Crash-8 400 Inaugural

[Groundfeeder]

Having been extensively conveyed by Crash-8's in a most pleasurable manner around QLD, I'm pleased to be allocated space on the Crash-8 400 for a trip to Rockvegas on 28 Feb. Only appears to shorten the airtime by 10 mins so the FA's will have to scurry slightly faster during the lovely wine sipping period (they will retain it won't they - despite shorter trip and more pax??)

The 400 seat map looks daunting compared to the 300 and I'm wondering whether my PS and CIP status will keep me the usual < row 4 and further from the external fans that hypnotise/terrorise most travellers.

1A & B plus 2C & D look ideal for my leg extension so I wonder if they supply leg rests for these particular seats.

Let y'all know whats its like later RON.

 

[Groundfeeder]

The introduction of the stretch Crash 8 has required a repaint of the taxi paths at BNE, with only 3 new tenuous tracks remaining from the former linemarking maze.
The Q400 is an elegant bird now with her extensions, but somewhat ungainly with the belly strakes jutting out from the rear. The 6 bladed props (Beta subsonic I think) give it a purposeful stance and get a damn good grip on the airflow as I was about to experience.
There’s going to be many sore heads on this craft as the port overhead locker intrudes into the boarding space next to the door – beware. Allocated 6D put me one row in front of the prop but there were only about 10 heads in front of me, so QF2358 (VH-QOB “Rockhampton” appropriately) was by no means full.

Interior is very bright with light gray coloured linings, but the cloth seat trim looks like it came out of a Spotlight catalogue. Leg room for my 6’2” was exceptional with a good 2” ahead of my kneecaps – slightly more than the 300 I believe. No recline as in the 300. The 3 FA’s got the drill going smoothly and we taxied quietly out to runway 01 and launched with excellent thrust from the big props after a quite short takeoff roll. Its my impression that the Q400 is about 10-15% quieter than the 300.

Waiting in the Rockvegas QP for my return I noticed that the Q400 mimics its smaller brethren by having its landing lights flashing alternatively – this is driving me nuts figuring out why, because the Q400 has a faster flying envelope than the 300 and can’t be slowing everything else down.

The return trip was affected by storms in BNE and I am convinced we must have overflown Roma on the way back to BNE to avoid. I got the last of the food boxes (in 6D again) before they shut down the service due to impending turbulence Had to hold for 20 minutes before approach and after landing found there were no bays for us, so we parked closer to Moreton Bay than I have been for a while. Waited for buses in downpour and then endured a 40-minute wait for baggage claim.
THEN …. there was the 150m taxi queue in the downpour – some very bedraggled looking women with their hairdo’s stuck to their heads in a not-glamorous pose.

Great aircraft to utilise on my frequent QLD regional trips and looking forward to the great service Sunstate are renowned for.

 

[JohnK]

Very good trip report Geoff. Thanks for the information.

 

[Groundfeeder]

JohnK,

For you, only 12.5 ROK-BNE returns will soak up your vision for lifetime silver.

Q400 will grease the way far more efficiently.

Cheers

 

[Yada Yada]

Had to hold for 20 minutes before approach and after landing found there were no bays for us, so we parked closer to Moreton Bay than I have been for a while. Waited for buses in downpour and then endured a 40-minute wait for baggage claim.
THEN …. there was the 150m taxi queue in the downpour – some very bedraggled looking women with their hairdo’s stuck to their heads in a not-glamorous pose.

It can be quite annoying when the normal flight time for a trip is eclipsed by the length of time spent in holding pattern loops, waiting for a gate, and delayed luggage unloading. I guess that the wet hairdos would have been an amusing consolation for the delays.

Thanks for the trip report.

 

[Mahtoh]

JohnK,

For you, only 12.5 ROK-BNE returns will soak up your vision for lifetime silver.

Q400 will grease the way far more efficiently.

Cheers

Are you saying you get 85.5% of the lifetime silver SCs in 12.5 trips? Aaaaaaaaaah 5985 SC's in 13 trips?

 

[markis10]

It can be quite annoying when the normal flight time for a trip is eclipsed by the length of time spent in holding pattern loops, waiting for a gate, and delayed luggage unloading. I guess that the wet hairdos would have been an amusing consolation for the delays.

Thanks for the trip report.

Its even more annoying when those holding patterns are not used and aircraft hit each other, reminds me of a request for flight level change from a pilot that was knocked back over the middle of Australia due to "noise abatement", the pilot decided to question this reason and was told the noise of his aircraft hitting the one above him was the reason!

I dont mind delays that have obvious reasons, however waiting for three hours at BNE for my bags one morning after an early AM arrival form SIN somewhat pushed the tolerance!

Good trip report, have to say I agree with Sunstates service, the FA's really try hard and the smiles are real!

 

[JohnK]

JohnK,

For you, only 12.5 ROK-BNE returns will soak up your vision for lifetime silver.

Q400 will grease the way far more efficiently.

LOL. Unfortunately I will need to earn a little more than that.

Last calculation I was an extra lifetime short of lifetime silver. :?