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To Bucharest by SkyTeam
Shamelessly plagiarising Tocsin thread title from his recent Krakow Trip Report, I am heading to the land of dentists on a zero notice trip.
Something has felt a little off with the bionic teeth for the last couple of days although there had been no outward sign of anything amiss and I half wondered if I was imagining things. Alas, no, late this morning there were signs of a little swelling and that’s enough to set my paranoia to maximum. Clearing it with the chief, it was time to head to the dentists. I gave them a call at a little after noon and secured an appointment for 9am. Side note: my dentists, Dent Estet are amazing! Appointment in hand it was time to find flights. Business class was insane, for timings that worked the cheapest return was almost £1,750. Economy on KLM was a much more wallet friendly £400 and I snapped those up, out this afternoon, back tomorrow afternoon. Next up, check in. Out of curiosity I clicked a free business class seat for AMS-OTP and, £83 upgrade. Now given the business class fare was £1,350 more than economy this makes no sense but who was I to argue… sold! Having checked into the outbound, time to do the same for the return, and trying a business class seat OTP-AMS I noticed a pay with points option! Given a surfeit of points and no plans for them, 16,400 points secured business class for that one too! I’ve picked exit row seats for the NCL-AMS and back so happy to sit back of the bus for those, I have yet to fly KLM economy. The hotel was a no-brainer given the arrival is after midnight, 20,000 points for the Hilton Garden Inn next to the airport. I does mean I need to be up and out early, but better than than faffing around with getting into the city in the dead of night. And now, less than a hour after I finished all the booking and upgrading, and after some rather rushed packing, here I sit in an Uber where we are rapidly approaching the airport. Life is never boring :D |
Clearly "To ________ by SkyTeam" is going to become the next big trend in TRs. :D
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Originally Posted by sgrunt
(Post 36903229)
Clearly "To ________ by SkyTeam" is going to become the next big trend in TRs. :D
|
As we arrived at the airport I was greeted by roadworks outside the terminal. Apparently they are rearranging the lanes to make exit from the car park easier
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8e2fc8329.jpeg Inside the terminal it was very quiet. BA check in has been moved next to Jet2 and Easyjet are now using the ex-BA counters https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d15b5bd36.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e8bec1290.jpeg As the AF/KLM check in was deserted I thought I’d ask the price of an airport upgrade for the NCL-AMS leg. £149 was the answer, which makes absolutely no sense against the earlier online upgrade prices. Declined with thanks. I have Sky Team Elite status with four various programmes and I took the opportunity offered recently to status match BA to FlyingBlue platinum and so Sky Priority provided fast path security and lounge access. Nothing notable has changed in the lounge, some danish pastries are new to me and the Gluten Free cake is now Chocolate and that’s about it. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...be9323a4d.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8ad9419e1.jpeg When I arrived there were seven assorted Aspire and airport bods wandering around with notepads so something is afoot although the staff didn’t know, or wouldn’t say, what. Anyhoo, now settled in the a glass of fizz and a cup of coffee… I’ve given up on the trio in this lounge, all the juices are nigh undrinkable. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a6a97fc8b.jpeg |
Originally Posted by sgrunt
(Post 36903229)
Clearly "To ________ by SkyTeam" is going to become the next big trend in TRs. :D
It's not starting in NCL though. |
The mystery of all the people around the lounge is solved, they’re plotting out new cameras.
Lunch is served https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a7febc963.jpeg And the remainder of the buffet https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...19b830b44.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ba84f438e.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...74de3a569.jpeg Nothing to do now but kick back for an hour before boarding |
Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
(Post 36903374)
I have a (bog standard, direct, Y) trip to BUD with KL up this weekend, shall I join the fray? :D
It's not starting in NCL though. |
Looks like KLM want to make things interesting! My 17:25 departure is now delayed to 17:55 with a 20:07 arrival. My OTP departure is at 21:00! This may require some serious hustle and some strategic queue jumping at the D gates to make that connection now.
Fingers crossed for no further delays! |
Forgot that OTP is now Schengen.... Look for the Short Connection queue at passport control. The OTP flight is almost always late though, I gather to hold for connections.
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17:25 and gate 20 was announced which is only a short wander from the lounge. A walk on gate this evening .
Our plane for this evening https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...17a87882c.jpeg Final call was made just as I arrived at the gate which, three minutes after the gate was announced, seems slightly premature! The gate holding pen is divided into Groups 1&2 to the left and groups 3,4, and 5 to the right. Looks like that’s as far as group priority goes. Fingers now firmly crossed that we do not pick up any further delays |
No leg room issues here in 15 A
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a992b1635.jpeg Definitely the ‘view from the wing’ seat https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d152b889b.jpeg A look at the safety card https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8204f2e98.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a0d3b19b1.jpeg 17:40 and it looks like boarding is complete on this very lightly loaded flight. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...62ea7455d.jpeg I was going to ask if I could move to the front for landing but there are so few passengers, plus they have announced a ‘stay where you are for weight and balance’ that I think it is probably not worth the effort. And as I write this we are pushing back at 17:41, 16 minutes late but 14 minutes ahead of our revised departure time. Next Stop: Amsterdam |
As the plane was climbing, the crew lead made an announcement that she was aware that a number of people were concerned about their short connections and that she had no information at this time but would make another announcement at 15 minutes to landing when she would have more information.
It didn’t take long for the drink and a snack service to start. This is a bag of tomato biscuits that were surprisingly tasty, and a refreshing alcoholic beverage! It feels decadent after BAs mini popcorn and water offering. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ed0dae4fd.jpeg A little later this sweet arrived, it a mystery to me how these things happen ;) https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...07d262772.jpeg The rest of the flight I spent reading on my iPad and occasionally staring out into the darkness. The pilots announcement that we were twenty minutes to landing and that there would be a fifteen minute taxi to the gate. He also announced that according to the system everyone should make their connection so hopefully he is right. Despite this assurance a couple of people moved to seats closer to the front and were sent back to whence they came. I didn’t get to interact with the crew much on this very short flight but they all came across as delightful which is what I have come to expect from KLM crews. Seats for landing at 19:35 and we were wheels down at 19:42. All being well I should have 45 minutes to clear into the Schengen side and get to my gate. Wish me luck :) |
Well that was fun
Ten minutes from gate to security Five minutes in security Seven minutes in the lounge Six minutes to the gate And here we are minutes before boarding is supposed to start https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...317bd6ab2.jpeg Made it! Hot and sweaty, but, made it! |
Boarding has commenced, and it’s the same crew! I have no idea what the odds are but they have to be remote. I wonder if it will be the same again on the return tomorrow afternoon?
plenty of leg room here in row 2 (row 1 was fully taken) https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...84d1b3386.jpeg USB charging, Wi-Fi, and a device holder, all the mod cons https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...855493ce0.jpeg Boarding complete at 21:00 and ground crew off the plane, however the flight deck is still open so clearly we are going to be a little delayed on departure. Next Stop: Bucharest |
Ten minutes past our scheduled departure the pilot announced that our pushback tug had finally arrived and we would be on our way shortly.
With a few minutes to wait I was playing around with the wifi. Free messaging connected with no issues and no authentication. The on board web pages include a simple map and a basic trip info screen. Push back was at 21:15 and a fairly long taxi before we were wheels up at 21:29 and on our way for our 2:20 trip to Bucharest It didn’t take long for the service to start. The first offering was a hot towel and the offer of a bottle of water. The towel was really hot and also moister than most, and much appreciated! Food and drink service was around 15 minutes later and the standard trio to kick things off. The coffee is rocket fuel, just what I like. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...295c3d96b.jpeg The box meal is always cold and this time almost entirely went back to the galley, however the warmed quiche was tasty and served as my meal, and the macarons were very good! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4688608c5.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...89c8bae50.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a9f0b6b64.jpeg Once everything was cleared away these celebratory chocolates were offered, and then a second drinks run which was coffee and brandy for me. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...11e5f2006.jpeg The rest of the flight I spent reading on my iPad intermittently chatting to the crew. I was surprised to learn that the minimum layover for KLM is 11 hours, hardly time to get a decent nights sleep. I will not be seeing this crew tomorrow, they’re taking the earlier flight back to Amsterdam. With about twenty five minutes to go the crew lead came to clear my glasses and deliver a little gift. Have I mentioned that I love KLM crews? ;) https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7f464c12f.jpeg The pilots announcement that we were twenty minutes to landing came shortly thereafter and we were on the ground in OTP at 00:48 to the applause of many on board, not heard that for a while! Just now trundling around the very white and snowy airport on the way to the gate. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...21996ffa4.jpeg Next Stop: The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel. |
Seems I need to make an effort to be chattier with the crews, I never got such a nice postcard :D
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Originally Posted by Fabo.sk
(Post 36904425)
Seems I need to make an effort to be chattier with the crews, I never got such a nice postcard :D
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Definitely snowy!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7403ead9d.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...47468c09a.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...79a923de7.jpeg In another ‘what are the odds’ moment, I have the same room as back in early January! Late checkout secured for 2pm which means that I do not need to lug my backpack into the city, and also that I can probably get a snooze tomorrow after the dentists visit, all things being equal. With five and a half hours until the alarm goes off, it is time to bid you goodnight. |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36904360)
Ten minutes past our scheduled departure the pilot announced that our pushback tug had finally arrived and we would be on our way shortly.
With a few minutes to wait I was playing around with the wifi. Free messaging connected with no issues and no authentication. The on board web pages include a simple map and a basic trip info screen. Push back was at 21:15 and a fairly long taxi before we were wheels up at 21:29 and on our way for our 2:20 trip to Bucharest It didn’t take long for the service to start. The first offering was a hot towel and the offer of a bottle of water. The towel was really hot and also moister than most, and much appreciated! Food and drink service was around 15 minutes later and the standard trio to kick things off. The coffee is rocket fuel, just what I like. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...295c3d96b.jpeg The box meal is always cold and this time almost entirely went back to the galley, however the warmed quiche was tasty and served as my meal, and the macarons were very good! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4688608c5.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...89c8bae50.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a9f0b6b64.jpeg Once everything was cleared away these celebratory chocolates were offered, and then a second drinks run which was coffee and brandy for me. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...11e5f2006.jpeg The rest of the flight I spent reading on my iPad intermittently chatting to the crew. I was surprised to learn that the minimum layover for KLM is 11 hours, hardly time to get a decent nights sleep. I will not be seeing this crew tomorrow, they’re taking the earlier flight back to Amsterdam. With about twenty five minutes to go the crew lead came to clear my glasses and deliver a little gift. Have I mentioned that I love KLM crews? ;) https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7f464c12f.jpeg The pilots announcement that we were twenty minutes to landing came shortly thereafter and we were on the ground in OTP at 00:48 to the applause of many on board, not heard that for a while! Just now trundling around the very white and snowy airport on the way to the gate. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...21996ffa4.jpeg Next Stop: The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel. |
Good morning from Bucharest where it is now 8am and I’m in a Bolt heading to the dentist. The 15 minute trip is estimated to take nearly an hour which tells you everything about the state of the roads this morning.
The alarm tore me from my slumber at 7am after maybe four hours sleep so really not feeling particularly chirpy yet :) I did pop into the breakfast buffet to take some photos as I never got to see it in January https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ca00ff6cb.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a91fac0cd.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ad0453f23.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c3467412a.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9d4f25a6f.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d0cb5d3c9.jpeg As we get closer to the city the roads are getting better and the bolt estimate is reducing so I should be at the dentists with time to spare. |
In the end I was thirty minutes early and they were able to see me straight away as previous clients had cancelled due to the snowy conditions.
Deja Vu, spent far too many hours reclining here in the last couple of years https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4ec5613d5.jpeg Good news, bad news, visit. Nothing catastrophic wrong, slight infection treated with some foul tasting gunk embedded in gum…. but, they want me back next Tuesday (earliest appointment available with specialist) to laser clean all the implants which from previous experience is a gruesome process. This could be the makings of the first ‘to _____ by skyteam AGAIN’ trip report :D In another Uber heading back to the Airport Hilton and, with luck, a few hours snooze before I have to check out and head to the Airport |
Oh more dental trouble :( Hope it will not be too gruesome, mate.
Are you planning to defect to ScrapTeam already? :D |
Originally Posted by SKT-DK
(Post 36905075)
Oh more dental trouble :( Hope it will not be too gruesome, mate.
Are you planning to defect to ScrapTeam already? :D |
Having managed to snatch another hours sleep it was time for breakfast/brunch/lunch. I thought that I would give the HGI kitchen a try. Ursus and Lamb Shank, food of champions :)
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b5152727d.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5c738d9b1.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...21a6776ee.jpeg The lamb shank was delicious, perfectly cooked, but I’m so old school that I would have loved some mint sauce! |
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36905293)
Ursus and Lamb Shank, food of champions :)
Originally Posted by JapesUK
(Post 36905293)
The lamb shank was delicious, perfectly cooked, but I’m so old school that I would have loved some mint sauce!
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I arrived at the airport at 2pm, and have just reached the Dacia lounge fifty minutes later. Security was a monumental mess of the kind that only OTP seems capable of engineering. These guys need to invest in tensa barriers and a Marshall!
Its not as if it was particularly overrun, just totally inefficient https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b914762d7.jpeg The right hand side of duty free has reopened after revamp and honestly I cannot tell the difference! The left hand side is now closed, I assume that is getting the same treatment https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...097b10dd5.jpeg Nothing more to do but lounge in the lounge for a couple of hours and enjoy some Ursus |
I’m intrigued about your dental arrangements and would like to ask a question which hopefully isn’t too personal and you will be able to answer.
Is there no way you could get a dentist back in the UK to do the necessary, or is it because you had all the previous treatment done in Bucharest that no UK dentist will touch it? Seems a tad inconvenient to have to go all the way to Romania for a dental appointment. |
All the work was done in Romania so that is one reason. And the second is that getting any sort of dentist in the UK is a joke. There was a local clinic offering Emergency appointments so I thought I’d try them, the first available ‘Emergency ’ appointment was 22nd April!
The third is that it’s all guaranteed/insured by the practice so no remedial treatment costs. |
All good reasons.
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And finally after many Ursus, time to head to the gate. One look at this and you know what is coming
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0273eb335.jpeg And OTP did not disappoint! A bus gate so no big deal who boards when, but ‘groups 1,2, and passengers requiring assistance’ is a new one and you can imagine how that ended up! Now on the bus watching everyone board and then immediately stand by the doors despite the majority of the seat and space free. I give them a minute before the driver appears and herds them down the bus |
And so on board this Embraer E195 and the joyous 2-2 seating. No surprise that there is plenty of leg room up in row 1.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...98be5bcb8.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b6f4036a7.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...19b1d003c.jpeg A Quick Look at the safety card https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eaf1ef8ee.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...576121c61.jpeg Boarding is complete at 17:35 and the crew have just offered out water to the four of us in business class this evening. I have a suspicion that because of the light load in business we will not see much of the crew on this flight, we’ll see. Next Stop: Amsterdam in, maybe, 2 1/2 hours time Edit: couldn’t help but notice the flight deck are well provisioned for snacking :D https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1b24ec242.jpeg |
Off the ground at almost 6pm and the first cabin announcement was that they would be keeping the lights dimmed. In complete contrast to the flight from AMS to OTP where the lights were up the whole time. Am I being overly suspicious or are the crew hoping for an easy ride?
The food arrived exactly three minutes after take off! The menu this evening was the best (to my diet) so far and very little went back to the galley https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3551bff93.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2f96f9fe8.jpeg The standard trio of drinks as the opening salvo. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ef75c25fa.jpeg As the crew member was clearing the boxes I asked if he would turn the seat power on. “Is it off?” was the reply… DUH! Thirty minutes in and the galley curtain is closed. I’ll lay odds it stays that way until 20 minutes to landing. A little later, whilst I was in the galley chatting to another member of the crew about all things KLM they were telling me that KLM are switching to just hot drink and a stroopwaffle in Economy, that is a shame. I thought I’d have a play and see what you could achieve with the free WiFi and I was pleasantly surprised that I could access bookings and even upgrade my next leg if I so wished (€179 AMS-NCL, no thanks) I’d have won my earlier bet, the curtain was closed the whole way and most of the time all of the crew were gossiping in the galley, only appearing a couple of times to check if anyone wanted a drink. Captains announcement that we 18 minutes to landing didn’t stop the chattering, it took the seatbelt light and ‘prepare for landing’ to finally get them moving. Let’s face it, the odds were that I had to run into a lazy crew sooner rather than later, clearly today was that day. 19:43 and we are on the ground after a pretty poor landing with a massive bounce after first contact and then some seriously ‘throw you forward’ braking once he got the wheels on the ground. We are now trundling around the airport to the gate, let’s see how long this hot mess takes this evening. |
Great “bonus” trip report for all of us and a great read but obviously not so good for you. I hope your dental issue is sorted quickly. Did you look at going with BA via LHR?
out of curiosity, are the prices of dentists in OTP similar to that in the UK.? The practice you mentioned has a good write up. |
Originally Posted by DXB2745
(Post 36906302)
Great “bonus” trip report for all of us and a great read but obviously not so good for you. I hope your dental issue is sorted quickly. Did you look at going with BA via LHR?
out of curiosity, are the prices of dentists in OTP similar to that in the UK.? The practice you mentioned has a good write up. BA was over £1000 economy! |
We eventually parked up at a bus gate and after the traditional trundle around the airport we were deposited at bus arrivals at 20:00
Getting to the E gates took close to 25 minutes including clearing border control and first stop was the Crown lounge which offered some of the worst food I’ve seen in a while! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e197d750b.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f53da4b9c.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e7e6e066b.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...266010b6c.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8df4f3bfe.jpeg Deciding I’d rather not partake in any of those offerings, I headed back a few hundred yards and have been enjoying an incredibly expensive but oh so good McDonalds! I’ve just arrived at the gate with, supposedly, 10 minutes to boarding, let’s see how that plays out. Frankly, I’m done now, just want to get home and to bed. |
A little bit of boarding not boarding at the gate where they called zones 1&2 and then there we waited for a good five minutes.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...22565e185.jpeg Eventually we were allowed to trickle on board and I am now comfortably ensconced in 15C and the crew member lurking in the middle of the plane tells me that 15B is empty so we have both leg room and shoulder room once again. I don’t know if I am simply getting lucky or if there is some sort of seat blocking going on. Flighty is predicting a 10 minute departure delay and a 17 minute arrival delay so hopefully we will be on our way shortly. Next Stop: Newcastle in an hour and a half time. |
Push back started at around 22:10 and once the safety briefing was done they came to do the safety check and for the first time in forever I was asked to put my iPad away. I’m assuming this is crew on this flight not knowing the rules as opposed to all of the other crews ignoring them. That’s a second thing I need to find out about.
It was a very short taxi today, less than five minutes, and we were on our way to Newcastle. The drinks run was the same biscuits as outbound and just a coffee to accompany them this evening. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...58a952e16.jpeg And that’s about it for this final leg, a very uneventful flight mostly spent reading a book in my iPad. The seatbelt lights were on at 22:00 and we were on approach to NCL. Wheels on the ground at 22:11 with a very solid landing with a bit of a right hand swerve! Next up comes Newcastle international border check. I’ve not had much luck with this so here’s hoping tonight is quick and easy! |
Absolutely whistled through the border check and this little distraction ends as they all do with me writing this final update in an uber heading for home.
I have around 32 hours at home and then it will be back to the airport for a weekend in Lisbon! I get back from Lisbon Sunday evening and Monday afternoon it is off to the airport once more for the return to Bucharest. Dentist Tuesday and then Wednesday I fly from Bucharest to Birmingham for business meetings Thursday and Friday, then finally back home late Friday night! A crazy week ahead. |
Looks like I didn't miss much at the Crown Lounge then - truly unappetising!
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Used to be quite good, too, when they first opened :(
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