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#1
23rd February 2009, 11:06 AM
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Trip report: Syd to Doha via Dubai (EK A380 & A332)
Firstly, let me say that this trip came about as I am in the process of being 'Head Hunted' for a position in Qatar! I was given my flight details Friday morning before a departure the following day.
14/2 EK412 (A6-EDD) SYD-DXB: DEP: 21.45 ARR: 05.30 I was dropped off at the terminal by the Director of Home Affairs (wife) and went straight to the check-in desk. I had already checked-in online, but when I arrived, the agent asked IF I wanted to be moved to a better location? I asked as to where I was sitting and where he was suggesting and what was the real difference? I eventually took his suggestion and was allocated 88K. After my first visit up to the observation deck, (very impressive I might add), I passed through Immigration and through to Duty Free. SYD works were happening all over the place and was difficult to see how this was going to actually improve things... Oh well, who am I to judge these things!?! Boarding commenced, 9:15pm by zones. I was in Zone F so I was one of the first to enter (both First & Business were not ready to board and were more than a little disgruntled!). As this was a night flight, I did not have the opportunity of getting any pics (or any worth posting I should say), so sorry for that! We taxied out to a 16R departure. Now I had heard how quiet the new A380's were. I had not expected it to be THAT quiet! It was not that 'powerful' takeoff roll either and the angle of climb, although better, reminded me of my SK A340 departures out of Narita! The Captain soon announced that we will eventually be cruising at 40,000ft and expected a couple of 'bumps' along the way. Meal service commenced shortly after with a lot to choose from. I had the chicken (from memory) and settled back to relax. Problem was, (you know how the agent asked if I wanted to move to a 'better' seat?) I had a kid next to me (c. 5yo) who was constantly changing his TV and jumping around like he had ants in his pants... I eventually got about 6.5 hours sleep tholugh, broken mind you, but it was all good. I need this as I was told that upon arrival, I will be taken to my first interview! Arrival into Dubai was smooth, until the main gear hit the pavement! It seemed as though we were all over the place. Felt ugly, but the team up front quickly got us straight and reverse + brakes were quickly applied! Departed 30L and proceeded to Gate 220. I waited (and waited...) for everyone to disembark, so as I could see if I could get upstairs. BINGO, I was allowed!   Thank goodness the crew are good at customer service... NOT that good when it comes to photography!  I exited the aircraft and through the Transit gates and entered the wonderful Dubai Terminal 3 with gazillions of Duty Free, Food Courts and Gardens!!    15/2 EK841 (A332) DXB-DOH DEP: 08.25 ARR: 08.30 Calls for boarding were happening when I was walking past to see what was about in this part of the terminal. Which, was not much! Boarding was via a 'holding' area where we waited an additional 15-20 mins, so there was no need for the rush! I was (in SYD) moved from 38A to 37A for a seat that had a better recline (38A was the last seat). This was ok, although when compared to the previous flight, I felt a little cramped! As this gate was (167)at the rear of the terminal, we had a lengthy taxi to the active runway, which was now 12R. Departure was rapid and followed by quite a sharp right hand turn and headed for Doha (DOH). Captain announced that we had a flight time of just 45 mins (for an A332?) to DOH, expect a clear smooth ride and a cruising altitude of just 25,000ft. Breakfast, (Egg, Tomato & Cheese Croissant with OJ & Choc Muffin) was served VERY quickly and we were soon descending into DOH. Both DXB & DOH were suffering from dust/sand storms recently, and as such, were not very clear, so apologies for the reduced quality pics...    I cleared Immigration, paid 100QR ($45AUD) for my Visa and waited for my hotel ride. 10.00am I arrived at the Royal Qatar and had a shower to freshen up and change. And sure enough, I was off to my first interview at 12 noon! More to follow... 
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#2
23rd February 2009, 11:16 AM
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Around DOH
Hotel:
     And the shopping is simply HIGH end and STUNNING!   The local Souk, has some really amazing bargains as well. Here is a taste of Doha life...   
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#3
23rd February 2009, 11:35 AM
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17/2 EK841 (A332) DOH-DXB
DEP: 03.45 (Scheduled) 08.45 (Actual) ARR: 05.45 (Scheduled) 10.45 (Actual) I was told that I had to arrive at the airport at 11.30pm, as this was the last bus shuttle from the hotel. Checkin was yet to open, so I sat nearby. Soon enough, 12.30am, check-in opened and with paperwork complete, I was through Immigration so quick I did not know it had happened! Doha Duty Free was bright, free to move around and all of the agents inside were very friendly.  Doha terminal main area is upstairs from the duty free area. It is pretty obvious that, Qatar Airlines is the main carrier here! There is a lot of works happening (this is the old terminal, and a new one is under construction. Runway is complete, so they tell me, all though it does have a few problems with pavement thickness...). DOH is also one of the longest runways around, and is a very busy airport. After several attempts to grab some sleep, I went to the departure gate (all gates are via a bus to the aircraft) and sat down and waited. And wait I did as at 3.30am it was announced that the inbound flight was delayed and that a new departure time is now 6.30am. this would leave a tight, but doable, transfer in Dubai. 6.30 came and went, and depending on who I spoke to and the different time I was spoken to, a different (lie) story was told. We were eventually told that boarding will now commence at 8.45... Sure enough, at 9.15 we were on a bus and heading towards the aircraft... Is that it, WAYYYY over there? A 30 minute bus trip saw us pass underneath the arrivals end of the runway 16. Eventually, we were greeted by a friendly crew and boarded. There was also a couple of Private jets sitting along side of us!    Apologies were give from the flight deck and we were soon on our way. Passing the terminal, I spotted this little gem, Bahrain Air A319 (A9C-BAX):  A 'brunch' was served (Croissant, Juice and Muffin) and collected as we started to descend into Dubai. Again, it was very hazy, making photography difficult!:  More to follow... Last edited by Bernie P; 23rd February 2009 at 11:40 AM. Reason: errors... DOH!
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#4
23rd February 2009, 12:12 PM
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The hotel you stayed at looks great! The Italian Canals looks identical to the Venetian Hotel in Macau. Great trip report. I hope you had fun.
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#5
23rd February 2009, 12:13 PM
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Delays & missed flight...
Once in Dubai, we were escorted into a 'holding area' and asked to take some refreshments and a seat whilst they processed us... I did not really mind if they had to overnight me, other people had more important reasons to be returning, so I stood back and let it all happen. I was eventually rebooked on the direct (A380) flight EK412 and booked into a hotel with Lunch, Dinner, Snack and Breakfast vouchers. The hotel was nice enough, and near the check-in counter was a display and bookings for the Dubai Night Bus Tour (5-9pm) which looked good. At $30USD was cheap enough, so I thought I will do that. the latest I could book was 4pm (current 12.30pm) so I thought I would get a bit of sleep as I was now awake nearing the 36 hour mark and do it. I set the alarm for 3.50pm... Next thing I knew, it was 7pm! All meals in the hotel were great and I went back to sleep until my 6am alarm to get ready. Breakfast and checkout were simple enouogh, and I was on the bus to the terminal:
  Checking in, whilst simple enough as I already had a boarding pass I just had to re-check my bag as I had to get it out the afternoon prior due to medications required. I was told that I already had a bag checked and this would be excess baggage! I asked him to have a look at the records and he should be able to see that I had requested it yesterday and this bag (with its tag) was one and the same! Ahhhh, all complete, it was now through Immigration (very friendly to by the way... Listening to his iPod in his official cloths) and into the shopping area! As I had a small amount of shopping to do, and it was not very long until boarding, I completed all of this and went to the gate, 230! There are so many gates here it is unbelievable!  But unfortunately, a clear view of the aircraft is not possible...  Pushback complete, we were soon to be on our way...   Whilst taxing, I came across this beast (EP-MNB B744)...  Departure was from 12R, and was very similar to the Sydney departure a couple of days prior. Todays flight, was listed for some 13.5 hours, so I settled back for some serious movies to be watched. I also set up an extensive playlist as well for when I wanted to get some sleep. Lunch was served, Tuna & Shrimp with Bean salad, Chicken Tikka Masala, Hazelnut & Caramel Parfait... Food (again) was excellent! Overnight, I got some sleep etc, a snack of a Chicken Mexican style wrap with OJ, and before long, breakfast was now being served! Mixed grill, eggs Coffee and a Muffin, I was nearly ready to join the Biggest Looser! My seat, 50A, whilst the last seat in the forward section, did not allow me to get great wing/engine photos, but here is one anyway...  We travelled over Muscat, Columbo, near Changai Kimberly Coast, Alice Springs, Broken Hill over Woolongong/Sth Coast, before flying over my house in Merrylands and turned for a 16R arrival.  And is there ANY better arrival than this?  Summary: Flights: (A380) 9/10 My return seat 50A look as though it was a bit shabby, and the tray table was hard to return to the upright position as covering was ripped. (A332) 5/10 Seating was cramped, looked real old and shabby... Service: 9/10 On both flights, service was very friendly, fast and efficient. One great example was, on approach to Sydney I asked the Purser if he was to be talking to the flight deck, could he ask what runway we were to land... He came back 5 mins later, "Mr Pr..... The Captain mentioned that we will arrive on 16, Is there anything else I could do for you?"? A personal touch! Ground Staff SYD, DUB: 10/10 Fast, efficient and friendly DOH: 4/10 If only he had told us the truth or nothing at all! I had a great trip, and now I am waiting for an offer for the position. Thanks for reading/looking, and all pics (there are more) are in my Flickr acc. Last edited by Bernie P; 23rd February 2009 at 12:15 PM. Reason: formatting
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#6
23rd February 2009, 12:18 PM
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Quote:
Thanks for that, the Hotel was ok, a bit on the expensive side (7QR for a coke, and down the road I got the same size coke + a packet of chips for 2QR!) Fun... It was fun, but I had a total of 4 interviews in the 2 days that I was there!!!
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