Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - A warning for Scuba divers looking to fly Virgin Blue!

I had a rude awakening in Cairns this past month and thought others should be aware.

I had tickets booked to go from CNS to MEL on DJ this past October. I was coming off of a live aboard there and was checking in ~3hrs early. I had stopped diving early the day before so that I knew I would be nice and safe in terms of nitrogen (as confirmed by my dive computer). Upon check in, I told them one of my bags was a dive bag because of their stringent weight limitations, but special provisions for sporting equipment (link (http://www.virginblue.com.au/helpInfo/faqs/questions/73/Can-I-take-my-sporting-equipment%3F)). After telling her that, she asked when I had last dove. Not knowing their policy, I told her the truth. A shocked look comes across here face as she tells me that DJ's policy is 48 hours! Mind you, PADI recommends 18-24 hours and my dive computer (which the CSR looked at since she herself was a divemaster) showed I was completely desaturated. She even called her company safety officer, explaining the circumstances (I was actually cutting my trip short due to a death in the family and had to make it to Melbourne by the next morning to make my flight back to LAX). No dice, even when I offered to sign some sort of release waiver.

In the end, they offered to give me a full refund in the form of DJ flight credit (not very useful as I don't envision being back in Oz in the next year) and I had to buy two tickets on JetStar (not nearly as bad as I was picturing), but I did get stuck in the Cairns airport for 10 hours wiating for the JQ flight. Grabbed a one night award stay at the Hilton at the Melbourne Airport for 9 hours (room was going for several hundred dollars, but award was available). Followed by a 1 hour flight to SYD in C (UD on a UA 744) and a very long flight in Y from SYD to LAX (C award space was full and the flight was packed because the SYD-SFO flight was cancelled that day). Bereavement fare SNA-DEN-ORD. We did make it in time for the funeral, although quite tired. Boy am I glad I am a 1K, or I am afraid I would have been totally screwed.

During my stay at the Cairns airport, I did find a mention of DJ's policy on their website, buried in the Medical Conditions sheet!!! (link (http://www.virginblue.com.au/pdfs/makingBooking/Medical_Clearance_Guidelines_V1-0.pdf)). Who would think to look there!!

Beware if you are scuba diving and flying DJ. Either don't tip them off that you've been diving or leave a 48 hour window!

Sorry to hear your story, especially as you were needing to get home in not the best of circumstances.

Unfortunately in this litigious society that we live in I guess they are unwilling to take any risks. Glad to hear you managed to get home anyway.

I would have thought that with the number of posts on FT alone that go something along the lines of "...I'm planning on spending two or three days in Cairns to do some diving", most people would probably not make the 48 hour cut off. I guess like you say best to keep your mouth shut. :)

Jasonvr, thanks for sharing this experience. I'm sorry to hear about the sad circumstances requiring the return trip and the way in which the scuba question was asked.

What a reminder to try to research the requirements and the 'screening' questions- and even then to be very wary with answering what could be trick questions. If only you were aware of this earlier.

In your circumstances, having so much on your mind, it would have been more considerate for the person at DJ to explain the limitations BEFORE asking you the question.

Off topic, but why did you go CNS-MEL and then MEL-SYD, why not just go CNS-SYD and pick up the UA flight in SYD?

(I only ask because I was just in Cairns last week and did the VirginBlue flight from CNS-SYD to connect to the UA SYD-SFO flight)

Thanks for the head's up.

Virgin Blue's policy is totally bogus since the no-fly recommendation from DAN following non-deco diving is 18 hours. :td: I guess the solution is either to book with another carrier on the back end of a dive trip or to tell a little fib if questioned upon check-in.

Off topic, but why did you go CNS-MEL and then MEL-SYD, why not just go CNS-SYD and pick up the UA flight in SYD?

(I only ask because I was just in Cairns last week and did the VirginBlue flight from CNS-SYD to connect to the UA SYD-SFO flight)

My award ticket was already scheduled on NZ from SYD-AKL-LAX for 4 days after that. Since it was a *A award, technically you are not supposed to be able to change anything midstream, but given the circumstances and because I was a 1K, they made an "exception". I got changed onto the MEL-SYD-LAX flight on UA instead. It was easier to just change the date rather than the date and origin of the flights. I also actually tried several other tactics, such as NZ directly out of CNS that day, but nothing was available. Given that I was a tad out of it at this point, it seemed like the easiest thing. I had trip insurance that I will claim the tix from CNS to MEL against as well.

Bogus to impose a 48 hour period for everyone, but then again, Queensland has established some more regulation for divers as well and they are protecting themselves from the aggressive diver who might show up after 10+ days of multiple-dives per day, get some DCS and sue.

My way of dealing with diving in Queensland and flying home has been to take the overnight train, a pleasant endeavour, that runs from Cairns (through Townsville) to Brisbane and fly from there. The last time, twelve of us took the opportunity to off-gas in this way - a bit of a visit to the 1950's, decent enough accommodations for the night and food.

jasonvr, sorry to hear your trip was ended on these unhappy notes; my sympathies.

My way of dealing with diving in Queensland and flying home has been to take the overnight train, a pleasant endeavour, that runs from Cairns (through Townsville) to Brisbane and fly from there. The last time, twelve of us took the opportunity to off-gas in this way - a bit of a visit to the 1950's, decent enough accommodations for the night and food. Have to agree with this, my personal opinion is that the Sunlander is a better trip than the Indian-Pacific, as far as train trips go.

Dave

Thank you all for your condolences. I'm just glad I was able to get back in time. Tired, but in time.

It looks like DJ has revised its no-fly after diving requirements. Now you are not permitted to fly within 24 hours of diving (http://www.virginblue.com.au/Personal/Flightinfo/SpecialNeedsandAssistance/Medicalconditions/index.htm). That's more like it.

As I am about to commit to a dive trip to the Coral Sea with Mike Ball's operation, I have a few questions as someone who is totally unfamiliar with DJ and Cairns.

(1) Is the "Blue Zone" seating surcharge of $35 AUD each way for an exit row seat worth it between SYD and CNS? I guess a better question would be how bad are the regular seats?

(2) What are my options, especially inexpensive ones, for getting from the CNS airport to the wharf area?

(3) How much time do I need to connect to and from a same-day UA transpacific flight at SYD?

(4) I believe UA and DJ have some sort of relationship and perhaps an interline agreement. Can I through check my bags from the US all the way to CNS and vice versa if I have separately purchased UA and DJ reservations?

* Edited to add: I've found the answer to this question here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=853332) and here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=812622) and it appears to be "no."

(5) Can I earn frequent flyer miles in any US-based frequent flyer program?

Also as a warning to fellow scuba divers with heavy gear, it looks like DJ has changed their checked baggage policies. Before, it is my understanding that sports equipment including scuba gear would only count as 5 kg of the 23 kg checked baggage limit no matter its actual weight. Now it appears that you get an additional allowance of 5 kg above and beyond the 23 kg, but if the actual weight of checked baggage exceeds 28 kg, you are forced to pay $8 AUD per additional kg. Here (http://www.virginblue.com.au/Personal/Flightinfo/Baggagedangerousgoods/Baggage/Oversizedbaggage/index.htm) is the new policy:

Guidelines for Guests who purchase their fare on or after 18 August 2008, for travel on or after 1 September 2008

If you are travelling with Sports Equipment, you will be eligible to check-in an extra 5kg of baggage allowance free of charge. This additional allowance is allocated above your purchased checked baggage allowance for Blue Saver or GO! Fares or above the inclusive checked baggage allowance for Velocity Gold and Silver Members or for Guests travelling on Flexible, Corporate Plus or Premium Economy fares.

Excess baggage charges will apply once the full allowance, including the additional 5kg allowance, has been exceeded.

If you are taking only sporting goods and you are travelling on a Blue Saver or GO! fare, you will still be required to purchase the checked baggage allowance of up to 23 kg. Remember you can pre-purchase this allowance for $8 per flight before you arrive at the airport otherwise you will be charged a $20 fee at the airport.

For example, if you have purchased a baggage allowance of 23kg, and are travelling with a bike, you will be eligible for a total checked baggage allowance of 28kg. If your bike weighs 10kg, you will be able to take additional checked baggage (such as a suitcase) weighing up to 18kg.

This is obviously an unwelcome change for scuba divers, especially those who have heavy equipment such as a stainless steel backplate, like I do. :(

It looks like DJ has revised its no-fly after diving requirements. Now you are not permitted to fly within 24 hours of diving (http://www.virginblue.com.au/Personal/Flightinfo/SpecialNeedsandAssistance/Medicalconditions/index.htm). That's more like it.

As I am about to commit to a dive trip to the Coral Sea with Mike Ball's operation, I have a few questions as someone who is totally unfamiliar with DJ and Cairns.

(1) Is the "Blue Zone" seating surcharge of $35 AUD each way for an exit row seat worth it between SYD and CNS? I guess a better question would be how bad are the regular seats?

(2) What are my options, especially inexpensive ones, for getting from the CNS airport to the wharf area?

(3) How much time do I need to connect to and from a same-day UA transpacific flight at SYD?

(4) I believe UA and DJ have some sort of relationship and perhaps an interline agreement. Can I through check my bags from the US all the way to CNS and vice versa if I have separately purchased UA and DJ reservations?

* Edited to add: I've found the answer to this question here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=853332) and here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=812622) and it appears to be "no."

(5) Can I earn frequent flyer miles in any US-based frequent flyer program?

For (1) I would say it depends on how tall you are. I'm 6ft and normal DJ seating is fine for me if I were over 6ft2 then I would probably opt for the extra leg room. Otherwise save your money.

(2) I would guess at a taxi but others may know better.

(3) Allow yourself 2.5. Those UA flights get in at the worst time with all the LHR/Asia flights also arriving which means long lines at immigration plus collecting your bags and rechecking them then making your way to the other terminal is a PITA. SYD is not really set up as a transit airport.

(4) You are correct you will have to recheck. There is a QF flight that departs from the international terminal which would allow you to check your bags all the way thru to CNS and would also significantly reduce your transit time in SYD ie you would clear immigration and customs in CNS.

(5) Dunno:)

...
(4) ... There is a QF flight that departs from the international terminal which would allow you to check your bags all the way thru to CNS and would also significantly reduce your transit time in SYD ie you would clear immigration and customs in CNS. ...The QF167 SYD-CNS flight ceases operation on Dec 18.

It looks like DJ has revised its no-fly after diving requirements. Now you are not permitted to fly within 24 hours of diving (http://www.virginblue.com.au/Personal/Flightinfo/SpecialNeedsandAssistance/Medicalconditions/index.htm). That's more like it.

As I am about to commit to a dive trip to the Coral Sea with Mike Ball's operation, I have a few questions as someone who is totally unfamiliar with DJ and Cairns.

(1) Is the "Blue Zone" seating surcharge of $35 AUD each way for an exit row seat worth it between SYD and CNS? I guess a better question would be how bad are the regular seats?

(2) What are my options, especially inexpensive ones, for getting from the CNS airport to the wharf area?

(3) How much time do I need to connect to and from a same-day UA transpacific flight at SYD?

(4) I believe UA and DJ have some sort of relationship and perhaps an interline agreement. Can I through check my bags from the US all the way to CNS and vice versa if I have separately purchased UA and DJ reservations?

* Edited to add: I've found the answer to this question here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=853332) and here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=812622) and it appears to be "no."

(5) Can I earn frequent flyer miles in any US-based frequent flyer program?

Flew DJ in August so I can offer the following:

1 - Seats were comparable to Jet Blue or Frontier as they are standard seats with the TV in the back. Pitch is not as bad as Frontier but not as generous as Jet Blue.

2 - Taxi cabs are easily found outside the CNS airport or I believe there is even a bus service to downtown. I might be confusing the bus service with another city visited but you should be able to find a taxi with no problems.

3 - I would say a minimum of 2.5 to 3 hours for the connection. The queue lines at the international counters can be long but security moved pretty quickly.

4 - DJ only uses their frequent flier program. I tried to sign-up for a DJ account but needed to reside within OZ.

A taxi to the wharf will cost around AUD$20.00. A bus to the City Centre, around 750 metres from the wharf, will cost $10.00. Taxi is far and away the best bet for timeliness and if you have heavy luggage.

I wanted to report back on my DJ flights on my recent dive trip to CNS. I flew SYD-CNS on a 737-800 and CNS-SYD on a 737-700. The former had live TV, while the latter did not. I though the live TV was well worth the AU$9.90 that it cost and, expecting seat back entertainment on the way back, didn't realize that live TV was not installed on the entire fleet. I was able to get an exit row aisle seat assigned at the airport at check-in for no additional cost on the way up and sat in a regular aisle seat on the way back. I ate a chicken caesar wrap on both flights and thought the wrap was quite tasty. I paid for a checked bag at the time of booking for AU$8 each way and had no problem meeting the baggage allowance of 28 kg (23 kg + the extra 5 kg because I was checking dive gear). My friends flying Jetstar, meanwhile, paid a hefty premium for exceeding their 20 kg total checked bag allowance. Nobody questioned me about my no-fly time, nor did I get any grief about my rather heavy, but inconspicuously-sized carry on.

Overall, I was very pleased with Virgin Blue and would happily fly with them again on a domestic itinerary within Australia. This was my first experience with live TV on an airplane and it is a very welcome offering. For those considering a dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef/Coral Sea, Virgin Blue is the way to go. And I highly recommend Mike Ball Dive Expeditions to anyone who is thinking about a liveaboard.

Overall, I was very pleased with Virgin Blue and would happily fly with them again on a domestic itinerary within Australia. This was my first experience with live TV on an airplane and it is a very welcome offering. For those considering a dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef/Coral Sea, Virgin Blue is the way to go. And I highly recommend Mike Ball Dive Expeditions to anyone who is thinking about a liveaboard.

Ditto on both accounts (minus my original experience with the no-fly time that started this thread). Virgin Blue was a nice flight and Mike Ball was great!