The totally off-topic thread

[Flashback]

I am travelling at the end of next week, however. This is to South Africa; more than likely BNE-SYD-JNB with first flight of the day from BNE. It'll be a little luxury and relief before a bit over two weeks of intense work in South Africa: work days on site can range easily from about 0530 - 1700 or thereabouts. I've also learnt that even though the mine site runs 24/7, hardly anyone will work on the weekends, so all the plans I had to work through weekends have been partially shot. On the up side, that means I have time to think and recharge, which my previous work schedule did not include.

It's ridiculous because after my mad May run I sort of tired from flying so much (I think you have to keep going when you're in it, but once you're "going home" or you stop, you start to feel the tiredness), but in the last week or so I almost felt like I was having withdrawals from flying.

Oh this so cannot be good....

Interesting, all the mine sites I've worked on do work on weekends! That being said, I guess it depends on which workers you are talking about. It's mainly the process people that work 24/7, so if you're to be dealing mainly with 'office professionals' then they are less likely to be in on weekends.

 

[anat0l]

Interesting, all the mine sites I've worked on do work on weekends! That being said, I guess it depends on which workers you are talking about. It's mainly the process people that work 24/7, so if you're to be dealing mainly with 'office professionals' then they are less likely to be in on weekends.

I'll be talking to all sorts of people. It's a minerals processing plant and mine so there will be the token 'office' people like safety/health/environment officer, community relations etc. but I will especially need to talk to the operational floor people - metallurgists (people with at least some level of decision making ability) and operators (a.k.a. valve openers / wrench turners / human tank level controllers / etc.)

They apparently keep a bare minimum of metallurgists and supervisors on the weekends: just enough so that the operators know what work needs to be done.

 

[oz_mark]

They apparently keep a bare minimum of metallurgists and supervisors on the weekends: just enough so that the operators know what work needs to be done.

A little surprised they'd be onsite though. Back in my previous existence, the weekend consisted of turning up to check on things, leaving instructions, and being on-call in case something happened.

 

[anat0l]

A little surprised they'd be onsite though. Back in my previous existence, the weekend consisted of turning up to check on things, leaving instructions, and being on-call in case something happened.

Actually I think this is more precisely what will happen.

 

[anat0l]

Mini-rant: Why sometimes we can't let our dignity and wisdom rule our actions...

Well, I have to swallow my pride today and use Campus Travel to book my flights to and from South Africa. (If I don't, I won't be covered under the university's travel insurance for students).

Luckily the quote that they gave me is negligibly more expensive than if I had booked it myself. Unluckily, they surcharge 3% for using Amex (2% for Visa/MC; 3% Diners). :evil:

It is still cheaper than if I book it myself + travel insurance.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Re: Mini-rant: Why sometimes we can't let our dignity and wisdom rule our actions...

Well, I have to swallow my pride today and use Campus Travel to book my flights to and from South Africa. (If I don't, I won't be covered under the university's travel insurance for students).

Luckily the quote that they gave me is negligibly more expensive than if I had booked it myself. Unluckily, they surcharge 3% for using Amex (2% for Visa/MC; 3% Diners). :evil:

It is still cheaper than if I book it myself + travel insurance.

But it looks you now have a reservation; so that is good in itself.

 

[drron]

This thread is getting far too OT and its about time it got back to being OT if you catch my drift.

 

[samh004]

Anyone in South Eastern Melbourne feel that earthquake earlier?

 

[tes2131]

Good idea Lindsay. Now let's see what can we discuss that is OT.

But I still think that it is more fun to take an actual thread OT.

lol i know aye

 

[Alanslegal]

Good morning AFF'ers,

I know I've neglected you guys for a couple of weeks - but I'm just saying HI again as I await my flight SQ219 SIN - SYD.

Oh did I mention - I'm sitting here in SQ's The Private Room enjoying a quick breakfast before the (sad - dont want to return) flight home

I feel like a newbie taking photos but heck, I kind of deserve to be here too :mrgreen:

 

[Bundy Bear]

I am surprised that Serfty has not changed his avatar for this weekend to display the Melbourne Storm.

Maybe he expects them to loose, against Brisbane.

 

[drron]

I am surprised that Serfty has not changed his avatar for this weekend to display the Melbourne Storm.

Maybe he expects them to loose, against Brisbane.

Is there any doubt.

 

[serfty]

I am surprised that Serfty has not changed his avatar for this weekend to display the Melbourne Storm.

Maybe he expects them to loose, against Brisbane.

Is there any doubt.

There's always some doubt - if not it wouldn't be a "Game".

No avatar changes this week - I'll reconsider next week.

For the first year since 2003 I will not be at the NRL grand final; I'll be contesting the semi-final of my golf club's B-Grade championship.

 

[anat0l]

I'll be contesting the semi-final of my golf club's B-Grade championship.

Good luck for that. May the "fore"s be with you. :mrgreen:

 

[samh004]

Good luck for that. May the "fore"s be with you. :mrgreen:

I'm sure he'd much rather find some birdies, eagles and an albatross or two

 

[JohnK]

Anything exciting been happening on AFF in the 4+ weeks I have been away?

munitalP & JohnK will be happy, St Kilda have made it into the grand final.

It would have been on the biggest injustices in sporting history had St Kilda missed out being in the grand final. They have been the best side this year by far but I fear Geelong will end up winning on the day.

To be accurate an exit row can be requested at any time; however they can only be purchased from 7 days beforehand.

I have been told by Qantas premium desk they will not (cannot) even put in a request in the booking for an exit row seat unless you are prepared to pay 7 days in advance.

 

[Flashback]

Anything exciting been happening on AFF in the 4+ weeks I have been away?

It would have been on the biggest injustices in sporting history had St Kilda missed out being in the grand final. They have been the best side this year by far but I fear Geelong will end up winning on the day.

I have been told by Qantas premium desk they will not (cannot) even put in a request in the booking for an exit row seat unless you are prepared to pay 7 days in advance.

Welcome back, didn't miss much

'carn the Saints! The two teams I hate most in the AFL are Collingwood and Geelong so it was always going to be an easy choice in who I had to barrack for this weekend. I think the Saints will get up.

 

[straitman]

I have been told by Qantas premium desk they will not (cannot) even put in a request in the booking for an exit row seat unless you are prepared to pay 7 days in advance.

When I/we were upgraded 5 days before our MEL-LAX flight a few weeks ago I rang up and asked for a seat allocation. The allocation was not available but they accepted my request for an exit row which we ultimately received.

Go figure:?:

 

[JohnK]

When I/we were upgraded 5 days before our MEL-LAX flight a few weeks ago I rang up and asked for a seat allocation. The allocation was not available but they accepted my request for an exit row which we ultimately received.

Go figure:?:

Exit row pre-allocated without paying? But I believe you are referring to business class which is not covered in the exit row rules recently implemented for economy.

About a week before the flight I asked if they could put a note in my booking about getting exit row and they declined the request. I was told to ask for exit row when I got to the airport.

Has anyone been paying for exit rows? Or is Qantas just allocating exit rows to anybody on the day of the flight?

 

[tuapekastar]

The two teams I hate most in the AFL are Collingwood and Geelong

Wash your mouth out immediately! (Collingwood I can understand, but Geelong...)

And welcome back to the board JohnK!