By the numbers
2 planes, one cancelled
Walking not very far
I had woken up at 5am, when my alarm had been set for 530am.
Deciding the best choice was to check on my flight since I was really early and
right outside the terminal. With what was happening, I never knew what was
going to happen with the bus service to the airport. Considering I am close to
aircraft, I never heard anything at all and was a quietish night. I might stay
there again if I have an international flight in the early morning as it is
very convenient. I went looking for my flight and gave an audible ‘fuck’ when I
seen that my flight had been cancelled. The next flight that was leaving for
the Gold Coast was half hour earlier with Air New Zealand. I walked to the
ticket counter where people were lined up and took my phone out to search for
flights. I was going to get them to sort it out for me, but I was half way
through the booking system before the line moved and all I needed to do was pay
for the booking. I had my card out and paid for the booking. Within minutes of
the booking being processed, I had the flight details, although I had screen
shotted the booking reference after losing it last time when distracted on the
ferry from Picton. I raced back to the hotel and picked up my bags before going
back downstairs to check myself in. At least I didn’t eat anything in the bar
or else it would have been costly.
It was relatively easy process for Air New Zealand as I had the self service kiosk to deal with and there were plenty available. The machine even recognised my bag had straps and to put into a basket before it would send it on its way into the depth of the airport where fire breathing dragons live. I was meeting a family member who thought they were not allowed to enter the airport, but I corrected that by telling them that we can as they would have stopped me without my bags. I got to meet Glen as he waited for his son to come through from the US. I waited a little bit before I left as there were quite a bit of unknowns as to what was happening between the outside and the gate. There could be delays for all I knew. The first place to go was to see the lady at the Virgin desk as I hadn’t gotten an email about the cancelled flight apart from the planes being grounded from the 30th of March. The lady was nice and I told her that I hope people had not been abusing her. I let her know that I would like my flights to be credited and that I had arranged another flight with a rival. She was happy that I had done that actually.
It was relatively easy process for Air New Zealand as I had the self service kiosk to deal with and there were plenty available. The machine even recognised my bag had straps and to put into a basket before it would send it on its way into the depth of the airport where fire breathing dragons live. I was meeting a family member who thought they were not allowed to enter the airport, but I corrected that by telling them that we can as they would have stopped me without my bags. I got to meet Glen as he waited for his son to come through from the US. I waited a little bit before I left as there were quite a bit of unknowns as to what was happening between the outside and the gate. There could be delays for all I knew. The first place to go was to see the lady at the Virgin desk as I hadn’t gotten an email about the cancelled flight apart from the planes being grounded from the 30th of March. The lady was nice and I told her that I hope people had not been abusing her. I let her know that I would like my flights to be credited and that I had arranged another flight with a rival. She was happy that I had done that actually.
The procedure through security had not changed at all. I had
a very smooth transition through the gates. The smart gate wasn’t working, so
had to get my passport checked by a human. The lady told me I will be back and
when I tried passing behind her there was a barrier that stopped me. One of the
immigration guys had to move it so I could get past. I didn’t want to be in
trouble for touching something like that. I went through to wait and ended up
with some chocolate and even a book that looked interesting. I had breakfast of
Maccas in the airport as I knew I would not get a meal unless I had paid for
it. I could have, but had paid for a seat and bag combo while looking at the
price of the flight. I had let family know of the changes or else they would
have wondered why I had arrived early, or seen that my flight had been canned
and be in a stressful moment about my welfare. It wasn’t a too bad of a wait
until we were on the plane and it was mostly empty. Could be why I got booked
so quickly and at the front seats too. It felt like a long flight although
could be because of the book, I was reading was about farming history.
It was good to actually land in Australia again, but even on
landing there was no escaping the Corona stuff as people were getting ready to
get off the plane, some ladies from immigration hopped aboard with paperwork
that we had to fill out before leaving the aircraft. It was like school and
homework. We were allowed to leave once we filled it out. My bladder was
screaming to be emptied after that little bit of work. I bypassed the Duty Free
and headed to the line for the smart gates. I did cough once and one guy panicked
in front of me and moved away as he looked at me. Once we were waiting for out
bags you could see the customs people with their full gear on. Masks and some
even had the poncho type gear to cover themselves and the lines were slow
moving as they were talking to every individual in line. The guy got to me and
spoke to me and I asked questions. I even picked up his dropped pen for him, I
just couldn’t really describe him as I wasn’t paying that much attention. A
lady I might have, but working retail I forget people as soon as they look at
me. He took my form and I was off until it was soon found no one had signed by
customs card as there was only a tick. I had to wait and one of the ladies had
to grab a supervisor who made me fill out the form again. They would pull out
the other one later so there would not be a double up in visits. They impressed
on me what will happen, but who knows if there would be health officials or
even coppers. Hopefully not something like 3am. Any complaint about people out
of quarantine ahead of time will be taken seriously and I am not to leave the
house. I can see people with grudges like neighbours making a series of
complaints. Though the authorities would know. On parting they asked if I had a
mask as I was being driven home and I replied that I do not. They were very
nice to provide me with one before leaving the terminal. I was polite to them
and I think they would move mountains for anyone who are polite and not shitty.
At least I know I will be allowed to leave at 1159pm on the 5th of
April that means I can then go back to work. Think there might be panic attacks
from people who see me out and about though.
I did have the mask on when I got picked up and am in 14
days of isolation, which should be interesting. I still have that mask as I
have no idea if I should be keeping it just in case. Every trip is different
and this one has shown when under pressure, I do seem to perform and out do
myself. There will be more trips and other things I can do, but for now I can
research more journeys into the unknown, but at least I have done the right
thing in returning to the country as New Zealand starts locking everything
down. I left at the right time instead of waiting for the flight on the 29th,
which would have likely been cancelled. I am happy to have credit that I can
use in the future.
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