FIRST OFF: If the images dont load, right click and 'Show image' Fotopic are playing up for some reason

A few months ago, Jetstar Airlines had a massive sale, which extremely cheap fares to within most capital cities in Australia. These were perhaps the cheapest I had ever seen, so I decided to browse their website (www.jetstar.com.au) to see what I could find.

After hours of frustration I managed to find some good flights for Wednesday, August 16, 2006 from Melbourne (YMML) to Newcastle (YWLM). I also found a great deal from Newcastle to Brisbane (YBBN) $48 to Brisbane Via Newcastle.

Finally, after many server outages I decided to book these flights and book the flight back to Melbourne at a later date.

Finally the day came, and because I got my licence a week earlier I could drive to the Airport, as opposed to taking the bus, however I soon noticed they increased the price of parking from $19 to $25. NOTE: Long term parking is much cheaper than short term. If I parked in short term, they would of charged $33!!.

After parking in zone C, I caught the free shuttle bus to the Qantas / Jetstar terminal and checked in for flight 374 to Newcastle.

I still had 2 hours to kill, so went over to the international terminal, bought a coffee and admired the planes.

Air New Zealand 767 arrives at the closest stand.


Parked. Notice all the tails in the background!!



At 11:00AM I left the international terminal, and proceeded towards the security gates for terminal 1, where the QF and JQ domestic flights. The lady asked if I had a laptop or any electronic equipment and I said ‘Digital Camera’ then went over to the gate.

I noticed the aircraft had not arrived yet, then an announcement came over the P.A saying the flight had been delayed by 30 minutes and that boarding would now commence around 11:30.

Ah well, things happen.

Empty gate, however this was not mine


Finally our aircraft had arrived, and was registered VH-JQQ (A320-211)



The exciting Bit J

JQ 374
Departure airport: Melbourne international (YMML)
Arrival airport: Newcastle regional airport (YWLM)
Scheduled / Actual pushback time (11:15 / 11:35)
Scheduled / Actual arrival time (12:40 / 1:05)
Passenger load for todays flight : 139/177 79% full

Boarding is done in three groups, and I was in the second group to board.

I was planning to sit on the left side, however cause the left was already full, found a window seat on the right, which didn’t line up (aghh)

Within minutes, everyone was in and the safety demo had started. During the engine start you could distinctly hear the barking of the PTU…Hey it really does sound like a dog has been shoved into the hold..

Taxi towards runway 34 (south end of the airport, departure towards north)


After a very quick roll, we were off




Flight level today was 35000’ or FL350



The food service had begun and passengers were asked if they would like anything (for purchase) there were 5 Flight attendants on the flight doing their job very professionally. I wonder if they have similar methods as QF!

I asked if I could take some photos, so I didn’t look suspicious which was no problem, so took some of the cabin.


I will only show this one

It was now time to buckle up for our arrival into NTL.. Beautiful weather 



ohhhhh land..




Flaps extending, crossing over a highway

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you should just be able to see the runway on the left



F+4 configuration, and final approach



crossing over the threshold



welcome to Newcastle. Nice and sunny outside: D



We passed a stored 717 which was painted in AVIS car rental livery which QF has not decided on what to do with.

Since there are no jet bridges or aero gates in Newcastle, deboarding was done through the front and back.

Since my next flight was not till 5:10, I had several hours to kill, and I was not willing to stay in the airport for that long!!!

I caught the bus at 1:20 (15 mins after landing) into the city which was a 40 minute trip, where I had 1 hour and 15 minutes in the city before returning.

Nice bridge


Sydney trains



The very comfy train that goes right into the city of Sydney. I think its like a 4 hour trip.


bus


I took lots of photos, which can be viewed at http://joffie.fotopic.net

I arrived back at the airport to check in for my next flight

Flight: JQ390
From: Newcastle (YWLM)
To: Brisbane international airport (YBBN)
Scheduled / Actual departure (5:10PM / 5:10PM)
Scheduled / Actual arrival (6:15PM / 6:16PM)
Seat: 19A
Flight level: 350
VH-VQP
PAX load 135/177
Not supposed to take shots..but ah well



didn’t have much time to focus the camera



the planes don’t get pushbacked in Newcastle so after the safety demo, and engine start (and dog barking!!) the captain drove us to the runway :P

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we waited, and waited for around 10 minutes to wait for a small piper something, and dash 8 to land on the opposide end of the runway. Interesting to use both sides. Nice sunset



another short takeoff roll and we were off, in a north east direction towards BNE



climbing…



I had all 3 seats to myself. Quite wide seats, and 31’



sunset



This is how the 300D reacts to nighttime shots..interesting eh

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final approach


the international terminal is there somewhere…



We landed on runway 1 and parked at a remote stand cause there were no air bridges available at this time. Once again, deboarding was done at both the front and back, so I left via the rear port door, and followed the path towards the terminal.

For some reason, I see digital slr cameras dislike the nighttime. I only had an 18-35ml lens.



I had lots of time to kill in Brisbane as my next flight didn’t leave till 9:30..aghh I should of booked the 8PM flight.

It was quite warm in the terminal, and I felt very hungry cause I only had a sandwich in Newcastle, but there were so many choices.

è Fish and chips
è Pizza
è Red rooster
è Hungry Jacks

I decided to go for the fish, chips, and salad, Cookie and bottle of 600ml coke which came to $17.20. Usually I am tight, but cause this was a special occasion I thought why not J. I sat down for over an hour, consuming the delicious meal and read the paper. Sorry guys, no photos :P

This one was going to Sydney



as usual, the flight left from the most further gate. Why walk, when you can catch the travellator  



The plane was delayed dueo to a problem with crew staffing so there was now a 30 minute delay..Great as I was supposed to work at 8AM the next morning.

DJ 344 (virgin blue airlines)
Scheduled departure: 9:30PM
Actual: 10:00PM
From: Brisbane
To: Melbourne
Scheduled / actual Arrival (11:55PM / 00:30 AM
PAX LOAD = 95% full
Boeing 737-700 Registration unknown
Seat 2F

Boarding was done in both the front and back of the aircraft. IIRC rows 15+ board through the back door.

I noticed someone had taken my window seat, but cause it was nighttime, I wouldn’t be able to see anything, but I made a deal that he would give up the seat for landing, in which he happily obliged.

I sat in 2E for the time being and noticed how DJ ‘ s seats are very narrow compared to JQ

We finally took off from runway 1, made a right hand turn to execute the LAV sid towards Melbourne.

I spoke with my seatmate for the entire flight, and we listened to some of the in flight music.

The flight went on..and on…and on. I just wanted to get home.!!!

The First officer came over the PA and sad it was very bumpy on the approach into Melbourne with winds up to 60KPH!!.

Finally the decent was commenced, and we executed the ‘Arbey 1 arrival into runway 34’

Melbourne lights






After all the bumps and shakes the 737 could handle, we turned towards the airport, with a nice view of the city, and the landing was perfect!!. The reverse thrust was engaged, and vibrated the cabin like there was no tomorrow..

Cause they were doing works around the airport, some of the taxiways were blocked off so we had to go the long way to our terminal. The plan was parked a short time later, and deboarding was only done through the front (cause it was dark)

Verdict
Both airlines have their strengths and weaknesses. I thought JQ was the better airline in this case, cause of their wider seats and comfort.
Both airlines offer great service and I would have no problem traveling with either.

Thank you

[Edited 2006-08-24 04:51:15]