The totally off-topic thread

[oz_mark]

There needs to be a better way to display flight announcements in a lounge without disturbing everyone. One day they'll figure it out.

I've been in at least one lounge where they walk around with a sign 'announcing' boarding

 

[docjames]

There needs to be a better way to display flight announcements in a lounge without disturbing everyone. One day they'll figure it out.

Surely the masses of tv screens with flight departure information (in every lounge i've ever been to) would tell you ........ or a brief walk up to the help desk perhaps before leaving.

 

[samh004]

Surely the masses of tv screens with flight departure information (in every lounge i've ever been to) would tell you ........ or a brief walk up to the help desk perhaps before leaving.

They're good, but often just pull the same information that Joe Public sees outside the lounge. So you're not told early if you want to do priority boarding, and often you'll look up and it'll say final call, you'll rush and get to the gate to find out there's a massive line of people still waiting anyway.

I'm just ranting.

 

[Alanslegal]

Just a quick routing question, so a couple of pointers in the right direction would be saweeet! And hopefully not too ON topic

I'm looking at visiting the Maldives (Male?) sometime mid next year and looking at a *ONE* or *RWSTAR* fare. What's the best way to get there? Is there any ex-SIN direct flight on either alliance? [Why ex-SIN - I'm hoping to park the itinerary there & its much convenient to get to/from AUS!]

 

[serfty]

ISTR BA have recently announced LHR-MLE. I believe SQ flys there as well

These sites can assist:
http://www.innovata-llc.com/onw/default.asp?show=MAP MLE
http://www.staralliance.com/airport_page.do?language=en&airport=MLE&country=MV

And here is a link to a Windows Client download: Airline Route Mapper

 

[Alanslegal]

thanks Serfty - as always you are super knowledgable!!

 

[Mal]

Not really off-topic, but don't know where to post, and not wanting to open a new thread.

One of my Australian financial institutions sent me a txt msg yesterday advising me to change my pin asap as they believe it's been compromised. My daily withdrawal limit for that card (savings account attached to a credit card) has also immediately been reduced to $250/day. I called them up to investigate further, and they claim to have received intelligence that my card may have been skimmed and the pin stolen. Because I'm not in the country and can't change my pin through any means, the only option was to get a new one sent out to me which will take ~ 7 days.

Can still use my card for online purchases etc. So where was my card skimmed?
- the hotel in Sydney.
- the hotel in Hong Kong.
- the atm inside a bar in Brisbane.
- the bank's own atm.
(These were all > 3 weeks ago).

 

[tuapekastar]

Been some news reports in recent weeks of skimming in Melbourne by a Romanian 'gang' (at least one person jailed) but don't know if they could be involved interstate.

 

[Mal]

Been some news reports in recent weeks of skimming in Melbourne by a Romanian 'gang' (at least one person jailed) but don't know if they could be involved interstate.

Having been involved in IT Security for several years, and studied up heavily on card skimming + similar card compromise techniques, I really don't think my card was skimmed. I check ATM's carefully, and normally watch how my card is handled by people. It is weird though, because my bank doesn't care about replacing my card - just changing my pin. If my card was skimmed, then the data would most likely contain the mag stripe number+expiry date+name on the front of the card (but shouldn't contain my CVV number -the one on the signature panel). Surely they'd want to ensure that the number can't be used fraudulently elsewhere, ie via phone fraud. Oh well. It's their problem...

The most frustrating part of it all, is because I'm in England, I can't change my pin by visiting my local branch. Instead I have to request a new pin number, wait ~1 week for it to be done, and ~1 week for it to arrive here. Lots of fun.

 

[Flashback]

Just a quick routing question, so a couple of pointers in the right direction would be saweeet! And hopefully not too ON topic

I'm looking at visiting the Maldives (Male?) sometime mid next year and looking at a *ONE* or *RWSTAR* fare. What's the best way to get there? Is there any ex-SIN direct flight on either alliance? [Why ex-SIN - I'm hoping to park the itinerary there & its much convenient to get to/from AUS!]

SQ definitely fly there, my sister fly there via SIN for her honeymoon 2 months ago:!: There's a nice W there too

 

[wallacej]

any drink nights in syd this coming week or bne the week after?
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[JohnK]

Any chance of moving Brisbane's Saturday to Friday but at the same time keeping Sydney's Saturday on Saturday? :shock: I have been in BNE business lounge for over an hour (trying to get my money's worth for all the "E" class red e-deals I have been booking recently ) and it has been extremenly quiet and no flight delays.

any drink nights in syd this coming week or bne the week after?
Posted via Mobile Device

Unfortunately the next Brisbane drinks night is not until 19 August 2009. We can always try to organise special drinks' night for interstate visitors.

 

[samh004]

any drink nights in syd this coming week or bne the week after?
Posted via Mobile Device

As mentioned, the next BNE drinks is on August 19th.

The next drinks night in Australia is in VIC next Friday, the 31st July.

 

[drron]

Likely to be a Federal election later this year.I have been working in Mackay the last 4 weeks and have had visits from Krudd ,dear Anna and several other State and Federal ministers.It is in the Electorate of Dawson won by the ALP last election but previously solid NP.
However we also had visits by Jimmy Barnes,Darryl Summers and various V8 drivers before and after Townsville and the legend Artie Beetson.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Any chance of moving Brisbane's Saturday to Friday but at the same time keeping Sydney's Saturday on Saturday? :shock: I have been in BNE business lounge for over an hour (trying to get my money's worth for all the "E" class red e-deals I have been booking recently ) and it has been extremenly quiet and no flight delays.

You don't have to drink your way through the cost of your flight. :shock:

 

[whereishome]

Any ideas on how one can speed through the week at work and get straight to the weekend? I don't want to spend the week dealing with other people's messes - I'd rather skip straight to my vacation and time with the SO.

 

[anat0l]

Any ideas on how one can speed through the week at work and get straight to the weekend? I don't want to spend the week dealing with other people's messes - I'd rather skip straight to my vacation and time with the SO.

What do you do for a living?

Could you call in a super-sickie? Or claim a relative/friend suddenly died?

 

[Flashback]

What do you do for a living?

Could you call in a super-sickie? Or claim a relative/friend suddenly died?

tsk tsk at suggesting such a misuse of company sick-time!

 

[anat0l]

tsk tsk at suggesting such a misuse of company sick-time!

Well, you could tell work that you had swine flu. :mrgreen:

 

[whereishome]

What do you do for a living?

Could you call in a super-sickie? Or claim a relative/friend suddenly died?

Unfortunately I work in events management so I still have to chase up clients for the next 6 months, deal with whatever gets dumped on my desk, write up handover reports and do post-event followup from this weekend's clients. And 'cos I like the people I work with (excluding 90% of the clients) I don't want to leave them in the lurch.

My boss knows how much I've been looking forward to this break (haven't seen my GF since May) so I think if I were to be "sick" he would totally see through it.