For Skymogul, did you succeed in your odyssey?
Were you able to do the int - int transfer, or were you made to clear Aust immi in MEL, and go out and get dumped to a 737?
Alas, the dream of a seamless international-to-international transfer was not possible, and I was required to clear customs in MEL, re-check my bag, and obtain my onward boarding pass. But on reflection, this is probably the most seamless it's going to get, and I would probably prefer to be screened in MEL than PER just because there are more staff and PAX, so there is less likelihood of being scrutinised and held up.
And no equipment swaps, so I was able to bask in the glory of the 787 coast-to-coast in business on a domestic hop, which is truly the best way to take that journey.
Here's what happened:
I had heard there were many delays and flight cancellations at MEL and SYD due to high winds, single runway OPS, and low controller numbers, so I was bracing myself for a long day of champagne in the lounge. So I was happy when my inbound QF154 from AKL landed 17 minutes ahead of schedule! However, then we sat on the apron for 17 minutes waiting for our assigned gate to become free, so we ended up disembarking right on time at 12 midday.
Cleared immigration and collected my bag, I was one of the first bags out, so no queues at quarantine. Headed upstairs to try the QF curbside check-in suite, which I have never done before. Arrived there at +23 minutes since disembarkation. Quizzed the staff there if the correct process was followed and got two different answers, started a debate as one agent said as it was on the same ticket, my bag should've been checked through to my final destination, but the other agent said MEL had stopped doing that, but they were both royally confused and still not 100% sure.
Headed for fast track security and 'domestic customs', no queue, so my orange sticker was promptly stamped, and I walked past the hordes of PAX milling around the terminal due to the delays from the morning, which were still impacting operations.
Arrived at the QF first lounge at +39 minutes since disembarkation and settled in.
Despite the delays, my onward QF9 boarded on time and was ready to depart on time; however, several PAX had to be offloaded, so we ended up departing 11 minutes late. There were still gale-force winds at MEL, and our 787 wasn't phased, with a beautifully smooth take-off and uneventful flight.
Disembarked at PER 3 minutes behind schedule, and arriving passengers doing the 'domestic transfer' were directed to 'domestic customs' and baggage claim, and no further quarantine checks. So I was curbside within 5 minutes.
Overall, while nowhere near seamless, the transfer in MEL wasn't a huge impost. However, I would allow several hours to connect if you're not flying at the pointy end.
