The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

Just wanted to give a big thumbs up to the Swissotel Hotels Best Rate Guarantee where they will promise to be the best rate online otherwise they will better your best rate by 50%*

Just made a series of reservations for Swissotel Sydney for $85 per night inclusive of buffet breakfast in their lounge. Now that's what I call a good deal for a 5* hotel smack in the middle of Sydney.

* for the 1st night only, so its great for 1 night stays.

Is that a rate on their site, a special (e.g. full prepayment) or through a BRG promise? (And then I wonder where you found the rate to enable that, e.g. HotelClub )

 

[Alanslegal]

Is that a rate on their site, a special (e.g. full prepayment) or through a BRG promise? (And then I wonder where you found the rate to enable that, e.g. HotelClub )

Yeah I found the competing rates on HotelClub being $168.00

I made cancellable bookings w Swissotel and submitted the claim for 3 different stays so they had to half $168. They came back and said $84.00 it is w buffet breakfast in the "restaurant" ... not the lounge as I earlier said.

I can cancel these bookings up to 6pm on day of arrival without any penalties - which is even better, just in case I find something better

 

[Keith009]

I'm about to find out what it's like to fly on the main deck J 744 cabin for the first time. Completely voluntarily on my part given I chose this trip to go hand luggage only and ended up with HEAPS of hand luggage after an unintended shopping spree. I was initially on the upper deck but after ploughing through KUL and the KUL-SIN flight I decided that trudging up to the upper deck with so many things would be a nightmare, or a tripping hazard at the very least. Not to mention tiny bins.

We'll see whether I end up being a main deck convert....:shock:

Picked bulkhead seat 22D (SQ). Nice check in lady at the SKL said the cabin seems half empty.

 

[beardoc]

Re: The off-topic odd-topics questions you know and love

81. An assorted list of unusual flight situations:
(a) Take off aborted/retried, N/A
(b) Landing retried, SYD-BNE but it was years ago - and can't remember the details
(c) Deplaned after boarding and before pushback, MEL-SYD 2008 - it was during the Engineer's Strike and they had piles of problems with aircraft. Boarded - deplaned and spent the next hour in the QP. Felt lucky as there were people who had been delayed for almost 4 hours!
(d) Jet plane (i.e. not a turboprop) did a "180" (i.e. a half-circle) rather than being pushed back from parked position, N/A
(e) Hotelled (arranged by the airline) due to flight cancellation (or excessive delay), N/A
(f) "Upgraded" after boarding (i.e. already on the aircraft, not at the gate), Dec 2000 BNE-AKL-LAX - Flight Manager came down and introduced himself, invited me to the coughpit for 45 mins, and told me to bring my cabin bag - and dropped me in a J seat! All courtesy of a friend in QANTAS Ticketing
(g) Taken off in icy conditions, No, but have landed - SYD-MEL in a hailstorm on DJ. Everyone clapped when we landed!
(h) Spent over 1 hr on board and aircraft before it finally took off SFO-SYD on UA in 2004. Crushed in a full Y cabin with a couple of backpackers. No info at all about why the delay, and kept on saying it would only be 15 minutes more all the time. It was 75 minutes later that we took off. Still landed on time, though.

82. Describe the last flight you took which was on a now-defunct airline. (For those whose answer involves AN and believes this question is insensitive, please do not answer and accept my apologies).

AN was about it - I can't think of any other defunct airlines I've flown on. Not even Compass!

83. Describe the most expensive trip you have been on before that you personally paid for (including cost of flights, accommodation and spending money. This is personal travel, so do not count travel paid for by the company purse, or if you won a trip as part of a prize, don't count the values of the prize components). Bonus points if you can estimate how much you spent in all.
I think probably about AUD$6000, but that was for six weeks, and included flights, Amtrak, and accommodation (with friends all the way) for 15 cities in 3 countries. Amazed I could do it so cheaply. Student travel!

84. (Check all that apply) I have travelled QF domestic J by
(a) paying (personally, not a company) in cash, No
(b) upgrading using points, No
(c) operational upgrade or bump, Yes
(d) using a Classic award, No
(e) using an Any Seat award, Are you crazy - have you seen how many points that needs?
(f) on someone else's account (e.g. company paid). I wish!

85. Describe the last time you had to change or cancel a ticket (does not have to be QF).

I used to buy a lot of tickets SYD-TMW on fully flexible tickets because I couldn't tell when I was going back and forth. I got several of them fully refunded.

86. Name at least one major global event (apart from your birth) that happened in the year that you were born.

Indonesia invaded East Timor.

87. Describe the first credit card you ever obtained.

First Debit Card: An ANZ Visa PAYCARD (one of their early debit cards) in 1993.
First Credit Card: ANZ announced the Telstra Visa Card in ads on a Sunday night in 1993. I had my application in the next day, and was approved shortly after that, I think for $1000 limit. I kept that card and later the QANTAS Telstra Visa for years.

88. Describe your current mobile phone. A Nokia E71. It's being used only as long as I need to before I can get my hands on a Palm Pre.

89. Describe the last time you travelled to Europe where your first point of entry into Europe was not an airport in London (i.e. not one of LHR, LGW, STN, LTN or LCY)? (Note that the Middle East (except Turkey) does not count as Europe) Always travelled in and out via LHR.

90. Is there a route (domestic or international ex-AU) that you believe requires (a) more services (i.e. frequency), and/or (b) more competition (i.e. more airlines flying it)? If so, which one(s)? (Note: this is a specific route between two airports, not a generic thing, e.g. between two countries) SYD-YVR would benefit from more competition - the only direct flights are on AC that I know of! I always fly via the US as it's cheaper.

 

[NM]

Heart Attack Grill 'a taste worth dying for'

Anyone for lunch? :shock:

YouTube - A Meal To Die For

 

[anat0l]

Re: Heart Attack Grill 'a taste worth dying for'

Anyone for lunch? :shock:

YouTube - A Meal To Die For

Only in LOTFAP.

I suppose all that's missing is legally-binding release forms saying that you will not sue if you get fat, sick or die from eating at the place.

 

[Keith009]

I liked the main deck!! :shock:

It was so empty, nearly everyone had an empty middle seat or a row of 2 to themselves. Upper deck is nearly always packed on both SQ and QF. And I also like being able to get off first.

Or maybe J was just empty due to the GFC and swine flu double whammy.

Still like ascending the steps to the upper deck though, but for once I was glad not to do it due to the number of things I was lugging around.

I'm about to find out what it's like to fly on the main deck J 744 cabin for the first time. Completely voluntarily on my part given I chose this trip to go hand luggage only and ended up with HEAPS of hand luggage after an unintended shopping spree. I was initially on the upper deck but after ploughing through KUL and the KUL-SIN flight I decided that trudging up to the upper deck with so many things would be a nightmare, or a tripping hazard at the very least. Not to mention tiny bins.

We'll see whether I end up being a main deck convert....:shock:

Picked bulkhead seat 22D (SQ). Nice check in lady at the SKL said the cabin seems half empty.

 

[NM]

I liked the main deck!! :shock:

It was so empty, nearly everyone had an empty middle seat or a row of 2 to themselves. Upper deck is nearly always packed on both SQ and QF. And I also like being able to get off first.

Another convert! Shh, don't tell too many people or they will all want to move downstairs and we start to find its filling up and the upper deck is empty .

 

[docjames]

QF009, how did you find the noise (mainly engine noise)?

Our last long haul QF business was in 2004 MEL-LAX vv.

Downstairs MEL-LAX, we had a toddler screaming the whole way (in J!). Had the (new then) 172degree sleeper seats, but hardly got a wink.

On the way home, we were upstairs, and was heaps quieter - less engine noise mainly (i always preferred upstairs for this reason), but scored the old seating (non lie flat) so struggled to sleep. not the best QF J experience all in all.

Will you really change your preference, or just not worry so much?

We'll certainly avoid downstairs due to the risk of having a child there as that seems to be where the bassinets are (i'm not aware of any upstairs).

 

[Keith009]

I didn't notice any difference in noise. No toddlers in the cabin so I was lucky in that respect. Then again I passed out as soon as the seatbelt signs went off as I had drinks in town prior to the flight. Missed dinner and slept right through to brekky. Woke up to find that a nice Singapore Girl had already tucked me in with a blanket.

QF009, how did you find the noise (mainly engine noise)?

Our last long haul QF business was in 2004 MEL-LAX vv.

Downstairs MEL-LAX, we had a toddler screaming the whole way (in J!). Had the (new then) 172degree sleeper seats, but hardly got a wink.

On the way home, we were upstairs, and was heaps quieter - less engine noise mainly (i always preferred upstairs for this reason), but scored the old seating (non lie flat) so struggled to sleep. not the best QF J experience all in all.

Will you really change your preference, or just not worry so much?

We'll certainly avoid downstairs due to the risk of having a child there as that seems to be where the bassinets are (i'm not aware of any upstairs).

 

[Bundy Bear]

81. An assorted list of unusual flight situations:
Only the following.
(g) Taken off in icy conditions, deiced on a flight from Amsterdam to London Heathrow.
(h) Of all of these, have any happened to you previously, and if so, describe the last time?
I have been on a flight that got diverted from Brisbane to Maroochydoore.

82. Describe the last flight you took which was on a now-defunct airline. (For those whose answer involves AN and believes this question is insensitive, please do not answer and accept my apologies).


Oct 2007 Macair: ATR-42: ISA-TSV
Oct 2005: America West A319 OAK-PHX: 737-300 PHX-STL
Jan 2004 Origin Pacific ATR-72: WLG-CHC
Dec 2003 Sunshine Express Metro 23 BNE-HVB
July 2003 Horizon Airlines Metro 23 OOM-SYD
Sep 2001 Ansett: A320: BNE-SYD
Aug 2000 Impulse Airlines 717-200 BNE-SYD

83. Describe the most expensive trip you have been on before that you personally paid for (including cost of flights, accommodation and spending money. This is personal travel, so do not count travel paid for by the company purse, or if you won a trip as part of a prize, don't count the values of the prize components). Bonus points if you can estimate how much you spent in all.

April 2000 for me and my dad to go to the UK in BA business class; cost was about $10,000 one of those 2 for 1 specials.

84. (Check all that apply) I have travelled QF domestic J by
(a) paying (personally, not a company) in cash, No
(b) upgrading using points, Yes
Is this a recent trip by Anat0l that has inspired this question.


85. Describe the last time you had to change or cancel a ticket (does not have to be QF).
Got sick; so cancelled BNE-SYD Nov 2007 on QF, then changed to QF74 MEL-SYD for F lounge then that flight was canceled so changed to QF418: August 2008.

86. Name at least one major global event (apart from your birth) that happened in the year that you were born.
Olympics: yes some know the answer, and is this Ozfest 6 inspired question.

Who was the oldest at Ozfest 6. :?:



87. Describe the first credit card you ever obtained.
ANZ Frequent Flyer: I didn’t get a credit card until I was older, like quarter of a century old.

88. Describe your current mobile phone.
Iphone 3G marvelous.

89. Describe the last time you travelled to Europe where your first point of entry into Europe was not an airport in London (i.e. not one of LHR, LGW, STN, LTN or LCY)? (Note that the Middle East (except Turkey) does not count as Europe)
HEL on Finnair.

90. Is there a route (domestic or international ex-AU) that you believe requires (a) more services (i.e. frequency), and/or (b) more competition (i.e. more airlines flying it)? If so, which one(s)? (Note: this is a specific route between two airports, not a generic thing, e.g. between two countries)

BNE-HNL

 

[straitman]

Keep going team

This thread is now only 1368 posts behind the infamous AMEX thread :!:

 

[NM]

Keep going team

This thread is now only 1368 posts behind the infamous AMEX thread :!:

But who is counting :?:

 

[Keith009]

Re: The off-topic odd-topics questions you know and love

81a) SQ228 MEL-SIN operated by a B744, in 2004. We were advised that there was some sort of defect but it wasn't specified what this was. We were towed back to the terminal and took of again some 2 hrs late.

b) A BA B735 DUB-LGW in 2005, and a CX B773 HKG-SIN last year. In both instances the runway had not been vacated in time by another plane.

g) A few times, out of ORD, LHR and FRA.

h) see answer to 81a

82) Swissair (SR) - SR111 JFK-GVA. But obviously not THAT flight or I won't be sitting here typing this.

83)

84b)
f)

85) Cancelled a BD F award on LH/SQ HAM-MEL via FRA and SIN. Saved some tax/cash by rebooking on to QF F using miles from AAnother program when they started allowing one way All Partners'.

86) AI flight 182, a B747 explodes over the Atlantic

87) AMEX Platinum Credit Card - mmm the points.

88) Sony Ericsson W980

89) FRA in 2006 on LH.

90) Bring back MEL-NRT please.

You know how it goes: answer any of the questions, or all of them if you want.

81. An assorted list of unusual flight situations: (a) Take off aborted/retried, (b) Landing retried, (c) Deplaned after boarding and before pushback, (d) Jet plane (i.e. not a turboprop) did a "180" (i.e. a half-circle) rather than being pushed back from parked position, (e) Hotelled (arranged by the airline) due to flight cancellation (or excessive delay), (f) "Upgraded" after boarding (i.e. already on the aircraft, not at the gate), (g) Taken off in icy conditions, (h) Spent over 1 hr on board and aircraft before it finally took off
Of all of these, have any happened to you previously, and if so, describe the last time?
82. Describe the last flight you took which was on a now-defunct airline. (For those whose answer involves AN and believes this question is insensitive, please do not answer and accept my apologies).
83. Describe the most expensive trip you have been on before that you personally paid for (including cost of flights, accommodation and spending money. This is personal travel, so do not count travel paid for by the company purse, or if you won a trip as part of a prize, don't count the values of the prize components). Bonus points if you can estimate how much you spent in all.
84. (Check all that apply) I have travelled QF domestic J by (a) paying (personally, not a company) in cash, (b) upgrading using points, (c) operational upgrade or bump, (d) using a Classic award, (e) using an Any Seat award, (f) on someone else's account (e.g. company paid).
85. Describe the last time you had to change or cancel a ticket (does not have to be QF).
86. Name at least one major global event (apart from your birth) that happened in the year that you were born.
87. Describe the first credit card you ever obtained.
88. Describe your current mobile phone.
89. Describe the last time you travelled to Europe where your first point of entry into Europe was not an airport in London (i.e. not one of LHR, LGW, STN, LTN or LCY)? (Note that the Middle East (except Turkey) does not count as Europe)
90. Is there a route (domestic or international ex-AU) that you believe requires (a) more services (i.e. frequency), and/or (b) more competition (i.e. more airlines flying it)? If so, which one(s)? (Note: this is a specific route between two airports, not a generic thing, e.g. between two countries)

 

[tuapekastar]

Re: The off-topic odd-topics questions you know and love

You know how it goes: answer any of the questions, or all of them if you want.

81. An assorted list of unusual flight situations: (a) Take off aborted/retried, (b) Landing retried, (c) Deplaned after boarding and before pushback, (d) Jet plane (i.e. not a turboprop) did a "180" (i.e. a half-circle) rather than being pushed back from parked position, (e) Hotelled (arranged by the airline) due to flight cancellation (or excessive delay), (f) "Upgraded" after boarding (i.e. already on the aircraft, not at the gate), (g) Taken off in icy conditions, (h) Spent over 1 hr on board and aircraft before it finally took off
Of all of these, have any happened to you previously, and if so, describe the last time?

(e) At the Menzies and the Wentworth in SYD - 34 hour delay on BOAC(!)

82. Describe the last flight you took which was on a now-defunct airline. (For those whose answer involves AN and believes this question is insensitive, please do not answer and accept my apologies).

Compass Mk 1 early 1990s PER-MEL. Seats seemed narrow, but with better pitch than QF/AN

83. Describe the most expensive trip you have been on before that you personally paid for (including cost of flights, accommodation and spending money. This is personal travel, so do not count travel paid for by the company purse, or if you won a trip as part of a prize, don't count the values of the prize components). Bonus points if you can estimate how much you spent in all.

RTW (in Y) in 2000 taking in stops and cruise in Canada, UK and Spain - stopped counting after 15K.

84. (Check all that apply) I have travelled QF domestic J by (a) paying (personally, not a company) in cash, (b) upgrading using points, (c) operational upgrade or bump, (d) using a Classic award, (e) using an Any Seat award, (f) on someone else's account (e.g. company paid).

(b)

85. Describe the last time you had to change or cancel a ticket (does not have to be QF).

Cancelled a JQ HBA-MEL (actaully, did not cancel it, just easier to book another fare and be a no-show for the original - this was cheaper than changing)

86. Name at least one major global event (apart from your birth) that happened in the year that you were born.

1st Southern Hemisphere Olympics; Helen Mirren made a movie in which she kept her clothes on lol

87. Describe the first credit card you ever obtained.

The now defunct Bankcard

88. Describe your current mobile phone.

Piece of s**t that keeps cutting out.

89. Describe the last time you travelled to Europe where your first point of entry into Europe was not an airport in London (i.e. not one of LHR, LGW, STN, LTN or LCY)? (Note that the Middle East (except Turkey) does not count as Europe)

MEL-HKG-BKK-CPH-OSL (MEL-BKK on QF, BKK-OSL on SK). SK had a bread roll fetish!

90. Is there a route (domestic or international ex-AU) that you believe requires (a) more services (i.e. frequency), and/or (b) more competition (i.e. more airlines flying it)? If so, which one(s)? (Note: this is a specific route between two airports, not a generic thing, e.g. between two countries)

MEL-CHC needs QF!

 

[2muchplastic]

Re: The off-topic odd-topics questions you know and love

81. An assorted list of unusual flight situations:
(a) Take off aborted/retried, Yes. Aircraft went Tech on the runway during take off roll at DUS
(b) Landing retried, Pilot didn't quite get it right at GIB
(c) Deplaned after boarding and before pushback, No
(d) Jet plane (i.e. not a turboprop) did a "180" (i.e. a half-circle) rather than being pushed back from parked position, No
(e) Hotelled (arranged by the airline) due to flight cancellation (or excessive delay), No
(f) "Upgraded" after boarding (i.e. already on the aircraft, not at the gate), No
(g) Taken off in icy conditions, Several times (that's what living in the UK does for you!)
(h) Spent over 1 hr on board and aircraft before it finally took off Most recently on SQ from BNE-SIN in May. Problem with IFE. Before that, in Feb a PVG-HKG where there was ice on the wings. Tried to thaw them out with warm fuel, then wing washing with hot water. Sat for <1 1/2 hours

82. Describe the last flight you took which was on a now-defunct airline.
Dan-Air - couldn't tell you where I was going, but it was from LTN as a wee kiddie.
BA Connect BHX-BHD (with the return trip trying to hold the top of my head on thanks to a drink or two with some customers )
Britannia LGW-SDQ (One and only flight with them - honeymoon flight this one. Happy days :mrgreen
GB Airways LGW-GIB. Interesting airport to land at. This was in the bad old days of not being allowed to enter Spanish airspace and ended up doing some fairly steep turns around the rock when the driver didn't line it up right the first time around
XL Airways MAN-ADB. Uneventful flight, return delayed after 4.7 magnitude earthquake whilst arriving at the airport

83. Describe the most expensive trip you have been on before that you personally paid for (including cost of flights, accommodation and spending money. This is personal travel, so do not count travel paid for by the company purse, or if you won a trip as part of a prize, don't count the values of the prize components). Bonus points if you can estimate how much you spent in all.
Holiday in the Maldives for 2 weeks in 2006 with Mrs 2MP and 2 small 2MPs. Estimated cost <ahem> LOTS!

84. (Check all that apply) I have travelled QF domestic J by
(a) paying (personally, not a company) in cash, No
(b) upgrading using points, No
(c) operational upgrade or bump, No
(d) using a Classic award, Hell no!
(e) using an Any Seat award, Defintely not!
(f) on someone else's account (e.g. company paid). Hell Yes!

85. Describe the last time you had to change or cancel a ticket (does not have to be QF).
Last 2 trips BNE-SGN in May and June cancelled. Thanks to busted knee.

86. Name at least one major global event (apart from your birth) that happened in the year that you were born.
Apollo 14 - first time golf was played on the moon

87. Describe the first credit card you ever obtained.
Visa card at the tender age of 21. Baaaad mix

88. Describe your current mobile phone.
Work supplied coughpy Nokia. Battery life measure in seconds rather than hours.

89. Describe the last time you travelled to Europe where your first point of entry into Europe was not an airport in London (i.e. not one of LHR, LGW, STN, LTN or LCY)? (Note that the Middle East (except Turkey) does not count as Europe)
MAN, returning from BNE on EY
BHX returning from BNE on EK

90. Is there a route (domestic or international ex-AU) that you believe requires (a) more services (i.e. frequency), and/or (b) more competition (i.e. more airlines flying it)? If so, which one(s)? (Note: this is a specific route between two airports, not a generic thing, e.g. between two countries)
Everything ex BNE going international needs competition (or a service)! For domestic, BNE to ASP or AYQ. We'd love to go, but I'm b******d if I'm paying $500 per person to get there. I'm paying less to get 4 of us to CHC in November!

 

[straitman]

But who is counting :?:

Most of us :!:

 

[Flashback]

Just letting all know that I'm back home again now, and doing well.

 

[anat0l]

Just letting all know that I'm back home again now, and doing well.

That's excellent news, D1. Well done.

 

[Keith009]

Just letting all know that I'm back home again now, and doing well.

Fab! Take care mate.