Two year old & Gillon McLachlan in J, MEL-BNE-TSV

[MJHoops]

School holidays so off to magnetic island on 30 June 2022

As a WP on VFF, I called up on the day they announced the free platinum upgrades from any economy fare were being extended to 30 June and got 4 upgrades for me, wifey and 5YO and 2YO kids. My mum is with us but has to travel in economy!

Short wait for priority checkin. Standard bag drop very long line. Agent is friendly and patient as we Checkin across three booking refs with 3 bags and 3 kid items

Quick breaky, including escargot and baby cino, in the lounge
Premium security exit open
At the gate but no one is boarding
Gillon McLachlan, AFL CEO, arrives and is annoyed we are not boarding despite being paged in the lounge

I did the right thing and sat us in row 2. Gillon in 1E. His offsider is back to economy x!

Mum gets bumped from 9C to back row 30C at the gate (when I looked on board an elderly lady had her seat, fair enough).

We are on an ex silk air plane - it has virgin livery in J but still orange silk air seats in Y
Friendly J crew tells me they call it “the carrot”. Entertainment on wifi doesn’t work

Delicious bruschetta and pancakes for breakfast

Worried about missing our connection (30 mins connecting time but we are 20 mins behind) I check with the crew. Friendly response - she checks with captain who calls the company and says our onward flight will hold 11 mins for us. No battle axes here!

After landing and seat belt sign off I accidentally push in front of Gillon as the door is open… but we aren’t allowed off yet. Once permitted we walk straight to the other gate 39 to find the last few passengers boarding. Perfect. Mum got off the back fast from 30C so that was helpful.

Relaxing and uneventful flight to TSV. Average chicken burger for lunch. Staff give us some extra cheese and biscuits for kids instead of full meals that they won’t eat.

We pass a US Air Force cargo plane on taxi at TSV

All luggage received promptly at the other end

Back to economy on the way home (with VA372 now to be operated by Airnorth on an E190) as I can’t upgrade us post 30 June promo

 

[BriarFlyer]

<My mum is with us but has to travel in economy!>

That's just wrong.

 

[Hvr]

Gillon McLachlan, AFL CEO, arrives and is annoyed we are not boarding despite being paged in the lounge

Sounds like it's time to be worried. Gillon usually travels just before a state COVID lockdown.

Statement On The Pandemic Declaration | Premier of Victoria

As part of Victoria’s continued response to the coronavirus pandemic and as we continue to manage the challenges winter presents, I have extended the pandemic declaration to apply to the State of Victoria from 11.59pm Tuesday 12 July for three months.

www.premier.vic.gov.au

 

[MJHoops]

<My mum is with us but has to travel in economy!>

That's just wrong.

Not really forgivable is it. At least we paid for the accomm haha

 

[MJHoops]

Sounds like it's time to be worried. Gillon usually travels just before a state COVID lockdown.

Statement On The Pandemic Declaration | Premier of Victoria

As part of Victoria’s continued response to the coronavirus pandemic and as we continue to manage the challenges winter presents, I have extended the pandemic declaration to apply to the State of Victoria from 11.59pm Tuesday 12 July for three months.

www.premier.vic.gov.au

Oh my. Trigger warning!
We flew on 11 July MEL-BNE at 20:00. I booked us that day so we got out. Then went on with our pre booked Qld trip from the 14th… we didn’t rush back to MEL

 

[Anna]

Quick breaky, including escargot and baby cino, in the lounge

You had snails for breakfast?

 

[MJHoops]

You had snails for breakfast?

They were warm and delicious

 

[TomVexille]

...

I did the right thing and sat us in row 2. Gillon in 1E. ...

Must be his usual seat. I sat next to him on a MEL-ADL flight about 3 years ago ($70 upgrade win ). BT was slumming it back in row 7.