As another sub-thread(s) to this thread...
I am travelling to Sydney for the weekend of Friday 31 October (next week) and returning Sunday 2 November. I'm staying at the Holiday Inn Darling Harbour and my flight out on the Sunday is the 1700h QF453 SYD-MEL flight (connecting to 2005h QF636 MEL-BNE flight).
I've checked 131500.info and from the hotel to SYD T3 in order to arrive by 1600h (allow time for check-in and some delay):
- 1523h to catch the latest train that will get me there on time.
- 1454h to catch the latest bus routing that will get me there on time.
Not sure about taxi timing, but can anyone relay some advice as to what the traffic is like on a Sunday afternoon in Sydney, particularly going to the airport? Anyone care to estimate the PERT time (optimistic, average, pessimistic)? (Guess the easiest way is to take the train - no traffic...)
Ideally
I'd like to leave as late as possible but still make the flight. Yes I expect too much don't I
? I guess I also have a "one flight contingency" up my sleeve (but the ground staff will probably give me a very awkward vibe if they even reallocate me on the next flight without charge if I miss QF453).
On top of that, we also know there are several ways to get upgrades:
- Points upgrades (from anything except N, O, Q and X)
- Operational upgrades
- On Departure upgrades (again anything except N, O, Q and X)
- Bumping / reallocation to different flight (and put in J for operational / capacity reasons)
As a new SG, I have access to the QC now, but.... has anyone scored an upgrade "against the rules" and/or by simply asking for it (at check-in, or at the QC/JL)? Would anyone like to relay their scores/successes/stories?
Someone remarked that even a QC agent has said, "If you don't ask, you'll never know." But it feels so presumptuous to ask for an upgrade, especially if it were me in my case:
- Only an SG, not a WP.
- Don't think I'd rank very highly on the overall QF loyalty scheme of things.
- Often travel on Red e-Deals (especially lowest fare bucket), which we know are non-upgradable.
I guess the worst that can happen is you'll get a "no", but it still feels slightly embarrassing and presumptuous.
I was thinking about my couple of BNE/MEL flights and one ADL/SYD flight that I have on that weekend, but again all in lowest bucket Red e-Deal........
(I'm the SLC everyone loves to hate, aren't I?) 
. Had to rescue the baby guinea pigs before they drowned in the back yard. 43mm in my rain gauge this morning.
)
