Another Domestic SC Run (starring Freddie Jr)

[anat0l]

The "shuttle" wine bottle. As I mentioned, you twist off the cap/"glass" which opens the bottle of wine, then invert the cap/"glass" right way up, pour and drink.

The Diamant Boutique Hotel in Canberra. Simple, relaxing design.

Freddie Jr amongst some of the "refreshment" items from QF domestic flights. (For the non-Qantas acquainted here, from top left proceeding counterclockwise: Hardy's Chardonnay (shuttles), Byron Bay Cookie Company bush honey with lemon cookie, Sydney Biscuit Company (sbc) Roast Onion Bites with Spicy Carrot and Lentil Dip, sbc Cherry and Coconut cupcake.)

 

[Flashback]

When I got out, I found CSM Ray and enquired about what were the standard procedures for Y pax using the J bathroom. His personal opinion was that of practicality (i.e. illogical for a row 4 person to go all the way down the back to use the bathroom), but he basically was apathetic about the "rule" of J pax only using J bathrooms. He said if there was crowding at the front then he would direct pax away from the J bathroom. On some international flights where the curtain is employed, then clearly it's each class to their own bathrooms, but since on domestic flights curtains are not used (standard operating procedure post-9/11) he doesn't stop Y pax from using the J bathroom (even if they've come from the very back of the aircraft!) unless it was causing a crowding problem. I told him about different people's viewpoints, including those from overseas and other airlines etc., including a discussion of things like operating procedures that allow J pax to disembark completely before Y pax are allowed to move for disembarkation (either by use of drawing the curtain when docked at the gate, or by a FA standing between Y and J), etc. A good conversation which ended just minutes before the cabin had to be prepared for landing.

On my PER-BNE 2 weeks ago, I had a similar conversation. The main thing being that you are not allowed to queue up outside the bathroom, and have to queue up at row 4 until it is your turn.

Another good in-depth TR.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for the photos, not sure how you got the food and Freddie Jr on the Qantas table in one picture.

The QF009 style picture was very funny.

 

[anat0l]

Freddie Jr in the CBR QP, and enjoying a glass of apple juice whilst eyeing the 734 for QF704 parked at Gate 12.

Qantas A380 parked at a remote stand at SYD T1.

Freddie Jr again in the SYD T3 QP, looking out from the best viewpoint (IMHO) in the lounge.

Pesto Chicken and Pasta Salad with Lemon Dressing. Served for (light) lunch during QF751.

Pasta with Beef and Tomato Ragu. Sic by spelling, close to sic by appearance.

 

[anat0l]

You did well - only one flight delayed. Out of curiosity, did the others arrive within 1-2 mins of schedule, or were you using the "industry standard" of <15 min = on time?

I guess I was just saying that if we arrived reasonably within the scheduled times then that is "on time". I wasn't really thinking about the industry standard.

I must admit i do find it quite frustrating when the audio doesnt work - Qantas spruik IFE as one of the "benefits" of choosing QF, but the frequency i've found of it being so quiet even at max volume it's useless, or not functional at all, is surprisingly high.

I'm fairly apathetic about the IFE in general, since watching TV isn't high on my list of things used to pass time. (I'd only do so if there was something good on, or I got absolutely bored with everything else.)

Having said that, I know that IFE is important to a lot of people as it keeps them occupied, so you are right when the system decides to royally stuff up. Even worse is when it's AVOD.

 

[anat0l]

17/01 flight QF1499 SYD-CBR was finally credited today.

So that's now all SCs and points credited from the weekend. Woo hoo.

 

[Alanslegal]

Good report, I hope you've recovered from those flights anat0l

 

[serfty]

... I took a spot at the long bench just in front of the food, although I'm probably going to need to stop camping the hot food and move away lest I run out of battery power. ...

Them there's plenty power points under the long benches at MEL QP ...

For the long bench that was right in front of the food bar in the QP, there were no power points; I checked underneath and it was completely clean. Ditto for the chair/table sets on either side of the said bench. I didn't check the end points of the bench, but otherwise nothing to plug in. Only advantage was being near the food....

Ok, I have checked this out.

ISTR, there were two of those long low tables near the servery, there were power points under them and some at the end.

I guess this was before the J renovations - there is only the one of these tables now - and no powerpoints.

 

[JohnK]

Very nice trip report anat0l.

Glad to see that you had good seat allocations and most of your flights were on time....

 

[Grooba]

yea nice TR there.

How many SC's was that run worth, and what was the total outlay?

 

[anat0l]

yea nice TR there.

How many SC's was that run worth, and what was the total outlay?

The run was worth 100 SC; cost was $587 including the c/c charge.

If you add my taxi fares for the overnight in CBR, that probably bumps up to ~$630. I didn't add the hotel charge since I used points for that (thanks Amex ), but that's something else to consider.

 

[Adelaide_Matthew]

The run was worth 100 SC; cost was $587 including the c/c charge.

I know this is probably extremely elementary to all the experienced hands here, but could you give me a bit of detail about how you worked out the best routings here and how to get the low cost?

 

[thewinchester]

I know this is probably extremely elementary to all the experienced hands here, but could you give me a bit of detail about how you worked out the best routings here and how to get the low cost?

+1, same question here, would love to benefit from your wise experience

 

[anat0l]

This thread gives some insight as to how to get extra SCs out of some sectors.

Basically, it's taking advantage of flying a particular sector by using a marketed indirect routing. An example is BNE-ADL, where the indirect BNE-SYD-ADL and BNE-MEL-ADL are marketed as acceptable routings on the same direct, marketed route, and thus add minimal cost on top of the direct routing. ADL-CBR is a similar tactic.

 

[rwatts]

This thread gives some insight as to how to get extra SCs out of some sectors.

Basically, it's taking advantage of flying a particular sector by using a marketed indirect routing. An example is BNE-ADL, where the indirect BNE-SYD-ADL and BNE-MEL-ADL are marketed as acceptable routings on the same direct, marketed route, and thus add minimal cost on top of the direct routing. ADL-CBR is a similar tactic.

Indeed, I've done several return trips to Brisbane where I've booked indirect discount business class flights via Canberra in each direction. This ends up as ADL>MEL>CBR>SYD>BNE and BNE>SYD>CBR>ADL and earns 320 status credits.

I dont like getting up early, so I leave ADL on QF680 around 1040 and arrive in BNE at 2045. Returning i've left BNE at 1315 on QF529 and got back into ADL at 2100. Connection times are usually generous and I've even had aircraft go u/s and still managed to catch up.

The stars don't always align - usually because of variations on the CBR>SYD schedules and of course variations in D class availability. It can be much cheaper (and often at a better SC earning rate) in economy but a recent return trip to Brisbane in direct packed economy flights has reinforced my determination to fly business whenever I have any control over it.

Richard.

 

[thewinchester]

Thanks to all for pointing out that tip. Shame I've already booked my PER to MEL as I would have tried it out.

Really handy one to know for those of us trying to work our way up from the purgatory of Bronze.

 

[anat0l]

Thanks to all for pointing out that tip. Shame I've already booked my PER to MEL as I would have tried it out.

Really handy one to know for those of us trying to work our way up from the purgatory of Bronze.

Hear, hear my friend. One of these SC runs helped me to Gold; the other one to Platinum.

However, doing these over and over again is no mean feat. Requalifying for Gold let alone Platinum with these in bulk is a mildly painful prospect!

 

[Adelaide_Matthew]

Thanks for the tips - I'll keep in mind the options for an ex-ADL status run if necessary (I've just become SG for the first time ever, and doubt it will last without some artificial inflation!).

 

[Flashback]

Thanks for the tips - I'll keep in mind the options for an ex-ADL status run if necessary (I've just become SG for the first time ever, and doubt it will last without some artificial inflation!).

'tis a bad addiction, isn't it..

 

[straitman]

'tis a bad addiction, isn't it..

So who is admitting to an addiction :?: :shock: