jingjoe

Err, beg yours?

I was with you up to that point.

Oh come on, read it again... which part don't you get?

Spot on.... Qantas cabin crew are almost as obnoxious as your average Australian Immigration officer.

Qantas seem to recruit all the unfriendly Aussies they can find....Spot on!

I agree with this too. I thought it was just me that gets grilled because of the BKK and Amsterdam stamps in my passport. And I constantly fret over some forgotten and buried food item that may be in my bag, waiting to be found by the sniffer beagle.

Thankfully, the impression of a police state diminishes rapidly once you leave the terminal.

Well... I'm an aussie, and I also find Aussie customs officers a fkn pain, but I appreciate the fact that they take their responsabilities seriously.

You (tw25rw) are just the sort of person that quarantine/customs protects us from... i.e. unintentionally importing items that could turn our relatively pristine agriculture & livestock industries into a British equivalent.

So yeah getting through aussie airports can be a pain, but it's little wonder they're so pedantic when they're protecting the country from tens of thousands of people per day, that, just like you, constantly fret over some forgotten and buried food item that may be in my bag can't be bothered.

I fly Qantas domestic a LOT, they are always top notch (just not as bubbly and enthusiastic as Virgin-Blue). The service and attention in Qantas Biz class is bloody awesome.

No surprise to see Jetstar come last, while fine for the price on the domestic routes, The International route (Aus to bkk/sgn/hkt)... is a complete shit-show. (Nice to know Qantas still doesn't fall outta the sky).

But what about longhaul jingjoe ? Try flying the " kangaroo route " ( via Singapore )

on Qantas and then on SIA and I will bet any money you would have to the LEVEL

OF SERVICE and POLITE CABIN CREWS are incomparable on SIA

I can only comment on what I know, which is why I specifically refered to Qantas domestic & Jetstar Int. only. I love the cheaper (than Qantas) economy deals on SIA, and their in flight service is hard to fault.

My next trip to LOS in September is out of Cairns via Honkers in economy. I'm already worried, being 6'2", everything I read & hear said tells me it'll be a VERY long 7 hours on the A330. I'm already convinced I should have flown out of Brisbane on SIA instead... time will tell.

Use "fast reply"

I fly Qantas domestic a LOT, they are always top notch (just not as bubbly and enthusiastic as Virgin-Blue). The service and attention in Qantas Biz class is bloody awesome.

No surprise to see Jetstar come last, while fine for the price on the domestic routes, The International route (Aus to bkk/sgn/hkt)... is a complete shit-show.

(Nice to know Qantas still doesn't fall outta the sky).

this is a forum on the internet and as such we are all granted a certain amount of anonymity. therefore we might be free to put forward hypothetical stories to debate, questions we might not normally ask, things we really believe or think.

Indeed, but sadly there is the other temptation that some are unable to resist.. To use their anonymity to take on a role they would not dare assume in any face to face converstation.

Spot on GH.

Wedged between the utter bullshit, which is occasionally good for a chuckle, I always find useful information from the thai-visa forum, and that's what keeps me coming back.

Baht is pretty popular in all the bordering countries, but I made a point to use US dollars. A wad of One dollar notes which equates to around 10 000 kip each, was readily accepted everywhere, and made it easy to instantly value each service or item.

So my vote is take a couple of hundred $US in small notes, and have some baht up your sleeve.

Agreed, it's entirely subjective. Though I'm not ashamed to have been

programed from childhood into a work ethic

The silver spooners tend to miss out on the masochistic joy of struggle (although I would trade places anyday and give it a whirl).

Maybe I'm just jealous some cool dude didn't come along and offer me a life of leisure

It seems we mostly fall into 2 categories.

Using children as an analolgy, there are those of us that will always find the money to give kids anything they desire, out of love, and self gratification (it feels good to gives your kids stuff).

Then there are those of us that have learned, and choose to pass on lifes lesson (irrespective of culture), that through toil, sacrifice and patience we can also get the things we want, and as a bonus earn a little extra self esteem as well.

My thai friend knows the rules, I have to work (I'd much rather not), but it has to be done or I can't get the things I want.

Ditto goes for him.

Having said that I can totally understand why retired guys with a fair income would prefer to have the option of keeping their b/f at home. I haven't seen anyone disagree that such a descision is for selfish reasons. When I'm retired and in that situation I'd also be a little more selfish.

I 'spose the question still remains, is it in his best interests to live as a kept man, or should you encourage him to appreciate the money in his wallet and embrace independance.

In some cases I reckon the answer is blurred by a purely selfish and insecure motivation.

Many thanks (what a funny ol' fellow is.... ) I will jot down your much appreciated advice.

I'll be in Pattaya for this major event, and would really appreciate a tip as to which bar/bars/establishments will carry live coverage.

Many thanks

OK I'll bite, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Queensland has again conjured up a State Of Origin great escape to eclipse NSW 25-18 and take out game one of the series at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Maroons trailed 18-6 after 50 minutes before piling on 19 unanswered points against the shellshocked Blues before a delirious crowd of 52,498.

Queensland's comeback was aided and abetted by a piece of madness from rookie NSW winger Jarryd Hayne on the hour with the scores locked at 18-all.

After retrieving a long kick, the NSW rookie inexplicably threw a wild pass to fullback Anthony Minichiello and watched in horror as Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer accepted the gift to stroll over.

NSW never recovered from the blunder.

Queensland took just three minutes to bring the capacity crowd to its feet.

Johnathan Thurston's accurate crossfield kick caught NSW winger Matt King out of position and Greg Inglis soared high to grab the ball and touch down unopposed.

Thurston added the extras from the sideline and the Maroons were in front 6-0.

The Blues hit back seven minutes later, Braith Anasta spearing through a gap and finding Nathan Hindmarsh who powered over from close range.

Jamie Lyon's conversion levelled it at 6-all.

NSW hit the lead for the first time when Jarrod Mullen and Andrew Ryan combined to send centre Matt Cooper over after 20 minutes.

Lyon piloted the conversion through the posts from wide out and the underdogs enjoyed a 12-6 advantage.

Lyon increased the lead four minutes before the break, landing a penalty goal to make it 14-6 after Thurston was pinged for an obstruction.

Then came a moment of brilliance as the half-time siren sounded.

Maroons winger Brent Tate decided to kick ahead on the halfway line but only succeeded in finding the feet of his opposite Hayne.

Hayne picked up the ball, pushed Justin Hodges off and kicked ahead before re-claiming possession and diving over for one of the great Origin tries.

Lyon missed the conversion but the damage was done at 18-6.

The never-say-die Maroons are always good for a comeback and they began yet another revival in the 50th minute when Greg Inglis sailed over in the corner.

Thurston's trademark boomerang conversion was on target and NSW's lead was reduced by six.

The comeback was in full swing by the time prop Steve Price crashed over for an easy try at the 58-minute mark.

Thurston's conversion levelled it at 18-all and another chapter in Queensland's great escape acts was halfway written.

Incredibly, the Maroons were back in front two minutes later following Hayne's monumental blunder.

The converted try eased Queensland to a 24-18 lead and it was never to be headed.

Thurston gave the hosts a cushion with a 69th minute field goal.

The series now heads to Sydney for game two on June 13.

From: http://ninemsn.sportal.com.au/default.aspx...ay&id=99160

I don't have an issue with requiring potential citizens to spend 2-10 hours learning about the basic history of our nation. It wouldn't hurt to ask them to burn some chops & snags (and barramundi for the quasi-vego's) on a bbq for their practical exam too (and then eat it.)

Just a quick update.

Contacted the travel agency today and was informed that they were upgrading my tickets to "I" class (business class on Malev), but that it would be a couple of weeks before it's done.

They encouraged me to book accomodation etc for that trip as it was "as good as done". They just needed to await the MD's return from his o/s holiday to sign off on it.

My next and final update will be when/if the tickets are in my hands.

In response to your infantile reply, she rarely drinks and bathes twice a day

Here's to hoping she WILL grow some Brit humour upon receiving her passport.

Then perhaps some of it can rub off onto this winnah.

She'll be drinking warm beer, and bathing monthly from now on I guess.

Good advice Levent, thank you.

Bestflights use the sabre reservation system, which I tried to access but failed.

I rang Malev in Hungary who couldn't find my reservation from the code I was supplied, but DID assure me Z class was Economy.

Getting impatient I called Bestflights again, and was told they're still investigating how the booking system managed to FK things up.

I asked what the likely outcome would be, and she said "well, we'll probably have to honour your booking in Business class, but don't quote me"...

"sure" I said, "trust me".

Anyway, she said they will contact me Monday.

So I'm cautiously optomistic again

I called the booking agent again today and asked what was happening, she was aware of my situation, and told me the matter was "being investigated". I asked if I could expect yesterdays return phone call & answer sometime today?, she said, "hopefully". Didn't happen.

Soju: I appreciate your comments which kind of motivate me to insist that this "popular" aussie booking website supply me with the item I, (in good faith & fingers crossed) paid for. Until this point I had (silently) resigned myself to the bottom line position of insisting on a refund inclusive of all outlays because I have no inclination to fly that far in economy I'll just spend that extra week in LOS.

Flight: thanks for your suggestion, when I spoke to bestflights they checked my booking and insisted in was Biz class, they couldn't explain the Z code, and had no answer when I asked them.... what rights do I have when a well meaning checking staff member says, "sorry sir your ticket is economy, please go and line up behind the 100 people over there".

All the literature available from ANY website including Malev states that Z = discounted economy.

I haven't called Malev, I'm not really sure if that would achieve anything??? and I guess I'm a little put off by the BS I would have to go through to track down someone that could answer the question in plain english.

I am not booked into any seat that I'm aware of, and yeah, that'd answer the question definitively, I agree.

I'll give bestflights until Monday to get back to me, then I'll chase them up again.

I do appreciate your replies, most helpful.

Thanks for that, yeah my google search found that site you refer to. The Malev site has a newsletter that definitively lists Z as economy. Now I guess the trick is to convince BestFlights.com.au of this. The girl I spoke to, though insistant I was booked in Biz class, promised to arrange for her manager to call me back (he was on the phone at the time). He never called.

I'm not sure where I stand.

OK, so that's one "NO".

I got a (too good to be true?) biz class deal from BKK - AMS flying Malev Hungarian. When my paper tickets arrived today, they displayed "Z" in the class column.

On checking with the travel provider they insisted that it was indeed Biz class. Yet when I checked on the Malev website, Z class refered to economy class.

The travel providers assurances won't carry much weight if on check in I am directed to the economy line.

Can anyone assist?

Cebu pacific lacks legroom. if you're tall you'll be spewing.

Thanks Buckwheat.

I've read some good things about this small hotel, and am staying there soon. To help me get my bearing's, could someone let me know if the arrow is pointing to it's approximate location please. It's at 397/42 M.10 Soi 14 South Pattaya 2nd Road.

Many thanks in advance. (try again)