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Following my QF WP's off to USA: trip planning questions topic on Flyertalk, finally all the planning had finished and it's time to TAKE THE TRIP!!
(so now you all know who QF WP is on Flyertalk, none other than....me
- of course, some of you already knew this)
CHAPTER 1
After a hectic two days for Christmas (visiting Mrs QF WP's parents on Christmas Day, then QF WP's parents on Boxing Day), we are ready for a holiday. Packing in 35 degree C heat isn't easy when you are packing jackets, sweatshirts, wollen socks, thermals, scarves and boots. In fact, it feels downright crazy...but one must remember the Northern Hemisphere is in the middle of winter, not summer as it here in Brisbane.
Saturday, 27 December - BNE/AKL/LAX
After packing well into the night, we fell into a fitful sleep due to the oppressive heat. A cold shower refreshed us (showering with your wife saves water :wink: ) and we didn't have to hurry with a midday departure (given we live only 5kms from the airport).
Regardless of this fact, my parents felt duty-bound to drive 30 mins to pick us up and escort us to the airport. I may be the youngest in my family, but at 36, my mother still revels in "looking after her baby". I think it has more to do with my recent marriage and the possibility that she may be a grandmother again ... :shock:
Anyway, before I get too far OT, we organise for them to arrive at 10am - sure enough they arrive at 9.45 ("just in case"), so I give them a cuppa. We are both packed but still in undergarments as it's just too hot to sit in your clothes in this heat for too long.
We arrive at BNE Intl just after 10.15am, unload the car and we go to check-in whilst Dad parks the car. We roll the luggage into the QF First line, where we are the queue. Straight to the CSA waiting for us. Give her our tickets, passports, my QF Platinum card and Vicky's AA "paper-card" (courtesy of our colour printer) (Ed - Vicky is commencing an AA Plat Challenge with this trip).
She changed the FF details correctly from Mrs QF WP's QF Gold number and prints out both boarding passes (BNE/AKL and AKL/LAX). Note that we are sequence 286 and 287, so it truly will be a fullish flight. [Separate sectors were organised as U seats were immediately available AKL/LAX when we ticketed and BNE/AKL came through 5 days prior].
Whilst my parents and wife grabbed a table at Aroma's (the Coffee Shop overlooking Departures), I went to Travelex and organised currency exchange (with the FF points going onto Mrs QF WP's FF card). By the time they had organised coffees/hot chocolates, I had returned and we chatted until the flight opened for boarding. Alas, this time I would miss the BNE QF F Lounge (things one does for parents and wife :? ).
After alighting the escalators, I spy the Premium Line is empty, so convince Mrs QF WP that indeed as a Plat, I can use the line and she can come with me. This puts us ahead of at least 50 to 70 people in the queues and means we are processed in minutes. Through security and hand luggage screening, then out to the Gates area. We turn and wave to my parents and walk through to Gate 77 (the second last Gate in the left hand side concourse). There was no rush, as Catering was holding up the departure, so we had to cool our heels in the departure area (pity, had I known that was going to happen, I'd have gone to the Lounge). Mrs QF WP sighs, walks back up to the seating in Gate 76, pulls out a book and starts reading. I decided to wile away the time by ringing a friend.
Airline & Flight Number, Destination: QF25 BNE/AKL
Rego: VH OJB (747-400)
Seats: 14A/B (J upstairs)
Scheduled Departure Time: 12.05pm
Pushback: 12.25pm Actual Departure (Liftoff) Time: 12.35pm
Didn't catch the name of the Captain or FO, but FSD was Derek Almond, CSD in F was Irene, CSD in J Gerry. FA's in J upstairs were Angelique and Mona. Was pleased to find that this plane had the new IFE's fitted. Mona came through with the J menus and I slid mine into my Trip Report folder. OJ/Water/Champagne offered as pre-flight beverages.
After take-off (didn't get the runway number, but noted that we taxied to 2250M point), we settled into the comfortable J seats.
Business Class Menu BNE/AKL + Meal Photo's
(As this is my first time using SnapFish, scanning Menu and uploading, I hope it works). Below is the email address and password you should use to log in:
Email address: [email protected]
Password: synergy
The wines for this sector - Red was Taylor's St Andrews Shiraz '98 (beautiful drop that!!) or Richmond Grove Coonawarra Limited Release Vintage '99 Cabernet Sauvignon. White - I have absolutely no idea, never touch the stuff...
I always order a Special Meal - LFML (Low Fat), not because I'm overweight (at 6'2" and 88kgs, I don't think I am), but I have always thought it's better for me in the long run and I seem to get a decent meal (particularly in Y).
Today's Entree for me was Turkey with Rice, green beans, red orange and green capsicum, new potatoes, snow peas, broccoli, zuccini and carrot (see Photo 3). I then had Chicken Breast for Main Course (Photo 4).
Mrs QF WP had the Menu's Entree - Salmon (see Photo 5) and chose the Beef for Main (Photo 6).
Service was a little rushed on this sector, due to the time taken before meals were served (just past the 1hr 25 min mark on the 2 hr 50 min sector). Only 1 pass (plus refill) with the wines. This haste climaxed when (unfortunately) Mona, in her haste to serve me my main meal, lost her grip with the serving plate tongs as she skewed the plate at an angle onto my tray. The plate fliped and the contents ended up in Mrs QF WP's lap, thankfully captured by a well positioned large white napkin which was taken away swiftly by an embarrassed Mona.
We both chose the Lime Ice Cream (Photo 7) (absolutely delicious BTW).
Meal items were cleared and we settled into viewing the IFE. Touchdown was at 6.15pm AKL time (15 mins late) (runway ??) and we taxied to Gate 10. After de-planing, we had a little over an hour layover before the scheduled departure of the flight again. We wandered past all the duty free, turned left and went up the escalator to the Qantas Club. Anne-Marie, the CSA, saw our J BP's, my Plat card and ushered us through the F door on the LHS of the Reception Desk.
The AKL F lounge is larger than BNE and we were the only guests at that stage. The layout is well thought out - on the right just through the door is a cabin bag rack, on the left is the Business Centre (4 work desks, 2 desktop computers with Internet access and printers; then the photocopier). Straight ahead and to the right is the bar, like all QPubs was well stocked with selection of import and locals beers, soft drinks and a basic selection of spirits. It was too early to partake for my liking, plus we had another 13.5 hours of flying for me to whet my whistle.
There was enough time for me to check FlyerTalk and a couple of threads I had open about New York and getting around. Some good information was there so I copied it down. After a brief comfort stop and a nibble of some pastries, the call came through for boarding. Knowing it was the furthest Gate from the lounge, we got up and walked out, thanking Anne-Marie on the way past. No troubles going past the security check outside Gate 10 and re-boarding.
Airline & Flight Number, Destination: QF25 AKL/LAX
Rego: VH OJB (747-400)
Seats: 14A/B (J upstairs)
SDT: 7.40pm
Pushback: 7.58pm, ADT: 8.12pm
The Captain was now Stan Rush, didn't hear the F/O, FSD Peter Smith, CSD John Smout and the FA's upstairs were Carolyn and Darren.
Captain's announcement was hard to pick up - all I heard was that we would be flying over Cook Islands with arrival into LAX over Long Beach.
After take-off, we settled into a long sector by taking out the personal IFE's and loading up games and starting on Mrs QF WP's crossword book - it's amazing how many clues two heads can get instead of one.
Photo's this sector:
Photo 08 - AKL/LAX Menu
Photo 09 - QF WP Entree
Photo 10 - QF WP Main
Photo 11 - QF WP Breakfast (Fruit/Cereal)
Photo 12 - QF WP Breakfast (Cooked)
My entree was Smoked Salmon as well as various tartlets. Dessert (strangely served on the same tray at the same time) was Apple and Rasberry compote together with selection of seasonal cheeses and Dried Fruit. The tartlets were lovely but the Smoked Salmon was devine!
Main meal was seared Chicken Breast with potatoes, beans and a sauteed mushroom (only one!). Chicken was tender and filled the gap.
Presentation could have been better as well as taking plates away between courses. I had to move the empty plates onto the side armrest to get decent pictures. Darren was very attentive but not backed up by Carolyn.
Wines - a Grosset Riesling 2003, Barwang Chardonnay 2002 and Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (which we both enjoyed but decidedly low quality for J).
Much sleep followed, courtesy of IainF's gift (I think I got 7.5 hours with half a tablet) before I was awoken to the smell of breakfast being served.
Breakfast was eagerly tucked into along with numerous teas to awaken the spirit. Mine consisted of OJ, fruit (kiwifruit and three melons - water, honeydew and rock) and yogurt as well as Weet Bix.
My breakfast ended up being a mixture of both - Mrs QF WP doesn't eat Tomatoes, so I scored the Vine Ripened one from her plate. I also had steamed asparagus, sauteed field mushrooms and minature omlets with mixed vegetables.
However, we both regard the best part of breakfast on QF to be the energiser drink - Peach and Banana this morning
.
Before too long (with thanks to Paul Kelly for the words to his song), it was time to descend into LAX and breakfast was cleared. Touchdown was right on time (10.30am) on runway 25R. As we taxied past :? the Terminal, the Captain came on to advise that as our Gate was not curently available due to a late departing flight, ATC instructed us to circle the tarmac. I took this opportunity for some plane spotting - leaving was American N386A, Korean HL7553 was parked on the tarmac and UA's N120UA was behind us. Further on, SQ's 9U SPG was parked alongside JAL's JA8086. We turned at this point into our Gate and on our opposite side was Korean HL 7489.
After a brisk walk to C&I, I will admit this is the quickest I have ever been through US Customs & Immigration. In fact, the 20 mins for that paled into insignificance against waiting for the Gateway Sheraton's Shuttle that finally decided to turn up 50 mins later (after we'd collected our bags from Belt B, I had called them from the courtesy phone).
Now it was time to check-in, unwind and see a little of the Californian coastline, along with out first FT meeting of the trip.
Hotel - Sheraton Gateway Hotel, LAX Airport
Arrival 27 Dec, Departure 28 Dec
After being fairly curt with the driver of the Sheraton Shuttle (once he showed up), I calmed down once we were on board. I think this was just my emotions simmering after 18 hours travelling to this point and broken sleep patterns. All I wanted to do was check-in. We tipped him well when we got off (as he did help us with our bags and apologied profusely for "missing" us on his last circle of the Terminals).
I had booked this hotel through the SPG web site after much internal debate - I had already re-qualified SPG Gold for 2003 but not yet re-qual'ed Hilton Gold. I chose the Sheraton after getting better recommendations from FT'ers. I also secured a $USD89 Best Available Rate (which was also commissionable, so had put my TA's TIDS number in booking).
Gave Paula (Front Desk) my Amex, SPG Card and copy of Reservation Confirmation. She started to enter the booking and advised me of the Hotel's Service Guarantee. I thought this was the best method in securing some recompence for waiting almost an hour for the Shuttle, so I invoked the SG and was given complimentary breakfast vouchers. Not sure whether it was my wife's good looks or yyzprincess's intervention, but we were upgraded to a Junior Suite (Room 762). Now those two positives made the stresses start to melt away :wink: .
Security was in full cry, with searches of all cars on W. Century Bvld as well as security near the lifts, requiring guests to show their room key/card holder.
We made it up to the Room, which was large for Mrs QF WP's standards. It had a Sweet Sleeper Bed and didn't that look inviting at this stage...mmmmm.
We quickly decided to have an hour sleep and a refreshing quick shower, before the appointed time that we were to meet alect and cruise Santa Monica Beach.
Making our way down to the lobby, I had made sure that alect wasn't going to miss us - I had on my Flyertalk.com T-Shirt on (with a jacket over, after all, it was chilly). He stepped out of his car, shook hands and we settled into his swish car for the busy freeway drive to Santa Monica.
Almost surreal to hear an Aussie accent (albeit a Melbourne-ite, but I don't hold that against him ) and we caught up with his news and how he settled in CA.
We wandered down to Santa Monica Pier, awaiting mikesinla call which we got as we walked down after parking a couple of blocks from the beach. Wandered around the Pier, watching the buskers (some crazy Asian guy smiling all the time, wandering around posing, then balancing things on various parts of his body), stalls and rides.
Made our way to my hosts choice of meeting place, a bar called Chez Jay (how appropriate, particularly for some of us at the FT Qantas Forum). There we met mikesinla and his girlfriend. We managed to down 3 schooners, crack endless peanuts and talk about our travel experiences, until alect had to leave about 6pm. We then continued to sit there for half an hour, before we agreed that we should depart to have a meal - they kindly took us to their favourite Thai restaurant where we gourged ourselves on some exquisite dishes (as well as that ho..ho..ho..hot :cry: seafood dish, still remember my tongue trying to escape from my mouth and the water I had to appease it with). Mikesinla then kindly drove us back to the LAX Sheraton, as we had more flying in the morning.
CHAPTER 2
Sunday, 28 December - LAX/JFK
After an 6am wake up using my cell phone's alarm function, we struggled out of bed and showered to try and adjust our bodies to daylight. After a late night out with FT'ers and alcohol involved, I wasn't sure where I was until hot water reminded me...in a shower
. We had already laid out our clothes and packed the night before, so we were out of our room by 6.30am. A quick fill of fruit and a cuppa in the Restaurant started to make me feel human again. I checked out while Mrs QF WP went to load our bags on the Shuttle - it was overflowing...both with bags and people.
We arrived at Terminal 4 and found the AA First/ExPlat/Gold Check-in line. Having again used my FF point to upgrade, thinking of sitting in J upstairs again...well, it's was a good feeling!!
The CSA was rude about us checking in via the First Class Line, but I couldn't be bothered to correct her lack of knowledge about OW Emerald status (mistake in hindsight, perhaps
). Had to ensure that Mrs QF WP's QF membership details in the booking were again changed to her AA details, which seemed to take the CSA some time to arrange, then she printed out the BP's. I was to find out shortly how important it is to read your BP's before you leave the counter...
Security at the botttom of the escalator briefly looked at our BP's and let us take the escalator up to the security queue, which was already snaking it's way around, so as not to end at the top of the escalator. As we made it to the head of the queue, I pulled out our BP's to have them ready for the security agent to check. It was at that moment I swore and looked again in horror :evil: at the BP's in front of me...I had two with Mrs QF WP's flight details on them. I inched sideways to the edge of the line, under the ropes and walked up to the nearest security official. Explaining what had happened and showing them the BP's, they agreed that Mrs QF WP would have to wait at the side and I had to go back to the check-in to correct the mistake.
I hot-footed it back down the escalators and into the First line again, thankfully only one person ahead. I didn't feel like barging straight over to the CSA who'd made the mistake, I was kind of hoping I wouldn't get her..but much to my displeasure, she motioned me forward and seems a little surprised to see me again. I politely advised what the problem was (biting back a stronger version that I had begun to formulate and practice in my head :twisted: ). She apologised unreservedly and immediately re-printed my BP (I was even taken aback at the sincerity of the statement after her initial diatribe). I legged it again upstairs, and to the consternation of some pax, made my way to the front of the queue outside the roped-in area.
Mrs QF WP was glad to see me, as she was getting some really strange looks from other line-dwellers. I re-presented our correct BP's to the agent at the head of the queue and we were let through. At least time wasn't a problem, still an hour before take-off and with only security to get through and a friendly Gate assignment (Gate 41).
Having schooled Mrs QF WP in the security procedures, we took off anything that could have set off the scanners and got through on our first attempts. Of course, the downside is having to put it all back on again.
We accessed the AA Lounge (thankfully close by to security and perfect for our departure gate) and were given a swipe card for the Flagship lounge. Having read so much about it in QF threads over the past 6 months, I was eagerly looking forward to sampling it. Mrs QF WP loves anywhere quiet where she can curl up with a magazine/crossword and find a drink.
Wanda was the AA CSA at the FL Reception Desk who looked at our BP's and took the swipe card from me (pity, that could have been really handy to keep...). One big positive (over even the QF F lounges) is the noise-canceling headphones in one section with 14 music channels. Chatted to Wanda, she said even the CSA's working in the lounges were impressed with the new lounge. Nice restrooms and WiFi enabled (see hotspots or call 800 981 8563 in USA)
Some negatives or disappointments - well, no computer terminals for one.
The flight was delayed (due to the late arrival of the plane from Sydney), so that gave me some additional time to sit watching some flight movement through the floor to ceiling windows - N462AA arrived at the Gate in front of me, N379AA was in the next bay and 2 Delta jets pulled in - N842MH (into Gate 51B) and N680DA (51A). As we left the lounge, N662AA glided in.
Whilst I still had 15 mins to kill in the lounge, I rang Alaskan Airlines to see if I could use some some of tinkybelle's MVP Gold Guest Upgrade vouchers she have so kindly given to us, on our upcoming flights. To my surprise, secured two F seats on our LAS/SEA sector.
For anybody who is interested in seeing the lounge, I took a .MOV file (thanks to my digital video camera) of the lounge and it's features, email me and I'll email it back to you.
Airline & Flight Number, Destination: QF107 LAX/JFK
Rego: ?? ??? (747-400ER)
Seats: 11A/B (J upstairs, front row)
SDT: 8.50am
Pushback: 10.35pm, ADT: 10.50am
When boarding was finally announced, we left the FL (almost reluctantly) and walked down to Gate 41, where boarding hadn't commenced yet. Mrs QF WP and I boarded when they made the special announcement for Business Class pax - I had quite a number of envious looks from others in the lounge when we moved forward.
To toast tinkybelle, we had a welcome aboard glass of Piper Heidseick champagne (sorry, no Krug in QF J, as you know...) and stowed our hand luggage in the window-side compartment.
Captain today was Robert Deakin, no idea as to F/O, FSD or CSD (too busy skoffing champers to write that down!). FA's upstairs in J were Milton, George and Tricia. Capt Deakin came on apologising that there would be further delays loading additional cargo and with the expiry of the take-off slot, a new one was being requested and we were awaiting ATC approval. On that bit of good news, I montioned for another Champagne, signed and stared at the wall, thinking I could really hit the bottle and if I wasn't careful on this flight, I might turn into Goldflyer....
Once we were airborne (finally, over 2 hours late), Capt Deakin went into his spiel about the 4 hour 10 min flight we were about to undertake, flying over Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, New Maxico, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and into New York, where it was 8 degrees C and expected arrival time would be 6.30pm. I was disappointed (mainly for my wife), as she was hoping to get into NYC in daylight, but that wasn't going to happen.
This plane also had the new IFE - 18 channels in J and F; so I alternated between flicking to find anything decent to watch and answering crossword clues.
Photo's this sector:
Photo 13 - SYD/LAX Menu Page
Photo 14 - LAX/JFK Menu Page
Photo 15 - QF WP Lunch
Photo 16 - QF WP Dessert
(for log in and password, see previously advised details)
The wines for this sector were exactly the same as for QF 25, except no Grosset Riesling.
The service was great - I got up after lunch and went back to chat to Tricia in the rear Galley. We talked about anything and everything until it was time to descend.
Comments about 11AB - less space for stowage of luggage in side compartments due to curvature of aircraft. Would have preferred other seats but it as full upstairs.
Touchdown was at 6.05pm on Runway 22R and we taxied towards the Gates. We had been allocated Gate 6, so we exited the plane just after 6.30pm. Now it was time to gather the luggage, find the AirTrain then the subway and hopefully at the end, see our hotel for the next 4 nights - Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers
With no Immigration and Customs to have to worry about, we just had to wait until the baggage handlers found the correct belt to offload the bags...twice the belt started but nothing appeared, by the time they did start off-loading the bags, everybody from the plane was waiting around the belt. Mrs QF WP had looked around for a trolley, but with none to be found, we had to wheel our bags instead.
Given that both of our bags were fairly distinctive (sporting FT luggage tags 8) ), we spotted them as they came onto the belt. I hauled them off, turned around and tried to find a way out. Sometimes nobody gives way and this was one of those nights.
We cleared the throng then went out the doors into the chilling night air. Not quite frosting the breath, but brisk nonetheless. Now to find the AirTrain which had only opened the week before - thanks to a topic by kawoh. I had followed the links that posters had put there and found AirTrain JFK Facts at a Glance, so the research was done.
I had read it then passed to Mrs QF WP on the flight, so we knew the station names to look for, or in case we got separated, where to meet.
We spied the AirTrain sign and walked over the pedestrian crossings to the AirTrain (very similar in set up to the AirTrain set up in my home town, BNE). We found the lift then worked out which direction we wanted to head. We searched for a ticket vending machine but were told by an AirTrain employee that we got our tickets at our terminating station (which was Jamaica, in our case).
Similarly, we had chosen Jamaica instead of Howards Beach after posting a thread on the Sheraton site asking for FT help on how to get to our hotel via the subway. After some debate, the E line was considered the closest option (which turned out to be the correct advice also!).
Getting off at Jamaica, we found the vending machines and after a couple of tries, worked out that we needed to get single tickets only. Pretty easy to navigate through the opions, with multiple languages and pretty clear instructions. Whilst USD$5 one way seemed a little rich comparable to our next tickets, they have to pay for it somehow...
The transfer at Jamaica was a little bit daunting, because after you are through the ticket reading slots, there is a large open area (which has what appears to be airline desks being prepared for eventual use on the LHS) and then either an elevator or escalator to the ground floor. The signs to Jamaica sub-way aren't clearly signposted...but go out the doors and turn left, walk past the Long Island train lines and you'll come out onto the sidewalk. Walk to the street corner and turn left, then walk 50 to 75 metres and the subway entrance is on your left.
I took both large luggage cases whilst Mrs QF WP took the hand luggage. Down the flight of stairs and you're there...and a ticket vending machine is on your RHS before the ticketmasters office.
As we were looking for two 5 day $USD21 MetroCards (after reading about them in the Qantas in-flight magazine), we quickly followed the instructions, but the vending machine wouldn't take my $50 note . We had to approach the office and he (unhappily) printed them for us. Then we looked at the narrow slots, realising that our luggage was never going to fit through. When we approached the ticket seller again, he simply said "slide your card through the reader" - not very helpful to visitors who didn't understand what he meant :evil: as there was no reader at the doorway. It took somebody coming out to offer assistance and show us what needed to be done (at the reader on the next slot). I thanked the gentleman who had stopped for his kindness, then shot a withering look at the ticketseller (who couldn't have cared less). By this stage it was 8pm, a full 3.5 hours later than expected and we just wanted to get into our hotel room.
We worked out which platform we needed and then let a couple of trains go by (J and Z lines). From the basic subway map we had (I had printed out at AKL Qantas F lounge), all I knew was we needed to alight the E train at 7th Ave, which hopefully would be in close proximity to the Hotel.
Probably 50 minutes later, we tentatively got off the train at 7th Ave and I hoisted the bags up the stairs whilst Mrs QF WP took the lead. We encountered the luggage/gate problem again, but after flashing our tickets, this time we were "buzzed" through and up into the cool night air we trudged.
Most travellers can relate to the next scene - seeing your hotel, always a great sight at the end of a long journey. We were there!! Directly across the road too...
Striding with a lot more confidence now that the "end was in sight" for us tonight, we entered the 57th Street revolving door, past the welcoming sight of the ground floor Bar and up to the Reception Desk.
Hotel - Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers
Arrival - 28 Dec, Departure - 1 Jan)
I had been fortunate to meet yyzprincess in Sydney during the Rugby World Cup (October 2003) and she had offered her assistance with arranging this booking (it helps that she owns a travel agency!). Given the short time period, I hadn't considered that I would get a points stay (particularly at this time of year), so I was extremely satisfied that she had booked us in for the first 3 nights at the Best Available Rate (USD$279) with New Years Night at $285 (utilizing a gifted 50% voucher from yyzprincess). Not included in the base rate were the taxes - $24.06 Room Sales Tax + $13.95 City/Local Tax + $2.00 Occupany/Tourism Tax (wow and I thought our taxes were bad enough :roll: ).
We were fortunate enough to be upgraded to the Executive Floors and were given Room 5026 (top floor) for our stay. It had a view uptown across Central Park and whilst small by other Sheraton's room standards, this was home in New York for our stay. We were jut pleased to be able to tip the bell boy, dump our bags in the corner and collapse on the bed with a cuppa (which seems to solve any problem we have).
(so now you all know who QF WP is on Flyertalk, none other than....me
- of course, some of you already knew this)CHAPTER 1
After a hectic two days for Christmas (visiting Mrs QF WP's parents on Christmas Day, then QF WP's parents on Boxing Day), we are ready for a holiday. Packing in 35 degree C heat isn't easy when you are packing jackets, sweatshirts, wollen socks, thermals, scarves and boots. In fact, it feels downright crazy...but one must remember the Northern Hemisphere is in the middle of winter, not summer as it here in Brisbane.
Saturday, 27 December - BNE/AKL/LAX
After packing well into the night, we fell into a fitful sleep due to the oppressive heat. A cold shower refreshed us (showering with your wife saves water :wink: ) and we didn't have to hurry with a midday departure (given we live only 5kms from the airport).
Regardless of this fact, my parents felt duty-bound to drive 30 mins to pick us up and escort us to the airport. I may be the youngest in my family, but at 36, my mother still revels in "looking after her baby". I think it has more to do with my recent marriage and the possibility that she may be a grandmother again ... :shock:
Anyway, before I get too far OT, we organise for them to arrive at 10am - sure enough they arrive at 9.45 ("just in case"), so I give them a cuppa. We are both packed but still in undergarments as it's just too hot to sit in your clothes in this heat for too long.
We arrive at BNE Intl just after 10.15am, unload the car and we go to check-in whilst Dad parks the car. We roll the luggage into the QF First line, where we are the queue. Straight to the CSA waiting for us. Give her our tickets, passports, my QF Platinum card and Vicky's AA "paper-card" (courtesy of our colour printer) (Ed - Vicky is commencing an AA Plat Challenge with this trip).
She changed the FF details correctly from Mrs QF WP's QF Gold number and prints out both boarding passes (BNE/AKL and AKL/LAX). Note that we are sequence 286 and 287, so it truly will be a fullish flight. [Separate sectors were organised as U seats were immediately available AKL/LAX when we ticketed and BNE/AKL came through 5 days prior].
Whilst my parents and wife grabbed a table at Aroma's (the Coffee Shop overlooking Departures), I went to Travelex and organised currency exchange (with the FF points going onto Mrs QF WP's FF card). By the time they had organised coffees/hot chocolates, I had returned and we chatted until the flight opened for boarding. Alas, this time I would miss the BNE QF F Lounge (things one does for parents and wife :? ).
After alighting the escalators, I spy the Premium Line is empty, so convince Mrs QF WP that indeed as a Plat, I can use the line and she can come with me. This puts us ahead of at least 50 to 70 people in the queues and means we are processed in minutes. Through security and hand luggage screening, then out to the Gates area. We turn and wave to my parents and walk through to Gate 77 (the second last Gate in the left hand side concourse). There was no rush, as Catering was holding up the departure, so we had to cool our heels in the departure area (pity, had I known that was going to happen, I'd have gone to the Lounge). Mrs QF WP sighs, walks back up to the seating in Gate 76, pulls out a book and starts reading. I decided to wile away the time by ringing a friend.
Airline & Flight Number, Destination: QF25 BNE/AKL
Rego: VH OJB (747-400)
Seats: 14A/B (J upstairs)
Scheduled Departure Time: 12.05pm
Pushback: 12.25pm Actual Departure (Liftoff) Time: 12.35pm
Didn't catch the name of the Captain or FO, but FSD was Derek Almond, CSD in F was Irene, CSD in J Gerry. FA's in J upstairs were Angelique and Mona. Was pleased to find that this plane had the new IFE's fitted. Mona came through with the J menus and I slid mine into my Trip Report folder. OJ/Water/Champagne offered as pre-flight beverages.
After take-off (didn't get the runway number, but noted that we taxied to 2250M point), we settled into the comfortable J seats.
Business Class Menu BNE/AKL + Meal Photo's
(As this is my first time using SnapFish, scanning Menu and uploading, I hope it works). Below is the email address and password you should use to log in:
Email address: [email protected]
Password: synergy
The wines for this sector - Red was Taylor's St Andrews Shiraz '98 (beautiful drop that!!) or Richmond Grove Coonawarra Limited Release Vintage '99 Cabernet Sauvignon. White - I have absolutely no idea, never touch the stuff...
I always order a Special Meal - LFML (Low Fat), not because I'm overweight (at 6'2" and 88kgs, I don't think I am), but I have always thought it's better for me in the long run and I seem to get a decent meal (particularly in Y).
Today's Entree for me was Turkey with Rice, green beans, red orange and green capsicum, new potatoes, snow peas, broccoli, zuccini and carrot (see Photo 3). I then had Chicken Breast for Main Course (Photo 4).
Mrs QF WP had the Menu's Entree - Salmon (see Photo 5) and chose the Beef for Main (Photo 6).
Service was a little rushed on this sector, due to the time taken before meals were served (just past the 1hr 25 min mark on the 2 hr 50 min sector). Only 1 pass (plus refill) with the wines. This haste climaxed when (unfortunately) Mona, in her haste to serve me my main meal, lost her grip with the serving plate tongs as she skewed the plate at an angle onto my tray. The plate fliped and the contents ended up in Mrs QF WP's lap, thankfully captured by a well positioned large white napkin which was taken away swiftly by an embarrassed Mona.
We both chose the Lime Ice Cream (Photo 7) (absolutely delicious BTW).
Meal items were cleared and we settled into viewing the IFE. Touchdown was at 6.15pm AKL time (15 mins late) (runway ??) and we taxied to Gate 10. After de-planing, we had a little over an hour layover before the scheduled departure of the flight again. We wandered past all the duty free, turned left and went up the escalator to the Qantas Club. Anne-Marie, the CSA, saw our J BP's, my Plat card and ushered us through the F door on the LHS of the Reception Desk.
The AKL F lounge is larger than BNE and we were the only guests at that stage. The layout is well thought out - on the right just through the door is a cabin bag rack, on the left is the Business Centre (4 work desks, 2 desktop computers with Internet access and printers; then the photocopier). Straight ahead and to the right is the bar, like all QPubs was well stocked with selection of import and locals beers, soft drinks and a basic selection of spirits. It was too early to partake for my liking, plus we had another 13.5 hours of flying for me to whet my whistle.
There was enough time for me to check FlyerTalk and a couple of threads I had open about New York and getting around. Some good information was there so I copied it down. After a brief comfort stop and a nibble of some pastries, the call came through for boarding. Knowing it was the furthest Gate from the lounge, we got up and walked out, thanking Anne-Marie on the way past. No troubles going past the security check outside Gate 10 and re-boarding.
Airline & Flight Number, Destination: QF25 AKL/LAX
Rego: VH OJB (747-400)
Seats: 14A/B (J upstairs)
SDT: 7.40pm
Pushback: 7.58pm, ADT: 8.12pm
The Captain was now Stan Rush, didn't hear the F/O, FSD Peter Smith, CSD John Smout and the FA's upstairs were Carolyn and Darren.
Captain's announcement was hard to pick up - all I heard was that we would be flying over Cook Islands with arrival into LAX over Long Beach.
After take-off, we settled into a long sector by taking out the personal IFE's and loading up games and starting on Mrs QF WP's crossword book - it's amazing how many clues two heads can get instead of one.
Photo's this sector:
Photo 08 - AKL/LAX Menu
Photo 09 - QF WP Entree
Photo 10 - QF WP Main
Photo 11 - QF WP Breakfast (Fruit/Cereal)
Photo 12 - QF WP Breakfast (Cooked)
My entree was Smoked Salmon as well as various tartlets. Dessert (strangely served on the same tray at the same time) was Apple and Rasberry compote together with selection of seasonal cheeses and Dried Fruit. The tartlets were lovely but the Smoked Salmon was devine!
Main meal was seared Chicken Breast with potatoes, beans and a sauteed mushroom (only one!). Chicken was tender and filled the gap.
Presentation could have been better as well as taking plates away between courses. I had to move the empty plates onto the side armrest to get decent pictures. Darren was very attentive but not backed up by Carolyn.
Wines - a Grosset Riesling 2003, Barwang Chardonnay 2002 and Jacob's Creek Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (which we both enjoyed but decidedly low quality for J).
Much sleep followed, courtesy of IainF's gift (I think I got 7.5 hours with half a tablet) before I was awoken to the smell of breakfast being served.
Breakfast was eagerly tucked into along with numerous teas to awaken the spirit. Mine consisted of OJ, fruit (kiwifruit and three melons - water, honeydew and rock) and yogurt as well as Weet Bix.
My breakfast ended up being a mixture of both - Mrs QF WP doesn't eat Tomatoes, so I scored the Vine Ripened one from her plate. I also had steamed asparagus, sauteed field mushrooms and minature omlets with mixed vegetables.
However, we both regard the best part of breakfast on QF to be the energiser drink - Peach and Banana this morning
.Before too long (with thanks to Paul Kelly for the words to his song), it was time to descend into LAX and breakfast was cleared. Touchdown was right on time (10.30am) on runway 25R. As we taxied past :? the Terminal, the Captain came on to advise that as our Gate was not curently available due to a late departing flight, ATC instructed us to circle the tarmac. I took this opportunity for some plane spotting - leaving was American N386A, Korean HL7553 was parked on the tarmac and UA's N120UA was behind us. Further on, SQ's 9U SPG was parked alongside JAL's JA8086. We turned at this point into our Gate and on our opposite side was Korean HL 7489.
After a brisk walk to C&I, I will admit this is the quickest I have ever been through US Customs & Immigration. In fact, the 20 mins for that paled into insignificance against waiting for the Gateway Sheraton's Shuttle that finally decided to turn up 50 mins later (after we'd collected our bags from Belt B, I had called them from the courtesy phone).
Now it was time to check-in, unwind and see a little of the Californian coastline, along with out first FT meeting of the trip.
Hotel - Sheraton Gateway Hotel, LAX Airport
Arrival 27 Dec, Departure 28 Dec
After being fairly curt with the driver of the Sheraton Shuttle (once he showed up), I calmed down once we were on board. I think this was just my emotions simmering after 18 hours travelling to this point and broken sleep patterns. All I wanted to do was check-in. We tipped him well when we got off (as he did help us with our bags and apologied profusely for "missing" us on his last circle of the Terminals).
I had booked this hotel through the SPG web site after much internal debate - I had already re-qualified SPG Gold for 2003 but not yet re-qual'ed Hilton Gold. I chose the Sheraton after getting better recommendations from FT'ers. I also secured a $USD89 Best Available Rate (which was also commissionable, so had put my TA's TIDS number in booking).
Gave Paula (Front Desk) my Amex, SPG Card and copy of Reservation Confirmation. She started to enter the booking and advised me of the Hotel's Service Guarantee. I thought this was the best method in securing some recompence for waiting almost an hour for the Shuttle, so I invoked the SG and was given complimentary breakfast vouchers. Not sure whether it was my wife's good looks or yyzprincess's intervention, but we were upgraded to a Junior Suite (Room 762). Now those two positives made the stresses start to melt away :wink: .
Security was in full cry, with searches of all cars on W. Century Bvld as well as security near the lifts, requiring guests to show their room key/card holder.
We made it up to the Room, which was large for Mrs QF WP's standards. It had a Sweet Sleeper Bed and didn't that look inviting at this stage...mmmmm.
We quickly decided to have an hour sleep and a refreshing quick shower, before the appointed time that we were to meet alect and cruise Santa Monica Beach.
Making our way down to the lobby, I had made sure that alect wasn't going to miss us - I had on my Flyertalk.com T-Shirt on (with a jacket over, after all, it was chilly). He stepped out of his car, shook hands and we settled into his swish car for the busy freeway drive to Santa Monica.
Almost surreal to hear an Aussie accent (albeit a Melbourne-ite, but I don't hold that against him ) and we caught up with his news and how he settled in CA.
We wandered down to Santa Monica Pier, awaiting mikesinla call which we got as we walked down after parking a couple of blocks from the beach. Wandered around the Pier, watching the buskers (some crazy Asian guy smiling all the time, wandering around posing, then balancing things on various parts of his body), stalls and rides.
Made our way to my hosts choice of meeting place, a bar called Chez Jay (how appropriate, particularly for some of us at the FT Qantas Forum). There we met mikesinla and his girlfriend. We managed to down 3 schooners, crack endless peanuts and talk about our travel experiences, until alect had to leave about 6pm. We then continued to sit there for half an hour, before we agreed that we should depart to have a meal - they kindly took us to their favourite Thai restaurant where we gourged ourselves on some exquisite dishes (as well as that ho..ho..ho..hot :cry: seafood dish, still remember my tongue trying to escape from my mouth and the water I had to appease it with). Mikesinla then kindly drove us back to the LAX Sheraton, as we had more flying in the morning.
CHAPTER 2
Sunday, 28 December - LAX/JFK
After an 6am wake up using my cell phone's alarm function, we struggled out of bed and showered to try and adjust our bodies to daylight. After a late night out with FT'ers and alcohol involved, I wasn't sure where I was until hot water reminded me...in a shower
. We had already laid out our clothes and packed the night before, so we were out of our room by 6.30am. A quick fill of fruit and a cuppa in the Restaurant started to make me feel human again. I checked out while Mrs QF WP went to load our bags on the Shuttle - it was overflowing...both with bags and people.We arrived at Terminal 4 and found the AA First/ExPlat/Gold Check-in line. Having again used my FF point to upgrade, thinking of sitting in J upstairs again...well, it's was a good feeling!!
The CSA was rude about us checking in via the First Class Line, but I couldn't be bothered to correct her lack of knowledge about OW Emerald status (mistake in hindsight, perhaps
). Had to ensure that Mrs QF WP's QF membership details in the booking were again changed to her AA details, which seemed to take the CSA some time to arrange, then she printed out the BP's. I was to find out shortly how important it is to read your BP's before you leave the counter...Security at the botttom of the escalator briefly looked at our BP's and let us take the escalator up to the security queue, which was already snaking it's way around, so as not to end at the top of the escalator. As we made it to the head of the queue, I pulled out our BP's to have them ready for the security agent to check. It was at that moment I swore and looked again in horror :evil: at the BP's in front of me...I had two with Mrs QF WP's flight details on them. I inched sideways to the edge of the line, under the ropes and walked up to the nearest security official. Explaining what had happened and showing them the BP's, they agreed that Mrs QF WP would have to wait at the side and I had to go back to the check-in to correct the mistake.
I hot-footed it back down the escalators and into the First line again, thankfully only one person ahead. I didn't feel like barging straight over to the CSA who'd made the mistake, I was kind of hoping I wouldn't get her..but much to my displeasure, she motioned me forward and seems a little surprised to see me again. I politely advised what the problem was (biting back a stronger version that I had begun to formulate and practice in my head :twisted: ). She apologised unreservedly and immediately re-printed my BP (I was even taken aback at the sincerity of the statement after her initial diatribe). I legged it again upstairs, and to the consternation of some pax, made my way to the front of the queue outside the roped-in area.
Mrs QF WP was glad to see me, as she was getting some really strange looks from other line-dwellers. I re-presented our correct BP's to the agent at the head of the queue and we were let through. At least time wasn't a problem, still an hour before take-off and with only security to get through and a friendly Gate assignment (Gate 41).
Having schooled Mrs QF WP in the security procedures, we took off anything that could have set off the scanners and got through on our first attempts. Of course, the downside is having to put it all back on again.
We accessed the AA Lounge (thankfully close by to security and perfect for our departure gate) and were given a swipe card for the Flagship lounge. Having read so much about it in QF threads over the past 6 months, I was eagerly looking forward to sampling it. Mrs QF WP loves anywhere quiet where she can curl up with a magazine/crossword and find a drink.
Wanda was the AA CSA at the FL Reception Desk who looked at our BP's and took the swipe card from me (pity, that could have been really handy to keep...). One big positive (over even the QF F lounges) is the noise-canceling headphones in one section with 14 music channels. Chatted to Wanda, she said even the CSA's working in the lounges were impressed with the new lounge. Nice restrooms and WiFi enabled (see hotspots or call 800 981 8563 in USA)
Some negatives or disappointments - well, no computer terminals for one.
The flight was delayed (due to the late arrival of the plane from Sydney), so that gave me some additional time to sit watching some flight movement through the floor to ceiling windows - N462AA arrived at the Gate in front of me, N379AA was in the next bay and 2 Delta jets pulled in - N842MH (into Gate 51B) and N680DA (51A). As we left the lounge, N662AA glided in.
Whilst I still had 15 mins to kill in the lounge, I rang Alaskan Airlines to see if I could use some some of tinkybelle's MVP Gold Guest Upgrade vouchers she have so kindly given to us, on our upcoming flights. To my surprise, secured two F seats on our LAS/SEA sector.
For anybody who is interested in seeing the lounge, I took a .MOV file (thanks to my digital video camera) of the lounge and it's features, email me and I'll email it back to you.
Airline & Flight Number, Destination: QF107 LAX/JFK
Rego: ?? ??? (747-400ER)
Seats: 11A/B (J upstairs, front row)
SDT: 8.50am
Pushback: 10.35pm, ADT: 10.50am
When boarding was finally announced, we left the FL (almost reluctantly) and walked down to Gate 41, where boarding hadn't commenced yet. Mrs QF WP and I boarded when they made the special announcement for Business Class pax - I had quite a number of envious looks from others in the lounge when we moved forward.
To toast tinkybelle, we had a welcome aboard glass of Piper Heidseick champagne (sorry, no Krug in QF J, as you know...) and stowed our hand luggage in the window-side compartment.
Captain today was Robert Deakin, no idea as to F/O, FSD or CSD (too busy skoffing champers to write that down!). FA's upstairs in J were Milton, George and Tricia. Capt Deakin came on apologising that there would be further delays loading additional cargo and with the expiry of the take-off slot, a new one was being requested and we were awaiting ATC approval. On that bit of good news, I montioned for another Champagne, signed and stared at the wall, thinking I could really hit the bottle and if I wasn't careful on this flight, I might turn into Goldflyer....
Once we were airborne (finally, over 2 hours late), Capt Deakin went into his spiel about the 4 hour 10 min flight we were about to undertake, flying over Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, New Maxico, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania and into New York, where it was 8 degrees C and expected arrival time would be 6.30pm. I was disappointed (mainly for my wife), as she was hoping to get into NYC in daylight, but that wasn't going to happen.
This plane also had the new IFE - 18 channels in J and F; so I alternated between flicking to find anything decent to watch and answering crossword clues.
Photo's this sector:
Photo 13 - SYD/LAX Menu Page
Photo 14 - LAX/JFK Menu Page
Photo 15 - QF WP Lunch
Photo 16 - QF WP Dessert
(for log in and password, see previously advised details)
The wines for this sector were exactly the same as for QF 25, except no Grosset Riesling.
The service was great - I got up after lunch and went back to chat to Tricia in the rear Galley. We talked about anything and everything until it was time to descend.
Comments about 11AB - less space for stowage of luggage in side compartments due to curvature of aircraft. Would have preferred other seats but it as full upstairs.
Touchdown was at 6.05pm on Runway 22R and we taxied towards the Gates. We had been allocated Gate 6, so we exited the plane just after 6.30pm. Now it was time to gather the luggage, find the AirTrain then the subway and hopefully at the end, see our hotel for the next 4 nights - Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers
With no Immigration and Customs to have to worry about, we just had to wait until the baggage handlers found the correct belt to offload the bags...twice the belt started but nothing appeared, by the time they did start off-loading the bags, everybody from the plane was waiting around the belt. Mrs QF WP had looked around for a trolley, but with none to be found, we had to wheel our bags instead.
Given that both of our bags were fairly distinctive (sporting FT luggage tags 8) ), we spotted them as they came onto the belt. I hauled them off, turned around and tried to find a way out. Sometimes nobody gives way and this was one of those nights.
We cleared the throng then went out the doors into the chilling night air. Not quite frosting the breath, but brisk nonetheless. Now to find the AirTrain which had only opened the week before - thanks to a topic by kawoh. I had followed the links that posters had put there and found AirTrain JFK Facts at a Glance, so the research was done.
I had read it then passed to Mrs QF WP on the flight, so we knew the station names to look for, or in case we got separated, where to meet.
We spied the AirTrain sign and walked over the pedestrian crossings to the AirTrain (very similar in set up to the AirTrain set up in my home town, BNE). We found the lift then worked out which direction we wanted to head. We searched for a ticket vending machine but were told by an AirTrain employee that we got our tickets at our terminating station (which was Jamaica, in our case).
Similarly, we had chosen Jamaica instead of Howards Beach after posting a thread on the Sheraton site asking for FT help on how to get to our hotel via the subway. After some debate, the E line was considered the closest option (which turned out to be the correct advice also!).
Getting off at Jamaica, we found the vending machines and after a couple of tries, worked out that we needed to get single tickets only. Pretty easy to navigate through the opions, with multiple languages and pretty clear instructions. Whilst USD$5 one way seemed a little rich comparable to our next tickets, they have to pay for it somehow...
The transfer at Jamaica was a little bit daunting, because after you are through the ticket reading slots, there is a large open area (which has what appears to be airline desks being prepared for eventual use on the LHS) and then either an elevator or escalator to the ground floor. The signs to Jamaica sub-way aren't clearly signposted...but go out the doors and turn left, walk past the Long Island train lines and you'll come out onto the sidewalk. Walk to the street corner and turn left, then walk 50 to 75 metres and the subway entrance is on your left.
I took both large luggage cases whilst Mrs QF WP took the hand luggage. Down the flight of stairs and you're there...and a ticket vending machine is on your RHS before the ticketmasters office.
As we were looking for two 5 day $USD21 MetroCards (after reading about them in the Qantas in-flight magazine), we quickly followed the instructions, but the vending machine wouldn't take my $50 note
. We had to approach the office and he (unhappily) printed them for us. Then we looked at the narrow slots, realising that our luggage was never going to fit through. When we approached the ticket seller again, he simply said "slide your card through the reader" - not very helpful to visitors who didn't understand what he meant :evil: as there was no reader at the doorway. It took somebody coming out to offer assistance and show us what needed to be done (at the reader on the next slot). I thanked the gentleman who had stopped for his kindness, then shot a withering look at the ticketseller (who couldn't have cared less). By this stage it was 8pm, a full 3.5 hours later than expected and we just wanted to get into our hotel room.We worked out which platform we needed and then let a couple of trains go by (J and Z lines). From the basic subway map we had (I had printed out at AKL Qantas F lounge), all I knew was we needed to alight the E train at 7th Ave, which hopefully would be in close proximity to the Hotel.
Probably 50 minutes later, we tentatively got off the train at 7th Ave and I hoisted the bags up the stairs whilst Mrs QF WP took the lead. We encountered the luggage/gate problem again, but after flashing our tickets, this time we were "buzzed" through and up into the cool night air we trudged.
Most travellers can relate to the next scene - seeing your hotel, always a great sight at the end of a long journey. We were there!! Directly across the road too...
Striding with a lot more confidence now that the "end was in sight" for us tonight, we entered the 57th Street revolving door, past the welcoming sight of the ground floor Bar and up to the Reception Desk.
Hotel - Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers
Arrival - 28 Dec, Departure - 1 Jan)
I had been fortunate to meet yyzprincess in Sydney during the Rugby World Cup (October 2003) and she had offered her assistance with arranging this booking (it helps that she owns a travel agency!). Given the short time period, I hadn't considered that I would get a points stay (particularly at this time of year), so I was extremely satisfied that she had booked us in for the first 3 nights at the Best Available Rate (USD$279) with New Years Night at $285 (utilizing a gifted 50% voucher from yyzprincess). Not included in the base rate were the taxes - $24.06 Room Sales Tax + $13.95 City/Local Tax + $2.00 Occupany/Tourism Tax (wow and I thought our taxes were bad enough :roll: ).
We were fortunate enough to be upgraded to the Executive Floors and were given Room 5026 (top floor) for our stay. It had a view uptown across Central Park and whilst small by other Sheraton's room standards, this was home in New York for our stay. We were jut pleased to be able to tip the bell boy, dump our bags in the corner and collapse on the bed with a cuppa (which seems to solve any problem we have).
. 
she then went back to the Hotel while I went onto Grand Central Station, Empire State Building and Macy's for a quick look. After that, it was time to get back, freshen up and find somewhere to eat before the NYC Police cordoned off everywhere around Times Square.
