drron
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2002
- Posts
- 34,709
Just to show that all my trips arent International J I am reporting on a weekend to Sydney courteousy of JQ.I am scheduled to fly out on JQ791 MCY-SYD on friday 25/9.I am a little concerned as mrsdrron and her mother had initially been flying on the day of the duststorm.When their second flight of that day was cancelled JQ could book my MIL on this flight but told mrsdrron she had to wait for Saturday.I therefore checked in on line at the 48 hour mark.Rows 1-4 were unavailable as always when I am using OLCI on JQ.So I got 5D-prefer the aisle.I was sequence 2.
Now I was expecting a full plane so still got to the airport about 45 minutes fbefore departure even though checked in and with only a carryon.See even can do that occasionally.So It turns out the flight is relatively empty.In row 5 only 5A,D are taken so I move over to the window.Only 108 pax I hear the FA saying.
The other problem with this flight is that it is not unknown to run into problems with SYD curfew with ETA 2225.Tonight however takeoff is on time.An uneventful flight but an unusual approach to SYD appearing to be nearly over Richmond before turning East.I can see the Homebush Stadium where the Eels have just dispatched the Dogs.Good landing on main strip.Out quickly and catching the 2244 train into Wynyard.At Central a football special pulls in beside us-Eels flags waving and Doggie supporters looking very dejected.
Soon arrive at our hotel for this stay-Mantra on Bond.Again not all hotel stays are because of loyalty programs-basically best price for Hilton was $375,SGS-$300 and even the 4 points-$260.$130 for the Mantra was a no brainer.comfortable studio apartment with full kitchen.Shower with a washer and dryer in the smallish bathroom.If you want there is a restaurant in the lobby but for brekkie Krispy Kreme or Maccas are just up the road.
A family weekend running the whole gamut of occasions from the death of my BIL on the Friday.Granddaughters 2nd birthday on saturday and visiting my father inappropriately confined to a dementia unit with his observation-"son this is where they park your body and forget about the rest of you"
So Sunday comes around quickly and JQ790 SYD-MCY.Again I have checked in mrsdrron and myself as check in opened online.Sequence 3,4 but 5 C,D gone so we take 5 E,F.Now MIL is to come back with us.Her travel was organised for her by her granddaughter(our niece)who is a senior educator in a majot agency-not FC.We arrive early and go to the QP.Mrsdrron goes back to checkin her mother-92 year olds do not fly with carry ons only!Now her TA has left the ticket at home.Only checkin is at kiosks.Finally gets one of the bag drop agents to manually check her in.
In the QP my MIL is out of her depth-goes to take her handbag with her to get some food.Mrsdrron-"Why are you taking that?""Well I'll have to pay""No its free""Nothing is free in this world"
As this is going on I notice that JQ 790 is listed as boarding even though 45 minutes from scheduled departure so we go to gate and most have already boarded.Now Mrsdrron is helping her mother so I have 2 carryons with me.Pulled up by agent-"you cant have 2 bags""One is my wifes""Well they are too big.""No they are not and I have never been pulled up on JQ before.""They are too big"So I stick one in the sizer-snug fit burt easy so at last on I go.By then can only just squeeze them in over row4.I am in 3A which had been assigned to MIL.Then the agent comes on board-he is an FA for this flight.I note his bag is definitely larger than mine-obviously no point in advising him i have noted his inconsistancies.
Then Captain comes on-we have boarded early as due to the winds only 1 runway in use so there are delays.Unfortunately 1 pax does not board until 5 minutes before ETD and by that time an airport emergency has been declared with a flight returning so the airport is closed.fortunately no other dramas and we pull back just 10 minutes after schedule and very quickly underway.I note that as we turn onto runway the approaching planes-must be minimum separation time tonight.
Fortunatel though we make up the time to MCY.I am exhausted and nod off only waking as the Captain announces our descent.good landing and the weekend is over.
Now I was expecting a full plane so still got to the airport about 45 minutes fbefore departure even though checked in and with only a carryon.See even can do that occasionally.So It turns out the flight is relatively empty.In row 5 only 5A,D are taken so I move over to the window.Only 108 pax I hear the FA saying.
The other problem with this flight is that it is not unknown to run into problems with SYD curfew with ETA 2225.Tonight however takeoff is on time.An uneventful flight but an unusual approach to SYD appearing to be nearly over Richmond before turning East.I can see the Homebush Stadium where the Eels have just dispatched the Dogs.Good landing on main strip.Out quickly and catching the 2244 train into Wynyard.At Central a football special pulls in beside us-Eels flags waving and Doggie supporters looking very dejected.
Soon arrive at our hotel for this stay-Mantra on Bond.Again not all hotel stays are because of loyalty programs-basically best price for Hilton was $375,SGS-$300 and even the 4 points-$260.$130 for the Mantra was a no brainer.comfortable studio apartment with full kitchen.Shower with a washer and dryer in the smallish bathroom.If you want there is a restaurant in the lobby but for brekkie Krispy Kreme or Maccas are just up the road.
A family weekend running the whole gamut of occasions from the death of my BIL on the Friday.Granddaughters 2nd birthday on saturday and visiting my father inappropriately confined to a dementia unit with his observation-"son this is where they park your body and forget about the rest of you"
So Sunday comes around quickly and JQ790 SYD-MCY.Again I have checked in mrsdrron and myself as check in opened online.Sequence 3,4 but 5 C,D gone so we take 5 E,F.Now MIL is to come back with us.Her travel was organised for her by her granddaughter(our niece)who is a senior educator in a majot agency-not FC.We arrive early and go to the QP.Mrsdrron goes back to checkin her mother-92 year olds do not fly with carry ons only!Now her TA has left the ticket at home.Only checkin is at kiosks.Finally gets one of the bag drop agents to manually check her in.
In the QP my MIL is out of her depth-goes to take her handbag with her to get some food.Mrsdrron-"Why are you taking that?""Well I'll have to pay""No its free""Nothing is free in this world"
As this is going on I notice that JQ 790 is listed as boarding even though 45 minutes from scheduled departure so we go to gate and most have already boarded.Now Mrsdrron is helping her mother so I have 2 carryons with me.Pulled up by agent-"you cant have 2 bags""One is my wifes""Well they are too big.""No they are not and I have never been pulled up on JQ before.""They are too big"So I stick one in the sizer-snug fit burt easy so at last on I go.By then can only just squeeze them in over row4.I am in 3A which had been assigned to MIL.Then the agent comes on board-he is an FA for this flight.I note his bag is definitely larger than mine-obviously no point in advising him i have noted his inconsistancies.
Then Captain comes on-we have boarded early as due to the winds only 1 runway in use so there are delays.Unfortunately 1 pax does not board until 5 minutes before ETD and by that time an airport emergency has been declared with a flight returning so the airport is closed.fortunately no other dramas and we pull back just 10 minutes after schedule and very quickly underway.I note that as we turn onto runway the approaching planes-must be minimum separation time tonight.
Fortunatel though we make up the time to MCY.I am exhausted and nod off only waking as the Captain announces our descent.good landing and the weekend is over.
