The totally off-topic thread

[anat0l]

I was on QF557 due to depart at 19:15 with seat 4D and got here early enough and was offered earlier flight QF555 which is due to depart at 19:25. :shock: ......

Some people at QF have some serious bricks in their a***.

Firstly, an "earlier" flight is scheduled to depart later than a "later" one, and QF still sees virtue in flow forwarding pax that way.

Secondly, and this more or less questions serfty's approach, JohnK was forced to change to the "earlier" flight because the "later" one may not make curfew. Let's see, 1915h plus 2h and 30min is 2145h and the curfew kicks in at 2300h. Even if we take into account a generous delay due to SYD ATC slot rearrangement, I highly doubt that the curfew could have been missed unless something really stupid happens. By that time, it would be time to do the good ol' tired and testing method and blame SYD and the stupid curfew.

In addition, serfty, a couple of things to consider:

• JohnK usually checks a bag. I could be wrong this (or many) times, but if he did, it could/should/would make him less likely to be rebooked on other flights (earlier particularly) unless it was purely operational (which it didn't look like it was). I have no idea why it happened this time, but I would imagine if you had no checked baggage you would be preferentially and forcibly rebooked on flights if it came down to it, since you're operationally preferable to shift around.
• Avoiding human contact only works if you're not forcibly or operationally shifted. If you are and you persist in resisting human contact, you'll be offloaded and forfeit your fare. Whilst it may not be likely that this happens, it may happen.

 

[drron]

And a happy birthday this weekend too Josh.
just keep away from MEL-obviously a very dangerous airport-
Passenger dies, four treated in Melbourne Airport medical emergencies

 

[jsd]

And a happy birthday this weekend too Josh.
just keep away from MEL-obviously a very dangerous airport-
Passenger dies, four treated in Melbourne Airport medical emergencies

Thanks

Lucky I have had to postpone my trip this weekend then, could have turned out very badly :mrgreen:

 

[NM]

Meanwhile over in the UK we've had a lot of airports closed due to the heavy, earlier than expected snow around the country... :shock:

Its the global warming playing havoc again

 

[anat0l]

Well - got told yesterday at lunch that I'm going to Orange next week.

Flights arranged by the TAs - since only ZL flies to OAG, they decided to put everything on the Virgin group. So I'm flying DJ next week. I haven't flown them since 2008.

They booked me into V class - I have no idea if that includes baggage. Hope it does, otherwise I'll be an extra $20x2 that needs to be claimed back.

I suppose I should've jumped on the status match bandwagon, particularly as I know my fares were probably quite expensive, but eh...

 

[anat0l]

Meanwhile over in the UK we've had a lot of airports closed due to the heavy, earlier than expected snow around the country... :shock:

They could probably fly, except you'd need very big skis, preferably the retractable kind. Or, "it's just the wrong kind of snow".... :mrgreen:

 

[serfty]

...
In addition, serfty, a couple of things to consider:...

Over the years I have used many processes to avoid being rebooked; part because I was being picked up at my destination at a certain time, part because I'd lose my preferred seat position and pat becuse of general negative experiences should I agree to such a move. Once I was "told" to go on an earlier flight in the SYD QP well after I had checked in; "my checked luggage would be moved to the earlier flight" I was assured - it wasn't.:evil:

I am aware John prefers to check luggage - that's one thing I have tried to talk him out of - it does reduce flexibility. That's why I mention 2 x 7 Kg.

Many years ago I learned to say no. However, that's something I'd prefer to avoid, hence my techniques. What I posted is the basic one.

Back before OLCI, I would wait until the previous flight departed before checking in; even with Quick-check.

As for avoiding being "Told", even if John OLCI's, the act of checking a bag would be the interface where this could be attempted.

• Avoiding human contact only works if you're not forcibly or operationally shifted. If you are and you persist in resisting human contact, you'll be offloaded and forfeit your fare. Whilst it may not be likely that this happens, it may happen.

offloaded/forfeit fare? You HAVE to be joking. If fronting up for one's booked flight with a valid BP at the time Boarding commences, what are they going to do? Now, if there were major issues, by then I would have proactively approached the service desk with my solution to a problem in relation my travel and empower the agent to enact it.

"Avoiding Human Contact" in this case is not look away shuffling your feet and hiding in the corner. In this context it means staying away from situations where changes to your travel plans may be suggested, offered or enable coercion to be attempted.

 

[Meggsy]

They booked me into V class - I have no idea if that includes baggage. Hope it does, otherwise I'll be an extra $20x2 that needs to be claimed back.

I suppose I should've jumped on the status match bandwagon, particularly as I know my fares were probably quite expensive, but eh...

V class on DJ is in the Promo fares and is one of the cheapest. It does not include checked bags, unless you are a Gold.

 

[anat0l]

V class on DJ is in the Promo fares and is one of the cheapest. It does not include checked bags, unless you are a Gold.

Yeah actually another AFFer has just guided me through and I've found out that baggage was prepaid into our booking, so we're in the clear.

The ZL sector is operated by a Saab 340. Haven't been in a small aircraft since the chartered Metroliner 23 I took 2 years ago.

 

[Flashback]

Yeah actually another AFFer has just guided me through and I've found out that baggage was prepaid into our booking, so we're in the clear.

The ZL sector is operated by a Saab 340. Haven't been in a small aircraft since the chartered Metroliner 23 I took 2 years ago.

That sounds like a trip up to either LNO or MKO :mrgreen:

 

[anat0l]

That sounds like a trip up to either LNO or MKO :mrgreen:

What do you mean a trip. It was the trip, and you should know that.

 

[drron]

Yeah actually another AFFer has just guided me through and I've found out that baggage was prepaid into our booking, so we're in the clear.

The ZL sector is operated by a Saab 340. Haven't been in a small aircraft since the chartered Metroliner 23 I took 2 years ago.

Not a bad little plane-flown them to BWT and BHQ.
As well DJ interlines with ZL so your bags will be checked through and so can get away with a bit more than ZLs 15kg limit-but coming back......

 

[anat0l]

Not a bad little plane-flown them to BWT and BHQ.
As well DJ interlines with ZL so your bags will be checked through and so can get away with a bit more than ZLs 15kg limit-but coming back......

Actually on the way to Orange we are flying to SYD then driving the rest of the way.

On the way back we fly from OAG airport to SYD then connect to a DJ flight to BNE. I'm hoping not to bring more than 15 kg (unless they also count your hand carry), but we'll see how we go. Our ZL flight and the DJ flights are not on the same itinerary.

As a fat man I'm a little weary of flying little planes. Since the journey is only 50 minutes, I guess I can tolerate anything for that amount of time.

 

[JohnK]

I endeavor never to move from my originally booked flight.

It's easy to avoid this sort of stuff domestically - avoid human contact.

I had luggage to check-in yesterday and will have luggage and golf clubs with me on Sunday.

Otherwise not much one can do when you are told you are being moved to another flight at check-in. :shock:

 

[Bundy Bear]

Yeah actually another AFFer has just guided me through and I've found out that baggage was prepaid into our booking, so we're in the clear.

The ZL sector is operated by a Saab 340. Haven't been in a small aircraft since the chartered Metroliner 23 I took 2 years ago.

The SAAB340 is big in comparison to the Metroliner.

SAAB340 has over 30 seats with a FA, so you should get a cookie and a drink.

I am hoping you have a DJ Frequent Flyer account.

 

[Mwenenzi]

The SAAB340 is big in comparison to the Metroliner.

10 plus years ago wth those SAAB were very new to Hazelton, spent 6 hours at OAG watching the mechanics take varous bits off the engine of a week old aircraft. Hazelton main base was not far away. They drove there and got new bits to fix the SAAB. Rumor at the time was Hazelton got a new SAAB car with every new SAAB aircraft. Hazelton morphed into REX following the Ansett demise

 

[MissBurrill]

Exactly! Have done this before and saves any awkward moments. And congrats also on the new arrival !

Thank you!

 

[MissBurrill]

I'm at the Sydney airport Stamford :shock:

This property sure has changed since I was here mid-year. And not in a good way.

 

[QF WP]

It's called Drift now. Changed hands, my guess.

Doesn't really count, since it's all attached to land and otherwise well structurally supported, not that parts of it float on water per se. Uniquely, however, I think it's the only restaurant which allows one to turn up in a boat and moor.

Hmmmm, their web site seems to say something different anat0l....

 

[samh004]

Hmmmm, their web site seems to say something different anat0l....

Well it does float, just it can only move up and down, per the pylons (right word?) the jetty is built around.

Image.

Compared to say, Hong Kong’s Jumbo Floating Restaurant, it’s not the same