Air India : Jumpseat to Heathrow and Business Class back
May 11, 2003, 8:14 am
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Join Date: Aug 2000
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Air India : Jumpseat to Heathrow and Business Class back
I decided to try my hand at a new style of writing this trip report, so please bear with the experimental finished product. For reference, at the time of the trip local time in India was GMT +5.5 and London was GMT +1.
I had some personal work to attend to in London with a soon-to-be-expiring nonrev pass to get me there and back from India. Accordingly, I decided to make a mini-vacation out of it by cashing in some Hilton points and catching up with some friends.
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ACT I : The outbound (aka Hell)
13MAR03 2100hrs GMT
Awaken and check the latest loads. There are three 744s scheduled to depart for Heathrow within an hour of each other this morning, but a quick check of the computer shows that every nonrev's nightmare has just been realized.
Wake up dad and get him to call ops to find out which captains are scheduled to operate these flights. Gut feeling says that my only chance of getting to London today is on a jumpseat. (Editors note : Air India allows non-revenue passengers including families who meet cetain criteria to travel on jumpseats with the approval of the commander). The commander for 129 he knows casually, but the pilot scheduled for 101 is a good friend. 121 operates through DEL and currently has no commander assigned yet for the first leg. The reserve pool for this shift throws up a couple of interesting names, one being an outright ... and the other a moody temperamental sort. Looks like 101 is my best bet, but I'll head down to the airport early and try them all.
13MAR03 2230hrs GMT
The airport is a zoo at 4am local time. There are thousands of passengers standing in line trying to check in. In addition to the trio of Heathrow flights there are also 747s to Frankfurt and Jeddah leaving, plus the morning Airbus bank to the Middle East. Dad flashes his retired staff ID and the security guard waves him through to the offices where he is warmly welcomed into his former fiefdom. I stand around in the public area looking lost.
13MAR03 2245hrs GMT
Dad emerges from the offices with a grim look. All three flights are oversold badly. He chainsmokes as he prowls around the crew checkin counter waiting for the pilots to arrive. The NO SMOKING sign is prominent above his head, but the minions won't dare say a word to their former boss.
13MAR03 2300hrs GMT
No pilots yet, but the nonrevs are out in force. There are 53 of us trying for the various flights today. Each 744 has 7 spare jumpseats for the commander to sanction to any nonrevs at his discretion, but the crew shortage lately means some extra jumpseats may open up if the cabin crew is operating with a reduced complement.
13MAR03 2305hrs GMT
The captain for 129 arrives and is immediately mobbed by everyone waving jumpseat requests for him to sign off on. He fights his way to the counter and greets the few folks there he has actually met before, thankfully including dad. He is followed a few minutes later by the guy who will be operating 121 upto Delhi. He is in a foul mood having been woken up to take this flight after the originally scheduled pilot got delayed somewhere else. He uses some choice words on a poor ramper who almost pokes him in the eye with a pen in his excitement, the gist of which explained which bodily orifice he could stuff his jumpseat request into.
13MAR03 2310hrs GMT
The pilots disappear into ops for their briefings and the crowds nervously mill about outside. The news filters through from Cabin Crew Movement Control that 129 will be short 4 crew and 101 will be short 3 crew. 121 will have a full complement upto Delhi, but the leg into Heathrow will be reduced by FIVE from normal complement. With full loads booked, it will be hard work for the crews but also means that 12 extra jumpseaters can fly today.
13MAR03 2315hrs GMT
One of the ground supervisors emerges from ops with a list of folks who have been authorized jumpseats for 129. Since that aircraft continues on to Chicago, they are only taking jumpseaters bound for there. Same deal with 101 and New York. Us London folks have to take our chances with the 121 via Delhi.
13MAR03 2320hrs GMT
The commander for 121 storms out of ops yelling obscenities at the poor dispatcher. Turns out that they not only have him flying up to DEL right now, but deadheading offline back to BOM 2 hours later, operating another BOM-DEL later in the day, overnighting in DEL, deadheading to LHR the next morning and then operating back to BOM. He is not amused. No one dares approach him for a jumpseat request.
13MAR03 2325hrs GMT
The co-pilot for 121 quietly taps my dad on the shoulder and draws us aside. The captain has calmed down and authorized my jumpseat request as well as a couple other folks. I thank him and head down to the desks to checkin. Obtain my boarding pass for seat number JMP together with a lounge invitation (since I'm using one of my higher priority passes today, I'm entitled to lounge access).
13MAR03 2345hrs GMT
Immigration and customs formalities completed, I head to the Maharaja lounge. I help myself to a coke and the attendant brings around a plate of breakfast muffins. Looking out the window, I spot the three 747s waiting to leave for Heathrow. We are to be on VT-ESM, the original B747-437 and so far only one of two configured with the new First Class seats (Editors note : All 744s have since been converted). 129 to Chicago has been assigned to VT-ESN, the other craft with the new seats. 101 to New York will be operated by VT-EVJ, the adopted baby of the fleet and the only AI 747 that I haven't flown yet. Ah well, theres always next time.
13MAR03 2355hrs GMT
Final call for 129 and first call for 121. I run into one of the retired Heathrow staff who will also be on the flight with me and head out with her to the Duty Free.
14MAR03 0015hrs GMT
Proceed through airport security with minimal hassles. At the jetway, company security checks my passport and other documents before waving me aboard.
14MAR03 0020hrs GMT
Enter through door 1L and immediately run into Neville, the Inflight Supervisor. I introduce myself as one of the jumpseaters and he directs me to Business Class upstairs, advising me to grab some sleep on the first leg as the next segment would be hell. Upstairs is deserted. There are only 3 revenue passengers in the forward section and a handful of us nonrevs at the rear. The Purser recognizes me and asks after my dad.
14MAR03 0040hrs GMT
Cold towels and pre-flight drinks have been served. Doors are ready to close. We have been joined upstairs by a young man with a uniformed company security escort. Interesting. The captain comes out and has a word with the company security officer. On his way back, he stops by my seat to say hi and apologize for being so ornery earlier. I thank him for the jumpseat and he heads back to the front office.
14MAR03 0100hrs GMT
We are second in line for takeoff behind an Indian Airlines A320. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon.
14MAR03 0106hrs GMT
Airborne from runway 27. We make the familiar sweeping turn to the right and head north to Delhi, my fifth segment on this route in the past 10 days. Flight time will be exactly 100 minutes.
14MAR03 0120hrs GMT
No breakfast service on this short flight, but rather a snack. I pick the samosas, although fried food at this early hour is probably not a good idea. Eat and nap.
14MAR03 0230hrs GMT
Woken up by the announcement about commencing descent. Freshen up quickly and back to my seat as we make a textbook approach to runway 28.
14MAR03 0255hrs GMT
At the gate in Delhi. A new crew will take over for the next leg. The captain's foul mood has returned and he is muttering something to himself as he heads down the stairs. The relieving cabin crew come aboard and I run into Gev, the new Inflight Supervisor. He remembers me from our Australian posting about 15 years ago and comments how much I have grown. Guess what. If I HAVEN'T grown in the last 15 years, then perhaps THAT would be comment worthy.
14MAR03 0305hrs GMT
Two armed men in paramilitary uniforms come on board and take possesion of the young man under security escort. I ask what is going on. Evidently, he is flying on a one-way ticket from Mumbai to Moscow via Heathrow, purchased in cash at the airport this morning. His passport was allegedly issued 7 years ago when he was fifteen, but sports a current picture of him wearing the same outfit he has on right now. The only stamp in the passport is a tourist visa for Russia, allegedly issued from somewhere in Africa. The whole thing reeks of something fishy and he was being offloaded in Delhi for questioning by intelligence services. Company security accompanied him to ensure that he didn't destroy the documents en route.
14MAR03 0310hrs GMT
Ready to commence boarding for Delhi passengers. Gev asks me if I wouldn't mind helping out in E-zone downstairs as they are terribly shortstaffed. Not a problem.
14MAR03 0315hrs GMT
The boarding ritual commences. I keep a low profile by door 5L, but occasionally assist folks with finding their seats or to find a spot for their carry-ons. If I have to say "D-E-F-G is the center section sir" once more, I'll kill myself. We have an elderly couple who speak no English and have been separated. I manage to succesfully negotiate a seat swap and get them together, albeit in middle seats. Another lady insists on storing her hat in the overhead bin. The darn thing is enormous and takes up the space of at least 2 rollaboards. Sorry honey, but thats gonna have to go under the seat or in the closet. A baby is crying loudly somewhere and the mother wants to heat up her bottle. You are gonna have to wait till everyone is aboard. Yes maam, can I help you? Lavatories are at the rear. No sir, this is a full flight today so you can't lie down across 4 seats. No ma'am, we don't upgrade passengers just because they ask. Yes ma'am, there will be meals served but only after we take off. ARRRRRGH. Keep smiling.
14MAR03 0345hrs GMT
Boarding is complete for the most part. I'm exhausted. We have a full load of 12-34-385 today, with 12 jumpseaters and a handful of infants to boot.
14MAR03 0400hrs GMT
Doors are closed and we taxi out. I quickly review my handy safety equipment chart and settle into the 2R inboard jumpseat next to an Assistant Purser named Jimmy. Safety demo is being screened as we notice a passenger with his leg in a cast struggling DOWN the stairs from the upper deck, being pursued by the poor hostess protesting loudly. Jeebus. Evidently he doesn't speak English and wants a lavatory. Not while we are on an active taxiway buddy. You need to go back upstairs. What? Can't climb the stairs in your cast. Argh. Ok, take this seat here. Sir, you will have to switch with him for takeoff. Suddenly the dreaded announcement "Crew be seated for takeoff". Jimmy settles the guy in the cast into 32H, swaps the man in 32H to my 2R inboard jumpseat and I take off like a bat out of hell trying to find the only empty seat on the plane before we start our roll. The upstairs purser yells "12B" down the stairs at me and I scramble there and plop myself down panting just as the PW4000 engines begin their roar. The passenger in 12A looks a little perturbed but minds his own business. Wise man.
14MAR03 0410hrs GMT
I'm out of my seat as soon as the 10000 foot indicator pings. Our flight time today will be a horrendously long 10h40m because of the airspace restrictions in effect. Pakistan is not permitting Indian registered aircraft to overfly their airspace, so we have to head south and go around the Rann of Kutch before turning West over the Arabian Sea and finally Northwest through Iran. That adds over 90 minutes to our normal flight time and means that even with a perfectly punctual departure and a generously padded schedule, we will be almost an hour late to the gate at Heathrow.
14MAR03 0415hrs GMT
Calm has been restored downstairs and the man in 32H is being helped back up to 12B. I grab a Coke from the galley and sip on it as Chuck (the B-zone purser) helps Jimmy prep the drink carts. As they head out on the service, I'm assigned the task of reconciling the special meals loaded with the manifest. It's mind numbing work on flights like this where every third person has picked one of the 18 different options that Air India offers. Ah well, its the least I can do in exchange for the free ride. Which idiot said nonrev travel is all about fun in First Class?
14MAR03 0445hrs GMT
The drink carts are back. Chuck begins heating up the breakfast service, but accidenly spills a pot of coffee on his hand. He yelps in pain and we scramble for the First Aid kit. Gev pages for a doctor who examines it and wraps it up. No, we don't need to divert, its nothing serious. However, he needs to rest it for a while. Great. We are now effectively 6 crew short and dangerously close to minimum complement.
14MAR03 0515hrs GMT
The carts go out into the aisle and I work the B-zone galley under Chuck's watchful eye, making sure the pots for coffee and tea are kept topped up.
14MAR03 0545hrs GMT
Carts are back for a few minutes. We catch our breath before its time to start bringing the trays back home.
14MAR03 0555hrs GMT
Trays are on the way back. I get to make sure that everything is properly stowed and before parking and latching the carts. Of course, gotta be ready for the second round of drink requests. I prep them and Chuck runs the cups with his good hand.
14MAR03 0615hrs GMT
Service done. All 385 coach passengers have been fed. I grab a leftover meal for myself and devour it standing up in the galley. Its some sort of omelette with sausage and potatoes. Not bad at all.
14MAR03 0630hrs GMT
I head to the 2L jumpseat and strap myself in to relax. The moving map airshow tells us that we have barely rounded the Western edge of Pakistan. Still over 8 hours left.
14MAR03 0700hrs GMT
Some vague Hindi movie commences on the overhead screens. I ignore it and read the new Ken Follett book.
14MAR03 0750hrs GMT
There is an airconditioning system leak in row 38, causing a steady drip onto the heads of the poor passengers there. I head on over and examine it. It appears to be the standard condensation problem. As an aircraft climbs to its cruising height, it becomes exposed to an extreme temperature differential between the climate controlled cabin and the outside. This disparity causes the humidity contained in the air to condense against the inner skin of the aircraft, generating water droplets. The droplets tend to soak into the insulation blankets located in the channels between the cabin and skin and once they get saturated, begin to leak through the edges of the Passenger Service Units into the cabin. I grab some towels from the galley, a plastic bag and some high-speed tape and go to work. The towels go right under the leak to soak up the drip, the bag underneath the towels to collect anything that seeps through and the high speed tape to hold it all in place. It works. Call me MacGyver.
14MAR03 0803hrs GMT
India is playing New Zealand in a vital World Cup Cricket game. The captain comes on the PA system and announces that Zaheer Khan has dismissed Craig McMillan with only the second ball of the game. There is a loud cheer. Kiwis are 0/1.
14MAR03 0805hrs GMT
Captain is back on the PA system. Zaheer Khan has dismissed Nathan Astle with the third ball of the match. Kiwis are reeling at 0/2. Someone in E-zone starts up a chant, but the folks watching the movie tell him to shut up.
14MAR03 0845hrs GMT
New Zealand in a deeper hole at 38/3. Everyone is jubilant, except the poor Kiwi in 57K.
14MAR03 0920hrs GMT
I'm halfway through my book as we hit the halfway point of the flight. The movie ends and the cabin begins to stir again. I seek refuge in the galley.
14MAR03 0930hrs GMT
Another drink service as we prep for the lunch service. Again, special meals must be sorted and hand run ahead of the carts. Chuck's hand is unbandaged now. He's a trooper.
14MAR03 1030hrs GMT
Lunch service complete without incident. The kid from 44A keeps popping into the galley to ask for more Pepsi. Great. Lets fill the kids up with caffeine on an 11 hour flight.
14MAR03 1045hrs GMT
Eric the First Class Purser comes visiting ahead of his lunch service. He convinces me to come forward and assist with some of the prep work. The First Class meal service carts take about 30 minutes to set up and need to be switched every course. Hard work, but fun. Plus, we get to consume the unused meals. Strangely enough, no one picks the pate appetizer. Yummy!
14MAR03 1200hrs GMT
Captain is back on the air. He apologizes for the lack of score updates, but evidently no radio stations in Iran or Turkey carried the cricket match! Nonetheless, he's been in contact with a Qantas jet flying Eastbound and they heard from a British Airways aircraft that they passed a while ago that New Zealand had been bowled out for only 146. The aircraft erupts with whistles and cheers.
14MAR03 1210hrs GMT
Lunch has been served to the lucky 12 passengers in the premium cabin. I'm exhausted by now, having barely slept the previous night. I grab one of the extra personal DVD players for First Class and relax on 1L with the only English title left in the basket (3A took a whole handful of movies, grrrr). It's some insipid crap starring John Travolta and Halle Berry. Eric sees my exhaustion and whips up an extra desert sundae for me from the leftovers. It perks me up nicely.
14MAR03 1330hrs GMT
"Swordfish" the movie has ended, not a moment too soon. Now I realize why even 3A rejected it.
14MAR03 1340hrs GMT
Only one more hour to Heathrow. Woo hoo! I see Germany!
14MAR03 1400hrs GMT
One of the crew slips me a bottle of the First Class Merlot as a thank-you for my assistance on the flight. Merci beaucoup. I drag my bag out of the upstairs closet where its been hiding for the last 12 hours and stow the bottle.
14MAR03 1415hrs GMT
An audible sigh of relief from the masses as the "we have commenced our descent" announcement is made. Gev asks me to pack up the IFE tapes before landing, so I head to the understair closet and do the needful. Rather than turn the system off, I set the overhead monitors to display the airshow.
14MAR03 1435hrs GMT
Strapped down in 2R next to Jimmy again. Its been a long flight and we are all exhausted.
14MAR03 1440hrs GMT
Familiar signs of Heathrow approach. We cross Windsor Castle, the reservoir and the Terminal 5 construction site before smoothly settling down on runway 09L. We turn off past Terminal 1 and begin to thread our way through the traffic to Terminal 3.
14MAR03 1445hrs GMT
Some old lady in C-zone decides to grab her bags and start walking to the door while we are still on the active taxiway. Both Jimmy and I yell at her to sit down but she ignores us and starts walking forward. I jump up and run down the aisle to her, grab her arm and firmly escort her back to her seat. There is laughter, but grandma isn't amused. She admonishes me in choice Punjabi. I ignore her and make my way back to the jumpseat where Jimmy is stifling his giggles.
14MAR03 1452hrs GMT
We finally pull into gate 22, which appears to be located somewhere along the M25 just east of Croydon. Despite an on-time departure, we are 82 minutes behind schedule because of the airspace restrictions.
14MAR03 1502hrs GMT
First and Business Class have deplaned. I head up the stairs to grab my bag from the closet again and thank the upstairs crew for babysitting it for me. Pop into the cockpit and thank the captain for the ride.
14MAR03 1508hrs GMT
Stop by First Class to thank Eric and Gev. The new flat bed seats are finally empty so I decide to check them out. They are amazingly comfortable. I play with the buttons for a few minutes, but I really should get a move on.
14MAR03 1515hrs GMT
Someone slips me a FASTTRACK immigration pass as I leave the aircraft. I already have a whole stack, but its good to add one to the collection.
14MAR03 1525hrs GMT
After a 10 minute hike, I finally reach the immigration desks. The proletariat line is backed up horrendously, but FASTTRACK takes me all of 30 seconds.
14MAR03 1535hrs GMT
Aboard Heathrow Express on the way to Paddington where the Hilton Metropole awaits.
===================================
ACT II : The return (aka Heaven)
Statutory Warning: The following section contains disturbing scenes of non-revenue passengers in premium cabins. Reader discretion is advised.
19MAR03 0430hrs GMT
Hmm... I wonder which flight I should try for today. Do I want to fly Business Class? Hehe.
19MAR03 0745hrs GMT
Arrive at the Air India counter at Terminal 3 just before checkin is due to close (60 minutes before departure). The agent at the counter clears me directly to Business Class and gives me a boarding pass for 12K together with an invitation to the Maharaja Lounge. I ask which aircraft will be flying us today and he tells me its VT-EVJ. My first flight on this ex-Korean Air plane will restore my record of having flown every 747 ever operated by Air India.
19MAR03 0800hrs GMT
FASTTRACK security is a blessing and I breeze through while the regular line has a 15 minute delay.
19MAR03 0810hrs GMT
flyerwife has a short connection at Heathrow en route to New York, so I decide to go surprise her. I check by the Admiral's Club and have her paged but she isn't there. Probably gone to the Duty Free.
19MAR03 0820hrs GMT
I head towards flyerwife's gate but no sign of her there either. Start heading back towards my own gate when I spot her bobbing in and out of the crowd. She's pleased to see me and we chat a while before she has to board.
19MAR03 0840hrs GMT
Get in line for secondary security check at my gate. The Air India security officer recognizes me from somewhere and waves me through with no hassles. Nothing beeps as I'm wanded, so I enter the holding pen just as First/Business Class boarding is being called.
19MAR03 0845hrs GMT
Settle down into 12K on an otherwise deserted upper deck. The Inflight Supervisor, Joe, comes by and tells me that my dad had called to inform him that I would be on the flight so to please contact him if I needed anything. I thank him for his concern.
19MAR03 0850hrs GMT
Pre-departure drinks are offered and I relax with a flute of Veuve Clicquot as I take a look around the cabin. EVJ is configured in the "interim" business class configuration with the old seats, but the new layout and pitch. It is interesting because they have shifted one lavatory to the rear of the cabin by the stairs and relocated the closet to the forward section behind the cockpit. It seems a waste of space with the old seats, but I'm sure when the new ones are installed things will look normal.
19MAR03 0905hrs GMT
The pilots have just arrived, having been stuck in traffic en route to the airport. As a result we will be delayed somewhat. We will have two very senior commanders today as one is undergoing his periodic checkride.
19MAR03 0925hrs GMT
Doors are closed and we push back from the gate. We wait in the alley as Air New Zealand taxies in to take our place. Then we begin the long taxi out to the threshold of runway 27R.
19MAR03 1000hrs GMT
Finally on the active runway. I watch as we accelerate past the hotels on Bath Road and then take to the skies, enveloped in a low cloud of fog before we have even cleared the boundary fence. Our flight time will be 8 hours and 20 minutes.
19MAR03 1030hrs GMT
Crew come around with a drink service. I kick back with a Coke and some cashew nuts. What a pleasant change from the usual peanuts or snack mix.
19MAR03 1130hrs GMT
Time for lunch. First and Executive Class passengers get a special treat this month with a food festival on flights from Heathrow. Meals are being catered by Britain's most famous Indian restaurant, Veeraswamy of Piccadilly. We receive elegant menus commemorating the festival. The cover is a reproduction of the 1884 portrait of H.H. The Maha Rao of Kutch by the legendary photogropher Lala Deen Dayal. Air India's own collection of Lala Deen Dayal plate-glass negatives is discussed on the inside flap.
I picked the lamb with the rice and mustard leaves, together with a paratha that came steaming hot and wrapped in foil. Quite excellent. When I looked undecided about which dessert to pick, the Air Hostess suggested that I have a little of each. I didn't take too much convincing! 
19MAR03 1215hrs GMT
I sip an Amaretto as we steadily make our way over Eastern Europe. Then I recline my seat and sleep.
19MAR03 1555hrs GMT
I awaken almost 4 hours later. Just under 2.5 hours to go. The crew have thoughtfully left a bottle of water and a glass on the seat next to me. I freshen up and head back to the galley for a chat.
19MAR03 1625hrs GMT
The commander under check gets his rest break and comes back to the galley. He's full of good humor and shares some fabulous anecdotes about the wilder checkrides he's seen in his time.
19MAR03 1645hrs GMT
Time for the light supper service.
Again, the food was up to Veeraswamy's high standards. A real treat to have this quality served at 35000 feet.
19MAR03 1730hrs GMT
Less than an hour left in the flight and the crew hands out landing cards. They also have to spray the aircraft with the awful fumigation spray. Cover your nose and mouth and hold your breath as they go past.
19MAR03 1810hrs GMT
On final approach to Mumbai about 10 minutes sooner than expected. What a pleasant surprise. I should have been paying more attention to the airshow.
19MAR03 1815hrs GMT
We make one of the smoothest landings I have ever experienced and gently slow to a stop. The check pilot comes over the PA system and announces that his colleague has just passed his checkride by virtue of that landing alone. Everyone laughs as we taxi towards the terminal.
19MAR03 1825hrs GMT
I'm the first passenger off from door 2L after thanking the crew for a great flight. No lines at immigration and the customs officer peers at me intently but decides to let me keep walking. I'm outside about 10 minutes ahead of scheduled arrival time, despite the late departure from Heathrow.
============
Two flights. Two totally different experiences. That's what makes travel so special.
I had some personal work to attend to in London with a soon-to-be-expiring nonrev pass to get me there and back from India. Accordingly, I decided to make a mini-vacation out of it by cashing in some Hilton points and catching up with some friends.
----------------
ACT I : The outbound (aka Hell)
13MAR03 2100hrs GMT
Awaken and check the latest loads. There are three 744s scheduled to depart for Heathrow within an hour of each other this morning, but a quick check of the computer shows that every nonrev's nightmare has just been realized.
Code:
FRI 14MAR03 MUMBAI /LONDON *AI 1 BOM LHR 0555 1015 AI 129 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 W0 Y0 B0 H0 K0#744 B 2 BOM1LHR 0625 1430 AI 121 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 W0 Y0 B0 H0 K0#744 B 3 BOM LHR 0710 1130 AI 101 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 W0 Y0 B0 H0 K0#744 B
13MAR03 2230hrs GMT
The airport is a zoo at 4am local time. There are thousands of passengers standing in line trying to check in. In addition to the trio of Heathrow flights there are also 747s to Frankfurt and Jeddah leaving, plus the morning Airbus bank to the Middle East. Dad flashes his retired staff ID and the security guard waves him through to the offices where he is warmly welcomed into his former fiefdom. I stand around in the public area looking lost.
13MAR03 2245hrs GMT
Dad emerges from the offices with a grim look. All three flights are oversold badly. He chainsmokes as he prowls around the crew checkin counter waiting for the pilots to arrive. The NO SMOKING sign is prominent above his head, but the minions won't dare say a word to their former boss.
13MAR03 2300hrs GMT
No pilots yet, but the nonrevs are out in force. There are 53 of us trying for the various flights today. Each 744 has 7 spare jumpseats for the commander to sanction to any nonrevs at his discretion, but the crew shortage lately means some extra jumpseats may open up if the cabin crew is operating with a reduced complement.
13MAR03 2305hrs GMT
The captain for 129 arrives and is immediately mobbed by everyone waving jumpseat requests for him to sign off on. He fights his way to the counter and greets the few folks there he has actually met before, thankfully including dad. He is followed a few minutes later by the guy who will be operating 121 upto Delhi. He is in a foul mood having been woken up to take this flight after the originally scheduled pilot got delayed somewhere else. He uses some choice words on a poor ramper who almost pokes him in the eye with a pen in his excitement, the gist of which explained which bodily orifice he could stuff his jumpseat request into.
13MAR03 2310hrs GMT
The pilots disappear into ops for their briefings and the crowds nervously mill about outside. The news filters through from Cabin Crew Movement Control that 129 will be short 4 crew and 101 will be short 3 crew. 121 will have a full complement upto Delhi, but the leg into Heathrow will be reduced by FIVE from normal complement. With full loads booked, it will be hard work for the crews but also means that 12 extra jumpseaters can fly today.
13MAR03 2315hrs GMT
One of the ground supervisors emerges from ops with a list of folks who have been authorized jumpseats for 129. Since that aircraft continues on to Chicago, they are only taking jumpseaters bound for there. Same deal with 101 and New York. Us London folks have to take our chances with the 121 via Delhi.
13MAR03 2320hrs GMT
The commander for 121 storms out of ops yelling obscenities at the poor dispatcher. Turns out that they not only have him flying up to DEL right now, but deadheading offline back to BOM 2 hours later, operating another BOM-DEL later in the day, overnighting in DEL, deadheading to LHR the next morning and then operating back to BOM. He is not amused. No one dares approach him for a jumpseat request.
13MAR03 2325hrs GMT
The co-pilot for 121 quietly taps my dad on the shoulder and draws us aside. The captain has calmed down and authorized my jumpseat request as well as a couple other folks. I thank him and head down to the desks to checkin. Obtain my boarding pass for seat number JMP together with a lounge invitation (since I'm using one of my higher priority passes today, I'm entitled to lounge access).
13MAR03 2345hrs GMT
Immigration and customs formalities completed, I head to the Maharaja lounge. I help myself to a coke and the attendant brings around a plate of breakfast muffins. Looking out the window, I spot the three 747s waiting to leave for Heathrow. We are to be on VT-ESM, the original B747-437 and so far only one of two configured with the new First Class seats (Editors note : All 744s have since been converted). 129 to Chicago has been assigned to VT-ESN, the other craft with the new seats. 101 to New York will be operated by VT-EVJ, the adopted baby of the fleet and the only AI 747 that I haven't flown yet. Ah well, theres always next time.
13MAR03 2355hrs GMT
Final call for 129 and first call for 121. I run into one of the retired Heathrow staff who will also be on the flight with me and head out with her to the Duty Free.
14MAR03 0015hrs GMT
Proceed through airport security with minimal hassles. At the jetway, company security checks my passport and other documents before waving me aboard.
14MAR03 0020hrs GMT
Enter through door 1L and immediately run into Neville, the Inflight Supervisor. I introduce myself as one of the jumpseaters and he directs me to Business Class upstairs, advising me to grab some sleep on the first leg as the next segment would be hell. Upstairs is deserted. There are only 3 revenue passengers in the forward section and a handful of us nonrevs at the rear. The Purser recognizes me and asks after my dad.
14MAR03 0040hrs GMT
Cold towels and pre-flight drinks have been served. Doors are ready to close. We have been joined upstairs by a young man with a uniformed company security escort. Interesting. The captain comes out and has a word with the company security officer. On his way back, he stops by my seat to say hi and apologize for being so ornery earlier. I thank him for the jumpseat and he heads back to the front office.
14MAR03 0100hrs GMT
We are second in line for takeoff behind an Indian Airlines A320. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon.
14MAR03 0106hrs GMT
Airborne from runway 27. We make the familiar sweeping turn to the right and head north to Delhi, my fifth segment on this route in the past 10 days. Flight time will be exactly 100 minutes.
14MAR03 0120hrs GMT
No breakfast service on this short flight, but rather a snack. I pick the samosas, although fried food at this early hour is probably not a good idea. Eat and nap.
14MAR03 0230hrs GMT
Woken up by the announcement about commencing descent. Freshen up quickly and back to my seat as we make a textbook approach to runway 28.
14MAR03 0255hrs GMT
At the gate in Delhi. A new crew will take over for the next leg. The captain's foul mood has returned and he is muttering something to himself as he heads down the stairs. The relieving cabin crew come aboard and I run into Gev, the new Inflight Supervisor. He remembers me from our Australian posting about 15 years ago and comments how much I have grown. Guess what. If I HAVEN'T grown in the last 15 years, then perhaps THAT would be comment worthy.
14MAR03 0305hrs GMT
Two armed men in paramilitary uniforms come on board and take possesion of the young man under security escort. I ask what is going on. Evidently, he is flying on a one-way ticket from Mumbai to Moscow via Heathrow, purchased in cash at the airport this morning. His passport was allegedly issued 7 years ago when he was fifteen, but sports a current picture of him wearing the same outfit he has on right now. The only stamp in the passport is a tourist visa for Russia, allegedly issued from somewhere in Africa. The whole thing reeks of something fishy and he was being offloaded in Delhi for questioning by intelligence services. Company security accompanied him to ensure that he didn't destroy the documents en route.
14MAR03 0310hrs GMT
Ready to commence boarding for Delhi passengers. Gev asks me if I wouldn't mind helping out in E-zone downstairs as they are terribly shortstaffed. Not a problem.
14MAR03 0315hrs GMT
The boarding ritual commences. I keep a low profile by door 5L, but occasionally assist folks with finding their seats or to find a spot for their carry-ons. If I have to say "D-E-F-G is the center section sir" once more, I'll kill myself. We have an elderly couple who speak no English and have been separated. I manage to succesfully negotiate a seat swap and get them together, albeit in middle seats. Another lady insists on storing her hat in the overhead bin. The darn thing is enormous and takes up the space of at least 2 rollaboards. Sorry honey, but thats gonna have to go under the seat or in the closet. A baby is crying loudly somewhere and the mother wants to heat up her bottle. You are gonna have to wait till everyone is aboard. Yes maam, can I help you? Lavatories are at the rear. No sir, this is a full flight today so you can't lie down across 4 seats. No ma'am, we don't upgrade passengers just because they ask. Yes ma'am, there will be meals served but only after we take off. ARRRRRGH. Keep smiling.
14MAR03 0345hrs GMT
Boarding is complete for the most part. I'm exhausted. We have a full load of 12-34-385 today, with 12 jumpseaters and a handful of infants to boot.
14MAR03 0400hrs GMT
Doors are closed and we taxi out. I quickly review my handy safety equipment chart and settle into the 2R inboard jumpseat next to an Assistant Purser named Jimmy. Safety demo is being screened as we notice a passenger with his leg in a cast struggling DOWN the stairs from the upper deck, being pursued by the poor hostess protesting loudly. Jeebus. Evidently he doesn't speak English and wants a lavatory. Not while we are on an active taxiway buddy. You need to go back upstairs. What? Can't climb the stairs in your cast. Argh. Ok, take this seat here. Sir, you will have to switch with him for takeoff. Suddenly the dreaded announcement "Crew be seated for takeoff". Jimmy settles the guy in the cast into 32H, swaps the man in 32H to my 2R inboard jumpseat and I take off like a bat out of hell trying to find the only empty seat on the plane before we start our roll. The upstairs purser yells "12B" down the stairs at me and I scramble there and plop myself down panting just as the PW4000 engines begin their roar. The passenger in 12A looks a little perturbed but minds his own business. Wise man.
14MAR03 0410hrs GMT
I'm out of my seat as soon as the 10000 foot indicator pings. Our flight time today will be a horrendously long 10h40m because of the airspace restrictions in effect. Pakistan is not permitting Indian registered aircraft to overfly their airspace, so we have to head south and go around the Rann of Kutch before turning West over the Arabian Sea and finally Northwest through Iran. That adds over 90 minutes to our normal flight time and means that even with a perfectly punctual departure and a generously padded schedule, we will be almost an hour late to the gate at Heathrow.
14MAR03 0415hrs GMT
Calm has been restored downstairs and the man in 32H is being helped back up to 12B. I grab a Coke from the galley and sip on it as Chuck (the B-zone purser) helps Jimmy prep the drink carts. As they head out on the service, I'm assigned the task of reconciling the special meals loaded with the manifest. It's mind numbing work on flights like this where every third person has picked one of the 18 different options that Air India offers. Ah well, its the least I can do in exchange for the free ride. Which idiot said nonrev travel is all about fun in First Class?
14MAR03 0445hrs GMT
The drink carts are back. Chuck begins heating up the breakfast service, but accidenly spills a pot of coffee on his hand. He yelps in pain and we scramble for the First Aid kit. Gev pages for a doctor who examines it and wraps it up. No, we don't need to divert, its nothing serious. However, he needs to rest it for a while. Great. We are now effectively 6 crew short and dangerously close to minimum complement.
14MAR03 0515hrs GMT
The carts go out into the aisle and I work the B-zone galley under Chuck's watchful eye, making sure the pots for coffee and tea are kept topped up.
14MAR03 0545hrs GMT
Carts are back for a few minutes. We catch our breath before its time to start bringing the trays back home.
14MAR03 0555hrs GMT
Trays are on the way back. I get to make sure that everything is properly stowed and before parking and latching the carts. Of course, gotta be ready for the second round of drink requests. I prep them and Chuck runs the cups with his good hand.
14MAR03 0615hrs GMT
Service done. All 385 coach passengers have been fed. I grab a leftover meal for myself and devour it standing up in the galley. Its some sort of omelette with sausage and potatoes. Not bad at all.
14MAR03 0630hrs GMT
I head to the 2L jumpseat and strap myself in to relax. The moving map airshow tells us that we have barely rounded the Western edge of Pakistan. Still over 8 hours left.
14MAR03 0700hrs GMT
Some vague Hindi movie commences on the overhead screens. I ignore it and read the new Ken Follett book.
14MAR03 0750hrs GMT
There is an airconditioning system leak in row 38, causing a steady drip onto the heads of the poor passengers there. I head on over and examine it. It appears to be the standard condensation problem. As an aircraft climbs to its cruising height, it becomes exposed to an extreme temperature differential between the climate controlled cabin and the outside. This disparity causes the humidity contained in the air to condense against the inner skin of the aircraft, generating water droplets. The droplets tend to soak into the insulation blankets located in the channels between the cabin and skin and once they get saturated, begin to leak through the edges of the Passenger Service Units into the cabin. I grab some towels from the galley, a plastic bag and some high-speed tape and go to work. The towels go right under the leak to soak up the drip, the bag underneath the towels to collect anything that seeps through and the high speed tape to hold it all in place. It works. Call me MacGyver.
14MAR03 0803hrs GMT
India is playing New Zealand in a vital World Cup Cricket game. The captain comes on the PA system and announces that Zaheer Khan has dismissed Craig McMillan with only the second ball of the game. There is a loud cheer. Kiwis are 0/1.
14MAR03 0805hrs GMT
Captain is back on the PA system. Zaheer Khan has dismissed Nathan Astle with the third ball of the match. Kiwis are reeling at 0/2. Someone in E-zone starts up a chant, but the folks watching the movie tell him to shut up.
14MAR03 0845hrs GMT
New Zealand in a deeper hole at 38/3. Everyone is jubilant, except the poor Kiwi in 57K.
14MAR03 0920hrs GMT
I'm halfway through my book as we hit the halfway point of the flight. The movie ends and the cabin begins to stir again. I seek refuge in the galley.
14MAR03 0930hrs GMT
Another drink service as we prep for the lunch service. Again, special meals must be sorted and hand run ahead of the carts. Chuck's hand is unbandaged now. He's a trooper.
14MAR03 1030hrs GMT
Lunch service complete without incident. The kid from 44A keeps popping into the galley to ask for more Pepsi. Great. Lets fill the kids up with caffeine on an 11 hour flight.
14MAR03 1045hrs GMT
Eric the First Class Purser comes visiting ahead of his lunch service. He convinces me to come forward and assist with some of the prep work. The First Class meal service carts take about 30 minutes to set up and need to be switched every course. Hard work, but fun. Plus, we get to consume the unused meals. Strangely enough, no one picks the pate appetizer. Yummy!
14MAR03 1200hrs GMT
Captain is back on the air. He apologizes for the lack of score updates, but evidently no radio stations in Iran or Turkey carried the cricket match! Nonetheless, he's been in contact with a Qantas jet flying Eastbound and they heard from a British Airways aircraft that they passed a while ago that New Zealand had been bowled out for only 146. The aircraft erupts with whistles and cheers.
14MAR03 1210hrs GMT
Lunch has been served to the lucky 12 passengers in the premium cabin. I'm exhausted by now, having barely slept the previous night. I grab one of the extra personal DVD players for First Class and relax on 1L with the only English title left in the basket (3A took a whole handful of movies, grrrr). It's some insipid crap starring John Travolta and Halle Berry. Eric sees my exhaustion and whips up an extra desert sundae for me from the leftovers. It perks me up nicely.
14MAR03 1330hrs GMT
"Swordfish" the movie has ended, not a moment too soon. Now I realize why even 3A rejected it.
14MAR03 1340hrs GMT
Only one more hour to Heathrow. Woo hoo! I see Germany!
14MAR03 1400hrs GMT
One of the crew slips me a bottle of the First Class Merlot as a thank-you for my assistance on the flight. Merci beaucoup. I drag my bag out of the upstairs closet where its been hiding for the last 12 hours and stow the bottle.
14MAR03 1415hrs GMT
An audible sigh of relief from the masses as the "we have commenced our descent" announcement is made. Gev asks me to pack up the IFE tapes before landing, so I head to the understair closet and do the needful. Rather than turn the system off, I set the overhead monitors to display the airshow.
14MAR03 1435hrs GMT
Strapped down in 2R next to Jimmy again. Its been a long flight and we are all exhausted.
14MAR03 1440hrs GMT
Familiar signs of Heathrow approach. We cross Windsor Castle, the reservoir and the Terminal 5 construction site before smoothly settling down on runway 09L. We turn off past Terminal 1 and begin to thread our way through the traffic to Terminal 3.
14MAR03 1445hrs GMT
Some old lady in C-zone decides to grab her bags and start walking to the door while we are still on the active taxiway. Both Jimmy and I yell at her to sit down but she ignores us and starts walking forward. I jump up and run down the aisle to her, grab her arm and firmly escort her back to her seat. There is laughter, but grandma isn't amused. She admonishes me in choice Punjabi. I ignore her and make my way back to the jumpseat where Jimmy is stifling his giggles.
14MAR03 1452hrs GMT
We finally pull into gate 22, which appears to be located somewhere along the M25 just east of Croydon. Despite an on-time departure, we are 82 minutes behind schedule because of the airspace restrictions.
14MAR03 1502hrs GMT
First and Business Class have deplaned. I head up the stairs to grab my bag from the closet again and thank the upstairs crew for babysitting it for me. Pop into the cockpit and thank the captain for the ride.
14MAR03 1508hrs GMT
Stop by First Class to thank Eric and Gev. The new flat bed seats are finally empty so I decide to check them out. They are amazingly comfortable. I play with the buttons for a few minutes, but I really should get a move on.
14MAR03 1515hrs GMT
Someone slips me a FASTTRACK immigration pass as I leave the aircraft. I already have a whole stack, but its good to add one to the collection.
14MAR03 1525hrs GMT
After a 10 minute hike, I finally reach the immigration desks. The proletariat line is backed up horrendously, but FASTTRACK takes me all of 30 seconds.
14MAR03 1535hrs GMT
Aboard Heathrow Express on the way to Paddington where the Hilton Metropole awaits.
===================================
ACT II : The return (aka Heaven)
Statutory Warning: The following section contains disturbing scenes of non-revenue passengers in premium cabins. Reader discretion is advised.
19MAR03 0430hrs GMT
Code:
WED 19MAR03 LONDON /MUMBAI *AI 1 LHR BOM 0845 2255 AI 102 F2 A2 J0 C0 D0 W0 Y4 B4 H4 K4#744 B 2 LHR BOM 1005#0015 AI 122 F2 A2 J4 C4 D4 W4 Y9 B9 H9 K9#744 B
19MAR03 0745hrs GMT
Arrive at the Air India counter at Terminal 3 just before checkin is due to close (60 minutes before departure). The agent at the counter clears me directly to Business Class and gives me a boarding pass for 12K together with an invitation to the Maharaja Lounge. I ask which aircraft will be flying us today and he tells me its VT-EVJ. My first flight on this ex-Korean Air plane will restore my record of having flown every 747 ever operated by Air India.
19MAR03 0800hrs GMT
FASTTRACK security is a blessing and I breeze through while the regular line has a 15 minute delay.
19MAR03 0810hrs GMT
flyerwife has a short connection at Heathrow en route to New York, so I decide to go surprise her. I check by the Admiral's Club and have her paged but she isn't there. Probably gone to the Duty Free.
19MAR03 0820hrs GMT
I head towards flyerwife's gate but no sign of her there either. Start heading back towards my own gate when I spot her bobbing in and out of the crowd. She's pleased to see me and we chat a while before she has to board.
19MAR03 0840hrs GMT
Get in line for secondary security check at my gate. The Air India security officer recognizes me from somewhere and waves me through with no hassles. Nothing beeps as I'm wanded, so I enter the holding pen just as First/Business Class boarding is being called.
19MAR03 0845hrs GMT
Settle down into 12K on an otherwise deserted upper deck. The Inflight Supervisor, Joe, comes by and tells me that my dad had called to inform him that I would be on the flight so to please contact him if I needed anything. I thank him for his concern.
19MAR03 0850hrs GMT
Pre-departure drinks are offered and I relax with a flute of Veuve Clicquot as I take a look around the cabin. EVJ is configured in the "interim" business class configuration with the old seats, but the new layout and pitch. It is interesting because they have shifted one lavatory to the rear of the cabin by the stairs and relocated the closet to the forward section behind the cockpit. It seems a waste of space with the old seats, but I'm sure when the new ones are installed things will look normal.
19MAR03 0905hrs GMT
The pilots have just arrived, having been stuck in traffic en route to the airport. As a result we will be delayed somewhat. We will have two very senior commanders today as one is undergoing his periodic checkride.
19MAR03 0925hrs GMT
Doors are closed and we push back from the gate. We wait in the alley as Air New Zealand taxies in to take our place. Then we begin the long taxi out to the threshold of runway 27R.
19MAR03 1000hrs GMT
Finally on the active runway. I watch as we accelerate past the hotels on Bath Road and then take to the skies, enveloped in a low cloud of fog before we have even cleared the boundary fence. Our flight time will be 8 hours and 20 minutes.
19MAR03 1030hrs GMT
Crew come around with a drink service. I kick back with a Coke and some cashew nuts. What a pleasant change from the usual peanuts or snack mix.
19MAR03 1130hrs GMT
Time for lunch. First and Executive Class passengers get a special treat this month with a food festival on flights from Heathrow. Meals are being catered by Britain's most famous Indian restaurant, Veeraswamy of Piccadilly. We receive elegant menus commemorating the festival. The cover is a reproduction of the 1884 portrait of H.H. The Maha Rao of Kutch by the legendary photogropher Lala Deen Dayal. Air India's own collection of Lala Deen Dayal plate-glass negatives is discussed on the inside flap.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Appetizers
Assorted Hors D'Oeurves Platter
Salad
Fresh Green Salad with choice of dresing.
Entrees
Veeraswamy Specials
Lamb Moghlai Korma
succulent lamb morsels cooked in a rich creamy sauce and flavoured with fenugreek
Vegetable Makhani
seasonal vegetables in a tomato and butter sauce
Sarson Ka Saag
creamed fresh mustard leaves cooked in traditional Punjabi style
Kabuli Channa Pulao
long grain Basmati rice with chickpeas
Western Selection
Cape Hake with Shallot, Tomato and Cream Sauce
served with
Turned Potatoes
Bouquet of Vegetables
Accompaniments
Yoghurt
Papadum
Paratha
Pickles
Dessert
Pear Praline with Chocolate Sauce
Sevaiya Malai
vermicelli cooked in thickened sweetened milk
Cheese
Fruit
Tea
Coffee
Chocolates
Liquers</font>
Appetizers
Assorted Hors D'Oeurves Platter
Salad
Fresh Green Salad with choice of dresing.
Entrees
Veeraswamy Specials
Lamb Moghlai Korma
succulent lamb morsels cooked in a rich creamy sauce and flavoured with fenugreek
Vegetable Makhani
seasonal vegetables in a tomato and butter sauce
Sarson Ka Saag
creamed fresh mustard leaves cooked in traditional Punjabi style
Kabuli Channa Pulao
long grain Basmati rice with chickpeas
Western Selection
Cape Hake with Shallot, Tomato and Cream Sauce
served with
Turned Potatoes
Bouquet of Vegetables
Accompaniments
Yoghurt
Papadum
Paratha
Pickles
Dessert
Pear Praline with Chocolate Sauce
Sevaiya Malai
vermicelli cooked in thickened sweetened milk
Cheese
Fruit
Tea
Coffee
Chocolates
Liquers</font>
19MAR03 1215hrs GMT
I sip an Amaretto as we steadily make our way over Eastern Europe. Then I recline my seat and sleep.
19MAR03 1555hrs GMT
I awaken almost 4 hours later. Just under 2.5 hours to go. The crew have thoughtfully left a bottle of water and a glass on the seat next to me. I freshen up and head back to the galley for a chat.
19MAR03 1625hrs GMT
The commander under check gets his rest break and comes back to the galley. He's full of good humor and shares some fabulous anecdotes about the wilder checkrides he's seen in his time.
19MAR03 1645hrs GMT
Time for the light supper service.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Appetizers
Fresh Fruit Appetizer
Entrees
Veeraswamy Specials
Corn and Cheese Potli
moneybags of corn grains with cheese
Fareli Pattice
potato balls stuffed with spices, nuts and raisins
Palak Upma
sauteed semolina with spinach and spices
Medu Vada
savoury lentil doughnut with curry leaves and cashew
Chicken Vada
lightly spiced mash potato stuffed with chicken
Lamb Shami Kabab
delicately spiced minced lamb and lentil patty
Accompaniments
Bread Rolls
Sambhar
Coconut Chutney
Dessert
Gajar Kaju Kheer
rice pudding with carrots and cashewnuts
Tea
Coffee
Chocolates
</font>
Appetizers
Fresh Fruit Appetizer
Entrees
Veeraswamy Specials
Corn and Cheese Potli
moneybags of corn grains with cheese
Fareli Pattice
potato balls stuffed with spices, nuts and raisins
Palak Upma
sauteed semolina with spinach and spices
Medu Vada
savoury lentil doughnut with curry leaves and cashew
Chicken Vada
lightly spiced mash potato stuffed with chicken
Lamb Shami Kabab
delicately spiced minced lamb and lentil patty
Accompaniments
Bread Rolls
Sambhar
Coconut Chutney
Dessert
Gajar Kaju Kheer
rice pudding with carrots and cashewnuts
Tea
Coffee
Chocolates
</font>
19MAR03 1730hrs GMT
Less than an hour left in the flight and the crew hands out landing cards. They also have to spray the aircraft with the awful fumigation spray. Cover your nose and mouth and hold your breath as they go past.
19MAR03 1810hrs GMT
On final approach to Mumbai about 10 minutes sooner than expected. What a pleasant surprise. I should have been paying more attention to the airshow.
19MAR03 1815hrs GMT
We make one of the smoothest landings I have ever experienced and gently slow to a stop. The check pilot comes over the PA system and announces that his colleague has just passed his checkride by virtue of that landing alone. Everyone laughs as we taxi towards the terminal.
19MAR03 1825hrs GMT
I'm the first passenger off from door 2L after thanking the crew for a great flight. No lines at immigration and the customs officer peers at me intently but decides to let me keep walking. I'm outside about 10 minutes ahead of scheduled arrival time, despite the late departure from Heathrow.
============
Two flights. Two totally different experiences. That's what makes travel so special.
May 11, 2003, 9:48 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 805
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Captain is back on the air. He apologizes for the lack of score updates, but evidently no radio stations in Iran or Turkey carried the cricket match! Nonetheless, he's been in contact with a Qantas jet flying Eastbound and they heard from a British Airways aircraft that they passed a while ago that New Zealand had been bowled out for only 146. The aircraft erupts with whistles and cheers. </font>
[This message has been edited by goback (edited 05-11-2003).]
May 11, 2003, 2:15 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 415
Interesting to hear this coming from you -- Wasn't it you who wanted the two poor, hapless Indian male passengers on NWA flying to Vegas a few months ago thrown in jail for ignoring the FA's demand that they come out of the lav mid-shave? I think your reasoning there was "rules are rules"...
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by B747-437B:
The NO SMOKING sign is prominent above his head, but the minions won't dare say a word to their former boss.</font>
The NO SMOKING sign is prominent above his head, but the minions won't dare say a word to their former boss.</font>
May 11, 2003, 2:26 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,657
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Montys_Mayhem:
I think your reasoning there was "rules are rules"... </font>
I think your reasoning there was "rules are rules"... </font>
May 11, 2003, 4:10 pm
#7
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,039
Great report B747!!
Very interesting to hear the nonrev perspective.
Thanks for posting!
------------------
"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack
Very interesting to hear the nonrev perspective.
Thanks for posting!
------------------
"I just wanna wish you good luck, we're all counting on you"
-Dr. Rumack
May 11, 2003, 7:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,973
Nice report. I have not been on Air India since 1984! JFK to LHR and at that was scared to death because upon deplaning their was more security agents than I have ever seen and a day later found out that the flight I deplaned in LHR continued on to Bombay and was hijacked, but uneventful in the end...thank goodness.
May 11, 2003, 8:31 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 415
Regardless, people smoking and willfully ignoring no-smoking signs is unacceptable and really gets me mad. I usually tick them off on the spot -- second-hand smoke is not a joke... nor is this behaviour something I would boast about either in a trip report.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by B747-437B:
If you read the thread in question in its entirety, you will note that I admitted here that my position on that issue was unreasonable and wrong and apologized unconditionally for my prior statements. So please don't bring that up out of context.</font>
If you read the thread in question in its entirety, you will note that I admitted here that my position on that issue was unreasonable and wrong and apologized unconditionally for my prior statements. So please don't bring that up out of context.</font>
May 12, 2003, 4:32 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Great rip report.
The outbound segment sounds pretty dire (but I guess still better than paying for a seat in 58K!)
Not flown AI, but if the food xLHR is as good as in the restaurant then you had a real treat!
The outbound segment sounds pretty dire (but I guess still better than paying for a seat in 58K!)
Not flown AI, but if the food xLHR is as good as in the restaurant then you had a real treat!
May 12, 2003, 7:16 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: TPA & MCO
Programs: DL Diamond, AA EXP & UA Gold
Posts: 3,046
It's always a pleasure and privilege to read Sean's Air India Trip Reports!
PS: Monty, I don't think Sean was "bragging" about the illegal smoking--just made an observation and comment and adding a little color to his narration.
[This message has been edited by Babu (edited 05-12-2003).]
PS: Monty, I don't think Sean was "bragging" about the illegal smoking--just made an observation and comment and adding a little color to his narration.
[This message has been edited by Babu (edited 05-12-2003).]
May 12, 2003, 4:35 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2001
Programs: Emirates Gold, SQ Gold, Jet Airways Gold, BA Silver, Qatar Silver, Starwood Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,167
Certainly not a typical non-rev trip, given that you were working almost like a part of the crew. Unions in the US would never stand for that nor would the FAA, but I digress... Did you have something -- a visible badge for instance -- that would have identified you as a crew-like person when you were dealing with the pax?
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnG:
Very interesting report, Sean. A great contrast of the different sides of non-rev travel.
</font>
Very interesting report, Sean. A great contrast of the different sides of non-rev travel.
</font>