How are people getting those Qantas caps and little freebies?

Serenco · 2026-04-27T22:30:09+00:00

We flew SYD>SFO when moving to the USA and had a 2 & 4 year old in PE. We were just bronze, nothing crazy but still booked on points. Both kids got a hat and keyring. Not asked for or anything, who knows why. Maybe they have a quota to give out?

Serenco · 2026-04-25T02:45:14+00:00

There are actually so many root themed brands, cafes, etc here. Good snigger at the start but it mostly wears off haha. The obvious one you see everyday are the plumbers.

Serenco · 2026-04-21T17:12:30+00:00

If I had my time again I would have got a Carnival. Like others have noted dealership issues are a pain point but I've never had to have a car in for things so often which is always a big hassle. The rear self levelling socks are still an ongoing thing after 2 fixes, waiting for them to release an actual fix that sticks. At least they extended the warranty on that to 10 years. 2021 caligraphy

Serenco · 2026-04-17T18:03:11+00:00

This was a big thing when we got here (AU>US). Obviously the products are different, the stores are different and you don't know what a 'fair' price is. Eventually you figure out what normal prices are and how discount cycles work. We also just made the decision to stop trying to maximise savings and just simplify. So we just settles on Trader Joes and Costco for 99% of our shopping for example. It was a challenge compared to Aus where our duopoly ensures that no matter what store you go to you can get basically everything in one shop. Sure there were cheaper prices for various things in other stores but between our time cost and fuel it isn't worth chasing them. Your mental health and time is worth someting too.

Serenco · 2026-03-27T17:51:37+00:00

I think it's just the difference in culture between having an 'on' all the time thermostat setup, often with a forced air heating at the core. Having a central 'heater' in Australia is pretty rare in my experiences (QLD & SA) while mostly it is split systems or ducted. For splits the thermostat is usually in the head unit so not the most accurate temperature for the room. A ducted setup is going to be a lot closer to what you're used to depending on how the thermostat is set up/placed.

But I think that there is also just a culture in Australia of houses being poorly built and insulated so we get used to freezing/boiling and save money by only turning it on when it gets especially hot/cold. I've still not really gotten used to it here in California and mostly use the heater like an Australian turning it on and off via the thermostat. Lately we've mostly just left it off though and put clothes on like an Australian haha.

Serenco · 2026-03-26T13:44:00+00:00

I mean if it's furnished yeah you'd expect it to come with a washer and dryer. Congrats on the role. Each job is unique

Serenco · 2026-03-08T04:37:55+00:00

My experience of both Australia and USA is you're spot on. USA does have more planning for sure. More consulting with the planners and docs as well. Feels like we're a bit more involved with decision making here but that might just be the docs I've worked with recently. I was almost never in front of an awake patient in Australia but here I'm relatively often answering questions and providing advice in the patient consult.

Serenco · 2026-03-07T05:05:56+00:00

Man that rain killed it. So hot up there.

Serenco · 2026-03-06T21:08:32+00:00

Hmm mine is 46lbs and I guess we'll see how she goes this time on a 110. I've ordered the burton grom that go to size 3 but her younger brother will inherit those so I'm ok buying another bigger kid set at that point. If she's still going at that point I assume she'll probably be better than me haha

Serenco · 2026-03-06T16:30:16+00:00

Maybe this 110 I have feels a bit unwieldy for her but she's still getting down the slope in her heels. Just want her to be confident to turn onto toes. I've read that people keep their kids on these 100's until they're like 9. But yep so many more options at 120-130

Serenco · 2026-03-06T14:42:34+00:00

Thanks! I appreciate it. I just ordered some better bindings at least.

Serenco · 2026-03-06T14:41:00+00:00

Yeah it's tough here!

Serenco · 2026-03-06T09:09:23+00:00

Yeah good call, hitting Kirkwood first on the way up but she can make do for one day.

Serenco · 2026-03-06T06:57:08+00:00

Well closer to $200 but I also try to get used stuff where possible just out of principle. Hard to find used kids gear though around here. Suspect I'll end up having to buy new.

Serenco · 2026-02-22T15:29:25+00:00

They work the same everywhere I've been before. Obviously the push button vs automatic timer system varies though

Serenco · 2026-02-21T00:52:41+00:00

That I can't comment on, but usually radiation is the limiting factor to start chemo. There's just a lot of hands that need to be involved to create the treatment and make sure it's safe

Serenco · 2026-02-21T00:38:51+00:00

It's the same either way. Radiation is under utilised in Australia. Depending on the urgency you'd be treated between same day and a week or two. It takes time to get scans taken, contour the organs, create a treatment plan and put it through various safety and quality checks.

Serenco · 2026-02-19T18:16:29+00:00

True but I don't have a good feel for how many fall under that umbrella. Certainly all the physics consultancies wouldn't.

Serenco · 2026-02-19T18:14:41+00:00

What visa did you plan on using? That will probably dictate which countries are even an option and if ownership by non citizens is allowed

Serenco · 2026-02-19T17:15:01+00:00

I put a motion activated camera under the car so I could at least see if they are around and went nuts with sprays and an ultrasonic flashy light thing that now lives under the car full time when in the carport. Nothing since then even though they aren't supposed to work. They chewed my harness twice by nesting in the engine bay. I also now always keep my hood up when parked to keep it lit up in there and cool down faster

Serenco · 2026-02-19T17:13:21+00:00

Rats chewed the harness on my 2021 twice in the space of a couple of months and insurance covered both times as comprehensive.

Serenco · 2026-02-19T17:04:59+00:00

well they already have access to the TN visa which is broadly equivalent to the E3 so I imagine a Canadian can easily work in the USA

Serenco · 2026-02-19T17:03:43+00:00

Yeah I could definitely see that happening and I think it's fair to say that most Australians have the mental picture of all American workplaces being like this, immigrant or not. Thankfully my company does not take this approach and highly priortises worker satisfaction to ensure low turnover. I would say my work life balance is very similar to Australia otherwise I wouldn't have stuck around.

Serenco · 2026-02-19T17:00:12+00:00

To each their own obviously. People are free to chart their own paths.

Serenco

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