just relocated to SYD from PHX

[aleaf]

Hello all,
I'm a recent transplant to Sydney. Loving the city so far, although it's been a bit chilly. I'm disappointed I didn't make it to OzFest 2014 but I'm hoping there will be more opportunities to meet AFFers.
While contemplating my move, I stalked Lindsay (QF WP) on FlyerTalk - he's in my industry, financial services - and he encouraged me to sign up / become active over here. I don't have any travel plans yet, hey I just got here, but I'm certainly going to learn as much as I can.

A little about me: I have dual US/Australian citizenship courtesy of my grandmother, a war bride. The majority of travel thus far has been personal and I have never really committed to a particular airline/alliance. Most of my points are on AA due to some credit card perks. In an ideal world, I'll wind up in a job that includes some business travel and then I'll really be able to maximize what I learn here. (Although, to be honest, it's been a harder to translate my US professional experience & designations into a job than I had hoped). On the up side, it seems ANY travel from Australia earns quite a few points simply by virtue of geography. I'll read and learn and soon be on my way.

So, that's me. Looking forward to meeting you, whether that is here on AFF or in real life.
ANNE (alief)

 

[Hvr]

Welcome aboard alief, if you're ever in MEL make sure you let us know and we'll have a social event.

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Welcome to AFF, we are a pretty friendly bunch here.
Would be great to see you at one of our meets

 

[Bundy Bear]

Welcome to AFF, by the looks of the username I seem to remember you have a Flyertalk account, there are a few of us who frequent both websites.

Unfortuneately the frequent flyer deals probably aren't as generous as they are in US but I think every airline is now going to a revenue based model, that doesn't mean to say there aren't deals out there but just less of them.

Last time I visited Phoenix was part of StarMegaDo 2 in 2010, and that was a 3 hour visit.

Welcome to Australia I hope you enjoy.

 

[aleaf]

Thanks for the friendly hellos - Hvr, TomVexille and Princess Fiona. This certainly seems like a friendly crowd and I'm not shy so will try to dive right in.

Good memory, BundyBear. I'm on FlyerTalk under the this same handle and while I can't take credit for organizing the seminar in PHX, I did my best to make the out-of-towners feel welcome. I think the only Australian I've met in person from FT is JohnSydney2000 (PHX seminar way back when). I'm not sure how I managed to miss that StarMegaDo 2 but I did. On the other hand, I did manage to bluff my way into the Freddies when they were in PHX.

The revenue based model is a bummer for me because I am a deal junkie. But, that's the way it goes. Adapt, adapt, adapt.

 

[markis10]

Welcome, hope to see you down the Australia hotel one Wednesday when we can get enough folk together for trivia.

 

[aleaf]

Welcome, hope to see you down the Australia hotel one Wednesday when we can get enough folk together for trivia.

Funny you should mention that, markis10. I just bumped that thread.
I might not be a good team-member if the trivia has to do with all things Australia but I am chock full of other useless factoids.

 

[JohnK]

A belated welcome to AFF alief!

 

[aleaf]

Thanks, JohnK! Happy to be here.

 

[Jurahn]

Welcome aboard Alief, great to have you here!

We never made it to Phoenix on either of our trips to Arizona, we flew straight into Tucson as we were staying at the White Stallion Ranch (fantastic place, absolutely loved it) and sightseeing around the Tucson area. Hoping to make another trip back to AZ in a couple of years, but that will depend on what the Aussie dollar is doing against the USD by then!