Sean's Blog Downunder…

Once again we find ourselves hoping that flying with Qantas will be an uneventful experience where one simply purchases a ticket and expects to get on a plane, on time and reach ones destination without incident. Why we do this I have no idea because it’s NOT possible.

Our holiday started with a nice limo ride to the Airport with ample time and all in good spirits. Then standing in the check-in queue there was a strange silence and it became a lot darker. No power? What now one asks? Well the PA system still works as you hear the pre-recorded message that carry on luggage is still not allowed to have “knives, matches …blah blah blah”. Then the message “To all those passengers in the Qantas domestic terminal we regret to inform you that there has been a power failure…..” Really? Like we never noticed.

15 minutes later and one can just imagine the chaos. No check in, no security, no boarding and “NO BACKUP GENERATOR” how spastic and archaic that they do not have a backup power option.

The PA kicks in again, sorry but a power line had been “cut” and no estimated time for repair, but please be patient. BTW this was ONLY the Qantas domestic terminal. Good old little “Virgin Blue” still plodding along nicely….on time as always.

Eventually 30 minutes later they start doing some check in. Still no power but we at least we get a boarding pass to Sydney however we have to take our bags personally to an area where in their wisdom the have placed A4 pieces of paper stuck to the wall with the flight numbers on and place your bag in the correct line. Ha ha very interesting.

The PA springs to life again, must be a big battery operated megaphone as it’s the only thing working “Dear Passengers we regret to inform all passengers that all baggage will not be making the flights due to conveyor belt problems, however Qantas will be handing out forms at your destination and the will personally deliver your baggage to the address specified on the form. Ha ha ha.

We are bound for a connecting flight to Saigon in Vietnam. Does one honestly believe Qantas are going to personally deliver my bags to me. I don’t think so.

Actual flight time delay – 45 minutes. Will we make our connection? But the bags will not….. Go Qantas.