jb747's last operational flight

[jb747]

So for QF36 how much extra could you uplift?

If I were being stupid, possibly as much as 30 tonnes. Whilst I regularly disagree with the flight plan, my disagreement is normally an order of magnitude less.

 

[Ansett]

Hi JB Have a great day and flight home and may you enjoy many many years of happy and fulfilling retirement. Thank you for the times you have flown me safely to my destination and for the time given up to come and meet myself and many others when in charge.

Have a great day and Cheers.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 27 January, QF35 has just departed in MEL two minutes late at 1222 hours with A388 VH-OQG that arrived early from LAX this morning. This aircraft had its eighth birthday in December.

jb747's flight back to MEL overnight should be punctual (touch wood). Only three of the last seven QF35 trips have been early or on time, while two have been more than 45 minutes late arriving in the Lion City. It doesn't always appear related to whether or not the arriving QF94 is punctual.

UPDATE: QF35 took off on runway 16 to the south at 1245 hours. Flight times northbound in the past week have varied from seven hours five minutes to 7'34", but 7'20" is most common.

 

[QF WP]

I wonder how early @Hvr is going to check in today, because there should be no reason he wants to miss this flight. Enjoy J and catching up with @jb747 during the flight

I caught up with two ex-AN pilots (and one was initially ex-QF maintenance engine turned QF pilot) for lunch yesterday and mentioning it was your last flight. They both knew the QF30 incident and shared my wishes for an uneventful final flight.

 

[jb747]

..... with A333 VH-OQG that arrived early from LAX this morning.

I hope it isn't an A333. I could probably work it out, but would rather not have to......

UPDATE: QF35 took off on runway 16 to the south at 1245 hours. Flight times northbound in the past week have varied from seven hours five minutes to 7'34", but 7'20" is most common.

And from the other direction, QF2 looks to be on time, or slightly early. So, the two flights I need are coming together nicely.

The current forecast for our arrival time is benign, and should stay that way. (140/06KT, 9999m vis, FEW020)

 

[Melburnian1]

I hope it isn't an A333. I could probably work it out, but would rather not have to......

Yes, sorry for that! Corrected. Have a most enjoyable, but otherwise uneventful flight, and a happy and fulfilling retirement.

 

[Himeno]

I hope it isn't an A333. I could probably work it out, but would rather not have to......

aww... It could have been a farewell gift from ops.

 

[Melburnian1]

aww... It could have been a farewell gift from ops.

But an even worse present for Hvr, who may have been denied seating.

 

[Hvr]

Well I have my J BP in hand and have just had a much needed shower and change of clothes. Would hate for the Captain to say I have an offensive odour.

Am now enjoying some soup in the QF lounge. Oh and a Coke light.

 

[Quickstatus]

@Hvr , you neglected to say “touch wood”

 

[Hvr]

@Hvr , you neglected to say “touch wood”

I'm thinking positive thoughts.

 

[Melburnian1]

The 'connector', QF2 has A388 - not A333 - VH-OQK and is earlier than usual with an approximate SIN at gate time of 1717, 28 minutes early.

God must be on jb747's side. QF2 took off from LHR at 2103 last night, only 18 minutes after scheduled pushback of 2045.

QF35 from MEL is not far behind and looks like being at its allocated SIN gate at about 1730, 25 minutes tardy, giving 130 minutes for all the tasks to occur prior to 1940 hours local time, the scheduled departure for QF36 back down overnight to MEL.

There isn't any holding into SIN so Hvr's positivity is contagious. This contrasts with one day in the last three weeks when there were many incoming aircraft delayed at least 15 minutes by ATC instructing them to hold.

One wonders if individuals retiring from such positions have a slight momentary wistfulness as they walk around the aircraft, or undertake tasks on board.

 

[Melburnian1]

Hvr (and jb747!) will know best, but it seems QF36 from SIN to MEL is delayed.

At about 2014, the Changi Airport site changed its indication for this flight from 'gate closing' to 'gate closed' so that's a positive sign.

QF83 from SYD (A333 VH-QPG) touched down at Changi at 2021 local time, about 19 early, while sister VH-QPG has its transponder on.

UPDATE: QF36 departed at 2018, becoming airborne at 2046 hours. QF suggests MEL arrival at 0635, 35 late on Monday 28 January.

 

[NM]

Fuel is the pilots' version of a chill pill. Of course it's quite the opposite for management. There's only one time when you have too much.

And what can they do if you take "too much" on this one? Recommend you for more training? Suggest you do it different next time? Sack you?

Take the chill pill!!

 

[por930]

QF36 has left Singapore and JB on his way home

 

[juddles]

Tracking it on flightaware. I do not want to show too much emotion, but I can honestly say that I have never watched the cold lines of a flight displayed online with the feeling I have right now. God I wish I was on it.

Have only ever physically met JB once, flying MEL-DXB when he came and chatted to me. But have thoroughly enjoyed his amazing contribution to AFF, and my own personal flying experience. He appears to me to be a perfect example of that great tradition of awesome, professional, Qantas pilots. I hope and expect his pride, not just in his QF days, but over his entire flying career, is total.

I wish he has the most boring flight of his life - technically that is! You know what I mean.

 

[QF WP]

Well my last view of QF36 tonight before I head to bed - wishing @Hvr and @jb747 a smooth uneventful flight.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Just woke up at 0500 and first thought was to check where the aircraft was...I must agree with juddles. One can't help but feel a debt of gratitude to someone who has spent so much time answering questions on this forum.

 

[Hvr]

We've landed. Great flight. More to post soon.

 

[Hvr]

Two no shows who had to have their bags removed were the reason for late departure.