sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 747 posts, RR: 27 Posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 3487 times:
introduction
A few months ago the question was raised on one of the a.net forums whether it would be worthwhile to organise a meeting at Sweden’s main gateway Stockholm Arlanda. A thread was opened in the ‘non-aviation’ forum and more and more users got set and agreed on coming over. A date was set - Sat 14th/Sun 15th Jan 2012 - and flights and hotels were booked, so were mine. A good delegation of the ‘trip reports’ forum users would be present as well so that gave me as well an extra boost to start looking for flights and a place to spend the night.
While looking for flights I noticed that fellow user and Belgian MSS658 and fellow Belgian would be present as well so we agreed on booking the same flight out on Fri 13th in the evening. SK here being the most obvious choice and priced at about € 93 all in. Quite pricey for a one way I know but not much other convenient choices on a Friday evening. Besides that I had little interest in detouring as in the winter time most flights are in the dark so not much to see through the peephole anyway.
Meanwhile user FlyingFinn76 announced his intention on doing a side trip to TLL on Sat afternoon, going out on an OV Saab 340. He soon got some people convinced to join and in the end I as well produced a booking on this one for € 59 all in. As I wanted to get home already on Sat evening there was not much choice since TLL isn’t exactly LHR or FRA concerning the number of destinations served. The best option was a TLL-AMS-BRU routing which very conveniently would takeoff only 1h25 mins after touching tarmac on the Saab flight from ARN. Operated by an OV CRJ-900 and a KL F70, 2 new types for my log, it also happened to be the only viable option for me and priced at a reasonable € 139 all in. Booked that as well.
Btw all flight were booked on the respective airline’s websites as they gave me the best pricing.
In the end this itinerary was produced:
BRU-TLL SAS B736
ARN-TLL Estonian Air Saab 340A
TLL-AMS Estonian Air CRJ-900
AMS-BRU KLM F70
which on a map looks like this:
Needless to say I was quite excited on going to this meeting!
on to ARN
This journey starts off at one of the 5 train stations in my hometown. I decide to treat myself to a 1st class train ticket to Vilvoorde, a city close to the airport from where I will continue my travels by bus. The train ticket is actually stored on my ID-card so no extra docs needed for this journey. The train might be 1st class, the station very clearly isn’t...
And by a close look, the train is neither, just your standard graffiti sprayed IC:
After a hassle free and quick train and bus trip I meet up with MSS658 at BRU’s departure hall. We exchange greetings and salutations and conduct some more formalities like producing a boarding pass at the kiosk:
And soon we are on our way to terminal A.
A smooth security check later we find ourselves at gate A47. I get myself a bottle of Chaudfontaine while MSS658 strolls around some and gets some photos.
All appears fine with SK1590 to ARN:
Next door - gate - is our originally scheduled equipment in the form of a sexy looking T-tail. This one’s quite obviously off to CPH. Our flight got changed from a MD-82 to a B736 not long after booking.
The inbound comes in some 20 mins early and after deboarding of it’s passengers we are cleared to enter. I take my seat in the back while MSS658 sits his bum down on 17A.
BRU (Brussels) to ARN (Stockholm)
SK1590
B736 SE-DNX ‘Torvald Viking’
STD-STA 17h45-20h00
Y class
seat 22A
The rest is very much known business Everyone by now knows how things go on a SK flight so I will not comment on all the events that passed. In fact there were no events whatsoever, I just sat back and listened to some mellow tunes on the phone, in offline mode of course
The cabin in a relaxed Fri evening mood:
Looking up I see this:
After a smooth ride we gently kiss ARN’s 2500m long 01R and some time later we are docked and free to go. But not after commenting to the cpt on his - or his colleague’s or the autopilot’s - excellent touchdown. We get a cockpit visit as well
We make our way to the exit and to SkyCity next to meet up with some other users, namely makeree and parton87. After a nice conversation and some drinks we all head off to our hotels, for me, makeree and parton87 it’s the Radisson Blu Arlandia.
Next time I will most likely end up in here:
After a good night’s sleep and an impressive and very tasty breakfast we head back to the airport. We also check in as well for our TLL flight in the afternoon.
Oops, wrong desk...
This should work better:
Next thing we see ourselves on the way to SkyCity to meet the other participants. It seems this TG plane has to be in every report that features ARN:
Some other traffic being parked as well, but generally it’s very quiet:
So we meet up with all other participants, some more famous ones inclusive:
Greetings and salutations are exchanged again and after a time a part of the group heads off to visit one of the restored Carvelle aircrafts in the neighbourhood of the airport and to do some winter spotting as well.
The hardcore - or softies, choose for yourself - stay inside. We make a nest at some pizza place and talk and drink and talk and drink for a few hours.
on to TLL
Time passes fast when you are having fun and soon enough it’s time for us to head to the gate for our flight to TLL. A small dozen of us are booked on this very same flight, quite impressive! About 30% of today’s load consists of some plane geeks, with cameras ready as if we would go off to war. Very hilarious!
B06 for today’s run to TLL, a bus gate:
One particular user decided to get to TLL by green (BT) iso blue colors (OV), I’ll take your guesses for his/her identity! Here’s that plane:
ARN (Stockholm) to TLL (Tallinn)
OV124
Saab 340A ES-ASN
STD-STA 14h30-16h40
Y class
seat 08A
After the arrival of the bus to the plane it’s photo shooting madness. This gentleman most conveniently got in my way while snapping this one:
Quite a healhty load today thanks to a small dozen of a.netters:
Parked on the opposite side is this white Golden Air plane:
The cockpit crew as well watching the scene in amusement
Shiny prop on this little cutie:
A last one before bumping my head on the lower than low cabin ceiling:
A ‘Hi there’ later to the cute blonde FA we are all on board and all-but-one occupy the whole left side of this aircraft, which consists conveniently of 1-seaters.
The props are fired up and we taxi off to ARN’s 3301m long 19R for takeoff:
ARN for you:
Fancy a 5th freedom flight on this one (if it exists...): to IKA via BUD!
Turning on to the active rwy:
The props rev up and we race up into the air, leaving behind a lightly snowy ARN:
We establish cruise and the FA begins the drinks and snack round. A muffin and some tea and lemon. Sorry 717Flyer, I did not perform your muffin test but it was slightly warm and moist so imho the perfect muffin
I pop in my ear plugs - man this plane is loud! This is what the quite well used and small cabin looks like:
Good seating comfort actually on this teeny weeny plane:
I keep looking outside with the sun gradually setting. Actually this flight’s solid like a rock. I expected this plane to be much more prone to turbulence, but we glide through the air like a hot iron on a cotton shirt.
My seat number ‘en detail’:
After an hour or so, the plane dives gently down and we start our descent into TLL. The pilot announces the weather as windy and snowy with a temperature a little under the zero mark. When we come out under the clouds we are already quite low, landing at TLL is quite imminent now:
A textbook crosswind landing is performed on TLL’s 3070m rwy 08. We exit the runway and come to a halt on the apron where a bus is standby to ferry us to some warmer places ie the terminal.
The mighty large airport of TLL:
You can see how windy it is here:
One last look...
So we arrive at the terminal and I do the rest of my checkin formalities at the transit desk (thanks for picking up the phone airbuseric) and I bid adieu to my fellow a.net travellers. They head out to the city while I - sadly - head home.
on to AMS
All’s good from the FIDS and as you can see not much fligths left that day. It looks RIX is quite popular and the other guys return flight to RIX (and onwards) for tomorrow is already listed
I wander around but there’s not much to wonder, this airport’s so small. I guess it must be every connecting traveller’s dream! The architecture au contraire is nothing to write home about, I find the interior neither fish nor flesh. Not stylish to say the least. But hey, there’s free Wifi! Watch and learn you big Euro airports!
At gate B6 I spot what will be my ride to AMS. Although it’s dark, this will be my highlight of the day. I’m very much looking forward to entering this aircraft, let alone taking a flight with it.
The gate area. I sit accross and wait patiently for those doors to open...
TLL (Tallinn) to AMS (Amsterdam)
OV473
Bombardier CRJ-900 ES-ACD
STD-STA 18h05-19h30
Y class
seat 22F
Once they do, I’m one of the 1st to board this 1 month ago delivered bird. It definitely looks, feels and smells shiny and new. I’m delighted and express my feelings (in a modest way) to the FA standing at the door. She smiles and welcomes me cordially. I’m impressed...
I settle into my comfortable seat and watch the boarding taking place. A deicing truck as well arrives and sprays the wings with the chemical stuff.
‘Boarding completed’ is announced and a few minutes later we push back and taxi out for departure on rwy 08. Being seated next to the engine I immediately notice it’s loudness when we blast off into the dark Estonian skies. Next time a seat more upfront would be recommendable.
Well in fact the noise is the only negative aspect on this plane and flight...
A view on the comfortable leather seats, come close to your screen and you can even smell they’re new!
The FA’s immediately prepare for service after the seatbelt sign has been switched off. We get complimentary drinks and choice between a fish or pesto sandwich. I choose some tea, sparkling water and the pesto sandwich which goes down in a few bites. Yummy!
Up and close with the small galley in the back:
My phone’s GPS sees us cruising at about 11,4 km height at about 900 kph above Denmark:
This flight’s very smooth as well. Apparently the skies are clear since I can see some lights an cities nearly all the way down to AMS.
After some 1h40mins, we gently descend and the cabin is prepared for arrival in to AMS’ 3400m rwy 36R (Aalsmeerbaan). Since it’s a clear evening, the views down are fascinating, even in the dark. AMS airport as well as the approach path followed by other planes is all visible and my eyes are literally glued solid to the window. Too bad it was impossible to take pics, I didn’t even try...
We touch down and brake so hard that for a moment I fear all seats will slide forward. Obviously the pilot in command had to/wanted to take the first exit out to the apron.
And so I am in AMS, last time I was here was 2007 on my way to Vietnam.
Home of the ‘Koninklijke Luchtvaartmaatschappij’!
Only a short taxi until we dock at one of the B gates next to Ms Swiss:
I get out on the tarmac and into the finger to the gate area. But not before taking one last look to this sexy thing made out of metal:
You’d rather have a good neighbour than a far off friend. At least the aircraft type is OK in the next pic!
on to BRU
By the looks of it I emerge at gate B27. A quick glance at the FIDS reveals nothing special on my last flight. I have about an hour to kill before boarding starts.
So I take a walk, a Coke and a bite to eat. There’s not much interesting to spot, a lot of gates are empty and it’s dark anyway to I make use of the 2x 30mins free Wifi courtesy of Schiphol Airport. I basically stroll in the direction of the DEFGH gates, but a passport control stops me. I turn around and decide to rest some at gate B18 which is due to be used for the flight to BRU.
There’s this Interesting setup to get to the commuter apron in the distance. The larger Jungle Jets are parked right at the end of the finger but are not connected physically. There are acutally two glass bridges next to each other: the left one leading straight onto the parked plane, the right one leading to a final staircase and out to a stand where a bus parks.
Schiphol has these excellent FIDS in use, lots of clear and useful info:
At boarding time, I see the gate agent typing on his PC and a moment later and automated boarding message is produced at the gate’s audio installation. I get up and and head down to the waiting bus. It’s interesting to see that tonight’s load mainly consists of transfer passengers from far off destinations: I see quite some Asians, a few Southern Americans and a few Europeans (or so they look like).
AMS (Amsterdam) to BRU (Brussels)
KL1733
Fokker 70 PH-KZA
STD-STA 21h15-22h05
Y class
seat 10F
The bus drives us off to the commuter apron and we make a stop in front of the expected F70:
With some other F70’s taxiing close by on the rwy for takeoff, it gets quite noisy. I don’t think it’s a pleasure to stand in these noisy conditions all day...
I get a friendly greeting from an all black male FA. Good job KLM in trying to diversify your cabin crew, even on short haul flights! As I’m one of the last on board I notice my seat is occupied already. I make no fuss but see the exit row on the right side is still empty. ‘Go ahead’ says the other (female) FA in Dutch, ‘it’s all yours’. I’m impressed by this crew’s enthusiasm and friendliness and that even for their last flight of the day.
So I place myself in the exit row, needless to say that legroom is outstanding. On the whole, the cabin still looks good as well, the plane is clean and the cloth blue seats are quite wide. On the whole, seating comfort is excellent! The female FA makes me a personal note on the to-follow procedures being seated in the exit row
I like these leather seat covers:
So this is how a F70 looks like:
The English captain - I’m surprised not to find an all Dutch crew here - comes on announcing a takeoff from the 3300m 36C (Zwanenburgbaan). We kick off on time and are airborne some 10 minutes after leaving our stand.
Once again I witness this extraordinary light spectacle from above. The crew manages to do a drink and snack on this ultrashort 30min hop to BRU, we all get some juice and a salty snack:
The usual twist and turns follow and before we know it, we kiss the ground of BRU’s 3211m 25L. A medium short taxi and many ‘thank you’s’ later from the crew we dock into one of the A gates next to some SN machinery:
As usual I’m the last one to deboard. The cpt’s at his office and I ask him for the possibility of a cockpit shot to which he kindly agrees:
I say my goodbyes and get out of the plane and into the terminal.
A 10min walk later I meet my pre-arranged taxi driver (thanks dad!) who brings me home safely.
conclusion
2 highlights this weekend: firstly the flights!
SAS: My 2nd ride on this company’s B736. The cabin’s starting to get a bit dated and seating comfort was not the best, mainly because the seats next to me were occupied as well, not allowing me to strech out as I’m used to. The cold chicken wrap I bought was tasty but priced at 50 SEK kinda expensive.
Estonian Air: Both excellent flights, friendly FA’s and a complimentary snack and drink. Nice little airline and TLL is a joy to connect in. Big thumbs up!
KLM: Last time I flew KLM was back in 2000 on a longhaul to SIN/SYD. They did not dissapoint either today although I maybe have to take a somewhat longer flight to get the whole picture. To be tested again in the future for sure!
...and secondly: the a.net meet!
I really had a blast meeting all people who showed up. Excellent talking and not only aviation related. It was pure fun and I’m dying to do this again in BER coming June. Thanks my friends: LH4116, airbuseric, DunA320, FlyingFinn76, makeree, BA319-131, AlwaysOnAPlane, Palmjet, AYA333, deltamartin, MSS658, parton87, MEA-707, photophil, CrimsonNL, tobbry! (If I have forgotten your name, please don’t be offended, I’m the forgettable type )
Widebodyroga From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 285 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3272 times:
Sweet TR, Nils! I like how well-organized your TR is. Kinda like mine
How lucky to be able to make the a.net meeting and get to meet with the gang. The meeting in BER will be even more special because of the added excitement for the new airport.
Too bad you had no time to check out more of Stockholm or Tallinn. Have you been to their downtown areas in the past?
This may sound silly but I was most impressed with the addition of lemon slices in your tea. Well done OV! And that CRJ looked awesome in their colors. I'm drooling...
Overall it seems like you had some very decent flights, which is no surprise given the airlines you chose to fly with.
globalflyer From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 664 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 3189 times:
Hi Nils. Great TR and great pictures. I hate that I was not able to make the meet but will try for BER. OV looks like a great little airline. It is funny. Everytime I have flown KLM cityHopper I have had an English crew and the announcements are in English and in Dutch on tape. I guess it is from the old years of the Air UK operation? Cheers William
Landing on every Continent almost on an annual basis!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The hardcore - or softies, choose for yourself - stay inside. We make a nest at some pizza place and talk and drink and talk and drink for a few hours.
ehhehehe I am softie with motto "embrace radiator and hot tea" then double vodka hehehhe
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): About 30% of today’s load consists of some plane geeks, with cameras ready as if we would go off to war. Very hilarious!
hahahhahaha army of plane geeks ahhahaha
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): One particular user decided to get to TLL by green (BT) iso blue colors (OV), I’ll take your guesses for his/her identity!
hmmm must been someone very important
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): After the arrival of the bus to the plane it’s photo shooting madness.
hahahahhah it reminds me of my comment on "the cockpit trip reports by infodesk" hehehe
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): A ‘Hi there’ later to the cute blonde FA we are all on board and all-but-one occupy the whole left side of this aircraft, which consists conveniently of 1-seaters.
heheh there is no Markusa around ehhehehe blonde announcement : geeks with cameras please fasten your seatbelts
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Schiphol has these excellent FIDS in use, lots of clear and useful info:
and exellent website
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): A 10min walk later I meet my pre-arranged taxi driver (thanks dad!)
heheheh nice dad ...
good laugh Nils ...thanks ... stipica
Among others. I was more referring to the fact that there’s already an abundance of SAS reports on the site. No need for me to get en detail, you know
Quoting stipica (Reply 5): hmmm must been someone very important
If only you knew
Quoting stipica (Reply 5): heheh there is no Markusa around ehhehehe blonde announcement : geeks with cameras please fasten your seatbelts
Hey, we all obliged the safety rules which say: ‘no electroni devices on takeoff and landing’.
globalflyer From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 664 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 3125 times:
Yes alll the way from ATL to BER. I have not looked into flights but have 150,000 miles on BA and 175,000 on DL. Although I would like something a bit more exciting... Any suggestions on using miles on SkyTeam or oneworld alliances?
Landing on every Continent almost on an annual basis!
LH4116 From Sweden, joined Aug 2007, 1523 posts, RR: 15 Reply 8, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 3060 times:
Hoi Nils, great report! Did you take your shoes off?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): SK here being the most obvious choice and priced at about € 93 all in.
That's quite a decent price for SAS. Or wait €93 for that one-way hop?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We exchange greetings and salutations and conduct some more formalities like producing a boarding pass at the kiosk:
Self service kiosk looks like Facebook
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Quite a healhty load today thanks to a small dozen of a.netters:
Seems like the a.netters turned this flight from an even-breaker to a money-maker!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Fancy a 5th freedom flight on this one (if it exists...): to IKA via BUD!
Really? They stopped operating non-stop now, and fly via BUD? Might try that one some day.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I pop in my ear plugs - man this plane is loud! This is what the quite well used and small cabin looks like:
Earplugs? Says the man who used the expression "nice and noisy by the engine". Never heard anyone use it before, and at first I thought you were insane... Turns out you're not
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I find the interior neither fish nor flesh. Not stylish to say the least.
Well, I found the airport to be quite nice and cozy. It had a slight sterile smell though.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Only a short taxi until we dock at one of the B gates next to Ms Swiss:
Well would you look at that! The same machine that brought me to ZRH a few weeks ago.
can only recommend it ... not cheap but something special
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): It seems this TG plane has to be in every report that features ARN:
it's the largest plane operating daily from ARN
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The hardcore - or softies, choose for yourself - stay inside. We make a nest at some pizza place and talk and drink and talk and drink for a few hours.
I would say "softies" as we had been the one freezing in ice-colds winds besides the RWY for spotting
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): So I place myself in the exit row, needless to say that legroom is outstanding.
lucky you ... normally KLM charges extra for these rows
Quoting sultanils (Reply 3): Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 1):
Well, isn't it one of very few widebodies at ARN?
In fact I don’t know. Maybe the locals know this?
ARN gets A300, A330, B763, B772 and B744 on a regular basis - not to mention several B747 cargo
But of course there are less than on other larger airports ... most traffic is in the B737/A320 class
Funny to see that wrenched in between two Star Alliance carriers.
Also you managed to get on some nice aircrafts, the Saab 340, B736 and F70 are all missing from my log. I booked myself on OV's Saab340 once (VNO-TLL), but eventually I had to fly out a day earlier (with BT) and I had to bite the bullet (non-refundable ticket).
Quoting globalflyer (Reply 7): Any suggestions on using miles on SkyTeam or oneworld alliances?
Well, a tripreport about Air Berlin's new Business Class product would be nice (MIA, JFK) . I am no expert on using BA miles for an AA/AB connection though.
LH4532 From Germany, joined Sep 2011, 61 posts, RR: 16 Reply 11, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 3034 times:
Great TR . It was an enjoyable reading it after a long day at school . Your pictures are very nice and clear . You´ll get some extra points for them . Hope all is well .
photophil From Sweden, joined Apr 2011, 171 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 3001 times:
Quoting volvair (Reply 10): Hi Nils, very nice report about the meeting up in ARN. Who came up with the idea to hold a meeting in Sweden in the middle of the winter anyway?
*whistling*
well ... I had the idea of a meeting at ARN ... and it seemed no one wanted to wait for the summer
roberts87 From Netherlands, joined Dec 2011, 272 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2986 times:
Thanks for this great trip report!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Parked on the opposite side is this white Golden Air plane:
Ah yes, I'm planning to fly 'up North' this summer, and try to fly on one of those.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Time passes fast when you are having fun and soon enough it’s time for us to head to the gate for our flight to TLL. A small dozen of us are booked on this very same flight, quite impressive! About 30% of today’s load consists of some plane geeks, with cameras ready as if we would go off to war. Very hilarious!
I would not have mind to see the look on the face(s) of the ground staff when they say all those people taking pictures of the tiny plane!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We establish cruise and the FA begins the drinks and snack round. A muffin and some tea and lemon. Sorry 717Flyer, I did not perform your muffin test but it was slightly warm and moist so imho the perfect muffin
Never realised OV had free drinks and snacks! Always thought they were BOB.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Once they do, I’m one of the 1st to board this 1 month ago delivered bird. It definitely looks, feels and smells shiny and new. I’m delighted and express my feelings (in a modest way) to the FA standing at the door. She smiles and welcomes me cordially. I’m impressed...
Flying on newly delivered planes is great. Last summer I flew on a WN 737 that was delivered 4 days ago. Bright and shiny, and both the cockpit and cabin crew were proud of their new toy.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): There’s this Interesting setup to get to the commuter apron in the distance. The larger Jungle Jets are parked right at the end of the finger but are not connected physically. There are acutally two glass bridges next to each other: the left one leading straight onto the parked plane, the right one leading to a final staircase and out to a stand where a bus parks.
Actually, some Fokkers are know to show up at the finger positions, but most of the time the Embraers park there. But, with the increasing number of Embraers entering the KLC fleet they can be seen parking at the remote stands more and more.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The English captain - I’m surprised not to find an all Dutch crew here - comes on announcing a takeoff from the 3300m 36C (Zwanenburgbaan). We kick off on time and are airborne some 10 minutes after leaving our stand.
That's from the old days of KLM UK. The UK crews were integrated in the KLC crews.
Quoting LH4116 (Reply 8):
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter):
SK here being the most obvious choice and priced at about € 93 all in.
That's quite a decent price for SAS. Or wait €93 for that one-way hop?
Probably one way. It's about the same fare SK wants for AMS-CPH/OSL/ARN as well.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 5570 posts, RR: 58 Reply 16, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2962 times:
Hi Nils !
Very nice report with nice pictures ! Seems like some nice flights and great that you got on some new types for you.
As a former local, I can say that ARN does receive very few wide bodies on a daily basis, in scheduled passenger service. TG 744, CA 772 and two SK 333s are there every day. I think BA also flies a 763 every day; that's it.
There are some charter carriers with 333s and IR flies a few days a week. DL will fly 763 this summer.
I may also go all the way from LAX to BER for the meeting this summer but not sure yet.
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 684 posts, RR: 7 Reply 17, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2951 times:
Hi Nils!
I'm impressed to see this one up so quickly, my report probably won't be up for another week or so.
Great to read about your flights on OV, that Saab flight sure was a special one!
Also good to read that your flight to AMS was nice, and didn't have the same gate trouble which I mentioned to you! Shortly after I told you about it I asked a gate agent at another gate where my flight should depart and she told me gate five, and what do you know, when I checked the FIDS after, they said gate 5 too, so most likely someone who had forgotten to put it on the FIDS or something.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): In the end this itinerary was produced:
BRU-TLL SAS B736
ARN-TLL Estonian Air Saab 340A
TLL-AMS Estonian Air CRJ-900
AMS-BRU KLM F70
Ah, the Jumbo Hostel. I should try to spend a night there myself some time.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter):
Time passes fast when you are having fun and soon enough it’s time for us to head to the gate for our flight to TLL. A small dozen of us are booked on this very same flight, quite impressive! About 30% of today’s load consists of some plane geeks, with cameras ready as if we would go off to war. Very hilarious!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Once they do, I’m one of the 1st to board this 1 month ago delivered bird. It definitely looks, feels and smells shiny and new.
Wow, looks great. I was also lucky to get a new bird on my flight ex-TLL, to HEL. 2 months old ATR72 reg. OH-ATO.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I get out on the tarmac and into the finger to the gate area. But not before taking one last look to this sexy thing made out of metal:
That livery sure looks great.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I really had a blast meeting all people who showed up. Excellent talking and not only aviation related. It was pure fun and I’m dying to do this again in BER coming June. Thanks my friends: LH4116, airbuseric, DunA320, FlyingFinn76, makeree, BA319-131, AlwaysOnAPlane, Palmjet, AYA333, deltamartin, MSS658, parton87, MEA-707, photophil, CrimsonNL, tobbry!
Indeed it was great meeting you and everyone else! Too bad I can't come to the BER meet, since it's during the last weeks of school for me.
ROGERBCN From Andorra, joined Sep 2006, 1007 posts, RR: 18 Reply 19, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 2856 times:
Hola Nils!
I was really looking forward about the experiences at the ARN meeting, which I sadly could not attend, but I will be in BER in June, for sure.
Your pictures came out crystal clear and they are really nice. Lovely to see ARN and TLL snow showing up under the planes you flew, btw, very interesting types: small and cozy, maybe a little too noisy but perfect for the short hops.
Did you get any comments from the crew on the ARN-TLL flight when they saw a bunch of a.netters getting on the plane?
Thanks for the being the first to post and looking forward to other people's comments.
Salut! and hope to meet soon!
Roger
"At reise er at leve" H.C. Andersen (Travelling is Living)
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 1647 posts, RR: 11 Reply 20, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 2796 times:
Hey Nils! Looks like you had some nice flights - The new CRJ for OV looks very comfortable. They're using those on the LGW route now.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): About 30% of today’s load consists of some plane geeks, with cameras ready as if we would go off to war. Very hilarious!
Ha, I bet the FA was a bit confused!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter):
All’s good from the FIDS and as you can see not much fligths left that day
It's a shame we just missed each other - your flight TLL-AMS took off at exactly the same time as my STN-TLL flight landed. Hopefully see you this weekend in Brussels though?
palmjet From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 803 posts, RR: 17 Reply 21, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 2790 times:
Hi Nils
Great report - super speedy indeed. How nice it was to get together in ARN this past weekend, even if some of us showed up a little later than expected
It was also great to see the view from inside the Saab as you left ARN - showing the terminal building at ARN. We were at the window waving you all off!
Looks like you had no issues getting home and nice to see the CRJ900 in another report. It looks great in OV's colours. I am now tempted to book my own OV CRJ900 flight, along with a whole range of other flights - thanks to the weekend in ARN...... I just have to think of a way to pay for it all now!
Thanks again and great report.
Palmjet
Ozark Airlines - When Three Swallows Would Get You There
airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3735 posts, RR: 52 Reply 22, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 2748 times:
Hi Nils, good report! Congrats being first and nice routing back to Brussels!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): A few months ago the question was raised on one of the a.net forums whether it would be worthwhile to organise a meeting at Sweden’s main gateway Stockholm Arlanda.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): About 30% of today’s load consists of some plane geeks, with cameras ready as if we would go off to war. Very hilarious!
Can you believe the low load there would've been without our group haha... Bringing in good business for OV
Let me guess who took the faux airline, 'more segments for less money'. But we got catering for free yeah
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): we are all on board and all-but-one occupy the whole left side of this aircraft, which consists conveniently of 1-seaters.
Our Flying Finn moved to the right side to bring back the balance?
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 347 posts, RR: 10 Reply 23, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 2726 times:
Hi Nils,
great report about the a.net meet at ARN. Looks like you really had some fun up there in the North. Now you made me regret that I didn't come along as well. And you even got some snow there, well, at least a little. Also congrats that you could log two new plane types on the way, nice.
Hmm, that would have certainly been an interesting experience as well ...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): After the arrival of the bus to the plane it’s photo shooting madness.
Great, must have been quite a sight, I guess the crew was certainly surprised by this. For sure special to have so many crazy people on an otherwise ordinary flight ...
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 17): Also good to read that your flight to AMS was nice, and didn't have the same gate trouble which I mentioned to you! Shortly after I told you about it I asked a gate agent at another gate where my flight should depart and she told me gate five, and what do you know, when I checked the FIDS after, they said gate 5 too, so most likely someone who had forgotten to put it on the FIDS or something.
Hello Martin, glad you liked the story. Yeah – I saw you at the gate. Wasn’t your flight delayed as well?
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 17): I took the exact same picture at my seat 3A.
Was it really new then or refurbished? I thought they didn’t make any new ATR’s anymore?
Quoting akhmad (Reply 18): One thing struck me immediately. What a beautiful layout. Crisp pictures again soothing blue background, a truly feast in the eye.
Hi Suryo! To hear such a comment from you, the master of detail, touches me. Thanks my friend.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 18): At least your place has got its own station unlike mine.
I wonder in which hellhole you live then. Is it in Holland {laughing{
Quoting akhmad (Reply 18): Like ‘I’ve had the times of my life’?
Nah, that’s a bit too cheesy. Actually I listened to James Brown’s Nighttrain… Imagined myself it was the NightPlane
Quoting akhmad (Reply 18): Look what you got in return after expressing your appreciation.
Yes indeed, but I must say the credits for that visit go to user MSS685, he asked.
Quoting akhmad (Reply 18): Did you ask if the airline does a fifth freedom route ex ARN?
No I did not…
Quoting akhmad (Reply 18): P.’s hat of course and whose camera is that?
P’s as well!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 18): You must have been thrilled by the de-icing sequence..
Nah, it’s just like washing a car. I was more intrigued by the inside beauty of the brandnew CRJ-900!
Quoting akhmad (Reply 18): I cannot wait to meet you in person within a couple of months, Nils!
Me neither, but it’s still another half year. And you as well have some exciting travels ahead!
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 19): but I will be in BER in June, for sure.
Hi Roger, thanks for reading. Great that you will come to BER as well!
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 19): Lovely to see ARN and TLL snow showing up under the planes you flew, btw, very interesting types: small and cozy, maybe a little too noisy but perfect for the short hops.
Credit for the Saab goes to user FlyingFinn76, he came up with the idea. On the CRJ-900 I knew what I was into. I chose myself to sit in the back you know!
Quoting ROGERBCN (Reply 19): Did you get any comments from the crew on the ARN-TLL flight when they saw a bunch of a.netters getting on the plane?
No, the sole FA must’ve concluded we were totally harmless
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 23): great report about the a.net meet at ARN.
Thanks captainRed! I like it that you like it.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 23): I guess the crew was certainly surprised by this.
They were all laughing so I guess they thought it was kinda funny yes.
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 23): Yes, that's Estonia. Liked that as well when I was there.
I actually saw an article in the inflight magazine of OV that almost everywhere in public places there’s free Wifi in Estonia
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 23): Looks very modern, somehow I expected a more classic looking cockpit on the Fokker with more buttons and analog indicators.
It’s certainly not as modern as for example a Boeing NG but that’s understandable.
BrusselsSouth From Belgium, joined Aug 2001, 535 posts, RR: 6 Reply 25, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2603 times:
Dag Nils,
Excellent report of yours, very enjoyable read. All the pictures are brilliant.
This sounds like a nice week-end, flying and meeting fellow a.netters, what more can you ask?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): fellow Belgian would be present as well so we agreed on booking the same flight out on Fri 13th in the evening
Excellent plan.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Meanwhile user FlyingFinn76 announced his intention on doing a side trip to TLL on Sat afternoon, going out on an OV Saab 340. He soon got some people convinced to join and in the end I as well produced a booking on this one for € 59 all in
Ah FlyingFinn's power of persuasion... Good idea that side trip to TLL, the Saab 340 is still missing from my log.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Operated by an OV CRJ-900 and a KL F70, 2 new types for my log
New types always make things more exciting.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The train ticket is actually stored on my ID-card so no extra docs needed for this journey
Wow, as a regular NMBS train user, I didn't even know you could actually do that.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The train might be 1st class, the station very clearly isn’t...
You've never visited Walloon stations it seems...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): And by a close look, the train is neither, just your standard graffiti sprayed IC:
Tell me about it, I have reverted to commuting by train again since a couple of days.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Our flight got changed from a MD-82 to a B736 not long after booking.
Not sure about you, but that's a bummer in my book. Give me a Mad Dog over a B736 any day, not least because she has:
Less than a month ago, I didn't know, thank God I did that CPH trip or I would have felt frustrated...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): So we meet up with all other participants, some more famous ones inclusive:
The famous FlyingFinn76 hat!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): About 30% of today’s load consists of some plane geeks, with cameras ready as if we would go off to war. Very hilarious!
Always a funny atmosphere, reminds me of my AF CDG-LHR A380 familiarization flight, where most of the beast was filled with enthusiasts walking around with their cameras.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): A view on the comfortable leather seats, come close to your screen and you can even smell they’re new!
Did that. Nice smell!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I get a friendly greeting from an all black male FA. Good job KLM in trying to diversify your cabin crew, even on short haul flights! As I’m one of the last on board I notice my seat is occupied already. I make no fuss but see the exit row on the right side is still empty. ‘Go ahead’ says the other (female) FA in Dutch, ‘it’s all yours’. I’m impressed by this crew’s enthusiasm and friendliness and that even for their last flight of the day.
I've only had 2 flights with KL, but their crew were very good on both. I'm due to fly them long haul for the first time in a couple of days (MIA-AMS) on the MD-11, no less.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): On the whole, the cabin still looks good as well, the plane is clean and the cloth blue seats are quite wide. On the whole, seating comfort is excellent!
My thoughts exactly after my first flight on a KL F70 last month.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): we kiss the ground of BRU’s 3211m 25L. A medium short taxi and many ‘thank you’s’ later from the crew we dock into one of the A gates
I had the impression that BRU tower tried to make all A gates traffic on 25R in the late evening, as to shorten the taxi, but it seems I was wrong.
AlwaysOnAPlane From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2010, 282 posts, RR: 12 Reply 26, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2593 times:
Nils, you must have been writing this on the road or have smoke coming from your finger tips?
Great report and very clearly set out. Nice to see the pictures of your perspective on what I feel was one of the best weekends I can remember for a long time.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The props rev up and we race up into the air, leaving behind a lightly snowy ARN:
I looked on from the terminal thinking what the scene from the window might look like.
Knightsofmalta From Malta, joined Nov 2005, 1053 posts, RR: 14 Reply 27, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2576 times:
Hi Nils
Thanks for the interesting report. Looks like you had a good time with all the flights you got to take. I rather like the Estonian Air brand, perhaps I should give them a try.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Next door - gate - is our originally scheduled equipment in the form of a sexy looking T-tail. This one’s quite obviously off to CPH. Our flight got changed from a MD-82 to a B736 not long after booking.
That really is unfortunate, and what an unworthy substitute. To go from something a graciously elegant as the MD-80 to something that simply looks as though it was never intended to fly in the first place!
JL418 From Italy, joined Jun 2009, 491 posts, RR: 10 Reply 29, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 2461 times:
Hi Nils!
what a nice read, well done! It seems you lot had a nice weekend, didn't you? ARN is, as always, full of interesting discoveries (such as the Iran Air Airbus to Budapest, I dearly wish it was a 5th freedom flight!). Estonian air looks more and more like a decent airline and their livery is a look-at, it reminds me of those classic ones straight out of the 80s (even if I seriously doubt that such an airline existed back in the time when Gorbachev was running the shop). However, I wished they had E-Jets rather than Bombardiers, the livery would have been even nicer.
rvxkaz From Singapore, joined Apr 2011, 158 posts, RR: 6 Reply 32, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 2381 times:
Hi Nils!
Very nice to read about your journey up to Stockholm for the meet! Equally great to read about your lovely time on Estonian Air, an airline and aircraft type that I am so unfamiliar with!
Looks like you've spotted some nice birds over at ARN (love the Ethiopian Airlines, Iran Air and the beautiful Thai Jumbo looking gorgeous on the snowy ground!).
Estonian Air looks like a really decent airline indeed and nice that they serve some tasty refreshments on the short sectors! Your flight from ARN-TLL looks lovely indeed! I particularly loved the window views during take-off and cruising.
Awesome that you flew on such a brand new CRJ-900 to AMS! I'm sure you enjoyed the smell of the new aircraft! The galley is very interestingly tiny indeed (not that the CRJ-900 needs anything bigger I suppose)!
Glad to hear that you have a good experience with KLM! On my flights, they were splendid as well and glad to hear they were the same even on such a short sector!
Just a few short comments
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I decide to treat myself to a 1st class train ticket to Vilvoorde, a city close to the airport from where I will continue my travels by bus.
I guess you gave your trusty bike a rest this time!
LFutia From Netherlands, joined Dec 2002, 3045 posts, RR: 34 Reply 33, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 2330 times:
Nice trip report with pics! I wish I was there to meet you guys but sadly I live in the US. Eventually next time. Now one question.. Which A.netter was reading Het Parool?
Leo/ORD
Leo/ORD -- Groetjes uit de VS! -- Heeft u laatst nog met KLM gevlogen?
Quoting BrusselsSouth (Reply 25): Wow, as a regular NMBS train user, I didn't even know you could actually do that.
You’ll most likely travel on a card. I am an occasional train user. Bought the ticket online and there’s this paperless travel solution on storing the ticket data on your ID card yes. Very handy.
Hi Lee, yeah definitely burned fingers but it was for a good cause ha ha ha.
Quoting AlwaysOnAPlane (Reply 26): Nice to see the pictures of your perspective on what I feel was one of the best weekends I can remember for a long time.
Same feeling here, I had a blast.
Quoting AlwaysOnAPlane (Reply 26): The OV CR9 looks very cool. Nice for you to catch it. Something good to cheer you up after leaving the gang earlier.
Well you know what these CRJ look like, you even logged a CRK! But I guess you would’ve like this one more. And I wasn’t sad to leave ‘the gang’, more a good feeling of having met everyone. These things always pass quick sadly enough…
Quoting AlwaysOnAPlane (Reply 26): Hope its not too long until our paths will cross again.
Quoting Knightsofmalta (Reply 27): To go from something a graciously elegant as the MD-80 to something that simply looks as though it was never intended to fly in the first place!
How lyrically you’ve put that. It was a bummer yes, but we made the best out of it…
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1490 posts, RR: 45 Reply 35, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 2158 times:
Hi Nils,
As said already many times, you certainly seemed to have a fire burning under your chair to get this report done! A very nice small piece on our little meet, very much enjoyed.
Excellent choice of airlines as well.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Meanwhile user FlyingFinn76 announced his intention on doing a side trip to TLL on Sat afternoon, going out on an OV Saab 340.
Actually I think Eric originally came up with the idea and then we decided to do it together and then sort of got all the other people onboard. Well the ones who weren't too cheap to do it...
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): it also happened to be the only viable option for me and priced at a reasonable € 139 all in. Booked that as well.
Booking these "combo deals" with BT/OV and KL is pretty much the only way to get decent one way fares out of them anyway.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The train might be 1st class, the station very clearly isn’t...
Ahh, as I told you - I can just about to smell the urine from this photo! What's up with the station name?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): So we meet up with all other participants, some more famous ones inclusive:
Indiana Jones?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): One particular user decided to get to TLL by green (BT) iso blue colors (OV), I’ll take your guesses for his/her identity! Here’s that plane:
Somebody whose middle name is "faux"?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The cockpit crew as well watching the scene in amusement
The captain seemed awfully young to me! I'd card him if he came to ask me for a beer.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The props are fired up and we taxi off to ARN’s 3301m long 19R for takeoff:
I'm sorry, but we took of towards the north, hence 01L. From my A side there was an excellent view of ARN as we flew parallel to the 08 runway for a while, but unfortunately no chance for photos with that FA watching over me like a ... cute little falcon.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Fancy a 5th freedom flight on this one (if it exists...): to IKA via BUD!
Nope, no tickets are sold on that hop. It's a refuelling stop, apparently the Swedes refuse to sell any fuel to these lunatics.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Good seating comfort actually on this teeny weeny plane:
Well, conducting my business in the toilet with the inop light was certainly quite... interesting!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): We get complimentary drinks and choice between a fish or pesto sandwich. I choose some tea, sparkling water and the pesto sandwich which goes down in a few bites. Yummy!
Wow. Now I'm impressed! I thought OV did BOB on longer routes and had the free coffee/choccies only on the short hops like ARN before there's no time to do a proper BOB run. But it looks like I was wrong. Very good. Maybe Mr. Taskila's "TLL-hub" plan will work after all, at least I'm booked on another six flights with them this spring!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): It’s interesting to see that tonight’s load mainly consists of transfer passengers from far off destinations: I see quite some Asians, a few Southern Americans and a few Europeans (or so they look like).
Well there are hardly any passengers flying these short hops as pure O/D so they certainly do.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The English captain - I’m surprised not to find an all Dutch crew here -
They have a lot of ex-Air UK cockpit crews, heck most of the Fokkers came from there as well.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The crew manages to do a drink and snack on this ultrashort 30min hop to BRU, we all get some juice and a salty snack:
That's nice. I flew this route on both directions back in 2006 (my only flights with Cityhopper and my last time with KLM as well) - we got a tiny pack of Dutch waffles.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): I really had a blast meeting all people who showed up. Excellent talking and not only aviation related. It was pure fun and I’m dying to do this again in BER coming June. Thanks my friends: LH4116, airbuseric, DunA320, FlyingFinn76, makeree, BA319-131, AlwaysOnAPlane, Palmjet, AYA333, deltamartin, MSS658, parton87, MEA-707, photophil, CrimsonNL, tobbry! (If I have forgotten your name, please don’t be offended, I’m the forgettable type  
You forgot quite a few but that's to be expected!
Anyway good seeing your again, as I said next time either in Berlin or Brussels!
Quoting airbuseric (Reply 22): Our Flying Finn moved to the right side to bring back the balance?
More like to get an excellent legroom! And a stern command from the FA to not to shoot any photos of take off (which is why I moved back to my original seat for landing...).
Quoting JL418 (Reply 29): it reminds me of those classic ones straight out of the 80s (even if I seriously doubt that such an airline existed back in the time when Gorbachev was running the shop).
Nope, the airline just turned 20 years as did the second independent Estonia. Before 1991 there was the Estonian directorate of Aeroflot operating ex-TLL and TAY.
signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2753 posts, RR: 8 Reply 36, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 2118 times:
Hi Nils,
excellent report of the trip to the ARN meet! You certainly were quick to get it online (I'm reminded of Sunderland - the town that always gets its election results declared first here!)
Nice solid flight on SAS, still missing from my log. The 736 is quite rare too isn't it?
The meeting itself looked great - I wish I could have come! Next time... trying to plan my trip to the BER meet!
OV too looked good - not so "faux" that you need to buy snacks
I flew her in 2009, on a NWI-AMS trip (naturally!), she'd done the nightstop in Norwich. As FF mentions, lots of the KL F70 crews are British, based in various locations where the old UK / KLMuk fleet do their nightstops for onward connections from AMS early in the morning. I was in seat 9A on that occasion, where the guy is in your photo!
Thanks again, and looking forward to the next - perhaps after Berlin?
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 35): A very nice small piece on our little meet, very much enjoyed.
Thanks my friend.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 35): Booking these "combo deals" with BT/OV and KL is pretty much the only way to get decent one way fares out of them anyway.
Actually the TLL-BRU is sometimes available at € 59 one way. Seen it with my very own eyes.
Yeah - was about to say the same. And the F/O as well. Doesn’t matter in fact, they got us there safe, sound and in true a.net style.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 35): I'm sorry, but we took of towards the north, hence 01L.
You’re right. I remember when looking it up I meant to write 01L but I wrote something else. That happens when trying to be a leader. (excuses, excuses,...)
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 35): Well, conducting my business in the toilet with the inop light was certainly quite... interesting!
So that’s what took you so long. There was no outside window in the loo?
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 35): You forgot quite a few but that's to be expected!
I mentioned the ones I spent most of the time with, but everyone there deserves the credits of course.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 35): Anyway good seeing your again, as I said next time either in Berlin or Brussels!
Same for me, see you in some time then most probably!
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1490 posts, RR: 45 Reply 39, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 1996 times:
Hi again,
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 37): Actually the TLL-BRU is sometimes available at € 59 one way. Seen it with my very own eyes.
I know. I meant actually a way to get a decent priced one way KLM flight!
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 37): ‘Oude God’ is the area in my village where the market square and shops are, hence the name of this station that is close by.
Does is refer to an imaginary fairy tale entity like the same word in English?
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 37): So that’s what took you so long. There was no outside window in the loo?
Nope. It's a bit too small for that! I tried using the flash of my camera, almost ended up shooting a photo of my wee wee
717Flyer From Finland, joined Jun 2011, 268 posts, RR: 21 Reply 44, posted (4 months 1 week 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 1633 times:
Hi Nils,
For my entire time here at Airliners.net I have been convinced that you are the king of quick trip report uploads. Once again you thoroughly impressed me. But not only with your quick upload - but also with this amazing trip report! Plus I give you the award for the sweetest eyecatcher image I've ever seen.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): A good delegation of the ‘trip reports’ forum users would be present as well so that gave me as well an extra boost to start looking for flights and a place to spend the night.
Seeing your nice report and knowing that many more are still to come I find it really frustrating that I could not join you guys - Stockholm is only on the other side of the gulf from where I live when you think closer - but well, family reasons can sometimes be quite complicated.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): While looking for flights I noticed that fellow user and Belgian MSS658 and fellow Belgian
Yes, Nils, now I am convinced that fellow user MSS658 is indeed Belgian.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The best option was a TLL-AMS-BRU routing which very conveniently would takeoff only 1h25 mins after touching tarmac on the Saab flight from ARN.
...of course trusting the cute little Saab to be on time!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Operated by an OV CRJ-900 and a KL F70, 2 new types for my log
I am also missing the CRJ-900 and my third attempt to get on it failed because of some schedule changes. Now I have set another attempt to catch it on Estonian Air. And judging your photos it seems it was a good choice.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): it also happened to be the only viable option for me and priced at a reasonable € 139 all in. Booked that as well.
Very nice to be able to get a decently priced one way ticket on KLM as well this way, thanks for the tip!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Next door - gate - is our originally scheduled equipment in the form of a sexy looking T-tail.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): So we meet up with all other participants, some more famous ones inclusive:
Wait a moment, I think I have seen that hat before. BTW, does that camera belong to the same person as the hat?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): After the arrival of the bus to the plane it’s photo shooting madness. This gentleman most conveniently got in my way while snapping this one:
Perhaps he was so eager to get on the Saab 340!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): A muffin and some tea and lemon. Sorry 717Flyer, I did not perform your muffin test but it was slightly warm and moist so imho the perfect muffin
This if something makes me regret I could not attend the meet! But at least you met me in your thoughts when looking at the muffin. And it looks very good indeed.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Once they do, I’m one of the 1st to board this 1 month ago delivered bird. It definitely looks, feels and smells shiny and new. I’m delighted and express my feelings (in a modest way) to the FA standing at the door. She smiles and welcomes me cordially. I’m impressed...
Very impressive! Most of all the cabin, but I have also learned that a FA standing at the door isn't something you should take for granted - some months ago on DY there was no one to answer my greeting.
To borrow the words of a fellow A. netter, did you liberate it?
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The FA’s immediately prepare for service after the seatbelt sign has been switched off. We get complimentary drinks and choice between a fish or pesto sandwich. I choose some tea, sparkling water and the pesto sandwich which goes down in a few bites. Yummy!
Chapeau!
Once again I take my hat off for OV. Very, very impressive.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): You’d rather have a good neighbour than a far off friend. At least the aircraft type is OK in the next pic!
At least the view of an Air Europa aircraft makes you remember your talents as the king of tight connections.
Finally it seems a flight on KLM and the Fokker 70 was a perfect way to end your day!
Looking forward to Berlin and June (and my first flights on Estonian Air and its regional division)!
MSS658 From Belgium, joined Oct 2010, 1421 posts, RR: 14 Reply 45, posted (4 months 1 week 22 hours ago) and read 1546 times:
Hi Nils
Finally got trough replying on this one, great trip report.
First of all it was a pleasure meeting you in real-life .
I enjoyed the SAS flight as well as the meeting in ARN.
The ARN-TLL leg looks good as well, seemed like it was quite fun with all the A.netters.
I must say the young age of the TLL-AMS CRJ can be even seen on pics! Interesting to see the second rear galley, something that my US CR9 did not have last month!
English crews on KLM Cittyhopper are not so unusual, already had a few myself on many BRU-AMS-BRU runs.
Greetings
Marc
Next trip report: Spectacular Southeastern sunset takeoff, US ATL-CLT-CDG!
MH017 From Netherlands, joined Apr 2005, 1566 posts, RR: 29 Reply 46, posted (4 months 1 week 12 hours ago) and read 1490 times:
Hi Nils,
OMG (or is it Oude God), you're soooo quick with this report !!!
Love your text as well as your pictures and lay-out too...
Good to see you loved the OV and KLC flights; OV has one of the best colourschemes in Europe IMHO... it suits the Saab 340B, especially !!! Hope to fly the CR9 myself this coming Summer
Hope to meet you in BER in June; take care and looking forward to more of your TR's !!!
Quoting 717Flyer (Reply 44): But not only with your quick upload - but also with this amazing trip report! Plus I give you the award for the sweetest eyecatcher image I've ever seen.
Thanks, I feel honored
Quoting 717Flyer (Reply 44): family reasons can sometimes be quite complicated
Don't tell me...
Quoting 717Flyer (Reply 44): Now I have set another attempt to catch it on Estonian Air.
You are coming to BER on OV?
Quoting 717Flyer (Reply 44): Now if it would only have been a B717...
If you look at it from a far distance, it IS a 717, take my word for that
Quoting 717Flyer (Reply 44): BTW, does that camera belong to the same person as the hat?
Are you out of your mind? As my username may perhaps indicate, I am, of course, arriving into Berlin on a great Blue1 & SAS combo, with the first segment on the 717!
Estonian Air (and their regional arm) is scheduled for the return journey on BRU-TLL-HEL.
Quoting sultanils (Reply 47): If you look at it from a far distance, it IS a 717, take my word for that
Hmm, I am starting to understand what you are trying to say here.
infodesk From Switzerland, joined May 2006, 991 posts, RR: 25 Reply 49, posted (4 months 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1267 times:
Hi Nils,
Blimey, you aren't half fast at posting these reports! Thank you, not only for a very nice account of what was an action packed day, but also for giving me my fix of Estonian Air, can't get enough of them! Sadly I spent last weekend on the sofa full of cold
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The train ticket is actually stored on my ID-card so no extra docs needed for this journey.
Sounds very high-tech, guess this is the way of the future.
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): So we meet up with all other participants, some more famous ones inclusive:
Well, you know you're famous when you can be identified by your hat
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): About 30% of today’s load consists of some plane geeks, with cameras ready as if we would go off to war. Very hilarious!
I'm sure the crew were amused by this sight
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Sorry 717Flyer, I did not perform your muffin test but it was slightly warm and moist so imho the perfect muffin
Sounds good to me!
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): Only a short taxi until we dock at one of the B gates next to Ms Swiss:
Sorry Swiss, but that OV winglet is so damn sexy.
Happy flying
Infodesk
"Do nothing in haste, look well to each step and from the beginning think what may be the end" - Edward Whymper
makeree From Finland, joined Dec 2009, 50 posts, RR: 0 Reply 50, posted (4 months 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 1145 times:
Hey Nils !!
What a great TR and it sure brings lot of memories from the ARN A.net meeting !
It is amazing you were that fast writing the TR but some people just are...
I have to admit I had troubles to eat my nachos plate at the restaurant where
we met, so much to talk about with aviation related things with you, Marc & Robert.
But luckily there was enough beer.
Good to see you were able to catch the very new OV's CRJ-900, might be possible
that OV will change them into Embraer ones according to some news, I think your timing
was perfect.
parton87 From Sweden, joined Sep 2008, 458 posts, RR: 3 Reply 51, posted (4 months 4 days ago) and read 1138 times:
Hello Nils!
Thanks for the great story!Congratulations for being the first to post a report of our nice meeting last weekend! Man, you´re really fast! I had only have time to download my pictures to the computer! So you won´t see my report here very soon:D
First time I was at BRU I was really surprised that security wasn´t directly after the boarding-pass control! At first I thought we was going the wrong way
Quoting sultanils (Thread starter): The crew manages to do a drink and snack on this ultrashort 30min hop to BRU, we all get some juice and a salty snack:
Impressive!
Thanks again for the nice report Nils! See you in Berlin if not earlier!
Quoting infodesk (Reply 49): Thank you, not only for a very nice account of what was an action packed day, but also for giving me my fix of Estonian Air, can't get enough of them!
Ha, and you didn’t even fly on OV yet! You just saw some pics
Quoting infodesk (Reply 49): Sadly I spent last weekend on the sofa full of cold
Oh my, I hope you’re well now.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 49): I'm sure the crew were amused by this sight
We saw some (faint) smiles, yes.
Quoting infodesk (Reply 49): Sorry Swiss, but that OV winglet is so damn sexy.
Not only the winglet, the whole darn plane is sexy!
Quoting makeree (Reply 50): What a great TR and it sure brings lot of memories from the ARN A.net meeting !
Thanks, I’m glad you liked the story.
Quoting makeree (Reply 50): I have to admit I had troubles to eat my nachos plate at the restaurant where
we met, so much to talk about with aviation related things with you, Marc & Robert.
Now you mention it: I saw you struggling with your nachos indeed. Next time you just tell me to shut up so you can eat properly
Quoting makeree (Reply 50): Good to see you were able to catch the very new OV's CRJ-900, might be possible
that OV will change them into Embraer ones according to some news
eastafspot From France, joined Jan 2008, 296 posts, RR: 1 Reply 55, posted (3 months 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 808 times:
Nils,
What an extraordinary compilation of airlines and aircraft types. I'm a big fan of turbo prop and this noisy Saab340 has a great allure in this livery.
what did motivate you to fly again with KLM after a such long time? the fokker 70?
I bet you had a enjoyable moment with all your A.net mates in ARN, you made me smile about the load factor half filled by nutters...
thank you so much for reporting in style your meeting.
à la prochaine
One people one destiny...Jumuiya ya Afrika mashariki
What an extraordinary compilation of airlines and aircraft types.
Hello eastafspot, thanks for replying. Yes, it was a nice variety of equipment!
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 55): what did motivate you to fly again with KLM after a such long time? the fokker 70?
No choice here, the TLL-AMS-BRU connection was on 1 ticket and booked with OV directly. But in the end I was glad to get to fly KL once more and the F70 was a new entry for the log so greatly appreciated.
Quoting eastafspot (Reply 55): I bet you had a enjoyable moment with all your A.net mates in ARN, you made me smile about the load factor half filled by nutters...
It was a memorable flight and weekend as well. If you're free on Sat 2nd/Sun 3rd June: we're doing that again with the opening of the new BER airport in Berlin. If you are able to, please join us! See BER: The Grand Opening Meeting (by FLIEGER67 Jan 27 2012 in Non Aviation)
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From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 747 posts, 
Everyone by now knows how things go on a SK flight so I will not comment on all the events that passed. In fact there were no events whatsoever, I just sat back and listened to some mellow tunes on the phone, in offline mode of course 
Sultanils
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