First time on REX ! (trip report)

[wallacej]

Took my first flight (and second) today on REX... MEL-ABX-MEL

The debate raged in my mind about whether I drive from MEL-ABX (Albury) or take the flight.
Weighed up the factors being - Only me travelling, 3 1/2hrs each way, fuel, wear and tear, and the boredom of driving vs flying.

The flights were $109 and $140 - total of $249....

In the end obviously the flight won out, and off I went.... now if this service left from Moorabbin rather than Tulla the debate with myself would have been very short... the fact it was out of Tulla annoyed me a little.

Is there any reason commercial services such as Rex couldn't run out of Moorabbin...

Anyway - boarded on time, left on time.... quite noisy compared to the DJ 737's I am used to.

One FA, got airbourne, for the 40 minute flight. In that time she managed to serve 26 pax with a water, and coffee/tea with a little museli bar - all in plenty of time.

I was sitting in row 10 (of 11 rows) so was thinking I would not have a chance to finish - but I was wrong.

Very polite service ALL the way through.

The return leg I was finished early and lobbed up at the airport. Asked if I could change to an earlier flight - no problem at all she said, plenty of seats on that flight... chnaged over no charge.... again, on my way on time, and in fact arrived in MEL 5 min ahead of schedule.

The return flight we were served (row 4 this time) water along with tea/coffee and a pack of Arnotts shapes (BBQ or Savoury). Alcohol was available for purchase (prices were mentioned - can;t recall now)

What did intrigue me was during her announcement about the beverage service the FA indicated that their was a liquor licence, and it was available for inspection if anyone wished.

No checked baggage either way so couldn't tell you about the service... I am sure at the ABX end it was quick, but couldn't tell you about the MEL end.

Overall, good experience... no reward program I am aware of... read through their inflight magazine and saw nothing in there about rewards for loyal customers....

(Did happen to be eating in the cafeteria with Mr Tim Fischer - former Dep PM, whilst waiting for the return sector in ABX).

[drron]

Yes they do have a frequent flyer scheme-basically 7 flights then a freebie but it costs to join.I didnt think it worthwhile but will be taking flights 7 and 8 in july so probably should have forked out.Also have a lounge at major airports.
They also sometimes do weigh carryons so on last flight from Tassie kept it out of sight when checked in.FA commented that next time i would have to check it in.
On each flight the crew have been very friendly and efficient.

[medhead]

Originally Posted by drron

.
They also sometimes do weigh carryons so on last flight from Tassie kept it out of sight when checked in.FA commented that next time i would have to check it in.

I have done adl olp many times with rex, when they did that service. If you ever get fly in a Metro with REX, you find there is a very good reason for them to check in carry on. It's not so much an issue with the Saabs.

My best experience in a Rex Metro was having to remain seating and to disembark back row first and moving forward. This was apparently due to a large amount of TV crew equipment being carried in the rear hold.

[simongr]

Originally Posted by drron

Yes they do have a frequent flyer scheme-basically 7 flights then a freebie but it costs to join.I didnt think it worthwhile but will be taking flights 7 and 8 in july so probably should have forked out.Also have a lounge at major airports.

I used to do a lot of flights to BKH on Rex and I don't recall there being a fee to join the program? MInd you back then it was buy 9 get one free...

[drron]

Here is the link to their program-it is still 9 flights. the cost is not great.
Products & Promotion :: Flyer Program Benefits

[markis10]

Originally Posted by wallacej

In the end obviously the flight won out, and off I went.... now if this service left from Moorabbin rather than Tulla the debate with myself would have been very short... the fact it was out of Tulla annoyed me a little.

Moorabbin is a training airport with pilots flying that have had as little as 10-20 hours experience and in fact you could be sharing the airspace with a pilot flying on their own for the first time.

As a former Bankstown tower staffer I can assure you that things can and often do go wrong with training operations, the aircraft in the area are flying with less stringent engineering requirements as well.

While there may be many other airports that share their airspace with airline and training traffic, none have the density of traffic that both Bankstown and Moorabbin have, bottom line is that the risk is not worth it when it comes to RPT operations from these airports when you have a better alternative in the same city.

Some may say reduce the airspace available to training and allow RPT flights in, however that would increase the cost of training for the trainees, making the current pilot shortage worse rather than better in the coming years. Melbourne is a good example of that with a comparison of costs involved in flying from Essendon vs Moorabbin being quite an eye opener, with Essendon having the restricted airspace to allow RPT ops into tulla.

Glad you enjoyed your trip with REX!