LAXAKLSYD07 - "The Fare is Not Enough"

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gcmap.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 481 x 241 Size: 24.3 kB Date: 05/31/2007	So, here we are again, setting off on another epic adventure! As this map (provided by the Great Circle Mapper website) shows, we're in for a really long trip this time! It all started when United Airlines decided to offer a monumentally good deal on fully flexible Business Class between Los Angeles and Auckland - at less than a tenth of the usual fare, Willard insisted that we take them up on their kind offer, and so we booked ourselves on the flights before UA reconsidered their largesse and then set about getting hold of connecting flights that would get us to and from the starting point of this amazing fare.
Dscn4369.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 491 x 640 Size: 24.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	...and, just to make things a little more interesting, we decided to undertake this trip using Top Gear Challenge rules, which, for our non-UK readers, require that only public transport be used, so, here is Willard, having stuck his paw out and thumbed a lift to the nearest main railway station. I ought to explain the interpretation of the rules in more detail - Hire cars are allowed only in the USA (because in the US our observation is that hire cars effectively represent a form of public transport!), Taxis are only allowed in three very specific cases, either A - If there is absolutely no other way of reaching the required destination, or B - If we feel that our lives or property may otherwise be in imminent danger or C - We really want to!
DSCN4370.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 34.1 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And, a new experience for Willard! A Railway Station! Off we go to buy a ticket to Manchester Airport to start off our journey, and, much to Willard's dismay, the service doesn't even offer First Class!
DSCN4371.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 36.2 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Ticket in hand, we board the direct service to the Airport, and Willard is still taking in this new form of transport....
DSCN4375.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 623 x 640 Size: 42.1 kB Date: 05/31/2007	After the, by now, traditional 15 minute delay that the UK rail network uses to commemorate any weekend or public holiday, we are off and moving away from Liverpool Lime Street station and on our way to the Airport.
DSCN4380.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 38.2 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard is still so shocked by this new way of getting to the Airport that he doesn't even look up to comment on one of Richard Bransons finest long-distance trains as we go through Manchester Piccadily.
DSCN4383.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 47.1 kB Date: 05/31/2007	We arrive on time at Manchester Airport (train must have made up the delay en-route) and marvel at the simple fact that you can get your luggage trolley easily from train to plane. Manchester Airport has probably got the best rail interconnection facilities of any UK Airport, which could be viewed as either a tribute to the foresight of the City Council (Manchester Airport is one of the few Municipal Airports in the UK, and so is not owned/operated by BAA) or a damning indictment on the quality of the rest of the countries Airports.
DSCN4384.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 34.0 kB Date: 05/31/2007	After a brisk walk across the T1-T2 interconnecting bridge, Willard is welcomed by Lufthansa staff, and checked in for his short flight to Frankfurt.
Dscn4386.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 484 x 640 Size: 27.0 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard is recognised as a VIB! As we enter the GlobeGround lounge, Willard is welcomed by Janice who recognises him from his previous visits (this used to be the lounge used by bmi for their long-haul flights before they moved them to Terimnal 3). ( - Very Important Bear, naturally!)
DSCN4389.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 29.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Usually a keen plane-spotter, Willard is still visibly shell-shocked by his recent foray onto our nation's rail not-work.
DSCN4390.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 30.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And as Willard composes himself we see the virtually empty lounge on this bank holiday Monday.
DSCN4392.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 28.2 kB Date: 05/31/2007	"This is more like it" thinks Willard, back into a Business Class seat, and strapped in for take-off!
Dscn4393.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 570 x 640 Size: 33.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	But the crew have concens over Willard's comfort and safety, and so they provide him with some extra cushioning.
DSCN4394.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 32.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And, of course, once we take off, it's back to the high-life for Willard as the Champagne starts flowing.
Dscn4396.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 638 x 640 Size: 38.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	That pillow comes in extra useful as the drink takes it's effects, and Willard drifts off to dream of chauffeur driven Airport transfers and First Class seats...
DSCN4397.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 29.0 kB Date: 05/31/2007	But once we get to Frankfurt Airport, it's back to the train for Willard, on this short but packed S-Bahn service to the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.
DSCN4398.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 47.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Just to prove we realy did take the train, here is Willard, looking somewhat dejected, at the Frankfurt main railway station. Luckily our hotel is only a short walk from the station. Unluckily, it's raining. Worryingly, though we know it is only a two minute walk, we don't actually know in which direction we are supposed to walk for two minutes!
Dscn4400.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 414 Size: 19.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard arrives slightly compressed, but dry, at our hotel for tonight, the Le Meridien Parkhotel Frankfurt, and is welcomed by the very helpful staff (more of them later...) who are fascinated to hear his tales of travel to far of places.
DSCN4401.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 30.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	We have been given a suite in the "Heritage" section of the hotel, and Willard surveys the ample living room area...
DSCN4404.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 31.4 kB Date: 05/31/2007	...and tests out the bed! A very welcome upgrade from the single bedded room we booked, and a nice base for our evening in Frankfurt.
Dscn4403.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 560 Size: 38.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard also finds the plate of dried and candied fruits which the hotel have proved for us, a nice treat after our quick (and wet) dash from the station.
DSCN4405.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 22.0 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Keen to take in the local atmosphere, Willard eschews the gourmet dining options at Le Meridien and instead finds a small, traditional german bar, where he is warmly welcomed by the regulars (even though they are confused that he isn't drinking beer)
Dscn4409.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 473 Size: 34.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	But what's this? When he gets back, there is a gift and a note from the Front of House staff! - It reads "Dear Willard, please enjoy our VIP gift especially for you! With Regards from the friends at the Front Office.". And a Jar of Honey for Willard!! This really is the VIB treatment!
Dscn4414.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 36.4 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Applying option C of our "Top Gear Challenge" rules, we decide to Taxi to Frankfurt Airport the next day, as we feel it is important to arrive in style, and we also think the Lufthansa First Class Terminal that we will be checking into today is not really set up for people arriving by public transport!
Dscn4443.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 566 x 640 Size: 26.6 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Check-in happens so quickly that we scarcely even notice it has happened, much less get a chance to photograph it! This has to be the most painless check-in and security process we have ever enjoyed! Willard is greeted by our Lufthansa PA, who will be our guide and assistant during our stay at the First Class terminal.
DSCN4417.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 31.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard assigns his priorities wisely, and settles down into the restaurant area to sample the breakfast buffet.
DSCN4419.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 24.7 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Then it's time to stretch out on one of the many loungers and consider this new concept that Lufthansa have introduced to raise the stakes in the war for the full-fare First Class passenger. The First Class Terminal is a seperate building, away from the main airport complex that offers an exclusive environment and personal service that approaches that usually reserved for passengers of private jets.
DSCN4420.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 36.1 kB Date: 05/31/2007	It's a shame that, because it is located away from the terminal, the views offered are not exactly spectacular, though I'm sure Lufthansa would argue that people do not come here for the view.
DSCN4422.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 33.3 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard starts his tour round the FCT....
DSCN4424.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 30.6 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Though the facility is relatively small, there is ample seating and table service for all of your drinks and snacks.
DSCN4425.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 34.2 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Of course, if you want, you can sit at the bar and be served there! The bar boasts a huge collection of Whiskies (Single Malt, blended, Irish, American, Japanese and more) as well as a respectable collection of Cognacs, choice of four Champagnes and the usual collection of spirits and mixed drinks.
DSCN4428.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 27.6 kB Date: 05/31/2007	But if you prefer to retire to the Smoking Room, the FCT offers a Cigar Lounge where Gentleman (and Lady) Bears can enjoy a selection of Cigars accompanied by yet more choices of Whisky, Cognac, Armangac and Grappa.
DSCN4429.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 49.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard peruses the small (but perfectly formed) exclusive Duty Free shop in the FCT, and manages to find one of his favorite (and hard to find) personal grooming products, so he can't resist a small purchase (he laso notes that they have the full catalogue for the main duty free stores, and will, presumably, obtain any item for you that isn't actually stocked in the FCT branch)
DSCN4430.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 25.6 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Before you know it, it's lunch time! The lunch buffet has a reasonable selection, and the usual table service for drinks is offered. Willard thinks that the design and decor of the dining area is very good (indeed, probably the best lounge dining area he has experienced) but the actual presentation and execution of the food falls slightly below the standard set by the Haven restaurant in the CX F lounge in HKG. It's difficult to put a paw on, but probably that it isn't completely table service, and yet the buffet doesn't have the same "hand crafted" feeling that the Penninsula caterers have managed to create in the Wing. This is not to say that the actual quality of the food is anything but excellent.
DSCN4431.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 22.0 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And, so, by example, here is Willard partaking of a glass of Tattinger Rose' , and a selection of satay and thai-style spring rolls, as a starter - Yum!
Dscn4435.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 633 Size: 59.0 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Though a digestif was offered in the dining area, Willard chooses to retire to the bar and take the opportunity to taste a selection of the more obscure Single Malts on offer....
Dscn4436.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 26.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	...And another.......
Dscn4437.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 637 Size: 31.4 kB Date: 05/31/2007	aznd anootherrrr.....
Dscn4441.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 610 Size: 32.7 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And Willard declares his winner (and collapses!) - This 21 year old Glenfiddich Special Edition, matured in Cuban Rum casks is his favorite, or at least, it will be when he regains consiousness!
DSCN4439.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 33.6 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Time for a restorative Cappuchino, as our boarding time is fast approaching!
DSCN4442.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 45.3 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard takes a last look out of the window, but, alas, even 4 malt whiskies have failed to improve the view!
Dscn4444.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 26.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	As the cogniscenti no doubt already know, part of the LH F-Class service is that you are chaufeurred from the FCT to your plane individually in one of a fleet of executive limosines (in our case, a Mercedes S-Class). Willard settles in in the Wilard-sized seat that was thoughtfully provided by the Mercedes designers.
DSCN4445.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 24.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard is carried to the plane by our chauffeur, and his VIB treatment continues as he is handed over to the Purser at the threshold of our flight to Los Angeles.
DSCN4448.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 28.1 kB Date: 05/31/2007	....and carried up the stairs to the upper deck of this 747-400, and seated with the first of many glasses of champagne for this flight. (note, Flyertalkers of a nervous disposition may wish to stop reading here!). Willard was, in fact, assigned seat 83K, one of the highly prized exit row seats in this upper deck configuration, which afford effectively unlimited legroom, and guarantee that you can get out of your window seat in flight, regardless of your seatmate. However, on boarding, he found his seat already occupied, and since the load was light, and the crew could confirm an empty seat next to him, Willard chose not to evict his fellow F-Class passenger from his seat, and instead took 82K, which is just as good as long as 82J is empty!. I realise that the denziens of the LH board would probably consider this close to heresy, but Willard is a bear who is willing to accomodate, as long as he is asked politely!
Dscn4449.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 507 x 640 Size: 37.7 kB Date: 05/31/2007	This seat swap does, of course, also afford Willard the additional luxury of an extra seat to spread out into....
Dscn4451.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 17.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	...but he chooses to look out of the window for take off, and take a last look at the Lufthansa First Class Terminal - he hopes very much he will return!
DSCN4455.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 35.1 kB Date: 05/31/2007	After take off, an amuse' bouche is served, with more champagne (Piper Hiedeseck Rare - if you are tracking these things), naturally!
Dscn4460.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 23.4 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And as the First Class meal service goes into full swing, the LH signature single red rose is placed in it's specially designed receptacle, and Willard wisely chooses to start his gourmet marathon with a generous helping of Caviar, with all the trimmings, together with a roll of dover sole, filed with lobster.
Dscn4465.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 26.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard fears we may loose our vegetarian readership here, here, however, it's all about the truth, and not being politically correct, so here is our main couse of Veal Fricasee', served on pearl barley. We realise that, in some quarters, this is considered somewhat out of favour, but in Germany and Switzerland, they still eat crate-loads of it, and, when in Rome.....
Dscn4473.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 22.4 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And after that meal, Willard has to loosen off a little, and relaxes, to finish his red wine (the monthly special, 2002 Maipo Valley Syrah/Cabernet "Edicion Limitada" VIla Morande', Chile - which was absolutely sublime, very, very rich with an amazing berry flavour, just the way Willard likes it).
Dscn4476.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 593 x 640 Size: 29.1 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard wasn't sure if he had room for the desert, but the beautiful presentation of this Chocolate Tart, together with the opportunity to sample the desert wine (2005 Huxelrebe Beerenauslese) won him over!
DSCN4477.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 24.6 kB Date: 05/31/2007	The crew were worried about Willard's outfit (and I had neglected to pack any sleeper suit for him into our handbaggage) so they improvised a bib for him, to protect his dress shirt - bless!
DSCN4481.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 30.4 kB Date: 05/31/2007	As you know, in order to protect the sanity of our readers, we try to avoid too many pictures of Willard with his "Gentleman's Gentleman" Ken, however, in this case, the crew insisted, and so here is "Team Willard" in all it's, erm, glory! (note that the crew also insisted on the placement of the LH red rose, in an attempt to obscure the Thai Airways logo on Ken's sleeper suit....)
Dscn4483.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 29.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Time for tea, Cognac and choccies!
Dscn4485.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 31.7 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard notices we are now well over the Arctic Circle, and looks down at the ice flows 35,000 miles below us.
Dscn4486.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 450 Size: 41.0 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard can bear-ly believe it! Lufthansa are running a Whisky tasting event on the flight today! One of our attendants sets up our personal presentation and Willard is invited to taste the four Single Malt whiskies on offer. This flight is turning into an endurance test!
Dscn4489.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 330 Size: 26.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Our poor little bear is now more that a little worse for wear....
Dscn4493.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 539 Size: 24.7 kB Date: 05/31/2007	...but our Lufthansa team come to the rescue yet again, and put little Willard to bed in his First Class seat - sweet dreams Will!
DSCN4500.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 21.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Whilst Willard is out for the count, I sneak down below (so as not to distrurb my fellow passengers) and take in this indescribable view of the icy wastes below.
DSCN4505.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 15.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	But when I come back up, I find Willard has woken up and is checking out the Video On Demand service! He found it a little difficult to use (perhaps a better instruction manual would help you find the "Menu" button in the dark, when you need to pause it!), but once mastered, the picture and sound quality was good.
DSCN4507.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 13.3 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And time for another in our irregular series of observations on "Frequent Flyers pet peeves" Here we see the passenger in 82A who has decided that her overpowering need to read her book is more important than her 5 fellow passengers need to get their sleep. Whilst Willard understands that this is a case of balancing "the needs of the many and the needs of the few", this is not a case of someone who wants to see the wonderful view, or a claustrophobic who one in a while needs to confirm that the world is still out there, no, this is someone who is so self-centred that they would rather wake up all of their fellow passengers, rather than use the three seperate and ergomomically designed lighting solutions built into her seat (all of which have been designed specifically to avoid disturbing other passengers whilst providing ample light for the seat in qujestion). Never have we seen a better example of the maxim that is oft quoted "You meet a lot of third class people in First Class cabins". Let this be a lesson to us all, we should never become so self important that we forget the legitimate needs of those around us!
Dscn4508.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 624 Size: 22.7 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Believe it or not, this is the third meal service (lest we turn into AirlineMeals.Net we have eshewed the option of photographing every single plate put in front of us (that and the fact that if we did we wsould have surely run out of space on our camera!) - we were incredulous when yet another menu was put in front of us, and we were to be offered Lufthansa's "Barbecue Service"! Here Willard is offered a starter of smoked salmon fillet (what would doubtless be called "Balik Salmon" if it were not for trademark issues) and king prawns.
Dscn4509.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 538 Size: 30.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Out of the options offered to us, we selected the barbecue spare ribs, which came with coleslaw and a baked potato (niether of which we could manage to eat!). There was also a dessert, which was beyond even Willard's contemplation!
Dscn4510.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 476 Size: 16.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	If it was necessary to sum up Lufthansa's First Class meal service in one phrase, it would have to be "nobody gets out alive!". On this 10.5 hour flight, we have had three full meal services, one Dinner (6 courses), one in-flight snack (3 courses) and one barbie (3 courses, if you can manage it). No wonder Willard is, erm, somewhat supine.
Dscn4511.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 500 x 640 Size: 19.0 kB Date: 05/31/2007	But in no time at all, we are on final approach to Los Angeles, and Willard takes a peek out f the window at the now obviously west-cost american scenery as we start our descent into LAX.
Dscn4515.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 534 Size: 46.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	After we are safely on the ground, Willard gets a rare chance to visit the cockpit of our 747-400, and swap stories of flying with our Captain.
Dscn4517.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 38.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	After we clear Immigration and Customs, reality re-asserts itself, and Willard finds himself back on a luggage trolley (at least it's still chauffeur driven!) waiting for the shuttle bus to our hotel, the 4 Points LAX.
DSCN4518.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 26.1 kB Date: 05/31/2007	We had a car pre-booked with National Car Rental, but we didn't realise that the main airport rental lot for Budget was just across the street from our hotel, so we went in, managed to get a marginally better rate for a much better car, and then cancelled our reservation with National (after all, someone else may need that car, and one day, that someone else may be us!).
Dscn4519.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 527 x 640 Size: 33.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard manouvers our "mid-size" rental car (which, for our UK/European readers, has a length in-between that of an ocean-liner and an aircraft-carrier), we're taking advantage of our UA Sydney flight's evening schedule to cram in some shopping at the Citadel Outlet Mall on the outskirts of LA. With the US Dollar rate being what it is, pretty much everything looks ridiculously cheap!
Dscn4522.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 561 Size: 44.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Sadly the afforementioned Outlet Mall doesn't open until 10AM, so Willard decides to retire to the local "Ruby Tuesday's" diner (which is open, and serving breakfast) in order to collect his thoughts and sample an American breakfast.
Dscn4521.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 39.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	But, of course, being a British Bear through and through, he gets himself a mug of tea and waits for his breakfast platter.
DSCN4523.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 38.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Shopping completed, we return to the Airport environs, to ensure we are ready to get back to check-out before our 4PM late check-out expires, and, whilst driving around the area, we find the famous "In-n-Out Burger". Now, you must understand that this is a Flyertalk tradition (documented in great depth in the "In-n-Out Burger Run" Thread, which describes how you can escape from LAX on a long connection and shuttle out to experience this place). Willard thought that, having read so much about it, he should find out what all of the fuss was about!
DSCN4525.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 32.1 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And here we are, with our "Double-Double" Burger! We noted that about 75% of the customers in this place were either in Airline uniform, or wearing Airside passes, obviously a popular haunt for LAX staff, then. The burger itself was very good, and, given the rather limited alternatives that LAX Air and Land side catering offers, Willard can see why this is a popular option with FlyerTalkers.
DSCN4527.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 26.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Willard gets back in time to check-out from the Four Points LAX before his SPG Platinum 4PM check-out expires. What a shame he was delayed by nearly an hour when the hotel suddenly decided they would not store his outlet purchases for him whilst he was touring down-under (as they had agreed to do the night before). After some discussion, the hotels Guest Services Manager, they graciously agreed to do that which they had alreday promised the night before.
DSCN4528.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 29.9 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Having sucessfully ditched one of his bag, Willard waits for the shuttle to LAX (Public transport rules still!).
DSCN4529.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 40.4 kB Date: 05/31/2007	Not the start to his First Class flight that Willard usuially expects, however the hotel shuttle bus is quick and effective in getting him to the UA Premier Check-In area at LAX Terminal 6 (or is it 7 today, we tend to loose track, since they seem to change it so often!).
DSCN4533.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 31.2 kB Date: 05/31/2007	But after a painless check-in and security experience (and, let's face it, how often do you say that at any US airport thesedays?) Willard sits down in the LAX International First Class Lounge, and sips on some, erm, Californian Sparkling Wine.....
DSCN4534.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 36.5 kB Date: 05/31/2007	The lounge does offer WiFi access (via T-Mobile, however, the service is free to First Class passengers via a pre-paid card available at the lounge reception), so Willard can tke the opportunity to boot up the trusty laptop and log in.
DSCN4536.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 38.8 kB Date: 05/31/2007	And here is Willard surveying the, relatively empty, IFL and cannot help drawing parallels between this lounge and the Lufthansa First Class Terminal he was in yesterday. It is a shame that progressive service erosion has taken it's toll, and what was one the pinnacle of service for United Airlines is now a shadow of it's former self. Someone needs to get UA's management to visit the Lufthansa (and even the Swissair) equivalent lounges in equivalent hub Airports and see the huge gulf that has opened up between United and their competitors.
Dscn4537.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 33.4 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Yeeee-Hawwwww!! Yeeeeeeee-HAAAAWWHH!!! (with apologies to Slim Pickens). OK, OK, this isn't exactly the spirit of decorum for a First Class lounge, but Willard saw the marble statue of the horse, realised it fitted him perfectly, and, well, some pictures just have to be taken!
Dscn4540.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 28.4 kB Date: 06/05/2007	After being led directly to our flight from the lounge (always nice when that happens!) Willard boards his selected seat (2A) and is immediately greeted by a glass of, erm, something sparkling!
Dscn4541.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 26.7 kB Date: 06/05/2007	The shelf/storage area at the side of the First Class Suite provides an even better seating option for Willard (though he misses the companion seat/ottoman that fitted him so well on Swiss and Cathay).
Dscn4543.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 30.9 kB Date: 06/05/2007	And the good news for today is that Channel 9 is enabled! As an avid aviation enthusiast, Willard especially enjoys listening to the cockpit communications that United sometimes offers on audio channel 9.
Dscn4544.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 448 x 640 Size: 24.9 kB Date: 06/05/2007	.....I go off for a few minutes and Willard has laid claim to the whole suite!
Dscn4546.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 542 x 640 Size: 28.2 kB Date: 06/05/2007	After take-off, we start working through the First Class dinner serivce. As previously stated, we're not going to show pictures of every course, but this seafood chowder deserves a special mention, it was warm tasty and very welcome.
Dscn4550.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 484 Size: 22.5 kB Date: 06/05/2007	LETS DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN! Later on in the flight, Willard stares intently at the IFE screen, as the International Date Line approaches, and we skip forward by a whole day! It's like a TARDIS (but with lots more Champagne).
Dscn4555.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 556 Size: 37.5 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Mid-Flight, Willard finds the snack trolley, for all his midnight snack needs.
DSCN4564.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 36.4 kB Date: 06/05/2007	As we approach ever nearer to Sydney, Willard sees the sunrise from 35,000 feet as we cross the terminator.
DSCN4568.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 31.0 kB Date: 06/05/2007	One last shot of the United First Class Suite before we disembark at Sydney. And to sum up, given that this was one of the first "Suite Concept" seats intruduced (hot on the heels of BA in the late 1990s) it is fair to say that it has stood the test of time well, and still represents a good overall concept for First Class seating. The IFE is looking terribly dated, and the rest of the in-flight service is showing signs of ever larger corners being cut (which was made up for, on our flight, by a very professional and attentive crew). If only UA could stop it's race to the bottom and start resisting the temptation to keep Nickel and Diming all of the aspects of the service, this still represents the basis of a competetive First Class service. On the other hand, comparing it to the Lufthansa flight yesterday, once LH updates it's seating, Willard fears there will be no contest, and UA F-Class cabins (at least to Frankfurt and Munich) are likely to be full of Awards, Upgraders and UA Staff, such a waste of some fine ergonomics.
Dscn4569.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 32.1 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Access Denied! Willard is turned away from the United Lounge (the highly inaccurately named "Red Carpet Club") even though he has just arrived in United First, is travelling onwards in Business Class with another Star Alliance Carrier, and has (by proxy) Star Alliance Gold status. This shows such complete disregard for the Star Alliance Lounge Access Rules that it is bear-ly believable! To add insult to injury, in order to question this policy, we were made to stand in the foyer like naughty schoolboys until the Headma.... sorry, Supervisor arrived, which, of course was destined never to happen as they never actually called him! Fellow frequent flyers will understand the irony of the "Star Alliance Gold" logo outside the lounge...... to be continued (if we ever get into a lounge to get online...
Dscn4572.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 576 Size: 35.1 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Luckily, there is always the Oasis that is the Air New Zealand lounge, who welcomed Willard in as if he was an old friend!
DSCN4570.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 30.8 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Since Ken was last here, the entire lounge has been remodelled, and it is now one huge space, with a large seating area, and an equally large bar area (with teo sets of fridges and wines!)
DSCN4571.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 40.3 kB Date: 06/05/2007	...as Willard is happy to demonstrate!
DSCN4575.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 41.1 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Breakfast of champions, Lindauer Sparkling Wine and a Croisannt (Croisannt optional!)
DSCN4581.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 21.0 kB Date: 06/05/2007	After being so uncerimoniuosly ejected from thr United Lounge, Willard decides to try his luck with the Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge. After some discussion with the Lounge Guardians (Willard is, of course, a +9 Cute Teddy Bear, +5,+4 vs. Lounge Dragons, +20 Charisma for the bear-er, and an extra saving throw vs. lounge ejection) and sucessfully gains entance at the gate, and even manages to convince them to charge the visit to United (serves 'em right!). ( - but not it appears in the case of UA SYD lounge dragons who are made of denser stuff!)
DSCN4580.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 35.6 kB Date: 06/05/2007	A nice selection of beverages (Ken says they have Moet & Chandon in the F-Class lounge, but, since it is closed today, this is difficult to verify!).
DSCN4582.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 37.3 kB Date: 06/05/2007	...but out of the window, Willard sees a worrying sight, our 767, due to depart to Auckland within 15 minutes looks, erm, a little poorly! It appears to have more than it's fair share of engineers examining it's starboard engine.....
Dscn4585.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 419 Size: 34.8 kB Date: 06/05/2007	On return to the Air New Zealand lounge, we are advised that the plane has a problem with one of it's engines, and that engineers are looking into it. On further examination Willard thinks peering into it may be a more accurate description!
DSCN4586.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 34.8 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Only 3.5 hours after it's scheduled departure, (and, as we later found, after the starboard thrust-reverser had been convinced to un-deploy, and behave!), Willard boards his flight to Auckland, and decides that any delay is justified if it increases the probability that the aircraft will stop before it drops into the ditch at the end of the runway.
DSCN4587.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 29.1 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Willard has his pre-flight glass of sparkling wine as he studies the menu for this, relatively short, flight to Auckland.
DSCN4591.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 36.0 kB Date: 06/05/2007	....And who can turn down the Beef, together with a nice Pinot Noir from, where else, but New Zealand?
DSCN4592.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 31.0 kB Date: 06/05/2007	One thing that is common with alll Air New Zealand flights, who can resist the Desert Wine? Willard certainly can't, though it seems unlikely he will make it to a refill!
Dscn4593.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 548 x 640 Size: 30.3 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Ken dissapears for a few minutes, and what does he find? Willard has engaged the help of a fellow passenger to put him in the place he feels he deserves (more of this passenger later!).
Dscn4596.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 480 x 640 Size: 16.1 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Before we know it, the New Zealand coast is upon us, and Willard can see the scenery that has spawned a thousand Hobbits, and far more immigrants, after all, who would not want to wake up to this view every morning?
Dscn4598.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 542 x 640 Size: 41.5 kB Date: 06/05/2007	And so, we spoke of fellow passengers who Willard dragooned into doing his dirty work, we met up with Charlie Dawson, who, as well as being part of Air New Zealand Operations, also writes for the Air New Zealand staff magazine, he was so interested to hear Willard's life story, and his many tales of flying around the globe, that he said he wanted to write an article about him in the magazine. It looks like Willard is becoming a Frequent Flyer celebrity (as well as a VIB!).
Dscn4896.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 352 Size: 34.6 kB Date: 06/07/2007	Sadly, Willard was not quite so well appreciated by New Zealand customs, who seemed to think that either he, or Ken, may have been hiding something! Willard became very concerned when Rubber Gloves were donned by our Customs officer, and even more concerned when Ken could not stop humming the theme tune to "Prisoner Cell Block H", with the strains of "He used to buy me flowers, I wish he would again, but that was on the outside, and things were different then..." Willard watched our baggage be systematically decimated, if we had been carrying so much as a peanut, it would have been detected...
Dscn4895.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 488 x 640 Size: 34.4 kB Date: 06/07/2007	... but, after some surprises, when our (rather cute, said Ken) Customs Officer located my extensive wardrobe, she exclaimed "it's got clothes!" (and why wouldn't I?), after a very complete search, and, after I was seperated from the jar of Honey given to me by the Le Meridien Parkhotel in Frankfurt (snif!), we were allowed on our way, 45 minutes later (and already delayed by three hours by our mechanical problems) and thus immediately begging forgiveness from KiwiFlyer who we had unavoidably stood-up. At least I got a stamp in my Passport (my first!).
DSCN4600.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 60.0 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Willard finds himself on the Airport shuttle bis, which connects the Airport to various locations in downtown Auckland, and, seemingly, operates on the "Escape from New York" principle of "No Eating, No Spitting, No talking, follow the yellow line...", but for NZD$ 20, who can complain (especially when they can't say anything!).
Dscn4601.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 593 Size: 51.0 kB Date: 06/05/2007	Much later than planned, we meet up with a very understanding KiwiFlyer and spend a happy evening eating, drinking, and discussing the finer points of the LAX-SYD-AKL fare deal. This man is the expert on visits to NZ, and is a friendly resource to all potential visitors to his homeland. Like all Kiwis, he is proud of his home country, and, lets face it, he's got a lot to be proud about! (If God made anywhere better, he kept it for himself!).
DSCN4602.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 30.8 kB Date: 06/05/2007	As 11PM came and went, our bar turned into a Nightclub! Willard considered boogie-ing (or even strutting his funky stuff) but was too worried about being stepped on, so watched the floor from this vantage point.
DSCN4603.jpg View Now "The Fare is Not Enough" - Willards first trip "down under"	Dimensions: 640 x 480 Size: 40.2 kB Date: 06/05/2007	We met up with some native lads out for a night on the town. Willard assumed this was some kind of Kiwi greeting, but wasn't really sure how to respond - he thinks some of his friends on the BA Flyertalk board may have been able to help him out with the correct riposte!