I thought the same Richard when I heard the 12.30pm pick-up time. I am going to sweetly ask if Ian might try for more like 12.45pm if that is at all possible. Just did not want to 'stretch the friendship' Friday, as he'd been so good just getting us squeezed in. May mention it's worth a $50 tip to us if he can swing it.

As I mentioned if we leave promptly at 12.30 pm we get the full length 2 hour tour, with 2.30pm drop off at Qantas Club. I have a feeling if we leave at 12.45 we'd only get a 1.45 hour tour, as he must be there punctually for those Mystery Flights after he drops us. So maybe as it stands gives us best "value" really?

Getting order choices to them up front will save quite a bit of time. As you recall being upstairs puts us out of the loop as far as their normal service is concerned. They never serve food up there for some odd reason.

I have not booked lunch yet, as still waiting for folks to adjust their attendance number on this if needed, due to switcheroo, but thankfully so far it only affected one person - Kiwi Flyer, who instead can now likely do the TT he was unable to confirm before, due to his arrival time. ^

I think if we set 11am or so as the approx time for folks to arrive and start mingling at the downstairs area near their entry doors (Esky Bar) that is perfect, as there is a lot of room there, and it should be quiet. That is a full bar, so folks can get a beer or a coffee or juice or WHATEVER on their own account, as they wish. (But you can't see any planes!) If others would like to see that moved forward to 10.30am - please chime in. Makes no difference to me. More drinking time.

When most folks seem to be there (hopefully all by 11.30 am) we can take the elevator up to the Observation Deck, and I hand over food order well before doing that. An hour up there should be fine is my guess if food has been pre-ordered.

Glen