QF to fly BENDIGO to SYD!

[BgoFlyer]

Agree there needs to be well timed connections.

I’m surprised a single self-serve terminal wont be installed within the airport / bag drop area. Although I wonder if the PR release neglects to mention this option rather than it being completely unavailable. I’m sure QF are keen to run the site with the fewest possible staff to keep the flights viable.

It was mentioned "8 new jobs in Bendigo" in a local rag a few months back. They need to make sure they don't "stuff-it-up" and get the locals offside! Believe me, they know how to whinge. I have relatives on the first flight out of Bendigo on Monday, so it'll be interesting to hear from them how it all goes.

As for Public transport - PTV have a habit of changing bus timetables "en-masse" only about once every 10 years. It's a Blue Hills Saga. So crickets will be chirping there....

 

[BgoFlyer]

Article in local rag with pictures some photos inside terminal building. They'll be the smell of fresh paint and carpet:
Qantas ready to land as construction blitz ends

 

[Melburnian1]

While it may be that the flight ex SYD operates mostly punctually, one potential difficulty is that if it is late into Bendigo, given fatigue management stipulations, the 0630 hours scheduled ex Bendigo to SYD next morning will be delayed (I am assuming that the flight crew who bring the evening one down stay in a motel - or the Shamrock - and next morning are rostered back to Sydney).

These sorts of delays occur with Qantaslink, Rex or Virgin Australia Regional Airlines at 'outstation' airports like ABX, DBO and WGA to name a few, so logically (and unfortunately) at times they may affect the Bendigo to Sydney flight.

A typical example might be if SYD has a storm at say 1630 of an afternoon, and arriving aircraft are either held at waypoints, losing time, or in a worst case must divert as we've seen a couple of times in recent weeks. Then there's no aircraft to form the Bendigo-bound flight.

 

[Melburnian1]

...The nearest bus stop is 800m from the terminal building at the airport entrance. PTV Vic need to get off their backsides and re-route the No. 60 bus service and coordinate the timetable with Qantas flights and V/line....

The final bus on weekdays departs Bendigo East at 1845 hours for the railway station, so tough luck even if one wanted to walk - for me 800 metres is easy, even on a country road (BYO good torch).

That's just one example as to how public transport is deficient.

Around Australia, buses can be deviated or extended infrequently for special needs. Diverting a bus (or extending it) for school starts and finishes is commonplace, so no reason why it couldn't occur to a country airport.

Mind you, better than some other states: Newcastle NSW has a shockingly timed local bus ex flights even if the latter are on time, or had when I last used it.

 

[N860CR]

While it may be that the flight ex SYD operates mostly punctually, one potential difficulty is that if it is late into Bendigo, given fatigue management stipulations, the 0630 hours scheduled ex Bendigo to SYD next morning will be delayed (I am assuming that the flight crew who bring the evening one down stay in a motel - or the Shamrock - and next morning are rostered back to Sydney).

These sorts of delays occur with Qantaslink, Rex or Virgin Australia Regional Airlines at 'outstation' airports like ABX, DBO and WGA to name a few, so logically (and unfortunately) at times they may affect the Bendigo to Sydney flight.

A typical example might be if SYD has a storm at say 1630 of an afternoon, and arriving aircraft are either held at waypoints, losing time, or in a worst case must divert as we've seen a couple of times in recent weeks. Then there's no aircraft to form the Bendigo-bound flight.

Which is the same for every single QantasLink flight overnighting at a regional port.

 

[Deleted member]

Article in local rag with pictures some photos inside terminal building. They'll be the smell of fresh paint and carpet:
Qantas ready to land as construction blitz ends

We look forward to testing the new facilities soon

 

[Melburnian1]

Which is the same for every single QantasLink flight overnighting at a regional port.

True. It's probably not practical for all airlines to base flight (and cabin) crew at these ports: too problematical if things go wrong, but the way the major airlines operate with this is the reverse of how land transport operators often operate.

However Rex has flight crew in Albury. One was in 'Border Mail' a year or so ago. Good move by Rex.

For instance in years gone by, Greyhound Australia (coach operator) would have a driver relieve another at a location like Yass on the Melbourne - Sydney via Canberra run.

Pacific National (freight) and NSW TrainLink (passenger rail) have drivers based at Junee and Grafton, and the former at Parkes as far as I know.

Why - because it's more efficient for them, and much needed. Neither of the latter two surface operators just have operational staff in the capital cities. Greyhound has downsized and contracted its operations to others so not quite sure what it does now.

 

[CaptJCool]

Well lucky temporary closing of ATC in Sydney happened today not Sunday 31st

The other reason for overnighting staff is cheaper accommodation. Plus landing and overnight fees no doubt

 

[dajop]

However Rex has flight crew in Albury. One was in 'Border Mail' a year or so ago. Good move by Rex.

With 7 return flights a day (3 to MEL and 4 to SYD) and 2 aircraft overnighting there, this makes a lot of sense. Wonder if they have crew in other places with similar (2 aircraft overnight), such as WGA, BHQ and MGB.

 

[pauly7]

Have needed to get to Bendigo out of SYD a few times so will use this service!

Would love some recommendations on good hotels, used to stay in the then branded Art Series place (Can’t remember name) and it was awful, rooms smaller than a hotel for ants!

 

[msam95]

I'll be on the flight today SYD-BXG, it will be interesting to see the 'upgrade' to the airport.

Airport guides | Qantas US
Additionally, Qantas have not updated their city or airport guides for this new route, which is a tad disappointing, seeing having a wealth of information would hopefully be a good selling point. I do note they made a media release on Qantas Agency Connect, but not everyone uses travel agents...

Hope the flight is enjoyable and pleasant today

 

[AIRwin]

QF1407 has just touched down... Welcome to Bendigo!

 

[AstroDamo]

Landed in Bendigo, not really any fanfare in Sydney, Bendigo half the town turned up causing a traffic jam coming back into town. Was a little Strange no certificate or anything.

 

[samh004]

Landed in Bendigo, not really any fanfare in Sydney, Bendigo half the town turned up causing a traffic jam coming back into town. Was a little Strange no certificate or anything.

So the lesson learned is not to be first off the plane or first to the throng of reporters and photographers like me.

I guess, listen out for an awkward Sam on the local radio tomorrow!

 

[BgoFlyer]

Huge crowds watched it fly in. Some friendly banter on the radio too:

 

[jb747]

It was mentioned "8 new jobs in Bendigo" in a local rag a few months back. They need to make sure they don't "stuff-it-up" and get the locals offside! Believe me, they know how to whinge. I have relatives on the first flight out of Bendigo on Monday, so it'll be interesting to hear from them how it all goes.

By ‘stuff it up’, I assume you’re applying that to the locals too...as the flights won’t last if not patronised.

While it may be that the flight ex SYD operates mostly punctually, one potential difficulty is that if it is late into Bendigo, given fatigue management stipulations, the 0630 hours scheduled ex Bendigo to SYD next morning will be delayed (I am assuming that the flight crew who bring the evening one down stay in a motel - or the Shamrock - and next morning are rostered back to Sydney).

It will be well managed to ensure that the crews are fatigued. The early morning flights, even in major cities, are often crewed by people who have actually been working all night, not snoozing.

A typical example might be if SYD has a storm at say 1630 of an afternoon, and arriving aircraft are either held at waypoints, losing time, or in a worst case must divert as we've seen a couple of times in recent weeks. Then there's no aircraft to form the Bendigo-bound flight.

Delays will happen. I expect that the navigation aids at Bendigo are somewhat restrictive too. If they exist at all. There won’t be a base there, nor will they position crews for a long slip prior to operating.

Which is the same for every single QantasLink flight overnighting at a regional port.

And much of mainline....

 

[BgoFlyer]

Video from this morning's takeoff:

 

[Melburnian1]

Although both the Sydney - Bendigo flight on Sunday 31 March and the return on 1 April (no joke) were on time, FR24 doesn't appear to have picked up either QF1407 or QF1408.

Given its receivers ought pick up the transponder at least in SYD and some locations enroute, why aren't these flights recorded by FR24?

This isn't the first time this has occurred with turboprop flights, even when flights depart from or arrive at airfields that have good coverage by FR24's receivers.

 

[TheInsider]

Given its receivers ought pick up the transponder at least in SYD and some locations enroute, why aren't these flights recorded by FR24?
This isn't the first time this has occurred with turboprop flights, even when flights depart from or arrive at airfields that have good coverage by FR24's receivers.

It may have to do with the aircrafts equipment. Plenty of DH8's don't even have the correct flight number or destinations when they travel it seems.

 

[JessicaTam]

By ‘stuff it up’, I assume you’re applying that to the locals too...as the flights won’t last if not patronised.



It will be well managed to ensure that the crews are fatigued. The early morning flights, even in major cities, are often crewed by people who have actually been working all night, not snoozing.



Delays will happen. I expect that the navigation aids at Bendigo are somewhat restrictive too. If they exist at all. There won’t be a base there, nor will they position crews for a long slip prior to operating.



And much of mainline....

Would it be ok to just put 2 flight crew and 2 cabin crew in a taxi from MEL if they were needed in Bendigo? Less than two hours drive.