GB, sadly the point re SFO and loads. You are right, Qantas would not put the 380 in there. Heaven forbid Qantas management trying to grow a route for Qantas. They probably think Lufthansa were crazy to launch the 380 into Narita. But I'm sure Lufthansa's loads and yield tell a different story.
The 380 doesn't give too many problems when parked in the right spot in la. Example: gate 123 and then departure off 24L