An update to my Lufthansa duck story.
I arrived in Frankfurt and headed over to the First Class Terminal. It’s a short walk from Terminal 1. This was not to access the Terminal, which is only available to same-day departing or arriving First Class passengers. Outbound flights from Los Angeles were full in first class and I had arrived too late in Frankfurt to return immediately to LAX, a flight which leaves at 10:30am.
Instead, the plan was to spend a night in Frankfurt (well, Mainz to be specific) and return t0 the First Class Terminal at opening time the following morning to enjoy the full experience before my flight to Los Angeles.
Nevertheless, I wanted to stop by just to confirm the special, limited-edition ducks were still available. If the supply was already exhausted, the trip would be in vain and I’d just head back immediately on United Airlines and not bother staying overnight.
I approached the Terminal, climbed the stairs to the entrance, and stepped into the lobby.
A lounge attendant came over and greeted me.
I immediately told her that I was not flying today, was not trying to access the lounge, but had flown all the way from Los Angeles for a duck and wanted to confirm there would still be corona ducks available for my flight in the morning.
She stared at me like I was crazy (I don’t blame her…) then asked me if I was flying in first class. I nodded.
Then she sent my heart racing:
“These are very rare. Very limited edition. There are very few left. I cannot reserve one for you. You’ll have to see if they are still available in the morning.”
I wasn’t expecting she would give me one or even hold one for me, but I was hoping to hear that they had plenty left. Almost dumbfounded, I stood there for a moment in silence.
She also stood there in silence, again looking at me like I was from another planet.
So I said goodbye and walked out. There’s currently a train strike taking place on Deutsche Bahn so I had to wait quite a while for a train to Mainz.
But enjoying the rest of my day would be quite a challenge, as my mission objective was in doubt – would there be any ducks left?
I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.
> Read More: I’m Flying To Germany For A Lufthansa Rubber Duck…
Lol, trying to imagine her face when you told her why you were there. She was probably contemplating having you committed.
Next time start throwing things and screaming. All the kids are doing it now in Miami.
You’re one Lucky Duck!!
Her reaction was unnecessary and impolite. You will be a legitimate guest in the First Class lounge tomorrow, as you announced. Hopefully, they’ll have a COVID duck for you tomorrow, and, hopefully, she won’t be on duty.
Her reaction is 100% German – direct and fact-based.
Yes, her reaction was 100% German.
Her reaction was 100% correct.
I cross my fingers and hope you’ll be able to get that special duck. That story is totally nuts but I’m fascinated! At least the Railway strike should be over tomorrow.
Good luck tomorrow! Staying at the Hyatt in Mainz? The strike has been brutal here in Munich as well.
Yes, I love the Hyatt here.
Surprised that they had any left. I was there on the 1rst and got two – and so did my travel buddy: total of 4. They were a bit more liberal that day with the masked ducks. Hope you get one! They also had a few of the olympic ducks, ask the shower attendant for those.
Meh — this post is in bad taste.
‘Oh — I would fly LH FC but if there are no ducks I’ll just fly UA.’ Precocious and pretentious.
Outside of this blog’s necessity to be aspirational (since this is not a go-to blog for actual mileage deals and tricks), you are never actually paying for these flights so nothing is owed to you, like a duck. You’re down here with the rest of us.
Easier to find the place these are made in China and just get one from there. At least you tried getting the right way.
Surprisingly, these ducks are made in Germany.
Just another judgmental German… I’d offer sympathy but you did ask for it. Happy duck hunting and safe travels
Was there today and they tried to give me not one, but three over the course of my 2 hour stay. I think you’re more likely to get one than not, Matthew!
I know who I am calling if I don’t get one! 😉
See, Mathew, try to get an extra duck for your readers. Then think of a contest.
I am definitely not a green ayatollah, but making such a trip for that reason makes me sick. I can only hope no duck available tomorrow.
So did the German border officials deem this to be essential travel?
Doesn’t apply to me since I am vaxxed, but they were amused, as I was quite honest about my reason for the trip.
Well I’m quite amused myself. And I have a collection of about 50 KLM delft houses. But I can’t even fathom making a trip to AMS solely in hopes of getting some special, limited edition house.
That said, fingers crossed you succeed on your mission tomorrow. Would be even sweeter if the same lounge dragon from today gives you the duck.
Do you have #100?
Yes, I have #97-101. I believe I got #100 last summer on an empty TATL (Huis ten Bosch).
They are fun to collect.
So glad to hear this story and the reason for the trip, it brings back the good old days of freely traveling when ever you want to. Will travel ever be the same?
In case you missed it, you made it in the german news „ Ami fliegt 20 000 Kilometer für DIESES Quietsche-Entchen“, Bild online
I think the bigger takeaway here is how understanding his wife is…
As a wife, I totally agree. Especially as he mentioned his business loss.
How do you think I am making up for it?
I’m sure the intent is innocuous but you do realize how tone deaf it sounds to be flying first class to get a rubber ducky?
I bet there will be one for you tomorrow…..I can feel it!
Also dealing with this awful Deutsche Bahn strike in Berlin, thankfully it will be over tomorrow
I am arriving tomorrow — hoping to pick up one as well. Does anyone know if the sleeping rooms are open? Arriving in from SFO and would love a nap prior to enjoying the lounge on my very long layover.
They are open.
Duck her and her attitude, get that ducking duck! You ducking earned it!
I am generally a big fan of this site…
but this is so ridiculous. Who cares about these ducks…really..?
Misguided priorities ×10.
Cant beleive this is even a thread…
Obviously, I care about the ducks. Please see the previous post for an explanation why.
I do.
I do, too.
I’m a bit torn between my aviation enthusiastic self, which loves this, and my pandemic and environmental moral consciousness, which views this as a bit unnecessary.
Anyway, BILD took up this story, so you are a bit more famous now Matt 😉
https://www.bild.de/news/ausland/news-ausland/usa-ami-fliegt-20-000-kilometer-fuer-ein-quietsche-entchen-77588554.bild.html?fbclid=IwAR2AWCHTdQpodqh2ui3UOs7PlUfUh6RtaHZFQzfuXQXgMIdiPCFzA6yp68Q
Did you get one?
Sometimes Germans cannot help but be the worst, and as if they relish being the worse and do it on purpose. Oh wait, unless of course the purpose is to bring more drama for the stupidity you are doing, in which case she executed her role perfectly.
Trust me, I could have done without the drama!
What a Lame Duck story! ;0