Jacobin777 From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 14968 posts, RR: 61 Posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 6424 times:
Hey, give him credit. While I'm not the biggest fan of VS service, more power to SRB!!!
"Branson sells Mumbai dreams
- Virgin boss promises the moon for free skies
Branson lifts model Jennifer Mayani, standing on the wing of the Airbus. (AFP)
Mumbai, March 31: Sir Richard Branson brought Mumbai airport to a standstill today when he stepped out on to the wing of his Airbus 340, with two local models holding clapper boards proclaiming his latest production, “Mumbai Dreams”.
One of the women shrieked with delight and embarrassment when he lifted her in his arms as he had been told they do in Hindi films. Two Virgin Atlantic stewardesses were also there, one holding the Union Jack and the other the Indian tricolour.
On Virgin’s inaugural flight VS350, which left Heathrow last night for Mumbai, he made a brief announcement to journalists and guests who had come with him. “This is Richard Branson. Welcome on board our historic flight to Mumbai — or Bombay — for those who don’t know the difference.”
The passengers in upper class not only had plenty of good food and champagne and access to allegedly the longest flat beds in the business but also massages in the morning."
BCAL From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 3384 posts, RR: 18 Reply 1, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 6258 times:
Quoting Jacobin777 (Thread starter): Branson lifts model Jennifer Mayani, standing on the wing of the Airbus. (AFP)
Mumbai, March 31: Sir Richard Branson brought Mumbai airport to a standstill today when he stepped out on to the wing of his Airbus 340, with two local models holding clapper boards proclaiming his latest production, “Mumbai Dreams”.
And after the inaugural VS flight to SYD
It was meant to be a light-hearted stunt, dreamed up on a wing and a prayer. But Virgin Atlantic is embroiled in a furious row with airport bosses in Australia over Sir Richard Branson's celebratory antics following its inaugural flight to Sydney last week.
On arrival, Sir Richard, 54, climbed on to the wing of Virgin's Airbus jet clutching a surfboard. He was accompanied by a group of swimwear models waving a Union flag and an Australian national flag.
Aviation officials, who were watching from the ground, were unimpressed by the number of people balancing on the potentially slippery surface and attempted to order him back inside the plane.
Airport bosses have since carpeted Virgin officials for ignoring agreed safety protocols. They are demanding further discussions "in confidence" to seek assurances about the airline's future conduct.
Obviously the discussions "in confidence" failed to seek any assurances about the airline's future conduct!
MOL on SRB's latest attack at BA: "It's like a little Chihuahua barking at a dying Labrador. Nobody cares."
BOEING787 From India, joined May 2004, 158 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 6235 times:
Apparantely Branson nearly got deported at Mumbai due to an expired Indian visa! He called the Indian Prime Ministers Office who sorted out the matter and had immigration issue him a 72 hrs. temp. landing pass.
AirIndia From United Arab Emirates, joined Jan 2001, 1546 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 6178 times:
His performance in Delhi in 2000 was even more impressive. Clad in Punjabi dress he did the bhangra and then rode his way on a cycle rickshaw....
Mrniji From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 6150 times:
Quoting BOEING787 (Reply 2): Apparantely Branson nearly got deported at Mumbai due to an expired Indian visa! He called the Indian Prime Ministers Office who sorted out the matter and had immigration issue him a 72 hrs. temp. landing pass.
Shame he got a special permission.. equal right for everyone.. him being deported would have been even a greater publicity gag
AirIndia From United Arab Emirates, joined Jan 2001, 1546 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 6129 times:
I think the Indian protocol has a special clause which enables 'certain' people to bypass laws. I think 'Knights' fall in that category. I am not sure but probably they are. But then, I think they wud have allowed bill gates to stay if his visa was expired (even though he is not a knight)....
Xpat From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 634 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 6090 times:
Quoting AirIndia (Reply 5): . . . allowed bill gates to stay if his visa was expired (even though he is not a knight)....
Actually, he received an honorary knighthood in March 2005.
The only thing we have to fear is the sky falling on our heads. -Asterix
MaverickM11 From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 15727 posts, RR: 47 Reply 8, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 5818 times:
" him being deported would have been even a greater publicity gag "
Maybe it would have spurred the Indians (and many others) to give up their retarded visa rules.
Paul From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2005, 374 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5795 times:
Don't anyone dare diss Branson!!!
He is a credit to Entreprenuers and Businessmen and Women. He started with nothing but a record player and now he is a billionaire. Can anyone here do better..............? I thought not.
He is a fantastic employer; fair, kind and he has got more character than all of the Billionaires in the world put together! How can residents of a country that needs foreign investment and an economic boost, make sly comments about not letting a man into a country that eventually will employ hundreds if not thousands more people? Are you bloody stupid or something?
Jacobin777 From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 14968 posts, RR: 61 Reply 10, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5731 times:
Quoting AirIndia (Reply 5): But then, I think they wud have allowed bill gates to stay if his visa was expired (even though he is not a knight)....
actually, William Gates III HAS been Knighted, just a few weeks ago....
Stealthpilot From India, joined May 2004, 510 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 5590 times:
Paul, no need to get so flustered. Yes true VS will bring in employment, money etc but Virgin benefits more than India. Anyway that is not the point. The point is that a person could come in with an expired visa.
How fair and kind you are as an employer is not a facet to be considered when your talking about a valid visa! Don’t get me wrong I love Branson and am a huge fan of VS, I am glad he was let in
Personally if Bill Gates came without a visa I would go so far as to say I EXPECT that officials let him enter, because he is Bill Gates! True India’s visa laws are pretty outdates and hopeless, but if it were anyone else they would not be let in. Thank god he has the connections to call the PMO, it would have been marginally funny if couldn’t get off the plane!
Mrniji From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 4863 times:
Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 8): Maybe it would have spurred the Indians (and many others) to give up their retarded visa rules.
OK, why are the rules retarded? This is a question, not an offence.. I would like to hear one good argument, and we can discuss.. I agree that the visa rules are not appropriate, but take the other position: they are far too liberal
Quoting Paul (Reply 9): How can residents of a country that needs foreign investment and an economic boost, make sly comments about not letting a man into a country that eventually will employ hundreds if not thousands more people? Are you bloody stupid or something?
OK, listen Paul: I have no idea whether you have ever heard of irony (and saw the smiley). If not, get yourself a dictionary, and possibly some sense f humor. Second, even if someone brings employment, there are certain rules. If it was that easy, we could have opened the sector 100 % for FDI (on the cost of surrendering the market). before calling someone stupid, do consider whether or not you have the substantial knowledge and provide the substantial arguments, or are just on of the dumb, stupid and uneducated out of xx Million
Aerofan From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 1515 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 4690 times:
Has it ever occurred to some of you that lame attempts at humour or supposedly ironic remarks, do not translate well on any forum- unless you are a skilled writer?
What do you expect therefore when someone challenges your statements?
AirbusCanada From Canada, joined Nov 2004, 292 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (8 years 1 month 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 4257 times:
Quoting Paul (Reply 9): He is a credit to Entreprenuers and Businessmen and Women. He started with nothing but a record player and now he is a billionaire. Can anyone here do better..............? I thought not.
ACcording to my knowledge, most of the billionaire dont' start with a billion dollar asset.OPera, WArren buffet, M.dell all started froma scratch.
AirIndia From United Arab Emirates, joined Jan 2001, 1546 posts, RR: 1 Reply 20, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 4138 times:
HAWK21M From India, joined Jan 2001, 31201 posts, RR: 58 Reply 24, posted (8 years 1 month 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 3908 times:
Quoting Ricci767 (Reply 17): Was this an A340-300 or A340-600? I am going to guess A340-600.
Any link to the Type.I have a doubt on the -600 being used.
regds
MEL
Think of the brighter side!
25 TRVYYZ: I'd love to disagree . May be it's the uniform. . Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. [Edited 2005-04-03 21:01:37]
26 HAWK21M: Anyone can confirm if the A340-600 landed at Mumbai or was it the -300. regds MEL
27 AirIndia: The TOI reported it to be a 600. but again we cant be too sure of the reporting.
28 Leezyjet: "They should have picked more beautiful FAs in the 1st pic, not these spice-girl style ugly girls there" I actually know both those girls in that pic,
29 Karan69: One of my freinds send me an sms saying that he spotted it take off and that it was an A346, and his favorite aircraft is the A346 so i bet he wont m
30 Aseem: now with UK wanting open skies policy with India, we will see SRB all over the place. I simply admire this guy!! rgds Aseem
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