A little bit of moderation in Dubai.

[markis10]

As many of you know, Qantas has very kindly offered to take two AFF Moderators to Dubai on the inaugural QF1 service. On Sunday QF WP (Lindsay) and myself will begin the long journey and we hope to journal here the many new experiences we go through in what is, at least to me, a strange new & exciting land to explore.

Like all good journeys, a good deal of planning goes into such a trip, and we didn't have much time to get organized once we found had we had been lucky enough to grab a seat. But we were not the only ones, Qantas faced a massive task not only starting a new destination, but starting a new strategic partnership with another airline, this video gives you some idea of what they have been up to:

Lucja, the CSS featured in the video was on my last flight to Singapore in February!

 

[KitKat]

Excellent, you "guys" deserve it!

 

[QF WP]

Agree with markis10 - less than 10 days after we found out, we're going to be onboard. Lucky I had quickly checked that my passport had validity.

Have had a number of emails to digest copious information about Dubai, our schedule (it's pretty much non-stop from the 2 days we are there) and tours (during our free time), check SmartTraveller and print out my booking which landed in my QFF account. I even had to check whether I needed a visa - having only been to Abu Dhabi in 1991, it's been a long time. Also had to look at linking our bookings, so that we get to sit next to one another - or should that be, I am lucky to sit next to markis10 (great to sit next to a Plat who gets exit rows).

I've had a couple of QF CSA's who've realised we are on the inaugural flight and wanted to know more.

Now to look at buying an iPad and setting it up so I can load some movies for the long flight

 

[markis10]

We have a number of tour options that we could choose and I will post them in the destination guide area, as no doubt they will be options for travelers following in our footsteps!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/destination-guide/dubai-what-to-do-48783.html

Despite not being in contact when we had to make the choices (some of the the mornings/afternoons are multiple choice), Lindsay and I took exactly the same options, so those looking forward to Camel Polo reports will be a tad disappointed.

During the journey we will also be testing a number of products from the AFF travel gear store:

http://frequentflyer.com.au/

One I hope we dont need to use thoroughly, the other I hope we dont put down , more on that later.

 

[Pushka]

For novelty value I'd have to buy a gold bar from a vending machine! Afternoon tea at the Burj and travel to the top of L Khalifa!

Have a fabulous time gents.

 

[Ansett]

Hey Guys

Have a great trip hope they put you up in F Seriously have fun and lots of pics we hope to be posted on here.

 

[Conrad_S]

If either of you get the chance I'd pay AUD to see Alan on a camel

 

[LadyC]

Great reward for the work you put in as moderators! Well done and have a ball

 

[QF WP]

Seriously, there is absolutely no chance we will get seated in F - that's the domain for the QF & EK Execs - perhaps bossreggie might have a better chance

 

[casanovawa]

Phew, that's not half bad... Ok lets not hear anymore of those laments about mods not getting an invite to the luncheons...

But yes have fun over there...

 

[Fifa]

I hope you both have a blast!
So, are you in Y?
Looking forward to following your trip.

 

[Tooner]

Good to see the Moderators being looked after and look forward to a very comprehensive TR! Congratulations!

 

[dfcatch]

QF WP,

I'm disappointed that you feel you need the iPad.....

Surely it would be more appropriate to utilise, enjoy and report on QF's AVOD offering

 

[Tooner]

QF WP,

I'm disappointed that you feel you need the iPad.....

Surely it would be more appropriate to utilise, enjoy and report on QF's AVOD offering

yes, especially the Oscar Classics channel, the episodes of Episodes ....

 

[BindiBratz]

Congratulations..!!! such a wonderful and well deserved opportunity . . . and love the name "A little bit of moderation in Dubai" but know there won't be any moderation in the fun factor..!!!

I find Dubai totally fascinating, the old areas are fascinating and absorbing, but am also enthralled by what money, imagination and unbelievable engineering can create . . . . . am really looking forward to reading this thread

 

[browski]

Seriously, there is absolutely no chance we will get seated in F - that's the domain for the QF & EK Execs - perhaps bossreggie might have a better chance

I hear that Miranda Kerr is looking for a "Plus 1".

 

[simongr]

QF WP,

I'm disappointed that you feel you need the iPad.....

Surely it would be more appropriate to utilise, enjoy and report on QF's AVOD offering

That is exactly why he needs the iPad...

 

[markis10]

Until last Friday things felt a tad unreal, having previously taken advantage of the cheap Singapore airfares and booked Easter in Asia (including the last A380 departure ex SIN completely by accident) I was faced with having to change my flights to later in the year and say goodbye to some prepaid accomodation in KL, but it was more than worth it.

Friday we got our first real taste of reality, our tickets were issued! With a press conference in the now familiar (to many) A380 hanger next to Gate 1 in the morning, we were heading off early from Brisbane for what is bound to be a long day, it was then I realised that this trip was going to be all go, with sleep mostly done on the plane!

I started doing the maths, leave home at 5AM, leave Sydney at 5 PM, 15 odd hours flying sees us just after midnight getting into DXB, while back home it will be 8 AM :shock:, hope the seat computer/ god had been kind??? As luck would have it, the almighty seat computer had put me in the exit row of PE, but what about Lindsay, well it seems the platinum shadow (nee force field) had been enacted, or in other words "computer says no" , LW had scored a middle aisle two rows back.

 

[QF WP]

That is exactly why he needs the iPad...

I have a copy of "Up In The Air" that I want to watch...plus I want to not be the last adopter of this technology.

Work is finished until Friday next week. Woo hoo

 

[love_the_life]

Such a great experience for you and great for us back here who will be able to learn so much from your (I am certain) fulsome trip reports. Hope other Mods also have an opportunity like this at some time as well - you all do a fantastic job.
Thanks for posting the video of behind the scenes - a nice warm and fuzzy feeling to it all.