I have done a trip report for this flight before and was not going to do one this time but....
We were heading off to Hobart for the long weekend to see friends and booked JetStar as they have the latest flight out of Mel at 2115 and we would struggle to get the DJ flight 45mins earlier, due to work schedules and also they were cheaper.
So at 1930 we head off to the airport knowing the flight was showing a 35 minutes delay, a nuisance but hey.
We check in and are told that the delay would be between 35 and 50 minutes as the inbound aircraft had been delayed due to the storms up in New South Wales. Again no problem the airlines can't control the weather. Very bad storms by the way.
We set off to get a drink - by this time 2000 most of the facilities in the Qantas domestic terminal are closing down as the last sceduled flight out is at 2135. Manage to find somewhere to get a glass of wine. At 2045 we make our way round to the gate.
At 2135 the inbound aircraft arrives and oddly the crew disembark. Ominous portent number 1. Nothing happems until at 2205 a member of staff makes an announcement that they are having crew difficulties and a further announcement would be made in 15 minutes.
20 minutes pass and three female staff members turn up accompanied by 4 policemen. Ominous portent number 2. We are informed that due to operationel dificluties we are not now expected to leave until 0000. Big groan around the gate as expected and we are all resigned to waiting.
Suddenly an annoucement is made that the 1630 ish delayed Launceston flight will leave from our gate - the only gate with a JetStart aircraft parked at it. Ominous portent number 3. A crew turns up - to a round of applause - and they board the Launceston flight and finally it leaves just before midnight.
By now people are getting curious as to our departure time - but the staff kept disappearing into the jetway and closing the door behind them. Even though there were now some 6 policemen and two airport security staff hanging around. We are the only flight yet to leave.
Finally just after midnight a male staff member turns up and informs us that we will now be leaving at 0230ish with an estimated arrival time of 0400. Amazingly only one person, who had a 7 year with him, started a commotion not against the staff but airline in general as he was addressing the passengers not the gate staff. The police swept in and escorted him away as he was swearing - heaven forbid.
We were offered $8 refreshment vouchers but we had to go out of the domestic terinal and round to the international terminal and then back through security. A 15 min walk but it was the only place open and something to do for half an hour.
As we were sitting about I overheard a policeman chatting to a passenger saying the female staff were scared to tell us what was happening even though the police were advising them to tell us the real extent of the dealy to avoid any scenes. It turned out they knew at around 2245 that we were not leaving until 0230.
Anyway eventually the plane returned and we boarded to be greeted by a happy cheerful crew and that we could buy items from the inflight shop etc. just what we all wanted at 0300. The capatin came on and said that we had probably been apologised to enough and that these things happen in aviation from time to time. The only plus side was that Melbourne and Hobart airports do noty have night time curfews so we could still travel.
I have to admit I was not angry just peeved that we weren't given all the information at once. We were going to be picked up but our friends couldn't sleep until they knew when we were expected to arrive (they only live 10mins from airport) - we caught a cab in the end.
It made a long weekend a bit 'longer' as we were tired all w/e as didn't want to waste a day sleeping to catch up.
The flight home this afternoon was one time and just as would be expected.
... ah the joys of travel.[;)]
Rob
Rob
