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- Nov 12, 2012
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So my main client calls and says they want me in Canada in a week. No problem, I say.
So, how do you want to get there? My eyes flick to the calendar and I realize that flying in early March means a new status year for QF. So: “Qantas!” I reply. No problem, says the client, contact our TA and get yourself booked.
I love my client!
I contact the TA (who is also my TA – we get along just fine!) and, keen to try the new CX J class, ask her to price both direct QF to LAX then AC up to Canada & back, and also a Circle Pacific fare, LAX via QF then CX back via HKG, as its often cheaper. The fares, (including the Air Canada add ons) in order were: most expensive: Circle Pacific HBA-MEL-LAX-YYC-YVR-HKG-MEL-HBA, then direct QF HBA-MEL-LAX-YYC-LAX-MEL-HBA and cheapest Circle Pacific HBA-MEL-HKG-YVR-YYC-LAX-MEL-HBA. The difference between the most expensive and the cheapest was almost $1,000.
So, whacko, its CX to HKG and YVR, then QF back; it’s the cheapest fare for the client and I get CX J class on 2 legs on the way over.
Check in at HBA. Check in lady makes quite a funny joke – several people giggle at it. She then sighs and says “That’s something you might miss when we are gone.” “Oh” I say “Don’t tell me you are going to get replaced by machines like at MEL and SYD?” “No” she replies sadly “we are all going to go when QantasLink takes over.”
On reflection, I guess it was a little bit unprofessional to canvas unemployment when checking a pax, but it is really nice at HBA to have real, experienced Qantas staff on the check in counters, and I’m going to miss that.
Onto the disgraceful Qantas Club at HBA. I was a bit early, so managed to snag a tall table & stool. Just before boarding, I counted 70 people in the lounge; uncomfortably packed. All seats were taken (including all 4 stools around my little tall table where I was using my laptop) and 7 people were standing. It’s always like this. HBA JQ and QF flights arrive and depart in a bunch and the QP is often best left unattended if you actually want ‘comfort’.
QF1016 boarded OK (priority boarding? Forget it - its HBA). Flight left on time and 1C was very pleasant. I may grumble about QF, but their dom J flights are a treat. Great staff & service , as I’ve noted this before - with the exception of one of my recent ones. For a late afternoon flight (dep 4:50pm arr at bit after 6pm) we were offered a choice of 2 hot ‘refreshments’. Basically chicken or beef with rice/spuds/veges, small cake for dessert. This would be quite acceptable as lunch or dinner. Considering how QF has cut back on catering, I’m amazed that such selections survive as a mid afternoon ‘refreshment’.
At MEL, walk to bag collection area with some trepidation. How far back on the carousel would they appear? After 5 mins wait, the carousel beeped into life and to my amazement and surprise, my 2 bags were #1 and # 4 !! Well done QF – if you can do it today, why not all the time (or even, the majority of time?).
Across the road and check into the Parkroyal. I’ve been coming here for yonks, when it was the Hilton, and after it changed hands. I didn’t have a great stay last time.
Check-in was efficient and painless. The guy asked me if I wanted to join GHA. Never heard of it – what is it? Basically the loyalty club of a group of hotel brands including Parkroyal, Rydges, and Kempinski . Say no more – I’m looking at Kempinski later this year in Europe so sign me up! It gets me Gold status and free wi fi, so that’s good.
The room hasn’t changed much from Hilton days. Overlooking the runways, and at the end of the hall, so quiet, which is what I like. Views of the outside, and view over the airport from my room:
Mandatory room pics:
Meal at the restaurant was good. After the airplane meal I ate late and had two small dishes; mushroom soup and an entree. Edit: that's NOT the mushroom soup on the left
So, how do you want to get there? My eyes flick to the calendar and I realize that flying in early March means a new status year for QF. So: “Qantas!” I reply. No problem, says the client, contact our TA and get yourself booked.
I love my client!
I contact the TA (who is also my TA – we get along just fine!) and, keen to try the new CX J class, ask her to price both direct QF to LAX then AC up to Canada & back, and also a Circle Pacific fare, LAX via QF then CX back via HKG, as its often cheaper. The fares, (including the Air Canada add ons) in order were: most expensive: Circle Pacific HBA-MEL-LAX-YYC-YVR-HKG-MEL-HBA, then direct QF HBA-MEL-LAX-YYC-LAX-MEL-HBA and cheapest Circle Pacific HBA-MEL-HKG-YVR-YYC-LAX-MEL-HBA. The difference between the most expensive and the cheapest was almost $1,000.
So, whacko, its CX to HKG and YVR, then QF back; it’s the cheapest fare for the client and I get CX J class on 2 legs on the way over.
Check in at HBA. Check in lady makes quite a funny joke – several people giggle at it. She then sighs and says “That’s something you might miss when we are gone.” “Oh” I say “Don’t tell me you are going to get replaced by machines like at MEL and SYD?” “No” she replies sadly “we are all going to go when QantasLink takes over.”
On reflection, I guess it was a little bit unprofessional to canvas unemployment when checking a pax, but it is really nice at HBA to have real, experienced Qantas staff on the check in counters, and I’m going to miss that.
Onto the disgraceful Qantas Club at HBA. I was a bit early, so managed to snag a tall table & stool. Just before boarding, I counted 70 people in the lounge; uncomfortably packed. All seats were taken (including all 4 stools around my little tall table where I was using my laptop) and 7 people were standing. It’s always like this. HBA JQ and QF flights arrive and depart in a bunch and the QP is often best left unattended if you actually want ‘comfort’.
QF1016 boarded OK (priority boarding? Forget it - its HBA). Flight left on time and 1C was very pleasant. I may grumble about QF, but their dom J flights are a treat. Great staff & service , as I’ve noted this before - with the exception of one of my recent ones. For a late afternoon flight (dep 4:50pm arr at bit after 6pm) we were offered a choice of 2 hot ‘refreshments’. Basically chicken or beef with rice/spuds/veges, small cake for dessert. This would be quite acceptable as lunch or dinner. Considering how QF has cut back on catering, I’m amazed that such selections survive as a mid afternoon ‘refreshment’.
At MEL, walk to bag collection area with some trepidation. How far back on the carousel would they appear? After 5 mins wait, the carousel beeped into life and to my amazement and surprise, my 2 bags were #1 and # 4 !! Well done QF – if you can do it today, why not all the time (or even, the majority of time?).
Across the road and check into the Parkroyal. I’ve been coming here for yonks, when it was the Hilton, and after it changed hands. I didn’t have a great stay last time.
Check-in was efficient and painless. The guy asked me if I wanted to join GHA. Never heard of it – what is it? Basically the loyalty club of a group of hotel brands including Parkroyal, Rydges, and Kempinski . Say no more – I’m looking at Kempinski later this year in Europe so sign me up! It gets me Gold status and free wi fi, so that’s good.
The room hasn’t changed much from Hilton days. Overlooking the runways, and at the end of the hall, so quiet, which is what I like. Views of the outside, and view over the airport from my room:
Mandatory room pics:
Meal at the restaurant was good. After the airplane meal I ate late and had two small dishes; mushroom soup and an entree. Edit: that's NOT the mushroom soup on the left
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....even if you have to endure some slurping on route
! Cheese afterwards.
)
