Meet A Moderator Perth TR - Part II

[QF WP]

After my last successful trip 3 weeks ago, it was time to come back. Those who have been reading the JASA thread know my joy when I got a 59K JASA (with $150 co-payment) BNE/MEL/PER.

Yesterday afternoon, I checked in on line at about T-23 hours and as I was on my mobile, couldn't print out my boarding passes.

After doing my chores this morning (mowing the lawn), jumped into the shower and after getting dressed, decided to change from my small suitcase to a larger one to be able to fit all my work files and clothes for the 2 day trip ahead. Made sure I swapped my New Generation bag tag and made the uneventful drive to the airport. Snagging a car spot on Level 1, then walked across to the Terminal. I checked in at the Gold/Plat area with my luggage and organised my boarding passes (3D on my BNE/MEL and 6J on my MEL/PER). Proceeded through security with my laptop and FF bag and as I packed my laptop back into its bag, knew that I was going to be buttonholed by one of the Ion Scanners, as they were both available - not that I mind, I know I wasn't carrying! She was actually really pleasant and advised be she'd have me on my way in no time. True to her word and to my expectation, the scanner showed a green bar and I was on my way.

Made my way to the escalator up to the Qantas Club and showed my BP, allowing me to veer right into the Business Lounge. Said hello to Linda Fletcher at the desk and asked her how was Friday went for Wendy Chalmers (the former Manager who retired on Friday). She was a bit surprised that I knew, so I advised her that I had received an email from Wendy on Thursday and we had traded a couple of emails. She said that Friday afternoon was full of tears for Wendy and she was looking forward to a long holiday.

Having little time now before boarding, I quickly grabbed a plate of food from the buffet, knowing that my meal in J was just going to be a snack flight. I tried to check AFF & FT on my iPhone but couldn't get connection. I was surprised to hear my name paged, so fronted the reception desk and Linda asked whether I was amenable to swapping to 1D, so a family could sit together across Row 4. I had no issues (hope that karma will be the same for me one day, when I need to ask the same thing), so she issued me with my new BP. Before long, my flight was boarding at Gate 18 and we were called.

Boarding the flight, I noticed the FA had a Japanese flag on her nametag, so greeted her in my bad Japanese. I boarded and was greeted at the door by Georgina and had no trouble finding my seat and sufficient overhead locker space for my FF bag and laptop. Was offered a strawberry & apple juice.

QF BNE/MEL (738)
FA - Georgina Johnston, Eirena

Pre-dinner drink: Gin & Tonic

Snack: Smoked salmon, capers and ? (anyone care to tell me what else I ate), washed down with a Middletons Shiraz. Forgot to add, a little sweet witha chocolate mousse centre.

The size of the meal was perfect, particularly given that my lunch was what I had in the BL. Sat next to a great pax Bob, who introduced himself and we chatted about flying, FF points and our upcoming trips to France (both there in late June). We settled down to reading after lunch as we both had work to do and I wanted to write up this section of the trip report. He laughed when I mentioned that I'd take a photo of my meal as he said he often did as well, given his work in food manufacturing.

We chatted until he had to go down the stairs to get his bags whilst I turned left and headed for the QC. Breezed up the escalator and past the general reception desk and headed straight down to the Business Lounge, where I checked some emails, responded to a meeting confirmation for tomorrow. I checked the Priority Club & Crack the Case web sites to see whether my 3 recent stays had posted (disappointing that PC & CtC posting takes 7+ days at the moment, whilst Hilton is next day) given my advancement towards the dual goal of Platinum and unlocking all the latches. The hour flew past and I headed downstairs when the first announcement was made, turned left and made my way to Gate 23. As I got there, the line was about 50 long so I joined it, unaware that there was a separate Business Line to the left until I saw a couple of pax who had walked down from the QC saunter past. I quickly corrected my error and joined them, to be told after scanning my BP that I needed to enter at the right hand door. Bemused, I complied and a nice surprise awaited me as I boarded and TURNED LEFT into Business.

QF481 MEL/PER (A332)
FA's - Karen Carver, another Karen & Ben
Seat: 6J (last row in Business)

I realised as soon as I turned left that I wasn't in a familiar plane configuration and checking the seat pocket, realised that this was my inaugural flight in J on an A332. It certainly has an International feel about it and I took my time acquainting myself with the controls and light switch before my seatmate arrived. (one doesn't want to make a complete fool of oneself by having to ask). We were again offered the strawberry and apple juice, so I partook to keep up my fluid intake.

Noticed that sitting in 6D was Dennis Cometti (the voice of AFL) and was surprised with just how tall he is.

Pre-dinner drink: Gin & Tonic

Entree: Spiced Carrot Soup with ? (assorted spiced grains)

Dinner: option of Sea Barramundi with Tomato & Caper dressing, or Soy Braised Chicken with Jasmine Rice or a Proscuito Salad

along with a Penfolds Bin 138 Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2005
(White options were Leeuwin Estate Sibling 2010 Sauvignon Blanc or Semillon or Rosabrook Chardonnay 2009)

Dessert: option of Cheese with candied fruits or Maggie Beers' ice cream (Burnt Fig, Honeycomb and Caramel) - I got given both

Partnered with a Middletons 2010 Botrysis Reisling

Service from the staff was excellent, although it pains me as a pax that others don't listen to what the FA's announce as they advise selections in the forward rows. By the time Ben had left Row 4, I had decided on what I was going to have for each - it also helped him. Perhaps I'm just cough enough to have made up my mind?

Another FA (perhaps the Chef) appeared when it was time to clear up and he was really good as well - came out on refills of dessert wine and water, turned off reading lights for pax obviously asleep and was really jovial.

Landed at 8.30pm local time and now booked into my room at the IC.

Time for a sleep!

Sent from my iPhone using AFF Mobile

 

[QF WP]

MONDAY

After getting back to my hotel room from my day of client meetings, I checked in on line at about T-23 hours (5.45pm PER time) and as I had no access to a printer, couldn't print out my boarding pass.

After a delightful meal with friends in East Perth (she is a casual FA for Qantas), I came back to the Holiday Inn Burswood


to catch up with cove for a late night beer (or two as it turned out) and chin wag about AFF and FF/FG points. I love the opportunity to meet members and see how we are all different (age, jobs, flying frequency and cabins) yet we share the love of flying.

TUESDAY

After navigating my way this morning into the CBD with my hire car to my sole appointment in BankWest Tower, I met my client and discussed his situation. As expected, he will need assistance from me in coming months to institute some changes to his financial planning and more than likely require me to return in July (after my LSL holiday) - changes in his work situation will be happening on 30 June so very apt timing for my return from holiday.

I had lunch at Taka's Kitchen in Sholto Lane after a recommendation from my FA friend (but as I mentioned on FB, a bit disappointed with the Prawn and Vegetable).

I drove back to the hotel, did my notes from the meeting and checked out at 2pm (as I'd organised late check out). I'd had excellent service from Pamela, a young Trainee on Reception - both when I checked in and the couple of times that I had come and gone yesterday and today. I made sure I gave her a rap in the Comments card that I handed into her as I checked out.

I then drove to the airport and initially made the mistake of driving into the wrong Hertz area (my first time handing a car back at the airport). After finding the right spot about 500m down the road, I then checked in the car, got the print out and walked across to the Terminal. I checked in at the Gold/Plat area with my luggage and the CSA had no trouble issuing my boarding passes (35J on my PER/BNE flight tonight - if I was going to be in Economy, it was going to be an exit row aisle). Proceeded through security with my laptop and FF bag and made my way to the escalator and up to the Qantas Club. I looked around to see if there was anyone that might like some time in the QC (yes, I like found random acts of kindness), but couldn't see anyone. Showed my BP and entered the afternoon zoo that was the Perth QC.

After I found a seat at the back left hand side of the lounge, I quickly grabbed a plate of food from the buffet, knowing that with more work to do both here and onboard, that I should have my meal now. I changed to the long benches seats to fire up the laptop and charge up the iPhone. What annoyed me was that of 5 sockets that I tried, only 1 worked and I only got that after the previous person vacated his seat and plug as his flight was called. Before long, my flight was boarding at Gate 13 and I packed up and went downstairs to add myself to the queue.

Boarding the flight, I went past the former COO of my main client but whilst I said hello, he either ignored me or didn't hear my greeting. Went to my seat and found my seatmate was already in his window seat and I could understand why he wanted an exit row as he was 2 or 3 inches taller than me. Thankfully had sufficient overhead locker space for my FF bag and laptop.

QF594 PER/BNE (767-338)
FA - CeeAnne, Steve

After listening to the exit row briefing, introduced myself to my seatmate and found I had another Gold FF sitting next to me, who worked in Emergency Services and lived in Ipswich. He often flew BNE/PER and then into regional WA. As often happens, the discussion led to QFF and I mentioned the new changes. We then moved to FF points and he was unaware of ASA's so I explained the difference between them and Classic awards. He wondered how I knew so much, I responded that I was a member of a couple of FF web sites and showed him the AFF and FT buttons pm my iPhone. He said that he had surfed AFF in Karratha during this trip, so I smiled. I think we have another convert!

As I had already filled up with food in the QC, I passed on dinner and settled back with my laptop and did some work. I did accept the jaw shattering ice cream again and a cuppa to keep me going though!

At the end of the flight, I did get an AFF bagtag from my bag (as I'd bought 6 initially) and presented it to him, so I hope to see him as a member soon.

Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[cove]

Markis10 laid out a series of flights using BNE as a starting point and using JASAs thru Townsville and Darwin.
Your TR makes it look like there is little hardship involved in heading out of PER in J in that quest for WP1 status.
Thanks for the camera shots.