I went on a paid tarmac tour of SYD: (only major airport on earth to offer it AFAIK?)

http://www.airsidetarmactours.com/

And even after 9/11 they still offer it.

Can you imagine ANY USA airport offering this kind of access?

In the maintenance area there were all these 747s being scrubbed down. Guide pointed out a single flight to Europe via a cleaned plane burns many tons less fuel than one with a month of grime and dust etc on leading edges, and the quick clean costs a tiny part of what several ton of gas costs. A lot of info we would all find amazing.

Getting airside in a vehicle with un-restricted access all areas and an experienced commentator was amazing.

One thing you'll notice was on the current website above it has 2 x ANSETT jets as the image. When I phoned today to ask 'why' - they said: "A vote of sympathy and nostalgia really - but we may need to update them this year."

They run these tours on 10am Saturday mornings, so if Punki and Hunki are leaving Sunday May 23, this would be a great thing to try and organise, if we book in advance. It runs 90 minutes so we can have Saturday lunch right after it is done.

From those hoping to attend, please post here and let me know if this tour appeals to you and I'll try to book us some seats in advance. Price is $A30 per head. It gets down to $A24 pp if 15 folks book. If I start a thread on Qantas Board closer to the time, we may scrape together 15 interested bodies I feel sure.

Sydney Airport Airside Tarmac Tours is an Australian first and possibly the first tour of its kind in the world. The tour brings the airport and its operations to the people by taking them inside the perimeter fence, or AIRSIDE at Sydney Airport. During the trip, the passengers visit all the points of interest, also getting the chance to view various jet aircraft up close and see the inner workings of this dynamic economic hub as it goes about its daily business.

The tours are for all sorts of people, from the General Public to schools, social groups and clubs, as well as companies. Our buses are air-conditioned and aircraft radio equipped which allows our passengers to listen to pilots communicate with the tower and vis-versa.


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~ Glen ~ sipping bubbly from a UA 747-400 exit row 15 near you SOON!