Abandoning Prison Island

[N860CR]

So transit through Darwin isn't an issue even though Darwin not 'open' as yet.

We were basically kept in a holding cell, totally removed from NT folk (weren’t even any border force staff). The only people who we interacted with were the four lounge staff, but they had masks and goggles on so are obviously immune.

 

[bam71]

To cap it off, home again relatively painlessly.

I remembered again why I don’t fly Qantas. They’re just not competitive anymore. The seat is fine. Meal service took about four hours from departure. 90 mins to get a drink in my hand. I giggled a little when the CSM did her little welcome chat just before descent saying “they’re telling us to do this late so we can just get on with the service”.

The long service was not the end of the world given it would be the only service until breakfast 2 hours before landing. No mid flight options other than tiny bags of chips and chocolates. These were sort of setup in the galley so I did grab one and was told to ask next time .

Woke up about 6 hours before landing in Darwin. Seemed most of the plane was awake. Not a single crew member came near me until breakfast appeared 4 hours later.

Transit in Darwin is easy. Quite well setup. No need to pass security again which makes it very pleasant.

I snoozed most of the way down to Sydney.

On arrival, NSW Health staff in full hazmat gear get on to play a federal government announcement. Given we’re all being released into the community, this seems like an overkill. Handed an A4 piece of paper that looked to be the same that has been handed out for 18 months (wash your hands etc etc). Other than that, normal entry to Australia. One customs officer was doing random vaccine checks at the e-gate (which I avoided) so it was straight to the exit for me and a quick waive out.

Interestingly, not a single mention of this supposed need to test during the first week.

No mid flight options like on the way over??

 

[N860CR]

No mid flight options like on the way over??

Nope nothing. The “mid flight” page of the menu literally said chips, chocolate and whole fruit

 

[Hollyh]

So interesting. Thank you.

 

[Santiago]

WOW that’s amazing no one to have to show the vax and PCR test. That’s great - rather be over prepared w everything than caught out! Enjoy your trip

I would expect that our vax cert if uploaded to myGov and linked with your passport the info would be automatically sent to destination immigration even before your takeoff from Australia. Just like all your passport/visa details and sent to destination at time of immigration protocol in Australia.

 

[N860CR]

I would expect that our vax cert if uploaded to myGov and linked with your passport the info would be automatically sent to destination immigration even before your takeoff from Australia. Just like all your passport/visa details and sent to destination at time of immigration protocol in Australia.

Forgot to mention this… when I returned from Portugal to the UK I needed to fill out another UK Entry form obviously. I hadn’t ordered a day 2 lat flow test as I was getting a PCR on arrival for my return to Australia and figured it would cover it. The entry form wouldn’t accept the booking number for the PCR test so I simply used the number from the day 2 test id already taken the week before. Accepted without issue and never pulled up.

 

[QF_Flyer]

Nope nothing. The “mid flight” page of the menu literally said chips, chocolate and whole fruit

Interesting, QF2 on Saturday (departing LHR)/Sunday (arriving DRW) they made bacon rolls (and another option) and brought those round for us all between the two main meal services.

 

[QF_Flyer]

On arrival, NSW Health staff in full hazmat gear get on to play a federal government announcement. Given we’re all being released into the community, this seems like an overkill. Handed an A4 piece of paper that looked to be the same that has been handed out for 18 months (wash your hands etc etc). Other than that, normal entry to Australia. One customs officer was doing random vaccine checks at the e-gate (which I avoided) so it was straight to the exit for me and a quick waive out.

Interestingly, not a single mention of this supposed need to test during the first week.

Same here on Sunday, one bloke checking vax at SYD, I wasn't chosen, other than that nothing.

On the other hand, DHHS were all over me on arrival at MEL (I connected the next day SYD-MEL) with SMS and email the second I landed reiterating my legal obligation to test on day 1 and day 5-7.

 

[Vic]

Great info. thx.

I'm not sure I beleive the full hazmat suit bit...

 

[N860CR]

Great info. thx.

I'm not sure I beleive the full hazmat suit bit...

Funnily enough… make it blue and it looked largely the same

 

[QF_Flyer]

Business or First?

Just remembered I did save this from Galleries F from my return on QF2. Doesn't show anything, I clearly overestimated what PDFing a screenshot would achieve. Feel like I was the one lowering the tone of GF at 08:00 with my three Champagne breakfast, but never mind. Self pour Champagne and other drinks, table service for food. I didn't bother venturing much further than the first Champagne station I came across.

The normal entrance to GF was roped off, so you actually enter Galleries Club and then there's another entrance to GF manned by one person.

 

[Vic]

USA for me in Feb, really good to read this stuff to get a feel for what's likely to happen.