Strange complaint / Hamilton Charters

[jakeseven7]

Well I never thought I'd complain about this.....

I've been shuttling back and forth SYD-MEL the last 4 weeks (about 14 flights), firming up a business deal. Anyway, all my flights have been on time
(great), but probably about half have been early - and I'm talking 25 minutes here! I plan to chill out at QF Pub, have a drink or breakfast but on arriving at the airport my flights have been on final call and boarding before I even clear security! Just wondered if anyone else had noticed this recently. The flights are all still full, I can't work out why. Our director who has been travelling more than any of us brought it up as well..


And while I have been basically living at the airport, I have noticed about a couple of times QF flights on the departure screens operating as 'charters' then bracket (NAME of charter) to Hamilton. Didn't check out what aircraft it was but have seen a couple of times - anyone know the go?

 

[NM]

QF usually commence boarding between 15 and 25 mins before scheduled departure time (15 mins for 737, 20 mins for 767 and 25 mins for A330). So are you saying they are commencing boarding 25 ins before that, or up to 50 mins before scheduled departure time?

 

[jakeseven7]

QF usually commence boarding between 15 and 25 mins before scheduled departure time (15 mins for 737, 20 mins for 767 and 25 mins for A330). So are you saying they are commencing boarding 25 ins before that, or up to 50 mins before scheduled departure time?

Yes! eg for example was on the 330 departure with boarding supposed to commence at 310 (767) Arrived airport 250 - Boarding. Take off 315! I thought that this would be as bad as being late for the airline (in terms of slots etc). I'm not having a go at QF, but it has happened a few times now and I'm missing the Qantas Club.

 

[DPG]

I have noticed that QF are getting planes off before scheduled departure time quite a bit recently. I would say that over 75% of my recent flights (last couple of months) have departed before schedule.

I assume that it would only take an extra few minutes to get the plane off on time (or early) and this seems to be what QF have been doing.

D P G

 

[Commuter]

I noticed QF doing that occasionally too. I guess it gets them a bit ahead of the schedule and gives them a chance not to do a poor OTP if they encounter a problem at the next stop.

 

[jakeseven7]

I'm fine with it - I'll just get to the airport a bit earlier from now on!

Anyone else seen all the QF charters to Hamilton? Obviously some demand for them with just JQ and Vermin on the route now...

 

[NM]

I'm fine with it - I'll just get to the airport a bit earlier from now on!

Anyone else seen all the QF charters to Hamilton? Obviously some demand for them with just JQ and Vermin on the route now...

The only time I have seen it is when there is a rugby game there or one over here where one of the clubs charters a flight for their supporters.

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

QF charter flights are shown on various airport arrival/departure screens throughout the country. Some may have seen them in Perth... QantasLink BAe146-300 flights into Mt Keith and Leinster (flight numbers escape me currently).

Did you get the flight numbers at all jakeseven7? Did it happen to say "Hughes' Travel Group" or was it numbered QF1350-1399?

Thanks

 

[markis10]

The Hamilton Charters were probably part of last weeks race week, plenty of money flying in for a spot of fun and the odd drink.

 

[jakeseven7]

QF charter flights are shown on various airport arrival/departure screens throughout the country. Some may have seen them in Perth... QantasLink BAe146-300 flights into Mt Keith and Leinster (flight numbers escape me currently).

Did you get the flight numbers at all jakeseven7? Did it happen to say "Hughes' Travel Group" or was it numbered QF1350-1399?

Thanks

Thats trying the memory...! Seen two last week, both ex Syd, no idea on flight number but one of the labels was 'Charter - Kosov' or something like that.... Don't hold me to that though.