I just wanted to tip my hat to Qantas and the Thai Customs Officials.  Firstly, Qantas on their new Airbus Plane.  The biggest bird out there, I can finally say that they have solved the age old question of “how in the world are we going to entertain/keep these people happy for 9+ hours?”

Simply put, technology is just now becoming practical.  In this I mean that people are beginning to not have to strain to take advantage of the technology of today.  It should be convenient and effortless and it finally is.  we have had movies on-board the plane now for ages, but for my whole life there has been an issue of control and variety.

Sydney to Bangkok was the first flight I’ve ever been on when the entertainment system excels in breadth and depth.  Simply put, choose from 50 current movies (3 of them 2008 Oscar winners), 80 tv shows, games, and even a huge CD collection (not the typical 8 radio stations), all of which play when you want and how you want.

I chose movies that happened to have some nude scenes in them and just as I was going to tear the screen out of the seat back because I noticed a 7 year little old girl sitting across the isle, I saw that the screens were polarized (much like that of an ATM) so that essentially no one else could see what I was watching unless they were on my lap.

The next novel idea was a flight program.  It was a timeline of the services that you would receive during the course of the flight.  First hour, meal. Second hour, hot chocolate or Mint spiced tea.  Third hour, fresh fruit.  It was simply amazing.  It got rid of the uncertainty of what’s next.  As long as you prepare some one and keep them out of the dark, they intern know how to pace themselves.

I must have watched 4 movies in a row during the flight.  The toilet signs would illuminate as occupied in the isle so that people wouldn’t waste their time walking all the way down if they wanted to get to business without standing in the isle.  Its like the airline companies finally started reading the comment cards that they have been compiling for the last 50 years.

This airbus had a substantially long take off and landing as well as a very shallow approach and take off.  it felt like you were trying to fly away with a city.  If this is the future of air travel, then bravo.

The Thai customs officials let me through without a fuss, that’s all I ever wanted

I took a cab straight away to my friend and ex room mate in college’s flat in Bangkok.  The cabdriver smiled and placed a thoughtful hand on my shoulder and said “where to?”  in true Thai fashion.  The 40 minute cab ride was $12 US.

It was great to see my friend who had been getting his MBA in London for over the past year.  We went out for street food at 2 AM and called it a night.

I’m safe now.  And I’ll have much more substantial things to write about when I go out and explore the city today.

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