USA, EUR, UK and HKG - bring it on!

[munitalP]

Back into the Chevy and off down the road towards Orlando.

Should have been easy huh? NO WAY! We saw Armadillos walking along the side of the freeway, so what’s the Aussie thing to do? Stop and take a photo. Poor Chevy got hauled up from 85 and 3 blokes (I reversed the car up) jumped out and tracked down poor old Mr. Armadillo. It was funny, it was dangerous (stopping like that) and it was crazy. Mr. Tazzy decided that he could pick Mr. Armadillo up – bad move, this usually docile creature took offence to Mr. Tassy and tried to bite him… hold on, most animals do that to him, maybe it’s where he’s from… ?

Back in the car and we arrived at Kissimmee about 45 minutes later. We ate at the Boston Lobster bar (2 nights in a row for me and travelling mate) and gorged ourselves on Alaskan Snow Crab and Lobsters (all you can eat for $29.00)

After dropping the boys back at their hotel, we retired to our respective rooms for bed…

To be continued...

Mr!

 

[munitalP]

06.02.09

Finally the conference draws to an end. Orlando has been cold so to compensate, the conference rooms have been heated to levels seen recently in the Gibson desert… yep, hard to stay awake.

We bid farewells to our new friends and spent the remainder of the day at a flea market, Wallmart and a HUGE outdoor store. The flea market was something else, the first thing we saw as we were entering was a young guy – 20ish using a TAZER on himself – electrocuting his leg to find out which was the best – I nearly wet myself, it was so funny.

What wasn’t funny was the massive collection of switch blades, flick knives, pepper spray and other restricted items for sale over the counter. A switch blade disguised as ladies lipstick, a pen or even a lighter – and the lighter bit worked!

Wallmart – it just reminds me how much we are ripped by our outlets in Australia. We have an ultra keen fisherman in the office, I called him regarding the lures he uses - $4.05USD at Wallmart vs. $26.00AUD – go figure, I bought quite a number for him. Even the Aussie wine was cheap...

The outdoor shop, huge huge huge.. everything from fishing boats to firearms, fishing to golf, camping to clothing – a Mecca for the sports minded. I left depressed.

We planned to shoot out to Cape Canaveral to catch the 7pm Las Vegas Casino cruise ship, half way there, I realised I had left my passport back at the hotel so that idea was dashed – we went to Hooters Orlando for dinner instead then I finished it off in the bar – one or two too many had me comatose by about 1am not remembering how I got back to my room… oops…

 

[munitalP]

07.02.09 Orlando / Chicago / Frankfurt F & J

Please AA, ring me and tell me all flights are cancelled so I don’t have to get out of bed… :shock:

A tough start.

Packed, showered, unpacked (forgot my socks), packed, unpacked (forgot to pack my toilet bag), packed, unpacked (wrong shoes), packed finally and off downstairs for breakfast. The Radisson has perfected the art of removing all nutrition, taste and texture from bacon. :shock:

We checked out and headed for the conference hotel – Buena Vista Palace, where I dropped the hire car off and complained about the calibration on the GPS. The bloke behind the counter didn’t believe me, programmed in the current location and the GPS tried to send him 200yards up the road and turn right! He promptly discounted the GSP from my account. Thumbs up for ALAMO rentals.

We caught a hotel limo out to the airport where AA lines were out the door. A typical Saturday the lovely lady at the counter said and checked us through to FRA via Chicago from the empty F & J line. AA717 (MD80) pushed off on time and I was asleep reasonably fast with the trusty Bose headphones and iPoddy combo. The service was ordinary, no pre-flight drinks offered and the CSM was too busy telling his other FA about his huge weekend to really offer good service. I didn’t care too much, but others in F were getting testy with the service or lack of.

We landed in snow covered Chicago basically on time at a K gate, got directions to the F Lounge and enjoyed some nice food and a couple of OJ’s (I couldn’t bring myself to having a beer). Spoke with Mrs! To make sure her fire plan was in place, got emails cleared then boarded AA84 (767) to FRA.

I must say this – the toilet in the flagship lounge is a disgrace – a metal door with a 300mm gap below and low enough to look over the top at someone (namely me) using the porcelain throne. On top of that, a cleaning lady came in and started cleaning while I was in there – all too high school for me, a disgrace even. AA pick up your ideas! Also, no showers in the Flagship lounge – somewhat agricultural.

My travelling companion sat in the quiet room while I spent the time outside. Once seated on the flight, he started telling me about these crazies who were travelling just for status credits! One couple were travelling each weekend (Boomerang they call it, there and back) to Ireland, and these others were doing the same to FRA! I laughed and said they were probably members of a FF group doing a status run – he was shocked that people would do that… My travelling companion is QF Gold and DJ Gold. After the Flounge and the AA lounges, he has sworn allegiance to the Kangaroo…

Two of the people my mate had been talking to sat down in the seats in front, I asked them which site they were from, flyertalk. I wrote their user names down on my BP, but seem to have lost it. I’ll mention them again when I find their usernames – anyway guys, I know you were going to look up this TR so I hope you had a safe trip back from FRA!!

I had lappy out and got some work done – I bought a 12V to 220V inverter (DC to AC) at Orlando so got to try it out, had lappy on charge the whole time using it and iPoddy being charged from the inverters USB port! Good $80USD spend – and it will work in Australia if needed.

A reasonable meal (pics will follow) of salmon and shrimp for starter and I had scallops for main, with a glass of chardy, a couple of OJ’s followed by an ice cream sundae with fruit and chocolate fudge sauce!

With work complete, dinner finished, I pushed the armrest down (6A), extended the bed flat and slept again. This I might add has been to my detriment as I am updating this TR at 0152AM FRA time.

The smell of coffee woke me with a little over 35 minutes to FRA.

In summary of my AA Flights, the service was awesome except the CSM between Orlando and Chicago, the domestic seating in F is OK but with no leg support, QF DOM J rocks seating wise (pity they don’t take a few AA lessons on service). The INT J product, I liked the seating, I found it easier to lay on my side and sleep than the QF or BA J product. Streets ahead of my SQ J experiences (seat wise).

Overall, I like AA and the service.

Tscharke – I would like to thank you publically for the upgrades on AA, you are a legend!

Tomorrows (oops today’s) flights are FRA Hahn to Klagenfurt on Ryan air… I should get some sleep…

Mr!

To be continued…

 

[munitalP]

Some random pics...

Just to let Mrs! know I was thinking about her while stuffing Lobster down my throat... :mrgreen:

 

[Flashback]

Great TR as always, keep it coming!

 

[simongr]

Here's a link to an image from a bit further back taken before the furniture was replaced ~18 months ago. (Credit to FbgDavidson, 2006)http://img419.imageshack.us/img419/1024/dsc028360gy.jpg

Now there stems my confusion - the furniture has changed

MrP! Great TR - now makes me wish I had gone to KSC whilst in Florida...

 

[munitalP]

09.02.09 1635 Gate A42, FRA awaiting FRA/GRZ on LH 3634

My travelling companion lives in the Latrobe Valley, his home is now under threat from the bush fires.

We contacted QF this morning to get his following OW legs changed to get him home - the QF service lacked in every respect. The arrogrance of the QF FF and bookings system leaves so much to be desired.

I hope QF FF read this - SHAME ON YOU QF

It took my PA hours to get any sense from QF (from Australia), thankfully, he's on the FRA/SIN/SYD flight tonight and will hopefully make it home - not make it to ashes... Good luck "mad scientist"...

Anyway, due to the mucking around at FRA this morning, I missed the 0815 connecting bus to Hahn, so I ended up freezing cold being snowed on till the next bus arrived about 70 minutes later. I asked the driver the distance to Hahn and how long it would take - maybe my request was misunderstood or maybe the driver was playing with my emotions, whatever the case, the 1 hour drive took 2 hours and I ended up missing my Hahn to Klagenfurt Ryan Air flight by seconds.

I pleaded my case to Ryan Air - it fell on deaf ears. I explained about the bush fires, they didn't care. I explained about loosing everything you own in a fire, they didn't care. In fact the young man behind me told me to move on as he had more important things to do.

RYAN AIR is now lower than pond scum on my humanity scale and if I didn't have another RYAN AIR flight in a couple of days, I would safely say I would never fly with them.

I ask all AFF members to ban RYAN AIR from their travel now and in the future

I bussed back to FRA and purchased a LH ticket FRA/GRZ. This plane is delayed, my jet lag has caught up again and I am getting grumpy. The upside is my business meeting tonight in Graz has been delayed - its now going to be business drinks later tonight. Finally a positive from today...

Mr!

To be continued...

:shock::evil:

 

[Evan]

<..> packed finally and off downstairs for breakfast. The Radisson has perfected the art of removing all nutrition, taste and texture from bacon. :shock:

<..>

You mean Bacon has nutrition perfect, i will remember that for future.
Love you TR.

E

PS. RyanAir banned from my travel long ago ! done it once and never again.

 

[munitalP]

Ok, I'm in Graz, that was one rattly old BAe 146 EUROWINGS (LH Regional) flew over - well past it's use by date....

I'm at the Ibis (next to the train station), I'm due to have a shower, change of clothes and a beer - I'm just not sure what order that will happen...

Auf Wiedersehen

Mr!

 

[MelUser]

A fascinating report.

How long did the drive take from Orlando to the Space Shuttle museum?

 

[serfty]

... How long did the drive take from Orlando to the Space Shuttle museum?

It's about 70Km from MCO, mainly on expressway.

 

[munitalP]

A fascinating report.

How long did the drive take from Orlando to the Space Shuttle museum?

From Kissimee which is about 25 minutes by Freeway from downtown orlando however the heart of Disney, the drive took about 85 minutes. There are 3 toll booths on the turnpike where you need to pull up to pay, this takes time if the car in frint is paying the $1.25 fee with nickles and dimes...

There are also some roadworks to contend with before the airport turnoff, but it's and easy drive.

If i went again, and I would, I would ensure I was rattling on the gates at KSC at 0730 in the morning and preparing to spend the whole day there, and stopping on the way home at the astronaut centre - they have a few rides worthy of going on, for example a G machine...:shock:

The space shuttle launch simulator at the main centre is worth a couple of goes as well - KSC have managed to simulate a takeoff which they put G's on you, your cheeks feel like they are going to shake off, they throw you around a bit (you are on your back at this stage in a similar position to how you would be seated in the orbitor) and you feel the + G's of take off and the - G's as the solid rocket boosters dislodge through to the reburn + G's again on the main rocket thrust to the final neutral G's as the main rocket fuel tank dislodges. I swear, they seem to simulate zero gravity at one point - TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!

Try and time your visit to see a launch if you can, the schedule is here, this would be awesome...

Mr!

 

[canabear]

After reading that i am now really upset. I was in Miami in November and we drove past the space centre just after midday so we did not have enough time to do the tour as we had to make it to St Petersburg fro a conference, and we had not allowed time for the tour in our itinerary. Next time...................

PS, very enjoyable read.

 

[NM]

After reading that i am now really upset. I was in Miami in November and we drove past the space centre just after midday so we did not have enough time to do the tour as we had to make it to St Petersburg fro a conference, and we had not allowed time for the tour in our itinerary. Next time...................

PS, very enjoyable read.

Once, after a conference, I went to KSC with a few colleagues. We arrived about 3pm, just in time for the last tour. Obviously didn't get to see everything, and stayed until we were shepherded out, but was still worthwhile. Probably had about 2.5 hours there all up.

 

[munitalP]

10.02.09 GRZ to LNZ

No flying here....

After my meetings in Graz, I booked a train from Graz to Linz using the online booking system available on the internet. I grabbed a 1st class ticket with one stop at somewhere in the Alps, this lead to a single class train, however, still warm and clean. Snow everywhere with no letup in the dumping Austria was getting. By the end of this trip, I would have been snowed on in four countries, Germany, Austria, France and England!

Once in Linz... and still being snowed on... I checked into the Novotel for the evening. My arrival time was about 9pm so I managed to miss out on the restaurant. Man, the service at this hotel sucked...

Is it just me or is the Novotel in Europe a scumbag not much better than a homless shelter affair?

After standing at the bar over a few beers talking to people in OZ, I finally got annoyed to a point of wanting to scream with the bar ladies attending the every want and need of some local male mates to a point of gropping and carrying on which from a professional point of view made me sick! Maybe if I was in their position I wouldn't be so pi##ed off...

TBC


Mr!

 

[notzac]

I ask all AFF members to ban RYAN AIR from their travel now and in the future

Already done. I made that mistake once myself...
Great TR btw!

 

[munitalP]

A couple of pics from the FRA LNZ post

Sitting down for lunch killing time before my Lufthansa flight to LNZ

The weather was cold and threating snow...

 

[munitalP]

11.02.09 LNZ STN FR1904 1620

Ryan Air.

Absolute scumbags.

I arrived at LNZ early to check in. My luggage has increased in weight to 27kg in total (+ laptop).
I placed my bags on the scales and got informed that I would have to pay an additional 186 Euro for excess luggage.

I explained that I had 2 seats on this plane (due to travelling companion returning to Australia) and I was under the paid luggage requirements weight wise as only one of us were flying.

She told me to pay the 186 Euro or I wouldn’t be boarding...
I had no choice. I paid the 186 Euro and went through to departures.
The flight from LNZ to STN was uneventful albeit the lack of service, the cramped seats and my general bad mood. I calmed my temper by reminding myself I would never have to fly this piece of dung airline ever again.

STN is a big airport – well thought out, roomy and bright and easy to navigate.

I cleared immigration with ease – the female officer was quite funny;

“How long will you be in the UK?”
“About 12 hours”
“What do you intend to do while you are here?”
“See Scotland, the Tower of London and visit Ireland”
“Ok, you will have to have your passport with you to visit Ireland.... NEXT...”

***SMILE***

I went to the Taxi check and got delivered to the Travelodge Dunbow (the nearest to Stansted) where I depleted the London water supplies substantially due to an extra long hot shower.

The room was OK – a budget hotel with no doubt, but functional and clean.

I wandered down to the bar and had a curry (yuck) and a couple of beers while talking to the barman. I got the “gos” on the local area, about the weather (It had been snowing) and about the football.

Not being a fan, Mars could have been playing Venus in an intergalactic playoff for all I cared.

I slept well, and was up at 0430. I had to load shed (Easyjet flight coming up – excess luggage again), so the cleaner at the hotel got a heap of conference giveaways including Super Bowl balls and shirts, travel mugs and Swiss Army Knives –

I should have known better!




Mr!

 

[munitalP]

12.02.2009 STN LYN EZY3187

I wandered up to the counter with my 26kgs of kit with a plan in mind...

Mr! “Hi, checking in to Lyon, the other blokes not here yet, he’s only got hand luggage though and we did pay for 40kg...”

Mrs. EZY “ Yes Sir, no problems, when do you expect him?”

Mr! “Who knows, take off without him if he does not arrive...”

***EVIL LAUGH*** :mrgreen:

I wandered through the airport, looked at the duty free, had a coffee and a snack and trained over to the correct terminal for departure on EASYJET.

Boarding is a fiasco, issue seats is the answer – I was in “A” group and had to fight my way through the B’s and C’s to get to the gate – a joke...

The flight was delayed due to a replacement pilot being required as the first got a phone call that his wife had gone into labour – for obvious reasons, he alighted the aircraft rather quickly. The cabin crew were made up of familiar faces, the CSM is frequently seen on “AIRLINE” as was one of the FA’s. The atmosphere was light and fun and I must admit the flight was OK.

I had a famous author sitting in the C seat next to me with his wife in D, and kids in E and F. B was empty.

What a TOOL this guy was...

Before takeoff he was on the phone to BT (I assume) trying to figure his new Blackberry out – his conversation was just loud enough that everyone within a 15M radius could hear him. During the flight he carried on like a spoiled kid, wanting this, wanting that and expecting 1st class service on a LCC airline, and during final descent, turned his note book off after being asked 3 times by the FA’s only to turn on his Blackberry.

I lost the plot at that point and asked him if he was exempt from the rules of the airline as well as aviation bodies across the world and why he felt he could have his Blackberry on?

After a quick realisation he was dealing with someone who clearly didn’t like him, who had a strong sense of self preservation, and could snap him in half like a dried twig, he mumbled some abuse and turned the phone off.

Lyon was cold and snowing...

On getting off, the CSM mentioned to me he wished he could yell at customers and thanks (!), I felt like telling the CSM he was the most powerful person in the cabin and could have had this guy arrested, but didn’t and wandered down the stairs into the snow.

Mr!

 

[Myrna]

Thank you, munitalP, for your TR. It is very funny.

The demon drivers are not all in the US. They are in the UK - particularly along those country lanes with high hedges, speeding toward you in opposite directions around the bends!

In total agreement with you about the KSC. We took niece and mum-in-law to Disneyworld in 2001 and drove to KSC for the day. It was a fantastic and unreal day - we enjoyed it immensely and would love to go back there one day.

Enjoy the rest of your trip. I am tagging along with hubby who is on a work trip next month to HK, London and NY for about 3 weeks.