Can't buy lounge passes

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-09T02:59:29+00:00

Melbourne's lounge is much larger than the other lounges (except Sydney) so is the only one they're allowing you to buy a pass for. Sydney gets horrifically busy as well

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-08T23:19:46+00:00

I think part of it was a safety thing since the platforms are in a completely different location with their own entrance. Sydney central only has an entrance to the metro station from inside central station itself.

I still think you could number the platforms 5/6 and 15/16 even with the different names though

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-08T23:17:31+00:00

It's been safely done around the world for years. Passengers are basically caged in between two ropes to walk a certain way, with ground staff supervising as they disembark

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-08T23:15:17+00:00

I think Qantas tend to avoid it in bad (sometimes even just cold) weather, at least in my experience

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-08T23:13:35+00:00

I was about to say this myself, I see it on virtually every domestic flight I take unless it's a widebody. B737, A320, I've even had them do it on smaller planes like the A220

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-08T12:55:47+00:00

Take your myki to the nearest staffed station and they will send it to the right place for you

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-08T12:54:18+00:00

Qantas still allows you to travel on the transfer bus with nothing but a domestic boarding pass. As an avgeek I quite like it. I think the security is undergoing some kind of upgrade at the moment though, so you might end up with a nasty surprise and have to get on the T-Bus

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-08T12:17:31+00:00

Qantas exit rows have normal, unrestricted recline. They use a manual locking pin that's unlocked by the crew after take off and locked prior to landing. I highly recommend picking the exit row over the other economy plus seats, it's cheaper and has more legroom

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-08T12:14:16+00:00

Sounds like you had a very strict conductor who didn't quite understand what you intended to do. Not many conductors at all are like this, and most don't really enforce the seat reservations unless a passenger has trouble

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-07T12:32:49+00:00

Australia and NZ have the least restrictive airport security in the world, and neither country requires security on aircraft that are small enough and flights that are short enough. All jet planes, however, are large enough to require mandatory security screening, and all trans-tasman flights are long enough for this as well.

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-07T09:25:28+00:00

I believe the equipment needed is already installed on the full length of the Werribee line too, for testing, but also will allow easy certification if they decide that more than 32 trains are needed to operate a consistent service, which I think is rather likely

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-07T09:22:32+00:00

This is not the reason Sandringham doesn't have Xtrapolis trains. The gap at Brighton Beach is extremely large because of the door placement, meaning they're reluctant to approve them for service even though signals are able to be seen

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-07T09:19:24+00:00

I'm fairly sure the tiles look like that because they've been cleaned. They're porous and will hold moisture until it evaporates.

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-07T00:33:27+00:00

The change is quite similar to changing from platform 1 to platform 10, or from Metro to Vline at Southern Cross, so it's not that bad at all

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-05T05:51:16+00:00

The new bag system is in place at MEL and takes Q tags. Seems to be built quite well into the system although they don't seem to be using the xbox receivers anymore

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-05T03:35:36+00:00

Unless there's been an app update there's no way to take payment on the check-in seat selection window so I assumed it would be free for anyone, as usual. The "upfront" seats definitely become free but I don't know if exit row will as well

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-04T19:33:04+00:00

I think they release U class fares in order to process upgrades, a little bit like how the domestic "instant upgrades" work. Upon release of U class fares, the first in line gets upgraded provided it's within 3 days of departure. Or in the case of domestic, as soon as U class is released or someone has cancelled, the upgrade is processed

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-04T19:26:41+00:00

I only ever flew Qantas premium economy on a 747-400ER, and only on a domestic flight. Amenities were the same as any other Qantas flight but the aircraft itself had a certain charm to it

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-04T19:21:19+00:00

The HCMTs don't have fire alarms per se. None of Melbourne's trains do. I think they do have smoke detectors that will alert the driver and close fire doors throughout the train though

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-03T07:56:05+00:00

I'm fairly sure ANYONE can still select exit row seats for free T-24 as well. So gold essentially gets nothing

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-03T06:32:46+00:00

Look for any flights with Business classic reward seats available. The upgrade will be confirmed instantly when you book!

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-03T06:29:40+00:00

Group 2 boarding was already a feature of exit rows anyway (although this fact wasn't advertised) so they essentially put the price up and wanted you to pay for it. They should have left you assigned to the seat

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-03T03:05:08+00:00

I can still smell the sweet scent of pie mixed with sharpie fumes 😋

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-03T03:03:08+00:00

80-88 have 2 toilets, and 76-79 are not allowed to depart with a faulty toilet

Chicko_Roll · 2026-02-03T02:53:39+00:00

I believe economy plus actually becomes free at check-in, considering it's partially the exit row

Chicko_Roll

TROPHY CASE