AFF Gathering #13 in SYD on 18 - 20 October 2019

[Captain Halliday]

DRW was 11 from memory.

Are you still with the same employer?

Affirm.

 

[albyd]

Count me in as platinum I’m a local & Mrs Albyd has said I can come

As for venues, agree something more casual for the first night and something a little more upmarket for the main dinner on the Saturday night. I’m thinking it should be in the city not just because it’s convenient but also agree with earlier comment part of the point is to show off the host city. That Sydney is expensive shouldn’t be a surprise.

This will be my first AFF event. How many members usually attend? Can Partners come to the main dinner on the Saturday night?

 

[Denali]

Squires Landing Tower room fits 40 people but no idea on the cost but like Sydney Cafe, check out the view . Functions & Events - Sydney Harbour | The Squire's Landing, The Rocks

 

[Hvr]

Can Partners come to the main dinner on the Saturday night?

Partners are welcome at all events. When the actual events are determined a list is created here with handles, your partner will be shown as albyd+1

 

[Lynda2475]

The only problem with Manly as location for the dinner is that Ferries only run until about 9pm, so after that only way back to the city is Uber/Taxi. Way more transport options if in the city proper (assuming most people will stay on the city side of the harbour or lower north shore).

Im probably platinum for city location, would be out if the decision is central coast (as actually easier for me to fly to Melbourne than it is to get to/from my place to central coast without a car).

 

[daft009]

being a local would love to try and attend this, could end up being my very first AFF event (if nothing in the meantime)

told mrs daft over the long weekend that I'm excited about her & I both attending an event here or there for this and the reply I got was.... "its my birthday on the 20th, you forgot!" uh oh..i quickly came back with... "it'll be a huge b'day party with lots of people you've never met" hmm, not sure how that went down lol

 

[Mogul]

The only problem with Manly as location for the dinner is that Ferries only run until about 9pm, so after that only way back to the city is Uber/Taxi. Way more transport options if in the city proper (assuming most people will stay on the city side of the harbour or lower north shore).

Im probably platinum for city location, would be out if the decision is central coast (as actually easier for me to fly to Melbourne than it is to get to/from my place to central coast without a car).

Ferry's run daily until 1.00am.

 

[Lynda2475]

Ferry's run daily until 1.00am.

Shows how longs its been since I caught the Manly ferry, glad to hear they run later these days. Only risk is weather then.

As someone else mentioned the lamp light tour of the Old Quarantine station used to be fun, but haven't done it since 1997 so my review isn't current.

 

[Major]

HARS - Historical Aircraft Restoration Society

 

[support]

HARS - Historical Aircraft Restoration Society

This might be a good day trip idea, and it would help if we could tie it in with some other aspects of the area, such as the Nan Tien Temple or the Sea Cliff Bridge on the drive down. I think a coach tour would suit our group better than rail as by road it's about an hour, but by train it is 2 hours... so if you take 4 hours out of the day in just transport it doesn't make as much sense.

Certainly a great suggestion.

 

[Mattg]

This might be a good day trip idea, and it would help if we could tie it in with some other aspects of the area, such as the Nan Tien Temple or the Sea Cliff Bridge on the drive down. I think a coach tour would suit our group better than rail as by road it's about an hour, but by train it is 2 hours... so if you take 4 hours out of the day in just transport it doesn't make as much sense.

Certainly a great suggestion.

The HARS staff can organise a group tour of the 747 and/or other aircraft if organised in advance.

I had thought about organising an AFF day trip to HARS at some point when I was living in Sydney, but never got around to it. If it's not included in the weekend, maybe we could do an AFF visit some other time?

 

[gwilli1]

HARS transported down/back on a QF Dash 200/300 SYD-WOL-SYD 4-5 hr Charter ...just putting it out there

 

[support]

HARS transported down/back on a QF Dash 200/300 SYD-WOL-SYD 4-5 hr Charter ...just putting it out there

A nice dream, but as a charter, it wouldn't earn SC/points and the thing most people forget is that a lot of routes are subsidised, so the true cost of operating them isn't apparent. I don't think even if we filled a Q400 it would be affordable.

 

[Buzzard]

but,but I can get to Gosford for $2.50 on my seniors opal card.

And what a pain it is having to apply for the Seniors Gold Opal card every 70 days or so (as an interstate senior).

 

[Major]

And what a pain it is having to apply for the Seniors Gold Opal card every 70 days or so (as an interstate senior).

Why ?
Mine is a few years old and every now and then I check the balance and top up if necessary. Sometimes it's more than 9 months between visits

 

[serfty]

Why ?
Mine is a few years old and every now and then I check the balance and top up if necessary. Sometimes it's more than 9 months between visits

Probably 'cause until recently a seniors from another state needed to. This has changed in the last year or so with Senior cardholders of states other than WA being exempted from the 60 days validity: (Opal for interstate seniors | NSW Government | Opal)

How to apply
If you’re an interstate senior from a state or territory other than the ACT, you can order your Gold Opal card in three easy steps:
...
You don't need a credit card to apply and there is no fee for a Gold Opal card, however, you do need to add value to your Gold Opal card to travel.

You should only submit your application two weeks before you need to travel, as your application will be processed immediately and your card will only be valid for 60 days (excluding seniors from ACT, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia) from the date of issue. If you need to travel in NSW for longer than 60 days , you will need to submit a new application when your card expires and a new card will be mailed to you.

Please ensure the mailing address you provide on your application is the one you will be staying at to receive the card. ...

 

[Buzzard]

Why ?
Mine is a few years old and every now and then I check the balance and top up if necessary. Sometimes it's more than 9 months between visits

Because we keep getting sent cards that expire after 72 or 74 days. Our cards from ACT, VIC, QLD and TAS last for years. the NSW system is painful.

 

[jch]

Sydney based so gold likely to turn platinum closer to the event can help with on the ground logistics if needed.

 

[serfty]

Flights now booked - last day of current QF sale from MEL $109 e/w ...

 

[cove]

I do hope Cafe Sydney is the pick for dinner in Customs House as it has views and pretty good food. It is just across from the Circular Quay Station so very easy and bus stops and ferry stops right there.