Odds n Sods

[justapax]

Originally Posted by PAXboy

Cambodia joins the airport building fashion.

A YT programme about major building projects.

Cambodia has the unenviable status of being the second most corrupt country in SE Asia (only North Korea is worse). The opportunities for back-handers and other corrupt payments on a project this size are enormous. And then when (if) it's open, expect every pax passing though it to be right royally ripped off. Calling it a 'new Singapore' is laughable - Singapore is rated 5th best in the world and best in the region for keeping corruption down to a dull roar..

Corruption lays its dead hand on any kind of growth and prosperity, crushing them into the dust.

Whatever the author of theb1m.com article was on when he typed it into his computer, I'm having some.

[Consol]

Originally Posted by Asturias56

they're click bait or similar - all the poor SLF dream of an upgrade it almost never happens - like a lottery win - but people like to read about it and dream

In many years of traveling I've had one - and that was because the airline had screwed up the numbers in Slave Class.

True. Many of the so called cabin crew secrets ones try that and then throw in a hint to find their 'special' site

[PAXboy]

Thanks Justapax1. I have seen other items on that channel but not seen this - so not on the list! I'm guessing that he had an invitation from someone or other... happy to be proved otherwise.

It is amusing that the old 'how to get an upgrade' articles are still doing the rounds. That was the 1990s. Also, there are click-bait of cabin crew suggestions / reccomendations / urge you to do ... Some of them must catch enough clicks to make it worth the while.

[S.o.S.]

Happily, some years ago those chasing miles and status left the Cabin when other dedicated sites opened. I have never understood why some take journeys (costing real £££) just to get points but guess it might be like train spotting or other hobby.

[justapax]

Originally Posted by PAXboy

Thanks Justapax1. I have seen other items on that channel but not seen this - so not on the list! I'm guessing that he had an invitation from someone or other... happy to be proved otherwise.

I'm not too sure what I'm being thanked for, but always glad to be of help.

[PAXboy]

CNN reports on AA

American Airlines expands its crackdown on line cutters

American Airlines is expanding its new boarding technology that stops passengers from cutting in line during boarding to over 100 airports nationwide before Thanksgiving.

The airline has given the technology a test-run at Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport over the last month to fine-tune the process before a wider rollout.

Passengers whoboard before their assigned group will triggertechnology that makes a sound to alert the gate agent.

“In these instances, the American team member will invite the customer to rejoin the line when their boarding group is called,” the airline said in a release.

Cable News Network

[PAXboy]

Just received the promo from BA about the new First product intended for the 380.

Ignoring all the stupid/obvious/fashionable marketing words - they include a 30 second video that shows close up of lots of aspects of the seat and enclosure BUT the image changes every couple of seconds, panning around on lots of detail. So you cannot actually get an idea of what it would be like. The still photographs give a better idea but I'm not sure it would persuade many to upgrade from C to F.

[togsdragracing]

Originally Posted by PAXboy

I'm not sure it would persuade many to upgrade from C to F.

I retired earlier this year and as a treat flew First to the USA with British Airways - bucket list item. I had previously flown Business after coming in to some money so was able to compare. To be honest I could not find a lot of on-board difference from Business save the increased personal attention from flight attendants and the option of choosing meal times. Some things weren't as good - for example the seat position made it difficult to see out of the window although I'll say "First world problem" before anyone else does Maybe there would have been more to it with another airline, I'm glad to have tried it but I'm not sure I'd do it again.

[justapax]

Originally Posted by togsdragracing

I retired earlier this year and as a treat flew First to the USA with British Airways - bucket list item. I had previously flown Business after coming in to some money so was able to compare. To be honest I could not find a lot of on-board difference from Business save the increased personal attention from flight attendants and the option of choosing meal times. Some things weren't as good - for example the seat position made it difficult to see out of the window although I'll say "First world problem" before anyone else does Maybe there would have been more to it with another airline, I'm glad to have tried it but I'm not sure I'd do it again.

The Middle Eastern Airlines, SQ, AF and LH first class offerings are pretty sumptuous, but BA is as you say just Business Class +. No frills like butler service, on-board showers, caviar service, and suites which are like slightly smaller hotel rooms rather than just seats. https://theluxurytravelexpert.com/tr...n-first-class/ gives an idea of what some of them can be like.

[PAXboy]

I think that USA carriers dropped the word 'First' and upgraded their Biz, it was found that travelling 'first' was not good with the shareholders and staff.

The First products in the ME carriers now have different names and are not, I think, aimed at conventional Biz but the wealthy private traveller.

[Mr Mac]

PaxBoy
I am regular passenger with LH/SQ/EK all in Business Class and I would struggle to justify paying for First Class with myself never mind my company as the Business Class product is pretty to very good on all those carriers.
As for First Class BA I have never flown with them at that level only Business Class and I would have to say it’s not as good an offering as those of those previously mentioned going by recent experience with them the other week.

The people are fine it’s the product which is poor and it seemed to me the crew passenger ratio on the 777 fleet makes it hard for the onboard crew to be as attentive as on other A/C in the fleet. This was indeed confirmed to me in discussions in the galley when stretching my legs when those on rest said the A350 was better for crew passengers ratio which I can confirm having flown with them 12 months ago on that A/C and class.
Cheers
Mr Mac

[Helol]

Originally Posted by PAXboy

Just received the promo from BA about the new First product intended for the 380.

Ignoring all the stupid/obvious/fashionable marketing words - they include a 30 second video that shows close up of lots of aspects of the seat and enclosure BUT the image changes every couple of seconds, panning around on lots of detail. So you cannot actually get an idea of what it would be like. The still photographs give a better idea but I'm not sure it would persuade many to upgrade from C to F.

I flew F last year on BA's A380 down to JNB.
Was it very nice? Sure. Was it fantastic? Hmm, not so sure.
One thing that was excellent was the really fast internet that never faltered once, especially for the 11+ hours.
Don't get me wrong, it was great, but not sure I can justify the price again over CW. I was meant to be on BA's A350 with their 'new' suites this year, but had to cancel due to personal reasons, so still haven't experienced them.

The only justification (and I struggle with this), is access to the Concorde Room and the separate check in area in T5.
Virgin's Clubhouse at LHR T3 knocks the socks of the CR (in my opinion). The CR for me, looks a bit tired, whereas the Clubhouse is fresh, light, airy and modern (and it has a small outside area, great for avgeeks!)

[justapax]

Originally Posted by PAXboy

I think that USA carriers dropped the word 'First' and upgraded their Biz, it was found that travelling 'first' was not good with the shareholders and staff.

The First products in the ME carriers now have different names and are not, I think, aimed at conventional Biz but the wealthy private traveller.

I think I fall in the category of (fairly) wealthy private traveller, but I've spoken to EK about booking a trip to and from AUS over the last few days and each of the advisors has given contradictory advice about flying First Class with Skymiles. To summarise: they want paying passengers, there's no chauffeur service if you are flying Skymiles, and the number of Skymiles needed and the availability of flights seems to vary according to whom you talk to. I'll keep using Livechat until I get someone whose mood swings are positive that day. It's not leaving me with a good impression of what I thought was a smoothly-run operation - until I started wanting to use Skymiles.

[PAXboy]

I'd say that all carriers now make it progressively more difficult to use your points. One obvious exampel: You can find the outbound but all the inbounds are cash only at high prices. As they know that you are trying to book with points - it's very simple for them to make it difficult.

[Mr Mac]

I find I can get flights as long as I am flexible and crucially book well in advance. I have used EK and BA points this year for holidays with no issues. However on the BA ones I sometimes struggle with the shuttle part of the journey in or outbound. It’s not a problem on the way back if only a couple of hours as there is the nice F&M bar to graze on if required as an alternative to BA lounge which isn’t that great anyway..
My LH miles predominantly go on shuttling my wife too and from Munich through the year for long weekends when I am not coming back to UK.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[redsnail]

My husband spends my BA points on wine. I spend my Lufthansa points in the World shop.

[PAXboy]

Saw this and thought, "A VC10 never left anywhere QUIETLY"

[justapax]

It was quiet enough on the inside, except in the loos and the back few rows next to the engines. During launch and re-entry (terms I consider more appropriate than take-off and landing, given how over-powered the VC10 was) it was quite noisy on the inside too, but much less so than the 707 or Comet.

Outside was a different matter. But it was still quieter than a 707.

[Mr Mac]

Justapax 1
I only flew on a VC10 once while young but logged a lot of time on 707 and some on DC8 but don’t remember them being that different, but all Jets were loud back then, and somewhat dirty exhaust wise. It’s a long time ago, however more recently I can tell a big difference between Airbus and Boeing products particularly on the larger metal.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[ZFT]

The VC10 especially up front was very quite and remarkabley smooth. Having said that, the B and C model 707s were not that bad either for 60 year old technology and more roomy and enjoyable than anything today.