Maca44 said:
There would appear to be a number of other benefits.... escorted young Lachlan to the baggage carousel and then the QF person waited whilst he cleared customs. (although I noticed Lachlan had to push his own trolley so it can't be that good)
Hi, I'm new here and find this thread fascinating!
I'll preface by saying it's pretty unlikely I'll end up in CL.
I'm not the son/daughter of any chair-person, pollie, or anyone else "important". I'm a self-made person who doesn't run a huge corp (just an SME), and I don't fly all that much. I sit up front because I pay for it -- well, biz usually does for me -- and I'm pretty good at finding my way to baggage carousels and getting through customs. Well, unless I'm pissed, and then it's dodgy

, but even then I do make it!!!
Mind you, I always organise a limo pick-up -- that's my concession to comfort and ease.
Frankly, I think the people who spend week-in, week-out on planes deserve perks, rather than the chairman types. But that's my opinion.
Now that I'm about to retire I'm going to have plenty of time for travel, but I'll still pay for sitting in first or biz and normal club lounges are cool with me.
I also like trying different airlines (some girls, like me, hate being bored!) and prefer not to be hog-tied to one.
But, if on the unbelievably unlikely event of becoming a member -- who knows what post-retirement might bring; I am only 40 after all -- I'll be sure to give an account (although, sounds like you've got plenty of resources here already.)
Anyway, this was really a 'saying hi' post, and a thank you for all the great info! I certainly appreciate the wisdom of you frequent travellers -- which is better than bloody Amex Platinum travel!
skorat
eta: I am of the female persuasion. I hope that's OK -- given a couple of things I've just read...

ROFL