Qantas Next Generation Check-in

Qantas says it has worked closely with Australian designer Marc Newson in the design of its new Next Generation Check-in experience, which will launch in
Perth next week.

It will feature product elements including a new Qantas Frequent Flyer Card, Q Card Reader and Bag Drop facility. The Q Bag Tag, a world first, was designed exclusively for Qantas by Newson.

The new Qantas Frequent Flyer Card features an “intelligent Q” smart chip and will act as a permanent boarding pass, replacing eligible customers’ existing Frequent Flyer cards. The card will be used at various points throughout the experience, including at check-in, at bag drop, and to board the aircraft. Customers arriving at the airport who have not yet checked in online or via their mobile device, will be able to simply touch their card at an all-new Q Card Reader located throughout the check-in hall. The simple and clean design of the Q Card Reader will provide both visual and audible recognition of successful check-in.

All customers travelling with bags will be able to use the new Bag Drop service at Next Generation Check-in airports. The Bag Drop injector has been designed to ensure the Bag Drop process is simple and quick for all customers and will eliminate queuing for those travelling with bags.

Throughout the Perth trial of Next Generation Check-in, construction and training will continue in Sydney, which will be ready to launch later in 2010, followed by
Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra in 2011. The program is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2011.

Family of missing Britain abroad launch appeal on his birthday

London - The family of missing British journalist ...Michael Dixon has today launched an awareness campaign to mark his first birthday since going missing abroad. Michael, who will turn 34 on the 19th July 2010, vanished without trace after leaving his hotel while on holiday in Tamarindo, Costa Rica last October (the same town where Australian tourist, Brendan Dobbins went missing in 2005).

To mark his birthday the family has launched T-shirts featuring "Help Find Michael Dixon" with some facts about his disappearance. This t-shirt can be purchased for £12.00 on the webpage.

People buying the T-shirt are being asked to support the search by wearing the T-Shirt on Michael's birthday and sendng a picture of themselves to info@helpfindmichaeldixon.com. The campaign is supported by several celebrities including Grace Jones and Kiss FM DJ
Shortee Blitz.

The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of Michael's disappearance and to help the family fund what is now a 10-month-long effort to find out what has happened to him.The funds made from selling the T-shirt will support expenses to find Michael such as the hiring of Personal Investigators and professional search teams.

David Dixon, Michael's brother said: "We will never give up looking for Michael, but we can't do this alone. Please support us by wearing this T-shirt. By wearing the T-shirt we hope to raise awareness Michael's case and remind the world about the many people who go missing abroad without a trace. There are many families like ours who go through the pain of not knowing what happened to their brother, sister, son or daughter."

Michael Dixon, a British journalist based in Brussels, disappeared while on vacation in Costa Rica. He was reportedly last seen on October 18th leaving his hotel in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. To date there are no leads as to what may have happened to Michael, it is thought he has fallen victim of a crime.

--
David Dixon
Email: david.dixon79@gmail.com
Please help find my Brother Michael Dixon!

http://www.helpfindmichaeldixon.com/content/online-store

Kai to Pie: A Taste of Russia this Weekend

World on Your Plate: Russian
This Saturday, 11am - 3pm
Free (gold coin donation for tastings)
Atrium
Join chef Olga Podtikanova, and Iryna Zhemchugova of Vintage Café for a demonstration of Russian cooking followed by food tastings. They will prepare Siberian Pelmeni (Siberian meat dumplings) and Pierogi. In addition, enjoy performances of Russian children's songs, folk music and a performance from soprano Viktoriya Dodoka, singing songs to Rachmaninov.

Pierogi: An Eastern European Icon
At this weekend's Russian World on Your Plate, you will have the chance to taste Pierogi. Pierogi are semi-circular dumplings of unleavened dough stuffed with a variety of fillings such as mashed potato, cheese, sauerkraut, spinach, meat and even fruit fillings such as strawberry, raspberry and cherry depending on the cook's preference.
Pierogi are popular in Russia, Eastern Europe, and America due to the large Eastern European immigrant population - there is even a Pierogi Festival held in Indiana.
Make your own pierogi with a recipe on our blog from Iryna Zhemchugova of Vintage Café.

AUCKLANDMUSEUM.COM