The previously arranged Blue Airport Shuttle arrived pretty much on time and whisked us away from the Itte Lane home, for the last time this trip. We made it in good time to National Airport, and coincidentally (?) were dropped off outside the redcap porters’ position. They however, wouldn’t take our four cases, nor would they loan us one of their trolleys for our cases. There were $3 trolleys available, but we no longer had the single dollars, or the right amount of coin to access one of these. One of the porters was happy to get his cart into action though and took us all of 20 metres inside the terminal, to the check in counter. I waited for him to shoot through, while he waited for me to fork over a tip. I gave in first and parted with $10 – the lowest note left to us. I reckon the porter would have been welcomed into Ned Kelly’s gang. He seemed pleased.
Checked in and then had to haul four large (and heavy) suitcases, without the benefit of a cart, around the corner (almost as far as the porter had to go, but I got no tip), to the suitcase inspection area and then we were free to go.
We bought a Dunkin Donuts coffee and I sat down for a while to scan the crowds. There were several police people of all types, some extremely scruffy, without hats and one female had her pistol holstered on a belt up near her armpit, well above her waist which would make access to her weapon, very difficult. I thought at the time, I wonder how often they clean their weapons – would they work if they were needed ? Another gendarme sailed past on a Segway while yet another pedalled through on a bicycle – all this, inside the terminal !
The flight to Dallas was OK and we found our way to the neighbouring Concourse (D), where we had some time to kill before Qantas (QF8) left for Brisbane and Sydney, so it was off to McDonalds for a cuppa. Surprisingly, Marg spotted Lleyton Hewitt, wife Bec and three kiddies, soaking up some fast food at the same outlet. I think they were on the same flight as we were, though I expect they were not in cattle class like us. The automated train ride from Concourse B to D, was all done inside a secure perimeter, so we didn’t have to renew our acquaintance with the TSA – be grateful for small mercies.
On arrival in Brisbane (there was talk of the aircraft having to be diverted to Cairns due to head winds, but that didn’t eventuate), we were advised by the cabin crew that if we were travelling on this same aircraft to Sydney, we could leave our belongings in the overhead locker and then move out to the transit lounge while we waited for the aircraft to be refuelled. We had to pass through a security check as we disembarked the aircraft and Marg was selected for a full search and pat down, before we were permitted into the transit lounge. We were there for only a short time, when an announcement was made that the information given to us by the cabin crew, was incorrect and we now had to return to the aircraft and collect our belongings from overhead lockers ! How do experienced crews make those sort of basic mistakes ?
And so it was off to Sydney. Needless to say, with all the delays, we had missed our 12.10pm connection to Perth, but the efficient staff had booked us onto the next available aircraft, at 3.15pm.
Arrived in Perth at a little after 5.00pm (a four hour flight and a two hour time difference), where we found our previously arranged transport and reached our Booragoon home about an hour later.
So ends another trip to the US and this blog – I think that next time, it’s Leanne’s turn to come visit us.
