Good day fellow Anetters. Finally it was time again to take a ( much needed ) break from the office. Decided to visit Atlanta , Georgia as I haven't been there since 2005. It was a somewhat cold but enjoyable vacation. Without further ado lets get into the details of my trip:

Date: 26.11.09
Itinerary: KIN-MIA-ATL
Airline: American Airlines IATA: AA ICAO: AAL
Equipment: B738
Flight Number ( s ) - AA 1376/AA 2574
ETD - KIN-MIA 1:25pm ATD: 1:45pm
ETA - MIA 3:20pm ATA: 3:07pm
ETD - MIA-ATL 6:40pm ATD: 6:50pm
ETA - ATL 8:45pm ATA: 8:25pm
L/F - 90 - 95% on both segments.





SWG 717 ( B738 ) preparing to depart for YYZ. This flight's ETD was 11:35am and as a result of pushing back way ahead of schedule, rotated at exactly 11:35am.




An AJT B727 shortly after her arrival.




AJT joined by a helicopter at stand 12 and C-F8NS at stand 11.






B6 867 from JFK ( N603JB - A320 ) making a graceful taxi towards her assigned gate. One of KIN's newest airline services. DL also began JFK-KIN on December 12th 2009. This will compliment their existing ATL-KIN services.




JM 079 ( A320 ) climbing away from RWY 12 for her four hour flight to YYZ. This was the sole JM metal present at Manley at the time.




B6 joined here by BW 414 ( 9Y-POS - B738 ) from POS, BGI & ANU.




A closer snap-shot.




Considering the ''belly-full'' that is served by most carriers nowadays it is only logical to grab a bite prior to boarding the aircraft, so stopped by one of my favourite local food joints....'' Island Grill '' in the departure lounge. Curry chicken, pumpkin rice, festivals & cherry drink. '' Island Grill '' also operate a restaurant at BGI and recently announced plans to open another somewhere on that island. Grand Cayman will also see this restaurant chain pretty soon. This area over look the check-in lobby and to the left you will notice passengers checking-in at the AA ticket- counter.




My ride to MIA. AA 1376 at gate 9. The Captain can be seen making preparations for the flight.




Heading North on the route UA 301 after a ( very ) quick taxi and take off roll. It is interesting to note that our aircraft got airborne 20 minutes behind schedule and to expedite, the pilots made a sharp left turn after departing RWY 12 instead of the usual right turn. My first time experiencing this manoeuvre. Our cruising altitude was 38,000 feet and a choice of beverage was served. Cool winglets.



In no time we landed on RWY 30 at MIA, way prior to the scheduled arrival time, and disembarked at gate E4. Concourse A, B & C are closed for the time being. After a one hour '' meeting '' at immigration ( no surprises here as many international flights arrive at this time of the afternoon ) I made my way to baggage claim, and then followed the infamous yellow dots to drop it off at the connection point, and then the blue dots in the opposite direction to the security check point . Another round of the usual security checks, and then on to the departure lounge to wait for the connecting flight to ATL.




Left to right, MXA A320 preparing for departure to MEX, AMX B738 preparing for departure to MEX and SBA B752 preparing for departure to CCS.




AA 1819 B752 just prior to departure for POS. Don't remember where the B738 in the middle was headed for, but the B777 (mostly hidden) at right was operating as flight 056 to LHR.


At 6:10pm they announced the boarding of flight 2574 to ATL in the usual group manner. Boarding was quick and we pushed back on time and taxied to RWY 30 for departure. We were number 1 in the queue and quickly took off for the two hour journey. Cruising altitude was 37,000 feet and a choice of beverage was served. As it was dark I didn't take any snap-shots but suffice to say we touched down in ATL way ahead of schedule and in no time we were disembarking at the T Concourse which is attached to the main terminal building, so there was no need to use the under-ground people mover between terminals.



HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT


As disclosed previously I arrived at ATL after 8:00pm and also departed before 6:30am on the return journey home. As such quality snapshots proved a bit challenging. However I was very fortunate to receive some photos of a typical day in the life of ATL from fellow A'netter Islanbwoy………NUFF RESPEC' bredren….the photos you sent '' sell off '' ! Much appreciated.





DLs B744 still sporting NW colours. The tail of another former NW B744 in DLs livery is viewable at right. Raining cats and dogs at the worlds busiest airport.




KLs A332 preparing for her return journey across the pond to AMS.




DL’s B772 is all her glory.




Tail section of the B772 – N701DN.




A DL A332 ( originally a NW bird ) parked beside company B767. If you look above the 330 you will also observe a company MD80 getting airborne.




A number of DL RJs awaiting their next mission.




Unscheduled visitor at ATL. LHs B744 diverted from IAD as a result of the recent winter storms in the North East.




Two DL B772’s. It should be noted that the control tower was hit by lightening a few months ago during a heavy downpour.




AF B772




Tail section of AFs B772.



ATLANTA, GEORGIA




Entrance to the CNN Centre in Downtown Atlanta. Here visitors can get a 55 minutes tour of this very large facility for US$ 13. My second visit there. Over 1000 staff members report to work daily at this location. Very interesting and informative tour as you get to see first hand where it all happens at CNN, and all the things viewers never get to see while watching the news at home or whatever location they are at. Of course they are quite strict as to where you may take photographs and where you may not.




A section of the CNN Centre as seen from The Centennial Olympic Park located just across the road. It was a very cold and windy day. About 53 degrees F.




A few minutes walk across the park will take you to the The Georgia Aquarium. This aquarium is the largest in the world and is a must see for all visitors to Atlanta. 8.1 million gallons of water which is home to over 100,000 animals from over 500 species. Where the design and construction of this facility is concerned, I would say heights of creativity at its best. Really impressive.




The Lion fish. Don’t be fooled by their attractive appearance. They are full of poisonous venom and have been multiplying rapidly in many waters, including that of the Caribbean.




One of the numerous viewing tunnels that visitors walk through.




A curious looking shark.




The Pacific Sea Nettle Jelly-fish. The oral arms are surrounded by thousands of microscopic projectiles that are used to attack preys. The sting can be quite painful to humans.




World Of Coco-Cola. This facility is located across from The Georgia Aquarium and basically features the history of Coco-Cola and its related products throughout the years. They closed early for a private function when I went over there so will have to check it out when next I visit Atlanta. As you may have noticed quite a number of attractions are located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta within close proximity to each other. Phillips Arena is located right across from CNN Centre as well. Other major attractions in the Atlanta area includes Underground Atlanta which is a shopping and entertainment centre housing night clubs, restaurants, bars, retail stores, food courts etc. Also located outside the Greater Atlanta area is Stone Mountain ( which I have visited once but not on this trip ), Six Flags Over Georgia ( which was closed because of the seasonal winter ) and Martin Luther King Neighbourhood. Will have to check out those two attractions on my next visit.


MEMORY LANE


Three snapshots from my first visit to Atlanta back in November 2005.






Stone Mountain Park. One of the largest quartz monzonite structures in the world. Visitors may hike or ride a cable sky lift to the summit where the view is something to behold !




Preparing to board JM 058 A321 to MBJ/KIN. Back then JM had up to three daily flights to ATL from KIN/MBJ. Memories.




Date: 06.12.09
Itinerary: ATL-MIA-KIN
Airline: American Airlines IATA: AA ICAO: AAL
Equipment: B738
Flight Number ( s ) - AA 1750/AA 1723
ETD - ATL-MIA 6:25am ATD: 6:35am
ETA - MIA 8:15am ATA: 8:10am
ETD - MIA-KIN 10:40am ATD: 11:07am
ETA - KIN 12:20pm ATA: 12:23pm
L/Fs - 100% on both segments.



After a quick check in at AAs ticket counter in the North Terminal I grabbed a bite at the Seattle Coffee outlet ( Raisin Bagel & White Cream Cheese/Coffee ). AA still have the older check-in design at their counters in ATL unlike some other carriers there that now use the modern digital display screens, but for some reason the appearance is still attractive. Well maintained it seems. It should also be noted that JM used this North Terminal for check-in /baggage claim when they had services to this destination.




One of the many artists rendition of ATL on display. Would have taken some more snap-shots of the '' Atrium '' but on this particular day, quite a number of '' po po's '' and TSA officials were present in this area, and I didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention to myself so I was very careful how I ‘’ clicked ‘’ .




View from my seat 27 F about 15 minutes after take off. Outside was too dark prior to departure so did not take any photos as the glass reflection did not work well with the darkness. None the less we boarded promptly from gate T 12 and used RWY 09L for departure. Prior to push back they had to de-ice the aircraft as there was frost build up all over. Our cruising altitude was 39,000 feet.




After the usual beverage service we were soon descending into MIA. Landing runway was 30 and in no time we were pulling up to gate D 44.




An AA B777 sitting idle. Probably she will do a domestic return leg prior to heading across the ‘’ pond ‘’ or somewhere in South America later in the evening. EZE or GRU perhaps ?




No question as to who is the dominant carrier at MIA. The view from my seat ( 27 A ) on the connecting flight to KIN ( AA 1723 ) with an AA B752 alongside many others in full view. Boarding was originally planned for D 48 but a last minute gate change resulted in us boarding at D 36 instead.




After departure, we headed South for Jamaica. A quick un-eventful flight, and soon we were descending in Jamaican airspace. The North coast of the island can be seen here.




On short final for RWY 12 at KIN. The city, with the mountains in the background, and a cargo ship in the harbour can be seen. Quite a nice view.




Welcome to ‘’ Jam Rock ‘’. Taxiing to gate 9 after exiting the active.




B6 868 ( N653JB - A320 ) preparing for her daily KIN-JFK leg.




My ride that flew the MIA-KIN segment. In the near future that control tower in the back-ground will be history as it will be demolished, and a more modern one will replace it. Looking forward to that.




A closer snap-shot of the '' silver bird '' . No JM metal was present at the time.


Overall this Atlanta trip was very enjoyable. Linked up with some good old prep school friends/teachers ( that lived in Jamaica but migrated ) who I thought I would have never seen again. They are making plans for an even bigger re-union sometime next year somewhere. I will definitely be there. AA’s service was basically O.K. Professional staff, on-time flights and efficient service. Connecting at MIA was a bit ‘’ dramatic’’ . Long wait at immigration. On the return leg, numerous last minute gate changes for several flights, passengers being assigned the same seats and little/no assistance for people in wheel-chair. The situation was such that a very popular former Miss Jamaica beauty queen who was on my flight, volunteered to push one of the wheel chaired passenger herself. Initially some airport staff tried to stop her, but she was determined to offer her assistance, and they eventually allowed her to. This concludes my second trip report on Airliners.net. Feel free to leave comments. Hope you all enjoyed it.

Photo credits:

Air Jamaica
Ilandbwoy