Jacobin777 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 13323 posts, RR: 69 Posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 5351 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: 30 Reply 1, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 5185 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 (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 5162 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, 1025 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 5105 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 (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 5077 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, 1025 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 5056 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)....
MaverickM11 From United States, joined Apr 2000, 11947 posts, RR: 51 Reply 8, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 4745 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: 8 Reply 9, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 4722 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?
Stealthpilot From India, joined May 2004, 508 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 4517 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 (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 3790 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, joined Aug 2004, 1484 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 3617 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, 277 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 3184 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, 1025 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 3065 times:
TRVYYZ From Canada, joined Oct 2004, 1164 posts, RR: 13 Reply 25, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 2772 times:
Quoting Mrniji (Reply 22): They should have picked more beautiful FAs in the 1st pic, not these spice-girl style ugly girls there - a matter of taste..
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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From United States, joined Sep 2004, 13323 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 3384 posts, 
From India, joined May 2004, 158 posts, 
From United Arab Emirates, joined Jan 2001, 1025 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 1970 posts, 
- a matter of taste..
. May be it's the uniform. 
.
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