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Posted at 7:12AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Paul Henry...incognito... Sorry, the concept is alien to me.

More PR masquerading as 'current affairs'. <sigh>

Posted at 7:53AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

I don't suppose anyone has a copy of the recent promo for Close Up where Henry, in his angry voice, said "I'll demand answers"? (of the police about why a guy in a wheelchair was allowed guns). I really want that sound clip.

Posted at 9:31AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Just to stir the pot a bit, anyone else think the next sin-sational expose of Jet Star not being able to disperse fog with a mystic hand-wave should be lead by a disclosure of Air New Zealand's ad spend on TVNZ?

Posted at 9:45AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Them guys in wheelchairs is jest dangerous to common folk. </chews straw>

Posted at 9:51AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Them guys in wheelchairs is jest dangerous to common folk.

Or Dalek nudists as we geeks (OK, just me) call 'em.

Posted at 9:57AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Heh. Usually defeated by stairs, so the metaphor holds.

Posted at 10:22AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

And when it comes to weird things on television, what to make of Q&A's content-free Winston Peters-Guyon Espiner love in? There's an abnormal psych thesis to be written on the BDSM relationship between Peters and the media, but I was kind of hoping Election Night had been a useful intervention. Seems not.

Posted at 10:25AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Political slashfic in the offing?

Posted at 10:28AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

@sacha

OK now I need to scrub my brain with a wire brush ....

Posted at 10:29AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

About a week or so ago, Paul Henry had an interview with a prison expert and an on-screen one with Peta Sharples. Every time Henry asked a question of Sharples Henry cut him off by talking over the top of him. By my estimate Henry 75% of the words. Sharples 25%. Is this the best interviewing technique that we have????

Posted at 10:47AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Is this the best interviewing technique that we have????

As far as I'm concerned, Simon Dallow is wasted as a glorified autocue reader. When he was fronting the old Agenda, and to my great surprise, he was bloody good at knowing when to STFU and let the subject hang themselves. (And I'd still say Sean Plunket did us all a favour when he caught out David Benson-Pope -- only because he was paying attention to what DBP was saying, and had the lethally perfect follow-up question to hand. Paul Henry couldn't do that, because every interview subject is no more than a straight man to his endless monologue.)

Posted at 10:51AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Or Dalek nudists as wii geeks

They might have conquered stairs, but they'll never do Wii. Well, that is how my mind works.

JetStar initially only had two aeroplanes - lose one to a breakdown and there goes 50% of the fleet. I think they've got three now, but it still looks like they were "ambitious for New Zealand" with their assumptions about seviceability, weather, and sortie rate in our climate & airport mix. But still, I don't get what it is with people who book a cheap as chips seat on a notorious budget carrier who has every incentive to over book and bump you then think it the height of urban sophistication and cleverness to breezily sweep into the airport 5 minutes before the gates close.

Turn up at least 90 minutes early, get checked in and enjoy the unfamiliar fun of having absolutely nothing to do by reading a *gasp* book or newspaper or having a proper, leisurely meal.

Posted at 10:53AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Who actually wastes their time watching the odious little man? It must only to be to exercise their gag reflex.
I'd prefer the title. "I'm Henry. Flay me."

Posted at 11:03AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

..by reading a *gasp* book or newspaper or having a proper, leisurely meal.

Where can one get a leisurely meal at the airport that does not taste like shredded suitcase or cost at least as much as the fare you have paid?

Posted at 11:03AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Turn up at least 90 minutes early, get checked in and enjoy the unfamiliar fun of having absolutely nothing to do by reading a *gasp* book or newspaper or having a proper, leisurely meal.

Or at Wellington, using the free wi-fi. Man that's sweet.

Posted at 11:27AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Or at Wellington, using the free wi-fi. Man that's sweet.

Auckland as well, IIRC.

Posted at 11:45AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

I don't suppose anyone has a copy of the recent promo for Close Up where Henry, in his angry voice, said "I'll demand answers"? (of the police about why a guy in a wheelchair was allowed guns). I really want that sound clip.

Don't have it, but saw it at girlfriend's. Talk about being inspired to change channels.

Posted at 11:59AM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Auckland as well, IIRC.

Pretty sure not, actually. There's wi-fi but it's pay.

The other thing about the Welly airport wi-fi is that it's actually pretty bangin'.

Posted at 12:51PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Another thought on Jetstar. I think it's less about the number of planes and more about the maths. Airlines jealously guard the formulas they use, but you'd think RULE NUMBER ONE would be to set your parameters a little less aggressively on entry into a new market. I'm not against overbooking per se, but if you don't understand the market and have a rough idea on no-shows, you'd think you'd start cautiously, precisely to avoid bad publicity.

I know in Europe it's common for people to book 1 Euro flights THEN consider whether they actually want to fly, but I'm not sure New Zealanders have that mentality yet.

Posted at 12:59PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

There's wi-fi but it's pay.

I got free wi-fi there not long ago. It may have been accidental. They didn't seem to be advertising it.

Posted at 1:02PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

I'm not against overbooking per se, but if you don't understand the market and have a rough idea on no-shows, you'd think you'd start cautiously, precisely to avoid bad publicity.

EXACTLY. I get the feeling they just applied the formula that had been working for them in Australia, and assumed she'd be sweet.

Probably not the first or last time for that, sad to say.

Posted at 2:23PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

David:

You're probably right, but wasn't it Warren Buffett who said airlines were right up there with Broadway musicals on the list of things he'd never invest in? I don't see how anyone turns a profit in either without a lot of time spent marinading in red ink.

Posted at 2:36PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

I had a few hours wait at Auckland Airport a couple of months back- Domestic and International. No free wifi that worked as I recall, although a few of the shops gave off a signal.

The paid wifi service was also pretty slow, and signal strength came and went (possibly due to numbers using it)

Christchurch airport has 15 minutes free (when the cables aren't cut).

Posted at 2:40PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

..by reading a *gasp* book or newspaper or having a proper, leisurely meal.

For me the space through security, when checking onto an international flight, is one of the last peaceful sanctuaries. There's nothing left to do - you have to wait. It's allowed! It's like a bonus , a proper break, the kind we used to get when morning tea, lunch, and smoko in the days when such things were universally observed.

Admittedly, I do tend to take my laptop with me. But still, I love the chance to relax that flying brings.

Posted at 2:40PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

</quote>Christchurch airport has 15 minutes free</quote>

"Warholian Wi-Fi."

Posted at 3:44PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Just to stir the pot a bit, anyone else think the next sin-sational expose of Jet Star not being able to disperse fog with a mystic hand-wave should be lead by a disclosure of Air New Zealand's ad spend on TVNZ?

No, they can't disperse fog with a wave of their hand. But they *can* change how they treat passengers when fog interferes with their flights, and my experience of Air New Zealand has always been that they are extremely accomodating and helpful when weather intervenes with their schedule. By all accounts, Jetstar are not. That sure as hell counts for something.

Posted at 4:08PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

I don't suppose anyone has a copy of the recent promo for Close Up where Henry, in his angry voice, said "I'll demand answers"? I really want that sound clip.

I'm not sure why, but this makes me think Hadyn wants to use the Henry clip like this:

Person A: Hey, shall we see if Hadyn wants to join us for a curry?
Person B: Good idea! I'll give him a call. [phones Hadyn]
Hadyn's phone: I'LL DEMAND ANSWERS.
Person B: WTF? Hello?
Hadyn's phone: I'LL DEMAND ANSWERS.
Person B: Hadyn? Dude, are you there?
Person A: What's going on?
Person B: It's weird - it sounds like someone's there, but I keep hearing this Paul Henry clip.
Hadyn's phone: I'LL DEMAND ANSWERS. I'LL DEMAND ANSWERS. I'LL DEMAND ANSWERS.
Person B: Hadyn, if you are there, do you want to join us for a curry or not?
Hadyn's phone: Oh, yeah. OK.
Person B: Cool. See you later.
Hadyn's phone: Hey, you know earlier - did you think it was Paul Henry on my phone?
Person B: What? No.
Hadyn's phone: I'LL DEMAND ANSWERS.

Fin

Posted at 4:28PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Hadyn's phone: Hey, you know earlier - did you think it was Paul Henry on my phone?
Person B: What? No.
Hadyn's phone: I'LL DEMAND ANSWERS.
Fin

That's a funny! On a lady!

Posted at 4:34PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

By all accounts, Jetstar are not. That sure as hell counts for something.

Lucy: To play devil's advocate for a second, yes it's enormously frustrating being put on standby again. Or finding your flight has been over-booked. But I've also seen alleged grown-up behave towards check-in clerks (who don't control the weather, or have a say in their employer's booking and check-in policies) in ways that would receive a Wimbledon-worthy backhand if directed at me. And I wouldn't need much of that before reverting to my "fuck you" default setting.

Posted at 7:09PM on 6 Jul 09. Permalink.

Or finding your flight has been over-booked. But I've also seen alleged grown-up behave towards check-in clerks (who don't control the weather, or have a say in their employer's booking and check-in policies) in ways that would receive a Wimbledon-worthy backhand if directed at me. And I wouldn't need much of that before reverting to my "fuck you" default setting.

Dude, I work retail; you don't need to convince me the customer is barely ever right, and usually only by sheer coincidence. I'm just reporting my experience of *good* airline behaviour in such a situation, which no-one seems to have had with Jetstar - and I've heard stories about Jetstar in Australia which don't make it sound any better.