Holidays and Airport 'Chaos' since COVID

[CaptainCurtis]

Only getting around to posting this now, but I flew QF431 on April 8th. Scheduled departure 9:30AM, scheduled arrival 11:05AM. I arrived at the airport just over 2 hours before the flight, as recommended.

First, baggage drop-off. For some reason, the drop-off on the left side of security was packed, but the drop-off on the right side was empty. I have no idea why no one was directing passengers to the other side. Took about 15 minutes to drop the bag off.

Then on to security. The snaking line took about 60 minutes to reach the front. There was actually a senior member of Sydney Airports management working at the security line - he told us they were severely short on security staff. I did not see any delays caused by passengers not having their laptops and aerosols ready to go. An insulting suggestion.

The flight was delayed by about 45 minutes, so spent a bit lounger than expected in the lounge. Once we had finally boarded, we spent 30 minutes taxiing around the airport/runways.

The actual flight was fairly unevental at ~60 minutes.

Baggage claim at Melbourne airport then took another 50 minutes.

All up, excluding travel to and from the airports, it took 5.5 hours for a simple 1 hour flight. Simply not good enough. I understand not all of the blame rests on Qantas, but also the airports, their operations and baggage handlers. For what its worth, the experience flying back yesterday on QF474 was the exact same, with the added bonus of no catering. I did not have experience any of these issues back in January when I flew down to Melbourne for the tennis.

 

[kpc]

What are the Qs like at Sydney international? Flying out at 11am on Sq in J tomorrow (Good Friday) and wondering what time to arrive at airport. I note Sq checkin opens at 4 hours prior but really don't want to arrive that early.

Arrived Syd airport at 745am for 11am departure. Short Q at J checkin and arrived in SK lounge 1 hour later incl short detour for TRS claim. Main delay was for security which probably took 40 mins. No express lane even though printed on my BP.

 

[AIRwin]

Arrived Syd airport at 745am for 11am departure. Short Q at J checkin and arrived in SK lounge 1 hour later incl short detour for TRS claim. Main delay was for security which probably took 40 mins. No express lane even though printed on my BP.

Congrats on the match!

 

[justinbrett]

No issues at BNE domestic this afternoon. Queues similar to an ordinary Sunday afternoon. QF staff are handing out snacks prior to security.

No queue at all through the QF premium entry, walked straight through.

 

[jase05]

CBR practically empty this evening which meant security could spend more time with everyone
From check in to VA lounge was still under 10 minutes though

 

[clifford]

CBR practically empty this evening which meant security could spend more time with everyone
From check in to VA lounge was still under 10 minutes though

So you got the explosives treatment then?

 

[jase05]

So you got the explosives treatment then?

Nah, just the pat down and then the old open your luggage for a gander routine

 

[DC3]

Departing BNE was good on Good Friday early afternoon.

 

[flydoc]

QF staff are handing out snacks prior to security.

Is this normal for BNE (or any other port?)
What kind of snacks? I’m thinking protein bars and energy drinks.
You know, to rebuild the customers’ match fitness....

 

[DC3]

Is this normal for BNE (or any other port?)
What kind of snacks? I’m thinking protein bars and energy drinks.
You know, to rebuild the customers’ match fitness....

Included Tim Tams on Good Friday.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Departure port & terminal: BNE QF dom
Date: Tue 19 Apr
Time: 0620
Queue used: Premium
Time to pass security: ~15min
Lanes available & Lanes open: 3 general, 1 premium.
Comments: body scanner not in use, so the line kept moving.

 

[Saab34]

Analysts have predicted that these travel demand surges will hang around until Jan 2023. Feb 2023 onwards they have cited concerns with belt tightening across the board as price pressures really start to bite, and people blow savings they have held onto, this year.

July Holidays will be huge in places up North. Cairns have already sold out many hotels already.

 

[Krisfflyer]

Very few crowds at Melbourne domestic No delays at check in or security, Seems the Easter crowds have vanished

 

[Franky]

Very few crowds at Melbourne domestic No delays at check in or security, Seems the Easter crowds have vanished

Isn't it school holiday time as well?, so the same rush to get back as there was to get away...

 

[Krisfflyer]

Isn't it school holiday time as well?, so the same rush to get back as there was to get away...

Yes school holidays still, but airport very quiet surprisingly

 

[Krisfflyer]

Yes school holidays still, but airport very quiet surprisingly

Qantas flight to Gold Coast boarded on time doors closed. Captain announces still waiting for baggage handlers to load baggage 15/20 delay

 

[Lynda2475]

Zero check-in chaos at SYDi this morning. Arrived at 5:15am for an 8:30am flight as online check-in said to arrive 3 hours before departure. I should have slept for another hour!

No queue whatsoever for J (only 2 counters open for J and F), a handful of Y passengers at self serve check-in (3 staff wandering to assist).

Check-in was quick and fuss free, took less than a minute to have paperwork verified (Vax cert, negative RAT, pre-booked arrival RAT and proof of insurance that has unlimited covid medical coverage), agent said i was a dream passenger for having everything ready.

We had a chat re travel and best way to get SCs atm, then she warned me gate is a good 10min walk from lounge and see you there.

Strolled over to departures, zero queue at passport control, 1 person ahead of me at security, there were only 2 lanes open but plenty of staff around to open more if needed.

As so early duty-free closed, was in lounge a minute later, currently waiting for some hot food to make an appearance.

I didnt need to get here 3hrs early, thank goodness for caffeine.

 

[antycbr]

Syd T2 at 3pm this afternoon. Traffic changed to remove one kerbside lane - stops the amount of crazy merging that happens normally.

Greeter (for want of a better word) near sliding door entrances making sure we know what an airport is and directing us if we have checked bags or not. Interestingly some sliding doors shut for queue management.

Second round of greeters in SYD tshirts handing out masks at the door.

Priority VA had no queue at all - better than normal!

Screening was about 5 mins.

Lounge packed. Suspect everyone arriving 2 hours before will blow the lounge catering budget. Very low turnover and hardly any departures at the moment.

Menu is arancini balls and chicken Thai soup.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Departure port & terminal: SYD QF dom
Date: Fri 22 Apr
Time: 1650
Queue used: Premium
Time to pass security: 4 min
Lanes available & Lanes open: 3 general, 1 premium.
Comments: No body scanner in use.

They were ready for chaos with the snaking lines of crowd control tape almost to the terminal entrance.

So my 4 mins comprised 2 min spent zig-zagging to the actual security point, 1 min for security and 1 min because I looked the wrong way and was pinged for the residue swab.

 

[CaptJCool]

And this of Good Friday

I never imagined flying could be so exciting, but everything old is new again | Paul Daley

From the forgotten bustle of the airport to feverish bad photos of the harbour below, an interstate trip brings fierce joy

www.theguardian.com