I am really butting heads with both my TA, the NZ desk, and most recently with a "supervisor" at UA on this.

The situation is this. I have a lot of surface sectors. The definitions of how to count surface sectors are all located in the "Transfers" section of the rules sheet for some reason. Anyways, section 9f states:
"Surface Sectors: Intermediate surface sectors permitted at passenger’s expense. If such break in itinerary exceeds 24 hours it is considered as one stopover... The last point of arrival and the first point of departure together count as one stopover."

So as I count it, a simplified theoretical (not valid either) itinerary of:
LAX-AKL; surface; CHC-SYD; surface; PER-LAX would count as 5 coupons (24 allowed) but only 2 stopovers (15 allowed). AKL being the first point of arrival and CHC being the last point of departure would "together count as ONE stopover". Same thing for the SYD to PER surface segement. TWO stopovers Right?

A number of flyertalk folks have told me that my way is correct. And it is certainly logical. However, I have the desks telling me this is FOUR stopovers. In fact the "supervisor" told me (before we either got disconnected or she hung up on me because she started to have trouble with her story) that "every time you fly somewhere it is a stopover". Then she said that LAX-AKL was a "stopover", when I said that was a flight and a coupon but not a stopover she agreed, before then accusing me of confusing coupons and stopovers!

Am I crazy?

Is there some actual *A agent who actually specializes and understands RTW bookings? Or some higher power? Or someone who can just explain how the "first point of arrival/last point of departure" sentance applies? How can they be reached?

Thanks,

Jeff