Sydney Airport..A Goddam Nightmare
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Australia
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Airport facilities are no doubt part of the issue - though the border agencies don't help the process. I am all for strict customs/quarantine but of the 45+ countries in the world I have visited, Australia is the worst!
We have to accept that there has been massive growth in intl traffic (which will only increase with these new Long Haul LCCs) and in many cases the facilities just can't cope! Not to mention the booming domestic market that is equally putting strains on terminal infrastructure.
The case in point is Adelaide's plan to already expand their new terminal barely a year since it fully opened for business!
We have to accept that there has been massive growth in intl traffic (which will only increase with these new Long Haul LCCs) and in many cases the facilities just can't cope! Not to mention the booming domestic market that is equally putting strains on terminal infrastructure.
The case in point is Adelaide's plan to already expand their new terminal barely a year since it fully opened for business!
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Australia
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Sydney used to be a great airport to get through. Quick, efficient and polite. Not now! First you are met by the miserable passport checkers (whatever you do dont answer your mobile if you are anywhere near the queue, queue being the operative word! No polite 'would mid not usng your 'phone there.) Then pick up your baggage, quite efficiently even now. Then the worst of all the AQIS Gestapo..... Often thousands of folk waiting for those stoopid Xray machines because only about two of them actually work at a single time. Everyone packed into about an eigth of the baggage hall, folk pushing in the queue, others tired aggressive and fedup, kids screeming. AQIS attitude? who gives a ****? We have a job to do - and you aint getting into Australia until you go thorough our processes in our time! So bloody wait your turn - even if the queue (read crush) is two hous or more. They are a joke and make arrival in Sydney an absolute nightmare these days.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: God`s Country
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Customs Hall Snooze
Arrived in to Sydney last Sunday.
Absolute Chaos
Tired... I was not about to Q up for 2hours.
I was in no hurry.
Found a seat down near oversized baggage and went to sleep for an hour and a half.
Woke up and the hall was empty.
Walked thru in about ten minutes
Might take a sleeping bag next time
Absolute Chaos
Tired... I was not about to Q up for 2hours.
I was in no hurry.
Found a seat down near oversized baggage and went to sleep for an hour and a half.
Woke up and the hall was empty.
Walked thru in about ten minutes
Might take a sleeping bag next time
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: moree caravan park
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Taildragger,
Yes they are, this I am aware of. Was just pointing out the price hitch on trolleys when smartecarte became part of the MacBank empire. Another way of the company (MacBank/SACL) continuing to bleed us for no gain in services.
Yes they are, this I am aware of. Was just pointing out the price hitch on trolleys when smartecarte became part of the MacBank empire. Another way of the company (MacBank/SACL) continuing to bleed us for no gain in services.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Stuck in the middle...
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Cheers Socks
It'd be interesting to know if employees of MBL-group companies get a rebate/discount for purchasing services from members of the group - eg. if they get their $2 taxi gouge back (probably do, if they are using a taxi from that MBL taxi company).
I hate the tall-poppy syndrome, but when someone just starts taking the p!ss, then
'em.
It'd be interesting to know if employees of MBL-group companies get a rebate/discount for purchasing services from members of the group - eg. if they get their $2 taxi gouge back (probably do, if they are using a taxi from that MBL taxi company).
I hate the tall-poppy syndrome, but when someone just starts taking the p!ss, then
'em.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Sydney
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Cmon guys be fair to SACL
You know that SYD is no longer an airport .... its a shopping mall where planes happen to pass thru
and its only gunna get worse when they go ahead with the project STAR where pax will be forced to go through the duty free shops ie they have got no other way of getting to the gates
You know that SYD is no longer an airport .... its a shopping mall where planes happen to pass thru
and its only gunna get worse when they go ahead with the project STAR where pax will be forced to go through the duty free shops ie they have got no other way of getting to the gates
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Stuck in the middle...
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Yeah just love that at LHR T3 - through security and the pathway to the gates is through the booze/ciggies/smells shop with promotions people leaping at you from each side. You can't even get to the newsagent to buy your overpriced bottle of water (as you couldn't bring a useable one in with you 
) or Boots to get a new toothpaste - let alone the gate - without passing by the check-outs.
I wonder when the day will come when the operators put a 'minimum spend' on - ie. you get to the gate and unless you can produce receipts to show that you've spent a de-minimis amount in the terminal shops, they'll charge you there & then the shortfall before you can board.
Then, I'll go via YMML or YBNE - anywhere where there are fewer snouts from 1 Martin Place in the trough.
) or Boots to get a new toothpaste - let alone the gate - without passing by the check-outs.I wonder when the day will come when the operators put a 'minimum spend' on - ie. you get to the gate and unless you can produce receipts to show that you've spent a de-minimis amount in the terminal shops, they'll charge you there & then the shortfall before you can board.
Then, I'll go via YMML or YBNE - anywhere where there are fewer snouts from 1 Martin Place in the trough.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Away
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Agreed, it's a disgrace.
Incidentally, Emirates have approval to increase their 48/week service to Australia to 96/week.
I hope like hell they're not going to bring it all to Sydney.
Incidentally, Emirates have approval to increase their 48/week service to Australia to 96/week.
I hope like hell they're not going to bring it all to Sydney.
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Oztrailea
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MAC BANK is an evil empire. 
How else can they afford to give 1 employee $30 mill a year? They cant - we pay!!!
Australia is a disgrace in this regard. It is always a pleasant surprise to travel overseas and have access to a FREE luggage cart. I thought that is what my TAXES & CHARGES were for.
Singapore springs to mind as amazingly efficient. Strict controls and higher traffic. You would be unlucky to take longer than 15 mins to get out of that terminal.
How else can they afford to give 1 employee $30 mill a year? They cant - we pay!!!Australia is a disgrace in this regard. It is always a pleasant surprise to travel overseas and have access to a FREE luggage cart. I thought that is what my TAXES & CHARGES were for.
Singapore springs to mind as amazingly efficient. Strict controls and higher traffic. You would be unlucky to take longer than 15 mins to get out of that terminal.
