2013 stoopidity: here, there, everywhere.. incl around the world (twice). .

[Stoopidsteve]

And so to sleep for a few hours...

Breakfast was actually better than QF equivalent, with non-rubberised scrambled egg, fresh croissant, roll, cream cheese and jam, fresh fruit and juice. QF coffee better.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

And arrival into BNE very smooth, touch down 0550, at gate 75 by 0555. Obligatory duty free pick for Mrs Stoopid (Southern comfort and Cointreau this trip). No queue for immigration (EK434 goes on to AKL, so assume many stay in transit), no queue for customs, and kerbside by 0610.

Skytrain and a bus, and home.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Some musings:

talking to QF crew:
about newer A380 config, those who expressed an opinion said they preferred old because: now more queues for loos; front galley downstairs way more cramped; more work upstairs with more pax in the economy section (but they have 1 more FA for that area).

About DXB routing:
seems some prefer not to do the longer 14hr+ legs, interestingly loads LHR-Aus via DXB are reportedly way down on almost every flight (Aus-LHR not as bad).


my thoughts:
I like the upstairs Y on A380. Even without extra empty seat, 32A or K are fab seats.

With the advent of snack bars, FA presence in cabins limited, with no snack runs, and hot choc and marshmallows no more

Emirates was on par with QF in Y on this trip (considering comparison for me was EK777 vs QF A380), so no dramas with that one. But the extra flight time from Syd or Mel to LHR might dissuade me from the extra SC and Flounge routing BNE-SYD/MEL in future bookings. But that extra flight time allows (for me) more buffer zone for using meds for sleep. Still undecided.

Thanks to all for comments and following. Apologies for lack of destination pics this trip.

Stay tuned for next instalment in a couple of weeks to Sing, incl my first visit to Syd Flounge, and a half marathon (that's my excuse for eating so much, honest).

 

[Chrisd26]

So when boarding was called, lift down from Flounge bypassed the big scrum, then enter the up-ramp with J and W passengers.
I know there's still interest from some in the small Y cabin upstairs on A380 since new config, so here's some more pics from a couple angles I've not seen posted yet:

View attachment 15608View attachment 15609View attachment 15610

I am travelling to Dubai return late August - I am gold and booked in Y
When I attempt to select seats - all seats in this area are unavailable.

Can anyone please tell me why?

Thanks

 

[Paddy55]

And arrival into BNE very smooth, touch down 0550, at gate 75 by 0555. Obligatory duty free pick for Mrs Stoopid (Southern comfort and Cointreau this trip). No queue for immigration (EK434 goes on to AKL, so assume many stay in transit), no queue for customs, and kerbside by 0610.

Skytrain and a bus, and home.

View attachment 15685

I love your TR Stoopidsteve, however there's something v disturbing about the cutouts in your beanie :shock:
Makes the 'normal' beanie (plus fluro) look, well, normal :mrgreen:

 

[Stoopidsteve]

I love your TR Stoopidsteve, however there's something v disturbing about the cutouts in your beanie :shock:
Makes the 'normal' beanie (plus fluro) look, well, normal :mrgreen:

Wife says it looks like I'm auditioning for "Where's Psycho Wally...?" My excuse is it makes selfies easier

 

[Magpie10]

Great TR and now I will forever be on the lookout for beanie as who knows where it wil turn up next..

 

[Skyring]

You make air travel fun!

Gotta add my voice to those finding the new beanie a worry. Yeah, it makes selfies easier, but all you need is one security goon to see that as a criminal disguise, and your whole day could be ruined. You could always turn it round for non-selfies, I guess.

Looking forward to seeing the beanie and hi-viz in the Flounge. There are a few iconic shots there; I generally pose my little teddy traveller in front of the click-clack destination board. Or the pav in a glass. Or the bubbly.

 

[wallaby]

Great thread - thanks from me too. I'm looking forward to seeing your post on Sydney Flounge. I'll be checking it myself mid July

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Travelling to Singapore tomorrow, will be in Syd Flounge from 10 am or so tomorrow. And SIN lounge Saturday for QF52

Anyone want guesting, PM me.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Singapore for 2 days.
Thursday, Trip:

Up at silly o’clock…whose idea was this again?

Great drive up from GC to BNE dom, clear skies, mist crossing bridges cleared to a beautiful dawn.



Booked the valet parking at BNE dom in prep for leisurely coffee in lounge before 0745 QF505. It’s 0645.

“No, Stoopid, you’re on the 7am flight”……”Er…..am I?”

Later when I checked emails, indeed shows that I’ve been moved. Annoyed at move from 4C (serial #1) to 29F. But then it’s pointed out it’s a 767, so still fairly close to the front of Y in aisle. Light loading.

Captain announces we may be a few minutes late due to more fog in Sydney…”We have enough fuel to circle Sydney for an hour and a half before we make any decisions” !!!

Push back and take off were as described, a few minutes late (0710, T/O 0722)

Service efficient and cheerful, and standard Y B/f, and managed to get a little work done.




After beautiful views of Sydney harbour, bridge, Opera house etc (well would have been great if I’d had window seat!), arrived at gate 10 at 0845.

Bus transfer from gate 15 to international was fairly painless (and for teh pedantic of you, yes, I know "painless" is an absolute, so you can't have degrees of painless. It either is or it isn't. Like pregnant. But I digress).

Immigration and security cleared without problems, and found my way to Syd Flounge by 0920. QF5 leaves at 1pm. Time to explore Flounge AND do some work uninterrupted because I told people I’m travelling and out of contact.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

The iconic green wall looked enticing, and smiling faces at entry were welcoming. It looks very busy, until not long after arrival, QF to New York leaves.

First stop, book a massage at Spa. Check.

Breakfast. Eggs benedict seem to be the choice. Arrives promptly and done well. Impressions are of quality bistro rather than fine dining, but what else can you do with breakfast.





For those not familiar, there are two seated dining areas like in pic:



and then lots of bays with comfy seats. And a computer area with Printers (Singapore take note).

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Nice views over the apron and of Sydney skyline:

 

[Stoopidsteve]

The piped music is annoying me, so I move away from eating area, but not before observing “morning orders”.



An hour’s work, then time for massage in spa. Some attention to aching calves is nice. The rooms are more cosy than in MEL Flounge, with the green wall apparently growing rampant through the building and making its way into the treatment rooms.



A little more work, and it’s noticeably filling up again. Unfotunately I didn’t notice the time so didn’t notice 12 come around in time for all day dining menu to kick in. So no chance to try the trout, or the pressed lamb, or any other deliciousness (just as well really, I’m probably overindulging anyway).

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Down to gate 24, and onto the old A330. After A380 and EK 330, the tiny screen is a shock, but it’s light loading so every third AB/EK seat is one person only.


Push back at 1304, with a view of the FLounge from outside on way to take off at 1324 (it's the big rounded room with dark glass at the top of the building).

 

[Stoopidsteve]

I’m in 24 JK, second row in economy. Better than front row because front has immovable arms. I’m not enormous, but being able to put arm up between seats is so much easier to spread out, particularly as I need to do a bit more work.

I get a “personalised” welcome from Nick CSM in Y, read from a scribbled note of paper with 3 or 4 on his list. Just a “welcome aboard, sir”, no offer of extras or “anything I can get you?” (not complaining, reporting only).

Lunch is lunch (see? told you too much food on these trips). Lamb.



Not a great fan of pearl barley frogspawn stuff, but tickled to see the hot choc with marshmallow is served after lunch, and my fave ice cream confection, Weiss mango/vanilla bar.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

About 90 mins out from Sing we get the pizza thingy, and I take the required "Scare the kids" pic







Capt Paul Morrison gets us to Singapore, with attendant welcome from the weather with much lightning around, but the route steers us clear of any bumps at all as we come into land.

Touchdown at 1921, at the gate nearest Immigration hall, so kerbside 5 minutes later, and ensconced in Fairmont Hotel about 30 min later. Room overlooks Raffles (sorry, forgot pics) from floor 14.

King Deluxe is spacious, with desk, nespresso, huge comfortable bed, every room has openable balcony (but not big enough to sit out on). Separate bath and shower, but a minor concern might be if you’re tall, shower stall is not the biggest, and fixed nozzle allows no flexibility.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

I wander out for dinner, to a street a couple of blocks from hotel. Many many locals eating out, mostly in this street steamboat/hotpot. I choose a slightly less busy place, and add glass noodles, nail mushrooms, and broccoli to the chicken broth. I don’t manage to eat the 10 whole cloves of garlic in the soup, but the rest disappears, despite it being close to midnight body clock time.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Morning arrives after pleasant sleep, and pop down into City Hall basement to grab some bread confection for brunch. A few hours to do what I need to do work-wise and find myself with a few free hours.

Up to Orchard to get the required souvenirs for kids, then a late lunch in Ion food court. A curry lunch for less than $10, including the fresh cooked Naan. I reckon 3pm is early enough for this to be processed before the race later tonight. In hindsight I may have erred here.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

On the way at Orchard ION noticed these Lions, so had to get a passerby to take pic for me.



Unfortunately I got a bit close, and was lucky to escape unharmed