Bundy Bear
Established Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2004
- Posts
- 4,101
I make a usual flight down to Sydney once a year at the end of July and as I have already qualified for Qantas platinum I thought I would give Virgin Blue a go. Virgin was $70 cheaper than Qantas and I could still use the Qantas lounge. 
DJ978 BNE-SYD Dep 6:00pm Seat 5 C NOT
Got to the airport around 5:00pm used the Virgin Blue kiosk to check in, the bag drop line was very slow so after about 15 minutes I was served and was advised of a 30 minute delay, enough time for a drink in the Qantas sponsored pub.
After 2 drinks and a bit of food I walked back to the Virgin gate area and waited for the flight to be called. At 5:50pm the call I wasn't expecting
Those passengers on DJ978 your flight has been canceled, for those with checked luggage you can collect it from carousel number 3 and please see the service desk staff. Those without luggage were directed to another gate, I guess to try and put those passengers on the 7:00pm flight to Sydney.
So ran down stairs grabbed the bag, and went back to the Virgin check area, I was seen by an agent and advised I could get a flight on QF8553 but it would be about 30 minutes before my details would show up on the Qantas booking. I received a $6 food voucher which I purchased a red bull, :idea: I was expecting a bit of stress and delay. Qantas had heard of the transferred passengers but I couldn't be checked in until a ticket number appeared in the Qantas booking system.
So after about 40 minutes I put the flight number into the Qantas quick check machine and once it cant find a booking it then tells you to see the staff at check in desk 8 or 9. The Qantas staff at check in desk 21 are the ones who handle those passengers that Virgin Blue can't accommodate.
With about 50 people milling about, it was about an hour before Qantas staff could check us in, so the Qantas flight QF553 had already been and gone and most of the people were put on QF557.
QF557 BNE-SYD 737-800
So check in without status I ended up with seat 20E, I went to the Qantas lounge and got my Qantas frequent flier number added to the booking and magically seat in row 5 became available.
So this is a snack flight with some cheese and chiver crackers with free beer or wine.
Interestingly the food places close when the last flight departs the gates nearest to them so all the food places next to the escalators to the bottom level close as soon as the last flight is called. Something to remember if you are hungry and want something to eat.
After making a booking on Virgin Blue and 3 hours after I was meant to be in Sydney I arrived on a Qantas aircraft.
I checked the Qantas summary to find that the flight has shown up but with 0 & 0 against it. It seems that Virgin Blue book passengers using the Jetstar flight number, you may have readc JQ8553 on the docket and as its not a full fare then no points or Status credits show up.
SYD-BNE QF544 Dep: 6:00pm 737-800
After spending a few days in Sydney it was time to head back. Again I checked in bags, there is 2 lines for business and status passengers. The check in desks on the left are for those who have already checked in, something to remember.
Boarding was on time after spending about 30 minutes in the business lounge. Flight left the gate and we headed down to the southern end of the runway to then have a wind change and the aircraft had to taxi back to the other side of the airport and we waited almost an hour before we could take off. Good thing I had seat in row 4.
6:00pm is a dinner flight but being the weekend their was no alcohol service, I had already had plenty over the weekend so no need for any more. Dinner was chicken and rice with cheese and crackers. The plane landed in Brisbane about 40 minutes late.
Just thought I would share some of my weekend travels with a few tips or ideas for people to keep in mind.
Being Qantas platinum is useful, I guess I should have booked with Qantas.
DJ978 BNE-SYD Dep 6:00pm Seat 5 C NOT
Got to the airport around 5:00pm used the Virgin Blue kiosk to check in, the bag drop line was very slow so after about 15 minutes I was served and was advised of a 30 minute delay, enough time for a drink in the Qantas sponsored pub.
After 2 drinks and a bit of food I walked back to the Virgin gate area and waited for the flight to be called. At 5:50pm the call I wasn't expecting
Those passengers on DJ978 your flight has been canceled, for those with checked luggage you can collect it from carousel number 3 and please see the service desk staff. Those without luggage were directed to another gate, I guess to try and put those passengers on the 7:00pm flight to Sydney.
So ran down stairs grabbed the bag, and went back to the Virgin check area, I was seen by an agent and advised I could get a flight on QF8553 but it would be about 30 minutes before my details would show up on the Qantas booking. I received a $6 food voucher which I purchased a red bull, :idea: I was expecting a bit of stress and delay. Qantas had heard of the transferred passengers but I couldn't be checked in until a ticket number appeared in the Qantas booking system.
So after about 40 minutes I put the flight number into the Qantas quick check machine and once it cant find a booking it then tells you to see the staff at check in desk 8 or 9. The Qantas staff at check in desk 21 are the ones who handle those passengers that Virgin Blue can't accommodate.
With about 50 people milling about, it was about an hour before Qantas staff could check us in, so the Qantas flight QF553 had already been and gone and most of the people were put on QF557.
QF557 BNE-SYD 737-800
So check in without status I ended up with seat 20E, I went to the Qantas lounge and got my Qantas frequent flier number added to the booking and magically seat in row 5 became available.
So this is a snack flight with some cheese and chiver crackers with free beer or wine.
Interestingly the food places close when the last flight departs the gates nearest to them so all the food places next to the escalators to the bottom level close as soon as the last flight is called. Something to remember if you are hungry and want something to eat.
After making a booking on Virgin Blue and 3 hours after I was meant to be in Sydney I arrived on a Qantas aircraft.
I checked the Qantas summary to find that the flight has shown up but with 0 & 0 against it. It seems that Virgin Blue book passengers using the Jetstar flight number, you may have readc JQ8553 on the docket and as its not a full fare then no points or Status credits show up.
SYD-BNE QF544 Dep: 6:00pm 737-800
After spending a few days in Sydney it was time to head back. Again I checked in bags, there is 2 lines for business and status passengers. The check in desks on the left are for those who have already checked in, something to remember.
Boarding was on time after spending about 30 minutes in the business lounge. Flight left the gate and we headed down to the southern end of the runway to then have a wind change and the aircraft had to taxi back to the other side of the airport and we waited almost an hour before we could take off. Good thing I had seat in row 4.
6:00pm is a dinner flight but being the weekend their was no alcohol service, I had already had plenty over the weekend so no need for any more. Dinner was chicken and rice with cheese and crackers. The plane landed in Brisbane about 40 minutes late.
Just thought I would share some of my weekend travels with a few tips or ideas for people to keep in mind.
Being Qantas platinum is useful, I guess I should have booked with Qantas.
