My commute: from country to capital

Posted by Guy Downes on August 30, 2010 under Illustration | 3 Comments to Read

Working as a graphic recorder and illustrator based in Country NSW means I fly frequently to events, conferences, workshops and client meetings in the capital cities. The funny thing is my commute, for example from Tamworth to Sydney, is now only fractionally longer than when I was working and living in Sydney. Crazy but true.

I now travel over 450 kms in less time than it took sitting on a bus crawling down Victoria Rd in peak hour thanks to the great service provided by Qantas Link and the rail link from Domestic Terminal to Sydney CBD. If I jump on the 6:30am flight in Tamworth, I can be at Town Hall/QVB by about 7:45am. Not bad at all. Plus, on the flight, I always get a seat, friendly customer service, a coffee, and space and time to read my notes. And there’s absolutley no traffic getting to Tamworth airport.

I also travel Brindabella Airlines to Brisbane and it’s another great service: on time, reliable with good customer service. The plane is so small you can see right into the cockpit and you’re even given ear plugs on board to muffle the noise of the engines. The in flight catering is served up from an esky as you step into the plane – this just adds to the great experience. It’s also the type of turbo prop that when it banks left or right and you lurch into whatever direction the plane is heading (and you can’t help feel like you’re in an Indiana Jones movie).

One of the leading airlines had a great slogan in the early 2000’s that said: “How will your business take off, if you don’t?”. I agree 100% and flying around Australia is vital to me. Airlines like QantasLink, Brindabella and Rex are my life lines. And it’s a great way to travel – some of the views over regional Australia from the air are simply breathtaking. It beats the bus down Victoria Road every time.