BNE to BNE - The Long Way
Jun 20, 2007, 6:59 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA Plat & LTG; QF LTG
Posts: 9,837
CX885
LAX-HKG
Seat 12D
747-400
After leaving the LAX terminal 4 FLounge to head for my CX departure from TBI, I stopped by the CX check-in desk just to see if they were going to want to exchange my AA-issued BP with a new CX-issued pass. They certainly did. So that begs the question as to why AA would bother to actually issue boarding passes for connecting flights operated by other airlines since they seem to always require a new BP to be issued by the operating airline?
The next challenge was to find my way to Gate 101. The security screening queue nearest the low numbered gates was overflowing well out into the check-in area. So I headed to the other security screening check-point nearer the high numbered gates. The queue there was about 5 people deep and after removing my shoes, laptop and nasties bag, I was through security in less than 5 mins. So even with the extra walking, it was still a lot quicker than the other checkpoint would have been.
At gate 101 (the far end of the concourse), boarding had not yet commenced. I joined the end of the line behind the sign that said "First/Business Class". Even though there was a long queue of people behind this sign, I was amazed at how many "important looking" people just pushed past the queue to get to the front. Then when they realised there was actually a queue for F and J boarding, they sheepishly returned to the end of the queue. I must have seen 10 people do this in a matter of 5 mins.
The flight was 100% full, but this was to be my first CX trans-Pacific flight without an upgrade, so I was going to experience they business class sleeper seats for a 14 hour flight. I have used these seats in shorter flights (such as HKG-KUL) before, but not for a long-haul flight. I guess my AA Platinum status was not as important as the QF Platinum status that scored me some upgrades in the past.
I had chosen this flight from all the options to get me to Asia from DFW since it is about the only OneWorld day-time trans-Pacific flight (JL also have a daytime LAX-NRT now as a OneWorld option, and I prefer CX via HKG over AA via NRT any time). So I was looking forward to staying awake for most of the flight and then sleeping in a hotel room near HKG.
I had preselected a middle block aisle seat on the lower deck in the hope that I might have a spare seat next to me and at worst to minimise the disruption of neighbour passenger needing to climb out over me. Even a few hours before departure, the seatmap was showing 12E as vacant. However, I could see from the mass of zeros that I was very likely to have a seatmate, and sure enough it was taken.
When I boarded, Mr 12E was already sitting there reading a newspaper in Chinese, so I assumed English was not his native language and didn't disrupt him. I just with I could say the same for him! four times during the flight while trying to adjust his seat he pressed the buttons for my seat adjustment, so in the middle of watching a movie my seat would suddenly move! Sheesh - some people have no idea on how to even operate an airline seat. Now that was really annoying. Doing it once may be a mistake, but 4 times was really disturbing.
I started the long flight the same way I always start long flights - with a champagne. We pushed back about 20 mins late after sitting at the gate for a long time with the doors closed. Then a long taxi meant we didn't take off until well over half an hour late. But the captain was confident we would make up the lost time.
Its interesting how many CX pilots are Australian. In fact, I can't remember a CX flight where the captain was not an Aussie. I guess many of them are ex-Ansett pilots. Its is quite uncanny to hear the Aussie accent from the flight deck amongst the Asian accents from the cabin crew.
LAX-HKG
Seat 12D
747-400
After leaving the LAX terminal 4 FLounge to head for my CX departure from TBI, I stopped by the CX check-in desk just to see if they were going to want to exchange my AA-issued BP with a new CX-issued pass. They certainly did. So that begs the question as to why AA would bother to actually issue boarding passes for connecting flights operated by other airlines since they seem to always require a new BP to be issued by the operating airline?
The next challenge was to find my way to Gate 101. The security screening queue nearest the low numbered gates was overflowing well out into the check-in area. So I headed to the other security screening check-point nearer the high numbered gates. The queue there was about 5 people deep and after removing my shoes, laptop and nasties bag, I was through security in less than 5 mins. So even with the extra walking, it was still a lot quicker than the other checkpoint would have been.
At gate 101 (the far end of the concourse), boarding had not yet commenced. I joined the end of the line behind the sign that said "First/Business Class". Even though there was a long queue of people behind this sign, I was amazed at how many "important looking" people just pushed past the queue to get to the front. Then when they realised there was actually a queue for F and J boarding, they sheepishly returned to the end of the queue. I must have seen 10 people do this in a matter of 5 mins.
The flight was 100% full, but this was to be my first CX trans-Pacific flight without an upgrade, so I was going to experience they business class sleeper seats for a 14 hour flight. I have used these seats in shorter flights (such as HKG-KUL) before, but not for a long-haul flight. I guess my AA Platinum status was not as important as the QF Platinum status that scored me some upgrades in the past.
I had chosen this flight from all the options to get me to Asia from DFW since it is about the only OneWorld day-time trans-Pacific flight (JL also have a daytime LAX-NRT now as a OneWorld option, and I prefer CX via HKG over AA via NRT any time). So I was looking forward to staying awake for most of the flight and then sleeping in a hotel room near HKG.
I had preselected a middle block aisle seat on the lower deck in the hope that I might have a spare seat next to me and at worst to minimise the disruption of neighbour passenger needing to climb out over me. Even a few hours before departure, the seatmap was showing 12E as vacant. However, I could see from the mass of zeros that I was very likely to have a seatmate, and sure enough it was taken.
When I boarded, Mr 12E was already sitting there reading a newspaper in Chinese, so I assumed English was not his native language and didn't disrupt him. I just with I could say the same for him! four times during the flight while trying to adjust his seat he pressed the buttons for my seat adjustment, so in the middle of watching a movie my seat would suddenly move! Sheesh - some people have no idea on how to even operate an airline seat. Now that was really annoying. Doing it once may be a mistake, but 4 times was really disturbing.
I started the long flight the same way I always start long flights - with a champagne. We pushed back about 20 mins late after sitting at the gate for a long time with the doors closed. Then a long taxi meant we didn't take off until well over half an hour late. But the captain was confident we would make up the lost time.
Its interesting how many CX pilots are Australian. In fact, I can't remember a CX flight where the captain was not an Aussie. I guess many of them are ex-Ansett pilots. Its is quite uncanny to hear the Aussie accent from the flight deck amongst the Asian accents from the cabin crew.
Jun 20, 2007, 6:59 am
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA Plat & LTG; QF LTG
Posts: 9,837
Lunch was served soon after takeoff. While awaiting the lunch service I watched a few TV programs from the Discovery section on Studio CX. The CX AVOD IFE is very fast to load and very responsive. QF can take some lessons from CX in this (and some other) areas.
As usual, the menu is handed out with a personal welcome. The menu is handed to the passenger opened to the page written in the language the FA things will be understood. Jan got it right and opened to the English page for me.
Starters:
Seasonal mixed salad with lemon vinaigrette
Marinated prawns and scallops with caviar cream
Main Courses:
Braised chicken and abalone with steamed rice and baby pak choy
Pan-seared beef fillet with mushroom sauce, roast fingerling potatoes, asparagus and carrots
Stir-fried seafood with ginger and spring onion egg fried rice and pak choy
Asparagus and wild mushroom risotto with truffle
Cheese and Dessert:
Cheese Selection
Fresh seasonal fruit
Tiramisu
Tea and Coffee
Pralines
Snacks:
Panini with mozzarella, grilled vegetable and Parma ham
Roast duck in noodle soup
Haagen-Dazs ice cream
As always, the CX food was good and the service excellent. I enjoyed the beef, served with another glass of champagne and a JW Gold. Then the tiramisu with a port followed by a Baileys and ice. Then I was ready to settle down for some serious DVD watching.
Once the tray was cleared away, out came the laptop and back went the seat. I watched 8 episodes of "24" to while away the hours. I must have consumed at least 4 cans of Perrier water while watching. Then I was ready for a snooze. It was while I was snoozing that my seat neighbour found my seat controls for the 4th time - Arrgggh.
As usual, the menu is handed out with a personal welcome. The menu is handed to the passenger opened to the page written in the language the FA things will be understood. Jan got it right and opened to the English page for me.
Starters:
Seasonal mixed salad with lemon vinaigrette
Marinated prawns and scallops with caviar cream
Main Courses:
Braised chicken and abalone with steamed rice and baby pak choy
Pan-seared beef fillet with mushroom sauce, roast fingerling potatoes, asparagus and carrots
Stir-fried seafood with ginger and spring onion egg fried rice and pak choy
Asparagus and wild mushroom risotto with truffle
Cheese and Dessert:
Cheese Selection
Fresh seasonal fruit
Tiramisu
Tea and Coffee
Pralines
Snacks:
Panini with mozzarella, grilled vegetable and Parma ham
Roast duck in noodle soup
Haagen-Dazs ice cream
As always, the CX food was good and the service excellent. I enjoyed the beef, served with another glass of champagne and a JW Gold. Then the tiramisu with a port followed by a Baileys and ice. Then I was ready to settle down for some serious DVD watching.
Once the tray was cleared away, out came the laptop and back went the seat. I watched 8 episodes of "24" to while away the hours. I must have consumed at least 4 cans of Perrier water while watching. Then I was ready for a snooze. It was while I was snoozing that my seat neighbour found my seat controls for the 4th time - Arrgggh.
Jun 20, 2007, 7:00 am
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA Plat & LTG; QF LTG
Posts: 9,837
About 2 hours before landing the dinner service began. Those who were awake were served and as other woke they were offered dinner.
Dinner Menu
Starter:
Fresh seasonal fruit
Main Course:
Braised beef brisket with steamed rice and stir-fried baby pak choy
Herb marinated chicken with lentils, boiled potatoes and vegetables
Seafood congee accompanied by spring onion pancake
Dessert:
Fresh fruit flan
Tea and Coffee
Pralines
This time I selected the chicken, however I was not very hungry and didn't eat it all. Ice cream was also offered along with the fruit flan, so I had my second Haagen Dazs treat for the flight.
True to the captains promise, we landed pretty much on time, but then had a very long taxi all the way to gate E1. The queue for immigration processing was probably around 50 people and took about 10 mins to get through. Then I had to wait a further 10 mins for my bag to arrive. So much for AA's priority tags that were applied at DFW. There was nothing priority about the deliver of my bags. They were not the last out, but certainly well down the deliver schedule.
Outside customs I headed for the hotel information booth to register for the shuttle bus to the Novotel Citigate. I was given a blue triagular sticker to wear on my shirt and asked to take a seat until the bus arrived, at which time I will be escorted to the bus. I was told the wait was going to be 10 mins. Exactly 10 mins later I was collected and escorted to the bus. I was the only passenger.
The Novotel Citigate is new and modern. Its very convenient if just transiting overnight at HKG. The bus ride is about 5 mins from the airport, so even with the 10 mins wait and a 5 min walk for the bus, I was checking-in at the hotel about 20 mins after collecting my bags.
Dinner Menu
Starter:
Fresh seasonal fruit
Main Course:
Braised beef brisket with steamed rice and stir-fried baby pak choy
Herb marinated chicken with lentils, boiled potatoes and vegetables
Seafood congee accompanied by spring onion pancake
Dessert:
Fresh fruit flan
Tea and Coffee
Pralines
This time I selected the chicken, however I was not very hungry and didn't eat it all. Ice cream was also offered along with the fruit flan, so I had my second Haagen Dazs treat for the flight.
True to the captains promise, we landed pretty much on time, but then had a very long taxi all the way to gate E1. The queue for immigration processing was probably around 50 people and took about 10 mins to get through. Then I had to wait a further 10 mins for my bag to arrive. So much for AA's priority tags that were applied at DFW. There was nothing priority about the deliver of my bags. They were not the last out, but certainly well down the deliver schedule.
Outside customs I headed for the hotel information booth to register for the shuttle bus to the Novotel Citigate. I was given a blue triagular sticker to wear on my shirt and asked to take a seat until the bus arrived, at which time I will be escorted to the bus. I was told the wait was going to be 10 mins. Exactly 10 mins later I was collected and escorted to the bus. I was the only passenger.
The Novotel Citigate is new and modern. Its very convenient if just transiting overnight at HKG. The bus ride is about 5 mins from the airport, so even with the 10 mins wait and a 5 min walk for the bus, I was checking-in at the hotel about 20 mins after collecting my bags.
Jun 20, 2007, 7:01 am
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA Plat & LTG; QF LTG
Posts: 9,837
CX723
HKG-KUL
Seat 11D
A330-300
I checked out of the Novotel Citigate around 6:10 and just made the 6:15am shuttle to the airport. At the CX F check-in desk I was informed that the business class check-in was down the row a little, but was welcomed to use the F check-in when I whipped out my QF Platinum card. A porter came by and collected my bags and took them away to be tagged to KUL. I was given an invitation to the FLounge and headed for security.
The security lines were fairly short at that time of the morning. Once through I turned left (oh what a feeling) and headed to the nearby Wing FLounge. I headed straight for the dining room and the dim sum. I was reminded that the buffet dining can mean some of the food is not as fresh as you might like and although the dim sum was tasty, it was not as hot as it could have been.
After breakfast I sat and caught up with this trip report and some other surfing while I waited for boarding time. The flight was leaving from gate 25 which is not too far to walk from The Wing (about 1/3 of the way down the main link between the East and West sections. Judging by the number of people milling around the gate area, the flight was not going to be full. Two aero bridges were used for boarding with J pax using the forward door so I didn't see how many people were sitting down teh back.
I should have been more prepared for this sector. I had pre-allocated seat 11D, but I do recall noting a while ago that the aircraft type was showing as 333 and not 330. CX's 333 means its a 3-class long-haul config A330-300 and the HKG-KUL is a 2-class service. So I should have made the effort to request a seat in row 1 or 2 and had an F seat for the 3 hour flight. But instead I settled for my long-haul J seat and had an empty seat beside me, so not to bad for the shortish leg.
Breakfast was offered on this flight, starting with a plate of fresh seasonal fruits accompanied by a bakery selection. This was followed by the offer of cereal and yoghurt, and eventually a choice of 3 different main courses.
After the meal service I pulled out the laptop and watched some more DVD episodes. We landed on-time and has a long taxi to the C (satellite) Terminal. I was quickly off the aircraft but just missed the train over to the main terminal. At least the trains run very frequently.
Having been through KUL many times I knew to go to the far end of the train (front) and move across to the door on the other side, which would give me a jump on all the other passengers heading for immigration control. This theory worked well and I was the first from our train to hit the arrivals hall and was processed witout delay at the Premier Lane. All CX and MH business class passengers receive an invitation to use the Premier Lane for passport control. I have never seen tis lane with more than 2 or 3 people in line, but maybe that is because I use my always use my train boarding practice to ensure I am first of the bunch from my train.
Straight after immigration processing I head to the ATM to get some local cash, then to the KLIA Ekspress booth to purchase my ticket (MYR35) into KL Sentral. Then to wait for my bags. The display board over the conveyer displayed the ETA until the bags arrive. When I arrived, the clock was ticking down from 8 minutes. The first bags arrived with 2 mins still remaining on the clock, so not bad compared with all of my USA baggage waits.
I only had to wait a few minutes for the next traing to arrive at the station on the lower level of the airport. The KLIA Ekspress train takes 28 minutes for the journey from KUL to Sentral. Upon arrival at Sentral, I made my way to the Teksi booth and decided to splure for a "Premium" Teksi. At KLIA and KL Sentral, the teksis are pre-paid and you receive a voucher which you present to the concierge outside and he shows you to the next teksi waiting in line. It cost another MYR20 to get to the Crowne Plaza hotel.
HKG-KUL
Seat 11D
A330-300
I checked out of the Novotel Citigate around 6:10 and just made the 6:15am shuttle to the airport. At the CX F check-in desk I was informed that the business class check-in was down the row a little, but was welcomed to use the F check-in when I whipped out my QF Platinum card. A porter came by and collected my bags and took them away to be tagged to KUL. I was given an invitation to the FLounge and headed for security.
The security lines were fairly short at that time of the morning. Once through I turned left (oh what a feeling) and headed to the nearby Wing FLounge. I headed straight for the dining room and the dim sum. I was reminded that the buffet dining can mean some of the food is not as fresh as you might like and although the dim sum was tasty, it was not as hot as it could have been.
After breakfast I sat and caught up with this trip report and some other surfing while I waited for boarding time. The flight was leaving from gate 25 which is not too far to walk from The Wing (about 1/3 of the way down the main link between the East and West sections. Judging by the number of people milling around the gate area, the flight was not going to be full. Two aero bridges were used for boarding with J pax using the forward door so I didn't see how many people were sitting down teh back.
I should have been more prepared for this sector. I had pre-allocated seat 11D, but I do recall noting a while ago that the aircraft type was showing as 333 and not 330. CX's 333 means its a 3-class long-haul config A330-300 and the HKG-KUL is a 2-class service. So I should have made the effort to request a seat in row 1 or 2 and had an F seat for the 3 hour flight. But instead I settled for my long-haul J seat and had an empty seat beside me, so not to bad for the shortish leg.
Breakfast was offered on this flight, starting with a plate of fresh seasonal fruits accompanied by a bakery selection. This was followed by the offer of cereal and yoghurt, and eventually a choice of 3 different main courses.
After the meal service I pulled out the laptop and watched some more DVD episodes. We landed on-time and has a long taxi to the C (satellite) Terminal. I was quickly off the aircraft but just missed the train over to the main terminal. At least the trains run very frequently.
Having been through KUL many times I knew to go to the far end of the train (front) and move across to the door on the other side, which would give me a jump on all the other passengers heading for immigration control. This theory worked well and I was the first from our train to hit the arrivals hall and was processed witout delay at the Premier Lane. All CX and MH business class passengers receive an invitation to use the Premier Lane for passport control. I have never seen tis lane with more than 2 or 3 people in line, but maybe that is because I use my always use my train boarding practice to ensure I am first of the bunch from my train.
Straight after immigration processing I head to the ATM to get some local cash, then to the KLIA Ekspress booth to purchase my ticket (MYR35) into KL Sentral. Then to wait for my bags. The display board over the conveyer displayed the ETA until the bags arrive. When I arrived, the clock was ticking down from 8 minutes. The first bags arrived with 2 mins still remaining on the clock, so not bad compared with all of my USA baggage waits.
I only had to wait a few minutes for the next traing to arrive at the station on the lower level of the airport. The KLIA Ekspress train takes 28 minutes for the journey from KUL to Sentral. Upon arrival at Sentral, I made my way to the Teksi booth and decided to splure for a "Premium" Teksi. At KLIA and KL Sentral, the teksis are pre-paid and you receive a voucher which you present to the concierge outside and he shows you to the next teksi waiting in line. It cost another MYR20 to get to the Crowne Plaza hotel.
Jun 20, 2007, 7:37 am
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA Plat & LTG; QF LTG
Posts: 9,837
After two brief nights and one long work day full of meetings in KL, it is time to start the indirect journey home. I set the alarm for 6:15am just in case I was not already up and almost ready to leave the hotel. I planned to check-in at KL Senral and that the check-in there is only available until 2 hours before departure and my scheduled departure was 9:35am.
I made it KL Sentral with plenty of time to spare, but there was a long queue of people waiting to check-in. There was a person standing at the entry area directing people to the right queue. When I mentioned CX Business Class has escorted me to the front of the queue and said the agent would check me in as soon as he finished with a group in front. Well they had about 35 pieces of luggage to be tagged and nearly as many boarding passes to be printed. Judging by the type of luggage being checked, I assume they were a band or some sort. About 15 mins later he was able to start working on my check-in, and by that time the queue was almost out the door. It is a good thing I was there early.
Once checked-in I went and purchased by KLIA Ekspress ticket and managed to walk straight onto a train that was about to depart. 28 mins later we arrived at KUL.
I noted that the check-in agent had not provided me an invitation to use the Premier Lane for immigration processing and there were enough people around the terminal to know there was going to be a queue downstairs. So I popped into the CX Business Class check-in desk and asked for the invitation and was also provided lounge invitation for KUL and HKG.
With my Premier Lane invitation there was no waiting for immigration processing, then it was through the first security screening point and then onto the train to Terminal C. I went up to the CX lounge to wait for the flight. This is one of the most disappointing lounges in the network. I say and used the internet and had two glasses of orange juice. even though I had not yet had breakfast, there was nothing available that interested me in the lounge. I decided to wait and eat on-board.
I made it KL Sentral with plenty of time to spare, but there was a long queue of people waiting to check-in. There was a person standing at the entry area directing people to the right queue. When I mentioned CX Business Class has escorted me to the front of the queue and said the agent would check me in as soon as he finished with a group in front. Well they had about 35 pieces of luggage to be tagged and nearly as many boarding passes to be printed. Judging by the type of luggage being checked, I assume they were a band or some sort. About 15 mins later he was able to start working on my check-in, and by that time the queue was almost out the door. It is a good thing I was there early.
Once checked-in I went and purchased by KLIA Ekspress ticket and managed to walk straight onto a train that was about to depart. 28 mins later we arrived at KUL.
I noted that the check-in agent had not provided me an invitation to use the Premier Lane for immigration processing and there were enough people around the terminal to know there was going to be a queue downstairs. So I popped into the CX Business Class check-in desk and asked for the invitation and was also provided lounge invitation for KUL and HKG.
With my Premier Lane invitation there was no waiting for immigration processing, then it was through the first security screening point and then onto the train to Terminal C. I went up to the CX lounge to wait for the flight. This is one of the most disappointing lounges in the network. I say and used the internet and had two glasses of orange juice. even though I had not yet had breakfast, there was nothing available that interested me in the lounge. I decided to wait and eat on-board.
Jun 21, 2007, 12:24 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 12,148
A most enjoyable read thus far, NM. Definitely one for the collection. I look forward to reading of your continuing adventure. Great stuff!
Jun 28, 2007, 3:13 pm
#37
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Programs: QC, QF, Avis Preferred, BW Crown Club, Priority Club
Posts: 1,451