Archive for the 'Air Transportation' Category
Don’t leave home without it!
Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 15, 2009 at 11:52 am
I left my hotel in Auckland to head to the airport early so I could write some more blog posts on the interesting and exciting things to do in New Zealand. I have many, many more to write!
I got to the airport, returned my rental phone and headed to check in. I was flying Pacific Premium Economy with Air New Zealand, which means I was able to avoid long lines and head to Air New Zealand’s Koru Lounge.
There are rules in airline security that are inconvenient, but made for our safety. Well, when I went on the wine tour, I had bought a bottle of wine specifically for my husband and had tucked it into a bag and not thought of it again. I used this bag as a carry on – and security discovered the wine (it was tucked into a side pocket) and, as they should, confiscated it. I received a lecture about it. Naturally, I was upset. I know better than to do that. I was in New Zealand on behalf of Tourism New Zealand and had accidentally broken a serious rule. And on top of that, 20 hour days had left me a bit worn down and tired out. The whole experience completely threw me off.
I headed to the lounge really upset with myself and sat down to calm down. Three minutes later, I realized I no longer had my passport. I thought I was going to have a meltdown. I looked through my bags (and I had brought a lot of things with me because I was going to work on blog posts and needed the info). I searched my bags again. I pulled my stuff apart. My heart was beating a mile a minute and I could feel the sweat beads starting to form on my forehead. It was awful. If you have ever realized at an airport that your boarding pass, passport, or your credit card is missing – you understand that awful, sinking feeling. Even writing about it makes me feel sick to my stomach.
Knowing I was in a bad situation, I went to the concierge desk at the Koru Lounge and tearfully explained that I couldn’t find my passport. Let me tell you, they leapt into action. They calmed me down, they took charge and they knew exactly what to do. The Lounge Concierge Pamela Graham took the lead on this and she was incredible. We went to security and they looked there for me (that was the last place I recalled having it), security then joined the search with us and Pamela went back to the lounge to re-search my bags. Everyone was so professional and courteous. While I knew and could tell by their reaction how serious this was, they went out of their way to make me feel better – because by this point, I felt like an idiot. I mean, who loses their passport at the airport.
We were into about an hour and a half of searching (and I mean searching) the airport. Pamela was briefly explaining what would happen if we did not find it (she already had a call into the Canadian Embassy in case the worst happened and we didn’t find it). She said they would have to take my bags off the plane if we didn’t find it within the next 20 minutes. I made one last round of the lounge and a lovely woman who was sitting in the chair I had sat in went out of her way and put her hand way down between the cushions – and there it was.
What a relief it was to see that little black book! And I can’t tell you how exceptional the Air New Zealand team was, especially Pamela Graham. I have had worse moments in my life, but those 90 or so minutes rank up there in the top ten. I was tired and just wanted to go home, I had work to do, it had been a long two weeks and when I thought I wasn’t going to be allowed back into Canada – it was an awful feeling. Pamela made a terrible time a little less so. She was professional to the core, knew exactly what to do, and she was kind and compassionate. I knew it was my fault it was missing – and to push that on me would have served no purpose. I was beating myself up over it enough. She let me know that no matter what, they would help me, which is just what I needed to hear.
The people at Air New Zealand are exceptional and I will be writing to the Chief Executive about that right after I finish this blog. I think sometimes it is easy to forget just how good they are at their jobs – until you need them. The concierge and flight crew are highly trained professionals who know what to do in an emergency. They understand human nature and need to deal with people in unusual situations and in high pressure moments. I know that by having Pamela take charge and handle this situation so well, it reminded me of how much each of these men and women bring to their work each day. We often only see the hospitality side of their job. There is so much more to what they do. While I hope you never have to see them in action like this, I hope you will keep it in mind and will give them the respect, courtesy and consideration they deserve. They have a tough job and sometimes passengers—like me—make it even tougher.
After I had sat down, with my passport in a safe compartment in my purse, and had a glass of wine, Pamela came over to me and explained what probably would have happened had we not found it. The Canadian Embassy would have entered into a series of legal negotiations to get me back into Canada – perhaps on the flight I was booked on, perhaps on another flight. It would have taken time, energy and efforts on the parts of a lot of people around the world. However, she did assure me, I would have gone home and they would have sorted it out.
She also then did something very thoughtful. With a little twinkle in her eye, she explained that she had set up a massage for me just before we were to board the flight to help take my stress level down. Talk about excellence in customer service.
Air New Zealand has a lot to be proud of – they have a green approach to travel that is excellent, they have non-stop flights from Vancouver to Auckland, they win awards and they are highly respected. They also have the best staff ever. Dealing with Air New Zealand is a delight. No matter what contact I had with them, they were exceptional. And Pamela Graham is right at the top of the list when it comes to being exceptional. And I am so appreciative of how much work she did to take care of me. Thank you, Pamela!
My advice – fly Air New Zealand, but keep your passport in a place where you can find it!
Helicopter ride over the glacier
Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 6, 2009 at 8:53 pm
After a lovely stay in Haast, I was whisked away by helicopter to Franz Josef, a small town that sits at the foot of Franz Josef Glacier. I felt a little bit like a rock star being “taxied” from one location to another by helicopter. As usual, the team at The Helicopter Line took excellent care of me. Chris, the pilot, was very knowledgeable about the area and gave me an amazing tour of the glaciers and the coastline of the Tasman Sea on the way to Franz Josef.
Some 140 glaciers flow from the Southern Alps, however only two (Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier) penetrate as far as the lower rainforests. This is the only place outside of Argentina where this occurs. Visitors are often surprised to find such a warm/mild climate in Franz Josef, given the proximity of the glaciers and the highest peaks of the Southern Alps only a few kilometres from the town.
Check out the photos on Flickr, words can’t describe the vast changes in landscape or the beauty of this area. It was breathtaking.
Up, up and away!
Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 1, 2009 at 8:00 pm
If first impressions are everything, then The Helicopter Line has it made. I was picked up at the Queenstown Park Hotel by an upbeat and friendly Dave. Turns out, that not only is Dave kind enough to drive me to the helipad, he’ll also be my pilot! (When I discover this, I pay close attention to how he drives on the way to the helicopter pad!)
Dave has a pretty interesting story, which I will share in a later blog post. But by the time we covered the ten-minute drive from my hotel to the helipad, had they said: “Sorry your flight can’t go because of weather,” I would have been perfectly happy having had one of the best conversations ever with Dave. It might sound a little cheesy, but Dave is one of those people that makes you question everything and embrace life all in a few minutes. Our chat, while to him was probably quite low key, was filled with inspiration and possibilities to me. More on that later – so you’ll have to come back! Let’s just say that Dave lives The Life Back Promise that New Zealand offers.
Once at the helipad, I meet the team and Brad, who also works for The Helicopter Line, and he accompanies us on a tour that can only be described as spectacular. The Helicopter Line has a range of tours that you can choose from half to full day. In the helicopter, you see the world from a different perspective. The view is breathtaking and you see the dramatic views and stunning beauty of Lake Wakatipu, the Queenstown region, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Skippers Canyon, the Southern Alps and beyond.
The day was beautiful and sunny, although one of the regular landing spots “the ledge” has just a wisp of cloud in front of it making it too dangerous to land there – so Dave and Brad discussed their options and we landed on another peak. I have to confess that I was so wrapped up in the view and the experience, that I completely stopped taking notes and just lived in the moment. (I have an email in to Dave and Brad to ask where we landed and will let you know.)
As you can see from our pictures on Flickr, seeing New Zealand by helicopter lets you see some spectacular sites. When we landed and stepped out into the snow – it was such a feeling of freedom and pure enjoyment, that I am not sure there are words to describe it. The air was so clear and crisp, you could feel the energy it brought to your mind and body. (If that could only be bottled.) After my chat with Dave and standing there on a mountain overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Queensland, the song “I can see clearly now” by Johnny Nash was running through my mind. It was a moment filled with magic; one that I will never forget.
And then, to make things even better – Brad popped the top off a bottle of champagne and we had a glass of bubbly on top of the world. Dave didn’t drink since he was our designated driver – I offered to drive, but he didn’t look interested in that option!
After our (locally made) champagne, which was excellent, we got back into the helicopter and took a tour around the area. It was truly exceptional.
The time I spent with Dave and Brad made an impact on me and I saw the world from a different perspective. In both a global and very personal way, it changed me. (Don’t forget to check back for Dave’s story and a bit of our conversation in a later post!)
I am seen here with Dave - what a great guy!
Leaving on a jet plane…
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 31, 2009 at 8:45 am
I am sitting at Vancouver Airport waiting to board my Air New Zealand flight to Auckland. The flight is about 13 hours long. It’s a direct, non-stop flight from Vancouver. I leave here at 9 p.m. (Friday) and will arrive in Auckland at about 6 a.m. on Sunday morning. I lose a day going to New Zealand, but gain it coming home.
On the plane…
I am fortunate enough to sit beside a lovely older woman (“Can you believe I’m 79?”she asks) who is heading home after a family wedding in Whistler. I am in Pacific Premium Economy, not quite the luxury of Business Premier, but very nice. There is more legroom than I expected and we are served the same dinner as business class – and the choices are excellent. We start with wild British Columbia smoked salmon, citrus crème fraiche and baby chervil salad. Then I have a choice of braised pressed lamb shanked with glazed root vegetables, parsnip puree and spiced Okanagan plum compote or herb panko crumbed Alaskan cod with sambal prawns, citrus salsa and fine green bean, potato and red onion salad or pancetta and sage wrapped chicken thigh, asparagus fingerling potatoes, and an apple manuka glaze.
Dessert is a lemon curd tart with mascarpone vanilla ice cream and there is a lovely selection of New Zealand wines to accompany it. As far as airline food goes, it was not too shabby! Going back to a bag of pretzels and a glass of juice on other carriers is going to be a challenge.
As soon as I got on the plane, I was immediately asked if I would like a glass of champagne. I met my seatmate, had some dinner and a glass of wine, and watched a movie…it’s now time for bed! The seats go back quite far, Air New Zealand provides a nice little travel pack with an eye mask, socks and other amenities, as well as a nice (not scratchy!!) blanket.
Air New Zealand Travel Pack
I had the chance to check out the economy seats. While I think anyone would prefer to be in the comfy big, pod-like seats that just about turn into a bed in business class, the economy seats are bigger than normal and there seemed to be a reasonable amount of room. I asked a few people who had economy seats and everyone seemed to be comfortable. And every person I asked mentioned the great prices for flights to New Zealand right now.
In the morning when I woke up, the coffee was brewing. The flight crew had been checking on me all night to make sure everything was ok. (I woke up a bit early and didn’t want to disturb my seatmate by turning on lights or watching a movie, so I sat and contemplated life by looking out the window. Our lovely flight attendant came by and brought me a cup of tea without me even having to ask!)
Once people started to stir on the flight, juice and coffee and tea were served and we chose our breakfast. Fresh fruit, fresh baked (or at least that’s how they smelled and tasted!) croissants, cereal and yogurt and a choice of scrambled eggs with homemade vine ripened tomato relish and mini-potato hash or French toast panettone fruit bread, local berry compote and cinnamon crème fraiche.
And – then I was in Auckland! In just one sleep.
