A few odd things to share

[MatF]

I had my regular fortnightly work trip to Brisbane last week, and had a bit of an odd trip home on Friday afternoon/evening, with a few noteworthy things happening along the way. Nothing dramatic, but when it's usually totally uneventful, you notice the small things. I thought I'd share. You may have a giggle or not

Two of the four odd things that happened were in a QP, so I thought I'd post it here.


Odd/amusing thing # 1
I was in the SYD T2 QP sometime between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. The hot food was the pizza (do they have anything else any more?), and the ham/tomato seemed to be the popular choice (the other one, the pumpkin/feta was soggy and fairly horrible, but that's another discussion!)

A family came in (man, wife, 3 kids) and settled at a table.

Not long after, a fresh tray of Ham/Tomato pizza was brought out. The man and two of his kids were at the food area, they seemed to be waiting for it. Anyway, they proceeded to load the entire new tray of pizza onto 5 plates, and took the whole lot back to their table.

I had a bit of a chuckle. I've seen people making a pig of themselves before, but not quite as bluntly as this. The two people waiting in line for some pizza were not amused, but didn't say anything.


Odd/amusing thing # 2
Same QP, not long after. I was standing near a table where 4 american businessmen were sitting. They all had laptops on their laps, busily looking busy. None of them talking to one another, but all busily looking like they were doing something. I found it all a bit amusing (I'm a people watcher, and perhaps I was still chuckling from the pizza incident), so I whipped my little Canon IXUS camera out of my bag and took a snap.

Anyway, not long after, one of the lounge dragons came over to me, and asked if "that was a new phone I was playing with" (the camera). I said "no it's a camera". She then asked if it was a new camera, so I said "actually, no, it's quite old", not quite sure when the point of the conversation may emerge. I was then told in no uncertain terms that there was no photography allowed in the lounge, because "celebrities don't like having their photo taken". It was all I could not to openly laugh, as this was one of the more ridiculous things I've heard for some time. I'm still not sure what the questions were meant to expose.

She watched me for the rest of the time I was in there :shock:


Odd/amusing thing # 3
Perhaps not so amusing as sad. I was then flying on Rex from SYD to WGA. I had been given seat 2A on the SF34 (one seat on one side of the aisle, two on the other). When we were boarding, I was told I'd been moved to 2B (double side), as there was a young girl on the flight, and they didn't want to seat her next to a man (my soon-to-be seat buddy), so they were seating her in my seat. She looked about 12 I guess. A sign of the times.


Odd/amusing thing # 4
Same Rex flight to Wagga. It's about 50mins flying time, and we were served a light refreshment (a drink and a biscuit). There's only one flight attendant on board, and the crew seat is at the front, in front of 1A, looking backwards. After the refreshment was cleared away, the flight attendant promptly sat down and read a book for the rest of the flight! I guess there is technically some spare time before landing, but that's the first time I've seen that. It made me feel a bit uneasy for some weird reason. I'd be particularly interested to hear any flight crew's thoughts?

 

[samh004]

On the camera incident I guess I can see where she was coming from, though I’m sure if the gentlemen had asked you not to snap their photo and delete the one you had, you’d have done so, so it seems a little much for staff to be watching you so you don’t take any more photos.

 

[JohnK]

Either you are very observant or you have a lot more fun than I do on my commuting trips.

I am a people watcher as well but I can't say I have seen anything that exciting on my journeys through the various Qantas Lounges. The family certainly takes the cake, or is that the pizza?

P.S I wish Qantas would simply just dump that stupid pizza contract. Had some pizza in T3 Qantas Lounge on Sunday and that was as disgusting as the pizza in BNE on Friday.

Qantas, please bring back the party pies?

 

[medhead]

Qantas, please bring back the party pies?

I seem to recall many disparaging words about the pies on here.
As SWMBO always tells me, be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.

 

[docjames]

P.S I wish Qantas would simply just dump that stupid pizza contract. Had some pizza in T3 Qantas Lounge on Sunday and that was as disgusting as the pizza in BNE on Friday.

Qantas, please bring back the party pies?

I'm about 1 for 10 on decent slice of pizza. Either do it properly or dont do it.

+1 on party pie return. Or here's something novel, rotate it around and have say 4 (evening) "menus" - that way it wouldnt be the same every single day.....

 

[anat0l]

I seem to recall many disparaging words about the pies on here.

Once again, some people here just can't be pleased, or we have a forum full of hypocrites.

 

[medhead]

Once again, some people here just can't be pleased, or we have a forum full of hypocrites.

Fussy, maybe

I think I might have had words to say about the pies as well

 

[JohnK]

I seem to recall many disparaging words about the pies on here.

Not from me. I love party pies.

Once again, some people here just can't be pleased, or we have a forum full of hypocrites.

Not whinging. That pizza is truly disgusting. I can't find anything good to say about it. Full stop.

 

[straitman]

Not whinging. That pizza is truly disgusting. I can't find anything good to say about it. Full stop.

I looked at the pizza in the MEL J lounge on Saturday and then thought about your comments JohnK.

The pizza looked discusting enough without giving it a taste test.

I'll have another look tomorrow.

 

[AaronBradford]

As a photographer (albeit not much of a people photographer), I have a bit of an issue with the situation in the QP you mentioned. Of course, on their property they can enforce whatever rules they like within reason (is it advertised as 'no photography'?), but in general most public areas are free-for-all. Sure, if you were making a scene or harassing I'd understand her asking you to move on or stop taking photos, but I just find her reasoning laughable!

Don't want to preach about it too much though - not really the place.

 

[anat0l]

FWIW I don't mind the pizza, especially if it's hot fresh on the bar, you get the ones with crispy sides and take a fistful of napkins to pat off some of the excess oil. Most of the rest is passable.

The meat variety is better than the vegetarian one.


Then again, I don't have high expectations for the food, even in the J Lounge. As long as it is prepared properly, doesn't cause food poisoning, is cooked adequately and has some sort of taste, then that's a minimum passed.

Anyone expecting higher quality food than that offered should go jump in the lake. And don't go quoting the stupid "Qantas premium carrier", Neil Perry or J class B.S. - I'll personally throw you into the lake myself (I'm not kidding here, either).


Now to bring this all back to the OP and thus on topic....

Case 1: I think that's pretty poor form. Unless they were feeding a lot of their family, but even then I don't see how they can't feel awkward about doing that.

Then again, someone did comment one time of a mother and daughter in the BA T5 lounge once who took a whole bottle of champagne back with them. I mean, it's not as if the two of them could not or should not drink that much champagne...

Case 2: At least in Australia, taking photos in general is not prohibited unless dictated by law. In saying that, whilst it may not be illegal to take photos when one wants to, I can understand in some situations that it may be socially complicated. There are some people who really don't like being photographed, which may be understandable. You can't just tell these people to hole themselves up in a cardboard box if they don't like it.

In this case, however, it's the lounge dragon being the active agent, and not those who were taken in the shot. So I can't quite understand it. In saying that, I have been told before that photography is not allowed in the lounge (MEL T1 JL) due to "privacy reasons".

When I take photos, I normally try to avoid photographing people if they are not the subject of the photo (or I do not focus on them). Otherwise, I try to be discreet.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Then again, I don't have high expectations for the food, even in the J Lounge. As long as it is prepared properly, doesn't cause food poisoning, is cooked adequately and has some sort of taste, then that's a minimum passed.

Anyone expecting higher quality food than that offered should go jump in the lake


Now to bring this all back to the OP and thus on topic....


Then again, someone did comment one time of a mother and daughter in the BA T5 lounge once who took a whole bottle of champagne back with them. I mean, it's not as if the two of them could not or should not drink that much champagne...
.

The voice of reason yet again, mind you I think it was either me or my evil twin who took the Champers at T5.
I do not expect gourmet food in the lounges ( exception being Flounges) and I've never been disappointed

 

[Bundy Bear]

I don't mind the pizza, maybe I just like pizza.

On the photo situation, I was setting up the camera to take a timed photo in the Melbourne J lounge and after we had taken the photo one of the lounge staff came over and said that photos couldn't be taken. I guess you just got to be discreet.

I took a few photos in the Canberra J lounge on Sunday at least I didn't get harassed then.

I can understand the seat swap on any airline, I guess it shows that the airline didn't properly plan for it so at the last minute they just took your seat.

 

[Lawlass]

get the ones with crispy sides and take a fistful of napkins to pat off some of the excess oil. Most of the rest is passable.

Mmm, yum, when you put it like that, it sounds awesome.

 

[JohnK]

Then again, I don't have high expectations for the food, even in the J Lounge. As long as it is prepared properly, doesn't cause food poisoning, is cooked adequately and has some sort of taste, then that's a minimum passed.

Relax anat0l. I do not have high expectations but the pizza has no taste. In fact something with no taste at all has more taste than these pizzas.

Anyone expecting higher quality food than that offered should go jump in the lake. And don't go quoting the stupid "Qantas premium carrier", Neil Perry or J class B.S. - I'll personally throw you into the lake myself (I'm not kidding here, either).

I do not expect higher quality food (apart from party pies as long as they are not designed by Neil Perry) but still do not like the pizza on offer. Should I go jump in the lake as well?

 

[Grooba]

I agree, bring back the party pies, the pizza is quite atrocious.

Personally I prefer to have a few beers, that normally takes away the hunger!

 

[straitman]

.... and the scones have gone!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[medhead]

.... and the scones have gone!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

Oh, the humanity!

Of course I was in the MEL J lounge last October and they was no hot breakfast and there was scones

 

[simongr]

I actually like the pizza - the potato/rosemary was quite nice.

Re photography - personally I don't think it is right to photograph someone (anyone) without their permission. I would actually be personally annoyed if you took a photo of me for your own amusement.

I think it is quite wrong of Rex to assume the person next to the girl is a pedophile and move you out of your allocated seat to accommodate that. I would have been quite annoyed if it had happened to me and would have made my feelings clear. Every day I travel to work on a train full of school kids but no one is their to protect them from me....

 

[awilcockson]

Bring back the party pies. And the scones. But Lear the chocolate muffins at breakfast, they are unhealthy but brilliant.

As for sitting next to the minor, if that happened to me I'd be making a complaint in writing. I didn't realise this stupid BA policy had made it to QF. I am so sick of every single male being labelled as a potential peadophile. It's funny (in a sad way) how differently we treat adult/child interaction in Australian compared to other countries. For instance, on a recent trip to Norway, sitting in a hotel restaurant and I was playing peek a boo with a 2 year old girl 2 tables away. After they finished eating, the mother brought her over to wave goodbye. I'd never initiate even innocent contact like this in Australia for fear of being accused of something untoward. What a sad state if affairs.