MilesDependent
Oct 2, 01, 2:00 am
Quick report on my trip up to HKG. I don’t really have anything too knew to say, as I’ve written quite a few of these SQ trip reports of late. But nonetheless, here we go.
-------------------------
28/9/01; SYD-SIN
SQ 220; 0820/1420
747-400; 9V-SMT
-------------------------
Arrived at the airport at about 06:30 to the usual chaotic Y class queues. As *G I went up to the J class line and was ambushed by the line nazi. “EXCUSE ME SIR – this is business class check-in, can I see your ticket”. I proceeded to say I am *G, and she asked to see my card. I didn’t have it and she escorted me to the service desk to check my status on the computer. Anyway, there was no one at the J class check-in so after her approval I went over to the counter where the agent apologised for the rudeness of the Line Nazi.
I was asked if I had any knives or aerosols in my carry-on, and was given seat 33J. I wanted 62A and they said it was blocked and not available. I was directed to the service desk where they proceeded to un-block the seat, and I was given a new boarding pass. Apparently this seat is always blocked, and reserved for *S/*G members, and couples travelling together when no other seats are available together. But the service desk will always unblock it if you fit into these categories. I always wondered about that.
Security was nothing different – no frisking or anything like that. Boarding began at 07:45 for F/J/PPC/*G at gate 58. I was pleased that no one was sitting next to me, but just before the doors closed this young kid gets on, puffing, and proceeds to sit next to me. Uhh. Obviously he was running late and the seat next to me was about the last one free.
Take off was on-time. I requested a veg lacto-ovo and given the same as ever – omelette and rice bubbles. They even had real knives. The breakfast on SQ220 is very ordinary, and quite a small serving. Plus, there is no ice cream. I really think I should take the later flight when my schedule allows.
During the flight I watched Bridgette Jones’ Diary which is very, very funny. Love that blue soup!! I tried to watch a few other movies but the September choices were pretty poor. And they've taken "That 70s Show" off the Comedy Zone http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
Service was superb as usual. I really appreciate what a good airline they are after recently flying TG.
Interestingly, the older couple (about mid 50s) in front of me got unbelievably special treatment from the staff. At one point the leading stewardess even brought them both a piece of black forest cake from first class. I thought maybe they were PPS Solitaire or something, but prior to landing the lady couldn't even figure out how to put her seat up, so that couldn't have been it. And if they were actual VIPs, what the heck were they doing in row 61?
When we got to around Indonesia it started to get pretty rough. At one point it really got bad and the people behind me started screaming when we hit an airpocket. Cabin service was promptly stopped and the FAs sat down for the next 15 minutes. Gotta love SQ – they even make an announcement that “due to turbulent weather, cabin service will be temporarily suspended, we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience”.
It was pretty rough for the rest of the flight with huge storm clouds all over the place. The pilots were literally swerving from side to side to avoid them all. It is often pretty choppy flying over Indonesia at this time of the year.
The captain told the FAs to be seated for landing some 10 minutes before touch down. But I was watching and they were still stuffing around until about 45 seconds before touch-down.
We landed about 30 minutes early at Singapore (Gate E12) and I had a few hours to kill. I checked out the Premier lounge, and must say it is nothing to write home about. I attempted to get into the Silver Kris lounge but was flat-out rejected as a lowly *G.
I went over to T1 for the first time on the Sky Train. I actually think I prefer that Terminal. The Cactus Garden, waterfalls etc… it is really very nice. The pool at the transit hotel is also great. I tell you, it's much more pleasant having a coke & cigarette beside the pool, than it is hanging out in that over-crowded Premier Lounge in T2. I should have checked out the TG and other lounges in T1, but forgot.
I actually walked back to T2. I had no idea you could actually do that - I thought you had to take the Sky Train.
-------------------------
28/9/01; SQ2
SIN-HKG; 1700/2045
747-400; 9V-SPB
-------------------------
This flight actually goes to San Francisco, so security was a little tighter at the gate (E26) where they were frisking everyone. They even opened up my wallet and started looking in all the zippers. Just as well there was nothing embarrassing in there http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
No pre-boarding for *G again. I was in 62A again, and the flight was only about 1/3 full, so it didn't really matter. They didn't even do the general boarding by row number.
Very pleasant flight. I recognised the Captain as the same British guy who I did SIN-TPE with in July.
Push-back was delayed for a few minutes while they were trying to find someone who was not on the plane. We ended up taking off right into a typical Singapore afternoon thunder storm. We turned around after taking off and got a great view of Changi airport before heading into the clouds.
Nothing out of the ordinary really to report on this flight. It was my first encounter with plastic knives on an aircraft. They are actually still pretty sharp and managed to get through my delicious mock-meat dinner.
It got very rough near the coast of Vietnam and my coffee proceeded to spill all over the seat next to me. I think there must have been quite a bit of storm activity in South East Asia on this particular day, as this flight and the one above, were 2 of the roughest I’ve been on in recent times.
The crew on this flight were sensational. They kept coming round, and even made a point of chatting to a number of passengers.
Landing was about 10 minutes late at HKG. I miss the old approach into Kai Tak. At the new airport you barely even see any lights before you land. As I got off the plane there were about 5 military people standing outside the plane standing at attention. It reminded me of landing at Beijing or somewhere else in China. This was my first trip to HKG since the hand-over so I was quite interested to see how it had changed.
Immigration did not ask me any questions about what I was doing in HKG which was nice. The arrival forms are pretty basic really. No questions about whether you have any illegal substances, and not even a question about the purpose of your trip. I thought maybe they had started using the Chinese arrival forms. I remember them from last year wanting to know just about everything about you. They even ask you if you have symtoms like diarrhoea, cough...
Customs was also a non-event as I just walked straight through to the arrival hall.
Obviously, it was also my first time to this new airport but unfortunately I was too tired to look around when I arrived, so just headed to the train. It is quite easy to buy tickets for the train as there are ticket machines everywhere, as well as a counter just after you clear C&I. The return ticket cost about HKG$160.
I must say this is the most efficient transport system I have seen. The train is just awesome. The PTVs on the back of the train are not much use, except for the news. They even have a little map telling you how far to go.
Before long I was at downtown Kowloon station where I headed to bus K2 for the quick ride to the Sheraton. Can’t say I was too impressed with this hotel. I was on the 15th floor with a view to a slummy building and a TGIF restaurant. The hallways outside the room were like those in a 2* dingy Asian hotel. As for the rooms, they were quite small and really were in dire need of a renovation. The bathroom was so small you couldn’t even swing a rodent. There was even a big hair on both the toilet seat and bathtub, and, for good measure, a used tampon in the toilet, which just wouldn’t flush down. Yuck. Guys are just not supposed to see that stuff. The lobby sure was nice though, and the staff were very efficient. Almost robotic the way they said “Good Afternoon Sir” when you were within 2 metres of them. I wondered if I stepped back and forth from them, if they would keep saying it.
I did a tour of the hotel and checked out several of the Towers rooms on the 16th floor. It was like a different hotel. The rooms were just so much nicer, and the hallways actually were the way they should be for a supposed 5 star hotel. The lounges too are very, very nice. I would deffinitely recommend the Towers floors to people coming to this hotel.
I did a bit of shopping in HKG. Managed to get a pair of AIWA noise cancelling earphones for about HKG$300. They were very, very good on the subsequent flights. For those interested, the Sony noise-cancelling headphones were just not available anywhere. I went from shop to shop asking. The price I was given for the AIWAs varied from $300 to $550. I have used the Sony and Bose headphones before, and am happy to report that the AIWAs are just as good, and considerably less expensive.
The rest of my time in HKG was spent walking around, soking up the atmosphere of the place. I absolutely love this city, and could quite easily live there. The weather was fabulous, about 32C and fine. Wasn't even too hazy.
Will post details of the return flights soon.
MD
[Edited to provide some more details]
[This message has been edited by MilesDependent (edited 10-02-2001).]
-------------------------
28/9/01; SYD-SIN
SQ 220; 0820/1420
747-400; 9V-SMT
-------------------------
Arrived at the airport at about 06:30 to the usual chaotic Y class queues. As *G I went up to the J class line and was ambushed by the line nazi. “EXCUSE ME SIR – this is business class check-in, can I see your ticket”. I proceeded to say I am *G, and she asked to see my card. I didn’t have it and she escorted me to the service desk to check my status on the computer. Anyway, there was no one at the J class check-in so after her approval I went over to the counter where the agent apologised for the rudeness of the Line Nazi.
I was asked if I had any knives or aerosols in my carry-on, and was given seat 33J. I wanted 62A and they said it was blocked and not available. I was directed to the service desk where they proceeded to un-block the seat, and I was given a new boarding pass. Apparently this seat is always blocked, and reserved for *S/*G members, and couples travelling together when no other seats are available together. But the service desk will always unblock it if you fit into these categories. I always wondered about that.
Security was nothing different – no frisking or anything like that. Boarding began at 07:45 for F/J/PPC/*G at gate 58. I was pleased that no one was sitting next to me, but just before the doors closed this young kid gets on, puffing, and proceeds to sit next to me. Uhh. Obviously he was running late and the seat next to me was about the last one free.
Take off was on-time. I requested a veg lacto-ovo and given the same as ever – omelette and rice bubbles. They even had real knives. The breakfast on SQ220 is very ordinary, and quite a small serving. Plus, there is no ice cream. I really think I should take the later flight when my schedule allows.
During the flight I watched Bridgette Jones’ Diary which is very, very funny. Love that blue soup!! I tried to watch a few other movies but the September choices were pretty poor. And they've taken "That 70s Show" off the Comedy Zone http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
Service was superb as usual. I really appreciate what a good airline they are after recently flying TG.
Interestingly, the older couple (about mid 50s) in front of me got unbelievably special treatment from the staff. At one point the leading stewardess even brought them both a piece of black forest cake from first class. I thought maybe they were PPS Solitaire or something, but prior to landing the lady couldn't even figure out how to put her seat up, so that couldn't have been it. And if they were actual VIPs, what the heck were they doing in row 61?
When we got to around Indonesia it started to get pretty rough. At one point it really got bad and the people behind me started screaming when we hit an airpocket. Cabin service was promptly stopped and the FAs sat down for the next 15 minutes. Gotta love SQ – they even make an announcement that “due to turbulent weather, cabin service will be temporarily suspended, we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience”.
It was pretty rough for the rest of the flight with huge storm clouds all over the place. The pilots were literally swerving from side to side to avoid them all. It is often pretty choppy flying over Indonesia at this time of the year.
The captain told the FAs to be seated for landing some 10 minutes before touch down. But I was watching and they were still stuffing around until about 45 seconds before touch-down.
We landed about 30 minutes early at Singapore (Gate E12) and I had a few hours to kill. I checked out the Premier lounge, and must say it is nothing to write home about. I attempted to get into the Silver Kris lounge but was flat-out rejected as a lowly *G.
I went over to T1 for the first time on the Sky Train. I actually think I prefer that Terminal. The Cactus Garden, waterfalls etc… it is really very nice. The pool at the transit hotel is also great. I tell you, it's much more pleasant having a coke & cigarette beside the pool, than it is hanging out in that over-crowded Premier Lounge in T2. I should have checked out the TG and other lounges in T1, but forgot.
I actually walked back to T2. I had no idea you could actually do that - I thought you had to take the Sky Train.
-------------------------
28/9/01; SQ2
SIN-HKG; 1700/2045
747-400; 9V-SPB
-------------------------
This flight actually goes to San Francisco, so security was a little tighter at the gate (E26) where they were frisking everyone. They even opened up my wallet and started looking in all the zippers. Just as well there was nothing embarrassing in there http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
No pre-boarding for *G again. I was in 62A again, and the flight was only about 1/3 full, so it didn't really matter. They didn't even do the general boarding by row number.
Very pleasant flight. I recognised the Captain as the same British guy who I did SIN-TPE with in July.
Push-back was delayed for a few minutes while they were trying to find someone who was not on the plane. We ended up taking off right into a typical Singapore afternoon thunder storm. We turned around after taking off and got a great view of Changi airport before heading into the clouds.
Nothing out of the ordinary really to report on this flight. It was my first encounter with plastic knives on an aircraft. They are actually still pretty sharp and managed to get through my delicious mock-meat dinner.
It got very rough near the coast of Vietnam and my coffee proceeded to spill all over the seat next to me. I think there must have been quite a bit of storm activity in South East Asia on this particular day, as this flight and the one above, were 2 of the roughest I’ve been on in recent times.
The crew on this flight were sensational. They kept coming round, and even made a point of chatting to a number of passengers.
Landing was about 10 minutes late at HKG. I miss the old approach into Kai Tak. At the new airport you barely even see any lights before you land. As I got off the plane there were about 5 military people standing outside the plane standing at attention. It reminded me of landing at Beijing or somewhere else in China. This was my first trip to HKG since the hand-over so I was quite interested to see how it had changed.
Immigration did not ask me any questions about what I was doing in HKG which was nice. The arrival forms are pretty basic really. No questions about whether you have any illegal substances, and not even a question about the purpose of your trip. I thought maybe they had started using the Chinese arrival forms. I remember them from last year wanting to know just about everything about you. They even ask you if you have symtoms like diarrhoea, cough...
Customs was also a non-event as I just walked straight through to the arrival hall.
Obviously, it was also my first time to this new airport but unfortunately I was too tired to look around when I arrived, so just headed to the train. It is quite easy to buy tickets for the train as there are ticket machines everywhere, as well as a counter just after you clear C&I. The return ticket cost about HKG$160.
I must say this is the most efficient transport system I have seen. The train is just awesome. The PTVs on the back of the train are not much use, except for the news. They even have a little map telling you how far to go.
Before long I was at downtown Kowloon station where I headed to bus K2 for the quick ride to the Sheraton. Can’t say I was too impressed with this hotel. I was on the 15th floor with a view to a slummy building and a TGIF restaurant. The hallways outside the room were like those in a 2* dingy Asian hotel. As for the rooms, they were quite small and really were in dire need of a renovation. The bathroom was so small you couldn’t even swing a rodent. There was even a big hair on both the toilet seat and bathtub, and, for good measure, a used tampon in the toilet, which just wouldn’t flush down. Yuck. Guys are just not supposed to see that stuff. The lobby sure was nice though, and the staff were very efficient. Almost robotic the way they said “Good Afternoon Sir” when you were within 2 metres of them. I wondered if I stepped back and forth from them, if they would keep saying it.
I did a tour of the hotel and checked out several of the Towers rooms on the 16th floor. It was like a different hotel. The rooms were just so much nicer, and the hallways actually were the way they should be for a supposed 5 star hotel. The lounges too are very, very nice. I would deffinitely recommend the Towers floors to people coming to this hotel.
I did a bit of shopping in HKG. Managed to get a pair of AIWA noise cancelling earphones for about HKG$300. They were very, very good on the subsequent flights. For those interested, the Sony noise-cancelling headphones were just not available anywhere. I went from shop to shop asking. The price I was given for the AIWAs varied from $300 to $550. I have used the Sony and Bose headphones before, and am happy to report that the AIWAs are just as good, and considerably less expensive.
The rest of my time in HKG was spent walking around, soking up the atmosphere of the place. I absolutely love this city, and could quite easily live there. The weather was fabulous, about 32C and fine. Wasn't even too hazy.
Will post details of the return flights soon.
MD
[Edited to provide some more details]
[This message has been edited by MilesDependent (edited 10-02-2001).]