Brindabella Airlines experience

[Austman]

Brindabella Airlines is a QF partner.

I'm flying them soon, but can't find much about their service, except that "catering on our turbo-prop Metroliners is provided on boarding the aircraft". I can't even find if the Metroliner has a toliet for my 1.5 hour flight.

I'm not expecting much on board. But I would at least like to know a bit of what to expect.

Any experiences? Thanks in advance!

 

[bigjobs]

I fly with Aeropelican a fair bit ... one of them owns the other now (can't recall which way though). they are pleasant, usually on time, noisy and have limited luggage allowances.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Be careful on Brindabella - they frequently sub Metros (no toilet) to replace the Jetstream (Toilet!!). I had a number of drinks in Newcastle whilst killing time for my direct flight to CBR and then they subbed the aircraft on us at the last minute. When I asked the FO on the Metro (there is no FA) where the toilet was, he said, and I quote, "most people use the seat pocket". I can see why. The most painful 1 hour of my life.

The Jetstream is a good product - beer service, food, comfy aircraft.

The Metro is horrible. Depends which aircraft you get!

 

[Austman]

Be careful on Brindabella - they frequently sub Metros (no toilet) to replace the Jetstream (Toilet!!). I had a number of drinks in Newcastle whilst killing time for my direct flight to CBR and then they subbed the aircraft on us at the last minute. When I asked the FO on the Metro (there is no FA) where the toilet was, he said, and I quote, "most people use the seat pocket". I can see why. The most painful 1 hour of my life.

The Jetstream is a good product - beer service, food, comfy aircraft.

The Metro is horrible. Depends which aircraft you get!

My flights (according to qantas.com) are on a "Fairchild (Swearingen) Metro/Merlin". The longest is 1h 50m. Quite a long time for a "no toilet" flight!

 

[mosanator]

My flights (according to qantas.com) are on a "Fairchild (Swearingen) Metro/Merlin". The longest is 1h 50m. Quite a long time for a "no toilet" flight!

Metro is OK if you are under 5ft tall, of light build, deaf and have a bladder the size of a backyard swimming pool.
The FO hands you your "lunch box" as you board.
Only suggestions would be - check your legs with your baggage (forget carry on) and make sure you have been to the lav just before you board.
The toughest way to earn points in the QFF scheme.

 

[eastwest101]

Exactly what mosanator said if its a metro.

 

[Austman]

Metro is OK if you are under 5ft tall, of light build, deaf and have a bladder the size of a backyard swimming pool.
The FO hands you your "lunch box" as you board.
Only suggestions would be - check your legs with your baggage (forget carry on) and make sure you have been to the lav just before you board.
The toughest way to earn points in the QFF scheme.

Thanks. Oh dear, I'm 6' 2", of medium build and have a bladder less big than that.

It's burn trip, not an earn trip. Considering Brindabella's prices, using QFF points is a bit of a bargain.

 

[tyrolean]

Free nappies for Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyers?

 

[Boris spatsky]

Lets hope they sub the Jetstream for your Metro! And for those unaware, the Brinda metros don't have an autopilot - that's why they have two pilots! Captain: 'Autopilot engaged.' FO: 'taking over then, boss!'

 

[mtk]

I flew a Metro from Canberra to Newcastle last year and had no problems. I am short (but wide) and found it to be quite a pleasant experience.
I didn't notice that there was no bathroom; I don't recall anyone asking about it either.

There was no flight attendant, but the pilot and co-pilot were very friendly. The co-pilot handed us a snack pack of juice, piece of fruit, cake, lollies etc upon boarding.

I would happily fly them again with no concerns at all.

 

[mosanator]

I flew a Metro from Canberra to Newcastle last year and had no problems.

Thats potentially the route my employer would ask me to fly for IRC hearings, but I always find a reason to go to SYD (then catch the train up), just to avoid it.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Same route for me. After my toilet issue, i chose to go Virgin to Newy via BNE or MEL from CBR. Very long way around.

 

[eastwest101]

Metro is OK if you are under 5ft tall, of light build, deaf and have a bladder the size of a backyard swimming pool.
...
The toughest way to earn points in the QFF scheme.

Yep - its pretty "old school" on the Metro - but they are pretty safe reliable old planes - they will get you there but you will be deaf, only a little sore and keen to go to the toilet!

Toughest way to earn/redeem QFF points - I take my hat off to anyone whom does this. Respect. And it makes me appreciate the old Rex Saab 340's a bit more to hear that you can still bang around in an RPT Metro in Australia.

 

[Austman]

Well MEL-SYD-CAZ (Cobar) return for 24,000 QFF points + $79.00 is maybe not too bad, considering just SYD-CAZ return starts at $590.00.

Another question: If I take carry-on only for the Qantas MEL-SYD, can I had it over to be put in the baggage hold while I'm boading the Metro for SYD-CAZ? Or do I need to do that at a check-in counter in SYD?

 

[eastwest101]

Another question: If I take carry-on only for the Qantas MEL-SYD, can I had it over to be put in the baggage hold while I'm boading the Metro for SYD-CAZ? Or do I need to do that at a check-in counter in SYD?

The SYD-Cobar leg on the Metro will depend on how large your carry-on is, there are no overhead lockers in Metro's so you would probably be best to check it in at the Brindabella checkin counters in Sydney airport T2, there won't be room under the seat in front of you on the Metro to stash anything larger than about 20x20cm.

If you are just flying to Cobar and coming straight back immediately why not leave luggage in SYD either in a locker or at QC lounge (if you are a member)? Obviously you may be staying a while in Cobar - in which case you can check baggage in at the Brindabella check-in counters. Near Rex in T2 if I remember correctly.

Take earplugs/noise cancelling earphones and your own camera/entertainment on the Metro, leave your bladder in SYD if possible! As for reading - they usually have reading lights! Can we expect a TR out of this?

 

[Austman]

Now for a short review:

First the SYD-CAZ flight in bad weather. It was the last flight on a Friday afternoon with no more flights scheduled until Monday.


The Sydney gate for the Cobar flight. FQ325 SYD-CAZ 16:30-17:55. And also the replacement FQ325 SYD-CAZ 22:00-23:35...


The cabin of the 19 seater Metroliner. On my flight: 2 crew, 6 passengers, 0 toilets.


The in-flight cuisine.

After 1 hour in the air the fight went mechanical and returned to Sydney. The whole 2 bumpy hours were inside dark clouds. So another hour in the T2 QP for me (risking bladder explosion on the next flight). The replacement aircraft made it OK, again through bumpy dark clouds, touching down to CAZ at 23:35. They had a near full passenger load for CAZ-SYD return and it was the last flight on Friday with no flights until Monday. I guess they landed in SYD at around 01:40.

 

[Austman]

Now for the return some days later. Much better weather!


Cobar check-in desk.


The Brindabella Club Lounge at Cobar Airport.


Cobar departure gate. And the Metroliner had just landed. FQ322 CAZ-SYD 08:40-10:30 was much less eventful and on time!

 

[Austman]

How a flight should go from Sydney (YSSY) to Cobar (YCBA)


How the flight actually went from Sydney (YSSY) to Cobar (YCBA)... (oh dear)

After 2 hours of bumpy through the cloud travel (dark, lightning, rain), the first plane landed back in Sydney. Then we had to do it all again!