Introduction
Brisbane to Sydney to Melbourne
Park Hyatt Melbourne & Melbourne to Canberra
Canberra to Melbourne to Brisbane
Conclusion
Saturday 07th April 2012
O dark 30… the time that I hate so much, but today since I was on an extremely early flight, no work out no nothing, Just up, shower and out the door (not even a coffee!). Made it out of the house and to the airport easily, very little traffic and within 15 minutes of leaving, the car was parked in the Parklong (seriously dumb name) facility at the airport thanks to their offer of a $40 full weekend and then it was time to wander my way through the car park and to the terminal.
Check in was a breeze and literally 20 minutes after leaving home, I was through security (dodged explosives, o yeah!) and up to the lounge where breakfast and coffee awaited me. I was expecting no barista at 5am in the morning, I was wrong! The barista was on staff so it was a quick breakfast of cereal, fruit and coffee and getting all my stuff together for the flight. The lounge was quiet but since I didn’t have all that much time, I wasn’t planning on getting to relaxed. About 5 minutes before the flight was due to board, I strolled my way down to the gate.
Virgin Australia
DJ908
Brisbane to Sydney
0600-0735
Boeing 737-800 (VH-VUZ)
Economy Class – Seat 3A
Boarding: 0545 (Gate 39)
Push Back: 0600
Take Off Roll: 0607 (Runway 19)
Top of Descent: 0646
Touch Down: 0727 (Runway 34L)
Shut Down: 0731 (Gate 31)
Boarding was promptly called and there was a number of small children pre boarded. But thankfully they all headed way down the back of the plane. I settled into my usual seat and got myself nicely relaxed and just tuned out really. It was way to early to be doing to much, I just wanted to sleep really but I knew that once I got to Sydney, it wasn’t going to happen. By the time the doors closed we pushed back dead on time, I looked around and had the entire row to myself. Not only did I have the “Gold Shadow” (blocked next seat) but also had the whole row, both sides of the Aisle! w00t!
We taxiied quickly to Runway 19 and took off with the rising sun shining in my window. I got stuck into my book as once we climbed above the solid cloud deck further south, there was nothing to see out the window. Service was the usual (especially for me) coffee & water and with more pages of the book smashed through as we cruised south. These are the flights I like, effortless and quiet. Flying over easter looked to be a smart decision.
As we started descent we were warned that it could be a while in descent as Sydney was playing silly buggers with ATC diversions. It was true, we took our time doing our descent very very slowly. We came in very high over the harbour so I knew something was up as we popped out of the cloud deck pretty much already over the city but way to high for a normal descent into 16, and we weren’t heading out into the ocean over the Eastern Suburbs for a 34R. Very confusing! Turns out we had been diverted way way way south (after overflying the airport) and were heading for 34L.
As we came into finals for 34L I was checking what was on the ground and saw a number of good sites. United in Star Alliance Livery, JAL in Oneworld Livery lots of other goodies just waiting to be photographed. I knew I had to be quick, because JAL was due to depart about 8am so wouldn’t have much time to get the car and get moving. As we deplaned I headed straight to baggage and my bag was 3rd out and then it was off to get my car. I had booked a car with Avis through work and had hoped I would get something nice and pretty for the day but to be honest, I didn’t care.
There was a line at the Avis counter unfortunately and it seems they didn’t even have a car ready for me 🙁 When I was offered a Minivan (eww no to big) I declined, was then offered a full on Pajero and not wanting to drive that either I declined. He told me would be 3 or 4 minutes till they could get me a car. I was ok with that. 10 minutes later, still no car, the guy gave up and just gave me someone elses car. Why he didn’t do this in the first place I don’t know.
Threw all my stuff into the car and headed off over to Sheps Mound for my morning of plane spotting. I did manage to get the JAL Oneworld along with so much other stuff. The day just flew by, so rather than describe what will be boring to some, I will just show you a selection of photos 😀 (the full album can be found here )
After spending most of the day taking photos in various locations and catching up with an old friend for lunch. I headed back over to the Domestic Terminal and checked in. Light was dropping quickly so I just found a nice quiet spot in the lounge to check my emails, charge my phone and tune out really. After my phone was charged (bout 30 minutes or so) I headed out of my hiding corner and saw that the Gold Coast Suns were in the lounge. Crazy! Then after they left, the Brisbane Lions rolled in (pretty sure it was the young lions) and then after they left, In came the Freemantle Dockers!
Seriously how many football teams are flying through Sydney tonight! I tried to stay out of their way and just get myself some dinner (after a few bowls of the awesome nut mix Virgin uses). I was happy and relaxed, a tad sunburnt and tired all at the same time. I headed out of the lounge a little early to stroll around and wake myself up a little before trekking all the way out to the very end of the Virgin pier to where my next flight awaited. What I noticed as I had timed the walk pretty well for boarding to have started around about the time I got there. It hadn’t. Great a delay! The crew were just boarding as I got there. I looked out the window and tonights flight was operated by none other than XF “Broken.” No wonder there was a delay! I contemplated heading back to the lounge but could not be bothered really so found an empty seat and just kept reading till boarding was called.
Virgin Australia
DJ888
Sydney to Melbourne
2000-2130
Airbus A330-200 (VH-XFB)
Economy Class – Seat 7K
Boarding: 1950 (Gate 40)
Push Back: 2015
Take Off Roll: 2025 (Runway 16R)
Top of Descent: 2105
Touch Down: 2136 (Runway 16)
Shut Down: 2140 (Gate 12)
Boarding was only called a little bit late, and I was in the first group onboard which was great, so I could get plenty of photos. Unfortunately what I didn’t realise was the seats onboard the Ex Emirates A330’s had not really been refurbished. These seats were horrible. Sure they looked pretty but god damn they felt totally crap. Worse than hell! But I sucked it up. As everyone slowly boarded and the crew were doing their checks the gentlemen in the row behind me was asked to move his carry on up into the overhead locker but then he was told that soon he would have a lot more space as they were going to upgrade him. Damn I was hoping for a Battlefield upgrade today, no luck!
A quick taxi to 16R and we were airborne heading for Melbourne. I tuned out really quickly on this flight, a coffee to keep me awake enough till I get to the hotel and the book to distract me enough. I was out of it really. Not much more to say other than up, down and a short cruise in between. I can see why people hate flying this route over and over again each week. I would be so bored some days! We descended into Melbourne and touched down with not to big of a bump and as we taxiied towards the terminal, I was looking forward to some sleep. But the ground staff had other ideas. We sat, and sat, for a long time (probably 10-15 minutes) waiting for the air bridge to attach. What I didn’t realise was that it must of been broken or it doesn’t work for this aircraft as when we finally deplaned. It was down stairs. No photos due to the night, but soon enough I was in the terminal, quite chilled as the temperature had dropped.
The terminal was buzzing yet still quiet in comarison and the bags were slow to arrive. I had booked a car through work as I never trust late night flights into Melbourne and the Skybus and I always hate taxi queues. The driver was waiting for me and after my bag came out, I grabbed out my jacket (shorts and tshirt in 15 degree weather is not a good idea) and he lead me towards the car. What awaited me was a glorious looking Mercedes S Class and a VERY comfortable interior for the next 25 minutes to the hotel.
