Early Wake for Anytime Access

[medhead]

PREFACE

I had the sad news that my Grandfather passed away on the morning of 10 January 2011. This meant that I would be making a quick trip to Brisbane to attend his funeral. He was a great grandfather and from the eulogy I learnt much more about the interesting life that he had. While this was a sad occasion it was also some relief as he had been sick for some time.

I found myself looking to book flights to Brisbane on Friday and somewhat to my embarrassment I realised that I could have a visit to the SYD F lounge on the way back to Adelaide. I chance to do the Anytime Access Wake 2 weeks early.

Friday 14 Jan 2011 QF660 ADL-BNE
Not officially part of this trip report, but interesting. It was a quiet flight, understandably. I was about the only Platinum and scored 4A,B,C for myself. 1 J passenger. Equipment changed to a 734. I was personally offered a newspaper after takeoff. Yes, please. The interesting thing was that the newspaper was almost delivered to me in secret. Folded up, held low and behind the arm, crew member leant over into the row and slipped the paper to me. Almost like well your getting a benefit but don't let anyone else know.

Anyway, the crew were good and being an early flight I had my usual bottle of water, read the paper and wrote some words for later that day.

 

[medhead]

DJ912 BNE-SYD 0630 4D

I'm writing this in the SYD T3 J lounge, love the NGCI system. However, the main terminal check in area is a zoo. I heard some announcement about the bag injectors not working (or something) so everyone is lined up at the service desks and the lines a full on both.

I arrived at BNE early thinking about using the QP in the spirit of saying goodbye to anytime access. Couldn't be bothered walking the length of the BNE domestic terminal and it was to be a new "The Lounge" for me, so I went straight there. I'm glad I did as the barista service was working, which is more than can be said for the J Lounge here in SYD that operates Mon-Fri only. The flight from BNE was uneventful, boarding when smoothly, the crew were cheerful, an achievement for that hour of the morning. PE seats were clearly marked but had been sold as economy seats. So I missed out on an on board upgrade (OBU), not that I cared. I slept the entire flight and had a vacant middle seat.

The aircraft arrived roughly on time and docked on the Jetstar side of T2 SYD. That meant a quick arrival anytime access of the QP, mainly to check the breakfast options - standard QP fare. Hence, I have just "enjoyed" a glass of bircher museli/walnut/apple strip thingy, pastries and a machine coffee in the J lounge.

I'm now off to town, as I need to swap SWMBO's christmas present. This time it is not exactly my fault. I keep telling her it would be easier if she just flew to SYD to pick the present herself, instead of me going back and forward 2 or 3 times. Still I can't complain as being able to swap the present today was one of the positives when obtaining approval for the trip. Hopefully, I'll be back in the Jetstar line in T1 at about midday.

 

[medhead]

Present swapped. Just having a break before catching a train to the airport.
10 Alfred St, Sydney New South Wales 2000, Australia

 

[medhead]

Now in the lounge. Refreshed after a shower and enjoying a 3 course meal and the view.

 

[medhead]

I started to finish this yesterday, but I had a operator error moment in the MEL J lounge and lost a heap of writing. So here goes with a new version.

Jetstar Check in SYD T1

Arrived at about 1155 on the train from Circular Quay. It was lucky that I didn't wait for the next train as there were already about 3 groups in the line. However, there were no Jetstar signs and no Jetstar staff to be seen. Looking at the barrier set up I decided that those other people were in the Starclass line, and I went to what I thought would be the economy line. Effectively queue jumping Luckily I didn't get lynched, although I probably deserved it.

Jetstar staff started to turn up at about 1220 (for a 1215 check in open) and got things set up pretty quickly. I guess they get paid from 1215 and not a minute earlier. I was first in line and ended up walking away checked in about 20 minutes late. There were about 20 people waiting when check in was supposed to open and by the time it did open there were probably about 40 people waiting.

I asked for an aisle seat at check in and apparently only an exit row was available. Most surprising was they put me into the seat with no charge. I also asked about an ODU, and was told that one might be available but I would have to wait about 30 minutes. The CSA wasn't sure about the price but the CSA at the next station said it would be $349. Slightly excessive as the Starclass fare SYD-MEL was $326. In hindsight, I think that that was probably the SYD-DPS price.

In any case, I'm not sure about the best way to do an ODU for JQ35 SYD-MEL. It seems that going straight to the service desk would be the best option to avoid a 30 minute wait, but then if there are no upgrades available you have to go to the back of the possibly substanial queue. Will be interested to see if others try upgrading this flight (in the near future ) and their experiences.

I was through check in 20 minutes after official opening time and then it was a smooth journey through customs and immigration with no queues. As I was negotiating the maze of duty free shops, I saw the 2 guys from behind me in the line making a charge towards the F lounge.

 

[medhead]

SYD QF F Lounge

I went straight to the F lounge, stopping only to be bomb tested, for the second time that day, and to have a pat down. As I was slowly melting I felt a bit sorry for the guy as I don't remember seeing gloves and his hands would have come away soaking wet.

I arrived at the check in (F lounge) desk and presented my BP and WP card. That was followed by a fair bit of typing and questions about my flight. JQ35? SYD-MEL? Economy!? Any other flights? Yes, MEL-ADL. more typing...... Ok there you go. This was a bit different to the other 2 blokes from behind me in the JQ check in line. They got "I'll bring them to you." Oh well, I new experience and I'll know what to expect next time.

I went straight to the shower to deal with my melting problem. No Payot products to be seen, but I did grab some of the shave gel. I pretty much loved the showers and they also had great A/C that managed to prevent the hot/streamy room effect post shower, that I often experience in the QP or J lounge.

Having been refreshed, I made my way to the dining area. Enjoying a 3 course meal and Deveaux champers with entree, Pinor noir with the main steak and Taittinger with the mango sorbet. The food and venue was hard to fault. But the service was let down a fair bit. Overall I was underwhelmed because I felt ignored while dining. At one point I asked for a red with my steak and was given the wine list. The waiter then served drinks to 4 other tables, water top ups and discussing selections, then he went and organised his station. The whole time I was staring at him, wine list closed and waiting. He had to have seen me as he served the table next to me and the table opposite. In fact, I ended up being served by other people for the rest of the meal. I'm not usually too precious but this was just a bit much.

View attachment 1619 View attachment 1618
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I was probably also feeling a bit of pressure because the Jetstar check in person told me to get to the gate an hour beforehand. Turns out that is total rubbish. As I was doing a quick lap before going to the gate as instructed, I was very lucky to have the guys from the check in queue introduce themselves to me. Turns out one of them is a member of AFF and FT, (sorry I can't remember his name). They encouraged me to stick around and have a drink, I'm very glad that I did. It was an enjoyable chat and I managed to get in some Veuve and Bolly. I'm still a nervous about boarding type (need to get overhead locker space OCD) and ended up chasing up the story about JQ35 with the service desk, turns out it was 20 minutes late. So one more glass of bolly that I didn't quite finish (alcohol abuse I know) as the overhead locker OCD got to me.

A great first experience and I'm looking forward to my next visit in March when I will actually leave the country.

 

[medhead]

JQ35 SYD-MEL 15:15 15 January 2011

I arrived at the gate and proceeded to join the general line until I noticed that there was a separate lane and a big sign saying Business/Platinum. I'm not sure if that was just a hang over from Qantas using the gate, which had changed from 31 at check in to 32 at boarding, but I did not hesitate to use it. There were no questions asked and I ended up skipping about 10 people and got into my exit row aisle seat (44J) in no time. Overhead space was available with some minor rearrangement. Crew were pleasant and professional. I tried to have a joke with the crew member in the jump seat in front of me about how he was in my leg room, but he didn't get it. (maybe it wasn't funny after all the bubbly). I also found the safety brief had a couple of funny bits - but in the cold light of day I can't remember what was funny.

Safety brief over and position of life jacket checked, it was time to sleep. Take off was to the north. I didn't sleep long because as soon as the seat belt sign was turnoff about 10 people rushed the toilets in front of me. I decide to use the rear toilets that were vacant, sympathetic need on that one. I got stuck behind the service tolley on the way back to my seat and I was struck by the number of people actually spending $20 to $50 on stuff for such a short flight.

Once I got back to my seat it was time for my meal service - thanks F lounge

View attachment 1620

A nice meal but I might have like another lychee and perhaps another drink.

The exit row seat was great and there were also a few spare seats around the aircraft including almost a whole set of 4 at about row 29 or so. I could have moved but didn't bother. The other seating seemed ok but there were some recliners, again weird for such a short flight. This was the same aircraft that I had back from NRT in May 2010. I'm not sure if 1J then or 44 J now was better. For a longer flight I think 1J

Another strange thing was that we started descent pretty early and the crew did their thing but the seat belt sign was still off so I decided to have a look around. Half way through my look one of the crew asked me if there was a problem. They didn't like that I was just looking around and directed me back to my seat as we were landing. The seat belt sign was turned on shortly after that and everyone including crew was directed to sit down. We landed shortly thereafter and it was off the aircraft and out through immigration and customs.

At some point someone took the little stub from my BP. I'm not experienced with these things but that meant that customs took the rest of my BP in MEL. I had a minor discussion with them about this point in terms of needing to lodge a missing points claim. Understandably they didn't really care about that and in the end I was not earning points. This is just a heads up for anyone who might be earning points on this flight.

 

[medhead]

MEL J lounge

Well this wasn't an official anytime access event as I was on QF for my flight to ADL. I had another shower (I have no idea how I'll go when I'm back at work in Sydney next week). Island dining was set up but there was no food on the weekends, so it was just pizza and a couple of cokes for me. I couldn't even come at a beer after the champagne, so I must have over indulged.

One minor problem was that the staff in the kitchen area just went ape at one stage there was shouting and laughing and even swearing. I'm certainly not precious but at the end of a long day I was tired and I didn't want to be disturbed.

QF 701 MEL-ADL 19:10 15 January 2011

Standard weekend flight on this route. seat 4D on a 73H. It was pretty full and I totally missed getting to the gate early, mainly because I was stuffing around trying to find the bits of the trip report that I lost because of operator error.

Took off about on time. A dinner of stir fried chicken with lemon grass was served. It was rather good. I had another coke as I was driving, but was offered beer. At row 5 the CSM reminded the FA doing the meal service that free booze for cityflyer didn't happen on weekends.

The flight was scheduled to land in ADL at 20:00, at 19:50 MEL time I got to hear an indepth discussing from the couple on 4E,F about how the schedule was wrong, that there was no way that they were going to land by 20:00 and therefore the aircraft was late. Frankly, I was shocked by the conversion. I know I've made stupid comments about the difference between schedule and flight time but this pair didn't seem to even get timezones. :shock: One of them had status, maybe platinum and they talked about flying into africa and such (the statused one had the look of a miner). Yet timezones were too much.

The aircraft landed about on time at 20:00 ADL time. It was straight to the car, and then off to my MILs birthday party, just in time for cake.

I hope you all enjoy your visit later this month, I certainly enjoyed my trip.

 

[samh004]

Once I got back to my seat it was time for my meal service - thanks F lounge

View attachment 1620

A nice meal but I might have like another lychee and perhaps another drink.

Ahh the best kind, have done that before!

 

[ntaus]

Nice Trip Report! Especially comments on F Lounge experiences.

I'm looking forward to popping my proverbial cherry in the F Lounge (and indeed the Sakura Lounge at the other end) for my upcoming trip to NRT so am happy to read any TRs with mentioned of experiences in the meantime

ntaus

 

[serfty]

Yes, when doing one of these flights, always ( or try to remember oops to) take a photo of your BP before boarding.

You will lose the stub at the gate and customs/immigration will get the rest upon arrival.

 

[JohnK]

Nice trip report.

Sorry to hear about your great grandfather.

 

[medhead]

Nice trip report.

Sorry to hear about your great grandfather.

Thanks.

Grandad had a full life. The amazing thing was hearing some of the full details. I knew he traveled in Asia a bit, turns out as company sales engineer for a while during 1960s, at a guess based on his being mistaken for William Holden in a Singapore hotel. Probably much like many on AFF do now, travel that is not being taken for an actor.

Anyway, he was a pale reflection of his former self last November so in some ways it is for the best.