Jetstar. $5 or walk!

I was a excited but a little apprehensive when I booked my first international Jetstar flight to Manila.  I had flown Jetstar domestically before, but was concerned about long hours in a possibly cramped space. Qantas where either not flying any direct services to Manila that I could find and the Jetstar service was a lot cheaper.  What to do?  I was going back and forth with my decision when I realized that I could book Jetstar Starclass (which I understood to be like a premium economy on say a Qantas flight,) for the same money or less than other competing airlines regular economy fare. A perfect solution for a trial flight with the airline!

I made my booking online and the screen stated that both sectors of my flight were starclass. When my confirmation came through, the pdf stated that the sector from Melbourne to Singapore was Starclass and the sector from Singapore to Manila was Jetsaver.  I called customer service and was assured that both sectors were Starclass. I also read or misread the website. To me it said Starclass offered an extra 30 kg checkin luggage, this however is not the case. It is actually 30kg total. 

So off I went to the airport.  Jetstar were great and extremely helpful with my electric wheelchair so that was a real plus for which I am grateful.  The seat I had booked online was there and waiting and there was absolutely loads of leg room!

The video entertainment did not work in my row (and only in my row) and this is one of the main reasons for purchasing Starclass, but this was just one of those things so I guess it can’t be helped. Because of this they did allow my cousin who was traveling on the same plane in economy (something i didn’t know until i saw him onboard) to come and chat to me during the flight.  The point I am trying to make here is that the onboard staff on that sector were doing the best they could.  The food and service were great.

The second leg of my flight was a disaster.  Firstly the seat I had booked online was double booked and since the other booking was for a small child who was part of a family, I felt I should be the one to move.  This put me on a bulkhead which with my condition actually gives less legroom. It was not a Starclass seat so it was even more cramped and since this service did not have Starclass I had to pay for food and beverage even though I had been assured both sectors were Starclass.

If that wasn’t enough, HERE IS THE REAL KICKER, during the flight I was told I would have to pay $5USD for wheelchair assistance in Manila or I would not receive assistance!  I didn’t have any currency on me other than Australian and they told me they were not sure if this would be acceptable!! I was told this fee only applied to jetstar in Singapore and Manila as they used an outside provider for the assistance.  Imagine that.  I need my wheelchair, I am not one of the many who sometimes use airport wheelchairs for convenience and I was was told UNLESS I PAID I WOULD HAVE TO WALK!!!   Enough said

Sir Frank Williams

Firstly I apologize for the long absence from the blog, but I have been very busy filming our London DVD.

Today I was proud and privileged to have a special guest on our show, Sir Frank Williams, head of Williams F1.  It was amazing to be in such a famous place and to be allowed to talk to a man who is known to be quite frugal when it comes to interviews, especially if they focus on his disability.

Frank was gracious and generous with his time and I will always remember a day that was special for me.

Rob “Lucas” McKenzie Arrives

Rob McKenzie, the worlds best on the run location man arrived in London after 23 hours traveling from Australia.  Kev and I had a bed organized for him to crash in, But the big man would have none of that!  “Let’s go,” he said, “There are places to go and things to shoot.” With those words of enthusiasm and wisdom, we were off. Hello Big Ben...G’day London Eye then on to Piccadilly Circus. It was lights, camera, action as the maestro took center stage and began directing.

Just A Catch Up!

Sorry for the absence of blog entries but we have been having meetings and getting ready for our London shoot.  After we begin filming I will try and post more regularly.

For right now here are just a few pics of London and what we have been doing.  Just a small note. If you are getting in a tube train make sure you only get in a double door opening (especially in an electric wheelchair) as it is almost impossible to get out the single door. I did get in the single door without thinking and had to ask around 12 people to move around for me so I could traverse the corridor between seats so I could get to a double door and then off the train.

Unfortunately not a lot of the tube stations are accessible. One of the fun things that happened however is that we choose the closest station we could to London Westminster and didn’t realize the sight we would see on exiting the station.  The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben!

 

London Black Cab

Wednesday, 26th

When we left Novotel Heathrow we decided to take a cab as we were not yet quite brave enough to take on a us back to Heathrow airport, followed by The Tube. We were told by the hotel we may be best to take a cab. So we did. We asked them to make sure they sent one that would take my fairly large 4 wheel drive wheelchair. This is what turned up!

Pretty small hey?  Not a chance I thought.  Kev looked on with that worried look Kev gets when he is a little skeptical.  Sidhu, our driver however seemed unperturbed.  He pulled over to the best place for loading and opened a seemingly very small door.   Then something amazing happened. I found out that London Black cabs must be built by the same people who built Dr. Who’s Tardis.  Not only did I fit but also Kevin and all of our luggage

The Six Bells

Sunday, January 23, 2011

The Six Bells

Kev and I just went for a walk from the Novotel Heathrow to clear the head and help Kev, who arrived in the dark, realize he was in Briton. We probably walked for about 15 minutes until we found an old english pub, "The Six Bells." I really wanted to know if english pubs where as friendly as I had been told, so after a quick chat, we headed in to find out.

The answer is yes! Within 5 minutes we were chatting to our first official english friend Tony. I think the friendship got off to a booming start after I ordered a Guinness shandy (half Guinness - half lemonade) from Lucy the bar attendant. Both Tony, the bar staff and the football supporters watching the game thought this was hilarious and so after some good natured ribbing of the Aussie, we settled down to share our pint. This was so great. I was in a english pub with Kevin and like all else so far it was going to script. The next thing I know Tony had brought me a drink and also put his wife on the phone! We had a quick chat about Tony, their son and made arrangements to catch up when I am in Birmingham for a cup of tea. I almost felt part of the family.

Then I noticed a huge but beautiful German Shepard dog behind the bar. I was so happy as I miss my dog Zeus so much. Kyla (I think that was her name) kept popping her head over the bar to greet and say Hi to the customers. She belonged to the owner who gladly brought her over to say hello.

A lot of hotels are finding the going hard in the UK at the moment. I hope as many as possible survive as this is so much a part of the culture. It was a fantastic introduction to some of the local people.

Tony, Kev and Myself at "The Six Bells"

Kyla and me

Kev Arrives

Saturday, 22nd

KEV ARRIVES

Kevin Ross partner and financier in Accessible Globe and its subsidiaries arrived in London today to take part in our coming meetings and then assist with the production of the London DVD.

This will be the first time Kevin and I will be able to work side by side on a production. Rob, our Head of Production and also a Wheelin partner, will be giving Kev a crash course in boom microphone operation and much more as we head of around London and the UK.

Without Kevin and his wife Marg, (the real managing director...at least of Kevin), Accessible Globe would not be in the position it is today. Through their faith and belief in the project and what it can do for mobility impaired people worldwide, they have brought about the chance to launch not only Wheelin and this DVD, but the many facets of Accessible Globe that are coming soon.

With all these positive things happening, you may wonder why Kev isn't smiling? After almost 24 hours travelling from Australia to London, he was just glad to get here. "Its a long way," he said. Surely the fact that he had my smiling face to greet him when he arrived should have made it all worth it? Maybe not lol!

Saturday, 22nd January 2011 RELAUNCHING WHEELIN, ETIHAD AND MORE

I am currently sitting on an ETIHAD flight bound from Manila for London via Abu Dhabi. Finally after around five years we are relaunching Wheelin Round the World! With the London Olympics happening in 2012, we could think of no better time to take Wheelin from the Pilot stage of years ago to the fully fledged production we have always envisaged. So it is with a great deal of excitement (and more than a few nerves)that I head off for around two weeks of talking to sponsors and pre-production, followed by a further two weeks of actual shooting.

So how's it going so far?

Firstly let me talk about ETIHAD Airlines. What a breath of fresh air. Firstly I must make the statement that ETIHAD had no idea I was travelling as part of a film crew involved in filming travel documentaries, so I received absolutely no preferential treatment. I was treated as any other passenger would be. I arrived at the check in counter in Manila and the experience was positive from the very start. They gave me no stress whatsoever about my  wheelchair (4 wheel drive). They even checked whether any of my hand luggage was related to my disability so as not to include it in my weight allowance.

I was given the perfect seat with ample legroom directly by the bathroom. perfect for my requirements!

The onboard service has been of the same friendly high standard. One of the really great things has been that they regularly offer water to you during the flight. A lot of people with mobility impairment need to stay hydrated and it is often awkward to have to continuously request liquid. They have checked a couple of times on how I am doing, maintaining a perfect balance between looking after me and not being over zealous. Oh, and the food has been really tasty also! So far so good.

Later....

The service at Abu Dhabi airport was good. I am now on a much smaller ETIHAD plane bound for London. Just due to physical size of the plane it is not quite the same travel experience, but the high standard of service continues

Arrival in London

Made it! Heathrow staff have been more than helpful. The same Lady took me from the door of the plane, down through immigration, over to retrieve my baggage and then outside to get on the connecting bus to the Novotel Heathrow. Again she did not know the purpose of my trip but still stayed with me and my luggage for 40 minutes while I waited for the bus. When I tried to tip her she refused the money! Amazing in a place like London where costs are very high.

The first impression I get of London is that I am really here. Now that may sound silly, but often when you arrive in big capital cities around the world, they all look the same. Not so London! From the minute you get out of the airport your senses are assailed by all things british. It's like stepping into any book set in England that you read as a child. There are old brick cottages with slanted slate roofs, big red double decker buses and much more. I am tired now and am heading for a lie down but I can't wait to see more.