The totally off-topic thread

[Misha]

Re: Careers/Jobs of Frequent Flyers

I have moved on to the Dalwhinnie!!!!!! The Richmond Grove 2004 Shiraz went down very nicely....hic

i dare and tell you what I am drinking - the snobs on here will ban me from the F Lounge run in July

 

[drron]

Re: Careers/Jobs of Frequent Flyers

i dare and tell you what I am drinking - the snobs on here will ban me from the F Lounge run in July

The best advice I had on drinking wine was from a prominent Hunter Valley winemaker-The best wine to drink is the one you enjoy.

 

[serfty]

I am sitting in MEL tiger terminal... Will my flight be on time? we shall see....

I must have walked past you on the way from the Met bus stop to T2 - looked very quiet at 8:50am.

Was checked in by 9:10am; arrived airside at lounge 50 minutes later - even with an express card.:shock:

What a zoo; couple behind me in emigration queue were on QF93 in First class; they had checked in 8:45. I let them go forward of me. Their flight was being called "last remaining passengers" as they left the departures hall (with the 250 metre "Mall Walk" still to negotiate). No Qantas First class lounge delights for them.

 

[Nigelinoz]

The web is very interesting you know,trawling through the Harvey Norman website I found this little gem,and I must admit
my first thought was "Gee what some people do with their mobile phones':mrgreen::mrgreen:

HD Video Recording and Editing

Shoot your own movies in high definition. Capture impressive video even in low-light settings, thanks to the advanced backside illumination sensor and built-in LED light. Then edit and create your own mini-masterpiece right on iPhone 4 using the new iMovie app — with Apple-designed themes, titles, and transitions.

Cheers
N'oz

 

[Mal]

The web is very interesting you know,trawling through the Harvey Norman website I found this little gem,and I must admit
my first thought was "Gee what some people do with their mobile phones':mrgreen::mrgreen:

Haha. Interesting feature!

And while on the subject of IT (well phones aren't IT - but are close enough). Grr @ some reports I've been trying to build at work. Who would have thought 400Gb of raw log files might take forever to import, index and produce some reports!!!

 

[markis10]

Haha. Interesting feature!

And while on the subject of IT (well phones aren't IT - but are close enough). Grr @ some reports I've been trying to build at work. Who would have thought 400Gb of raw log files might take forever to import, index and produce some reports!!!

Thats why we have some programs to take care of those sort of things , although the QPS tender this week for such a program made for interesting reading, under specs there was nothing!

 

[hummel]

I must have walked past you on the way from the Met bus stop to T2 - looked very quiet at 8:50am.

Was checked in by 9:10am; arrived airside at lounge 50 minutes later - even with an express card.:shock:

What a zoo; couple behind me in emigration queue were on QF93 in First class; they had checked in 8:45. I let them go forward of me. Their flight was being called "last remaining passengers" as they left the departures hall (with the 250 metre "Mall Walk" still to negotiate). No Qantas First class lounge delights for them.

Happy to report that Tiger was on time and hassle free. 4/4 flights have been great with them!

Even happier to report I am now at the QP in ADL thanks to a very generous forum member

 

[JohnK]

Normally i see JohnK on a Friday night but presume is still flying back from bkk-hkg-tpe-hkg-bkk-sin travels?

Got back to SYD that morning after 8 games of golf in 10 days and then 7 flights in <24 hours. I am a glutton for punishment. :-|

Now sitting in SYD Business lounge waiting my chariot back to BNE. Was maybe going to meet someone from AFF who is on the flight after mine but my flight appears to be on time so perhaps our paths will not cross today.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Got back to SYD that morning after 8 games of golf in 10 days and then 7 flights in <24 hours. I am a glutton for punishment. :-|

Now sitting in SYD Business lounge waiting my chariot back to BNE. Was maybe going to meet someone from AFF who is on the flight after mine but my flight appears to be on time so perhaps our paths will not cross today.

Our paths did cross for about 5 minutes as Qantas conveniently had the 8:00pm departure across from the transfer gate.

Is it bad when you talk to an AFF member and they get their name called for being the last passenger to board their flight.

Now in the Qantas business lounge, only about 20 hours flying from London, made so much easier when flying in business, I wonder what first class is like on the A380.

Also said hello to another AFF member for about 30 seconds, who had just arrived from JNB as their flight was around 3 hours late.

Now to go back to work tomorrow that is really going to suck but will be nice to have a regular sleep pattern again.

Sent from my iPhone4 using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Flashback]

The LH Senator lounge at TXL is quite average. The food selection is OK, as is the drinks, but there is no free Wifi here! (I guess this is the first lounge, as the business lounge is next door). The lady out the front tells me free access is coming next month...

 

[anat0l]

The LH Senator lounge at TXL is quite average. The food selection is OK, as is the drinks, but there is no free Wifi here! (I guess this is the first lounge, as the business lounge is next door). The lady out the front tells me free access is coming next month...

This was a source of much criticism for a while and was explained to us during SMD1 in a Q&A session.

Essentially, none of the wireless internet in any of LH's German ports (and quite possibly in other ports) is free of charge, with the exception of the First Class lounges in FRA and MUC (AFAICT). All of it is chargeable; T-Mobile customers can streamline the process of gaining access.

The long and short is that LH entered into a long term contract with T-Mobile to provide wireless internet in its lounges, however there was a charge instituted for its use. The contract was created quite some time ago when having any wireless internet - free or not - was considered novel. The upside is that LH garnered a lot of good attention for early adoption of providing wifi in lounges, but as the adoption of wifi proliferated very quickly and later made for free, LH couldn't wiggle or renegotiate its T-Mobile contract.

I imagine that a new contract is looming soon and hence it will be provided for free.


Oddly enough, except for some hotels, it is quite common for wifi to not be free anywhere in Germany. I have no idea of the culture behind this.

 

[Flashback]

This was a source of much criticism for a while and was explained to us during SMD1 in a Q&A session.

Essentially, none of the wireless internet in any of LH's German ports (and quite possibly in other ports) is free of charge, with the exception of the First Class lounges in FRA and MUC (AFAICT). All of it is chargeable; T-Mobile customers can streamline the process of gaining access.

The long and short is that LH entered into a long term contract with T-Mobile to provide wireless internet in its lounges, however there was a charge instituted for its use. The contract was created quite some time ago when having any wireless internet - free or not - was considered novel. The upside is that LH garnered a lot of good attention for early adoption of providing wifi in lounges, but as the adoption of wifi proliferated very quickly and later made for free, LH couldn't wiggle or renegotiate its T-Mobile contract.

I imagine that a new contract is looming soon and hence it will be provided for free.


Oddly enough, except for some hotels, it is quite common for wifi to not be free anywhere in Germany. I have no idea of the culture behind this.

Yeh, the dragon tells me it will be free next month.. guess I'll have to do another trip over to test this theory out

Apart from that, the lounge was good. The SEN lounge was much better than the Business lounge in terms of food ; that seemed to be the only difference. Drinks were the same.

Back in LON now, flight was slightly delayed. I did manage to make the last tube to Hyde Park though, phew. So am happily home now and about to goto bed! Up in 5 hours for a 13 hour day at work ..... ah, gotta love working for a living.

 

[Nigelinoz]

I did manage to make the last tube to Hyde Park though,

Any more tube strikes planned? I heard there was one planned from 21:00 Sunday,do you have access to
a bus if the tube isn't running?
Cheers
N'oz

 

[Flashback]

Any more tube strikes planned? I heard there was one planned from 21:00 Sunday,do you have access to
a bus if the tube isn't running?
Cheers
N'oz

I hope not! :shock: Luckily, I live in zone 1 and work in zone 1... so worst case scenario, it's a 30 minute walk into my client's office. That being said... the area I live in has multiple buses, including a lot of great night bus connections too, so I really couldn't be better off

 

[Mal]

Had an fun situation in Woolies tonight. Have had a huge number of gift cards to use over the last few months. Often end up with $10 or so on cards and don't get around to using them. Had 5 in my wallet like that...

So bought groceries and started going through my cards. I'd use it for $1, then use the rest of the balance once I knew what it was. 8 transactions later I was on my last card. Only did $1 on this card, couldn't be bothered doing another transaction (As the Woolies guy was hanging around, and I'd already been there for a few mins).

The Woolies guy was hovering around wondering what dodgy scheme I was up to. When the receipt printed, the EFT part alone was about 50cm.

Lol. Now have only one Woolies gift card in my wallet. Balance $10.50

 

[Bundy Bear]

Interesting discussion on the free wifi, having flown around Europe for past 2 weeks.

The BMI domestic lounge in LHR T1 has free wifi but you had to sign up with a service provider to then access the free stuff.

I wouldn't be surprised if Lufthansa don't go this route where it will be free but there will be sign up process involved that way the service company will get you to use their chargeable wireless in other locations.

Now I am home and back to work, trip was good with the added bonus I have now re-qualified for Qantas Platinum for another 12 months.

First night back is the easiest 2nd nights sleep isn't so good as I was awake at 4:00am.

Trip report to come.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I like it - something between Morecombe & Wise/Two Ronnies and Kath & Kim?

Maybe we should film it and upload AFF videos - we'd be a hit - then QF & VA will pay us to slip in anecdotal advertising.

"Say Yogi- that reminds me of the wonderful new menu aboard Air Dagestan. Whether you are Kosher, Halal, on Lent or just calorie counting - there is something for you and wow does it taste good."

"Wow Misha, I may have to book a trip with Air Dagestan just to try out their meals"

"Oh I know I will again Yogi, I will. You know what, we should see if we can't get some of their ads on here - there's an idea... Now, back to our regular segment 'Dear Mr. Joyce"

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Now I'm sure if Air Dagestan were doing a status match with LH Bundy Bear would be there with bells on!

Had an fun situation in Woolies tonight. Have had a huge number of gift cards to use over the last few months. Often end up with $10 or so on cards and don't get around to using them. Had 5 in my wallet like that...

So bought groceries and started going through my cards. I'd use it for $1, then use the rest of the balance once I knew what it was. 8 transactions later I was on my last card. Only did $1 on this card, couldn't be bothered doing another transaction (As the Woolies guy was hanging around, and I'd already been there for a few mins).

The Woolies guy was hovering around wondering what dodgy scheme I was up to. When the receipt printed, the EFT part alone was about 50cm.

Lol. Now have only one Woolies gift card in my wallet. Balance $10.50

Geez Mal that poor 15 year old check out youngster must've needed a bex & a lie down after all that!

 

[Bundy Bear]

Now I'm sure if Air Dagestan were doing a status match with LH Bundy Bear would be there with bells on!

Don't forget all the hotels I am trying to get status on, but yes you know it, and I won't deny it, and I know I am amongst friends who enjoy the flying trying to keep their airline status current.

Geez Mal that poor 15 year old check out youngster must've needed a bex & a lie down after all that!

I don't think a 15 year old would know what a bex is.

On a more sombre note did anyone read this thread over on FT. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/communitybuzz/1227405-rest-peace-newself.html Dave has attended 3 previous Ozfests including Ozfest 7 2010 in Adelaide.

 

[samh004]

Now I am home and back to work, trip was good with the added bonus I have now re-qualified for Qantas Platinum for another 12 months.

Congrats!

Another year of F lounge do's to come then?

That QP life is becoming less and less valuable

 

[Flashback]

Interesting discussion on the free wifi, having flown around Europe for past 2 weeks.

The BMI domestic lounge in LHR T1 has free wifi but you had to sign up with a service provider to then access the free stuff.

I wouldn't be surprised if Lufthansa don't go this route where it will be free but there will be sign up process involved that way the service company will get you to use their chargeable wireless in other locations.

Now I am home and back to work, trip was good with the added bonus I have now re-qualified for Qantas Platinum for another 12 months.

First night back is the easiest 2nd nights sleep isn't so good as I was awake at 4:00am.

Trip report to come.

The Cloud Wifi @ the BMI lounge (well, the international one as they have 2 lounges in T1) was absolutely rubbish last Friday afternoon. I had some work to do that required downloading a few files to work on and it was painfully slow. I ended up shifting to the *A lounge instead and it was much better (theirs is via BT Openzone, but doesn't require an account signup like The Cloud does).