goodo
Nov 19, 03, 8:54 am
Here is the first part of my next RTW trip. It's a Star Alliance 29,000 miles RTW in coach class. The entire routing is MEL-SIN-JNB-FRA-CDG-LHR-JFK//LGA-IAD-ORD-SYD-MEL.
I had called up SQ 48 hours prior to my first flight to get a seat allocated in the exit row - 39H. Since it wasn't 48 hours prior to my connecting flight, and I waas able to call the local SQ number before it closed, I ended up calling SQ in SIN to get 48C - a bulkhead.
16 November 2003
SQ 228
MEL-SIN, 747-400
Arriving at Melbourne Airport there was mayhem. The SQ checkin area was full! I was glad that with my * Gold status I was able to check in at the Raffles class line. Security checks consisted of a woman asking me which bags I was checking in, and putting a SQ security checked sticker on them. After a short while I made it to the front of the line, I checked in 4 pieces, (and I had to remind the agent to put priority tags on 3 of them!). These tags had both a Star Alliance Priotiy tag, and a Raffles Class Priority tag, all on the on string.
I did some shopping in duty free and then proceeded towards immigration. The warden just past the 'Passengers only' door asked me to to bring my carryon over to be weighed. It was only 10kgs, but I was sent back and told that SQ only allows 7kgs and it would need to be checked. So I went out, took out something heavy, put it under my arm and went back through the doors. This time she didn't say a thing, which was surprising as since I had a hard case carry-on, both times would've appeared as I was bringing with me the same weight. Anyway, once I got into the line for immigration I put the stuff back. The X-ray lines were pretty long but they moved fairly quickly.
The flight info screens told me that my flight was boarding, but I couldn't resist a visit the to Silver Kris lounge. I went down the escallators and gave my BP to the attendant and asked if she needed to see my UA *G card, but she already had me down on her list. I entered the lounge area and finally began to relax. I had a drink and waited till they would make an announcement for boarding.
While there I noticed that my BPs both said:
SQ123456789
UA*G
This wouldn't be a problem if not for the fact that a) I had opened a KF account years ago, but it was closed because I never used it; b) I never gave SQ that number; and c) I wanted UA miles. So I took my BPs over to the agent but the system was down, so she took down my info and said she would change it in my booking. From there I decided to take a chance and go up to the gate area.
After buying some reading material I joined the long line for passport checks - No priority boarding here. I made it onto the flight which was jam-packed! There was a half an hour delay while some seating problems were being sorted out. Passengers were told to sit in the crew seats while it could all be fixed.
Lots of babies were on board, so many bassinets had to be setup. By the time the headphones were handed out the movies had started. Or so I thought. Not realising there was Wisemen and AVOD, the meal started and I watched some TV.
Once the realisation came about that I could start a movie at any time, I put on Freaky Friday. There was not such a good movie selection as I had hoped - for me at least. The flight was a big turbulent.
Before arrival into SIN a refreshment was served - in my case a tuna roll.
With our late departure arrival at the gate in SIN was at 22:10. My 3:40 layover had now become 3:20. Still enough time to get the obligatory passport stamp (it's a new passport therefore it needs to get filled). I then decided to go airline lounge hopping, as who knows if the next time I travel if I'll still have *G status.
I decided to start with Terminal 1. As I had already gone through immigration, I took the Skytrain to Terminal 1. Big mistake! Since I was departing from Terminal 2, I was told I have to go through passport control in T2. So back on the skytrain I went to T2. Once there, I went through passport control only to take the Skytrain back to T1.
My first stop: The NH lounge. I was informed that I couldn't stay till my 01:30 departure to JNB as they close at 23:30 before the last flight to NRT. They keps my BP and UA card and allowed me to enter the lounge while they took down my details - obviously to charge UA for my visit.
There was a sign pointing to the left which was the Signet lounge and the to the right was the Club ANA lounge. Both were designated *G, so I went to the Club ANA lounge. Which one is First, and which one Business? What's the difference inside?
I took another drink and relaxed reading a magazine. Once they announce boarding it was time to leave. So I made my way to the other end of the terminal where the TG and SATS Premier Lounge are located. There were no more flights on TG so I reckoned they would be closed (as the were), and the Premier Lounge agent sent me to the Premier lounge in T2.
I took the Skytrain back to T2 and made my way to the Premier Lounge. I relaxed there with some magazines and drinks to cool me down - I'll never get used to Singapore humidity. I had a shower which was a great way to cool down and refresh.
On the way to the gate I stopped as some internet stations which are free between 11pm and 6am.
17 November 2003
SQ 406
SIN-JNB, 777-200 (ER?)
Walking towards the gate, there was a long line of people waiting to go through security screening, and there were so many luggage carts hanging around it seemed that every passenger in the gate area had brought one with them. Once through to the gate area boarding was called for First, Raffles, PPS, Krisflyer Gold and *Gold so I was one of the first passengers to board. I had as much overhead space as I needed, and the bulkhead seat 48C had great legroom.
Once everyone had boarded I realised I had an empty seat next to me. Woohoo! The meal/refreshment didn't look too appetising so I watched a bit more of Krisworld before settling in for the night. After some restless sleep, I began to watch Johnny English as breakfast was served. The SQ FAs were very attentive as usual.
The flight arrived slightly early but due to limited visibility, taxiing took quite some time. Upon disembarking, it was clear that there would be a long wait for immigration. Within 5 minutes of each other a CX flight from HKG, an LY flight from TLV and my SQ flight had arrived. The hall was jam packed.
While still in line I saw my suitcases (with Priority tags) going around and around the conveyor belt. I waited around half an hour before getting through and had no problems going through customs where my 'chauffers' were waiting.
Well there's part one. Stay tuned for part 2, in around 10 months time!
goodo
I had called up SQ 48 hours prior to my first flight to get a seat allocated in the exit row - 39H. Since it wasn't 48 hours prior to my connecting flight, and I waas able to call the local SQ number before it closed, I ended up calling SQ in SIN to get 48C - a bulkhead.
16 November 2003
SQ 228
MEL-SIN, 747-400
Arriving at Melbourne Airport there was mayhem. The SQ checkin area was full! I was glad that with my * Gold status I was able to check in at the Raffles class line. Security checks consisted of a woman asking me which bags I was checking in, and putting a SQ security checked sticker on them. After a short while I made it to the front of the line, I checked in 4 pieces, (and I had to remind the agent to put priority tags on 3 of them!). These tags had both a Star Alliance Priotiy tag, and a Raffles Class Priority tag, all on the on string.
I did some shopping in duty free and then proceeded towards immigration. The warden just past the 'Passengers only' door asked me to to bring my carryon over to be weighed. It was only 10kgs, but I was sent back and told that SQ only allows 7kgs and it would need to be checked. So I went out, took out something heavy, put it under my arm and went back through the doors. This time she didn't say a thing, which was surprising as since I had a hard case carry-on, both times would've appeared as I was bringing with me the same weight. Anyway, once I got into the line for immigration I put the stuff back. The X-ray lines were pretty long but they moved fairly quickly.
The flight info screens told me that my flight was boarding, but I couldn't resist a visit the to Silver Kris lounge. I went down the escallators and gave my BP to the attendant and asked if she needed to see my UA *G card, but she already had me down on her list. I entered the lounge area and finally began to relax. I had a drink and waited till they would make an announcement for boarding.
While there I noticed that my BPs both said:
SQ123456789
UA*G
This wouldn't be a problem if not for the fact that a) I had opened a KF account years ago, but it was closed because I never used it; b) I never gave SQ that number; and c) I wanted UA miles. So I took my BPs over to the agent but the system was down, so she took down my info and said she would change it in my booking. From there I decided to take a chance and go up to the gate area.
After buying some reading material I joined the long line for passport checks - No priority boarding here. I made it onto the flight which was jam-packed! There was a half an hour delay while some seating problems were being sorted out. Passengers were told to sit in the crew seats while it could all be fixed.
Lots of babies were on board, so many bassinets had to be setup. By the time the headphones were handed out the movies had started. Or so I thought. Not realising there was Wisemen and AVOD, the meal started and I watched some TV.
Once the realisation came about that I could start a movie at any time, I put on Freaky Friday. There was not such a good movie selection as I had hoped - for me at least. The flight was a big turbulent.
Before arrival into SIN a refreshment was served - in my case a tuna roll.
With our late departure arrival at the gate in SIN was at 22:10. My 3:40 layover had now become 3:20. Still enough time to get the obligatory passport stamp (it's a new passport therefore it needs to get filled). I then decided to go airline lounge hopping, as who knows if the next time I travel if I'll still have *G status.
I decided to start with Terminal 1. As I had already gone through immigration, I took the Skytrain to Terminal 1. Big mistake! Since I was departing from Terminal 2, I was told I have to go through passport control in T2. So back on the skytrain I went to T2. Once there, I went through passport control only to take the Skytrain back to T1.
My first stop: The NH lounge. I was informed that I couldn't stay till my 01:30 departure to JNB as they close at 23:30 before the last flight to NRT. They keps my BP and UA card and allowed me to enter the lounge while they took down my details - obviously to charge UA for my visit.
There was a sign pointing to the left which was the Signet lounge and the to the right was the Club ANA lounge. Both were designated *G, so I went to the Club ANA lounge. Which one is First, and which one Business? What's the difference inside?
I took another drink and relaxed reading a magazine. Once they announce boarding it was time to leave. So I made my way to the other end of the terminal where the TG and SATS Premier Lounge are located. There were no more flights on TG so I reckoned they would be closed (as the were), and the Premier Lounge agent sent me to the Premier lounge in T2.
I took the Skytrain back to T2 and made my way to the Premier Lounge. I relaxed there with some magazines and drinks to cool me down - I'll never get used to Singapore humidity. I had a shower which was a great way to cool down and refresh.
On the way to the gate I stopped as some internet stations which are free between 11pm and 6am.
17 November 2003
SQ 406
SIN-JNB, 777-200 (ER?)
Walking towards the gate, there was a long line of people waiting to go through security screening, and there were so many luggage carts hanging around it seemed that every passenger in the gate area had brought one with them. Once through to the gate area boarding was called for First, Raffles, PPS, Krisflyer Gold and *Gold so I was one of the first passengers to board. I had as much overhead space as I needed, and the bulkhead seat 48C had great legroom.
Once everyone had boarded I realised I had an empty seat next to me. Woohoo! The meal/refreshment didn't look too appetising so I watched a bit more of Krisworld before settling in for the night. After some restless sleep, I began to watch Johnny English as breakfast was served. The SQ FAs were very attentive as usual.
The flight arrived slightly early but due to limited visibility, taxiing took quite some time. Upon disembarking, it was clear that there would be a long wait for immigration. Within 5 minutes of each other a CX flight from HKG, an LY flight from TLV and my SQ flight had arrived. The hall was jam packed.
While still in line I saw my suitcases (with Priority tags) going around and around the conveyor belt. I waited around half an hour before getting through and had no problems going through customs where my 'chauffers' were waiting.
Well there's part one. Stay tuned for part 2, in around 10 months time!
goodo