Chris Lynch
06-20-2005, 01:21 PM
Right here we go then, just a short hop from B'ham to Edinburgh, this should be easy Friday night I played a gig with my band, we were expecting a few people but thought it would be a quiet one. 275 people turned up and the venue only hold 300 so it was far from quiet, problem was I over indulged a bit at the after show party and woke up on the morning of my flight having a big handover and only about 5 hours sleep
We got a lift to B'ham airport where we would be joining our BMI baby flight to Edinburgh. It was a scorching hot day about 32oC. We checked in an hour before the flight. We were told there may be a slight delay because the baggage belt was not working correctly.
It took us about another 30mins to get through security, so we did not have much time before boarding. The aircraft stand was away from the terminal so we had to get on a bus to be driven across the tarmac. We stopped next to our Boeing 737-500 and had to wait another 20 mins for them to board the disabled passengers. It was roasting hot on the bus, not the best when your hung over and tired.
We finally boarded, the load was about 3/4 full so Anna and I had a row to ourselves. We taxied and then set off on our takeoff roll. It was a measured takeoff so no real sudden acceleration. While climbing the jet was all over the place. I am not sure if it was turb but the pilot kept banking one way and then the other, we got bumped about a fair bit. I was NOT happy, up until now I had not even thought about flying or got worried or anything, but now I was really not happy and all the fears came back. I am not sure if it was because I was so tired but I hng on the whole flight even the decent, as soon as we landed I was fine!!! The crew and service in general was good. I did not identify myself as a FOF. As I left the aircraft I noticed we had a female 1st officer:thumbsup:
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I flew back this morning on easyjet. I was my first time with this airline but as I am a bit "Airline" fan as was looking forward to it.
Again we checked in about an hour early but this time there was a long queue. The easy jet checkin girl was a good laugh and very friendly. Another 20mins to go through security and we got to the gate as they were making the final call.
http://www.irlcomputers.com/fto/liv/pics/easyjet.jpg
Easy jet flights are a sit where you like. Because we were one of the last ones on we were seated all over the plane. We pushed back on time, I was a little nervous now as I did not want a repeat of the awkward shifting around in the air on takeoff.
The takeoff roll was faster this time as we had a full load, this time the climb was smooth with no bumps and no banking. I must admit I was not really happy until we had levelled out.
The FA's came round with the drinks but I did not have one I just listened to my MP3 player. I can really recommend one of these I have a Creative ZEN which can hold about 1500 songs great to take you mind off turb.
One thing I have noticed is the 737-500 has noisy flap motors (not sure that's the right terminology but you all know what I mean) and engines than the -200 and -300 that I have been on previously. maybe one of the pilots can answer this.
The flight was very smooth. As we came into land we slowed right down then as we were about to stall the engines came on again and we sped up, as we came down I thought, he is going a bit fast??? the bang we were on the deck, I am surprised we did not burst a tyre. The lady sat next to me commented that it was a bad landing and the pilot needed re-training. I pointed out it was probably an auto pilot landing and that usually when I pilot lands it themselves its very smooth.
Easyjet were good very similar to BMI except the aircraft seemed newer and a little more tidy.
I will be flying again in October this time to Vegas so maybe a little more practise is needed after Oz I thought I could fly anywhere but this little adventure shows you have to always respect your fear.
My weightlifting went well I finished 3rd in Europe, I am going to the World championships in December which is a Ryan air flight to Italy:rolleyes:
Chris
We got a lift to B'ham airport where we would be joining our BMI baby flight to Edinburgh. It was a scorching hot day about 32oC. We checked in an hour before the flight. We were told there may be a slight delay because the baggage belt was not working correctly.
It took us about another 30mins to get through security, so we did not have much time before boarding. The aircraft stand was away from the terminal so we had to get on a bus to be driven across the tarmac. We stopped next to our Boeing 737-500 and had to wait another 20 mins for them to board the disabled passengers. It was roasting hot on the bus, not the best when your hung over and tired.
We finally boarded, the load was about 3/4 full so Anna and I had a row to ourselves. We taxied and then set off on our takeoff roll. It was a measured takeoff so no real sudden acceleration. While climbing the jet was all over the place. I am not sure if it was turb but the pilot kept banking one way and then the other, we got bumped about a fair bit. I was NOT happy, up until now I had not even thought about flying or got worried or anything, but now I was really not happy and all the fears came back. I am not sure if it was because I was so tired but I hng on the whole flight even the decent, as soon as we landed I was fine!!! The crew and service in general was good. I did not identify myself as a FOF. As I left the aircraft I noticed we had a female 1st officer:thumbsup:
.................................................. ...........................................
I flew back this morning on easyjet. I was my first time with this airline but as I am a bit "Airline" fan as was looking forward to it.
Again we checked in about an hour early but this time there was a long queue. The easy jet checkin girl was a good laugh and very friendly. Another 20mins to go through security and we got to the gate as they were making the final call.
http://www.irlcomputers.com/fto/liv/pics/easyjet.jpg
Easy jet flights are a sit where you like. Because we were one of the last ones on we were seated all over the plane. We pushed back on time, I was a little nervous now as I did not want a repeat of the awkward shifting around in the air on takeoff.
The takeoff roll was faster this time as we had a full load, this time the climb was smooth with no bumps and no banking. I must admit I was not really happy until we had levelled out.
The FA's came round with the drinks but I did not have one I just listened to my MP3 player. I can really recommend one of these I have a Creative ZEN which can hold about 1500 songs great to take you mind off turb.
One thing I have noticed is the 737-500 has noisy flap motors (not sure that's the right terminology but you all know what I mean) and engines than the -200 and -300 that I have been on previously. maybe one of the pilots can answer this.
The flight was very smooth. As we came into land we slowed right down then as we were about to stall the engines came on again and we sped up, as we came down I thought, he is going a bit fast??? the bang we were on the deck, I am surprised we did not burst a tyre. The lady sat next to me commented that it was a bad landing and the pilot needed re-training. I pointed out it was probably an auto pilot landing and that usually when I pilot lands it themselves its very smooth.
Easyjet were good very similar to BMI except the aircraft seemed newer and a little more tidy.
I will be flying again in October this time to Vegas so maybe a little more practise is needed after Oz I thought I could fly anywhere but this little adventure shows you have to always respect your fear.
My weightlifting went well I finished 3rd in Europe, I am going to the World championships in December which is a Ryan air flight to Italy:rolleyes:
Chris