Just checked the price for a booking I have in September and it’s dropped $300. I modified the booking and selected the same date and it automatically refunded the difference back to my credit card.
Worth checking if you have future travel booked.
Haven’t seen this one posted before thought it might interest some people. Seen at Portland airport.
Very easy boarding process at Vancouver this morning. Just had to show passport, no other paperwork required. I’m travelling on an Australian passport so I’m guessing US passports had it even easier.
Then we all got presented a commemorative “boarding pass” and free tote bag with an Amtrak writing pad and pen.
Just need the new trains now!!
Is anyone able to see the Xplorer train available to book on a Friday in August for Tamworth to Sydney? It’s only showing the coach to Dubbo then train to Sydney as an option. All other days have the direct train except for Fridays for some reason.
Took a flight today from Billings Montana up to Wolf Point Montana. Flight 9K1773.
Airline was Cape Air who operate flights under the Essential Air Services programme in Montana and also in the North East in Massachusetts.
Fare was $35 for a 70 minute flight including baggage.
The aircraft itself was fantastic. Holds 9 passengers with an open cockpit. And massive windows with a high wing means everyone gets a brilliant view.
We had 7 passengers but were advised the flight was 150 pounds overweight. Thankfully a passenger took the offer to fly tomorrow which meant the 6 of us and our baggage made it.
The seats are comfortable, with a large armrest built into the airframe and included a phone charging port. Plenty of leg room as well.
Every passenger and every single piece of luggage is weighed on check in. But be aware of the dimension limits.
I would do this flight again in a heartbeat. If you have the chance it’s a great aircraft to fly in.
Zinc will fly from the newly built and soon to open Western Sydney International Airport.
I was in the shower and missed the alpha call today. I opened my cabin door as normal to leave, happy and bright to head ashore and explore. I saw security guards, officers, medical staff all gathered and looking into the cabin next door.
I apologised and tried to return to my cabin but the officer said it was ok. I explained I didn’t hear the alpha call as I was in the shower. I turned and saw the doctors doing heart compressions on the patient in the doorway. Then a medic ran down the corridor in an urgent rush.
It was such a shock. If I had heard the alpha call and cabin number i would have stayed inside but I had no idea this was unfolding on my front door.
I came back about 2 hours later and there were still staff outside the cabin. I asked if she was ok and they advised me that she had passed away.
It was such a shock. We had said hello and had a laugh on embarkation day and had said hello a few times across the balcony divider.
Now the husband is being helped by crew to pack and they need to do all the requirements I guess before we leave port. The cabin was completely secured, locked and photographed. I guess it needs forensic or police analysis once we get back.
I guess i just needed to let it out here and remind everyone how precious life is. You never know how your day will end and when it’s your time.
My prayers go to the entire family who have to deal with this especially with it happening in a foreign port.
Also prayers to the medical team involved. I know it’s their job but I am sure it would still be upsetting.
And yes I know this happens more than we realise every day. But it’s still confronting when it happens right next door.
A good reminder to hug your loved ones and make the most of every day.
I was headed back home from Japan to Washington, and the line for checked luggage at the Tokyo airport was groan-inducingly long. I got there well before the flight and still ended up waiting 20-30 minutes. As I slowly got closer to the counter, several people walked up, realized what was going on, then dejectedly walked to the back of the line. And then there was our hero.
This younger Eastern European dude, probably early 20s, walks up, sees the line, then starts trying to have a conversation with the guy behind me. He was very clearly doing the "Hey, let's be buddies and I can cut you" thing, but the guy behind me wasn't having it. Eventually he tells our young friend "Hey man, you have to go to the back of the line." Things take a turn and the main character goes from uncharming but chummy to telling my line comrade to "fuck off," threw in some "What are you gonna do about it," and got in the guy's face, puffing out his chest and everything.
Now mind you, this is at like noon in a Japanese airport. In a place where everyone had been incredibly respectful and deferential, this stood out. I had also turned around and told the guy to get to the back of the line, and him puffing his chest out was less effective since I'm 6'4". Neither me nor the guy behind me was going to take his bait and get in a scuffle with him, and it was just super odd behavior. So we just waited for the next time one of the airline people came by, told them what was going on, and the 10 other people in line around us corroborated our story. She removed him and told him he'd have to take another flight.
Hilariously, this was the Hawaiian Airlines flight and it was the only one that day, so I assume he had to catch a flight the next day. I still think about him. I can't really fathom what he thought was going to happen. I wonder if he goes through life having interactions like that and just thinking, man, the world is so unfair to me. It was such a strange interaction, with an adult bully.
A great trip on Number 2 this week from LA headed east to Houston. A full train yet still great service. Slept well in the roomette. Enjoyed the food and the views.
This is at the Houston NASA Space Centre. It’s the original 747 which was originally an American Airlines 747. Only 2 were converted to SCA for NASA and used through the 70s and 80s to transport space shuttles back to Cape Canaveral. This one has a replica shuttle positioned on top, but the 747 is original. Very cool to visit and see in person.
Fun fact the airport runway actually crosses the state border line between the states of Queensland and NSW. So in summer Daylight Savings Time you would lose an hour taxiing from one end to the other!!
An A220 Qantas flight from Gold Coast to Melbourne showing how dry out rural areas are and how badly good rain is needed.
My year ended yesterday on 30 April.
Woke up to zero status credits as per expected.
Just took a flight today and in addition to the flight I also received 100 status credits with the description “Points Club - status credit rollover”
I thought this wasn’t coming into effect until October?? So it seems that this is happening already which is great! I was points club plus last year if that makes a difference.
Edit to add: apparently it’s an existing points club service so nothing new!
Mandatory wingtip photo included too on descent into Melbourne.
Their phone service is hopeless. I keep getting the call centre on the Philippines and the staff just lie and come up with a new excuse each time I try to resolve an issue I have with a booking. Reasons so far include need to wait a week. Need to wait 2 weeks. Need to wait 21 business days. The hotel won’t answer the phone to us. I don’t know, I’ll have a manager call you in 20 minutes.
How can I escalate this or speak to a staff member who actually cares?