[docjames]

Pre-departure - Brisbane Airport (International) Saturday 6th September 2008


Taxi arrived within two minutes of call on a cool Saturday morning. So soon we werent actually ready. After rushing out the door, the usual "did we lock the gate, was the stove off" moment happened but too late now. What we dont know wont hurt.

We're now way early, but checkin at the QC line was quick and efficient, if a little brisk from the checkin agent. Bags only weigh 14.5kg and 16.5kg so mrsdoc happy she can now do lots of shopping. I'm sure the credit card can already feel the pain.

Down to security. It seems the published information about carryons is still misleading. As with habit, we place plastic container separate to bag. My one, mrsdoc two. My carryon gets scanned first and passes through no problems. mrsdoc's doenst go so well.

Angry (but also seeming frustrated) security dragon: "You can only have plastic bag for liquids".
mrsdoc "But contact lens solution is exempt"
ASL: "No, you cant"
mrsdoc: "doc, get yours out there was heaps of room"

Proceed to do so, ASL noticed 120gm tube of toothpaste "That's over 100ml, i'm confiscating it. You can keep the lens solution."

Now, really biting my tongue here, and determined not to let things start pear-shaped. Given a new copy of the information sheet "for next time" and sent on our way. Dont mention that according to the info sheet toothpaste can calculate at about 75% of weight so 120gm should be ok. Also dont mention that other security let me through with it already. Also dont see why you would confiscate that and not the 200ml contact lens solution bottle. Can buy more toothpaste, can stuff holiday with three hours of interrogation by security. Tongue remains well bitten.

Immigration cleared relatively quickly, although i hate the mini-queues at each counter. You should go straight to the open one, and queue from one point, else you get stuck behind some dingbat who cant fill in the card correctly whilst others as flying through. More on that later when we've had some others to compare to.

QC - in short, a bit of a zoo. Rubbish piled on just about every table and noisy nosiy noisy. And the food was pretty average. And about 80% of the people there seem to have burnt the toast. Repeatedly, judging by the pile left next to the toaster, and scattered around the lounge. Read the newspapers (last aussie news for a while - if you call the courier-mail a newspaper). Eat burnt toast (add me to the 80% - maybe they need new toaster!).

At last the flight is called - requested upgrade hasnt happened. Bummer. Not entirely surprising given showing J2 in the 24hrs prior to departure. Further "random" screening at gate - mrsdoc gets special attention. Relief to be on plane at last and about to start holiday. Except "one passenger has failed to board, we are trying to locate them in the terminal or remove their checked baggage". Great. At last 45 minutes late we finally push back from gate. They should have bumped this person from the flight. Our connection in LAX is only 2 hours so already things are even tighter. But we're off.