Of Wings and Whispers

[drron]

We got asked a few times why when we have booked a J trip do we go to Sydney then fly to LAX-DFW.Why not BNE-LAX-DFW or BNE-SYD-DFW.Well for the first route there is no chance of an F upgrade or a proper Flounge.For the segond it just comes down to miles and SCs.But as well when we stay at Rydges it is a chance to catch up with various family members over dinner.On this occasion it was 1730 for our son and 2 grandkids-number 3 had the D&V.Joined at 1815 by mrsdrron's sister and our neice then at 1900 by my sister and her +1.So a staggered meal for us.I began with an entrée-corn and prawn risotto which was very good,mrsdrron with pork belly.

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Later I went for the duck breast + confit of duck leg spring roll.The other photo is of my SIL's lamb schnitzel.The other meals were simple steaks,burgers and the desserts were not unusual.

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Then to bed and awake at 0600 as the sun rose-

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Through checkin pretty quickly.At security I asked for the body scanner and a little wait.Mrsdrron stood at the baggage line packing my computer etc but the secondary screening guy came and took her away for screening.fortunately only a few seconds before I got to my bags.wasn't allowed to take my jacket from her.But in the lounge at 0655.
Service certainly has gone downhill.Had to wait some time for our order to be taken.We both had the corn fritters-enough pics of those already.Once again burnt bacon and I had asked for 2 roast tomatoes to be added.They did not appear.
No one famous that I recognised but sat next to a couple who appeared to be pretty involved in One Nation the way they were discussing a newspaper article and those mentioned in it.

Then off to the gate.QF had decided to give mrsdrron the famous SSSS on her BP.She wasn't taking a trick.
Next-QF11.

 

[drron]

So after 2 explosives tests none were found but I was a little worried that she might have become explosive.Fortunately not.Met at the top of the air bridge by an F host and taken to seats 2F,K.Soon a glass of Compte 2006 and all is well-

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Now mrsdrron had heard there were special Rio PJs on QF.But they are only for J pax-so she ended up with 2 sets of PJs-

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The canapes also served as we were a little late.

QF11. SYD-LAX. ETD-0950. Push back-1031. Take off-1101.
ETA-0630. Landed-0720. At gate-0735.


Now the menus.First the tasting menu which I had-

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Now the A la carte menu which was mrsdrron's choice-

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Now mrsdrron had the prawn oil pasta with crab and then ordered the duck a L'orange.The QF catering staff struck again.The duck was not loaded and instead a spitchcock dish which she had.Was not amused.

 

[drron]

So to the wine list-

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I started with the reisling but did say I was going to try a few-

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the first 3 courses of the tasting menu-

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I didn't take photos of the rest.As a silent protest I always return NP's mixed leaves untouched as I don't regard it as a proper salad.The tart was pretty simple.I did enjoy the meal though the curry was a little insipid.
I began with the reisling,then the pinot noir and finally the cabernet which was the wine I enjoyed the most.With dessert I had the sweet white.

As an aside I did enjoy the new safety video.I am sure David Walsh enjoyed being asked to do the O2 mask scene.\Also seat 1A and one of the FAs were also from the Sunshine coast.

I watched The Last Cab to Darwin and thoroughly enjoyed it.Then watched Putaparri a documentary re the land rights battle for the Stoney desert.I also enjoyed that.Next some fitful sleep.Couldn't sleep any more so listened to the Beatles and finishing with the best of Queen whilst reading my kindle.

Next-brekkie and mishaps.

 

[drron]

One of the Beatles albums on the play list was Rubber Soul which is my favourite.Some of the songs have relevance to various periods of my life but coming up to our 45th wedding anniversary this one now stands out-
[video=youtube_share;z5CjaqZb5nM]https://youtu.be/z5CjaqZb5nM[/video]

 

[OATEK]

One of the Beatles albums on the play list was Rubber Soul which is my favourite.Some of the songs have relevance to various periods of my life but coming up to our 45th wedding anniversary this one now stands out-
[video=youtube_share;z5CjaqZb5nM]https://youtu.be/z5CjaqZb5nM[/video]

Mrsoatek and I both brought a copy of this album to our marriage. Along with a Hard Day's Night they were the two best I always thought.

At 43 years married this year I think I know what you mean about looking back... and being very satisfied with what you have.

 

[Pushka]

Cant wait to hear the outcome of the SSS.

 

[boomy]

We got asked a few times why when we have booked a J trip do we go to Sydney then fly to LAX-DFW.Why not BNE-LAX-DFW or BNE-SYD-DFW.Well for the first route there is no chance of an F upgrade or a proper Flounge.For the segond it just comes down to miles and SCs.But as well when we stay at Rydges it is a chance to catch up with various family members over dinner.

People who ask these questions are obviously not frequent flyers. As someone who always on the look for longer route combinations I get asked by family and friends why the hell I'm doing that. At first I used to try and explain the logic but later gave up and decided to let everyone think I'm crazy

Great TR btw

 

[drron]

Pushka the SSSS was for the gate at SYD for a patdown and explosives testing.After already having had secondary screening after Immigration she was not amused.
But back to the flight.About 2 hours out of LAX the wake up call also included the fact that all the chillers on the plane had failed to function so that there would be no hot brekkie.failed to mention no fresh fruit or bircher muesli as well.So turned out I would have been happy with the café brekkie!Added to mrsdrron's failure of QF catering for the third meal in a row the mulberry Danish was a croissant spread with mulberry jam.
So here's what my brekkie looked like-

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Arrived at the gate and the auxiliary power unit wouldn't start so engines kept running and pax belted in their seats until ground power was hooked up.From the crew this plane had had problems on it's last flight.
The fun though had only started.We were first off so no one at Immigration when we arrived.Seem to be more machines than on our last arrival a year ago.My machine wouldn't print out a machine so went to a second whilst mrsdrron went through Immigration.Now wit my receipt I was told to go straight through to the agent.As I walked up he barked-"Wait til you're called."So I waited a couple of minutes until called.Handed over my receipt and passport and asked for my customs card.Well mrsdrron had it and she had gone through."Well you are not getting into the USA without it."As it turned out mrsdrron had not even been asked for it.After a couple more minutes of a lecture I said I will go back and get a form.Got my passport but not receipt back.Walked down the line and ducked into another agent behind a post.Told him the story and he just laughed and knew who it was I had gone to first but explained without the receipt he would just have to do the fingerprints and photo again.no problem.

So after I finally got to the baggage area it was still a little wait for bags and in true QF style we waited until the second half for our bags.So through to the bag drop and then to the security point to access the walkway to T4.As usual My knee set off the alarm-unfortunately no body scanners there.I was asked to stand aside and despite several TSA agents standing around talking I had to wait for nearly 5 minutes before 1 took me through for a pat down.no wanding here.The most thorough patdown yet with hands inside my jeans.I think I must have had a secret notation on my record!.

Eventually got to the Flagship lounge in T4 and was sitting down as 50 minutes since leaving the plane ticked around.Went straight and got a plate of bacon and smoked salmon.Noone famous in the lounge.A 737 in old AA livery and this one-

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About 20 minutes before boarding and an announcement made that the gate had been changed from 42B to 61 in Terminal 6.At least there is an airside walkway there too.Also a bus but a scrum waiting for it and the agent in charge was only letting a few on each bus so we walked.As we got to T5 we were offered a lift on an AA cart.

AA 2410 next.

 

[drron]

People who ask these questions are obviously not frequent flyers. As someone who always on the look for longer route combinations I get asked by family and friends why the hell I'm doing that. At first I used to try and explain the logic but later gave up and decided to let everyone think I'm crazy

Great TR btw

Actually the second Immigration agent at LAX said I obviously was on a mileage run as I had not flown direct to DFW on QF or continued on to JFK on QF.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sounds like a less than optimal first flight. I've never been met by a first Host on the air bridge when in First, though.

I have a SYD-LAX F upgrade request in for a couple of weeks hence. Might think about saving the points ...

 

[boomy]

Drron hope you will send feedback to QF. Since you flew F they will take it seriously and most likely throw some points at your direction.

 

[drron]

The CSM came and spoke to all the F pax saying she had notified QF of the problems and it was not the way it should treat it's best customers.I will give them a few days.Though the SYD-LAX flight has not posted yet the LAX-DFW one has.
The response though is not as good as AA.with a similar problem on an F award flight extra points had been deposited into our AA accounts before the flight had finished.

 

[drron]

When we arrived at Gate 61 the incoming plane had just arrived.People everywhere.We were obviously going to be a bit late.When boarding was announced it was first class and serving military only.There were no upgrades to first and no standbys got on.It turned out that virtually nobody standing at the gate was in the first group on.
AA2410. LAX-DFW. ETD-1121. Push back-1141. Takeoff-1158. Seats 2A,C. A321S.
ETA-1631. Landed-1631. At gate-1645.
So the traditional shoe shot-

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Lunch was a salad with chicken.As usual tasted a bit better than it looked-

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An uneventful flight.We both had a little sleep.Baggage took a while to arrive but ours were amongst the first few.You now have to ring for a hotel shuttle but there is a courtesy phone at the Lower Level doors.Fortunately the shuttle was already close to arriving at the A Terminal as the temp was 101F,38C.Arrived soon after at the Sheraton DFW and for the first time at this hotel we were upgraded to a suite.A large dining/sitting room with an accessible bedroom.

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Basically looks out towards Dallas but as this was at the end of the floor one window looks out to DFW-

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We were in the room at 1730 and mrsdrron went straight to bed.I went up to the lounge for a couple of caffeine shots and managed to stay up until 2100 before succumbing.We still were awake quite early so saw the sun come up over Dallas-

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[drron]

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The last photo was from the lounge where we had breakfast.OK.Good fruit + 4 hot dishes.
Then got the 0800 shuttle back to DFW.Whilst waiting a few planes went overhead-

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[drron]

So dropped at entrance A25.Straight up to checkin.Done quickly and both TSA pre check but once at security another patdown because of my knee.However come out at Gate 23 where our plane will be and where the AC is.Of course with an AC nothing really with food.Were given drink chits but a bit early and we leave them with a woman when we head to the gate.
Boarding began virtually as we got to the gate.once more first class and serving military only in first group.

AA1169. DFW-LGA. ETD-1050. Push back-1048. Takeoff-1055 Seats 4A,C. A321S
ETA-1521. Landed-1453. At gate-1500.
Now this is our 4th flight where our preselected seats haven't stuck.It really does happen.Also just a summary of mrsdrron's QFF earning-310 SCs and 29000 points as against if we had flown QF SYD-LAX-JFK 280SCs and 28000 points.
Lunch was once again a chicken salad which mrsdrron had-much better than the one on the previous flight.I had the ravioli which was quite tasty.Again not visually appealing.

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Note they don't muck around with little wine glasses.I stopped at 2 as I had to drive when we arrived at LGA.As soon as I had finished lunch I went to sleep and awoke as we touched down.It was a very short taxi to the gate but we had to wait 5 minutes for air bridge operator to come.
The LGA ground staff has obviously had some QF baggage handling tutorials as our bags were near last.Then a wait for the Avis bus and a long trip to the depot.LGA is a shambles at present.
Avis Preferred failed again as name not on the board but it at least cuts down considerably on the paperwork.first given a Volvo station wagon which is not great driving around with your luggage on view so swapped to a new Taurus..The the Central Parkway to I87 lived up to it's name and the first few miles on I87 were also a slowly moving carpark due to an accident.After that no problems and soon checking in to the Sheraton Tarrytown.Asked on checkin if it was our first time.Well actually about 30 years ago we stated at a Sheraton Tarrytown but it was in an entirely different location-it is now a DT.
Given an ordinary room.Place a bit of a mess as renovations going on.
Next-off shopping.

 

[JohnM]

Note they don't muck around with little wine glasses.

Those monster stemless wine glasses are one thing that has always surprised me on AA F. Normally wowsers rule in LOTFAP but they certainly super-size the wine in this case.

 

[drron]

Tarrytown is a reasonable base to explore the Hudson river Valley.There are many things to do here including Kykuit-a Rockefeller Estate and their church Union Church of Pontantico with wonderful stained glass windows by Chagall and Matisse,FDR home and library,West Point, a Vanderbilt mansion and many more.A guide here-
Heritage Sites Map

But we have seen most a couple of times so now simpler pleasures-

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It is not far to the Palissades mall at Nyack.Includes Macys and Lord and Taylor dept stores.Does seem to be going through a hard time at present.But does have mrsdrron's new favourite store-Uniqlo.After some retail therapy for her it was up to Joes Crab Shack.Good seafood.We both had crab and lobster bakes but mine also came with spiced sausage and shrimp.Excellent but huge meals.

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Then back for a good sleep.
But a problem.The next day I remembered I had left my Amex there so had to backtrack.By the reaction of the manager it happens frequently.Though mrsdrron wont let me forget for the rest of the trip......no make that the rest of my life!.

 

[drron]

Wednesday and first a short run to the Woodbury Common outlets.They have had a big reno since we were last here so had to find our bearings.A coffee and Cinnabon for brekkie.Picked up a few bargains.then my backtrack to Nyack before travelling on to the Sheraton South Hartford.There is a dinosaur park just down the road but raining so we decided to have an easy day.
Dinner was at Red Lobster.They have certainly upped their game in the last couple of years.We shared a bowl of mussels in garlic and white wine.Delicious.Then I had an Alaskan crab I hadn't heard of before-Bairdi.Nice big legs and sweet meat.Mrsdrron had a Maine seafood bake with small lobster tails,mussels,scallops and prawns-she liked it.

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A near disaster in the morning.The safe was pretty wobbly and was just sitting on a small metal base.I opened the door,took out the computers and as I walked over to the desk the safe fell over.It only had small screws into the wall and was not bolted to the floor.So leaving the door open changed the centre of gravity.Fortunately it didn't fall on my foot.Could have done some serious damage.

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Thursday and another day of shopping coming up.

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Wednesday and first a short run to the Woodbury Common outlets.

Great TR so far. How long did you spend at Woodbury Common? We'll be in NYC in December and were thinking of hiring a car got the day to get there and have somewhere to put our shopping during the day.

 

[drron]

Mrsdrron has been outlet shopping for 30 years so knows exactly which places she wants to go so we only spent a couple of hours.
Most spend nearly the whole day.
But even if you don't spend the whole day there if you have a car you can go to some of the other attractions in the Hudson Valley.It is quite scenic.
There is another large outlet mall closer to NYC close to EWR-there is public transport available-listed on their website.It is more downmarket but here is the website-
Store Directory For The Mills at Jersey Gardens Sorted By ALL - A Shopping Center In Elizabeth, NJ 07201-4901 - A Simon Property