Frequent flyer 101
Jan 15, 06, 9:38 pm
I usually don't write trip reports, probably more due the fact than I'm so lazy, than anything else. However, I wanted to share this fantastic experience I had recently on a domestic SAA flight from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
Having just arrived into CPT on a BA flight from LHR (WT+) and have had no sleep, I made the 500m or so walk from the international to the domestic terminal. There were about 6 SAA agents with only 2 passengers so no queuing was necessary. I have a BMI *G so wasn’t sure about priority check-in. As it turned out it didn’t matter. I tried to get the agent to add my FF# to my boarding pass, but he messed up and it never worked. There was a small gift shop and a café before security so I went through and had a wonder around. There was pub, a few shops and not much else.
I wondered upstairs to the SAA lounge and managed to get in on my BD *G card. I got some palaver about not being allowed in till next year when SAA joins *A, but I assured him that BD already have an agreement to allow its gold and silver card holders lounge access. A junior agent said it was only for codeshare flights. This sounded rubbish, but it could very well have been true. I kept arguing telling the dragons to get their supervisor at which point they caved and I got in.
The lounge was very African, both in colour and the general mood of the place. Very chilled out and a relaxing place to be. Got a bottle of water from the bar and grabbed a muffin. There were a few small snacks available, but no substantial food offerings. Checked my email on one of the PCs. The internet connection was very slow, but I got the impression this was the norm in South Africa. As far as I could tell there was only 1 shower available but it was very clean if a little dated (reminded me a lot of the NZ lounge in NAN if anyone is counting).
Boarding was called and I proceeded to the gate. There were 4 gates within a 20m space where people were being bussed out to the plane. Got on the bus and took a seat. An amazingly attractive white South African chick sits in front of me and we both stare at each other briefly. Suddenly stopped feeling so tired!
After waiting a few minutes for a disable passenger to be boarded, we ascend the stairs of the DC9. What I see amazes me. The plane itself looked a bit aged on the outside, inside it was like going back in time. The DC9, had 2-2 seating, big leather chairs and double armrests on every seat. Pretty cool! I found my seat and sat down next to my seatmate, an older gentleman who seemed pretty tired too. The FAs did the safety demonstration and as there were no life vests under the seats we were instructed, in case of emergency, to remove the bottom of the seat (the part you sit on) and use it as a floatation aid. Interesting!
As I was near the rear of the plane, takeoff was very loud, but we got some of the most amazing views you will ever see from an airplane. Cape Town and especially Table Mountain were simply stunning. Out flight path took us directly along the cost for the most part of the journey which also provided some fantastic views. Flight time was only around 1 hr 30 mins if memory serves. Shortly after takeoff, the FAs come round with lunchboxes containing some OJ, a bun , some ham and cheese, some salad and a dairy milk chocolate bar. Again, pretty good for such a short flight. I made a sandwich out of everything and it taster quite fresh. Drinks were served at the same time. A full bar service was offered with tea + coffee.
Then, something amazing happened making me think how much 9-11 really changed air travel. A small kid and his dad were allowed up to the cockpit to see the pilot. The door was left open for much of the flight and I could see pretty well myself. Five minutes later a young gentleman went up and spent considerable time talking to the pilot, only returning to his seat when the seatbelt sign was switched back on. I was tempted to go up myself, but I was drifting in and out of sleep at this point. I did visit the toilet which turned out to be very cramped and not as clean as it should have been.
As we came into land there was some heavy turbulence. It was a perfect day outside so seemed unusual. As I was so close to the rear we really felt the rudder movements. Anyway 3 bounces later, we landed on the runway and the deafening sound of the reverse thrust kicked in. We taxied to the gate where we simply walked from the plane to baggage reclaim. Didn’t take too long and was out meeting the driver 5 minutes later.
Pretty memorable flight due to the cool seats, life vests, cockpit visits and general buzz about being in Africa for the first time.
I welcome any comments, so long as the are good ones :o
Thanks
Having just arrived into CPT on a BA flight from LHR (WT+) and have had no sleep, I made the 500m or so walk from the international to the domestic terminal. There were about 6 SAA agents with only 2 passengers so no queuing was necessary. I have a BMI *G so wasn’t sure about priority check-in. As it turned out it didn’t matter. I tried to get the agent to add my FF# to my boarding pass, but he messed up and it never worked. There was a small gift shop and a café before security so I went through and had a wonder around. There was pub, a few shops and not much else.
I wondered upstairs to the SAA lounge and managed to get in on my BD *G card. I got some palaver about not being allowed in till next year when SAA joins *A, but I assured him that BD already have an agreement to allow its gold and silver card holders lounge access. A junior agent said it was only for codeshare flights. This sounded rubbish, but it could very well have been true. I kept arguing telling the dragons to get their supervisor at which point they caved and I got in.
The lounge was very African, both in colour and the general mood of the place. Very chilled out and a relaxing place to be. Got a bottle of water from the bar and grabbed a muffin. There were a few small snacks available, but no substantial food offerings. Checked my email on one of the PCs. The internet connection was very slow, but I got the impression this was the norm in South Africa. As far as I could tell there was only 1 shower available but it was very clean if a little dated (reminded me a lot of the NZ lounge in NAN if anyone is counting).
Boarding was called and I proceeded to the gate. There were 4 gates within a 20m space where people were being bussed out to the plane. Got on the bus and took a seat. An amazingly attractive white South African chick sits in front of me and we both stare at each other briefly. Suddenly stopped feeling so tired!
After waiting a few minutes for a disable passenger to be boarded, we ascend the stairs of the DC9. What I see amazes me. The plane itself looked a bit aged on the outside, inside it was like going back in time. The DC9, had 2-2 seating, big leather chairs and double armrests on every seat. Pretty cool! I found my seat and sat down next to my seatmate, an older gentleman who seemed pretty tired too. The FAs did the safety demonstration and as there were no life vests under the seats we were instructed, in case of emergency, to remove the bottom of the seat (the part you sit on) and use it as a floatation aid. Interesting!
As I was near the rear of the plane, takeoff was very loud, but we got some of the most amazing views you will ever see from an airplane. Cape Town and especially Table Mountain were simply stunning. Out flight path took us directly along the cost for the most part of the journey which also provided some fantastic views. Flight time was only around 1 hr 30 mins if memory serves. Shortly after takeoff, the FAs come round with lunchboxes containing some OJ, a bun , some ham and cheese, some salad and a dairy milk chocolate bar. Again, pretty good for such a short flight. I made a sandwich out of everything and it taster quite fresh. Drinks were served at the same time. A full bar service was offered with tea + coffee.
Then, something amazing happened making me think how much 9-11 really changed air travel. A small kid and his dad were allowed up to the cockpit to see the pilot. The door was left open for much of the flight and I could see pretty well myself. Five minutes later a young gentleman went up and spent considerable time talking to the pilot, only returning to his seat when the seatbelt sign was switched back on. I was tempted to go up myself, but I was drifting in and out of sleep at this point. I did visit the toilet which turned out to be very cramped and not as clean as it should have been.
As we came into land there was some heavy turbulence. It was a perfect day outside so seemed unusual. As I was so close to the rear we really felt the rudder movements. Anyway 3 bounces later, we landed on the runway and the deafening sound of the reverse thrust kicked in. We taxied to the gate where we simply walked from the plane to baggage reclaim. Didn’t take too long and was out meeting the driver 5 minutes later.
Pretty memorable flight due to the cool seats, life vests, cockpit visits and general buzz about being in Africa for the first time.
I welcome any comments, so long as the are good ones :o
Thanks