Los Angeles, California

Damian & Leah Perriman: July 6, 2001 Los Angeles World Airport
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• Friday - July 6, 2001:
• This was my first trip to Los Angeles World Airport. Moreover, I had not flown on an international flight in thirty one years, so, I was uncertain as to what to expect. We made our way down to the baggage claim carousel and we found only one piece of luggage. So, I went to file a claim for missing luggage with Continental Airlines. The fella there informed me that my luggage was automatically sent over to the international terminal to be routed through to Qantas Airways. He said I was fortunate to find the one piece on the carousel because that, too, should have been sent over to Qantas. It contained an old family photo album from Australia.
• I thought Los Angeles World Airport was a crowded and hectic place. I was relieved to know that we had plenty of time to catch our 10:30 p.m. departure on Qantas Flight 12 to Sydney, Australia. I pitied anyone who would have to be in a rush to make a connecting flight at LAX [In 2004 it would happen to me].
• Next, we were supposed to meet up with my cousin Fay's grandson, Damian Perrimen and his wife Leah. I had them paged at the Continental ticket counter. Damian was a big help as he walked us over to the international terminal and showed us around the airport a bit. We had a small dinner with he and Leah at this Express Cafe on the second level. We chatted about Alexander Kennedy[see below] and family. Damian and Leah were very pleasant and I was happy that we had a chance to meet them.
• We made our way through security after bidding goodbye to Damian and Leah. I was quite moved at seeing a Qantas aircraft for the first time in 31 years. I am a great grandson of Alexander Kennedy, who was the first passenger on Qantas. The flight took place on November 22, 1922, from Longreach to Cloncurry in Queensland, Australia. In exchange for the number ticket, Kennedy sat on the provisional board of the Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Service. Many in my family say that I am dead ringer for Kennedy and my middle name is taken from his first name. Hudson Fysh was the pilot on that first flight and later he would write Kennedy's biography entitled, " Taming of The North."
• Deep Vein Thrombosis[DVT] is the pooling of the blood due to inactivity and can create a blood clot that can prove to be life threatening. On long flights it is a matter of serious concern. Qantas showed exercises for passengers that reduces the ill-effects of DVT. My aunt sent me an article about DVT and a story about an English girl who died from a blood clot after a long flight from Australia to London. I decided to take an aspirin to thin my blood before we took off on the 14 1/2 hour flight to Sydney. Half way through the flight I took another aspirin. I advised my family to sleep as much as possible to help reduce the ill effects of jet lag. I moved about and ate in a timely manner in between naps. My wife's fear of flying dissipated significantly on the Qantas flight. She smiled, ate, and was relaxed and at ease.
• I found the flight attendants and service on Qantas to be excellent. The attendants smiled and greeted you warmly and their attention to the welfare and comfort of the passengers was refreshing. We had skipped ahead a day after crossing the International Date Line. As we approached Australia, the sun began to rise behind us about a half hour out from Sydney. Our landing was smooth in the early twilight of dawn and you could see the red tile roofs of the Sydney suburbs on final approach. It was an emotional moment for me to return " home " after 31 years.

I went to file a claim for missing luggage with Continental Airlines.