Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the desert via Etihad First Class
Feb 17, 2017, 6:19 am
#16
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Illegals are all criminals,because illegally intruding to other country is a criminal act,regardless who and why he/she committed it. So called "American Dream" is not a human right, to justify breaking the law.
Btw. the liberal/socialist/communist media for some reason forgot that POTUS spoke about ILLEGAL immigrants to be deported,not the legal ones.
I always enjoyed SFO777 trip reports,because he describes his experiences as they are by his point of few and opinion with honesty,not with a political correctness.
Btw. the liberal/socialist/communist media for some reason forgot that POTUS spoke about ILLEGAL immigrants to be deported,not the legal ones.
I always enjoyed SFO777 trip reports,because he describes his experiences as they are by his point of few and opinion with honesty,not with a political correctness.
Feb 17, 2017, 7:59 am
#18
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Looking forward to the rest of the report!
The REAL ID act requires that certain "security" features be part of an ID that is considered "REAL ID Compliant". The REAL ID act is a federal act. But since states issue IDs like Driver's Licenses there isn't consistency in how the REAL ID act was implemented. The states listed on that placard have elected to not implement some/all of those security features. There were multiple extensions to the implementation of the rule but those all ended.
The REAL ID act requires that certain "security" features be part of an ID that is considered "REAL ID Compliant". The REAL ID act is a federal act. But since states issue IDs like Driver's Licenses there isn't consistency in how the REAL ID act was implemented. The states listed on that placard have elected to not implement some/all of those security features. There were multiple extensions to the implementation of the rule but those all ended.
I call it like it is. Illegals are illegal, period.
Why do you use that security entrance? Use what looks like the 'staff' security south of TBIT which is always deserted. They will even honor Precheck. No need to hike all the way to T4.
From any TBIT check in desk, head to the elevators at the south side of TBIT departures. Take the elevator down to arrivals. Take a left from the elevator, then two more quick lefts and you are there. Its basically behind the elevator bank. The elevator after security takes you to the mid point of the T4/TBIT connector. Drops me at Qantas First in less than 5 mins with the added bonus of a window view of the crowded security you experienced. A great DYKWIA moment.
Its a great shortcut and relatively unknown. Cue a thousand posters and KARFA to say they use it all the time.
From any TBIT check in desk, head to the elevators at the south side of TBIT departures. Take the elevator down to arrivals. Take a left from the elevator, then two more quick lefts and you are there. Its basically behind the elevator bank. The elevator after security takes you to the mid point of the T4/TBIT connector. Drops me at Qantas First in less than 5 mins with the added bonus of a window view of the crowded security you experienced. A great DYKWIA moment.
Its a great shortcut and relatively unknown. Cue a thousand posters and KARFA to say they use it all the time.
looks like the beginnings of another great SFO777 TR
The TL;DR is that it just means that generally those non-compliant states do not meet some document verification and/or data access requirements of the Real ID act for their driver's license. For example here in Washington proof of legal presence is not absolutely required to get a driver's license (so the document verification category). SFO777 poses a legitimate question since this isn't really on the radar for anyone not residing in those states.
The TL;DR is that it just means that generally those non-compliant states do not meet some document verification and/or data access requirements of the Real ID act for their driver's license. For example here in Washington proof of legal presence is not absolutely required to get a driver's license (so the document verification category). SFO777 poses a legitimate question since this isn't really on the radar for anyone not residing in those states.
Just saw your Etihad review. Is there any reason you didn't get the A380 flight out of JFK to try the Etihad Apartments?
Looking forward to your Al Maha review, and could you please let me know how you got to Al Maha via car, how long it took and the cost from Dubai if that's where you got the vehicle from. Also if 2 nights was enough at the Al Maha.
Thanks in advance.
Looking forward to your Al Maha review, and could you please let me know how you got to Al Maha via car, how long it took and the cost from Dubai if that's where you got the vehicle from. Also if 2 nights was enough at the Al Maha.
Thanks in advance.
Illegals are all criminals,because illegally intruding to other country is a criminal act,regardless who and why he/she committed it. So called "American Dream" is not a human right, to justify breaking the law.
Btw. the liberal/socialist/communist media for some reason forgot that POTUS spoke about ILLEGAL immigrants to be deported,not the legal ones.
I always enjoyed SFO777 trip reports,because he describes his experiences as they are by his point of few and opinion with honesty,not with a political correctness.
Btw. the liberal/socialist/communist media for some reason forgot that POTUS spoke about ILLEGAL immigrants to be deported,not the legal ones.
I always enjoyed SFO777 trip reports,because he describes his experiences as they are by his point of few and opinion with honesty,not with a political correctness.
Thanks miamiflyer8.
Well... it is my trip report. If you don't like what I'm saying, you can always unsubscribe or even use the Ignore button. @:-)
Feb 17, 2017, 8:23 am
#19
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Posts: 2,120
The OP posted question was travel related. So we can criticize TSA and CBP as government institutions for all they do and do not but not actually the government who provides travel documents to who knows to who?
Feb 17, 2017, 8:24 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
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Topic Check
A friendly reminder all. This is NOT the place to discuss politics. If you must continue this discussion take it over HERE.
Madone59
Moderator: Trip Reports
Last edited by Madone59; Feb 17, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Feb 17, 2017, 9:07 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 50
Thank you for sharing the pictures (I'm enjoying all of them at your website)
For someone who loves travel, but only get to be on a plane once in a blue moon, this is me travelling the world vicariously through the eyes of other travelers
Hope you enjoyed your trip ... especially with a beautiful travelling companion!
For someone who loves travel, but only get to be on a plane once in a blue moon, this is me travelling the world vicariously through the eyes of other travelers
Hope you enjoyed your trip ... especially with a beautiful travelling companion!
Feb 17, 2017, 1:24 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
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Posts: 5,662
SFO777 has flown most (if not all) of the best major F products so you'd think he has his expectations as well has preferences.
Feb 17, 2017, 1:52 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
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Always Great Pics and Well Written
Looking forward to this one, like all of SFO777's reports.
^^^^^
(Have used his reports for trip planning/ideas in Japan and other places.)
^^^^^
(Have used his reports for trip planning/ideas in Japan and other places.)
Feb 17, 2017, 5:35 pm
#26
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: AF Plat, DL Gold
Posts: 366
IIRC, he was complimentary to the Garuda amenity kit. And not to beat a dead horse, but I went on the RTW trip with SFO777 and he is anything but racist.
Feb 17, 2017, 8:29 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: BOI
Posts: 223
As an aside, my only issue with SFO777's trip reports is putting them in context. I've only flown International F twice- CX and SQ (both last Spring). I thought CX was fantastic and found SQ a bit disappointing, but still pretty damn good. When SFO777 disses both, it makes me think I really need to figure out how to fly Garuda and AF F!
Keep the trip reports coming SFO777.
Feb 18, 2017, 3:55 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Etihad First Class to Abu Dhabi
At around T-60, we headed downstairs to buy a trashy novel and an iphone accessory and then off to the end of the South Concourse and Gate 157.
Los Angeles-Abu Dhabi
Etihad 170
777-200 (77L)
3:50p-7:50p +1
February 14, 2017
Departed 8/8
Suites 2D and 2G
With a couple of stops along the way, boarding had already commenced by the time we arrived.
Nice to see 1L reserved only for First Class.
A happy Mrs. SFO777.
Chef Niki taking dinners orders.
Today's menu...
And wine list, with some nice selections...
Etihad's IFE is pretty good, although not in the same league as EK and SQ. On the other hand, Wifi worked reasonably well probably because they charge passengers ($21.95 for the entire flight) unike Emirates which offers it essentially free, rendering it useless for everyone.
Nice looking amenity kit, at least on the outside...
But on the inside, a hodge-podge of meh...
After take-off, we both opted for the lovely Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé.
We had requested to wait a couple of hours after take off to eat. As it turned, everyone waited as the first 2 hours featured some pretty severe turbulence... at times bad enough for the captain to ask the crew to suspend service and take their seats. Nearly 3 hours after take-off, showtime.
Loved the starry, starry night light effect.
Tonight's delicious amuse-bouche.
Mrs. SFO777 enjoyed her chicken and fries.
My Butternut Squash soup was very good.
And another bout of turbulence. Can you tell??
I went with the Lamb Biryani.
... which was delicious.
For dessert, the Apple Cinnamon Frangipane.
After dinner and another movie, I popped an Ambien and slept like a baby for 6 hours.
Another 90 minutes to landing.
We arrived on time but not at a real gate, banished to a remote stand. Really? Ugh.
Yeah, that's really First Class. Come one Etihad. Jeez.
And great terminal design, as gate lice clog the route to Customs.
We headed to the Chauffuer dispatch desk...
... and after a long and winding path, the exit to the Chauffeur queue.
At around T-60, we headed downstairs to buy a trashy novel and an iphone accessory and then off to the end of the South Concourse and Gate 157.
Los Angeles-Abu Dhabi
Etihad 170
777-200 (77L)
3:50p-7:50p +1
February 14, 2017
Departed 8/8
Suites 2D and 2G
With a couple of stops along the way, boarding had already commenced by the time we arrived.
Nice to see 1L reserved only for First Class.
A happy Mrs. SFO777.
Chef Niki taking dinners orders.
Today's menu...
And wine list, with some nice selections...
Etihad's IFE is pretty good, although not in the same league as EK and SQ. On the other hand, Wifi worked reasonably well probably because they charge passengers ($21.95 for the entire flight) unike Emirates which offers it essentially free, rendering it useless for everyone.
Nice looking amenity kit, at least on the outside...
But on the inside, a hodge-podge of meh...
After take-off, we both opted for the lovely Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé.
We had requested to wait a couple of hours after take off to eat. As it turned, everyone waited as the first 2 hours featured some pretty severe turbulence... at times bad enough for the captain to ask the crew to suspend service and take their seats. Nearly 3 hours after take-off, showtime.
Loved the starry, starry night light effect.
Tonight's delicious amuse-bouche.
Mrs. SFO777 enjoyed her chicken and fries.
My Butternut Squash soup was very good.
And another bout of turbulence. Can you tell??
I went with the Lamb Biryani.
... which was delicious.
For dessert, the Apple Cinnamon Frangipane.
After dinner and another movie, I popped an Ambien and slept like a baby for 6 hours.
Another 90 minutes to landing.
We arrived on time but not at a real gate, banished to a remote stand. Really? Ugh.
Yeah, that's really First Class. Come one Etihad. Jeez.
And great terminal design, as gate lice clog the route to Customs.
We headed to the Chauffuer dispatch desk...
... and after a long and winding path, the exit to the Chauffeur queue.
Last edited by SFO777; Mar 2, 2017 at 6:07 am
Feb 18, 2017, 6:19 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Australia
Programs: KrisFlyer, AA, Qantas, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 592
I wonder if Etihad are planning to upgrade their 777's soon (especially First class) because that product, while not terrible, looks so aged.
Side note - how much was the Dubai helicopter ride?
Side note - how much was the Dubai helicopter ride?