t1nt1n
Jan 9, 06, 8:25 am
First off, I need to thank CGK for being the one who suggested an RTW routing for a trip I was planning this past month and actually came up with a sample itin. After that, my trip planning was moved over from SQ to the *A forum.
Anyhow, I don't have the time to write a full trip report yet, but most FT'er would just want what I call "flight reports" anyway so here're my impressions of the flights.
RTW route:
SYD-AKL-xSIN-LHR-CGN-xFRA-xJFK-IAD-xCLT-HSV--xBHM-xDEN-xSFO-HKG-BKK-KUL-xSIN-SYD.
10 DEC - SYD-AKL
NZ102
Got on NZ's new 777. C class was amazing; or rather, it was brand spankin' new. Took pictures and will put up later. Can't say I was impressed with the seats. Took too much trouble, and I don't mean the fact that they don't work properly. The lady sitting in first seat 2nd "column" (where I was initially assigned before I moved myself off to the 1st seat in the left window seat) couldn't get the seat turned into a bed no matter what the flight attendants did, which involved working the seat with what looked like a ... whaddya call it ... those rods used to kickstart the engines of an old car.
What I didn't like about the seat was the the backrest came down ONTO the seat and the backside of the backrest becomes the topside of your bed. I much prefer SQ's SpaceBed or even UA's First Suite where the top side of the seat becomes the top side of the bed. Much more convenient.
Since I didn't sleep the night before and it was a "morning" flight (10am) I actually waited till lunch and then dozed off for about 40 minutes.
Wasn't impressed with service either. I came onboard and I got this impression that the crew was too good for us, or that we didn't deserve being treated "nicely". One flight attendant seemed to have an attitude and was more interested in doing nothing but staring strangely at people. I had a matron who was actually kind enough despite my initial impression. Ain't SQ I'm flying here ...
Lunch was served. I got a cheese plate with my entree and I was rather surprised .. thinking that was the whole meal I finished everything off, to then find out there was still the main coming. Blah.
I hate Australia. Two words: Plastic knives.
12 DEC - AKL-xSIN-LHR
SQ282
SQ320
Early morning flight and by early morning I meant 00:05 departure. A 10 hour flight into SIN, a 6 hour layover and then 14 hours into LHR. Thank goodness I splurged for a C fare.
Settled into my seat (11 ... I can never remember. I got window seat but no one was in the aisle anyway--I think that means I sat in 11K with 11J being empty?) and watched people parade through to Y while I sipped on champagne and did sudoku puzzles. I thought to myself that it was only this year that I really started flying in C and was very thankful that with a 10 hour midnight departure flight that I'm one of the ones already sitting down and not going to the back.
Dinner was so so; memory is hazy about this flight as it was truly a red-eye flight and I unfortunately got boozed up. Tried watching March of the Penguins but fell asleep. Woke up to turn it off and really go to sleep.
Woken up for breakfast and then it was off to SKL C. I was actually supposed to go out and have breakfast in Singapore with a friend but she overslept and didn't call me until around 10:30. Well, too late for that.
SKL C is nice as usual. And yes, I did spend the entire 5 hours or so there. I walked around a bit in the airport but I've been there enough times (at least for me) in this past year that I was content eating a little of something every hour. The most exciting moment was when the SKL Fried Rice suddenly came out.
Despite the fact that my stomach was unsettled (red eye flights+timezone changes really does it for my stomach) I wolfed it all down. If you were in SKL C on 12 DEC and saw a Chinese guy who repeatedly went to the bathroom, that's me. :D
Then it was time to board SQ320. I had scored 17A and was pretty stoked about it. Service was actually quite off for this flight; it was allright mind you compared to other airlines, but despite the limited amount of SQ C I've experienced I will say it was off. The kept forgetting my order, or was late with the food, etc. So in a way, it was the little things, but well, that's SQ for you: you can only complain about the little things.
What I really liked about this flight was Connexion. I used up the free 30 min. card they were handing out at the gate then paid for it using the 50% discount card also from the gate. Of course, this was some halfway through the flight but I still wanted to just try it. Speed was kinda slow, and then just as I finished signing up for the pay service, it went completely out. I wonder if it had to do with the fact that we were also entering Russian airspace?
Anyway, it came back up in about 30 min or so if I recall correctly.
Mealwise, for the lunch I had BTC'd the curry peranakan style and omg was that hot! For the dinner I BTC'd the "soya flavoured duck with yam rice". Uhm, that was okay.
LHR FastTrack is amazing. But it's probably just the timing of the flight as well. I was finished with immigration within 2 minutes.
LHR stands as the worst airport I had ever visited.
19 DEC - LHR-CGN
LH4781
Not sure what can be said here; it's a CityLine service. I'm not quite sure if there was any difference between Y and C seat aside from the fact that the C seats were IN FRONT of the curtain "dividers".
21 DEC - CGN-xFRA-xJFK-IAD
LH1251
SQ26
UA5339 -> US2177
This was one of the best and worst experiences in my entire RTW trip.
CGN-FRA was, again, another CityLine service. But I have to admit I was extremely glad for the boxed breakfast/snack they gave in C. I woke up at 3am that morning and had to refuse my hotel's offer of a "boxed snack" because I just didn't have enough arms. The boxed snack/breakfast provided by LH was enough to keep me up for now.
After going into the terminal where SQ26 was to depart, I asked if there was a lounge I could use and when told about the RCC (or whatever United's lounge is called) I was horrified as I remember it being near the beginning of my journey to my present location. With about 20 min. till boarding I opted to stay in the departure terminal. First time in my trip I didn't go to a lounge. So much for paying that C fare eh? :D
Well, it was allright. I nearly threw up when I saw a guy wolfing down a McDonald's breakfast in front of me. Again, waking up early/flying/etc. unsettles my stomach so ... anyway.
Finally it was time to board and when I sighed the kebaya ... I felt like I was entering heaven. After 2 LH CityLine flights, I was extremely glad I'm back in the womb of an SQ747 to be cared for by the kebaya-clad Singapore Girls.
Got upstair and went to my seat, 11J. (I had called up the SQ office in Sydney to ask for seats and got pretty crappy seats; fairly close to the last day, an SQ waitlisting for an earlier flight cleared and I told my travel agent which seat I wanted for that flight; she misunderstood me and re-assigned all my SQ seats and scored all 11s and 17s--I don't know why SQ couldn't/wouldn't give it to me; then again, I called the evening after Singapore hung that Aussie drug peddler... anyway.) 11K/H whatever was free and I moved into that seat. I was pretty happy.
Also sighted the first red kebaya and when one of the male attendants came to help me store my laptop bag I mentioned I had never seen one before and chatted with him briefly.
Without any exaggeration, this was the single best flight I've ever taken. Everything was running tip-top in this flight. Efficient, friendly, and out of the way. Very very good crew running the upper deck that morning. I supposed the only thing better would be me sitting in F with that same crew looking after me.
Breakfast was again served and I enjoyed it immensely. I went back and forth between reading Lord of the Rings and doing sudoku puzzle. Lunch came and the lady in red for some reason asked me if I wanted a second helping of ice cream just as I was working it out in my head as to the appropriateness of asking for a second serving.
No joke. It was as if she passed by, was checking on me, and read my mind.
Absolute absolute absolute best flight I had ever taken. (Oh, Connexion was also running wonderfully.)
And of course, something's gotta give.
Landed in JFK and I was majorly pissed off to find out trolleys/carts would cost me USD3!!!! RIDICULOUS! I felt that here I was, finally back in my home country and lo and behold, the trolleys that are free everywhere else in the world would cost me USD3!!! A guy behind me remarked to his companion that at $3 it better be motorized!
Waited for my bag ... and waited ... and waited ... and waited ... 40 min. later I left the baggage claim area, walked next door to check my two bags for my connecting flight, moved over to Terminal 7 and got to the UA desk to be told that my flight had been cancelled.
"And the next flight?"
"All full. Sir, we'll put you on a US Flight out of LGA to DCA."
"Fine. My luggage?"
*makes a call or two and tells me it'll be "downstairs"*
Downstairs the luggage claim area didn't have'em. After 15 min. they asked me where I had last seen it and after I gave them the full story (short answer: Terminal 4), they realized no one knew where my bags were.
I was instructed to proceed to LGA and catch my flight to DCA and make a claim there.
By now I'd been up around 18 hours and the stress really hit my body hard. I was also USD30 short for the JFK-LGA taxi fare!!!
Was given Y seat despite the fact that there were F seats available because check-in desk thought this was all Y flight. *sigh*
Made the claim at DCA and to give credit where it's due: the lady at the US baggage claim at DCA was very friendly, supportive, and helpful. I would've gone berserk if she hadn't dealt with me.
(Met up with a friend; delirious; went to bed at around 8:30pm which meant I'd been up for 23.5 hours)
LHR has been dethroned by JFK for the worst airport spot.
22 DEC - IAD-xCLT-HSV
US507
US2485 -> US2953
The next day I see the smaller of my two bags locked up inside the US baggage claim office. AFter pestering them someone finally came down. They still couldn't find the other one and when they finally realized I had a flight to catch, they kindly rushed me through security and all. Kudos to the US check-in crew at IAD. They were so severely short-handed that morning and of course, if they had gotten to me earlier they wouldn't have had to rush me but they didn't but then they helped me make my flight. ^
Settled into my F seat and nearly laughed myself to death. Well, okay, not really, but still. This is F???? Departure was delayed, and despite several reassurances from the flight deck that we'd ALL make our connecting flight, I arrived to find the door closed for my connecting flight to HSV.
These guys are all people who don't know who their fathers are! (Didn't realize there's a "swearing" filter in place.) No wonder these guys are all bankrupt. They all deserve it!!!
And this after running all the way from ... oh, whatever. Terminal B or whatever it was to just about the furthest gate away. E I think. Got reassigned to another flight, tried to enter the lounge but since I was UA *G apparently I had to have an RCC membership. I politely declined the USD40 day pass though as I later sat at the food court I wondered if the $40 might've been worth it.
Finally made my connecting flight to HSV.
Wow. These are tiny planes!!!
Final bag was found on 23 DEC, and on 24 DEC made its way up to CLT and within 6 hours it was sent back to IAD. Bag arrived late in HSV airport late Christmas morning and I opted to go pick it up myself. As far as I was concerned, they'd get lost and deliver it to the wrong house or something.
Best Christmas present ever.
Kudos again to the US baggage claim team in both DCA and IAD. I had both their numbers and they remembered me and were quite patient in dealing with me. Not that I was a raving lunatic, but they actually made me feel like they cared.
27 DEC - xBHM-xDEN-xSFO-HKG
UA6628
UA495
SQ1
My brother drove back to BHM where he lived and I hitched a ride with him. Again spent time in the gate area as there was no lounge here. I had to laugh when I saw the notice posted at the entrance to the security line stating that DPS didn't meet TSA's security standard. Yeah, whatever. As if TSA's actually got a standard to begin with. Anyway.
UA6628 was on the new ExPlus service and F wasn't bad. I mean, it's nothing special. I can't imagine making a big deal out of this at all.
Got to DEN and went to the RCC lounge. All I wanted to ask was if I could use it but the gate guard had other ideas and asked for my card. Well, I had achieved 1P by then but seeing as I was travelling, I obviously didn't have my 1P card so then he asked to see my boarding pass. Turns out I could also use it on the basis that I was flying int'l. Whew!
Not a bad lounge, but then I'm used to SKL in Changi so again ... I had to wonder who the hell would pay for this. Then again, if you're a really frequent flyer in the US and you're mostly flying domestic, I guess it's probably really worth paying. Which I guess is a pretty sad state of affairs.
After awhile I went off to board my DEN-SFO flight and ... you know, UA's First Suite aren't bad. The seats are ratty and rather old but hey, it wasn't bad. It actually seemed somewhat modern considering my exposure to American flights so far. Then I realized half the cabin was probably UA employees.
Now, don't get me wrong. But if I'm paying for C/F, I'm paying for C/F; I didn't pay to fly in your crew transport. This has nothing to do with being snobby. If I were in a Four Seasons, I'd have no problem sharing the elevators with the hotel staff. But would I want the hotel staff doing the laundry in my suite?? Hell no.
Again, no wonder they're all broke. Anyway, service was quite decent if rather curt. This was also the first time I got to listen to Channel 9. That really is neat. Though I soon lost interest but still listened to it the whole way anyway.
At SFO the SKL wasn't open so I went into the ... I can't remember, the one right next to it. RCC was it? Anyway, again, the offering was nothing special but the seat and light placements were just not doing it for me. I had to go to the SKL to see if they could double-check that my UA MP# was inserted and reprint my boarding pass (I wanted the SQ stock and not the UA F stock) and it turned out they had to reprint it anyway so I waited in the SKL while they did this for me and cleared something up.
You know what? As small as it was, the SFO SKL isn't bad. I much preferred it over the one I had just left. In fact, I stayed at the SKL the whole time until I had to board.
After the luggage fiasco and experience premium class travel in the US I truly felt like I was in heaven when I sighted the kebaya-clad ladies. Settled into my seat in 17H and ignored my mind that's screaming "Service is off again!!!"
Had dinner; skipped my BTC selection and chose the congee and gotta admit it was nothing to write home about. Slept. Woke-up. Used Connexion to check on my email. Breakfast. Landing. Kinda out of it during this flight.
30 DEC - HKG-BKK
TG603
TG lounge in HKG is very very nice. I was quite impressed. Stuffed myself full with breakfast and rested there before boarding the flight. Service isn't up to SQ but was definitely better than either UA or US. Very much enjoyed the flight; relaxing.
06 JAN - BKK-KUL
TG415
I thought JFK was bad. BKK at around 7:30am was MAD! I had accidentally booked a limo service from the hotel and was quite surprised to find that someone met me at the departure hall and helped me through check-in and all that. If it wasn't for her, I probably would've missed the Fast Track immigration!!!! I was so glad for it because when I turned to the right, I saw how long the immigration line was and thought that was the best accidental spending of AUD50 I ever did.
Found the TG lounge that's close to my departure gate (31) and it was quite full but I managed to find a seat for myself and had a glass of juice or whatever and a sandwhich. Nothing to write home about.
Flight was again nice and relaxing.
08 JAN - KUL-xSIN-SYD
SQ107
SQ221
For the first time ever I flew in SQ Y. Someone had suggested that I ask for a paid upgrade but I completely forgot about it. I got a trainee doing my check-in and between her and her trainer they seemed to have problems checking me in. Then came my luggage. All this time I haven't had a problem; now her trainer was on the phone asking what my luggage allowance is because I'm flying into SYD with a US passport and I had a strange routing.
After a few min. I suggested hopefully that I'm PPS. Asked for my card so of course I didn't have it. I dreaded giving my KF# but it had to be done. Of course, this took her ages to figure out but after awhile, she stuck two small blue on silver stickers on both my boarding passes and checked in my two luggages without any fuss.
KUL SKL sucks. No other way about it. I completely forgot the suggestion that I check out the TG lounge across from it. As I walked out and pass it, I recalled the suggestion and looked at it longingly, wondering how much better it is. At the SKL I asked the lady to make sure my flights were credited to UA and she explained how she'd have to cancel the KF one and put in the UA one and I assented. I thought to myself, "Wow, this is too easy to be true!" Anyhow.
Got to my flight and met two new friends I had met at the wedding I attended in KUL. Was going to board because I heard "PPS club" but when I got up to board it turned out everyone's boarding.
Our flight was delayed at departure and my two friends had to connect with SQ ... 19 .. 20? The SIN-EWR service. I asked the flight attendants if they'd be allright as the flight was at noon and we were still taxiing to the gate at 11:35. I was happy to see that they had a car out ready for them and other passengers with tight connections.
I compared that with US' treatments of myself and the other passengers who missed that CLT-HSV flight. And my colleagues wonder why I'm such an SQ whore--err--loyalists, even though I only started flying with them just last year.
SQ Y isn't bad at all and I was quite impressed at the service and friendliness of the crew. WOW. Of course, I'm not a tall guy so I had no issue with the seat. Plus, it was only a 55 min flight.
At Changi I stored my belongings at the Left Luggage service (funny name, that) and took out my umbrella, passport, boarding pass, and wallet and proceeded to take the MRT to City HAll to meet a friend for lunch and coffee.
Went back to Changi and boy, security's such a breeze when you're not carrying anything! And after picking-up my belonging, I went to the SKL and ... turned right!
At first sight SKL F didn't seem remarkably different than SKL C but then I realized the seating layout are nicer, better lighting, and the seats are nicer as well.
To my delight, they had the SKL Fried Rice ... AND the satay! Now, I know I've made disparaging remarks about the SQ satay in the past but I've come to quite like them and I was happy to find it here. (Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't pay F fare just to get satay..... ;) ) Anyway. After taking a small plate of the fried rice (the satay was being refilled at the time) I walked over to the bar and asked what champagne they were serving.
"Dom."
"Ah. Great. Can I get a glass please?"
"Just one?"
"Yes. Thank you."
Walked back to my seat and had my SKL Fried Rice and Dom.
(Admittedly, I'm not a champagne person and out of all the alcohol, champagne hit me the worst. So .. I really wasn't all that goo-goo-ga-ga over the Dom. But I guess it's bragging rights... :D )
As it neared boarding time I went to the shower ... nice. Nice. Definitely nicer than the SKL C shower. The bathroom was just nicer. I mean, I know, it's just a bathroom right? But I have to say it was quite nice.
For SQ221 I had 11A with 11C being empty. YAY! Service was again off; menus weren't handed out until after take-off and I was asked what I wanted when I had BTC'd. (On other flights they'd come up and confirmed that I had BTC'd instead of asking what I wanted.) And then she said "Oh, let me go check" and .... didn't come back to me. Apparently she went to check and then proceeded to get the other passengers' preferences. Talk about follow-up.
The slipper lobster thermidor was not at all appetizing. Or maybe I was just tired of traveling at this point. I ate it but it was quite rubbery; not like the last time (and first time) I had it.
There was Connexion on this flight as well but I didn't use it. As soon as I finished the movie ("Shinobi" in widescreen and subbed and pretty typical bad Japanese writing though Nakama Yukie is really cute) I went to sleep after requesting not to be woken up for breakfast.
And of course, I checked this morning to find out that despite the SKL lady's actions, both my KUL-SIN and SIN-SYD flights were credit to KF. with around 5k in there now I'm currently wondering if I should start dumping miles into KF instead of UA as I foresee a heavy favor of flying SQ C when possible. I've got 98k which is enough for 1 C ticket redemption from US to Asia which I planned on giving to someone. With just 8k in the UA bank .... anyway.
And there endeth my RTW.
Realized I never quite taken into account of all those early morning flights and just how early I'd have to wake up. And also learned just how RTW works in general when you're actually flying it instead of planning and dreaming about it; should help a lot if I ever plan another RTW.
I'm also glad I maximized my flights on SQ. There is no way I'd pay a C or F RTW fare if I'm stuck with the ... erm ... less superior airlines. Not worth it at all.
Erm. Wow. I'm still up? I need to sleep....
Anyhow, I don't have the time to write a full trip report yet, but most FT'er would just want what I call "flight reports" anyway so here're my impressions of the flights.
RTW route:
SYD-AKL-xSIN-LHR-CGN-xFRA-xJFK-IAD-xCLT-HSV--xBHM-xDEN-xSFO-HKG-BKK-KUL-xSIN-SYD.
10 DEC - SYD-AKL
NZ102
Got on NZ's new 777. C class was amazing; or rather, it was brand spankin' new. Took pictures and will put up later. Can't say I was impressed with the seats. Took too much trouble, and I don't mean the fact that they don't work properly. The lady sitting in first seat 2nd "column" (where I was initially assigned before I moved myself off to the 1st seat in the left window seat) couldn't get the seat turned into a bed no matter what the flight attendants did, which involved working the seat with what looked like a ... whaddya call it ... those rods used to kickstart the engines of an old car.
What I didn't like about the seat was the the backrest came down ONTO the seat and the backside of the backrest becomes the topside of your bed. I much prefer SQ's SpaceBed or even UA's First Suite where the top side of the seat becomes the top side of the bed. Much more convenient.
Since I didn't sleep the night before and it was a "morning" flight (10am) I actually waited till lunch and then dozed off for about 40 minutes.
Wasn't impressed with service either. I came onboard and I got this impression that the crew was too good for us, or that we didn't deserve being treated "nicely". One flight attendant seemed to have an attitude and was more interested in doing nothing but staring strangely at people. I had a matron who was actually kind enough despite my initial impression. Ain't SQ I'm flying here ...
Lunch was served. I got a cheese plate with my entree and I was rather surprised .. thinking that was the whole meal I finished everything off, to then find out there was still the main coming. Blah.
I hate Australia. Two words: Plastic knives.
12 DEC - AKL-xSIN-LHR
SQ282
SQ320
Early morning flight and by early morning I meant 00:05 departure. A 10 hour flight into SIN, a 6 hour layover and then 14 hours into LHR. Thank goodness I splurged for a C fare.
Settled into my seat (11 ... I can never remember. I got window seat but no one was in the aisle anyway--I think that means I sat in 11K with 11J being empty?) and watched people parade through to Y while I sipped on champagne and did sudoku puzzles. I thought to myself that it was only this year that I really started flying in C and was very thankful that with a 10 hour midnight departure flight that I'm one of the ones already sitting down and not going to the back.
Dinner was so so; memory is hazy about this flight as it was truly a red-eye flight and I unfortunately got boozed up. Tried watching March of the Penguins but fell asleep. Woke up to turn it off and really go to sleep.
Woken up for breakfast and then it was off to SKL C. I was actually supposed to go out and have breakfast in Singapore with a friend but she overslept and didn't call me until around 10:30. Well, too late for that.
SKL C is nice as usual. And yes, I did spend the entire 5 hours or so there. I walked around a bit in the airport but I've been there enough times (at least for me) in this past year that I was content eating a little of something every hour. The most exciting moment was when the SKL Fried Rice suddenly came out.
Despite the fact that my stomach was unsettled (red eye flights+timezone changes really does it for my stomach) I wolfed it all down. If you were in SKL C on 12 DEC and saw a Chinese guy who repeatedly went to the bathroom, that's me. :D
Then it was time to board SQ320. I had scored 17A and was pretty stoked about it. Service was actually quite off for this flight; it was allright mind you compared to other airlines, but despite the limited amount of SQ C I've experienced I will say it was off. The kept forgetting my order, or was late with the food, etc. So in a way, it was the little things, but well, that's SQ for you: you can only complain about the little things.
What I really liked about this flight was Connexion. I used up the free 30 min. card they were handing out at the gate then paid for it using the 50% discount card also from the gate. Of course, this was some halfway through the flight but I still wanted to just try it. Speed was kinda slow, and then just as I finished signing up for the pay service, it went completely out. I wonder if it had to do with the fact that we were also entering Russian airspace?
Anyway, it came back up in about 30 min or so if I recall correctly.
Mealwise, for the lunch I had BTC'd the curry peranakan style and omg was that hot! For the dinner I BTC'd the "soya flavoured duck with yam rice". Uhm, that was okay.
LHR FastTrack is amazing. But it's probably just the timing of the flight as well. I was finished with immigration within 2 minutes.
LHR stands as the worst airport I had ever visited.
19 DEC - LHR-CGN
LH4781
Not sure what can be said here; it's a CityLine service. I'm not quite sure if there was any difference between Y and C seat aside from the fact that the C seats were IN FRONT of the curtain "dividers".
21 DEC - CGN-xFRA-xJFK-IAD
LH1251
SQ26
UA5339 -> US2177
This was one of the best and worst experiences in my entire RTW trip.
CGN-FRA was, again, another CityLine service. But I have to admit I was extremely glad for the boxed breakfast/snack they gave in C. I woke up at 3am that morning and had to refuse my hotel's offer of a "boxed snack" because I just didn't have enough arms. The boxed snack/breakfast provided by LH was enough to keep me up for now.
After going into the terminal where SQ26 was to depart, I asked if there was a lounge I could use and when told about the RCC (or whatever United's lounge is called) I was horrified as I remember it being near the beginning of my journey to my present location. With about 20 min. till boarding I opted to stay in the departure terminal. First time in my trip I didn't go to a lounge. So much for paying that C fare eh? :D
Well, it was allright. I nearly threw up when I saw a guy wolfing down a McDonald's breakfast in front of me. Again, waking up early/flying/etc. unsettles my stomach so ... anyway.
Finally it was time to board and when I sighed the kebaya ... I felt like I was entering heaven. After 2 LH CityLine flights, I was extremely glad I'm back in the womb of an SQ747 to be cared for by the kebaya-clad Singapore Girls.
Got upstair and went to my seat, 11J. (I had called up the SQ office in Sydney to ask for seats and got pretty crappy seats; fairly close to the last day, an SQ waitlisting for an earlier flight cleared and I told my travel agent which seat I wanted for that flight; she misunderstood me and re-assigned all my SQ seats and scored all 11s and 17s--I don't know why SQ couldn't/wouldn't give it to me; then again, I called the evening after Singapore hung that Aussie drug peddler... anyway.) 11K/H whatever was free and I moved into that seat. I was pretty happy.
Also sighted the first red kebaya and when one of the male attendants came to help me store my laptop bag I mentioned I had never seen one before and chatted with him briefly.
Without any exaggeration, this was the single best flight I've ever taken. Everything was running tip-top in this flight. Efficient, friendly, and out of the way. Very very good crew running the upper deck that morning. I supposed the only thing better would be me sitting in F with that same crew looking after me.
Breakfast was again served and I enjoyed it immensely. I went back and forth between reading Lord of the Rings and doing sudoku puzzle. Lunch came and the lady in red for some reason asked me if I wanted a second helping of ice cream just as I was working it out in my head as to the appropriateness of asking for a second serving.
No joke. It was as if she passed by, was checking on me, and read my mind.
Absolute absolute absolute best flight I had ever taken. (Oh, Connexion was also running wonderfully.)
And of course, something's gotta give.
Landed in JFK and I was majorly pissed off to find out trolleys/carts would cost me USD3!!!! RIDICULOUS! I felt that here I was, finally back in my home country and lo and behold, the trolleys that are free everywhere else in the world would cost me USD3!!! A guy behind me remarked to his companion that at $3 it better be motorized!
Waited for my bag ... and waited ... and waited ... and waited ... 40 min. later I left the baggage claim area, walked next door to check my two bags for my connecting flight, moved over to Terminal 7 and got to the UA desk to be told that my flight had been cancelled.
"And the next flight?"
"All full. Sir, we'll put you on a US Flight out of LGA to DCA."
"Fine. My luggage?"
*makes a call or two and tells me it'll be "downstairs"*
Downstairs the luggage claim area didn't have'em. After 15 min. they asked me where I had last seen it and after I gave them the full story (short answer: Terminal 4), they realized no one knew where my bags were.
I was instructed to proceed to LGA and catch my flight to DCA and make a claim there.
By now I'd been up around 18 hours and the stress really hit my body hard. I was also USD30 short for the JFK-LGA taxi fare!!!
Was given Y seat despite the fact that there were F seats available because check-in desk thought this was all Y flight. *sigh*
Made the claim at DCA and to give credit where it's due: the lady at the US baggage claim at DCA was very friendly, supportive, and helpful. I would've gone berserk if she hadn't dealt with me.
(Met up with a friend; delirious; went to bed at around 8:30pm which meant I'd been up for 23.5 hours)
LHR has been dethroned by JFK for the worst airport spot.
22 DEC - IAD-xCLT-HSV
US507
US2485 -> US2953
The next day I see the smaller of my two bags locked up inside the US baggage claim office. AFter pestering them someone finally came down. They still couldn't find the other one and when they finally realized I had a flight to catch, they kindly rushed me through security and all. Kudos to the US check-in crew at IAD. They were so severely short-handed that morning and of course, if they had gotten to me earlier they wouldn't have had to rush me but they didn't but then they helped me make my flight. ^
Settled into my F seat and nearly laughed myself to death. Well, okay, not really, but still. This is F???? Departure was delayed, and despite several reassurances from the flight deck that we'd ALL make our connecting flight, I arrived to find the door closed for my connecting flight to HSV.
These guys are all people who don't know who their fathers are! (Didn't realize there's a "swearing" filter in place.) No wonder these guys are all bankrupt. They all deserve it!!!
And this after running all the way from ... oh, whatever. Terminal B or whatever it was to just about the furthest gate away. E I think. Got reassigned to another flight, tried to enter the lounge but since I was UA *G apparently I had to have an RCC membership. I politely declined the USD40 day pass though as I later sat at the food court I wondered if the $40 might've been worth it.
Finally made my connecting flight to HSV.
Wow. These are tiny planes!!!
Final bag was found on 23 DEC, and on 24 DEC made its way up to CLT and within 6 hours it was sent back to IAD. Bag arrived late in HSV airport late Christmas morning and I opted to go pick it up myself. As far as I was concerned, they'd get lost and deliver it to the wrong house or something.
Best Christmas present ever.
Kudos again to the US baggage claim team in both DCA and IAD. I had both their numbers and they remembered me and were quite patient in dealing with me. Not that I was a raving lunatic, but they actually made me feel like they cared.
27 DEC - xBHM-xDEN-xSFO-HKG
UA6628
UA495
SQ1
My brother drove back to BHM where he lived and I hitched a ride with him. Again spent time in the gate area as there was no lounge here. I had to laugh when I saw the notice posted at the entrance to the security line stating that DPS didn't meet TSA's security standard. Yeah, whatever. As if TSA's actually got a standard to begin with. Anyway.
UA6628 was on the new ExPlus service and F wasn't bad. I mean, it's nothing special. I can't imagine making a big deal out of this at all.
Got to DEN and went to the RCC lounge. All I wanted to ask was if I could use it but the gate guard had other ideas and asked for my card. Well, I had achieved 1P by then but seeing as I was travelling, I obviously didn't have my 1P card so then he asked to see my boarding pass. Turns out I could also use it on the basis that I was flying int'l. Whew!
Not a bad lounge, but then I'm used to SKL in Changi so again ... I had to wonder who the hell would pay for this. Then again, if you're a really frequent flyer in the US and you're mostly flying domestic, I guess it's probably really worth paying. Which I guess is a pretty sad state of affairs.
After awhile I went off to board my DEN-SFO flight and ... you know, UA's First Suite aren't bad. The seats are ratty and rather old but hey, it wasn't bad. It actually seemed somewhat modern considering my exposure to American flights so far. Then I realized half the cabin was probably UA employees.
Now, don't get me wrong. But if I'm paying for C/F, I'm paying for C/F; I didn't pay to fly in your crew transport. This has nothing to do with being snobby. If I were in a Four Seasons, I'd have no problem sharing the elevators with the hotel staff. But would I want the hotel staff doing the laundry in my suite?? Hell no.
Again, no wonder they're all broke. Anyway, service was quite decent if rather curt. This was also the first time I got to listen to Channel 9. That really is neat. Though I soon lost interest but still listened to it the whole way anyway.
At SFO the SKL wasn't open so I went into the ... I can't remember, the one right next to it. RCC was it? Anyway, again, the offering was nothing special but the seat and light placements were just not doing it for me. I had to go to the SKL to see if they could double-check that my UA MP# was inserted and reprint my boarding pass (I wanted the SQ stock and not the UA F stock) and it turned out they had to reprint it anyway so I waited in the SKL while they did this for me and cleared something up.
You know what? As small as it was, the SFO SKL isn't bad. I much preferred it over the one I had just left. In fact, I stayed at the SKL the whole time until I had to board.
After the luggage fiasco and experience premium class travel in the US I truly felt like I was in heaven when I sighted the kebaya-clad ladies. Settled into my seat in 17H and ignored my mind that's screaming "Service is off again!!!"
Had dinner; skipped my BTC selection and chose the congee and gotta admit it was nothing to write home about. Slept. Woke-up. Used Connexion to check on my email. Breakfast. Landing. Kinda out of it during this flight.
30 DEC - HKG-BKK
TG603
TG lounge in HKG is very very nice. I was quite impressed. Stuffed myself full with breakfast and rested there before boarding the flight. Service isn't up to SQ but was definitely better than either UA or US. Very much enjoyed the flight; relaxing.
06 JAN - BKK-KUL
TG415
I thought JFK was bad. BKK at around 7:30am was MAD! I had accidentally booked a limo service from the hotel and was quite surprised to find that someone met me at the departure hall and helped me through check-in and all that. If it wasn't for her, I probably would've missed the Fast Track immigration!!!! I was so glad for it because when I turned to the right, I saw how long the immigration line was and thought that was the best accidental spending of AUD50 I ever did.
Found the TG lounge that's close to my departure gate (31) and it was quite full but I managed to find a seat for myself and had a glass of juice or whatever and a sandwhich. Nothing to write home about.
Flight was again nice and relaxing.
08 JAN - KUL-xSIN-SYD
SQ107
SQ221
For the first time ever I flew in SQ Y. Someone had suggested that I ask for a paid upgrade but I completely forgot about it. I got a trainee doing my check-in and between her and her trainer they seemed to have problems checking me in. Then came my luggage. All this time I haven't had a problem; now her trainer was on the phone asking what my luggage allowance is because I'm flying into SYD with a US passport and I had a strange routing.
After a few min. I suggested hopefully that I'm PPS. Asked for my card so of course I didn't have it. I dreaded giving my KF# but it had to be done. Of course, this took her ages to figure out but after awhile, she stuck two small blue on silver stickers on both my boarding passes and checked in my two luggages without any fuss.
KUL SKL sucks. No other way about it. I completely forgot the suggestion that I check out the TG lounge across from it. As I walked out and pass it, I recalled the suggestion and looked at it longingly, wondering how much better it is. At the SKL I asked the lady to make sure my flights were credited to UA and she explained how she'd have to cancel the KF one and put in the UA one and I assented. I thought to myself, "Wow, this is too easy to be true!" Anyhow.
Got to my flight and met two new friends I had met at the wedding I attended in KUL. Was going to board because I heard "PPS club" but when I got up to board it turned out everyone's boarding.
Our flight was delayed at departure and my two friends had to connect with SQ ... 19 .. 20? The SIN-EWR service. I asked the flight attendants if they'd be allright as the flight was at noon and we were still taxiing to the gate at 11:35. I was happy to see that they had a car out ready for them and other passengers with tight connections.
I compared that with US' treatments of myself and the other passengers who missed that CLT-HSV flight. And my colleagues wonder why I'm such an SQ whore--err--loyalists, even though I only started flying with them just last year.
SQ Y isn't bad at all and I was quite impressed at the service and friendliness of the crew. WOW. Of course, I'm not a tall guy so I had no issue with the seat. Plus, it was only a 55 min flight.
At Changi I stored my belongings at the Left Luggage service (funny name, that) and took out my umbrella, passport, boarding pass, and wallet and proceeded to take the MRT to City HAll to meet a friend for lunch and coffee.
Went back to Changi and boy, security's such a breeze when you're not carrying anything! And after picking-up my belonging, I went to the SKL and ... turned right!
At first sight SKL F didn't seem remarkably different than SKL C but then I realized the seating layout are nicer, better lighting, and the seats are nicer as well.
To my delight, they had the SKL Fried Rice ... AND the satay! Now, I know I've made disparaging remarks about the SQ satay in the past but I've come to quite like them and I was happy to find it here. (Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't pay F fare just to get satay..... ;) ) Anyway. After taking a small plate of the fried rice (the satay was being refilled at the time) I walked over to the bar and asked what champagne they were serving.
"Dom."
"Ah. Great. Can I get a glass please?"
"Just one?"
"Yes. Thank you."
Walked back to my seat and had my SKL Fried Rice and Dom.
(Admittedly, I'm not a champagne person and out of all the alcohol, champagne hit me the worst. So .. I really wasn't all that goo-goo-ga-ga over the Dom. But I guess it's bragging rights... :D )
As it neared boarding time I went to the shower ... nice. Nice. Definitely nicer than the SKL C shower. The bathroom was just nicer. I mean, I know, it's just a bathroom right? But I have to say it was quite nice.
For SQ221 I had 11A with 11C being empty. YAY! Service was again off; menus weren't handed out until after take-off and I was asked what I wanted when I had BTC'd. (On other flights they'd come up and confirmed that I had BTC'd instead of asking what I wanted.) And then she said "Oh, let me go check" and .... didn't come back to me. Apparently she went to check and then proceeded to get the other passengers' preferences. Talk about follow-up.
The slipper lobster thermidor was not at all appetizing. Or maybe I was just tired of traveling at this point. I ate it but it was quite rubbery; not like the last time (and first time) I had it.
There was Connexion on this flight as well but I didn't use it. As soon as I finished the movie ("Shinobi" in widescreen and subbed and pretty typical bad Japanese writing though Nakama Yukie is really cute) I went to sleep after requesting not to be woken up for breakfast.
And of course, I checked this morning to find out that despite the SKL lady's actions, both my KUL-SIN and SIN-SYD flights were credit to KF. with around 5k in there now I'm currently wondering if I should start dumping miles into KF instead of UA as I foresee a heavy favor of flying SQ C when possible. I've got 98k which is enough for 1 C ticket redemption from US to Asia which I planned on giving to someone. With just 8k in the UA bank .... anyway.
And there endeth my RTW.
Realized I never quite taken into account of all those early morning flights and just how early I'd have to wake up. And also learned just how RTW works in general when you're actually flying it instead of planning and dreaming about it; should help a lot if I ever plan another RTW.
I'm also glad I maximized my flights on SQ. There is no way I'd pay a C or F RTW fare if I'm stuck with the ... erm ... less superior airlines. Not worth it at all.
Erm. Wow. I'm still up? I need to sleep....