Weekend in Sydney 30th-31st July, 2011 (inc FLounge run)- COME PLAY!

[harvyk]

Can someone confirm what flights are happening?
I know of bne-syd-bne... But whats this of MEL??
Updates people???

We're flying SYD to MEL on JQ35 to get some FLounge time in... Some of us (like me) are flying to SYD for the purpose of JQ35, others are flying to SYD for the purpose of visiting SYD (and FLounging seemed like a good way to visit SYD) whilst others are staying in MEL afterwards and seeing what that city has to offer \ bacause they are home...

 

[awilcockson]

OK, so this all started with Taezar wanting to fly from BNE to SYD for the weekend, and wondering if anyone wanted to come along.

After much arm twisting, we convinced her that she should fly BNE-SYD-MEL-SYD on saturday so that she could sample the F Lounge and still have her evening in Sydney then back to BNE on Sunday.

A few of us are flying BNE-SYD-MEL, spending the night in Melbourne and then flying back the BNE on Sunday.

The important bit is getting to Sydney at least 3 hours before the JQ35 flight to maximise time in the F lounge.

 

[anat0l]

A bit of a shame we can't give Qantas a heads up on this one (then again, that could be a dangerous thing to do, but at best it's probably an unfair demand).

The best I'll hope for is that I can recognise one of the waiters in the restaurant. They may be able to pull a thing or two.

How did we all settle in last time (i.e. during the wake)? We can't take over the restaurant, and probably we all can't have a sit down meal (that said, not all of us may not want to).

Since Taezar started this whole ball rolling but ultimately we've pulled her off her original 'relaxing' schedule, I think we better make sure she is comfortably shown the F Lounge, and provided with a pot of T2 loose leaf tea.

Come to think of it, has anyone verified that we have enough WPs for the group? I think from my last count (since I can't remember exactly who is a WP or not) we might be one or two off? Or do you think it'll get to a point where the reception staff won't care?

Also, can we have a show of hands for preferences for champagne? (This might be a silly thing to do). I've got one hand here for Taittinger...

 

[samiam]

25K (my seat, not champagne preference)

 

[anat0l]

Oh, and a little suggestion this time: no self-op-ups, please:?: (I wasn't there last time to witness it, but let's not do it... after all, thou shalt do unto others as you would do unto thyself...)

On that note, is there anyone who is flying Star Class?

 

[LiamR]

A bit of a shame we can't give Qantas a heads up on this one (then again, that could be a dangerous thing to do, but at best it's probably an unfair demand).

Come to think of it, has anyone verified that we have enough WPs for the group? I think from my last count (since I can't remember exactly who is a WP or not) we might be one or two off? Or do you think it'll get to a point where the reception staff won't care?]

We can't? I have their phone number.... I think it was decided earlier on in this thread of it to be a surprise.

Last time I checked we had a couple of free spots.

 

[LiamR]

So who is sitting in 38A? I hope it isn't a member of the public. :shock:

 

[awilcockson]

Or do you think it'll get to a point where the reception staff won't care?

I'd be very surprised if they were to let it slide.

I highly recommend we follow the same strategy as the wake whereby we saunter into the lounge in groups of 3 or 4 rather than having 20 people rock up at once. My only concern with these gatherings is that someone takes it a bit too far and we end up either being blacklisted or JQ-35 FLounge access being "enhanced" away. So my watch word for the day is "low key". Ok that's two words, but you get the point

And I absolutely think that nobody should be calling ahead to let them know we're coming (assuming that this thread isn't already being monitored anyway).

 

[awilcockson]

Oh, and no Champers for me this time. I'm going to follow Sam's lead from a previous FLounge run and sample the wide variety of quality reds on offer

 

[LiamR]

I'd be very surprised if they were to let it slide.

I highly recommend we follow the same strategy as the wake whereby we saunter into the lounge in groups of 3 or 4 rather than having 20 people rock up at once. My only concern with these gatherings is that someone takes it a bit too far and we end up either being blacklisted or JQ-35 FLounge access being "enhanced" away. So my watch word for the day is "low key". Ok that's two words, but you get the point

And I absolutely think that nobody should be calling ahead to let them know we're coming (assuming that this thread isn't already being monitored anyway).

I agree with you here. I don't want to rock the boat. I'm sure it's easy for QF to make a rule where you have to be on an International Flight to use the F Lounge.

 

[tuppaware]

No trip for me. I left it too late .
Can get a classic award down out of BNE at 700am -
Pay for JQ35 ($100 or so bucks)
But coming back from melbourne is either 42k points or $300 . And after 6 weeks of holidays - I cant afford it :-(

 

[anat0l]

I'd be very surprised if they were to let it slide.

I highly recommend we follow the same strategy as the wake whereby we saunter into the lounge in groups of 3 or 4 rather than having 20 people rock up at once. My only concern with these gatherings is that someone takes it a bit too far and we end up either being blacklisted or JQ-35 FLounge access being "enhanced" away. So my watch word for the day is "low key". Ok that's two words, but you get the point

And I absolutely think that nobody should be calling ahead to let them know we're coming (assuming that this thread isn't already being monitored anyway).

I agree with you here. I don't want to rock the boat. I'm sure it's easy for QF to make a rule where you have to be on an International Flight to use the F Lounge.

Right. So we walk in as a bunch of groups, we meet each other in random places in the lounge, proclaim, "hey, I didn't know you were going to Melbourne today!" and we greet each other like we haven't met since last night's company drinks and we didn't know that the office PA somehow managed to coincide all the bookings.

That's manageable.

Oh, if anyone wants me to retract these posts, please PM me

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

1'm in 1B and looking forward to meeting you all

 

[LiamR]

Right. So we walk in as a bunch of groups, we meet each other in random places in the lounge, proclaim, "hey, I didn't know you were going to Melbourne today!" and we greet each other like we haven't met since last night's company drinks and we didn't know that the office PA somehow managed to coincide all the bookings.

That's manageable.

Oh, if anyone wants me to retract these posts, please PM me

Yup. Glad to see you get it.

 

[dfcatch]

I wonder if "low key" involves Sam rearranging the Marc Newson furniture, and having group lounge service??

Oh wait...... Deja vu

 

[samh004]

Oh, and no Champers for me this time. I'm going to follow Sam's lead from a previous FLounge run and sample the wide variety of quality reds on offer

Oh a taste test huh? Very good.

I'll be starting on a Taittinger and then moving on to Bollinger.

I wonder if "low key" involves Sam rearranging the Marc Newson furniture, and having group lounge service??

Oh wait...... Deja vu

I actually didn't touch the furniture last time, unless you mean another Sam. I ended up at the round table by the window. There were others who moved the furniture, and I believe they said it was very heavy.

 

[LiamR]

1'm in 1B and looking forward to meeting you all

Starclass hey?

I wonder if we are allowed to all join the StarClass checkin lane at Sydney, if you said, oh there all with me.

That might be taking a benefit too far.

 

[samh004]

Starclass hey?

I wonder if we are allowed to all join the StarClass checkin lane at Sydney, if you said, oh there all with me.

That might be taking a benefit too far.

By the time we get to the gate, which will no doubt be the furthest from the lounge, everyone will have already boarded. We might even get a special call again.

 

[LiamR]

By the time we get to the gate, which will no doubt be the furthest from the lounge, everyone will have already boarded. We might even get a special call again.

I was referring to Checkin, not boarding.

I heard about your special PA last time. At least we won't have to hear, "This is your captain speaking, well, maybe not today."

 

[anat0l]

At least we won't have to hear, "This is your captain speaking, well, maybe not today."

But we will have to put up with, "Subtly, every aircraft is different", and, "...go through this safety check list. Seatbelt - on and tight........Let me explain..." *shudder*