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Welcome to Part Two. Hopefully you have read Part One before this. This leg is my LAX_AKL_BNE leg of my peace organization trip to Australia/New Zealand. Hope you enjoy!
Qantas #26
LAX_AKL_BNE
Boeing 747-438 Longreach (RR powered)
ETD: 1640 ATD:?
ETA: 0510 (6/06) ATA:0450
After we landed at LAX and got off our America West flight, all 42 of us WALKED all the way down to the Tom Bradley Int'l Terminal. Our bags were already checked all the way to Brisbane, so we were fortunate we didn't have to drag them with us too.
We were scheduled on Qantas #26, routed Los Angeles_Auckland, NZ_Brisbane, AUS. Checkin for us took forever, but hey- no sweat- we all sat down and played cards while we waited.
We had around two hours before we had to reassemble to board, so we all ate dinner upstairs. I had a McFlurry from McDonalds- wasn't too hungry- never am when I fly. I took some time to back up my pictures onto my laptop.
The terminal really is a beautiful building- wish ours at PHX looked this new.
This was my first time at LAX since I was little, and it was nice getting to see all the different a/c types and airlines that Phoenix doesn't get. Phoenix is AMWest's headquarters (and a major hub for Southwest), so plane after plane is either HP or SWA. The only unusual one we get is British Airways' (my favorite) 744 from Heathrow.
After darkness fell, it was time to go through security again and head to our gate. I was carrying disposable underwater cameras, and the biggest surprise of the trip so far was that when I asked the screeners to hand screen them (I wasn't taking any chances with film and x-rays since I don't go to Australia that often), they willingly did so. This really made my day, and I think it's great that the TSA guys went that one extra step to make a weary traveler's journey more enjoyable. I flew extensively later this year, and saw the same thing- kudos to you TSA guys!
By the time we ran to our gate, the seating area was already full. Since we were a group, we were able to board first, and we wound up having the plane to ourselves for a good 15 minutes before boarding started for everyone else. This was my first time aboard a Boeing 747, and I was in awe at the grandeur of the enormous aircraft. I had been on BA's 772 last year PHX_LHR before they switched it back to a 744, but since I was little I'd always wanted to fly on a 747. As we walked down the endless aisle we were greeted by the picture-perfect smiles of the flight attendants, dressed sharply in their Qantas uniforms.
The interrior was a little less 'luxurious' than what I expected, but I was too happy to notice. I was seated in row 60-something, center column, left aisle seat- close to door #4). The flight attendants were busy running around helping with seats and bags. After everyone had boarded and the doors were closed, I realized the flight was only about 2/3 full, contrary to what the boarding agent had told me. To my amazing luck, and I mean amazing, the window seat on the exit row for door #4, AND the seat next to it were empty. I seized the opportunity, and claimed it for the rest of the flight. It was quite the treat since I'm 6'4"- was like flying first class the whole way!
Pushback began, and the flight attendants took their seats as the safety video began and the Rolls Royce engines were spooled. Qantas's safety video is soooo looooong
. But I survived. Before I knew it we were taxiing for our westbound departure. In addition to having infinite legroom, my seat was also adjacent to the galley, and facing the f/a's jumpseat.
You know how there are f/a's who just give you service and do their job with the normal grind, and then there are f/a's who go the extra mile with friendliness, service, and that sort of thing? Well, I was privelaged to have one of those on my flight- and she sat in the jumpseat in front of me. We started talking about what her duties were, about the 747, etc. Before coming to Qantas she flew on Air New Zealand's 737s. What really made me happy though, is she let me have my camera out during takeoff roll.
She also let me put my feet up on the slide casing on the door (which said "DO NOT SIT").
Takeoff was simply amazing. I love RR engines- this was my first time hearing them. Taxi was almost silent, but when we took the runway, and the throttles were advanced to that first click to stabilize, I thought that was it. I was immediately proved wrong when they were floored, and a deafening roar filled the cabin. The runway lights whizzed by outside, and the cabin shook with the occasional THUD as we hit a bump. And then silence. We were airborne- off to Australia we go!
Dinner was served shortly after takeoff. I had the chicken bathed in a watery sauce with veggies, a tomato juice (what I always drink when I fly), coconut-mousse cake for desert, a dinner roll with butter (that I only discovered after I ate the roll), and tomatoes and red onions in a vinegarette.
The food was okay....could have been better, but as long as they feed me I'm happy. Plus considdering that it's cooked, packaged, refrigerated, then re-heated in hot ovens swirling with hot dry air, I have no complaints- and neither should anyone else. The dinner roll was pretty hard though- hurt my teeth when I bit into it.
The flight was long, but our 744 had Qantas's "Q" Entertainment system. I wound up watching "50 First Dates," "Starsky & Hutch," and "Scooby Doo 2."
I caught maybe one or two hours of sleep (I don't sleep on planes that well). This was my favorite flight out of all the legs because I had my wonderful seat (I actually switched between three during the flight to talk with fellow delegates and such), the wonderful cabin crew, and it was my first 747 experience.
About 3/4 the way through the flight another meal was served- this time it was a sort of breakfast or brunch. The main hot dish was a quiche, with a cooked tomato, mini whole mushrooms, and then some other stuff.
Before I knew it we had begun our descent after 12.5 hours in the air. We landed 20 minutes ahead of schedule. The landing I guess was like a typical 747 landing- can't really flare that much or you'll hit the tail, so we just kinda flew into the runway. After a brief taxi, we docked and deplaned into a waiting area while they serviced the aircraft. We'd reboard and fly to Brisbane on the same aircraft.
Since this is getting so long I'll start another thread for the AKL_BNE connection. Hope you enjoyed Part Two!
Qantas #26LAX_AKL_BNE
Boeing 747-438 Longreach (RR powered)
ETD: 1640 ATD:?
ETA: 0510 (6/06) ATA:0450
After we landed at LAX and got off our America West flight, all 42 of us WALKED all the way down to the Tom Bradley Int'l Terminal. Our bags were already checked all the way to Brisbane, so we were fortunate we didn't have to drag them with us too.
We were scheduled on Qantas #26, routed Los Angeles_Auckland, NZ_Brisbane, AUS. Checkin for us took forever, but hey- no sweat- we all sat down and played cards while we waited.
We had around two hours before we had to reassemble to board, so we all ate dinner upstairs. I had a McFlurry from McDonalds- wasn't too hungry- never am when I fly. I took some time to back up my pictures onto my laptop.
The terminal really is a beautiful building- wish ours at PHX looked this new.
This was my first time at LAX since I was little, and it was nice getting to see all the different a/c types and airlines that Phoenix doesn't get. Phoenix is AMWest's headquarters (and a major hub for Southwest), so plane after plane is either HP or SWA. The only unusual one we get is British Airways' (my favorite) 744 from Heathrow.
After darkness fell, it was time to go through security again and head to our gate. I was carrying disposable underwater cameras, and the biggest surprise of the trip so far was that when I asked the screeners to hand screen them (I wasn't taking any chances with film and x-rays since I don't go to Australia that often), they willingly did so. This really made my day, and I think it's great that the TSA guys went that one extra step to make a weary traveler's journey more enjoyable. I flew extensively later this year, and saw the same thing- kudos to you TSA guys!
By the time we ran to our gate, the seating area was already full. Since we were a group, we were able to board first, and we wound up having the plane to ourselves for a good 15 minutes before boarding started for everyone else. This was my first time aboard a Boeing 747, and I was in awe at the grandeur of the enormous aircraft. I had been on BA's 772 last year PHX_LHR before they switched it back to a 744, but since I was little I'd always wanted to fly on a 747. As we walked down the endless aisle we were greeted by the picture-perfect smiles of the flight attendants, dressed sharply in their Qantas uniforms.
The interrior was a little less 'luxurious' than what I expected, but I was too happy to notice. I was seated in row 60-something, center column, left aisle seat- close to door #4). The flight attendants were busy running around helping with seats and bags. After everyone had boarded and the doors were closed, I realized the flight was only about 2/3 full, contrary to what the boarding agent had told me. To my amazing luck, and I mean amazing, the window seat on the exit row for door #4, AND the seat next to it were empty. I seized the opportunity, and claimed it for the rest of the flight. It was quite the treat since I'm 6'4"- was like flying first class the whole way!
Pushback began, and the flight attendants took their seats as the safety video began and the Rolls Royce engines were spooled. Qantas's safety video is soooo looooong
. But I survived. Before I knew it we were taxiing for our westbound departure. In addition to having infinite legroom, my seat was also adjacent to the galley, and facing the f/a's jumpseat. You know how there are f/a's who just give you service and do their job with the normal grind, and then there are f/a's who go the extra mile with friendliness, service, and that sort of thing? Well, I was privelaged to have one of those on my flight- and she sat in the jumpseat in front of me. We started talking about what her duties were, about the 747, etc. Before coming to Qantas she flew on Air New Zealand's 737s. What really made me happy though, is she let me have my camera out during takeoff roll.
She also let me put my feet up on the slide casing on the door (which said "DO NOT SIT").Takeoff was simply amazing. I love RR engines- this was my first time hearing them. Taxi was almost silent, but when we took the runway, and the throttles were advanced to that first click to stabilize, I thought that was it. I was immediately proved wrong when they were floored, and a deafening roar filled the cabin. The runway lights whizzed by outside, and the cabin shook with the occasional THUD as we hit a bump. And then silence. We were airborne- off to Australia we go!
Dinner was served shortly after takeoff. I had the chicken bathed in a watery sauce with veggies, a tomato juice (what I always drink when I fly), coconut-mousse cake for desert, a dinner roll with butter (that I only discovered after I ate the roll), and tomatoes and red onions in a vinegarette.
The food was okay....could have been better, but as long as they feed me I'm happy. Plus considdering that it's cooked, packaged, refrigerated, then re-heated in hot ovens swirling with hot dry air, I have no complaints- and neither should anyone else. The dinner roll was pretty hard though- hurt my teeth when I bit into it.
The flight was long, but our 744 had Qantas's "Q" Entertainment system. I wound up watching "50 First Dates," "Starsky & Hutch," and "Scooby Doo 2."
I caught maybe one or two hours of sleep (I don't sleep on planes that well). This was my favorite flight out of all the legs because I had my wonderful seat (I actually switched between three during the flight to talk with fellow delegates and such), the wonderful cabin crew, and it was my first 747 experience.
About 3/4 the way through the flight another meal was served- this time it was a sort of breakfast or brunch. The main hot dish was a quiche, with a cooked tomato, mini whole mushrooms, and then some other stuff.
Before I knew it we had begun our descent after 12.5 hours in the air. We landed 20 minutes ahead of schedule. The landing I guess was like a typical 747 landing- can't really flare that much or you'll hit the tail, so we just kinda flew into the runway. After a brief taxi, we docked and deplaned into a waiting area while they serviced the aircraft. We'd reboard and fly to Brisbane on the same aircraft.
Since this is getting so long I'll start another thread for the AKL_BNE connection. Hope you enjoyed Part Two!
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