AFF Gathering #17 in BNE on 18 - 20 October 2024

We're pleased to announce that the 2024 AFF annual gathering will be held in Brisbane, the sunny capital of Queensland!

The weekend of Friday 18 - Sunday 20 October 2024 has been chosen for the event. As per past years, there will be a welcome dinner on the Friday evening, optional activities on Saturday and a main dinner on Saturday evening. There may also be an optional activity on Sunday in the late morning.

All AFF members (and +1's, etc.) are welcome to attend. Most people usually fly in on Friday afternoon and leave on the Sunday afternoon/evening.

Your lead organisers for this year's event are @NM and @QF WP. Other Brisbane-based members are also welcome to volunteer to assist.

We'll update this thread over the coming months with more information about the planned activities, dinner venues and costs, which we expect to be similar to past gatherings. There will be a $5 registration fee per participant, plus the cost of any activities and/or meals that you choose to join.

For now, please feel free to let us know in this thread if you think you'll be able to make it! For those unfamiliar with the AFF terminology:

• "Platinum" means you're planning to attend and have booked flights/accommodation
• "Gold" means you're likely to attend but will need to confirm at a later time
• "Silver" means you're unlikely to attend at this stage.
• "Bronze" means you're unable to attend.

The AFF Leadership Team can provide support in terms of money collection and distribution, and editing this thread as needed. If something needs to be updated, please simply report the post with the update so anyone on the team can action it (starting a conversation only alerts one person).

We're looking forward to seeing you all in Brissie!

 

[DejaBrew]

....and again. Now delayed until 13:15

But it’s ok because the aircraft has “departed” MEL…

 

[CaptJCool]

....and again. Now delayed until 13:15

Then that’s definitely no lunch for you
The Birds Nest will be all the poorer for your absence

 

[Hvr]

And QF616 is just about to depart MEL. The plane is packed!

 

[patrickw]

Working from the Four Points now - hope delays aren't too bad for everyone else flying up from SYD/MEL/CBR/NTL.

Initially I was kicking myself for booking the 6am QF500 SYD BNE, but the (very) early check-in and bright sun here has made it much easier.

Photos from the flight

 

[RooFlyer]

....and again. Now delayed until 13:15

same same. Cabin crew arrived at boarding time. One of the flight deck crew arrived five minutes prior scheduled late departure. Not such a big problem but I I’ll be missing a physio appt this arvo.

 

[gwilli1]

Heading into city and the Sebel now on the Airtrain . Had a brief chat with Matt as he got of the CBR flight.

 

[QF WP]

Out at my parents house in my dads office, looking after my mum whilst my dad attends a friends’ funeral.



Waiting for him to come home so I can then go back to my place, meet Mrs QF WP and head to closest park and ride (train) for trip into South Brisbane.

 

[QPProletarian]

Since the lunch is at 1, I might try and catch something in Milton first and drive over. May be 10ish mins late if OK.

 

[RooFlyer]

same same. Cabin crew arrived at boarding time. One of the flight deck crew arrived five minutes prior scheduled late departure. Not such a big problem but I I’ll be missing a physio appt this arvo.

Cabin crew chatting while we sit on the ground. Staff and crew shortages across the Qantas network today apparently.

 

[DejaBrew]

Well I can confirm the operating aircraft (VH-VYI “Bathurst Island”) has landed…



Now to see how fast they are at turning her around to head further north…

 

[CaptJCool]

What better way to get the day started than photographing some Queenslanders !

Out on a 50cent fare!




Milton House still there. Was the original homestead of a Mr Eldridge after which Milton was named

 

[Katie]

Dress code question for tonight (Friday night) at Chu the Phat - gentlemens, is anyone wearing shorts?
I'm thinking Mr Katie would prefer to wear shorts and a polo shirt ... but he wouldn't want to be the only male type person doing so.

TIA!

 

[gwilli1]

Dress code question for tonight (Friday night) at Chu the Phat - gentlemens, is anyone wearing shorts?
I'm thinking Mr Katie would prefer to wear shorts and a polo shirt ... but he wouldn't want to be the only male type person doing so.

TIA!

Yes I'm wearing shorts.

 

[tdimdad]

Dress code question for tonight (Friday night) at Chu the Phat - gentlemens, is anyone wearing shorts?
I'm thinking Mr Katie would prefer to wear shorts and a polo shirt ... but he wouldn't want to be the only male type person doing so.

TIA!

Shorts & polo for me, too. And sandals. It's QLD, after all - the weather invites for comfy attire.

Post automatically merged: Today at 1:40 PM

Pre-lunch drink. A pilgrimage destination for me every time when I'm in Brissie.

 

[Katie]

Whoops, just realised I didn't RSVP for Mr Katie tonight anyway.

It's all good if he can't come.

 

[Scash]

Dress code question for tonight (Friday night) at Chu the Phat - gentlemens, is anyone wearing shorts?
I'm thinking Mr Katie would prefer to wear shorts and a polo shirt ... but he wouldn't want to be the only male type person doing so.

TIA!

I sure am. It is Queensland!

 

[Dantas]

QF1234 delayed out of HBA so I’ve been bumped onto QF628 which gets me to BNE at 1835. Might be a tad late for dinner!

 

[DejaBrew]

Finally on the way to Bris Vegas

 

[NM]

Whoops, just realised I didn't RSVP for Mr Katie tonight anyway.

It's all good if he can't come.

He can come for drinks at 6pm at The Laneway (some people are likely to arrive a little late), and we can verify numbers for dinner then, as the dinner section of the venue can only accommodate 60 people and we have 60 confirmed for dinner at this time.

If anyone is expecting to arrive late (e.g, @Dantas as posted above) please let us know so we hold your place for you. Or if you are a last minute cancellation for dinner, please let us know so we release your spot for someone else (wait-list is active).

 

[Ade]

Ok. So the delays start