Originally Posted by
jgold
...But here's what's confusing me (...) Here's what the rules say: "SURFACE SEGMENTS PERMITTED AS FOLLOWS- ..."
As mentioned by
Darren that is not what the rule says, but apart from that you looking at the wrong rule. The rule covering surface segments that you are interested in is this one:
Originally Posted by oneworld.com
(e) Intermediate surface sectors are permitted at the passenger’s expense. Transoceanic surface sectors between TC1-TC2 and TC1-TC3 are not permitted. EXCEPTION: For travel originating in the South West Pacific, one transoceanic surface sector between TC1-TC2 or TC1-TC3 is permitted.