We departed from our outport this morning on time at 0635. No CTMS. Sydney ATIS was indicating PRM approaches from 0715. Weather at Sydney was 10k+ few at 2500 feet! Our 30 minute sector had us arriving at 0705, which is normal for this particular service, and usually gets us in just prior to the "peak". At least we should avoid the madness, or that's what we thought.
Ahh not to be. Instructions to slow to min speed, hold, and radar vectors, ensured that our arrival into the Sydney terminal was in time for us to participate.
assigned runway was 16L (of course), and we were duly processes (at reduced speed) via an 18 mile downwind leg. Established on final and VISUAL at 4000 feet! Then instructed to "...keep your speed up for as long as possible.." Not cleared for avisual approach mind, so just how we were to configure as per SOP's probably didn't figure in the equation.
Arrived at the gate 20 minutes late! Subsequent service(s) were then delayed as a result.
Can anyone explain the logic in this?