I pay the cabbie the $28AD fare, no tip because it isn't expected in OZ. This is domestic so there are no free carts in sight. So I pull two of my bags, lug the half filled vinyl bag over my shoulder and have the backpack over my shoulders. I finally get to the check in desk, but don't realize that domestic economy only accepts one check-in bag at 40 lbs and the over weight will bag costs me $75. Also the second bag will be another $75. Then I must also weight the carry on which can't be over 20 lbs, which it is, and that will be another $75. Well I was pretty good about investigating all the details of my trip, but I had forgotten this one, domestic luggage rules. The lady was trying to help me figure out how to reduce my weight, but there was not much I could do to rearrange weight to other bags since they were pretty much at capacity. She then noticed my bag tag and asked if I was a Delta Frequent Flyer. I said yes a Platinum flyer. She asked for my FF number, which after 30 years using this airline I know it as well as my social security number. She keys in the number and she smiles as she says that I can take on both large bags because Virgin is a partner of Delta and honors their baggage weight restrictions. This still didn't help me for my half filled vinyl carry on so I started to try and move some of the weight to my back pack. She stops me and says, "Hey let's just let that slide." So in just five minutes I've changed from this sweaty illness breaking sweaty guy that is about to pass out from the over charges to a happier, well still sweaty, grateful passenger that gets another customer service break. "Oh Mr Stephenson? First class is pretty empty, so let's just give you an upgrade, on us!" I can't thank her enough. I hope when people like this see how they have changed a persons day to a brighter one, that they too get a charge out it as we do as customers.
I'm a happy camper, because I also now can use their executive suite since I'm now that I have a first class seat. That helps because I'm really feeling miserable as I pass through security. I get to the executive suite, where the desk person can see I'm not in great shape. She notices the sweaty probably pale looking passenger in front of her has about 1 1/2 hours before the flight boards and asks if I would be interested in knowing about the shower facilities. Within about ten minutes I'm in a cool private shower stall and stand there, I think about 15 minutes, just trying to cool down and relax. It works because after toweling off, which they provide, I feel great. The sweating is over and now I'm hungry. The executive suite is well equipped with an array of lunch items and I devour two sandwiches that I have made and pull down a Pure Blond (thats an OZ beer). Problem now is that I'm feeling a bit tired and sleepy, but I don't want to nap in the day if I can help it. My plane is called for boarding. I go to the gate with my two carry-ons, but find the plane is not at the gate yet and it will be an hour before we leave. Not a problem. I fire up my laptop and start reading Call of the Wild.
We finally board and its on to Melbourne, about an hour and half flight. I'm one of three people in first class, but I end up falling asleep just before take-off and I don't wake until we are on approach in Melbourne.
I get off the plane and find the SkyBus which I remember is about $15 that will take me close to my apartment area...well now it's $18. I pay the fare, get on the bus and head to Southern Cross, which is the major hub for all transportation in and out of Melbourne. Short/long haul buses and trains are located here. I have to catch a taxi to my apartment complex, which is actually Sheraton Hotel condos, that are located atop the hotel. We arrive and I pay the $12AD fare and I send a message to my contact that I have arrived about 30 minutes early from our agreed time. I have a seat in the Sheraton lobby and wait for my contact to arrive. Right on time and the lady that has met me takes me outside to an alleyway that leads to the elevator bank for the condos. We arrive on the 24th floor and walk into a condo that has a fantastic view of about 180 degrees of the CBD (Central Business District) of Melbourne. Just below me is the Victorian Parliament Building and in the near distance the Melbourne Cricket Field where both cricket and Australian Rules Football is played. When I lived here I really got into AFL. They are really passionate about AFL in Australia, as much as were are about American Football. I also notice my favorite parks in the world, Fitzroy Park, just below and to the right of my building. I purposely picked this place because of its location and its in the perfect spot. I'm feeling a bit tired so I take an early dinner of lasagne at a small cafe just outside the
No comments:
Post a Comment