The earth is rounded 4

The beginning of "The earth is rounded vol.4" was really for Japanese people, talking about how you get to central Tokyo from Narita Airport with various transport. I'll skip on that.

My stay in Japan on this trip was only for 6days. My jet lag is getting worse and worse now a days, and I don't want to believe it is due my age. Well, a holiday like this short, I spend my time with Irish time zone. Therefore I do not suffer jet lag when I get back to Dublin. I was up until around 4a.m. and get up at noon while I was in Japan.

I haven't done much in Japan this time. I spent time with family most of the time. It was a bit too late for Cherry blossom season, but it was nicely not too cold, not too hot. I went to Onsen spa, and went to some place to eat nice food.

About my stand by ticket, what happens if the flight was totally full? No prob. You can change flight and destination. Problem on that day was that I definitely needed to arrive in New York on that day and there is no other way to be there without using a non stop flight. If full, then I had to ask captain to give up his seat (Ooops, that called hi-jack).

UA800 / destination New York JFK

This plain is quite often full in Business and First class, and empty in Economy. I have travelled in Economy class on this flight (for 13hours) before, and it was absolutely disaster. Hmmmm, which seat am I gonna get on? I have to wait the result at the gate.

By the way, today was the day the new terminal opened in Narita Airport. This terminal was to integrate all the Star Alliance airlines to be in one terminal. There was TV cameras everywhere and even Maiko miodels.

Hidekis without check-in baggage, went straight to the Electric check-in machine, and that was done within 1 minute. Received a boarding pass (without seat number), I proceeded to the security hall and passport control.

As I entered the passport control, I almost screemed


Empty...


The passport control hall in Narita airport usually filled with full of people queueing and my job was to find out which queue is moving faster than others. It is important to see how each immiguration officers handling it and you know, the shorter queue sometimes moves slower than others.

But today, there is not queue in front of probably about 6 conters. I don't have to worry about this kind of crap. Biggest benefit of the new terminal.


Viva new terminal!


Now as usual, I wait in front of the gate of UA800 until all the passengers get on board, then my name will be called, if not full flight....


Brand new self check-in machine. One machine can handle a number of different airlines system.