Report of my current work trip:

NTL-MEL-SIN-CMB-DXB-LHE-DXB-DEL-SIN-BNE-NTL


My first trip report in around a decade...


Day One: NTL-MEL-SIN

Picked up by the Hire Car (limousine for those outside Australia) at 04:45 for an 06:00 JQ flight.

NTL is 20 minutes from my home at this time of day - familiar chat with the driver (I've been using this company since 1996) despite the unGodly hour (even by my standards, I frequently get up at 04:40).


If you're ever in NTL, use Newcastle Hire Cars - $60 or so from the airport to the city, Holden Caprice/ Chrysler 300(?) or S-Class Benz/ 7-Series BMW cars. Cheaper than a taxi and usually cheaper than Uber.

Arrived at NTL with plenty of time - security at my home port is a zoo, the TSA must have coached them in process, so I usually arrive early in the morning. I know all of the checkin staff by name (over 1,200 flights out of this airport) and it went smoothly.

Badly needed some new reading material - currently re-reading "Atlas Shrugged" and there was no chance of me lugging that hardback around the planet. OT: My first Peter F Hamilton novel "Salvation" - surprisingly good. I'll be reading more of his stuff!

Departure was on-time. For those who haven't experienced the joys of DeathStar (JQ) in Australia, the newer aircraft have no seat-back pockets - so you need to wedge your water bottle between your legs. I read that day's Financial Review and started the novel, after a bit of sh*tposting on social media before the doors closed. Flight departed and arrived roughly on-time at MEL.

Arrival at MEL in the new T4 is a painful experience - pack your hiking boots and a cut lunch for the marathon yomp to the International terminal. I collected my bags, strolled over to T2 and into the Qantas F Checkin area.

Super-smooth checkin, boarding passes for my next 4 flights issued (even though the last of them was 36 hours later!). Express security card worthless as usual in MEL. Took around 15 minutes to clear security and customs. I stocked up on fresh water bottles and pastry treats before settling into the F lounge at around 8:30 for my 11:30-ish departure to SIN on QF.


MEL F Lounge:

This is a great lounge. It's not a zoo like SYD, easy to find a seat, not a lot of noise, good service and reasonable food. The pancakes for a (second) breakfast (no, I don't look like a Hobbit) were solid, washed down with a glass of Champagne. One rule prior to every departure from Australia, regardless of time - have a glass of Champagne. Because I can.

The menu is extensive but I'd already had breakfast at 4am so I went light. Punched out some work emails and more sh*tposting before heading down to the gate for the boarding call. I was in whY so I wanted to board early to secure preferred locker space. I was the first in the forward economy section, set myself up nicely and waited while the great unwashed sauntered aboard.


MEL-SIN:

For some reason, QF have set the aircon on their A380s at zero degrees Kelvin. So pack a sweater (or ECWG parka) if you ever fly on one of these monstrosities. Give me a 787 anyway. Always back Boeing - not scarebus! I was well prepared so no problem for me. My C seat had a vacant B next to it, so a Clayton's upgrade for me and the dude in the A seat. Food was crap as usual - QF economy catering out of MEL is rubbish, BNE is much better (but no F lounge there, so no Champagne. NO DEAL!). Flight was uneventful and therefore awesome. A bit of work, a bit of reading, and I finally got around to watching "Ant Man", which my sons had basically dissected for me a dozen times already. Good flick, Paul Rudd's script input was obvious and welcome.

Departed nearly an hour late because some loser decided to board the aircraft while ill, then deplaned so they had to get their bags out - which seemed to be in the bin farthest from a cargo door, and at the bottom of that bin. Pity you can't just shoot people like that.

I would.

QF CSM did the usual Platinum greeting, handing out an arrival card before departure, etc. Whilst the food was rubbish, service on this flight was actually really good (QF's consistent inconsistency - again). Finally landed in SIN around 45 minutes late. NO QUEUE at immigration so straight through and into a taxi around 25 minutes after arrival at the gate - winning.

Camped at the Hilton on Orchard Rd overnight. Good hotel for the money - it's old but reliable with a decent pool, HH benefits and a solid wine store across the road (Wine Connection). I can also hit the Cold Storage supermarket nearby and stock up on Roast Chicken Dance twisties for Mrs Shillard and son #2 .

Yeah - she doesn't want duty-free perfume, just exotically flavoured corn snacks. Go figure.

Day two next...