The flight went really well. Two meals, some interesting things to watch on the TV, an elderly woman from Minneapolis on my right, an empty seat on my left, and my laptop helped make for an enjoyable 14.5 hour flight. While we were descending to the runway, I looked across 5 people and saw a beautiful view. The Harbor Bridge over the water and the Sydney Opera House just behind it. I was finally in Australia, but the trip wasn’t over.
After passing customs, I realized that I didn’t know where my bags were, their final destination, nor which flight would get me from Sydney to Brisbane. A man at the baggage claim filed a report and told me that my bags would likely arrive in Brisbane a day after I arrive. Then a woman sent me to the United offices (out, left right, straight, up the lift, and down the hall), where I received a FIM (Flight Interruption Manifest) which was redeemable at the Qantas domestic desk in the far corner of the airport. I checked in and did security again and then waited in this tiny room. Once the room started to fill up, they checked our boarding passes and loaded us onto Qantas busses. The busses weaved in and out of the tarmac and then around the outside to Qantas hangars. Once I found my gate, a fellow passenger let me use his phone so that I could inform the UQ accommodation services my new arrival time.
When it was all said and done, I arrived in Brisbane from Milwaukee at 11:30 am after 29 hours of travel time. Didn’t seem so bad now that I think about it. But I really need a shower and clean clothes.
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