Getting an earlier domestic connecting flight

[FatBoyNotSoSlim]

Hey all,

I'm flying MEL-SYD-LAX soon with a ~1h45m layover in Sydney after my Melbourne domestic flight.

Since I have to do all my customs (I don't have any of the outbound cards with me prefilled) and security checks in Sydney too, not to mention visit the TRS desk, I'm getting worried about the time allowance.

Am I able to arrive earlier in Melbourne and request an earlier flight at check-in, or is this a simple procedure over the phone to Virgin? I tried to call Wednesday and yesterday, but was on hold for 30mins+ due to technical issues Virgin were having on their side???

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[UP4014]

Customs is normally not to bad, if you have checked luggage all the way through then you'll be right (never connected OS with Virgin so assume you can check it all the way through)

Just don't dawdle from one terminal to the other.

Matt

 

[FatBoyNotSoSlim]

Thanks Matt.

It probably doesn't help that I've been reading up on the Virgin transfer procedure since it opened and reading all the horror stories of delays, as well as checking the stats on flight arrivals and delays for the past few days.

I want to ensure enough time to make sure I'm not rushed.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[UP4014]

Probably a good idea to call and ask for an earlier flight, I'm like you and hate rushing at airports.

Matt

 

[docjames]

If you arrive at MEL in sufficient time, you can wander over to T2 (should literally take 5 mins max) and pick up a green immigration card so you don't have to waste time in SYD C&I filling it in.

 

[FatBoyNotSoSlim]

If you arrive at MEL in sufficient time, you can wander over to T2 (should literally take 5 mins max) and pick up a green immigration card so you don't have to waste time in SYD C&I filling it in.

Will do, thanks!

 

[FatBoyNotSoSlim]

I didn't get an earlier flight, but I got an express pass for Sydney. It got me through the lines to have 5mins left by the time I got to the front of the TRS line. So that worked out in the end.