flt, I checked in for the return flight as well. Well I dumped the hire car at 12.45, wandered up to priority entry, at SYD Lounge, asked if I could fly earlier.... No worries, how does 2pm sound was the reply. FANTASTIC, it 1.05pm, just enough time to grab a coke, some nibblies, and Im home. I was given an exit row seat 14C, which was OK by me, and wandered into the lounge. The lounge was fairly busy, there were staff cleaning tables!!!!! every other time I have been to SYD lounge, cleaners were nowhere to be seen. The food offering was slim, the soup didn't look that appetising, there was one mini Quich thingy sitting there, I looked at it, looked again, and decided it should stay there, so I left it alone, and made a toasted cheese and ham sandwich. Although the variety was not there in regard to food, there was sufficient. I do think they need to add some variety though, I couldn't even find any biscuits to have with my coffee (Where are they??)
Anyway, soon enough a boarding call was made, and I wandered down to board DJ947. Another red bird was nesting at the gate, VUA this time, now she is an old girl, by VA Standards (2004 build I think). I once again struuted up the premium entry lane getting evil eye treatment because I am able to use the fast lane.... Reminds me a bit of the roadworkers in the ute that drives up and down the roadworks on the new road, whilst you sit in your car stationary on the old coughpy road that has a donkey holding a stop sign, that doesnt appear to have a go side, so the frustration I feel for the roadworkers is what I assume they felt for me. Good thing they take weapons and tools off pax at security.
Anyway, I boarded the aircraft, and it stopped, The thoughtful lady who was seated in row 4 had decided to take a tarmac tour, and board through the rear stairs, then walk forward up the AC all the way to row 4 whilst we tried to go the other way... OK Past that, now row 6.... I am in the aisle seat, you are in the window hmmmm ok then, I will stand here and whinge and moan, whilst you the 90 year old gentleman struggle to move over one more seat, whilst 100 passengers sit and wait. Seriously, why cant they just sit down, let others through, then sort it out?????? Home sailing now I see row 14, I sit, Im happy. Now the seats are showing their age, however, they are comfortable enough for a short hop, I actually find the older seats with a bit of bum wear to be reaonably comfortable.
Anyway, we departed on time, took the taxiway to Melbourne, and took off. The flight was uneventful, free LTA, as usual these days. A bit thirsty, I bought a pepsi, When did the cans become 250ml cans??? IIRC they were always standard 375ml cans. I dont usually buy softdrink, but IIRC the last time I bought one in May, going to Perth on the A330 they were 375ml cans, the price is the same with 1/3 less, maybe I dont recall correctly, but pretty sure I am right. ANyway, a minor issue, the flight was great, quick, and the crew were efficient, friendly, and professional. A fairly hard landing in BNE, saw us arrive approx 5 mins early, and taxi to the gate. Once again the Captain was there saying thanks, and its all over for another day. Now Im off to sell the first born to pay for the parking at BNE Domestic, $40 for 9 hrs, I could have stayed 24hrs for the same price, they are thieves, BAC, and something really needs to be done about their price gouging an parking prices.
So in summary,
1. Virgin are doing great
2. Sydney Lounge needs more variety of food
3. When sitting in row 4, Board through front door
4. Find somewhere else to park the car
Had an industry event in Sydney today, so booked the 6am flight down Saver tkt, and 8.30pm flt back (Saver again)
Arrived at BNE airport around 5am, through security, had the obligitory explosives test, and proceeded up to the lounge. Checked in online, allocated 3A.
Now I wandered up to the offerings, and be buggered, there are HOT pancakes sitting there. Grabbed two and a juice, and devoured them quickly. They were actually quite tasty.
Before too long a boarding call was made, and I headed to gate 39 for DJ908. Sitting there in its perch was a red 737-800, VH-VUW, bugger, no new interior on this one I thought. Passed the hoardes lined up in the boarding line, via Priority lane, I love the death stares and feeling superior :mrgreen:. That was painless, wandered straight onto the aircraft, "Welcome back Mark" as I stepped onboard. Hmmm there is a bulkhead on the front LHS..... What the.... Ok it appears that VUW has been refitted with new J cabin, including divider J seats and new Y seats. The aircraft looked great inside, having said that, this bird is only a year or so old anyway. There was nobody in the J cabin, Row 3 was full both sides, but the legroom was fantastic, I stretched right out, and was so comfortable. Trip departed on time, and was uneventful. on approach to SYD, we levelled out for about 5 mins before touchdown, and we were sitting about 100ft abouve a thick cloud cover. It was the most amazing cloud cover I have ever seen, but the camera was in the overhead, and the seatbelts sign was well and truly on, so no pics. But to just fly above it so close for such a long time was brilliant. Landing was one of the best I have experienced, the skipper must have smiled after that one. Taxied to the gate, and as has been the case lately, the captain was standing at the flightdeck door saying thanks to everyone as they got off, its a nice touch, and something that makes you feel loved.
As I said I was booked on the 8.30pm flight SYD-BNE, well the event I was attending was certainly a boring affair, I had seen what I needed too, and for the sake of my health and well-being, I decided to blow the event off, and go home early. There has been plenty of discussion re Fly early, and thought I would test a different scenario. You see when I checked in online, for AM Flt, I checked in for the return flight as well. Well I dumped the hire car at 12.45, wandered up to priority entry, at SYD Lounge, asked if I could fly earlier.... No worries, how does 2pm sound was the reply. FANTASTIC, it 1.05pm, just enough time to grab a coke, some nibblies, and Im home. I was given an exit row seat 14C, which was OK by me, and wandered into the lounge. The lounge was fairly busy, there were staff cleaning tables!!!!! every other time I have been to SYD lounge, cleaners were nowhere to be seen. The food offering was slim, the soup didn't look that appetising, there was one mini Quich thingy sitting there, I looked at it, looked again, and decided it should stay there, so I left it alone, and made a toasted cheese and ham sandwich. Although the variety was not there in regard to food, there was sufficient. I do think they need to add some variety though, I couldn't even find any biscuits to have with my coffee (Where are they??)
Anyway, soon enough a boarding call was made, and I wandered down to board DJ947. Another red bird was nesting at the gate, VUA this time, now she is an old girl, by VA Standards (2004 build I think). I once again struuted up the premium entry lane getting evil eye treatment because I am able to use the fast lane.... Reminds me a bit of the roadworkers in the ute that drives up and down the roadworks on the new road, whilst you sit in your car stationary on the old coughpy road that has a donkey holding a stop sign, that doesnt appear to have a go side, so the frustration I feel for the roadworkers is what I assume they felt for me. Good thing they take weapons and tools off pax at security.
Anyway, I boarded the aircraft, and it stopped, The thoughtful lady who was seated in row 4 had decided to take a tarmac tour, and board through the rear stairs, then walk forward up the AC all the way to row 4 whilst we tried to go the other way... OK Past that, now row 6.... I am in the aisle seat, you are in the window hmmmm ok then, I will stand here and whinge and moan, whilst you the 90 year old gentleman struggle to move over one more seat, whilst 100 passengers sit and wait. Seriously, why cant they just sit down, let others through, then sort it out?????? Home sailing now I see row 14, I sit, Im happy. Now the seats are showing their age, however, they are comfortable enough for a short hop, I actually find the older seats with a bit of bum wear to be reaonably comfortable.
Anyway, we departed on time, took the taxiway to Melbourne, and took off. The flight was uneventful, free LTA, as usual these days. A bit thirsty, I bought a pepsi, When did the cans become 250ml cans??? IIRC they were always standard 375ml cans. I dont usually buy softdrink, but IIRC the last time I bought one in May, going to Perth on the A330 they were 375ml cans, the price is the same with 1/3 less, maybe I dont recall correctly, but pretty sure I am right. ANyway, a minor issue, the flight was great, quick, and the crew were efficient, friendly, and professional. A fairly hard landing in BNE, saw us arrive approx 5 mins early, and taxi to the gate. Once again the Captain was there saying thanks, and its all over for another day. Now Im off to sell the first born to pay for the parking at BNE Domestic, $40 for 9 hrs, I could have stayed 24hrs for the same price, they are thieves, BAC, and something really needs to be done about their price gouging an parking prices.
So in summary,
1. Virgin are doing great
2. Sydney Lounge needs more variety of food
3. When sitting in row 4, Board through front door
4. Find somewhere else to park the car
Last edited:
