SYDNEY

Instead of turning left to taxi to the non-oneworld pier we continued on and pulled up in front of the Qantas first class lounge. It was time for a quick decision. Do I hang around near the gate (perhaps a quick visit to the Qantas lounge through my open door access), or rush to the other pier to the Emirates lounge?

Figuring my next airport transit will be very rushed I did want to have a shower, although I could of course ask for one onboard. The thing that tipped my decision to have a long walk to the Emirates lounge was a fear they might abandon the SYD-AKL-SYD flights for this aircraft in which case I'd need to be rebooked, or alternatively we'd lose more time in transit in which case I'd beg some assistance for misconnecting the subsequent flight.

So when the doors opened I was ready to bolt. Race to security - no mucking around trying to avoid the random pat-down and explosive test as it is much less likely at the transfer security on this pier. Through and up to departures level and race all the way to the lounge.

At reception I was warned our departure is some distance from the lounge on the other pier. Duh - given I'd just come off the aircraft I think I'd realised that already. I rushed to the shower to have a quickie. Just enough time to send a message that I may be late arriving at ultimate destination and boarding was called. A couple of the lounge staff offered to escort everyone to the gate - I suspect this is mainly to make sure no one gets lost and thus holds up the departure even more. I turned down the escort and assured them I knew exactly where to go.

Nearing the gate I noticed the adjacent gate had an Etihad aircraft painted in Abu Dhabi grand prix colour scheme. Today the Oneworld pier is more like the non-Oneworld pier!