My day started at 06:15 to be at the Adl QP in time to enjoy a hot stack of Pancakes:
Before catching the flight to Syd, did read that others had their JQ35 BP issued at their home airport. But thought what could be so hard about getting the BP issued at Syd, I mean I did arrive at 10:45? Big mistake as I learned stepping off the terminal transfer buss at T1.
Darkness was the call of the day in Syd T1, especially for JQ check-in row H. Thought OK no biggie, just find the JQ service desk and get the BP issued there as I had no check-in baggage. What JQ service desk? No matter how much or where I looked, no JQ Orange coats anywhere. So again no biggie, just do that the others had done and get the BP issued at the Syd JQ domestic check-in. The mobile AFF web site is good on my BB Torch and I indicated that I was heading for domestic to get the BP issued. So back on the terminal bus to JQ domestic.
Upon arrival every JQ person I talked to and that included the check-in manager, insisted they could not issue a BP for JQ35 and it had to be done in T1. I don't give up easily but did when there were no more faces to talk to, what can you do? Mention of the AFF met and flashing the WP plastic had no effect. Bugger, back to the Hall of Darkness.
Arrive there and saw a group standing by check-in row H. Walked up and said "AFF?".
LawLass said "welcome to hell" or something like that and was introduced to the others gathered seemingly praying (I mean they all were holding open book like things in their hands and muttering in voices) for electricity to be restored. Just then a Orange coat flashed by and we all chased it over 2 rows, only to chase it back, well we actually chased the cart with the Orange JQ BPs on it (I mean why follow Orange JQ coats when you can follow Orange JQ BP banks). Finally JQ got their check-in PCs up and running, but it took a IT guy to reboot them all.
FINALLY with the JQ35 BP and the all important Orange "D" sticker firmly in hand, set off for the Customs entry only to find the D/Express entry closed down and a queue about 400 mtrs long stretching off into the far distance. Found
Markis10 walking back from the end of the queue looking for a familiar face as I was. Finally we spotted
LawLass in the queue, said something aloud like,
"There you are Darling, we have been looking all over for you" and without a side ways glance,
Markis10 and I slipped into almost the head of the queue. Yes I know shameless but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
Thereafter
Markis10 bestowed his knowledge of Orange D stickers and totally confused a Customs line worker who insisted we all did need to fill in Green Immigration cards. Then past the Customs entry gate keeper, keeping a eagle sharp eye lookout for the Orange D signs and got through customs in record time. Was actually told to come forward when the customs staff say the Orange D. I was impressed at the power a Orange D bestows to it's holder.
Likewise for security, fast tracked through the Crew x-ray machine, expect for the female looking at the screen and letting one item through per minute. I mean did she
not know that was my serious drinking time she was wasting?
Finally our mob make the FLounge and played WP cardies with getting everybody in. Time was about 12:45 or 2 hours since I landed and had expected to take no more than 15 minutes. BTW
LawLass it is not surgery. It is diet and looking after yourself. 2 glasses of a really GOOD read each day also helps.
Lunch was over way too quick and hey what happened to my massage?
Somehow we all got priority boarding printed on our BPs so boarding JQ 35 was easy and fast. Soon settled into 44J, next to
Harvyk in 44K. But not for long as soon enough
LawLass and her AFF gang in tow were there and using our
Exit Row Extra Leg Room to form another AFF inflight meet. So
Harvyk and I stood for most of the flight and got told off several times by the FA for blocking the exit door. She actually said how could it be used in an emergency if we were standing in front of it??? :shock: Like we were going to open that door at 35,000 feet? :shock:
Arrived Mel and fast tracked through Immigrations and Customs thanks to the power of the Orange D. Too bad they took the BP with the stick-on or peal off Orange D when we exited Customs. Spoil sports did not seem to want us to be able to use them again.
Finally we got a group photo and then
LawLass lead us to the DJ Lounge and all the fun we had with the DJ Lounge angels getting entry. Too bad I was driving later that night or I would have had a few more glasses of the good DJ Shiraz. As I was flying back to Adl, I took a few photos of the DJ lounge AFF crew, posted elsewhere, and moved to the QF J lounge to check-in.
This was my first use of the WP card with a NGCI pod that worked. Was pleased to see the pod flash Green. Normally it says it can't read my card or can't find my booking. Flashing the WP, walked into the QP and then the J lounge to find those that did not do the DJ Lounge run. Spoil sports.
Feeling the DJ red a bit, I decided to be a good boy and ordered a big glass of sparkling water with 2 slices of lemon. Buy the time it was finished, my flight was called and said my good byes to all that were still in the J Lounge.
Arrived Adl and drove home to many questions about how the day went. Seems SWMBO really did want to go but had to work. Next year Darling. Next year.
