PanAm747 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 4242 posts, RR: 10 Posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 2101 times:
Okay, we've griped, we've moaned, we've gotten it out of our systems. That's healthy. We know to do it outside the airport grounds - where no one can hear us except those we know are sympathetic. It's called "venting".
So, to provide the yang to the yin, let's talk about things that we still enjoy about flying!!
Keep in mind, I am still that seven-year old child watching a Pan Am 747 taking off at LAX in the 1970's, so bear with me if this gets silly, okay?
The moment its time to leave. All the planning and preparation and waiting are over - IT'S TIME!!
The actual boarding of the plane. Jetbridges are cool, but walking across the tarmac at San Diego's Commuter Terminal is beyond exciting!! The noise, the wind, the being so close to other airplanes - YEE-HAW!!
The moment when you first realize the take-off is commencing!! I LOVE that first initial push back into the seat as your body struggles to keep up with the plane!! And watching the ground drop away - it reminds me of Google Satellite images on Zoom-Out.
Talking with a flight attendant - when they're not busy, of course!! I got a personal tour of a United 747-400 from a very friendly flight attendant...and she introduced me to all the other f/a's as an "enthusiast"! Everything except the proverbial red carpet was rolled out as I got to see most of the plane - including a cockpit tour afterwards!! I am grateful to every single employee who has made my flights terrific!!
CSA's who talk to me, not at me. We've all had our experiences with "bored" personnel - the characters of Patty and Selma wouldn't exist if there weren't real life examples - but talking to me as a valued customer (even if I'm not a Super-Dooper Extra-Shiny Molybdenum Level Frequent Flyer!!) always elevates my mood!! Thank you for smiling - I will spend the rest of my trip trying to pass it on.
I go into every flight expecting that I myself must be positive in order to make the trip itself a positive experience. I also find that my enthusiasm for flying coupled with this positive approach is contagious - and I almost always come out of it saying, "I really enjoyed my trip - THANK YOU!!"
What are your joys of flying?
Pan Am:The World's Most Experienced Airline - P(oor) S(ailor's) A(irline): San Diego's Hometown Airline-Catch Our Smile!
UltimateDelta From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 1993 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 2096 times:
I just love flying in general! Let's see, my favorite parts are pushback, because you know you are indefinitely on your way... Oh, and the approach, especially over cities like Washington DC. I also like getting on board CRJs at terminal C in Atlanta because it involves the open tarmac. I also like the takeoff and taxi because it gives you a chance to see all the other planes, like special livery and foreign ones.
AirPortugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3065 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 2090 times:
Quoting 787seattle (Reply 3): Quoting UltimateDelta (Reply 2):
you know you are indefinitely on your way...
not if you are on NW219 on 1/16/08 because we had to stop in the middle of our taxi to go back to the gate for some cockpit computer problem.
LHboyatDTW From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 2080 times:
Heading to the airport - All that anxiety just "flies away"
Boarding the plane - I always get a buzz out of that for new things. Mainly new planes and airlines.
Going somewhere different - I never feel this way going to MCO, but sometimes it makes even boarding a NW A320 seem exciting as long as it's not MCO or some overrated tourist crap like that.
Realizing your horizons may (literally) be broadened by new experiences
Realizing a potentially interesting chapter of your life is starting, especially if heading somewhere interesting (i.e. overseas). Hence the reason why I keep a journal when going long haul.
Kmh1956 From Bermuda, joined Jun 2005, 3324 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 2036 times:
First, and most importantly...getting my lily white, dimpled ass off this rock for a few days.
Next...on a really clear day, looking at the colors in the water surrounding said rock...just gorgeous.
A flight crew that really appears to enjoy what they're doing....last October we had a great bunch from BDA-BOS...from the pilot on down. they obviously were having a great time....so the passengers did too!
My first sight of the Cape as we're flying in to BOS....
Going the other way, BDA-LGW....again, getting my lily white, dimpled ass off this rock for a holiday.
I enjoy inflight meals (Yes, I quite like airline food!)....it could be cardboard, but I'm on vacation so who cares! Everything tastes better at 38000ft....even mass-produced meals.
In-flight movies....Ok, so I've probably seen them all, but who cares? I'm on vacation.
Coming in over Land's End at dawn...on a (rare) clear day...lovely sight....and with a cup of coffee in hand, of course.
That's it off the top of my head.
'Somebody tell me why I'm on my own if there's a soulmate for everyone' :Natasha Bedingfield
YYZflyer From Canada, joined Feb 2006, 3636 posts, RR: 5 Reply 9, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 2029 times:
I love everything. I get excited like a small child, but I can't help it!
Driving to the airport and staying in the hotel before the flight the next day.
Sitting at the hotel window watching planes taxi by, taking off, and landing.
Waiting to board the plane.
Boarding the plane and walking through the jet-bridge.
Push back.
Taxiing to the runway. I like seeing all the different planes, even if I've seen them all before.
Taking off. I always get a smile on my face when the engines spool up and start rolling down the runway. Then there's the actual ascending part.
Flying. I like the sound of the roaring engines. But they are getting quieter now-a-days. We need to bring back the classics. and no hush kits.
Landing. It's such and adrenaline rush flying low over buildings at high speeds.
Then there is the part of waiting for most people to get off the plane so I can get my safety cards.
And as I leave the plane I ask the FAs to get the pilots to fill out my flight log, hence I get to meet them as well.
WILCO737 From Greenland, joined Jun 2004, 8476 posts, RR: 78 Reply 10, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 2023 times:
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Quoting PanAm747 (Thread starter): The moment when you first realize the take-off is commencing!! I LOVE that first initial push back into the seat as your body struggles to keep up with the plane!! And watching the ground drop away - it reminds me of Google Satellite images on Zoom-Out.
Thats my favorite part as well! And I am getting close to my 1800th flight and I still enjoy it! Especially in my MD11F when she is empty - thats a powerful take off indeed!
And what I like as well: Impressive climb rates! What I did 2 weeks ago! Accelerating to 360 KIAS then slowly pulled the yoked and let her climb like hell! Max ROC I reached was 9700 ft/min, then I lowerd the nose again and at speed 300knots she started to accelerate again and still climbing with 3000 ft/min
And one more thing: a nice smooth touchdown within the touchdown zone
The nice view you have from time to time! Northern lights, lovely landscapes, flying over cities etc etc
Grozzy From Australia, joined Oct 2007, 155 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1991 times:
At the end of my holiday, ready to fly back to Australia and seeing the big QANTAS kangaroo. I know Ill be with my friends and family soon. I also love the smell of kerosene on a hot summers day.
Signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2948 posts, RR: 7 Reply 12, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1969 times:
Looking out of the window for the whole flight. Especially if there's no cloud cover. Watching the land go by, trying to work out what the towns are, and trying to spot other aircraft. No wonder I get a sore neck!
Mauiman31 From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 434 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 1959 times:
Sunset and Sunrise at 30-40 thousand.
City lights.
Meeting interesting, friendly people -- whether fellow pax, crew or other employees.
Boarding from the tarmac via airstairs.
That euforic, relaxed feeling (usually on vacation trips) -- when you are experiencing great service, by friendly competant professionals whom, your perception at least, is that they love their jobs and are happy to have you flying with them.
Touch down at my home airport, after business or vacation. When you are just glad to be home again.
DL757FAN From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 32 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 1947 times:
The smell of jetfuel and coffee when you board the aircraft. Gets me every time!
Dewy89 From United States of America, joined Apr 2007, 15 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 1940 times:
For me it has got to be flying over the northeast at night when it's overcast and seeing a giant sea of yellow beneath you. The lights from all the cities just seem to pool together.
Skynet179 From Belgium, joined Feb 2008, 8 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (5 years 2 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1917 times:
Quoting PanAm747 (Thread starter): The actual boarding of the plane. Jetbridges are cool, but walking across the tarmac at San Diego's Commuter Terminal is beyond exciting!! The noise, the wind, the being so close to other airplanes - YEE-HAW!!
Stepping out the bus that took us to 'our' EK 777-300ER on the ramp in DXB, and smelling jet fuel in an 108°F atmosphere, as the beginning of our DXB-BKK flight .YEHAA!!
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and no hush kits.
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