Random first-time DJ flyer questions

[deejub]

First time flying DJ (and first time in Oz). I have a couple of random questions re DJ... I'll ask my QF/JQ codeshare related question over in that forum. ( My itinerary is JFK-SFO-HNL (UA); HNL-SYD (JQ, booked as QF codeshare); SYD-OOL (DJ); BNE-CNS (DJ); CNS-SYD (DJ); SYD-SFO (QF); SFO-JFK (AA, booked as QF codeshare).)

DJ questions are:

1) I can't get an answer easily from over here in the States on check-in. Because of my itinerary being three flights on one booking without airport continuity or return to the original airport, I could not pay for my checked bag online. I had to call the call center (not cheap, took 20 minutes) and pay by phone (they did honor the online rate). What I forgot to ask them is if I will be able to check-in online, as my inability to pay for the bags online concerns me.

2) On a less important note, how is the baggage retrieval at OGG and CNS, timewise?

 

[anat0l]

Hi deejub.

Instead of OGG do you mean OOL? I think the former is someone closer to your home...

1) You should be able to check-in online alright. I would probably keep a receipt or record that you have purchased baggage (either a screen dump of your booking status, or an email printout - something...).

You will need the DJ booking reference to OLCI.

I'm answering this question, however, not out of experience but only that there is no reason (unless one not related to this discussion) why you can't OLCI.

2) OOL and CNS are small airports. I wouldn't expect bags to take a huge amount of time to get put out, although some days anywhere in the country handlers like to drag their feet.

What kind of time frames are you relying on?

 

[deejub]

Hi deejub.

Instead of OGG do you mean OOL? I think the former is someone closer to your home...

Typo, though Maui and Gold Coast aren't *that* different, are they?

1) You should be able to check-in online alright. I would probably keep a receipt or record that you have purchased baggage (either a screen dump of your booking status, or an email printout - something...).

The baggage has actually already been bought -- by phone, at at the Internet rate. It's getting the seat assignment and boarding pass that was of concern. In any event, I think I have no choice but to use a kiosk, as web checkin requires a printer and mobile checkin in unavailable for each of my clity pairs.

2) OOL and CNS are small airports. I wouldn't expect bags to take a huge amount of time to get put out, although some days anywhere in the country handlers like to drag their feet.

What kind of time frames are you relying on?

There's an old 1968 film called If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium, about American tourists who are seeing a bunch of European countries, making only a brief stop in each. While it was definitely not what was planned (very long story), I have 23 hours from arrival at OOL to departure at BNE, and only two days in Cairns before return to Sydney. (I do have ample time in HNL and SYD, thankfully.)

 

[pshepvic]

The baggage has actually already been bought -- by phone, at at the Internet rate. It's getting the seat assignment and boarding pass that was of concern. In any event, I think I have no choice but to use a kiosk, as web checkin requires a printer and mobile checkin in unavailable for each of my clity pairs.

Still check in online and select a seat. You can get pretty much any seat you want if you check in at exactly 24 hours before - there is no pre-allocation with DJ. Even if you're not able to print the BP, still do online check in and they can reprint a BP at the airport for you. Just get there a decent amount of time before, as there can be quite a queue at DJ checkin sometimes. Unless you're on a corporate plus fare of course, then you can use priority checkin.

 

[sergeyvzn]

Check in online - easy, if you don't have access to a printer, they will be able to print out a boarding pass for you

both airports are relatively small, I would say 10 min max before your bag comes out

don't worry that much - Australia is very relaxed and things normally work pretty well here

 

[deejub]

Still check in online and select a seat. You can get pretty much any seat you want if you check in at exactly 24 hours before - there is no pre-allocation with DJ. Even if you're not able to print the BP, still do online check in and they can reprint a BP at the airport for you. Just get there a decent amount of time before, as there can be quite a queue at DJ checkin sometimes. Unless you're on a corporate plus fare of course, then you can use priority checkin.

Many thanks to all here for all the help.

One last query, if I may: You suggest a "decent time" ahead to get there, but what's a decent enough time -- especially at SYD, which I assume to be the busiest of SYD/BNE/CNS? DJ's website says be checked in 30 min ahead -- but what's a safe time before flight time to walk into the airport? (In the US, flying domestic with checked bag, I assume 75-90 minutes at my home airport (ALB), 2 hours at JFK, LGA, LAX and Florida in season.)

 

[sergeyvzn]

SYD T2 (domestic) where DJ is based is not terribly large

1 hr 30 min would give you heaps of time to drop off your bags, have a drink, shop and walk the DJ pier up and down 10 times

Considering youve never been - that is plenty of time

I'd even come later, something like 1 hr 15 min - 1 hr but since you are new make it 1 hr 30

Enjoy your Australian trip! Far North Queensland (around Cairns) is pretty awesome

 

[pshepvic]

Many thanks to all here for all the help.

One last query, if I may: You suggest a "decent time" ahead to get there, but what's a decent enough time -- especially at SYD, which I assume to be the busiest of SYD/BNE/CNS? DJ's website says be checked in 30 min ahead -- but what's a safe time before flight time to walk into the airport? (In the US, flying domestic with checked bag, I assume 75-90 minutes at my home airport (ALB), 2 hours at JFK, LGA, LAX and Florida in season.)

Yeah not as bad here as the US! The longest I've had to queue for security in Sydney is about 7 minutes. Everywhe else is even less.

There can be a reasonable check in queue for DJ at times, particularly from about 4-6pm during the peak time (I've seen up to a 60min wait). However if your flight is about to close, they call you to specific lanes to check in so you don't miss the flight. Personally I get there (when I'm on time) only 60min before, but I'm on corporate fares and use the premium check in queue so there is never a wait. The last 3 flights I've missed completely though as I've arrived with less than 10min before departure, and once 10min after departure! (Sydney traffic - make sure you allow for that ... Or take the airport train!)

 

[deejub]

(Sydney traffic - make sure you allow for that ... Or take the airport train!)

That I will do... no rental car in Sydney, intentionally, and no reason to use a bus or taxi.

Thanks!