If only I can earn $4.7m a year!

A bit of trivia, did you know that incoming Qantas CEO Alan Joyce will be earning $4.7m a year plus plus plus incentives! He is the new head of Australia’s flag carrier, and I am sure he would be inheriting a lot of head ache caused by the current financial crisis, as well as other quality issues that plague the company. I am sure he’s got a whole bunch of big responsibilities that would have come together with that big, fat (excuse my politically incorrect term) paycheck.

A hole in the plane

Have you heard about Qantas' emergency landing today, in Manila? It's one of the scariest experience that one could experience flying on a 'holed' aircraft.

The flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne, heard a big bang midway after taking off from Hong Kong, and have experienced decompression in the cabin. Apparently the reason for this was the hole in the aircraft, exposing a bit of the baggage, with a gush of air entering the cabin. The aircraft plunged about 20,000 metres after the said bang. The cabin crew were able to control the situation and it was reported that every passenger remained calm. Based on interviews of passengers, one mentioned that she did not feel that the crew were not in control, and so this obviously helped people to remain calm and not panic. Although the situation posed a bit of concern, as it could have potentially knocked unconscious the passengers onboard. Luckily, none of the passengers or crew were injured and the plane was able to urgently and safely land into Manila International airport.

Qantas is still undergoing investigations regarding this incident. One can read more about this here.

41st Sydney International Boat Show

From 31 July to 05 August, 2008 Sydney will be alive and filled with boat enthusiasts, boat lovers, boat collectors, and the like. I may very well be part of it again. Maybe I just like the crowd and the whole exciting festive ambiance. Or, I just enjoy seeing the Marina filled with different boat sizes, shapes,etc!

The Sydney International Boat Show is held annually at Darling Harbour's Cockle Bay Marina. Tickets sell from AUD 10 per child and AUD 18 per adult. Package rates are available for families or groups. It runs from 10 AM to about 6 PM at the Marina, and a bit longer til 8 PM at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Last year there were really nice boats docked. I am sure this year would be as fun to see! Well, another excuse to take my camera with me and take a few snaps.

Surprise Wedding Proposal at Canadian Airport

I read this at work today, and it immediately caught my smile. It's not everyday someone proposes like this.

It's good the lady said yes :) Hehe!

I've read here they are set to get married on August 3.

**Clipping taken from Travel Daily.Com.Au 10 March 2008.**

I like reading about unusual things that happen at the airport. See my other post on Gatwick airport and The Terminal.

Have you got any other interesting airport stories? Or interesting wedding proposal stories?

Whats your Home Address: London Gatwick Airport Terminal

It's been reported in the news that a homeless unemployed chef lived in London's Gatwick Airport South terminal for three years. Anthony Delaney has camped at the terminal for three years, sleeping and taking showers at that London address inspite of countless run ins with UK Police. He'd only leave the terminal to collect his unemployment benefits, this was all inspite being banned from entering the Airport. What made him do this? Sheer act of desperation probably.

Did you know that movie The Terminal was inspired by a real life man who was at a waiting zone (detention) in Charles De Gaulle (CDG) Airport in France. Mehran Karimi Nasseri, an Iranian born man who appealed a number of times as a refugee into the UK, Italy, France. From 1988 to 2006, he lived at CDG airport's Terminal One Departure lounge. During this time, he's become friends with the airport staff, who donated a sofa for him to sleep on and offered to wash his clothes. While at the airport, Nasseri had a daily routine to wake up at 5AM, wash the public toilets, listen to the radio, read a book, and write in his journal. This journal has been turned into an autobiography called the Terminal Man. It has been said by the Sunday Times that this book is both disturbing and brilliant. Hmmmm. This is interesting. I have always loved the movie with Tom Hanks, The Terminal, and so reading this may interest me.