DJ codeshare flight (Skywest) to Emerald - questions

[QF WP]

I have the pleasure in doing a day trip to Emerald next Friday. After researching fares, VA was cheaper on both sectors and I need the SC's for re-qualifying Gold anyway (whereas QF is already done). VFF will be happy.

TRAVEL PLAN WITH VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

BRISBANE TO EMERALD
Flight No: DJ1255
Fare:Saver*
Class: Economy
Check-in: Virgin Australia

DEPARTING
Brisbane Domestic Terminal, 0545hr (05:45am), Fri 10 Feb 2012
Operated by Skywest for Virgin Australia

ARRIVING
Emerald Airport, 0740hr (07:40am), Fri 10 Feb 2012


EMERALD TO BRISBANE
Flight No: DJ1262
Fare: Saver*
Class: Economy
Check-in: Virgin Australia

DEPARTING
Emerald Airport, 1825hr (6:25pm), Fri 10 Feb 2012
Operated by Skywest for Virgin Australia

ARRIVING
Brisbane Domestic Terminal
2010hr (8:10pm), Fri 10 Feb 2012

I understand that VA have recently commenced flights into Emerald and I have the pleasure in going up on Skywest and on an ATR72 (IIRC from the booking). I had thought that there was some commentary on the ATR72, but using the Search function didn't yield what I expected.

I was in EMD almost a year ago (similar day trip) and remember the renovations going on (took some photos); but recall that was the QF side.

With a $120+ difference between Saver ($275) and Flexi ($389) on the return leg, thought it would be easier (as well as obviously cheaper!) to actually buy something from the concession stand there.

A pity that I'm going to probably finish with my clients by midday and have another 6.5 hours until the return flight - but nothing with QF that they didn't want my first born daughter sold for the fare.

I'll have my client and his wife (my clients) to pick me up and drop me back to the airport, thankfully no transport problems.

So my newbie questions :

1. Can some kind soul point me in the right direction to learn more about the ATR 72 (operated by our friends at Skywest). What are the tips and traps?
2. Seating. I have selected 2D on both sectors. Row 1 was blocked (Saver fare) on the outbound and on the way back was already occupied.
3. The Lounge. My understanding is that there is no Lounge in EMD, but no fear I'll have laptop, mobile and chrgers; so after doing some work, might tour the EMD facility as I'll be up again in about 4 to 6 weeks.

 

[markis10]

Lindsay, the ATR boards from the rear, so best seats are in the back, food is provided on all fares.

 

[QF WP]

So boarding is from the rear, is de-planing the same (from the rear?)

Any difference in ride quality sitting at the back, markis10?

Now I understand why Row 16 was already taken

 

[markis10]

Deplaning is from the rear as well, some tips here:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....otos/virgins-first-atr-service-glt-33762.html

I was surprised by the ride in the rear, it was very good.

 

[samh004]

So boarding is from the rear, is de-planing the same (from the rear?)

Any difference in ride quality sitting at the back, markis10?

Now I understand why Row 16 was already taken

It’s a comfortable ride at the back and the front, you might have to duck a little, low ceiling

 

[QF WP]

Thanks for pointing me to your TR, markis10. Great photos that have given me a really good idea about what to expect from the product.

Your advice about sitting in the back for ease of entry and early exit sounds sensible. Now I understand why it had pre-allocated me Row 16 (I think) and why there were already pax allocated at the back of the plane - which confused me why elite level pax would choose the back of the plane to sit.

samh004, yes the height restriction might be difficult, so will watch that I don't smack my head

 

[chrisjrn]

I've written a review of the CBR-SYD ATR flights over at AusBT, you can read it here: Airline Review: Virgin Australia's Capital Connect service (Canberra-Sydney) - Airlines | flights | hotels | travel tech | style | apps - Australian Business Traveller

As for where to sit, either go for Row 1 (but reserve it at counter checkin, don't pay extra for it) if you want legroom, or sit as close to the back as possible for quick offloading. Note that the engine noise is substantially greater rear of the engines (which are around row 9).

And avoid row 9 and 10 as they have less legroom.

(Seat suggestions are also summarised at AusBT: The best seats on board Virgin Australia's ATR 72 - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller )

 

[QF WP]

Thanks chrisjrn, will read your TR before I leave. Think I'm going to test out seating at both front and back. On the outbound, I don't have time constraints and I'll walk straight out to the carpark. On the return journey, getting home quicker via rear seating will be more important as I only have carry on.

P.S. Changed to 17D on the return leg.

 

[chrisjrn]

Excellent, hopefully they're useful. And enjoy your flight!

 

[QF WP]

Meeting has been delayed a week, so had to change - lucky got same flights and fares, so only the change cost of $60. Also opted again for 2D on the outbound and 17C (auto selected) on the return.

Time for me to read that TR of yours chrisjrn

 

[Justinf]

Not a huge fan of the ATR mainly because you swelter in the cabin until the props get going and the absence of head rests.

 

[markis10]

Not a huge fan of the ATR mainly because you swelter in the cabin until the props get going and the absence of head rests.

Should be getting external aircon on the ground.

 

[QF WP]

The day trip to EMD

The day began early - in fact I was a little confused as I woke to my alarm going off in the dark. "Huh? What's that going off for now?" I thought. Clarity clicked in shortly thereafter and I stumbled out of bed, collected my clothes that I'd organised the night before and padded down the hallway to our spare bathroom to wake up with a brisk hot shower.

Going to EMD today to visit clients - a couple who are very relaxed and I dressed accordingly - blue smart casual slacks and work polo shirt. I considered it would be out of place to wear suit + tie.

A quick rolled oats and fruit breakfast whilst I mentally checked off everything I'd need today - check. FF bag & laptop already in car - check. Kissed kids & wife -check. Let the dogs out to the back yard - check. "Sorry no walks today" I said as they wagged their tails expectantly.

There's always one thing you forget, isn't there and it's always at the point of no return - in my case, I'd back the car out onto the road and the roller door was coming down when I checked for my watch and remembered it was still on my bedside table. "Oh well, I have my iPhone", so I didn't give it another thought and quietly negotiated the streets in our neighborhood.

The trip to the airport was in darkness and swift as I expected - little traffic and only got two red lights on the way. 15 minutes later (4:58 to be precise, according to the BAC Domestic Long Term carpark card), I found a park on the ground floor and shlepped my carry-on to the VA Terminal. Walked through the new construction site noting the changes since I was last there - it's getting close. Down the walkway into the Termivsl and straight to the Priority Queue for the Security. Had my Gold card in my pocket but no-one patrolled the entry point and I was through behind a flight crew. No beeping, no stopping for ion scan and up the escalator and off to the Lounge.

Upon entry I looked around for Annette (the Lounge Goddess) who is normally greeting pax but she wasn't there. Amanda from the Service desk behind me caught my eye, as the two Lounge Angelsxbehing the desk were deep in discussion. I gave my card and paper based BP, asking whether I could exchange it for a "real" boarding pass. She smiled and asked "why", so I told the truth - "I collect tickets and BP's". She acquiesced and took my paper based BP and handed me my "real" BP. I asked whether Annette was on-shift, she replied that she was actually a pax today, so I thanked Amanda and went in search of The Goddess.

After failing to see her on my first sweep, I dropping my bags and made my way to the pancake machine - whilst waiting for them to be made, I spied Annette talking to two pax, who I quickly realised was fellow AFF'er awilcockson and mrs awilcockson. Well, he is distinctive

I came from behind Annette and whispered cheekily in her ear that Platinum members should monopolise her time, looking squarely at awilcockson with a smile on my face, then kissed Annette's proffered cheek and gave her a hug. I greeted awilcockson with a handshake and introduced myself to mrs awilcockson. We all sat down together - I went to retrieve my bags whilst Annette organised Hot Chocolates and a Cappuccino.

We all compared ports to which we were travelling today and of course, all on different flights. Annette was going up to visit The Lounge in MKY.

All too soon, my flight was called and I didn't hear the page, mrs awilcockson did and alerted me. Annette went to check on her BP's and my flight departure, whilst I finished my breakfast. I wished them all good flying, gave the obligatory hug+kiss to Annette and strode out to the concourse to find Gate 50, which I expected to be put at the end of the pod.

To my surprise, Gate 50 was the first on the RHS walking up the pod, so scanned my boarding pass with the Gate CSA, walked down the outside stairs and around the zebra crossing to the plane.

DJ1216 BNE/EMD
VH-FVH "Four Mile Beach"
FA: Gail & Samantha
Capt: Michael Bird
F/O: Richard
29 pax, 2 crew & 2 FA
My seat: 17C



I was the 2nd last onboard and it was already starting to warm up in the cabin, with no power to the aircraft. I was thankful that I had listened to markis10 and others who had recommended (above) that I choose the back (given the plane is boarded from the rear). The pax at the front seats would have been par-cooking.

The FA's were both standing at the back and got a message from groundstaff that came onboard to say they had offloaded the last pax. Samantha was handed a sheet of paper that she read and handed back to the groundstaffer saying this is forth GLT flight - I added helpfully that it needed to go to Gate 41. They all looked at me quizzically, so I explained that a friend was on the flight and I had seen him in The Lounge and we'd chatted about our Gate assignments. I'm still sure they thought I was weird that I knew the Gate number - meh, I'm an AFF'er and an observant fellow at times.

Taxied down the runway but had to hold short as we weren't cleared by ATC due to "noise abatement" which I presumed meant that we couldn't take off before 5:45 as we were a prop plane.

Take off was smooth and we turned right, tracking just north of Hamilton Road and I was able to pick out the major streets near my house (the new roadwork on Beckett Road was a giveaway), so I waved and blew a kiss to my wife and kids.

As I looked around the cabin, my outfit was the norm - only 2 guys with long sleeve shirts and ties (mining execs?) and no hi-viz in sight.

Snack service was a cuppa, water and banana bread (with butter). My only negative comment was the outside of the banana bread was too sticky, but it was filling.



Had a bit of a chat after the snack service to both the FA's. Gail was an ex-QF long haul. That helped pass the time for both of us.

Arrival into EMD was uneventful, until after touchdown when the FO did a second braking that jerked us all back in our seats - seems that he may have landed long and needed to slow down to a certain speed at a certain point - prior to reaching the apron.

We pulled into the slot on the open tarmac and had to wait whilst the groundstaff set up the flagged area - pulling it out of a wheely bin is amusing. It wasn't until Samantha has advised the Captain it was in place, that he released the seatbelt sign.



Being first off gave me a chance to chat with the female groundstaffer and she walked beside me until she reached her designated marshalling spot to ensure pax didn't enter the restricted zone on the tarmac. The QF flight was already on the ground do I admired it as I walked into the Terminal. The flies had already descended as I entered the doors...

Arrivals:


Carpark:


Straight out into a taxi and off to my clients home I go...but he didn't know the street, thank God for iPhone Maps...

 

[Nigelinoz]

Thanks Lindsay ,
Excellent well written and comprehensive trip report.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[QF WP]

Was a long day with my two clients at their house, 9.30am to 3pm with lunch served. After we had wrapped up at 3pm we proceeded to have a couple of Platinum Blondes on his back deck. He returned me to the airport at 6pm for my 6.25pm flight. No issue as I already had my BP and no checked luggage, so I walked straight to the Gate, noticing that the QF flight was delayed but myDJ was on time. Perhaps it was prophetic that I has chosen DJ both ways after all



They made the pre-boarding announcement for Plat, Gold & special service pax, noting that a general boarding call would be made soon. I waited for a second but nobody else stood up, so it was time to break the mold and be first on board. I was cheerily greeted by name, BP scanned and out the door I went for the tarmac walk to the plane. A second CSA was at the apex of the walk to direct me to the back door and I greeted Jennique at the top of the steps, showing her my BP. As it was the same seat allocation as my flight this morning, I was pleased to know that it was certainly going to be my preferred row in the future. It seemed I was the only status pax, as I had plenty of time to stow my 2 carry on and be seated before other pax arrived.

DJ1216 EMD/BNE
VH-FVI Mission Beach
FA: Emma & Jennique
Capt: Bevan Stubbing
F/O: Adam Thomas
44 pax, 2 crew & 2 FA
My seat: 17C

A fullish flight with more than a sprinkling of hi viz and a couple more execs with ties.



I was pleasantly surprised by my first Luke Mangan wrap. Very tasty and no doubt I'll eat that again on future flights. Yes I can understand regulars being over the lack of choice (no "chicken or beef" here), so I hope the filling option will be changed regularly. After a couple of beers I was ready for an OJ, as I had to drive home.

Was an unremarkable flight, as I looked at the Voyeur magazine and started to doze given the long day.
Saw a good red wine deal from Virgin with an $80 discount and the next thing I remember the bang of the wheels broke my reverie and I was home.

 

[sail0r]

Thanks for the TR Lindsay

A couple of interesting things I noted on my ATR flight CNS-LOV a few months ago.
As this was over water, I think Row one gets the liferaft stowed on the seats.
We were not allowed to disembark until the FA had gotten out and put the 'prod' down, which is fold down strut at the aft of the fuselage, to stop the plan ending up on its tail if we all moved to the rear at the same time. (maybe this is just for lighter loaded charter flights)
The A/C seems to be run off an engine driven compressor (starboard side?), so they can turn that on till all safe from prop.
I prefer up the front as I am not a fan of the prop noise.

 

[QF WP]

Wow, talk about 2 degrees of separation. Literally 2 mins ago, before I logged into AFF, I was thinking about making another day trip to EMD. This has confirmed it

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the TR Lindsay

A couple of interesting things I noted on my ATR flight CNS-LOV a few months ago.
As this was over water, I think Row one gets the liferaft stowed on the seats.
We were not allowed to disembark until the FA had gotten out and put the 'prod' down, which is fold down strut at the aft of the fuselage, to stop the plan ending up on its tail if we all moved to the rear at the same time. (maybe this is just for lighter loaded charter flights)
The A/C seems to be run off an engine driven compressor (starboard side?), so they can turn that on till all safe from prop.
I prefer up the front as I am not a fan of the prop noise.

What ATR where you on, the 72's that DJ/Skywest use do not have an APU.

 

[Jamesl]

What ATR where you on, the 72's that DJ/Skywest use do not have an APU.

Well technically they do... The run engine 2 in what's called Hotel mode, when the prop doesn't turn however the engine is still running.

 

[Fruitcake]

A couple of interesting things I noted on my ATR flight CNS-LOV a few months ago....

I don't want to be one of the 'wrong airport code' smart-alecs - but where is LOV? CNS-LOV is definitely over-water... (!)

Great Circle Mapper


...but I can't think of any turboprop serviced airport from Cairns that would mistakenly be called 'LOV'.