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...

[QUOTE] 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. /QUOTE]



Enjoying the read so far!! Looking forward to the next installment.

An on-time departure on JQ??? Will miracles never cease?

I agree about T4. It's quite a hike.

Off to SIN early in the morning for my 09:something departure to CMB on UL.

No queue to checkin, minor hiccup with visas as the checkin agent's system tried to tell her that I needed a visa for UAE (NO!), resolved in a few minutes and I was handed my boarding pass and lounge invitation.

Breezed through as usual and airside in SIN T3, the 3rd party lounge used by UL is a cut above the povo (Poverty-Stricken) lounge that SQ direct alliance partners to. The "Fool's Gold" Kris Lounge.

Booked in whY on UL but their bid for upgrade system is awesome - whY would have earned around 1,000 QF points and 20 status credits on this leg - for US$140 I upgraded to J - 2,500 points and 80 status credits. WIN!!!

Gorged on amoretti and tea before wandering to the gate - for noobs reading: EMPTY YOUR WATER BOTTLES PRIOR TO THE GATE.

SIN conveniently provides water dispensers after security to refill.

Allocated seat 2D - business window, but 2C next to me was empty so plenty of space to spread out.

UL is a seriously under-rated airline. Great service, great food, AWESOME prices. Departure was on-time and service impeccable. J toilets cleaned after every use - can you imagine Qantas doing that???

LOLz.

Only 3 pax in the J cabin and no appointments that day so I made the most of the Piper that was flowing freely. Great chicken curry for lunch, awesome Ceylon Earl Grey tea and some movie that I can't remember.

Landed on-time in CMB for my 90 minute connection CMB-DXB where I took up a similar upgrade offer.

The Serendip lounge @ CMB is reserved for OW Emerald and J pax - lesser beings are punted to some beta-lounge at the arse end of the terminal. There you can wallow amongst Buddhist monks and the Borays of humanity.

That said, the Serendip lounge is nothing special. I'm pretty sure that the dust on the window sills was there during my last visit in October 2018...

Boarding was announced for the CMB-DXB flight after another glass or 3 of Piper, and I sauntered downstairs for the security zoo where white privilege reigns supreme. Didn't bother removing my laptop from my bag, had two full water bottles attached to the bag - through with no issues. All that I was missing was a red coat, safari helmet and a Martin-Henry rifle.

TBC...

I agree about UL - really lovely food and service in J.

Great report so far, thanks.

"Badly needed some new reading material - currently re-reading "Atlas Shrugged" and there was no chance of me lugging that hardback around the planet." You need an e-reader. Ideal for frequent travellers. You can store 100's of books on it and it weighs less than and is smaller than a paperback, and the charge lasts for a month. For my aging eyes, I can still read it without reading glasses by increasing the font size. I use a Kobo Aura H2O. Yes, it is not quite the same as an actual book, but the advantages are substantial.