Unfamiliar territory

[kazhere]

Having been a QFF since 1992 and flown nothing but QF for as long as I can remember my work has booked me on a VA flight.

I have enjoyed being WP and flown lots of domestic and international J and it looks like I will now be sitting at the back of the bus with my boss. I would have loved to show him the delights of upgraded travel but alas, economics prevail.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

How do I cope??

 

[TonyHancock]

How do I cope??

Hip flask, or two is the way to go.

 

[BD1959]

Hi kazhere,

You have my deepest sympathies ... I'm in a very similar situation except mine is of my own choosing.

What I've found ...

1) Priority Boarding is actually maintained in VA. While it's painful watching everyone in high-viz vests boarding first and I look on resentfully in my suit, I know that gaining SG on VA is not that far away (less than QF) and is eligible for PB.

2) Although the whole of the front of a VA 737 is blocked to me, it's only an issue if it's raining. Otherwise, whilst the highly visible mob are congregated around seat 5 waiting for the queue to recede, General Boarding has opened and I can be nimble enough to get to the front of the queue and board to my seat conveniently located in row 24. I board through the rear steps and there's plenty of overhead to stow my bag. Similarly at the destination, I can jump off via the rear stairs and be in the Terminal long before most of the green'uns.

3) I've learnt that the VA Lounge in Adelaide is certainly not worth attaining status for

4) I've rediscovered newspapers since the Inflight Wireless system won't play on my BB

5) I've discovered that I can get a Tax Receipt for my G&T and Chicken Salad sandwich and so can claim that back from my corporate Bean-Counters.

There - it's not all doom'n'gloom and whilst the VA Terminal at Sydney resembles a down-market shopping centre (hadn't been there since the AN days!) there's a temporary buzz of boarding the jungle-jet back to MEL as opposed to a clapped-out 767.

Enjoy the positives life brings you!!

Regards,

BD

 

[Barks]

How do I cope??

Change jobs :mrgreen:

 

[kazhere]

Nice one BD - very inspirational!

Hi kazhere,

You have my deepest sympathies ... I'm in a very similar situation except mine is of my own choosing.

What I've found ...

1) Priority Boarding is actually maintained in VA. While it's painful watching everyone in high-viz vests boarding first and I look on resentfully in my suit, I know that gaining SG on VA is not that far away (less than QF) and is eligible for PB.

2) Although the whole of the front of a VA 737 is blocked to me, it's only an issue if it's raining. Otherwise, whilst the highly visible mob are congregated around seat 5 waiting for the queue to recede, General Boarding has opened and I can be nimble enough to get to the front of the queue and board to my seat conveniently located in row 24. I board through the rear steps and there's plenty of overhead to stow my bag. Similarly at the destination, I can jump off via the rear stairs and be in the Terminal long before most of the green'uns.

3) I've learnt that the VA Lounge in Adelaide is certainly not worth attaining status for

4) I've rediscovered newspapers since the Inflight Wireless system won't play on my BB

5) I've discovered that I can get a Tax Receipt for my G&T and Chicken Salad sandwich and so can claim that back from my corporate Bean-Counters.

There - it's not all doom'n'gloom and whilst the VA Terminal at Sydney resembles a down-market shopping centre (hadn't been there since the AN days!) there's a temporary buzz of boarding the jungle-jet back to MEL as opposed to a clapped-out 767.

Enjoy the positives life brings you!!

Regards,

BD

 

[kazhere]

Lol at Barks
I just thought of a positive. Perhaps its like a mullet - all business at the front but a party at the back??

 

[JohnK]

How do I cope??

Start a thread on AFF! :mrgreen:

Can you pay the difference between the VA airfare and Qantas airfare?

Personally I would not want to work for someone who did not allow me input into my carrier of choice.

 

[nlagalle]

I still prefer that "clapped out" 767 to a 737 from either camp.. Can't beat a wide body on a domestic run..

 

[amaroo]

I still prefer that "clapped out" 767 to a 737 from either camp.. Can't beat a wide body on a domestic run..

+ 1 will go out of my way to get on a 767 and avoid the poxy 3x3. Same when flying J

Will miss them

 

[JohnK]

I still prefer that "clapped out" 767 to a 737 from either camp.. Can't beat a wide body on a domestic run..

Not long now.

Haven't seen an A330 on SYD-BNE for a long time now.

 

[kazhere]

Ummm, so you could have warned me. I had to walk OUTSIDE to board the plane
Crikey

 

[TomVexille]

Ummm, so you could have warned me. I had to walk OUTSIDE to board the plane
Crikey

Ah, so you sat at the back of the bus. Literally.

Personally I don't mind the walk outside because I'm a bit of an AV geek.

 

[kazhere]

Yes my boss pointed out the beautiful sunset and stopped to admire the amazing engineering feat we were about to board

 

[amaroo]

My home port is strictly an outdoor venture. Very enjoyable walking up and down....unless of course it's pissing down!

 

[drron]

Hip flask, or two is the way to go.

I can go one better.An old patient of mine,a retired wing commander,gave me his walking stick.Looks good with a gold duck on top.Unscrew his head to reveal the long glass container inside which he filled with brandy.Going to take it on my next trip and if legless at my destination it can double up as my excuse to get transport to Immigration.

 

[BD1959]

Ummm, so you could have warned me. I had to walk OUTSIDE to board the plane
Crikey

Again, sure beats waiting for the scrum around row 8 to dissipate whilst you enjoy the fresh air (liberally spiced with parfum de avion) and the sinew-renewing climb into the Terminal.

Think of it as DVT avoidance!!

Regards,

BD

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

VA is not all that bad.
Saver fare has no food on some routes... tea, coffee, water.
Serves the boss right.
This might be your only VA trip, if the boss has not flown VA before. He or she will be in for a shock.

Ah, ... I see ohh, flight has been flown, ...

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

For Drron, don't bring the walking stick, or you will be deemed to be needing "special assistance". Or what ever the airline named these guests as.
Some people will give way, while others will moan if you haven't got a limp to go with the stick. Appearances. Like the car sticker, look at the person in the car and not the driver - disabled parking blah.

 

[drron]

For Drron, don't bring the walking stick, or you will be deemed to be needing "special assistance". Or what ever the airline named these guests as.
Some people will give way, while others will moan if you haven't got a limp to go with the stick. Appearances. Like the car sticker, look at the person in the car and not the driver - disabled parking blah.

It's all right mrsdrron will be wearing her moon boot.

 

[Simo]

I feel your pain.

I had a trip that was funded by a client and they said to me give them a call when I get to airport and they will ring up and book the next flight.

I made sure there was no Tiger Flights leaving around when I got there.