PerrySSoCal
Feb 4, 00, 5:22 pm
I flew recently on an AA codeshare with Qantas to SYD then on an Air New Zealand flight to WLG . I had gotten AA to rate me Gold late last year even though I was about 2000 miles short. I called AAdvantage about a challenge to Platinum & to my surprise they gave it to me. After this trip I need less than 1100 miles for Platinum.
When I checked in at LAX, the counter clerk was nice enough. Told me that the flight was full & could only get me a middle seat http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
When I got on the plane (747-438) I noticed an aisle seat accross from me was open. I asked an FA about it, she told me if it was still empty to take it after the doors close. It was, so I took it. The flight was uneventful. At brakfast I looked at my luggage claim tickets & noticed that the gentleman at Qantas in LAX only checked my bags to SYD. I had about 1 1/2 hours between flights. The Captain decided to give both sides of the plain a good view of the harbor, delaying our landing. I asked one of the FA's about my situation. She told me that I would have to claim my bags & go to my other gate.
When we disembarked I ran to customs. I asked somebody at the front of the line if I could go before them as I had a connecting flight. Luckily they let me. I was witing for my luggage when a Qantas rep walked by & said good Morning. I stopped him & explained my predicament. He was dissapointed in the gentleman at LAX. He took my passport & ticket to go check on things. He came back & told me that he was pre-checking me in on my ANZ flight. We waited for my bags. When they finally came we had 15 minutes until my flight was scheduled to leave. He took my bags to the Transfer desk & assured me they would get them to the plane. He walked me to the customs to check me out of the country. He continued with me to my gate(in another terminal) and made sure I got on the plane. I was so glad he went out of his way to help me.
The flight to WLG was again uneventful(the way I like them). I was the last person to board & got seat 4F.
When I was able to access the web, I contacted Qantas & let them now about the gentleman who helped me. I got a reply from Diane M. Fineo, Qantas, Customer Relations Manager, The Americas. She informed me that they would notify Michael McCusker(I took down his name). of my commendation.
When I left WLG, the wind was about 45 knots. It was a rough takeoff, then the flight settled down. When we landed & were disembarking, an announcement came for passenger Smith (me) to see the ground crew. When I did they directed me to a Qantas representative, who had a cart waiting to take me to my flight. They once again had pre-checked me in. It was wonderful to not have to walk to the other terminal. I got to the gate as they were making last boarding call. I got on the plane & it was empty. 70 passengers on a 747-438!!!! Needless to say we all got a row & had a wonderful flight.
I must say Qantas provided the best experience I've had yet.
PerrySoCal
Joyfully Subversive.....
When I checked in at LAX, the counter clerk was nice enough. Told me that the flight was full & could only get me a middle seat http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
When I got on the plane (747-438) I noticed an aisle seat accross from me was open. I asked an FA about it, she told me if it was still empty to take it after the doors close. It was, so I took it. The flight was uneventful. At brakfast I looked at my luggage claim tickets & noticed that the gentleman at Qantas in LAX only checked my bags to SYD. I had about 1 1/2 hours between flights. The Captain decided to give both sides of the plain a good view of the harbor, delaying our landing. I asked one of the FA's about my situation. She told me that I would have to claim my bags & go to my other gate.
When we disembarked I ran to customs. I asked somebody at the front of the line if I could go before them as I had a connecting flight. Luckily they let me. I was witing for my luggage when a Qantas rep walked by & said good Morning. I stopped him & explained my predicament. He was dissapointed in the gentleman at LAX. He took my passport & ticket to go check on things. He came back & told me that he was pre-checking me in on my ANZ flight. We waited for my bags. When they finally came we had 15 minutes until my flight was scheduled to leave. He took my bags to the Transfer desk & assured me they would get them to the plane. He walked me to the customs to check me out of the country. He continued with me to my gate(in another terminal) and made sure I got on the plane. I was so glad he went out of his way to help me.
The flight to WLG was again uneventful(the way I like them). I was the last person to board & got seat 4F.
When I was able to access the web, I contacted Qantas & let them now about the gentleman who helped me. I got a reply from Diane M. Fineo, Qantas, Customer Relations Manager, The Americas. She informed me that they would notify Michael McCusker(I took down his name). of my commendation.
When I left WLG, the wind was about 45 knots. It was a rough takeoff, then the flight settled down. When we landed & were disembarking, an announcement came for passenger Smith (me) to see the ground crew. When I did they directed me to a Qantas representative, who had a cart waiting to take me to my flight. They once again had pre-checked me in. It was wonderful to not have to walk to the other terminal. I got to the gate as they were making last boarding call. I got on the plane & it was empty. 70 passengers on a 747-438!!!! Needless to say we all got a row & had a wonderful flight.
I must say Qantas provided the best experience I've had yet.
PerrySoCal
Joyfully Subversive.....