- Joined
- Jun 20, 2002
- Posts
- 17,763
- Qantas
- Gold
- Virgin
- Platinum
Background:
All is really told in my QF thread, but a precis is that I had a Conference to attend in Auckland between 16-18 January, so I convinced Mrs LW to attend with me. We have very close friends in AKL, so we would be able to spend additional time either side of the Conference with them.
With the impending loss of upgrade credits (I had 8, with two expiring 30 Nov and 31 Jan 05 respectively) I thought we'd go in style (upgrade to J on our two hops over the Tasman), as my overseas trips will be curtailed now as we plan to start a family on our return. For those not familar with the QF system, it costs 2 UC's for the relatively short flights. I had booked two Q class fares @ AUD$516.78 p.p with the SYD/BNE a V class @ $126.70 p.p.
Saturday, 15 January
After our first two weeks back at work, I had been pushing hard to finish as much work as I could, so there were some late nights. We were able to have a sleep in this morning, given we had a midday departure and we live only 8.5kms (5 miles) from the airport.
BNE International Check-in
After being dropped at the Terminal by a taxi at 10.45am, we checked in at Row 4 at the First/Business counter (usually it's Row 6). Our CSA was Donna. We had originally been allocated 4AB, however knowing there would be a couple of other Conference delegates in Y (that would stop to talk to us on their trek down to the back of the plane), I wanted some peace and quiet on the upper deck with Mrs QF WP (it was a 2-class 744). So I asked Donna whether 16AB was available. I always love it when CSA's look strangely at me (the "how does he know that??" look), but she said nothing and changed the BP's. Alas, this wasn't a Skybed fitted plane, but rather the old Dreamtime seats...but J was better than Y (upgrades had only come through the day before). We were sequence 365 and 366 (indicating a very full flight).
Luggage wasn't a problem as we both had 17kgs and only one bag each. (Quite surprising that Mrs LW only had 17 kgs considering how many different outfits she'd packed
). We said goodbye to Donna and we made our way downstairs into the Customs line and sure enough, came across another 4 delegates with spouses in the line behind us. Thankfully, most of the delegates leaving today had chosen the Air NZ flight that was delayed but still left (at 11.30am) before us .
(Permit me the indulgence to be a little smug here...
) I knew I wouldn't see any of them after Security, given that as I was a QF Platinum we had access to the First Lounge and I they were just excited to be flying overseas to a Conference (only one of them would have had any status - probably Gold). Call me a snob, but this morning I just wanted quiet time with my wife to enjoy the fruits of my labour (status) and didn't want to invite any of them into the lounge [although we could have got 2 people into the Qantas Pub (as we affectionately call it) as Mrs LW is an AA Plat member courtesy of an AA Plat Challene last year]. I'm sure that some people can understand my selfish thinking this morning...
BNE International QF First Class Lounge
After trying to find a decent novel for my wife to read on the way over, we continued upstairs to the Lounge, handing over our BP's and were invited to enter the First Lounge door (on the LHS of the normal Qantas Club). There were only 2 pax in it (one being a company senior exec that I was "forced" to chat to for a couple of minutes and help him change seats to 16K) before we settled down to raid the "pre lunch" food offerings. As usual, the fare consisted of marinated mushrooms, feta and black olives ( my favourites
), a Greek salad, fruit, cheese triangles and finger sandwiches. A fine bottle of Moet greeted me as I opened the fridge, so I soon emptied part of it's contents into two flutes and carried them back to our table (I got brownie points for that :-: ).
Before too long, the boarding announcement was made so we exited the Lounge and walked across the open area towards Gate 82. It was already showing "Flight Closed" which always agitates Mrs LW; but I promised here that we wouldn't miss the flight and continuted our short walk to the Gate. When we arrived, it was a zoo - a line 100 metres long of Y pax (including about 15 delegates) queuing for the 2 BP readers; so I just calmly suggested to Mrs LW that we bypass the line and walk to the side (we had the privilege, why not use them - I hate
standing in lines). so with a protesting Mrs LW in tow (she didn't think we could); I approached the left hand CS desk and handed over our BP's. The CSA was about to protest at my queue jumping antics, then saw the different colour BP and my printed Plat status....so she turned to the other CSA and fed through our BP's. She returned them with a "please board Mr & Mrs Wilson" and held the line as we entered the walkway. Don't you just love status 
Flight
Airline, Flight Number, Ports: QF25 BNE/AKL
Rego: VH-??? (B747-400)
Seats: 16AB (J cabin, upstairs)
SDT: 12.05pm
Pushback: 12.20pm, Take-off: 12.30pm
Mileage: 1,430 miles
That allowed us to board and make our way to our upstairs J seats without pumping into anyone, relax and get a Charles Heidseick champagne before take-off. Serving us today would be Kylie and Rob (with Liz making a cameo appearance with the Champagne).
Our former Regional Manager and his wife walked past us, so I said hi to them as he has always been very close to my father and they were a lovely couple (they were in 13AB). Announcement was made that on this leg the Capt was Mark Sullivan, CSS was Steven Wilson and CSM (making the announcement) was David O'Toole. He humoured me by saying "turn off all mobile phones, Blackberries, Blueberries and any other kind of berries".
Take-off was uneventful and soon the Capt announced that the crusing Altitude would be 370FL with the flight path taking us over Lord Howe Island then direct to Auckland for an estimated 2 hr 30 min actual flying time. Fine weather was expected en-route, scattered cloud with light breeze and 21 degrees in AKL. Touch down was estimated to be between 6pm and 6.15pm with disembarkation shortly thereafter (perhaps a little later than the cheduled 6pm arrival).
At 1.20pm, lunch was served:
Entree
Nicoise Salad
Main Course
Stir Fried Beef with Pepper Sauce, Steamed Rice an Asian Greens
Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni with Tomato and Pancetta Sauce
Salad of Smoked Chicken with Mint and Yougurt Dressing *
Dessert
Cheese Selection, Dried Fruit and Water Crackers
Ice Cream with Almond Biscuits (biscotti)
or
Express Dining
(To allow more time for relaxation or work, choose a quicker meal service)
[which translated means you get it all together on the tray]
Salad of Smoked Chicken with Mint and Yougurt Dressing *
Seasonal Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
Cheese Selection, Dried Fruit and Water Crackers
* Healthier option
Red Wine - St Hugo 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
White Wine - Leeuwin Estate Prelude 2003 Chardonnay
As we had some time, I quickly copied down what was showing on the IFE Channels on this leg, for those who might be interested:
1 - Garden State
2 - Wimbledon
3 - Criminal
4 - The Manchurian Candidate
5 - Without a Paddle
6 - Cellular
7 - Shark Tale (this kept Mrs QF WP amused whilst I wrote the TR)
8 - iQ
9 - QTV
10 - Nicolodean on Q
11 - Q Commedy
12 - Stadium
13 - The Edge
14 - Q Business
15 - A Man's Gota Do
16 - In My Father's Den
17 - Wicker Park
18 - Bad Santa
Review of Meal: I chose the Cannelloni for the Main Course, as I had enjoyed it before while Mrs LW chose the Stir Fried Beef. Whilst the presentation was good, the quality of both was poor - mine was overcooked with the pastry dry, cracked and separated from the filling (now dried rather than lushisly moist as I had anticipated). A similar fate befell the Stir Fried Beef (plus the steamed rice had somehow become potato mash). The Ice Cream was Maggi Berry Burnt Fig Jam Honeycombe and Caramel - Mrs LW turned her nose up at the description so I scored two. We both enjoyed the St Hugo a number of times as Kylie was excellent in attending to our empty glasses...
Our trays were collected by 2.10pm and we enjoyed a final Baileys on Ice before the captain at 2.45pm commenced descent over Manakau Harbour, landing into the south-west.
Review of Seat: I enjoy 16K because of the legroom, however for viewing it isn't the best (as you get a hampered view out the window - looking slightly backwards) and less access to the side storage bins. I'd prefer 16K to talk to the FA's on take-off and descent but still my favourite seat is 15J when flying by myself.
After easily making it first to the empty Aust/NZ queues, we cleared without any problem and went in search of our bags. They were already on the carousel (having been tagged at BNE, but not using the Yellow First tags as Plats are used to having). Followed the green lanes to Secutity and Bag x-ray; which was no trouble. We exited into the Terminal, walked out the doors and turned left to find a taxi to take us to our "private" night together that I had organised (more brownie points here too!!)
Hotel - Hilton Auckland
After an uneventful trip into the City, the taxi found the waterside Hilton Auckland on Princes Wharf (147 Quay Street). This is where the humour started - I wanted to pay by CC (it was a $54NZD fare) but he didn't have any CC chits. So in the hotel we went to check-in with cabbie in tow, hovering over us waiting to get his fare. Samantha (Front Desk) checked us in and had me sign a Paid Out Receipt for the fare. Excellent, I even get HH points for it....
I had booked a Deluxe Waterview Room on the Hilton Diamond Club "Welcome to Hilton $155 NZD/night" voucher. After originally giving us another Room (642), I noticed Samantha changed our Room to 702. At this stage I had no idea....
We were escorted to the Room (a corner Room with king sized bed) and upon opening it, my wife ignored everything else and in a trance-like state, simply walked across the room and opened the sliding glass door out to the open balcony. Now in the Hilton link above, our room is on the far right hand end of the left hand side tower, the highest floor in whitewash (underneath the glassed-in floor above us) where the side wall starts. We had a balcony as big as our room, overlooking the edge of the wharf below and Mrs LW (being a Cancer) was immediately drawn to the water. Likewise, I was suitably impressed with the huge, triangular shaped balcony with breathtaking views and tipped the bell boy. He was greatful and disappeared while I hugged Mrs LW out on the railing, drinking in the tremendous view of the harbour watching a small tug bring in the "Southern Cross" (registered in Bremen) carefully towards it's berth beyond our wharf...this again was a very grateful way to reward my Hilton stays in 2004. We decided that not spending time out here later on tonight would be sacriligeous and not getting full value from our cheap stay.
We explored the rest of the hotel. The Reception level is delightfully airy, with funky furniture and very bright (with floor to ceiling glass). A bar is tucked in the corner opposite the reception. We however wanted to explore this part of the city as we hadn't stayed here before, so we wandered back to the blocks surrounding the Wharf. We were disappointed in not finding anything, as we didn't feel like eating-in at any of the wharf-side bars and eateries (we wanted to have a quick meal to go back and enjoy the view of a setting sun), so we ended up across the road at a 24 hour coffee shop (which was surprisingly good, with international papers and magazines and the biggest cups I'd ever seen). The meal was disappointing however, but we headed back back to the balcony to enjoy a quiet drink on the deck chairs whilst watching the horizon darken and finally close on this beautiful water scene. We both agreed this had been a relaxing end to a wonderful day - what happened next I'll leave to your imagination, but if you can't guess then you need to get out more :wink: ...
All is really told in my QF thread, but a precis is that I had a Conference to attend in Auckland between 16-18 January, so I convinced Mrs LW to attend with me. We have very close friends in AKL, so we would be able to spend additional time either side of the Conference with them.
With the impending loss of upgrade credits (I had 8, with two expiring 30 Nov and 31 Jan 05 respectively) I thought we'd go in style (upgrade to J on our two hops over the Tasman), as my overseas trips will be curtailed now as we plan to start a family on our return. For those not familar with the QF system, it costs 2 UC's for the relatively short flights. I had booked two Q class fares @ AUD$516.78 p.p with the SYD/BNE a V class @ $126.70 p.p.
Saturday, 15 January
After our first two weeks back at work, I had been pushing hard to finish as much work as I could, so there were some late nights. We were able to have a sleep in this morning, given we had a midday departure and we live only 8.5kms (5 miles) from the airport.
BNE International Check-in
After being dropped at the Terminal by a taxi at 10.45am, we checked in at Row 4 at the First/Business counter (usually it's Row 6). Our CSA was Donna. We had originally been allocated 4AB, however knowing there would be a couple of other Conference delegates in Y (that would stop to talk to us on their trek down to the back of the plane), I wanted some peace and quiet on the upper deck with Mrs QF WP (it was a 2-class 744). So I asked Donna whether 16AB was available. I always love it when CSA's look strangely at me (the "how does he know that??" look), but she said nothing and changed the BP's. Alas, this wasn't a Skybed fitted plane, but rather the old Dreamtime seats...but J was better than Y (upgrades had only come through the day before). We were sequence 365 and 366 (indicating a very full flight).
Luggage wasn't a problem as we both had 17kgs and only one bag each. (Quite surprising that Mrs LW only had 17 kgs considering how many different outfits she'd packed
). We said goodbye to Donna and we made our way downstairs into the Customs line and sure enough, came across another 4 delegates with spouses in the line behind us. Thankfully, most of the delegates leaving today had chosen the Air NZ flight that was delayed but still left (at 11.30am) before us .(Permit me the indulgence to be a little smug here...
) I knew I wouldn't see any of them after Security, given that as I was a QF Platinum we had access to the First Lounge and I they were just excited to be flying overseas to a Conference (only one of them would have had any status - probably Gold). Call me a snob, but this morning I just wanted quiet time with my wife to enjoy the fruits of my labour (status) and didn't want to invite any of them into the lounge [although we could have got 2 people into the Qantas Pub (as we affectionately call it) as Mrs LW is an AA Plat member courtesy of an AA Plat Challene last year]. I'm sure that some people can understand my selfish thinking this morning...BNE International QF First Class Lounge
After trying to find a decent novel for my wife to read on the way over, we continued upstairs to the Lounge, handing over our BP's and were invited to enter the First Lounge door (on the LHS of the normal Qantas Club). There were only 2 pax in it (one being a company senior exec that I was "forced" to chat to for a couple of minutes and help him change seats to 16K) before we settled down to raid the "pre lunch" food offerings. As usual, the fare consisted of marinated mushrooms, feta and black olives ( my favourites
), a Greek salad, fruit, cheese triangles and finger sandwiches. A fine bottle of Moet greeted me as I opened the fridge, so I soon emptied part of it's contents into two flutes and carried them back to our table (I got brownie points for that :-: ). Before too long, the boarding announcement was made so we exited the Lounge and walked across the open area towards Gate 82. It was already showing "Flight Closed" which always agitates Mrs LW; but I promised here that we wouldn't miss the flight and continuted our short walk to the Gate. When we arrived, it was a zoo - a line 100 metres long of Y pax (including about 15 delegates) queuing for the 2 BP readers; so I just calmly suggested to Mrs LW that we bypass the line and walk to the side (we had the privilege, why not use them - I hate
standing in lines). so with a protesting Mrs LW in tow (she didn't think we could); I approached the left hand CS desk and handed over our BP's. The CSA was about to protest at my queue jumping antics, then saw the different colour BP and my printed Plat status....so she turned to the other CSA and fed through our BP's. She returned them with a "please board Mr & Mrs Wilson" and held the line as we entered the walkway. Don't you just love status Flight
Airline, Flight Number, Ports: QF25 BNE/AKL
Rego: VH-??? (B747-400)
Seats: 16AB (J cabin, upstairs)
SDT: 12.05pm
Pushback: 12.20pm, Take-off: 12.30pm
Mileage: 1,430 miles
That allowed us to board and make our way to our upstairs J seats without pumping into anyone, relax and get a Charles Heidseick champagne before take-off. Serving us today would be Kylie and Rob (with Liz making a cameo appearance with the Champagne).
Our former Regional Manager and his wife walked past us, so I said hi to them as he has always been very close to my father and they were a lovely couple (they were in 13AB). Announcement was made that on this leg the Capt was Mark Sullivan, CSS was Steven Wilson and CSM (making the announcement) was David O'Toole. He humoured me by saying "turn off all mobile phones, Blackberries, Blueberries and any other kind of berries".
Take-off was uneventful and soon the Capt announced that the crusing Altitude would be 370FL with the flight path taking us over Lord Howe Island then direct to Auckland for an estimated 2 hr 30 min actual flying time. Fine weather was expected en-route, scattered cloud with light breeze and 21 degrees in AKL. Touch down was estimated to be between 6pm and 6.15pm with disembarkation shortly thereafter (perhaps a little later than the cheduled 6pm arrival).
At 1.20pm, lunch was served:
Entree
Nicoise Salad
Main Course
Stir Fried Beef with Pepper Sauce, Steamed Rice an Asian Greens
Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni with Tomato and Pancetta Sauce
Salad of Smoked Chicken with Mint and Yougurt Dressing *
Dessert
Cheese Selection, Dried Fruit and Water Crackers
Ice Cream with Almond Biscuits (biscotti)
or
Express Dining
(To allow more time for relaxation or work, choose a quicker meal service)
[which translated means you get it all together on the tray]
Salad of Smoked Chicken with Mint and Yougurt Dressing *
Seasonal Salad with Herb Vinaigrette
Cheese Selection, Dried Fruit and Water Crackers
* Healthier option
Red Wine - St Hugo 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
White Wine - Leeuwin Estate Prelude 2003 Chardonnay
As we had some time, I quickly copied down what was showing on the IFE Channels on this leg, for those who might be interested:
1 - Garden State
2 - Wimbledon
3 - Criminal
4 - The Manchurian Candidate
5 - Without a Paddle
6 - Cellular
7 - Shark Tale (this kept Mrs QF WP amused whilst I wrote the TR)
8 - iQ
9 - QTV
10 - Nicolodean on Q
11 - Q Commedy
12 - Stadium
13 - The Edge
14 - Q Business
15 - A Man's Gota Do
16 - In My Father's Den
17 - Wicker Park
18 - Bad Santa
Review of Meal: I chose the Cannelloni for the Main Course, as I had enjoyed it before while Mrs LW chose the Stir Fried Beef. Whilst the presentation was good, the quality of both was poor - mine was overcooked with the pastry dry, cracked and separated from the filling (now dried rather than lushisly moist as I had anticipated). A similar fate befell the Stir Fried Beef (plus the steamed rice had somehow become potato mash). The Ice Cream was Maggi Berry Burnt Fig Jam Honeycombe and Caramel - Mrs LW turned her nose up at the description so I scored two. We both enjoyed the St Hugo a number of times as Kylie was excellent in attending to our empty glasses...
Our trays were collected by 2.10pm and we enjoyed a final Baileys on Ice before the captain at 2.45pm commenced descent over Manakau Harbour, landing into the south-west.
Review of Seat: I enjoy 16K because of the legroom, however for viewing it isn't the best (as you get a hampered view out the window - looking slightly backwards) and less access to the side storage bins. I'd prefer 16K to talk to the FA's on take-off and descent but still my favourite seat is 15J when flying by myself.
After easily making it first to the empty Aust/NZ queues, we cleared without any problem and went in search of our bags. They were already on the carousel (having been tagged at BNE, but not using the Yellow First tags as Plats are used to having). Followed the green lanes to Secutity and Bag x-ray; which was no trouble. We exited into the Terminal, walked out the doors and turned left to find a taxi to take us to our "private" night together that I had organised (more brownie points here too!!)
Hotel - Hilton Auckland
After an uneventful trip into the City, the taxi found the waterside Hilton Auckland on Princes Wharf (147 Quay Street). This is where the humour started - I wanted to pay by CC (it was a $54NZD fare) but he didn't have any CC chits. So in the hotel we went to check-in with cabbie in tow, hovering over us waiting to get his fare. Samantha (Front Desk) checked us in and had me sign a Paid Out Receipt for the fare. Excellent, I even get HH points for it....
I had booked a Deluxe Waterview Room on the Hilton Diamond Club "Welcome to Hilton $155 NZD/night" voucher. After originally giving us another Room (642), I noticed Samantha changed our Room to 702. At this stage I had no idea....
We were escorted to the Room (a corner Room with king sized bed) and upon opening it, my wife ignored everything else and in a trance-like state, simply walked across the room and opened the sliding glass door out to the open balcony. Now in the Hilton link above, our room is on the far right hand end of the left hand side tower, the highest floor in whitewash (underneath the glassed-in floor above us) where the side wall starts. We had a balcony as big as our room, overlooking the edge of the wharf below and Mrs LW (being a Cancer) was immediately drawn to the water. Likewise, I was suitably impressed with the huge, triangular shaped balcony with breathtaking views and tipped the bell boy. He was greatful and disappeared while I hugged Mrs LW out on the railing, drinking in the tremendous view of the harbour watching a small tug bring in the "Southern Cross" (registered in Bremen) carefully towards it's berth beyond our wharf...this again was a very grateful way to reward my Hilton stays in 2004. We decided that not spending time out here later on tonight would be sacriligeous and not getting full value from our cheap stay.
We explored the rest of the hotel. The Reception level is delightfully airy, with funky furniture and very bright (with floor to ceiling glass). A bar is tucked in the corner opposite the reception. We however wanted to explore this part of the city as we hadn't stayed here before, so we wandered back to the blocks surrounding the Wharf. We were disappointed in not finding anything, as we didn't feel like eating-in at any of the wharf-side bars and eateries (we wanted to have a quick meal to go back and enjoy the view of a setting sun), so we ended up across the road at a 24 hour coffee shop (which was surprisingly good, with international papers and magazines and the biggest cups I'd ever seen). The meal was disappointing however, but we headed back back to the balcony to enjoy a quiet drink on the deck chairs whilst watching the horizon darken and finally close on this beautiful water scene. We both agreed this had been a relaxing end to a wonderful day - what happened next I'll leave to your imagination, but if you can't guess then you need to get out more :wink: ...
). With a 3.50pm departure, we decided to leave at 1.45pm; knowing that a Friday PM flight would be busy. Never a truer word has been typed.
).
