A swing through South America

[VPS]

Boy that's a lot of planning - looking forward to it going live

 

[Scarlett]

Getting closer to departure and there have been the inevitable changes from some airlines:

QF have scheduled a B737 in place of the A321XLR I was supposed to be on for MEL-SYD. I guess it could always swap back again. As a mostly VA flyer I was looking forward to trying out the new-ish jet.

Annoyingly, I’ve had AV swap out their B787 for SCL-BOG on the leg heading back to the US. They’ve swapped to a Wamos A330 charter aircraft. At least it still seems to have lie-flat J from what they’ve sent me but disappointed not to get to try out the best AV product.

 

[Scarlett]

One change to my plan has been the booking of Aerolíneas Argentinas to fly from MVD to SCL. Two relatively short flights with a quick transit at AEP in Buenos Aires.

I booked whY as they’re short hops but had hoped to have Skyteam status via DL status match. That is proving problematic and I expect will not be approved.

I have tried to match against VA WP which would give Diamond Medallion if approved. DL have come back asking for more info to confirm VFF status (sent screen capture of VFF WP digital card initially). Have now also sent screen shot of my confirmed WP requal.

Also confirmed I have not taken a DL flight in the past three years (but have taken about 100 VA flights), which might be the main roadblock.

 

[Scarlett]

Packing day tomorrow!

Normally it’s an exciting part but for this trip a little more apprehensive. Bolivia still hasn’t calmed down fully and although I have some Diamox the ‘anyone could be susceptible’ to altitude sickness gives me pause.

I reckon both the suitcase and golf travel bag will be chockers.

 

[kpc]

Packing day tomorrow!

Normally it’s an exciting part but for this trip a little more apprehensive. Bolivia still hasn’t calmed down fully and although I have some Diamox the ‘anyone could be susceptible’ to altitude sickness gives me pause.

I reckon both the suitcase and golf travel bag will be chockers.

Just read about the issues in Bolivia....sad as we were there in February and there were no issues at all. We took Diamox as well but also spent a week acclimatising in Colombia prior. La Paz airport is at El Alto at 4050m.....lots of dizzy looking people getting off the plane! Get a taxi or Uber to La Paz asap as it is lower at 3600m....I was a bit dizzy and had a hedache the first night but was fine after a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, La Paz is quite hilly so that didn't help!

 

[Scarlett]

After much fretting about this:



and QF41 being cancelled for the past three days, the ash cloud has moved west and at 0300 AEDT this morning, CGK reopened.

So, it’s time.

 

[Scarlett]

CBR J lounge (now with tarmac view windows) is very quiet on a Tuesday morning, but both this and QP open. I wonder how the crowding situation has gone in both lounges since the swap of locations? Certainly this J lounge feels too large.

Normally I’m a VA flyer out of here so this is an exactly the same view of the airport but from a slightly different angle. Very nice lounge.

 

[Scarlett]

At check in this morning there was a slight hold up with the agent needing to disappear and speak to a supervisor. Apparently they needed to ring Sydney, maybe to confirm that the flight is indeed operating.

What is concerning is that for an airport that is open and with a significant backlog, there still doesn’t appear to be RPT movement.



FR24 shows a solitary freighter taxiing for departure to Malaysia. I did see a bizjet landed just before this (from DPS), so not sure what CGK is doing.

One hour later - now we’re talking!

 

[Scarlett]

No snow sighted on the Snowy Mountains.

And wow, how green is the country surrounding Melbourne right now!