Famous people seen (or even met) whilst flying or lounging

I realise I've barely heard of most of the people listed here, my ignorance not yours, but would others find it helpful for the OP to include a wiki page or other reference so that we may know of who they speak?
 
legroom said:
Sat behind Bob Hawke once (QF J SYD-MEL).

He was in 1D with a shadow.

No security of any sort for ex PM
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You would probably find that either he would have a very light security detail.

Maybe a nightly walk around his home and would have to report into a security department that might allocate someone to him if they are doing certain events/threat level could be dangerous to himself.

Maybe also security dropped off at SYD and then MEL security picked him back up.
 
Jnr noted on our TG flight today ZRH-BKK the man in 1A puts a very expensive LV cabin bag in the overhead locker. Nothing else of note during the flight, but when we disembark, we come off the aerobridge, turn left and there is about 20 uniformed officers (highly decorated) who all salute Mr. 1A and then surround him, guarding him through the terminal.

We head off in the First TG buggy to the baggage carousel, where there are about 4 more officers who collect about 8 or so bags which land first and I guess, also belong to Mr. 1A.

We have no idea who he was, but I must say, it was rather an intimidating. Jnr asked our TG escort, but he couldn't/wouldn't say.
 
So, Mr 1A was visiting his banker to check on the safe contents then.

Perhaps to add some more kgs of gold (or diamonds) to the safe!


robd said:
Jnr noted on our TG flight today ZRH-BKK the man in 1A puts a very expensive LV cabin bag in the overhead locker. Nothing else of note during the flight, but when we disembark, we come off the aerobridge, turn left and there is about 20 uniformed officers (highly decorated) who all salute Mr. 1A and then surround him, guarding him through the terminal.

We head off in the First TG buggy to the baggage carousel, where there are about 4 more officers who collect about 8 or so bags which land first and I guess, also belong to Mr. 1A.

We have no idea who he was, but I must say, it was rather an intimidating. Jnr asked our TG escort, but he couldn't/wouldn't say.
Click to expand...
 
robd said:
Jnr noted on our TG flight today ZRH-BKK the man in 1A puts a very expensive LV cabin bag in the overhead locker. Nothing else of note during the flight, but when we disembark, we come off the aerobridge, turn left and there is about 20 uniformed officers (highly decorated) who all salute Mr. 1A and then surround him, guarding him through the terminal.

We head off in the First TG buggy to the baggage carousel, where there are about 4 more officers who collect about 8 or so bags which land first and I guess, also belong to Mr. 1A.

We have no idea who he was, but I must say, it was rather an intimidating. Jnr asked our TG escort, but he couldn't/wouldn't say.
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It was probably the 435th in line to the throne;)

I've seen how the Thai generals approach the next in line to the throne.....OTT is the only way to describe it:shock:
 
Homer said:
Yes I've met John Howard on a flight too and he was definitely travelling solo.
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Yep, that was my experience, too. Mr & Mrs Howard on QF5 a couple of weeks ago (just before F1 weekend), without an entourage.

The NZ Black Caps last week on MH CMB-KUL. A few older blokes in the J cabin, and the rest in Y. I was 1K, and whoever it was behind me sure liked to jab at his IFE touchscreen.
 
I saw John Howard get off a flight shortly after he lost power - he clearly had a couple of security guards with him and was met by a uniformed officer. Saw him again 18 months ago all by himself.

I guess its the final blow to the ego, first you lose the C1 car and the VIP Jet, then twelve months or so later, just when you are getting used to your new level of irrelevance they take away your security detail.
 
Was in the VA lounge (MEL) joining shoulders with RedFoo for breakfast, then on board two rows ahead of me on the same MEL-SYD flight.
 
burrco said:
I saw John Howard get off a flight shortly after he lost power - he clearly had a couple of security guards with him and was met by a uniformed officer. Saw him again 18 months ago all by himself.

I guess its the final blow to the ego, first you lose the C1 car and the VIP Jet, then twelve months or so later, just when you are getting used to your new level of irrelevance they take away your security detail.
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It's probably as simple as being related to the AFPs perception of risk. I assume that diminishes over time and they have protocols for determining such things. There were probably a lot of people who wanted to take a swing at Howard in 07 who likely have mellowed now and similarly with Rudd or Gillard. At some point the heat will die out and many of the haters will move on...
 
Regarding ex-PM's, they only have protection for the first 3 months after losing office - then they lose that protection. The threat level on our pollies is just not what it is elsewhere.

(I have a very close friend who provides protection to PM's)
 
burrco said:
I guess its the final blow to the ego, first you lose the C1 car and the VIP Jet, then twelve months or so later, just when you are getting used to your new level of irrelevance they take away your security detail.
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I don't think former PMs ever lose CL status. Although not a former PM I saw former Greens leader Bob Brown in the CL last month and it's been a year or so since he resigned so I think ever former pollies maintain CL for a period.

Former PMs are also entitled to a car and driver for life. I think even the Gold Pass for 20 return Business class flights within a Australia per year is retained for them (although it has been removed for new MPs since, I think, the 2007 election).
 
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Stephen Bradbury on my flight to BNE in Why.

No worries about our plane not falling out of the sky.
 
Brett Lee (again) at SYD international this morning.

I was waiting for my golf clubs at oversize and he came over I am guessing to collect his cricket kit. Has he been to India again?
 

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