Velocity Lounge on arrival with luggage

[SheikYerbouti]

Hi all.

I have a work trip booked, and I will be going directly from arriving at Sydney airport to a sports game, without going home first.

What I want to do is access the Sydney lounge on arrival (I'm Gold), to have something to eat and do some work emails, get changed into my soccer hooligan gear, then go directly to the game (at Kogarah). I live up in northern Sydney so it would be crazy to drive 45 min north just to get home and turn around and drive back past the airport to the game.

But I will probably be in the lounge for 45 min to an hour. What is the story with luggage? I don't want to leave my bag on the carousel for an hour, and the clothes I want to change into will be in my luggage.

Can I go and pick up my (small) checked bag, and go back in through security and then to the lounge? Does anyone know what I'm best off doing in this situation?

Thanks

 

[jase05]

Hi all.

I have a work trip booked, and I will be going directly from arriving at Sydney airport to a sports game, without going home first.

What I want to do is access the Sydney lounge on arrival (I'm Gold), to have something to eat and do some work emails, get changed into my soccer hooligan gear, then go directly to the game (at Kogarah). I live up in northern Sydney so it would be crazy to drive 45 min north just to get home and turn around and drive back past the airport to the game.

But I will probably be in the lounge for 45 min to an hour. What is the story with luggage? I don't want to leave my bag on the carousel for an hour, and the clothes I want to change into will be in my luggage.

Can I go and pick up my (small) checked bag, and go back in through security and then to the lounge? Does anyone know what I'm best off doing in this situation?

Thanks

I do it in ADL regularly so can’t see any reason why SYD would be different

 

[moffat39]

Have done it in Melbourne twice in the last month. I go and get my luggage first but in Melbourne the lounge is before security.

Can not comment if there are any issues in Sydney taking through your checked luggage to the lounge.

 

[AIRwin]

Sounds like the size of the bag can be used as a hand luggage on other occasions? Try the Premium Lounge Entry if it's still open and scan your boarding pass at the self-service reader...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

How big is the checked bag?
I suppose it would fit the security screening xray opening.
Security staff would not know, and they don't usually ask, but if they do you can always say, departing for MEL, they don't ask for BP, but I have been asked by security before, maybe it was idle chit chat, "where are you heading for today?"
This was ADL, SYD T2 security screening staff with the sun ensign on shoulder, tends to be bruff, and they don't tend to say a word, so you would probably be able to get through without a word to security.
Sydney's VA lounge is after security though.
As a VFF SG, you can use premium screening, which would have less people using it.
It leads straight to the VAd Lounge at SYD airport T2.
I have used the lounge before, but never use the VA premium screening.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Premium entry

Virgin Australia is pleased to offer select guests access to Virgin Australia lounge Premium Entry at Sydney Domestic Airport. Guests are also invited to use Premium Valet adjacent to the lounge Premium Entry.

www.virginaustralia.com

>>>
Sydney Lounge Premium Entry
Sydney Lounge Premium Entry is available exclusively to Virgin Australia Business Class, 'The Business' guests, Velocity Platinum and Gold members and partner airline reciprocal status members travelling with carry-on baggage only.

Offering direct kerbside access, optional valet parking, flight check-in and a dedicated security screening point, Sydney Lounge Premium Entry is just steps away from the Virgin Australia Lounge, but worlds apart from the traditional airport experience.

When you arrive at Premium Entry you will be greeted by one of our team members who will check you into the Virgin Australia lounge and your flight at a private reception desk. You will then be expressed through a dedicated security screening point and into the lounge.

Open seven days, from 90 minutes prior to our first flight departure until our last flight is called for boarding, Premium Entry is located on Departures Road, just beyond the set down area at the western end of Terminal 2

If you are travelling with checked baggage please visit our Priority Check-in counter inside the main Departures Hall where a team member will check in your baggage. You can then choose to enter the Virgin Australia lounge, through the Premium Entry outside or through the general entrance to the right of the public security screening point inside Terminal 2.
<<<
Just had a look, you are allowed arrivals access to VAd lounges as a VFF SG member, subject to space constrains.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

Ahhhh yes. I need to clarify.

I am flying SYD-TMW which means flying on an ATR72, which has smaller overhead bins.

Although I am going only for 1 night, and will manage with a bag small enough to be carry-on on a 737, I am unsure if I'll have to check it in.

Maybe I'll try to make it carry-on and if they force me to check it in when we board at TMW, I'll have to go out and get it off the carousel, go back through security, and into the Lounge.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As you get (arrivals) lounge access, make effort to comply with bag size.
Don't want your Lounge Dragon denying you entry for carrying too large a bag.
35 l backpack I carry they never quibble.

 

[Hvr]

Given the size of the bag in question is there any reason you wouldn't take it in the cabin with you?

By this I meany any potential security issues such as scissors, a knife etc. If you couldn't take it in the main cabin you won't be able to take it airside to visit the lounge.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

Given the size of the bag in question is there any reason you wouldn't take it in the cabin with you?

That's my question, A carryon which is fine for a 737 may not be for an ATR72

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Can't you "downsize"?
Get one of those one side foldable air exclusion bags things, after all its your return trip on the ATR, and not going out to TMW, so its ok to have your clothes a bit crumpled.
All you need is to have a tough and by the rules lounge dragoness (which they tend to be, odd that I have never seen a VA lounge dragon)... and your access is "kaput"!

 

[serfty]

I am flying SYD-TMW which means flying on an ATR72, which has smaller overhead bins.

Don't VA do "Valet" carry on? I cannot recall.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

Can't you "downsize"?
Get one of those one side foldable air exclusion bags things, after all its your return trip on the ATR, and not going out to TMW, so its ok to have your clothes a bit crumpled.

It's an ATR both ways SYD-TMW
I'm not buying new luggage for this.

All you need is to have a tough and by the rules lounge dragoness (which they tend to be, odd that I have never seen a VA lounge dragon)... and your access is "kaput"!

I'm hoping that the fact that I travel in uniform may mean that I'm not treated like cough after the recent emergencies.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Hmm, uniform?
That could indeed be to your advantage, if its fire fighting related.
Best of luck anyway.

 

[SeaWolf]

It's an ATR both ways SYD-TMW
I'm not buying new luggage for this.

If the carry on is 'legal' for the 737 then it's fine for the ATR as well. What happens is that when you get on the aircraft they'll tag the carry on, stow it in a special compartment at the back and then when you hop off after landing they grab it out and give it to you on the tarmac. I do this all the time on the SYD-CBR run and it's totally not a problem, just takes a minute or two at each end.

 

[serfty]

If the carry on is 'legal' for the 737 then it's fine for the ATR as well. What happens is that when you get on the aircraft they'll tag the carry on, stow it in a special compartment at the back and then when you hop off after landing they grab it out and give it to you on the tarmac. I do this all the time on the SYD-CBR run and it's totally not a problem, just takes a minute or two at each end.

ok, so they still do valet.

Don't VA do "Valet" carry on? I cannot recall.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

If the carry on is 'legal' for the 737 then it's fine for the ATR as well. What happens is that when you get on the aircraft they'll tag the carry on, stow it in a special compartment at the back and then when you hop off after landing they grab it out and give it to you on the tarmac. I do this all the time on the SYD-CBR run and it's totally not a problem, just takes a minute or two at each end.

Ahhhhhhhh brilliant, that's what I wanted to know. Thankyou! I have measured my bag and its within the carryon size/weight limits on the VA website.