Brief Trip Report - SYD-POM and Return - March 2015

[VA777]

Travelling to PNG to run a three day Internal Controls and Fraud Course - second time I have run this program (first about the same time last year), but this year added a third day on case studies.

As a VFF (Plat), the training organisation agreed for me to fly VA, and pay flexi fares allowing me to upgrade to J for the BNE-POM-BNE sectors. I really would like VA to consider origin to destination for upgrades as I think on that basis it wouldn't take many more point compared with sector basis.

Checked in at Sydney Premium, nice person checking me in, but had not seen an APEC Business Travel Card before, and obviously had been educated about the issue with visa now being required before departure travelling to PNG. Mentioned that with the APEC BTC this was my visa, she needed to go to the service counter for confirmation. After a few minutes delay, came back and happily checked me in.

Queues were not long at security so went through the main security lines rather than going out to the Premium Entry.

Pulled out for swab checks - 5 out of 5 of the week!.

The Lounge is a little disappointing on a Sunday morning - there is no capability for decaf coffee, and no scrambled eggs. Had breakfast of Corn Thins and various jams which was pleasant enough.

Shortly before boarding, I was paged, and got concerned that there still may be an issue with my APEC BTC. However, pleasantly surprised that I was offered an upgrade to J Class. First comp upgrade since becoming Plat earlier this year.

Boarding pass is interesting - Class is shown at J at the bottom, but Economy at the top!



Flight departed right on time, and on the parallel runway, heading south - travelled quite a way I assume to due cloud - we seemed to be flying between two levels of cloud, and only when there was clear air above, did we turn and head to BNE



As noted on my BP, catering wasn't guaranteed, there were 5 Pax in J (E190) and I thought the cabin supervisor did a nice task, simply starting from row 2 moving to me as the last person (1A), so it was not obvious to everyone else that there may not be catering for me.

I mentioned that I was gluten free, and she mentioned there was a GF Muesli and soya milk if I wanted that as well. This was from the "Pantry", in my view a great enhancement. Was a good GF Muesli


Approach to BNE seemed to be closer to land than I am use to but great approach and landing.



Arrived on time in BNE and then transferred by train to the International Terminal (managed to get to the station as a train was about to depart - not to self, about 3 min walk from terminal exit to station), and then straight to immigration.

Not hassled about having two bags before immigration by security which was great.

First time not selected for secondary check of bags at security.

The big decisions for immigration was to go through the Priority/Express lane or the "normal pax" lane. First time I have ever experienced a huge queue, in SYD the APEC BTC line is separate to the Express Lane, but not the case in BNE. Whilst there were two officers, one was always being used by air crew, so effectively only one officer for Express/APEC line.

Headed through the Duty Free maze, then around the construction to the NZ Lounge. Was very busy and hard to find a seat. Noticed there was a set of seats reserved for VA Pax, so asked if I could sit there. Front desk stated they were dedicated to VA7 Pax, and then made an announcement for people to take bags, coats etc off spare chairs so people could sit down. Very busy, but plenty of food (didn't need any and as usual NZ lounges do well for GF pax in lounge). Quick coffee, then the long walk to the departure gate 75B, was one of the last pax to board.

 

[VA777]

Part 2 - Flight BNE to POM

Only 2 pax in J class on the 737-800. I choose row 2 for the legroom - I find row 1 not sufficient room to stretch out.

Great Cabin Supervisor - mentioned Gluten Free need, we discussed options, Pork with some elements. Hadn't realised that all the elements are separated and heated up then combined, allow certain items not to be included.

Nuts and drinks soon after departure.



Asked if I could have my meal closer to POM, effectively lunch, which wasn't an issue for the Cabin Supervisor at all.

Did a lot of review work on the way up, great to be able to spread my material out over both seats.

Nice view of the Great Barrier Reef on the way up.



Lunch was served as agreed, stated to eat, didn't seem warm enough and soon found cold. Asked if it could be re-heated. CS embarrassed, but found that the Captains meal wasn't heated properly, appears there was an issue with an oven.

When returned, good temp for eating.



For my dessert, the CS provided a GF biscuit from the "Pantry" without being asked.



Ended up arriving about 30 mins early into POM.

 

[VA777]

Part 3

Landing into POM - apparently one of the aerobridges at POM is not working so VA stand off with stairs - slightly raining on arrival so quick dash to the terminal stairs.

Cleared immigration quickly, then baggage collection - bit of a wait and the bags were wet from the rain, then customers and out to get the bus to the hotel. Fortunately I appeared to be the only pax going to the Crowne Plaza, so not waiting around.

 

[VA777]

PART 4

Last time I stayed at the Holiday Inn, which wasn't bad, and has the benefit of ground within the security zone to get out of the hotel. This time the organisers had me at the Crown Plaza, which unfortunately has very little outside space within the security zone, the only place being the pool, but it was raining for the first couple of days from Cyclone Nathan.

As is usual in POM, the hotel is run down and needs quite a bit of work.

Bedroom area


Bathroom

Shower / Bath


Bedroom

 

[VA777]

Part 5

Plenty of TV channels, including those from Australia - most channels which was good.

After 5 days, was feeling a little claustrophobic, next time I am going to ask for a Club level floor to have another space to go to.

View from my first room


There was not bottle water in the room and a limited number of tea/coffee, plus no mini bar. Managed to get the hotel staff to ensure plenty of water in my room and extra tea bags, which by the second day they got into the swing of it.


There was a major issue with the air-conditioning in my room, even when the temp was up high, it continued to pump out cold air. So was moved to another room on the floor. Not much better, so ended up turing the air con on and off strategically through the day.

Interesting car parking as viewed from my second room.

 

[VA777]

PART 6

The conference room wasn't ideal for the training I was providing, but it worked out ok in the end. At least this time we didn't have power outages (last year usual 3 per day!).

There was a toilet attached to our room, but definitely showing its age!



Space for lunch was in the main cafe area.



The F&B Director looked after me fantastically well in relation to my special dietary needs - from that point of view all other issues with hotel are irrelevant in my mind - feed well, not ill, therefor work well!

Leaving the hotel at 11.30 on the shuttle bus was delayed as some people were only coming down to check out when bus was due to leave - rather inconsiderate.

Getting out of the hotel to the main road to the airport was slow as traffic on Thursday before lunchtime is quite heavy for POM.

 

[VA777]

PART 7

POM airport is still under redevelopment (things happen very slowly in PNG).

Check in area rather cramped with two flights to Australia checking in a the same time.

VA Premium line not many people, but the team on the desk from Air PNG are very slow.

Eventually checked in, through to immigration (express lane access good - but need to remember that next time climb the stair on the outer-side rather than queueing on the stairs as the non express lane queue was out of immigration and half way down the stairs).

Quick through immigration, then security, no issue taking my GF lunch from the hotel into the departure lounge.

As a VA pax no lounge access and PriorityPass don't have access here either.

Lounge is very small due to construction and by the time all pax for PNG flight and VA flight in lounge standing room only. There are no display monitors in the lounge, and not announcement system. When the PNG flight was ready - no announcement, people just got up to board. I moved closer to the gate, and eventually the VA flight was open, but no announcement, just needed to work out it was time to board.



Secondary security check of bags prior to boarding was a waste of time, of my two bags on board, only a couple of areas of either were checked.

Was welcomed by Laura the Cabin Supervisor, who was the same one we had on the way up. She likes this run as a part-time CS - and the timing fits in well with child care which is great.

This time 4 pax in J class, pax next to me, we are offered to move to a double in row 1, but both of us want the extra leg room. Fortunately the work I need to do on the way home was on my iPad, so not an issue having someone next to me.

Departure was delayed as a pax from the flight up was not granted entry into PNG, and there was confusion as to whether he was still in Customs or not. Apparently he was already on Board!

Flight not to bad coming back - very high cloud with Cyclone Nathan returning.



Laura looked after all J pax well, and worked with the menu to provide a Gluten Free meal, salmon, which was great and no heating issue this time. Again asked for it to be delayed to be closer to dinner, which was not a problem.



First time I can remember with all my trips up north that I have seen the top of the Cape York, which was great to see.



Arrived in BNE only a couple of mins late - cleared immigration - using the Auto machines, which is quicker than the APEC line, bags a little delayed, then the long line for customs (no express line any more).

Dropped bags at the domestic transfer desk, and there was a bus ready to go.

Easy transfer to Domestic - no queue at the Premium Security line, up to the Lounge for a quick drink, the boarding the flight to Sydney. Row 3, snack, watched some West Wings and arrived back in Sydney on time.

All in all happy with the VA experience.