The Amazing Race Australia

[pauly7]

I notice a question that asks you "if you have ever travelled outside Australia?" and if so "which countries you have travelled to?" Knowing that some of the entertainment value of the show lies in the inexperience of most of the teams, that they would prefer those who haven't travelled too far. And thereby disqualifying quite a few AFF'ers:!:

Certainly some of the contestants may fall into this bucket!

But one of my good friend partners is on Amazing Race Australia and he has travelled quite extensively!

Perhaps he toned it down a bit but really the producers could easily have checked his travel history out...

Anyway I'm looking forward to it greatly as well, although I do already know a few things that will happen

Bring on Monday!

 

[medhead]

Certainly some of the contestants may fall into this bucket!

But one of my good friend partners is on Amazing Race Australia and he has travelled quite extensively!

Perhaps he toned it down a bit but really the producers could easily have checked his travel history out...

Anyway I'm looking forward to it greatly as well, although I do already know a few things that will happen

Bring on Monday!

So your friends partner hasn't stuck to the confidentiality agreement?

 

[Grooba]

Anyway I'm looking forward to it greatly as well, although I do already know a few things that will happen

Bring on Monday!

Ahh cmon, you can't say that and not give us some clues!!!!!

 

[drewbles]

The "Aussie Cowboys" on the new series will be interesting based on the previews.

Never travelled outside Australia, and by the looks of previews, never flown. There was a shot of them at the airport not knowing what they were doing, nor knowing how to get to check-in (or knowing they had to).

It could be a great series, or painful. I hope the former!

 

[NM]

Coincidentally isn’t Come Fly With Me also starting next week?

Not to be broadcast everywhere according to this news.com.au report.

REGIONAL Australia won't be able to see the new comedy from the stars of Little Britain tonight - because TV executives believe it's too sophisticated for them.

Channel Nine's regional affiliates, WIN and NBN Television, have decided that David Walliams and Matt Lucas's airport-based satire Come Fly With Me is is inappropriate for their regional audience in NSW.

 

[drewbles]

Certainly some of the contestants may fall into this bucket!

But one of my good friend partners is on Amazing Race Australia and he has travelled quite extensively!

Perhaps he toned it down a bit but really the producers could easily have checked his travel history out...

Anyway I'm looking forward to it greatly as well, although I do already know a few things that will happen

Bring on Monday!

Your friend's partner may be able to help me with a question that i've have in the back of my mind for a while...

Are they able to take advantage of any elite FF benefits they may have?

I've often thought that with the amount of time they seem to spend loitering around airports trying to get flights as well as the amount of time they'd spent hanging around a gate, if one of the people in the team had FF status on the airline they were going on, would they be able to simply vanish into the lounge and relax?

They never really show you much around the airport except when they're running to get to a flight or out of the airport itself, but if you're an elite, you'd have access to some preferential customs clearance in some airports, as well as a nice lounge in some places

 

[ausi ski bum]

I would certainly be taking my Q Club card

 

[drewbles]

I would certainly be taking my Q Club card

Exactly. I also have a brilliant Travel Agent who's number I know off the top of my head.

I also happen to work for a company that runs a calling card platform, so, I wouldn't need to have a mobile (I'm almost 100% sure they're not allowed to take a mobile with them) and could still call my TA from anywhere to get the best routing for anything.

There have to be good ways to get an advantage on the race, without actually breaking any rules. Seeing as I'd be able to use payphones (other contestants use other peoples mobile phones) and anyone can buy a phonecard that works globally, i'm surprised none of the teams have thought outside the box to get any advantage they can

It's the engineer in me coming out, always looking for a better way to do something rather than just 'wing it'

 

[medhead]

Are they able to take advantage of any elite FF benefits they may have?

I would certainly be taking my Q Club card

Exactly.

refer to posts #6 and #7, which refer to no points earning. They also control what you're allowed to take and I would guess a lounge card would not be allowed. With no pints earning that means no FF numbers on bookings. With no card and no details on a BP I'm not sure how you can access benefits.

 

[drewbles]

refer to posts #6 and #7, which refer to no points earning. They also control what you're allowed to take and I would guess a lounge card would not be allowed. With no pints earning that means no FF numbers on bookings. With no card and no details on a BP I'm not sure how you can access benefits.

I know they do control what you're allowed to take, but I cannot see any mention on the application form about FF benefits (from http://l.yimg.com/ao/i/tv/10/tar_australia_21.pdf being the official application form) and as the other would be a confidential document signed by the participants, there's no public information about it.

All that has been publicly said is 'Economy fares must be booked. upgrades are allowed if the airline gives them and they're not specifically booked or paid for' so no J/F if booked, only Y.

If the OP from #6/7 has a link to the rules i'd appreciate it. Just curious that's all

 

[MissBurrill]

Wikipedia has alot of rules listed including racers may not smoke on the race.

 

[samh004]

I recall in one season a couple managed to get upgraded to the J or F cabin on a flight (on the last leg), and thus exited the plane ahead of the other teams, gaining a time advantage and eventually winning.

Nothing was said of how they managed it, but perhaps a loyalty card helped, as the crew would have know there were other teams also onboard.

 

[Timba-Jet]

This may be the same episode Sam is referring to.

I remember when Y was sold out, the contestants were pleading (nicely for a change) if the airline would sell them Y tix but seat them in J. I think the airline ended up being nice, somewhere in Asia I think.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Already a number of notable differences to US version:
- mostly same sex duos, friends or family. Not to many bickering couples
- starts of with a road block, not the typical dash to airport
- express pass prize

Impressed by the helicopter start at the MCG.

Any guess on who will win?

 

[samh004]

This may be the same episode Sam is referring to.

I remember when Y was sold out, the contestants were pleading (nicely for a change) if the airline would sell them Y tix but seat them in J. I think the airline ended up being nice, somewhere in Asia I think.

I recall it was the last leg back onto US-soil with the last 3 teams, but can’t remember when or where. If I had more time I’d go over the episode notes on Wikipedia and find it.

Completely forgot it was on tonight, and to record it for watching later. Oh well.

 

[nlagalle]

Already a number of notable differences to US version:
- mostly same sex duos, friends or family. Not to many bickering couples
- starts of with a road block, not the typical dash to airport
- express pass prize

Impressed by the helicopter start at the MCG.

Any guess on who will win?

I was impressed with the helicopters as well.. Pity i didn't see them filing that!

 

[odysseus]

Already a number of notable differences to US version:
- mostly same sex duos, friends or family. Not to many bickering couples
- starts of with a road block, not the typical dash to airport
- express pass prize

Impressed by the helicopter start at the MCG.

Any guess on who will win?

Pretty sure the current US season also gave an Express pass the same way.

Differences I noted:
- First time they've hidden the envelope. Would've gotten me as well; the clue's always in a box.
-Very soft start; first time the first leg is a non-elimination round.
- More sponsors than usual (which is a good thing for staying on 7 as long as it gets the ratings). Most ad breaks had a sponsor.

 

[drewbles]

I already have my Favourite team (the Big W "mums") and my despised team (won't mention them by name as someone did mention they knew one of the teams and would rather not offend).

There looks to be a few fireworks in the second episode.

Overall, it looks like the production values are pretty close to the US version. Grant Bowler puts an Aussie spin on it, without being too corny.

Should be a good series with any luck. The first episode seemed to have a lot more going on than the US ones have, but do agree a non-elimination leg in the first episode is a little weak (although the penalty is a novel twist on the usual USA version, especially as they don't tend to like advertising how far apart teams arrived now unlike the earlier seasons).

 

[pauly7]

Your friend's partner may be able to help me with a question that i've have in the back of my mind for a while...

Are they able to take advantage of any elite FF benefits they may have?

Nope, not allowed (I asked this question of course being a steadfast AFF member!!). Don't know if people tried it on though...

But you just gave me an idea, you could put in for a retrospective points claim on the quiet!! Just keep the BP/receipt...

 

[pauly7]

So your friends partner hasn't stuck to the confidentiality agreement?

Who is afraid of a little one-way CA

Seven / production company wouldn't come after them, or anyone anyway unless it was revealing results I'd guess. PR would yucky