QF1 - a long flight with no water!

[Princess Fiona]

Good on RdC... and probably concur with his remark that it was the worst day at the office (although he may change his opinion upon reflection after a while, don't know).

Damn software issues... surprised it was the software / controller that was the fault and not say a hardware fault with the water pumping system itself. If it was being diagnosed on the ground at SYD before its late departure, I guess one could argue either way whether or not it should've been successfully diagnosed. On one hand, they had some time and it was only a software fault - not say they had to locate and replace a part - but then software faults are as fickle as Queenstown twilight. Perhaps they should've just replaced the controllers in SYD as a full failsafe? Anyway, all reflection and conjecture...



True, but the layover in DXB would have (or rather, could have) been very short (alright, in the end it turned out to be almost twice as long) and no guarantee that the station head could (a) be reached at the time they arrived (in the middle of the night), and (b) could assist in the mess anyway. I guess it may have been worth a try, but probably would be pushing to have someone (a proxy) help remotely; I assume Princess Fiona had no access to mobile in DXB.

I probably would've headed to BA first rather than QF. Yes, BA could've very well said, "Not our problem, good luck," in curt British fashion, but at least they would've had more power to do something over QF which, at best, would only have indirect control and a bunch of non-concrete assurances. That said, it may have also involved a time-costly run across the terminal in DXB, too.

If QF compensate for the onward flight, that'd be awfully nice, but I wouldn't hold my breath on it. I'd expect if they send monetary compensation of any kind it will be more for QF1 itself rather than you missing your onward. Maybe a refund of the points spent on the upgrade too, especially if you didn't request it.



You must have missed the announcement.

That said, did you really register for a points upgrade, Princess Fiona?

I did register for a points upgrade SYD-LHR, wasn't aware that this could be awarded partially as it certainly cannot be requested per sector for SYD-DXB-LHR on the one flight number.
There are no BA staff in T3, I had access to the woeful wi-fi in the EK Flounge.
Of note if I had checked luggage in SYD, it would have been checked all the way through to GLA even if on a separate ticket.

 

[anat0l]

I did register for a points upgrade SYD-LHR, wasn't aware that this could be awarded partially as it certainly cannot be requested per sector for SYD-DXB-LHR on the one flight number.
There are no BA staff in T3, I had access to the woeful wi-fi in the EK Flounge.
Of note if I had checked luggage in SYD, it would have been checked all the way through to GLA even if on a separate ticket.

Did they take the full points upgrade cost for SYD/LHR or only DXB/LHR? I agree with you though - still odd.

There must be some kind of BA staff somewhere in the terminal. BA have their own operated lounge for their flights they operate to/from DXB. Note that T3 and T1 - the operating terminals of EK/QF and BA respectively - have a common airside concourse and you can walk freely through all of it without bounds. Of course, that means basically walking a huge distance to get to a BA Galleries lounge - close to a 1 km each way.

 

[wingspan]

Hence the little tack-on in parentheses.

I was under the impression he was operating the DXB-LHR leg...

 

[anat0l]

I was under the impression he was operating the DXB-LHR leg...

Ah whoops; I see. Stand corrected, then.

Still, feel sorry for the previous captain (and crew) who operated the SYD/DXB sector.

 

[NM]

Richard CdC is an impressive man, and very communicative with passengers. He's one of the very few QF captains who insists on doing a walk-through of the passenger cabin, and is very happy to stop briefly for a chat, as I have done with him. A must-read for any QF fan is his book "QF32".

He is not alone with his cabin walk-through practice. Our own JB747 has noted his habit of doing likewise when duties permit, and I once had a 30 mins "conversation" over several coffees at 4A on a 744 somewhere over the Pacific with another well known QF Captain (now retired), mostly about his involvement with HARS and flying aircraft like the Super Connie and Neptune.

 

[Pushka]

Did they take the full points upgrade cost for SYD/LHR or only DXB/LHR? I agree with you though - still odd.

There must be some kind of BA staff somewhere in the terminal. BA have their own operated lounge for their flights they operate to/from DXB. Note that T3 and T1 - the operating terminals of EK/QF and BA respectively - have a common airside concourse and you can walk freely through all of it without bounds. Of course, that means basically walking a huge distance to get to a BA Galleries lounge - close to a 1 km each way.

Let's just hope there wasn't one of those dreaded exclamation marks in play which state that even if your upgrade is only granted in one sector, the points deducted will be for the complete trip.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Ok, finally got around to submitting some feedback to customer care today regarding this flight and my return flight where I had no light, call button or IFE from LHR-DXB.
Will see what they have to say

 

[EmilyHoward]

I'm sure they will reimburse you somehow PF.

EH

 

[marki]

Valid points indeed.
I am finding it evidently disgusting & with slight observations just how many people don't wash their hands after visiting the convenience room..:evil:
I was always taught from such a very young age to ALWAYS wash hands thoroughly (without fail) each & every time & especially before meals.
Seems to be not so important these days.. :shock:

I concur working in the mining sector I have deliberately watched how many walk thru into dining areas and not wash there hands. Also seen anecdotal evidence of people leaving toilets and not washing hands walking into dining area handling food utensils. Or my favourite coughing/ sneezing on food.

It sucks

There are big signs next to each door wash your hands. All ignored.

Or walking thru galley ways where food is prepared is to easy to contaminate especially when most sick people tend to gravitate to the front of the aircraft when - Vomiting & Diarrhoea

 

[castie]

Two issues on Qantas A380's that are somewhat similar.

Firstly QF9 in April captain announced that the fridge had failed and as he could not be sure the temperature the food had been stored at there would be no second meal service.
He said we would be given vouchers for food on arrival in DXB and also instructed us to have pens ready as he read out his mobile number!
If any issues while we were in Dubai we were to try call that number as he would not be leaving the airport until the flight had gone to LHR and also feel free to contact him in Aus if unable to do so in Dubai.

September 9th flew QF again to DXB. Delayed leaving and informed that one of the water compressors was out of action but that we could leave with one working but needed some paperwork filled out. I believe this but now I am wondering if the delay was to load water in case the other packed it in! (Luckily it did not)

 

[Danger]

Two issues on Qantas A380's that are somewhat similar.

Firstly QF9 in April captain announced that the fridge had failed and as he could not be sure the temperature the food had been stored at there would be no second meal service.
He said we would be given vouchers for food on arrival in DXB and also instructed us to have pens ready as he read out his mobile number!
If any issues while we were in Dubai we were to try call that number as he would not be leaving the airport until the flight had gone to LHR and also feel free to contact him in Aus if unable to do so in Dubai.

A captain provided his mobile number to a planeload of passengers?

 

[mannej]

A captain provided his mobile number to a planeload of passengers?

It was RdC from memory, and that was confirmed at the time on here.

 

[mono88]

I concur working in the mining sector I have deliberately watched how many walk thru into dining areas and not wash there hands. Also seen anecdotal evidence of people leaving toilets and not washing hands walking into dining area handling food utensils. Or my favourite coughing/ sneezing on food.

It sucks

So, there was no evidence of the Hawthorne Effect in this case...?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A captain provided his mobile number to a planeload of passengers?

indeed... and reported he has done the same on other flights where there have been problems.

 

[JessicaTam]

A captain provided his mobile number to a planeload of passengers?

A very decent gesture, and no pun intended.

Now that's the reason I fly...

 

[erkpod]

It was RdC from memory, and that was confirmed at the time on here.

RdC did that after QF32 in case any of the passengers got screwed over by QF.

 

[castie]

A captain provided his mobile number to a planeload of passengers?

Yup!
I was pretty amazed. He had said have a pen ready but I assumed it was going to be some sort of customer service number or directions to where the food voucher could be used. (Upstairs buffet...took ages to find)

 

[Flashback]

I received the same email. I will definitely be contacting QF regarding this. Due to the lengthy delays I missed a BA flight in LHR ( original connection time 4 hours) and had to re-book myself on another flight GBP200. Yes they were separate tickets but given the delays I wanted someone at QF in DXB to at least help me contact BA but no help forthcoming.
I received what I was told was an op-up to F at the gate for DXB-LHR. Turns out it was a points upgrade .
I'm a little bit peeved at that although the F seat and service was very welcome after the issues previously.

Ok, finally got around to submitting some feedback to customer care today regarding this flight and my return flight where I had no light, call button or IFE from LHR-DXB.
Will see what they have to say

How late was the flight into LHR in the end? Have you had a look at EU Regulation 261/2004 to see whether it applies? I would look at that in addition to any expected service recovery!

 

[Princess Fiona]

How late was the flight into LHR in the end? Have you had a look at EU Regulation 261/2004 to see whether it applies? I would look at that in addition to any expected service recovery!

I did, but I don't think it counts. Flight was 4 hours late.

 

[Flashback]

I did, but I don't think it counts. Flight was 4 hours late.

Should still cover, depending on the exact time:
Flight Delay Compensation: Get up to £500 per person - Money Saving Expert
[TABLE="class: dataTable"]
[TR]
[TH]3,500km+, eg, London to New York[/TH]
[TD]3-4 hours[/TD]
[TD]€300 (£250)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4+ hours[/TD]
[TD]€600 (£510)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]