NorthWest SIN-NRT-DTW Part I

September 25th 2006

After nights of packing, I am finally ready to fly!

2:00am : Woke up to shower and do some last minute packing. Had to do things quietly cos mom was sleeping and she'll have to wake up early later for her flight to hong kong.

3:10am : Called COMFORT cab. Hey! I got a Mercs taxi!

3:20am : Cab arrives. The driver was really good. He got down to help me load my luggages, one of which is quite heavy, and opened the passenger door for me! Wah.. good service :p

3:45am : Arrive at Changi Airport Terminal 1. Northwest counter was bustling with airline and security personels. Wah.... the levels of security they have now.
Upon entering the check-in area, one is directed to one of many counters manned by securitty guys.
Basic questions were fielded: What is the prupose of this trip? Where, in America, will you be visiting? Did you pack the luggages yourself? Whether you are carrying and guns or knives or any of the following objects (show a picture of a selection of "weapons")....etc etc.
So silly. As if someone who is really carrying such items will admit to carrying them!
Interesting questions in terms about carrying fluids and stuff were asked too: Are you carrying any form of liquid in your hand-carry? Well, I had several vials of eye drops in my bag. So I had to show it to the guy. Ha! The guy was quite surprised that the vials are actually eye drops. (He was more familiar with "eyemo" and those which are used by contact lens users.) I was then pitching to him the benefits in using these individual vials, eg no preservativs, easier to carry around.
Next, e-ticketing machines. So silly again... the whole point of e-ticketing machines is to have less counters for check-in. But at each machine, a person has been posted there to help with the check-in. Mine was even helping me tab on the screen! I can do that myself, mah! And after collecting my tickets, I have to proceed to the counter behind to check-in my luggages.
Hmmmm. I think I may have been spared from a more thorough security check which is located on one side of the area. Phew! Imagine someone rummaging through my luggage after have I have packed so nicely!!!!!!

4:00am : Finally! Went through the immigration and was surprised to see DFS and some shops were open!

4:30am : Arrive at Gate D44. There's a queue again. Wah! A LOT of security checks!
First, they checked through my things and I had to bring out my eye drops AGAIN.
Next, the metal detactor and X-ray machine for my bags. Again, opened up my bags to check my electronics: hp, pda, camera.
Next, another counter where one guy swaped the exterior of my bags and chuck the swap into a machine (apparently to check for traces of explosives). Another guy told me to take off my shoes so that he can check through it! Ha! Poor fellow... stuck with looking at people's smelly shoes. Lucky for him, I was wearing new sneakers!
Then, finally, the airline counter which led into the sitting area.

5:00am : Entered airplane and found my seat easily. Wah!!!!!! Personal entertainment unit! YEAH! New plane, Airbus 330, feels bigger, lots of headroom when standing cos the compartments are higher (though I couldn't see the sign properly.. had to jump up and down a couple of times), spacious seats, even spacious lavatories! Hmmm feels like SQ!

6:00am : Plane moving on the tarmac towards the beginning of the runway. Yeah!