I started the trip on October 26th, 2009 leaving Phoenix on a 6:45pm flight. We arrived early since I did not have any idea about the timing to check luggage. I have not done this for many months. Once the baggage was checked there was plenty of time to get Sydney some French Fries.
Security was a challenge due to the content of my computer bag. I had equipment that could have made any data center manager proud. Cables, two laptops, a router and then of course the converters, cameras etc. Well, the folks from security were not technology inclined and I ended up unpacking most of the equipment. Finally I made it past TSA's protecting eyes.
The flight was short (Phoenix to Los Angeles) and smooth in first class. In Los Angeles I collected my luggage and walked straight to the Virgin Australia check-in. Much to my surprise the lines were incredibly long.
This is the picture of a 2 hours line. I was very happy to see Melissa. She fought her way back from the Qantas terminal and we spent most of the two hours talking. (Melissa took a flight leaving at about the same time heading to Brisbane as well, but with Qantas.)
After check-in there was not too much time and we said goodbye, wished each other a good flight. After getting past the security check -- same procedure with unpacking most of the equipment -- I spent the last time to talk to Christy. Explaining her all that is going on, so that hopefully her trip will become more predictable.
I got seat 43A. The good news: it was so far back in the Economy class, that I got to board first. Second good news, a window seat, so I was safe from having to get up multiple times throughout the trip.
The flight in itself was uneventful. Two meals (good food for an airline), many movies, some work on the computer and a few hours of sleep. We arrived well in Brisbane. Upon clearing immigration and customs (thanks you folks for not making me unpack everything!) I got into the main hall of Brisbane's international terminal. The usual text messaging to Christy and Summer before I made my way to the check-in desk for Virgin Blue. I was to get a continuation flight to Melbourne. The line was not as long as the one above, but it moved significantly slower. At some point of time, 60 minutes before scheduled departure, the staff pitied me and asked me to take my luggage onto the next terminal shuttle, to go and check in at the domestic terminal.
Meanwhile Summer had a hard time to find Melissa. While on the bus, I got the message that the two actually met up. Good!
When I arrived at the domestic terminal I skipped the lines and got checked in despite the short time before departure. A final time through security and this time I really got to unpack every single thing, then an Olympic Games worthy sprint to gate 40 and ...
... nothing happened. No boarding everybody is waiting. I realized quickly that there must be a mechanical problem. My years of waiting for planes proved valuable and right. The announcement came 20 minutes later. With this confirmed knowledge I made my way to get a sausage roll and a drink. (The sausage roll was not planned, but when i saw it sitting in the heater, I remembered Christy's love for this bakery and had to have one.) Shortly thereafter a new plane was readied and I boarded for the last leg to Melbourne.
I arrived around noon in Melbourne and was super glad to have the hotel right next to the terminal. At this time precisely 24h have passed since I started the trip in Phoenix. I was sweaty and tired. The news that my room was upgraded barely made it past my ears. I got into the room, contacted Christy and just kicked back.
After having had some time time to breath I started to make use of the gadgets I got. Connected to the internet and started looking into what had happened at work and at home in the past 24h.
I also got to take a snapshot of my room (small but nicely decorated) and another one from my desk onto the terminal.
That's it for now...updates will follow.