hoyateach
Jul 21, 05, 7:20 pm
I don't typically post trip reports about flight segments but this one is an exception, cross-posted from my LiveJournal.
Here's a brief recap.
Up at 0645, ride with aunt to train station, train to airport, get there around 0830. No line at check-in, no line at security (one of the TSA guys is the brother of a college classmate, it turned out), free access to WorldClub courtesy of Asian address and gold elite status with Northwest. Had a toasted bagel with cream cheese, 2 glasses of orange juice, and some bloody awful cran-apple which I immediately discarded.
Flight at 1024, seat 2-D (first class! woohoo!) on a classic DC-9-50, and decided at the last minute to leave my camera broken down and stowed away in the overhead bin. Stupid, stupid, stupid idea...
The weather was clear all the way to Detroit. Flew out over Boston, which was beautful in the summer sun, but no camera equals no picture. I spotted my grandmother's house (using Malden Hospital as a landmark) and could've had a shot of that. But since were still climbing, I couldn't get up for my camera. And then we flew over Niagara Falls! By the time I noticed it, it was too late the get the camera and put it together in time for a shot. But holy cow... I am NEVER stowing my camera away ever again.
Got to Detroit on time, lingered in the WorldClub, had another bagel. I also indulged in a Bailey's Irish Cream to complement the free Milano and Brussels cookies I was putting away. A drink before a long flight helps make me sleepy, you see. Then we boarded, seat 32-G (center section right-side aisle), empty seat beside me, room to spread out. And here's where things got interesting.
We pulled away from the gate on time at 1435 and were taxiing toward the runway when we heard a loud THWANG! right beneath us. It sounded for all the world like a blown tire and the thwap-thwap-thwap as we rolled seemed to confirm that. The captain announced that they had an indicator light in the cockpit and were headed back to the gate. We rolled, sat, rolled, sat, and then kept sitting as a team of mechanics came out for a look. Finally, at 1530 and after a few meaningless updates, the captain told us that the actuator on the right main gear was blown, making turning the plane on the ground all but impossible. We then waited some more. Since we were close to the gate, we exited via stairway and walked along the tarmac, up some more stairs, and back into the terminal. (This time, I did have my camera out and got some pics of the hamstrung jumbo from ground level.) We all lined up at gate A54 for our TCVs (credit vouchers for meals, a phone card, etc.) and then waited. Soon, there was an announcement that Flight 25 to Tokyo-Narita was rescheduled to leave at 1830, 4 hours late. I waited some more in the WorldClub, had some Scotch, talked to my sweetie on the phone, tried to work out new family meeting arrangements for my arrival, and then finally, finally got on the plane and took off. The flight west to Tokyo usually takes 12.5-13 hours but we did it in 11.5 -- the captain said he was going to go faster than usual to try and make up some lost time.
I brought my own burrito from Rio Wraps at Detroit Metro and wolfed it down when drink service began. I read Arthur Hailey's "Airport" (it seemed a fitting choice) cover to cover and then dozed the rest of the way. We landed at 2030 local time and, near as I can tell, I was one of the first through customs. Caught the 2043 Narita Express train to Tokyo Sta., switched to the Keihin-Tohoku (the blue trains) commuter train to Kamata Sta., caught a short taxi ride to dad's hospital, and got to spend some time with him (he's recovering from diabetes complications) before I had to begin the 90-minute journey to the house.
I was dead tired when I got home. It's the next morning now and I still am.
Here's a brief recap.
Up at 0645, ride with aunt to train station, train to airport, get there around 0830. No line at check-in, no line at security (one of the TSA guys is the brother of a college classmate, it turned out), free access to WorldClub courtesy of Asian address and gold elite status with Northwest. Had a toasted bagel with cream cheese, 2 glasses of orange juice, and some bloody awful cran-apple which I immediately discarded.
Flight at 1024, seat 2-D (first class! woohoo!) on a classic DC-9-50, and decided at the last minute to leave my camera broken down and stowed away in the overhead bin. Stupid, stupid, stupid idea...
The weather was clear all the way to Detroit. Flew out over Boston, which was beautful in the summer sun, but no camera equals no picture. I spotted my grandmother's house (using Malden Hospital as a landmark) and could've had a shot of that. But since were still climbing, I couldn't get up for my camera. And then we flew over Niagara Falls! By the time I noticed it, it was too late the get the camera and put it together in time for a shot. But holy cow... I am NEVER stowing my camera away ever again.
Got to Detroit on time, lingered in the WorldClub, had another bagel. I also indulged in a Bailey's Irish Cream to complement the free Milano and Brussels cookies I was putting away. A drink before a long flight helps make me sleepy, you see. Then we boarded, seat 32-G (center section right-side aisle), empty seat beside me, room to spread out. And here's where things got interesting.
We pulled away from the gate on time at 1435 and were taxiing toward the runway when we heard a loud THWANG! right beneath us. It sounded for all the world like a blown tire and the thwap-thwap-thwap as we rolled seemed to confirm that. The captain announced that they had an indicator light in the cockpit and were headed back to the gate. We rolled, sat, rolled, sat, and then kept sitting as a team of mechanics came out for a look. Finally, at 1530 and after a few meaningless updates, the captain told us that the actuator on the right main gear was blown, making turning the plane on the ground all but impossible. We then waited some more. Since we were close to the gate, we exited via stairway and walked along the tarmac, up some more stairs, and back into the terminal. (This time, I did have my camera out and got some pics of the hamstrung jumbo from ground level.) We all lined up at gate A54 for our TCVs (credit vouchers for meals, a phone card, etc.) and then waited. Soon, there was an announcement that Flight 25 to Tokyo-Narita was rescheduled to leave at 1830, 4 hours late. I waited some more in the WorldClub, had some Scotch, talked to my sweetie on the phone, tried to work out new family meeting arrangements for my arrival, and then finally, finally got on the plane and took off. The flight west to Tokyo usually takes 12.5-13 hours but we did it in 11.5 -- the captain said he was going to go faster than usual to try and make up some lost time.
I brought my own burrito from Rio Wraps at Detroit Metro and wolfed it down when drink service began. I read Arthur Hailey's "Airport" (it seemed a fitting choice) cover to cover and then dozed the rest of the way. We landed at 2030 local time and, near as I can tell, I was one of the first through customs. Caught the 2043 Narita Express train to Tokyo Sta., switched to the Keihin-Tohoku (the blue trains) commuter train to Kamata Sta., caught a short taxi ride to dad's hospital, and got to spend some time with him (he's recovering from diabetes complications) before I had to begin the 90-minute journey to the house.
I was dead tired when I got home. It's the next morning now and I still am.