A simple HBA-ADL...

[thegurio]

Normally I wouldn’t post a trip report about a simple HBA-ADL return but aside from the fact that I want to get a report done and out there it is also the first time that I have had the experience of an E-190 but more on that later.

So it all started on Monday night… We sort of had to go to ADL but didn’t really have to if you know what I mean. Anyways, Monday night we booked our tickets and let it be said that I don’t normally fly with MrsGurio or GrommetGurio (and it became clearer why as we got closer to Thursday when we left! I try and avoid early flights now and those that aren’t direct. So 11.25am it was and quite a good time to leave as you only need to leave home at 9.

Now when I go I am pretty much a selfish traveller, I have noise insulating headphones, I rarely talk to others and prefer it that way, but of course with the family, that sort of thing (as I am reminded from MrsGurio) is not acceptable! So we start packing and there is a 3 day conference to attend so I’m packing heavier than usual. Of course because we don’t want to have a lot of baggage that means that I have to carry more which as we all know when all you have is a suit bag is not all that possible. So first argument of the day goes to MrsGurio when she asks if I can fit another pair of shoes in my bag…

So off to the airport and with HBA being such a huge place I invariably see someone I know and this time doesn’t disappoint. So we have a few quenchers and board the plane to the romantic tomes of a nice FA calling our names even though we were less than 10 metres away. Usual DJ fare and service on the short hop over the Strait and turning left. As an aside it was also the first time trialling new software on my computer to try and make it last for the flight and surprise surprise there is success.

Over the next 5 days quite boring goings on arise with a 3 day conference and catching up with family and friends at the end of the days. So then of course I made the silly mistake of telling my brother that I am in town for a few days… Not less than 1 hour later he phones me and proceeds to tell me that he is picking me up from the airport and we are working that afternoon! Terribly convenient but a disruption nonetheless. <For background info my bro and I used to work together for about 12 years until I moved over to HBA> He then politely informs me that I am also working Monday and oh, could I work Tues. morning possibly too (mind you I also have to pack and get to the airport before 12.30. Needless to say that Tuesday doesn’t happen and I insist on a round of golf on Monday arvo if we are going to work. For all you golfers out there I manage to hit one of my better scores with 3 pars and a Birdie (I won’t tell you how many bogeys!J)

So it works out that I work at where we are staying for a bit and then toodle off to the airport with MrsGurio’s dad and wife in tow. Once again I am reminded quite pointedly that I am a very selfish traveller and need to think of others when there. I then realise that if I was accompanied more often I could probably change my ways but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon.


Now to the experience of the E-190. First up all I can say is that is quite weird that although I know it’s smaller it feels much larger when inside. I find there to be more legroom than on the normal 737’s and I can stretch out more. Due to there being “ a lot of people on this flight “ which in reality there is only about 70% capacity, we are given row 24 by the desk attendant. After thinking that she has lost her marbles when she puts the three of us in A, C and D we then realise that there is no B.

[Im assuming that i need to host photos to put them in here - shame as i want to put some feet shots up, i do have a site... Can i host them there and put them in here?]

It is a very nice plane and one I could imagine myself having when I become a bit more flush and need to swan around in a private jet. One thing I have noticed is the fact that is a much noisier conveyance than the 737’s but my Sony’s fix that problem good and proper. Grommet Gurio decides that now is a fine time to prove that her bladder and voice box need a workout so we are stuck with being the “bad family” on the flight. It’s a title that doesn’t sit well but someone has to be it.

Now here is something that I haven’t encountered for a long time. We have in front of me 2 boys of about 13, 14 years of age with a point to prove and a haircut to match. Now as far as I am concerned the whole theory regarding putting the armrest down, not reclining, putting your seat belt on etc. are pretty easy to work out and do but it would appear that these boys aren’t of the same ilk. No less than 5 times has the FA (who by now is getting pretty frustrated) has gone past and told them. So we take off and no less than 5 seconds after leaving Terra Firma, Richie Rich in front of me, complete with sunglasses that you could park a bus on (think ToolBag Corey Whatshisname-forgotten-in-5-minutes but stupider) has reclined. Then of course his individual mate beside him looking for the same attention reclines too, not just a little bit but the W-H-O-L-E W-A-Y. Now I am the kinda guy who like a little recline but not to the point of being rude. So I thought I know how to fix this, swap seats with GrommetGurio and let her realise the folly of his ways…

Needless to say the seat went up pretty quick after that and I went back in and enjoyed the extra room. Other than that I pretty straight forward there and back with the usual end of trip returning of grass that needs mowing (I swear that it grows more when I’m not there) and mail that needs attending to.

I hope you all enjoyed my first TR. Not much I know and pretty boring but nice to get one on the board so to speak.

[serfty]

Cool report, I enjoyed it - perhaps some more on how swapping seats with grommet fixed the Corey wannabes? (please ... my mind is having the unreal/weird visions - there's too much left to the imagination so I need it rested )

[thegurio]

Lets just say that a 4 year old hyped up on Grandma goodies (you know, chocolate, coke, lollies etc) and a 2 hr plane ride are not a good mix. We all had a row each and we swapped about halfway through. Funnily enough, there isnt quite enough room for GrommetGurio lengthways between the seats... So after a fair bit of "tray table goes up, tray table goes down" he started getting the hint, and then when she found where the life jacket is stored and wanted to point it out to us, he started giving me his best version of his evil eye... Needless to say the smile on my face didnt impress him but as they say do unto others!

Let it be said that we generally keep her on a short leash and she has all but grown up on planes so she knows whats expected. But you also get those days when certain things they know go out the window!

[BAM1748]

That's good, I'm not to big on plane trip reports, get on, get bored, get off. But I'm in Cairns next week for a two day meeting and taking the instant family (new girlfriend already has a daughter) so will report back. Due to personal circumstances the instant family had never been on a plane before this year until they met me, and now they don't want to miss any trip much to the distress of my wallet.

(But it's worth it to see the smiles of amazment of a whole different lifestyle for them from the valet parking to the lounge to sipping a reasonable chablis at 35,000 feet.)

[thegurio]

Like they say you dont know what you're missing until you taste it, half the reason why im double thinking a DONE4 at the end of next year, however the flow on benefits of status, lounges etc. will be worth it!

[JohnK]

Nice trip report, short and sweet and straight to the point although a feet shot would have been appropriate.

Originally Posted by thegurio

For all you golfers out there I manage to hit one of my better scores with 3 pars and a Birdie (I won’t tell you how many bogeys!J)

Well done. I am a very keen golfer who used to play off a very low handicap and some days I would be ecstatic if I could get 3 pars and a birdie. Bogeys are good the problems with the doubles, triples and quadruples.

[thegurio]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Nice trip report, short and sweet and straight to the point although a feet shot would have been appropriate.

I do have one but i cant work out how to get it on here, im assuming that i have to upload it somewhere?

Originally Posted by JohnK

Well done. I am a very keen golfer who used to play off a very low handicap and some days I would be ecstatic if I could get 3 pars and a birdie. Bogeys are good the problems with the doubles, triples and quadruples.

I figure as long as i can name it it cant be too bad, for the record there was only 1 double bogey and the rest were singles...

[thegurio]

Here is the long awaited photo... Not that its very good because i remembered it at the last minute

[QF009]

Interesting report... and cool feet shot.
Thanks for sharing.

[thegurio]

Just trying to share the love!