The totally off-topic thread

[love_the_life]

I was kidding myself.

Still no bags :!:

What a pain. Hope you get them today (and early).

 

[JessicaTam]

R&R legend Chuck Berry, 90, passes away

One of musics absolute greats.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-19/chuck-berry-rock-n-roll-icon-dies-aged-90/8367220

 

[Pushka]

Two observations from Melbourne this weekend. Having observed a pedestrian come so close to being hit by a 4WD this morning as we were all waiting at the lights to cross - completely the pedestrians fault - plus observations walking through the CBD - how is that more pedestrians aren't killed through their own stupidity. Especially with trams being so quiet people just don't even look.

Second observation. I have complained to MrP that my QFF card is ALWAYS scanned when entering the QP lounge (SG) and I suspect he didn't believe me. Today - even though I am obviously with him as I enter (so could be his guest and she'd just let through two other non club members in as guests of the third) she takes my card and scans it. His wasn't.

 

[TomVexille]

Two observations from Melbourne this weekend. Having observed a pedestrian come so close to being hit by a 4WD this morning as we were all waiting at the lights to cross - completely the pedestrians fault - plus observations walking through the CBD - how is that more pedestrians aren't killed through their own stupidity. Especially with trams being so quiet people just don't even look.

I'm amazed more people aren't run over. Has some lady just meander across the street in front of me the other day to get to her car.

Second observation. I have complained to MrP that my QFF card is ALWAYS scanned when entering the QP lounge (SG) and I suspect he didn't believe me. Today - even though I am obviously with him as I enter (so could be his guest and she'd just let through two other non club members in as guests of the third) she takes my card and scans it. His wasn't.

Not sure it's ever happened to me at MEL, a flash of the card has always been enough. Maybe I look trustworthy

 

[whatmeworry]

Two observations from Melbourne this weekend. Having observed a pedestrian come so close to being hit by a 4WD this morning as we were all waiting at the lights to cross - completely the pedestrians fault - plus observations walking through the CBD - how is that more pedestrians aren't killed through their own stupidity. Especially with trams being so quiet people just don't even look.

See it all the time whether walking, driving or riding my pushy. People either on their phones, listening to music or just simply not looking left and (probably more importantly)
right.

 

[Pushka]

I'm amazed more people aren't run over. Has some lady just meander across the street in front of me the other day to get to her car.



Not sure it's ever happened to me at MEL, a flash of the card has always been enough. Maybe I look trustworthy

. MrP says it's the way I hold the card. Will try differently next time.

This guy just walked straight into the traffic on their green light with headphones in. About 70. Stupid.

 

[Quickstatus]

And for those who still come here for aviation topics-
Did WestJet Have A "Near Miss" In St. Maarten Last Week? - One Mile at a Time

I would call this a near miss: (pause at a few frames around-3:00)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RWeto...iK0591I2tcB_84VvG5JshEFokx1fG-Ol7KVgyRhQx0xbA

 

[love_the_life]

And you can be lucky sometimes:
Washed-up luggage leads emergency services to injured men in crashed helicopter - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[JohnK]

Control time and be in control of your destiny.

I know it's possible. Tough secret to crack.

 

[blackcat20]

Also never been scanned in Melbourne at the QP.


Had a guy jaywalking in front of the hospital I work at the other day. He was standing on the tram tracks and I did not stop to let him cross. If looks could kill I'd be 6 foot under.

 

[JessicaTam]

Also never been scanned in Melbourne at the QP.


Had a guy jaywalking in front of the hospital I work at the other day. He was standing on the tram tracks and I did not stop to let him cross. If looks could kill I'd be 6 foot under.

I have pretty well perfected the "I'll pretend I haven't seen you so if you step out in front of me I won't stop" look.

 

[straitman]

It got worse then. Bummer.

What a pain. Hope you get them today (and early).

Bags arrived at 11am Fiji time today so back to normal operations.

 

[drron]

Try driving in NYC.No pedestrian stops for cars.So used to horns so they are useless.But I perfected a maniacal look flashing my high beams.Once you caught their attention you could see the fear in their eyes.

 

[Quickstatus]

A bit more about the Westjet St maartens go around:

Incident: Westjet B738 at Sint Maarten on Mar 7th 2017, go around on short final

 

[anat0l]

Two observations from Melbourne this weekend. Having observed a pedestrian come so close to being hit by a 4WD this morning as we were all waiting at the lights to cross - completely the pedestrians fault - plus observations walking through the CBD - how is that more pedestrians aren't killed through their own stupidity. Especially with trams being so quiet people just don't even look.

As with all of Australia (if not, almost all), though the law may say what not, pedestrians always have the right of way.

The people not paying attention when crossing the road have no one to blame but themselves, but most people driving know that even if you hit a pedestrian and it was an accident, you'll have a hard time getting fully off the hook, whether that be with your insurer, the hospital, the other party or the magistrate.

Knowing that, so people cross or walk wherever they please, because the automatic disposition is that they won't be hit by a vehicle, and the driver is likely to prevent themselves hitting the pedestrian more than the pedestrian will avoid being hit.

Try driving in NYC.No pedestrian stops for cars.So used to horns so they are useless.But I perfected a maniacal look flashing my high beams.Once you caught their attention you could see the fear in their eyes.

My understanding is that New Yorkers were amongst the kings of jaywalking. In my experience, they tend to be very good (better than Australians) at reading the traffic and walking at a brisk pace to avoid being hit.

 

[TheRealTMA]

My understanding is that New Yorkers were amongst the kings of jaywalking. In my experience, they tend to be very good (better than Australians) at reading the traffic and walking at a brisk pace to avoid being hit.

One of the differences is that in US cities, drivers tend to take care to avoid pedestrians while in Australia either the drivers aren't watching or aim for prey.

 

[rainbowgirl]

I don't know whether this is off topic or on topic.

I'm about 6 months behind in this thread, sorry I've been away, I'll be catching up in the next month so hope to contribute more when I can

Many of you know I'm not a frequent flyer, but I do have an interest in travel and planes. It looks like my family appreciate this as well.

We were travelling back to Melbourne by car on the Calder Highway. We made a couple of detours by choice and ended up on the road that has the Airport Golf club on one side and one of the Tullamarine runways on the other side. There was a carpark for viewing the runway but there was no shade there, so we parked outside the golf course under the trees.

We could see planes landing in the distance and there were many planes taking off on the runway right next to us. My husband, two daughters aged 8 and 10 and I really enjoyed the experience. We'd gotten a glimpse a short time earlier of some other planes in a hanger or depot on a road near the airport but I can't remember exactly which depot it was. The girls were really excited to be so close to so many planes. It was a wonderful, spontaneous thing to do. They are looking forward to one day travelling with us. My parents used to take me to look at planes when I was young but this is only the second time we've done this with the girls. We've been past a plane spotting area on the other side of the airport before but never stopped as we'd been on our way to other places. This was one little adventure and hopefully a sign that our children will enjoy the idea of travel and planes and not be difficult to deal with when it comes to negotiating the inside of an airport.

I know this is the sort of thing that many people do, but it's special to us and I hope we get to do it more often.

 

[Mal]

As with all of Australia (if not, almost all), though the law may say what not, pedestrians always have the right of way.

The people not paying attention when crossing the road have no one to blame but themselves, but most people driving know that even if you hit a pedestrian and it was an accident, you'll have a hard time getting fully off the hook, whether that be with your insurer, the hospital, the other party or the magistrate.

Knowing that, so people cross or walk wherever they please, because the automatic disposition is that they won't be hit by a vehicle, and the driver is likely to prevent themselves hitting the pedestrian more than the pedestrian will avoid being hit.



My understanding is that New Yorkers were amongst the kings of jaywalking. In my experience, they tend to be very good (better than Australians) at reading the traffic and walking at a brisk pace to avoid being hit.

I think London is king for J-Walking. It's basically legal and everyone does it. Cars tend to have a lot of respect, cyclists don't.

 

[Denali]

I over this tipping culture. I budget for it and do min 20% but after almost 3 weeks of tipping for almost everything, I over it.

The guy that took our bags from the car to the hotel is not the same guy that took out bags from the hotel to our room.

 

[VPS]

I think London is king for J-Walking. It's basically legal and everyone does it. Cars tend to have a lot of respect, cyclists don't.

London is amazing- pedestrians take no notice of traffic signals