Melbourne VA Lounge becoming airside from August 2022

[AIRwin]

The thing I’m most worried about is it might encourage more VA flyers to buy Maccas and bring it onboard from the food court!
Hate how people do this now with no onboard snacks

But you don't fly VA?

 

[jakeseven7]

But you don't fly VA?

Sure I do personally. My company hasn’t as we had nightmares with the new owners of VA2 not honouring 10’s of thousands of $ credits plus schedules that aren’t work suitable so they got sin binned for now.

 

[MooTime]

I didn't understand this reno of sorts, but read few articles now & it's just dumb sense.
Why drop bags off, then walk to another terminal for security entrance only to walk 50m from where you dropped bags off initially.

This is just so dumb, not that I mind walking at all, that's not the issue, it's the sense of it all. I often walk (in MEL) from the LT carpark to terminals (time pending) instead of catching the orange bus anyway.
Why not just implement / duplicate the same high tech security scanning systems from T4 to T3 ??

The cost of the total reno over cost for additional new Sec sys etc.
Somethings I just don't get.

re; Maccas on plane, funny, but I haven't seen that as I think the usual maccas eaters scoff it down so quick before the burger cools down & actually tastes like it really is, mixture of plastic rubber.

Other's know of this terminal instance in other airports anywhere....bags this terminal, but enter airside via different terminal??
thanks in advance.

 

[jakeseven7]

I didn't understand this reno of sorts, but read few articles now & it's just dumb sense.
Why drop bags off, then walk to another terminal for security entrance only to walk 50m from where you dropped bags off initially.

This is just so dumb, not that I mind walking at all, that's not the issue, it's the sense of it all. I often walk (in MEL) from the LT carpark to terminals (time pending) instead of catching the orange bus anyway.
Why not just implement / duplicate the same high tech security scanning systems from T4 to T3 ??

The cost of the total reno over cost for additional new Sec sys etc.
Somethings I just don't get.

re; Maccas on plane, funny, but I haven't seen that as I think the usual maccas eaters scoff it down so quick before the burger cools down & actually tastes like it really is, mixture of plastic rubber.

Other's know of this terminal instance in other airports anywhere....bags this terminal, but enter airside via different terminal??
thanks in advance.

Oh the smell is lovely! Wait until you experience it

Re: why they are doing it…. Maybe to increase $ of retail turnover in T4?

 

[MooTime]

Oh the smell is lovely! Wait until you experience it

Re: why they are doing it…. Maybe to increase $ of retail turnover in T4?

yes that's right the retail aspect thanks.

Those flying from T4 Jetstar & Rex probably not going to pay for overpriced items, who knows.
But us VA flyers passing thru might, ha fat chance!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Is Krispy Kreme still "du jour" to be taken onto flights like a trophy?
I know that OTR in SA have jumped onto the Krispy Kreme bandwagon, so less overhead space now taken up by Krispy Kreme boxes in plastic bags.

 

[AIRwin]

New foyer outside T2/T3

 

[RooFlyer]

New foyer outside T2/T3View attachment 267990

Ah, Icarus. Very appropriate for the LCC terminal.

 

[jakeseven7]

Ah, Icarus. Very appropriate for the LCC terminal.

Dark when VA gets the Max-8s maybe even darker!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So, has the MEL VAd T3's security screening gone/gone yet?
Used to fly a lot, but with this pandemic, I have been grounded, more so with border closures, but now having to do the "free" covid test each time (if) I wanted to fly even domestically, is putting me off flying for now.
Has VA moved more flights from T3 to T4?

 

[MooTime]

Nothing moved yet as of flight I took from T2 last week.
There is a small area boarded off though.
Who knows.

So, has the MEL VAd T3's security screening gone/gone yet?
Used to fly a lot, but with this pandemic, I have been grounded, more so with border closures, but now having to do the "free" covid test each time (if) I wanted to fly even domestically, is putting me off flying for now.
Has VA moved more flights from T3 to T4?

 

[jakeseven7]

So, has the MEL VAd T3's security screening gone/gone yet?
Used to fly a lot, but with this pandemic, I have been grounded, more so with border closures, but now having to do the "free" covid test each time (if) I wanted to fly even domestically, is putting me off flying for now.
Has VA moved more flights from T3 to T4?

Mid 2022 it goes apparently to the budget terminal.

 

[MooTime]

Mind you we couldn't even get a taxi as the cab rank is closed at T3, rideshare only.

Yes some of us still old skool catching the yellow caboose.

So flying VA you obviously wouldn't be parking at the terminal any more, just the T4 terminal carpark.

 

[serfty]

Has VA moved more flights from T3 to T4?

Earlier this month the interior landside concourse connecting T3 and T4 was closed off with a large roller door. Indicative keys such as dust buildup and random pieces of stuff against the door implied it had not been opened for some time.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Thanks all.
Looks very likely indeed VA3 is now a LCC.
Probably saves them a tonne of $ (Aud/Usd) in rent for them to rent the security zone and all the other things at T3.
Have never used T4 domestic secure side at Tulla, might be an interesting experience to go walkabout maybe once or twice, then, .
Even though (if down the track they close, big if) the VAd lounge is still there, but the walk will be a long one, have to be at T4 much earlier than flight in future.
Edit: so, 2 security secreening points in relation to VA at MEL will be merged into 1, the one at T4, with the ones going are (a) the one that has premium screening from the MEL lounge, and (b) the one between T3 and T4 down that walkway, down the left while facing the VAd MEL lounge?

 

[antycbr]

Thanks all.
Looks very likely indeed VA3 is now a LCC.
Probably saves them a tonne of $ (Aud/Usd) in rent for them to rent the security zone and all the other things at T3.
Have never used T4 domestic secure side at Tulla, might be an interesting experience to go walkabout maybe once or twice, then, .
Even though (if down the track they close, big if) the VAd lounge is still there, but the walk will be a long one, have to be at T4 much earlier than flight in future.
Edit: so, 2 security secreening points in relation to VA at MEL will be merged into 1, the one at T4, with the ones going are (a) the one that has premium screening from the MEL lounge, and (b) the one between T3 and T4 down that walkway, down the left while facing the VAd MEL lounge?

The one in the corridor between T3 and T4, the main point for gates 1-10 and the lounge premium exit.

This whole area will be airside.

 

[bullerdude]

Will be interesting to see what happens with “the club” space as that current corrects into the walkway that will become airside.

It will also need reconfiguration given it has an entrance from the outside. I’m wondering if it provides an opportunity to create a premium entry type setup.

 

[antycbr]

Will be interesting to see what happens with “the club” space as that current corrects into the walkway that will become airside.

It will also need reconfiguration given it has an entrance from the outside. I’m wondering if it provides an opportunity to create a premium entry type setup.

I for one am happy to be upgraded to Club membership to try this idea out.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

The one in the corridor between T3 and T4, the main point for gates 1-10 and the lounge premium exit.

This whole area will be airside.

Thanks for the info.
With the 2 screening points going, those spaces will be available for other things, and the steps and escalators going, also will create more "retail" space.
But our flight related "security charges"/taxes us travellers pay, for the staff manning those security checkpoints, will not go down.
Anyways, ok, I will keep my mind open when I pass Tulla next, maybe next year hopefully.
Will be like passing a new airport!

 

[antycbr]

Thanks for the info.
With the 2 screening points going, those spaces will be available for other things, and the steps and escalators going, also will create more "retail" space.
But our flight related "security charges"/taxes us travellers pay, for the staff manning those security checkpoints, will not go down.
Anyways, ok, I will keep my mind open when I pass Tulla next, maybe next year hopefully.
Will be like passing a new airport!

You'll always pay those charges - you're still getting screened, just in a different location.