Traveller letters: My Qantas plane smelled like mothballs

SERVICE WITH SMILES

In reply to Greg Cornwell (Traveller Letters, 1 April) – I recently flew Qantas economy class from London to Melbourne on QF10, and returned on QF9 connecting to Emirates EK1 in Dubai. The condition of the aircraft, and the service and friendliness of the crew were both excellent. With a tight connection in Dubai, the steward identified an empty seat near the exit door and let me change seats just before landing, so I could disembark quickly. The changeover in Dubai to Emirates – my first flight with them – left me less than impressed. The aircraft interior looked tired, and the crew were bored, unsmiling and uninterested. On this codeshare flight, Qantas set a high standard – one that Emirates failed to match.

Tess Parker Oxford, UK

QUEUE TIPS

Checking in for a flight is the beginning of a painful journey to one's travel destination. I'd remind the long snaking queue behind that compelling me to move several inches along with heavy luggage every minute or so isn't going to make their haste translate to significantly improved times to arriving at the front desk. It's a traffic jam and stopping and starting tens of times to gain a toehold ahead needlessly risks straining the back and shoulders of passengers. So please, ease off on nudging me ahead unless there is a sizeable gap ahead of me. For economy passengers, please do not plea to be checked in by protesting your innocence at having mistakenly used much shorter business or club queues. A memo to busy check-in staff: please refrain from being surly just because your colleagues who should be helping out are on meal breaks at peak times. Let's all work together to make check-in a more civil if still stress-laden experience.

Joseph Ting, Carina, QLD

BLISS ON THE TEARDROP ISLE

My friend and I have just returned from a wonderful 15 days in Sri Lanka. We had a tour put together by Mosman travel and Authenticities.

It was perfect in every way, and we were not disappointed with any aspect of the holiday.

From Geoffrey Bawa's stunning hotel built into rock and overlooking forest, where resident monkeys peered at us through the window while we showered, to the terribly British feel of Tea Trails bungalows where we were treated like royalty, to the hustle and bustle of Galle and Kandy, we hardly had time to stop marvelling at this vibrant country.

Everywhere we went, driven by our wonderful driver, we were informed of the diverse history of this small island, and we returned with memories that will last forever.

The food along the way was prepared with pride, and we ate it all with relish. Buffalo curd with palm treacle was a dessert to die for.

Go there if you are considering it, but the roads take some getting used to.

Our driver dodged cows wandering over the road, dogs sleeping on it, and thousands of tuk tuk drivers defying all the road rules. Not to mention the battered buses hurtling towards us at speed.

He did so with a calm befitting these gentle people, ignoring our cries of horror for the first two days.

After that, we relaxed and accepted it. Not once did we experience road rage. Australians, take note.

Sandra McVitty, Beaumaris, Victoria

SHORT AND SWEET

After all the letters recounting horror experiences at LA airport, I was a bit worried about travelling through LAX in March this year. However, it could not have been easier. Having entered the US on my current passport before, I was eligible to use the automated passport control kiosks, which were fast and straightforward with no queue. With my printout in hand, I joined a short line and was welcomed by a friendly, outgoing and almost chatty immigration agent. I have experienced surly ones before but he was all smiles. It did not take more than 15 minutes from entering the immigration area to stepping on to the escalator for baggage claim.The well-hidden baggage carousels were another matter but immigration was a breeze for me and all my travel companions.

Carsten Roever, Brunswick, Victoria

SWEET SPOT

As a frequent business traveller to the US I always made sure I had nothing to declare. Coming into LA with my wife I was horrified when she told me she had four packets of Tim Tams. The usual unsmiling official asked us what we had to declare. Four packets of chocolate biscuits for my friend in New York, said my wife, slightly trembling. Still not smiling he said – "they would be the Tim Tams I guess". Then asked – "what about the Vegemite?" He then gave us a huge smile. "I've covered the inbound Sydney flights for 24 years. Welcome to the States."

David Brown, Double Bay, NSW

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