Now it’s getting really embarrassing.
• Congested airspace - pigs arse, on a world stage!
• If SYD had STARs that connected to the runways the situational awareness would have been improved. Let’s face it, that was mostly vectoring and every aircraft would have been uncertain of their distance remaining.
• SYD director - where “22 miles to run” could be 15 or 40, sometimes 60. (If I was already minimum fuel, I can understand how the mayday call is needed to tighten things up and get some assurance.)
• I am interested in why the aircraft was continued via the STAR and subsequent downwind leg fuel burn off as opposed to straight to the IAF, 2nm final, runway 25 etc.
• UAL voice seemed quite comfortable, did ATC ask for his endurance? Also curious if the aircraft actually arrived above 30 minutes.
• Shutting down main roads around the airport in this particular case is interesting, next time they should evacuate all the Terminals and surrounding hotels for a bit of sport!