FRANKFURT transit
A few weeks ago, upset at the changes being made by Singapore Airlines to the PPS program, I switched my onward flight to Lufthansa and upgraded to first by use of some upgrade vouchers, which was confirmed immediately.
Fortunately the flight timings on Lufthansa are similar to Singapore, but it had the effect of making a 23 hour connection almost an illegal stopover, and also shortened my transit in Frankfurt. This means I won't have long enough to properly enjoy the first class terminal. Indeed I was unsure whether I'd even have time to visit the first class lounge.
As luck would have it we arrived at the very end gate on A pier. So a long, long walk for me. Decisions, decisions. I could walk at a leisurely pace to immigration into non-schengen zone and our gate in B part of the terminal, probably arriving just about as boarding starts. Or I could walk fast to the first class lounge along A pier, have a very fast shower, and proceed to B part of the terminal and immigration to non-schengen zone with boarding nearly complete by the time I arrive, probably sweaty despite having just showered. Or I could sprint to the first class terminal (considerably further distance), grab a quick shower and make use of the extra time provided due to being driven to the gate at the end of boarding.
Naturally, after already a long day (and a couple of hours gained by time zones) of exploring Saint Petersburg and travelling, I chose the latter. I ran from the end of the pier outside and along to the first class terminal.
Hand over passport and boarding pass. Through security. Liquids out. Belt off. Shoes on. Get alarmed by the WTMD and again by the hand wand. Even my pocket sets off the alarm despite only having a handkerchief in it
So get the usual FRA massage.
Decline the tour of the terminal - I've been here before and my priority is first to shower. A quick shower (with cold water running afterwards to avoid sweating up again) and change of clothes and I feel much better and start to relax. I have fun sampling several of the wines while I wait for boarding.