Thanks for tuning in to my latest instalment of my trip to Asia! To get from Calcutta to my original preferred destination of Bangladesh, I had a choice of either overlanding (um, boring!) or flying (yes, that sounds better). There were quite a few airlines on offer, including Kingfisher and Jet Airways of India, and GMG and Biman of Bangladesh. After comparing times and prices, I elected to go with Biman, which was also scheduled to be operated by the A310, not an aircraft I’ve flown on much (last time was with SQ back in 2003). This turned out to be an excellent choice as not longer after I booked this happened:
One airline cancelled the route (along with basically all of their scheduled flights), and the other put their entire operation on indefinite hiatus.
As I monitored the flight in the days before the flight, I noticed the flight had been upgraded to the very rare DC10 – excellent news. I’m sure I logged one of these in the “olden days”, but this would be my first in living memory.
From my hotel in Calcutta, I hopped into a taxi, and headed off on another death-defying journey to the airport. Evading the tram:
Always a bit nervous when heading to the airport in strange locations, my heart almost stopped when my taxi driver (for once I was appreciative of his crazy driving) managed to get us off an off-ramp *just* as it was being unofficially closed by a troop of rampaging protesters. WTF?! As my driver beeped his way through, the car feet behind was stopped and a line of breeze blocks blocked the way. Phew, that was a close call. You can see the other cars stuck on the ramp. When I finally got to the airport, I spoke to an American guy that was stuck stationary for 45 minutes, which could have been disastrous.
Thankfully, I arrived bang on schedule, and headed through the security control, and to the check in desks. Biman is handled by Air India in Calcutta (although it took me walking around the entire check in area to find this out), and there were a lot of desks open, so no queue. I asked what aircraft would be operating, and was told, after a bit of typing, “An Airbus, sir”. Oh no, that puts paid to my DC10 flight. Biman really do like changing their equipment! I asked for a window seat and was told that this sector was free seating.
FIDS (of sorts)
On my way into the terminal, I noticed a sign for the “viewing lounge”. Hmm, seems a bit too good to be true in aviation hating India. Still, I had an obligation to check it out. I had to argue with the guard to let me out of the check in area. I then proceeded up many sets of un-air-conditioned stairs to find the “gallery”. To be fair, there was a view of the tarmac, just no planes to be seen. There were also plenty of signs saying that photography was prohibited.
I headed back downstairs, had another argument with a different guard as to why I had gone upstairs, and then joined the short, but unmoving queue to change my Rupees into Bangladeshi Takas (and appalling rates, and with equally bad service).
With my Rupees gone, I joined another long, slow moving line for immigration, where I chatted to the aforementioned American, heading to Bangkok on the Air Asia flight. There was an interesting view of the luggage conveyer from the line – seems like every bag got stuck here until another came and pushed it off.
With my passport stamped, I proceeded to the top of the stairs where I joined another long unmoving line for security. As I hadn’t attached any hand baggage tags to my bags, the guard got into a bit of a strop, before attaching some EK ones, then stamping them.
There wasn’t a lot to do in the departure lounge other than sit and watch the other passengers. Tarmac views were basically zero, but I did manage to get this:
Kind of hard to guess as a type though. When the flight flashed up as boarding, a queue very quickly formed, cutting the departure lounge in half stopping anyone from walking past.
From what I could see, there were just 2 other westerners on the flight. The first queue was checking we had a boarding card.
Further along there was another queue to collect the boarding card. I was delighted when the plane finally came into view:
‘New Era’ would be taking me across the border today
April 2012
Calcutta (CCU) – Dhaka (DAC)
Biman Bangladesh Airlines BG 94
Scheduled: 1230-1350 (0h50m)
Actual: 1441-1543 (0h32m)
McDonnell Douglas DC10 “New Era” S2-ACR
Economy
-
- This was the same plane N178UA took DAC-JED-FCO
At door 2L, everyone was being directed towards the back. I asked if I could sit in the forward curtained off section. The guy at the door, looked me up and down, and nodded me towards the curtain in front of door 2R. I was in! The entire plane is economy, so it wasn’t an upgrade as such. The front cabin was much emptier though, with just a few people already in there. I checked out the seats available, and eventually plumped with 3A. The cabin filled up slowly, with one other foreigner, and a few other assorted Bangladeshis.
The reassuringly organgey and flowery cabin of the Biman DC10
Retro IFE, and no, the call button/light didn’t work (there wasn’t even a light in the hole)
Legroom short – fairly acceptable
Jetbridge still attached
Where’s the DC10?
Safety Card
Landing cards handed out
And then we sit. Of course, this is Biman so despite an early boarding, we will sit at the gate until we’re late. There was a mumbled announcement that we were waiting for luggage, which I think is highly doubtful. Lucky I’m not in a rush.
Papers are handed out
I’m quite surprised that a trolley is rolled down the aisle and lunch boxes handed
Not the best lunch, but more than I was expecting. Some boxes had 7UP, others Pepsi. Water was also handed out which was good as I don’t do soft drinks.
With “lunch” dispensed with, we sat a bit longer. I asked one of the two very friendly cabin crew if I could have another glass of water. I thought she’d forgotten until she reappeared about 5 minutes later with this:
Well, I won’t be going thirsty this flight!
Finally nearly 2 hours after our STD, we push back. Finally, I’m on my way to Bangladesh!
And off we go!
The cabin
Look away if you are of a nervous disposition! Definitely in need of some TLC!
When I head back to my seat, I took this photo. A member of crew (not sure of his job, he had a pilotish uniform on, but was travelling as a pax) became quite chatty, asking where I was from etc. I said it was a very old plane, and he replied that it was soon for a museum. No kidding!
Great recline – the seats were quite comfy
I hate it when people do this. I have an uncontrollable urge to cut their fingers off (although of course I’ve controlled myself this far…one day!)
Someone might be short of an O2 mask…
Before in I knew it, the seatbelt sign was back on, and we made our approach into Dhaka
How nice is that GMG livery? Shame they’re now bust
Another one bites the dust
DAC arrivals
Bye plane!
I walk quickly to immigration, and find myself the one person there. The border guards all get up from their chinwag, and go to their respective desks. Despite having asked the guy NOT to stamp one of my 2 completely empty passport pages, he does, despite saying he wouldn’t. Grrrr
In the arrivals hall I have to wait a while for my taxi – unfortunately, the car is a pile of juke and has no a/c and it’s sweltering.
The terminal from the taxi
My plan for Bangladesh is to psend a few days in Dhaka sightseeing, then join a cruise of the Sunderbans National Park – this is an enormous estuaryesque mangrove area, full of man-eating Bengal tigers!
First, some photos of Dhaka. My hotel room. Only saw one cockroach
Taking a rickshaw in Dhaka is a must-do. Seriously, loved it, even if the pollution was a bit tough at times.
Not so nice were the prison like green tuktuks.
Dhaka has routemasters!
Lalbagh Fort
Time for another rickshaw ride, this time through the old city – amazing experience!
Ahsan Manzil
The first time I heard about Bangladesh was when I was a wee nipper, and well into world flags. Living in Japan at the time, I was fascinated to find an almost doppelganger for the lovey Japanese flag, just in green.
Time for a wander by food down Hindu Street. I threw caution to the wind and got my hair cut in one of the little places down here – I was pretty happy to come out with a pretty good cut, and only about a $1 poorer.
I found an intersection which was great for people watching
Despite having a career in pushing watermelons around barefoot, this guy loved having his photo taken!
I arrange my 5 days cruise via The Bengal Tours Ltd. Full board for $160 – not bad, although quite basic. I was the only non-Bengali speaker onboard, but most people (including the guide) spoke good English. The only other foreigner was a Japanese guy, but he’d been living in Bangladesh for 5 years.
There were an unbelievable number of brick factories in the country
Ok, well I’ll leave this section here. Next time I’ll pick up with some more photos from the swamps, and my domestic flights with United Airlines and Regent Airways to/from Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong.
Thoughts? Well, Calcutta Airport was a pain. The innumerable rules, and interminable queues made for a very poor experience. I wonder why India is so slow to catch onto the customer service concept? China seems to have taken to the idea, with a host of beautiful customer orientated airports springing up across the nation. Biman was an experience. Delays and plane changes for no reason other than “why not?”. It’s hard to judge from a flight of only half an hour though. It was nice to get a flight on the DC10, the ‘Flying Museum’! I’m looking forward to my next flight with them to Kathmandu.
And Bangladesh, well it was quite the thrill ride. I didn’t see a single other sightseeing tourist for my entire stay outside of hotels. It really is quite off the beaten track!
You got the third last DC-10 ever built - actually it's the youngest which is still flying.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I said it was a very old plane, and he replied that it was soon for a museum. No kidding!
BG won't retire its two remaining DC-10s until 2014, according to ATDB. This could be true considering that the next two 77Ws won't arrive until late 2013.
Sultanils From Belgium, joined Mar 2010, 1173 posts, RR: 29 Reply 3, posted (1 year 1 month 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 11827 times:
Hi Gabs,
Wonderful story my friend. Fabulous travel and ‘flying museum’ pics. I don’t think many travellers have Bangladesh on their list but you are definitely one of them. Glad you got a ride on the DC, I remember the type back in the days from a a Belgian TV show featuring BRU and called ‘airport’ (you know the one ), where Biman’s station manager appeared not to be the problem solving man he had to be. Yes, Biman used to operate DAC-BRU-JFK with the old smoker and flower seats!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Water was also handed out which was good as I don’t do soft drinks.
...being the healthy type you are
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Despite having asked the guy NOT to stamp one of my 2 completely empty passport pages, he does, despite saying he wouldn’t.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 6, posted (1 year 1 month 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 11205 times:
Thanks for all your comments!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): Nice report about your DC-10 experience! And you included many good destination pics, as usual.
Thanks Udo
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): You got the third last DC-10 ever built - actually it's the youngest which is still flying.
I was quite dissapointed to get such a young aircraft - was hoping for one older than me!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 2): BG won't retire its two remaining DC-10s until 2014, according to ATDB. This could be true considering that the next two 77Ws won't arrive until late 2013.
2014! Wow
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 3):
Wonderful story my friend. Fabulous travel and ‘flying museum’ pics
Thanks
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 3): Yes, Biman used to operate DAC-BRU-JFK with the old smoker and flower seats!
I know - strange to think
Quoting Sultanils (Reply 3): What an historic piece, it looks as if the windows are open and barred?
Widebodyroga From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 472 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (1 year 1 month 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 10864 times:
Hey Gabriel,
Even though this part of the world doesn't really attract me in any way, I must say that I find your reports quite captivating. Now I'm looking forward to see how United Airways compares to United Airlines
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Despite having asked the guy NOT to stamp one of my 2 completely empty passport pages, he does, despite saying he wouldn’t. Grrrr
Out of curiosity, why did you want that particular page blank? Were you saving it for some full-page visa sticker later on?
WBodyroga
Visit my aviation page: http://widebodyroga.weebly.com/
netdhaka From Bangladesh, joined Feb 2004, 182 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (1 year 1 month 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 10582 times:
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Did you take the Sundarban tour from Dhaka or Khulna? As far as I know, tours for Sundarbans depart from Khulna.
Immigration officer stamped the page next to the visa because they are used to doing so, and they do it the whole day every day. So, even if they wanted to stamp some other page, it was a natural urge to stamp the page they always do. I am not defending their action, just trying to make sense out of it.
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 9, posted (1 year 1 month 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 9820 times:
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 7):
Even though this part of the world doesn't really attract me in any way, I must say that I find your reports quite captivating.
The sub-continent didn't really appeal to me either which is why it's taken me so long to go - but it is interesting
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 7): Now I'm looking forward to see how United Airways compares to United Airlines
I think United Airways is a step above actually!
Quoting Widebodyroga (Reply 7): Out of curiosity, why did you want that particular page blank? Were you saving it for some full-page visa sticker later on?
You never know when you might need a full blank page. Only got 1 left now. It's a right hassle to get a new passport es[peically is my current one is only 4 years old
Quoting netdhaka (Reply 8): Thanks for sharing your experience.
No problem
Quoting netdhaka (Reply 8): Did you take the Sundarban tour from Dhaka or Khulna? As far as I know, tours for Sundarbans depart from Khulna.
Started in Dhaka. All the agencies I emailed seemed to start in Dhaka. The guidebooked suggested they all started in Khulna though?
Quoting netdhaka (Reply 8): Immigration officer stamped the page next to the visa because they are used to doing so, and they do it the whole day every day. So, even if they wanted to stamp some other page, it was a natural urge to stamp the page they always do. I am not defending their action, just trying to make sense out of it.
Yeah, I guess his atention span was very short, so just forgot (or else he was just being officious)
lukeyboy95 From Papua New Guinea, joined Apr 2008, 951 posts, RR: 35 Reply 10, posted (1 year 1 month 23 hours ago) and read 9402 times:
Gabriel...
This report was much too long. I would have preferred if you had broken it up... oh wait... no....
The Sunderban sounds like a mysterious place. I would love to visit there one day... but there ae many great deltas in the world to see.
A very nice TR
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Despite having asked the guy NOT to stamp one of my 2 completely empty passport pages, he does, despite saying he wouldn’t. Grrrr
This is hilarious! I take it you had that sign in before getting to him? I like the idea though. Rather cunning... we both suffer from awkward passport officers.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I hate it when people do this. I have an uncontrollable urge to cut their fingers off (although of course I’ve controlled myself this far…one day!)
Again, very funny. You are easily irked. I once had a man in India whose feet dangled above my head the whole trip. . .
Yes. I save my hair till I am in a more affordable country. Was that the real price? It seems about right. I can't figure how UK hairdressers are charging £9 a cut, at 20 minutes, with a potential hourly earning of £27.00... that is a gripe of mine.
FLIEGER67 From Georgia, joined Sep 2003, 4387 posts, RR: 57 Reply 11, posted (1 year 1 month 21 hours ago) and read 9285 times:
Hi, Gabriel,
now that is a very cool part of you´re actual series.
Flying the D10 and it looks like really like a flying musuem, definitely out of the ordinary.
Also the pictures from Bangladesh, love it. Such a special place.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I hate it when people do this. I have an uncontrollable urge to cut their fingers off (although of course I’ve controlled myself this far…one day!)
Count me in, this is not acceptable and who knows if he´s some finger´s shorter during the next time!.
deltamartin From Sweden, joined Dec 2010, 1059 posts, RR: 9 Reply 12, posted (1 year 1 month 7 hours ago) and read 8871 times:
Hello Gabriel!
Nice report as usual!
How awesome to catch the DC10, well done!
Bangladesh seems cool, I'd like to go there. Maybe I should head there before they retire their DC10's!
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 10): This is hilarious! I take it you had that sign in before getting to him? I like the idea though. Rather cunning... we both suffer from awkward passport officers.
Yes, i had that sign in. Clearly he was a bit metally challenged
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 10): Again, very funny. You are easily irked. I once had a man in India whose feet dangled above my head the whole trip. . .
Urgh, hope you chopped them off!
Quoting lukeyboy95 (Reply 10): Yes. I save my hair till I am in a more affordable country. Was that the real price? It seems about right. I can't figure how UK hairdressers are charging £9 a cut, at 20 minutes, with a potential hourly earning of £27.00... that is a gripe of mine.
Yeah, was about 70p, and took longer than the £10 specials I get at home
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 11): now that is a very cool part of you´re actual series.
Thanks!
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 11): Also the pictures from Bangladesh, love it. Such a special place.
Yeah, it;s very different from other countries
Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 11): Count me in, this is not acceptable and who knows if he´s some finger´s shorter during the next time!.
Quoting deltamartin (Reply 12):
How awesome to catch the DC10, well done!
Bangladesh seems cool, I'd like to go there. Maybe I should head there before they retire their DC10's!
You'd better go this year or next, as I think 2014 is the end of the line
FlyingFinn76 From Finland, joined Jun 2009, 1705 posts, RR: 41 Reply 14, posted (1 year 1 month 4 hours ago) and read 8695 times:
Hi Gab,
Sorry, I'm running out of superlatives here and I think the best is yet to come. But yes, you know what I was going to say. Excellent stuff. Truly mindbending. Love it.
Also you are very happy to be able to catch another ride on the classic triholer, indeed not many DC-10s around any more, even the much more modern MD-11s are nowadays very thin on the ground, at least for pax operations.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): This turned out to be an excellent choice as not longer after I booked this happened:
Ouch! You sure were lucky... again.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I spoke to an American guy that was stuck stationary for 45 minutes, which could have been disastrous.
Sounds like my experience in Istanbul many a moon ago... A ride that took barely 20 minutes when coming from the airport took around one and half hours during the morning rush hour.
Trams in Kolkata? I'll be damned. Although that one looks more like a prison car than a public transportation vehicle.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): There were also plenty of signs saying that photography was prohibited.
So what's the point of a viewing terrace then? What's up with the colors in your photos or is that just the pollution floating in the air?
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): As I hadn’t attached any hand baggage tags to my bags, the guard got into a bit of a strop, before attaching some EK ones, then stamping them.
Oh yes, these are essential for flight security. Many planes have gone down because they were missing.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Further along there was another queue to collect the boarding card. I was delighted when the plane finally came into view:
Cool. Very hippy, I wonder if they sell some "things to expand your mind" on their longer flights and the FAs exhibit the "free love" ideology of the flower era... they should fly this bird to SFO .
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Retro IFE, and no, the call button/light didn’t work (there wasn’t even a light in the hole)
Hmm, those buttons certainly have seen some action!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Not the best lunch, but more than I was expecting. Some boxes had 7UP, others Pepsi. Water was also handed out which was good as I don’t do soft drinks.
Hmm, looks quite bad but then again that is a lot for a half an hour flight.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Look away if you are of a nervous disposition! Definitely in need of some TLC!
I like that mop lying there.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): When I head back to my seat, I took this photo. A member of crew (not sure of his job, he had a pilotish uniform on, but was travelling as a pax) became quite chatty, asking where I was from etc. I said it was a very old plane, and he replied that it was soon for a museum. No kidding!
So definitely very different from India - no issues with photos and friendly crews.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Before in I knew it, the seatbelt sign was back on, and we made our approach into Dhaka
There seems to be a lot of haze around. Is that heat haze or pollution?
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Despite having asked the guy NOT to stamp one of my 2 completely empty passport pages, he does, despite saying he wouldn’t. Grrrr
I like how you put that handwritten note in there!
I first read that as "Laibach" and was wondering what the heck does Ljubljana and excellent industrial music have to do with Bangla...
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Living in Japan at the time, I was fascinated to find an almost doppelganger for the lovey Japanese flag, just in green.
Very nice, I had no idea! I think the Nepalese and Bhutanese flags are still way cooler.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): And Bangladesh, well it was quite the thrill ride. I didn’t see a single other sightseeing tourist for my entire stay outside of hotels. It really is quite off the beaten track!
Sounds like my kind of destination! If United (the other United) still running the multi stop Mad Dog flight LGW-DAC? That sounds like my kind of ride to arrive to my kind of destination!
CaptainRed From Germany, joined Oct 2010, 578 posts, RR: 19 Reply 15, posted (1 year 1 month 2 hours ago) and read 8556 times:
Hi Gabriel,
just finished both part 5 and 6 of your excellent report series, again a great read with some truly amazing pictures. Interesting to read about these domestic flights in India, somehow I have thought that these are a bit more organized. After all there is quite an extensive domestic network.
I really enjoyed the pictures of Darjeeling and especially that little railroad. There was a documentary in TV just recently about this train and I thought that it would for sure be a great experience to ride this train (if it runs at all, they said on TV that the engines are broken quite often).
And congrats of course for flying a DC-10, a true classic. Really love the colorful and flowery interior, looks like straight out of a 70s living room. But service wise it seemed to be ok, even a little lunch on a short flight like this, not bad.
Now looking forward to read about the next parts of your adventure. Especially looking forward to read about this United, their liveries look interesting. And don't forget to include a picture of a bengal tiger in wildlife
dc9northwest From Romania, joined Feb 2007, 1735 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (1 year 1 month ago) and read 8462 times:
Hi there!
Really enjoyed your report and look forward to your future TRs on this trip around S/E Asia.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Thankfully, I arrived bang on schedule, and headed through the security control, and to the check in desks. Biman is handled by Air India in Calcutta (although it took me walking around the entire check in area to find this out), and there were a lot of desks open, so no queue. I asked what aircraft would be operating, and was told, after a bit of typing, “An Airbus, sir”. Oh no, that puts paid to my DC10 flight. Biman really do like changing their equipment! I asked for a window seat and was told that this sector was free seating.
Well, that explains why it's free seating... No one knows what will show up at the gate! Good to see you've caught the DC-10 though.
BG always late, no surprise... I doubt I'll get to fly their DC10s, though... Still two years left, I guess, but who knows.
Really good to see pictures of Dhaka... Looks a bit different compared to what I expected.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 6082 posts, RR: 56 Reply 17, posted (1 year 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 8395 times:
HI Gabriel!
Nice report with nice pictures ! I'm happy that the DC-10 turned up in the end; those colors are a bit much for me. Amazingly short flight in a jet! UA used to fly DC-10s DEN-COS and that was probably about the same flight time. I've had my fair share of DC-10s but I much preferred the L-1011 instead.
Looking forward to the next part with the tigers!
The777Man
Need a Boeing 777 Firing Order....Further to fly....GA, T5, CI and LX 777s
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 18, posted (1 year 4 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 8188 times:
THanks for all the comments!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Sorry, I'm running out of superlatives here and I think the best is yet to come. But yes, you know what I was going to say. Excellent stuff. Truly mindbending. Love it.
Awh, thanks!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Trams in Kolkata? I'll be damned. Although that one looks more like a prison car than a public transportation vehicle.
Yes, trams, and yes, like prisons. No different from the Dhaka tuktuks
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): So what's the point of a viewing terrace then? What's up with the colors in your photos or is that just the pollution floating in the air?
Tinted glass
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Oh yes, these are essential for flight security. Many planes have gone down because they were missing.
I know, a terrible scurge on the world
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Hmm, looks quite bad but then again that is a lot for a half an hour flight.
Yeah, not bad for 100 or so miles
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): There seems to be a lot of haze around. Is that heat haze or pollution?
Both
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): I like how you put that handwritten note in there!
Didn't do much good though!
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 14): Sounds like my kind of destination! If United (the other United) still running the multi stop Mad Dog flight LGW-DAC? That sounds like my kind of ride to arrive to my kind of destination!
I don't think it runs anymore
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 15): just finished both part 5 and 6 of your excellent report series, again a great read with some truly amazing pictures.
Thanks
Quoting CaptainRed (Reply 15): And congrats of course for flying a DC-10, a true classic. Really love the colorful and flowery interior, looks like straight out of a 70s living room. But service wise it seemed to be ok, even a little lunch on a short flight like this, not bad.
Yeah, was great to catch the DC10
Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 16): Really enjoyed your report and look forward to your future TRs on this trip around S/E Asia.
Thanks
Quoting dc9northwest (Reply 16): Well, that explains why it's free seating... No one knows what will show up at the gate! Good to see you've caught the DC-10 though.
Lucky they didn't sub it for a 737 (as was shecduled at one point) or they might have a slight overseel problem!
signol From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2007, 2948 posts, RR: 7 Reply 20, posted (1 year 3 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 7630 times:
Hi Gabriel,
nice! Such a rare ride, one that most of us can only dream of. I might have flown a NW DC10 many years ago, or it might have been an MD11 - I'll never know.
Some good pictures and insight of India and Bangladesh as well. Fascinating stuff.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): One airline cancelled the route (along with basically all of their scheduled flights), and the other put their entire operation on indefinite hiatus.
- Amazing, who would have thought Bimen was the safe bet!?
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): On my way into the terminal, I noticed a sign for the “viewing lounge”. Hmm, seems a bit too good to be true in aviation hating India. Still, I had an obligation to check it out. I had to argue with the guard to let me out of the check in area. I then proceeded up many sets of un-air-conditioned stairs to find the “gallery”. To be fair, there was a view of the tarmac, just no planes to be seen. There were also plenty of signs saying that photography was prohibited
- Quite interesting somebody at some stage thought to include this in the build.
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): As I hadn’t attached any hand baggage tags to my bags, the guard got into a bit of a strop, before attaching some EK ones, then stamping them.
- What's the point?! - red tape!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Tarmac views were basically zero, but I did manage to get this:
- Wow, it's a blast to the 70's but the plane was built in 1988!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I asked one of the two very friendly cabin crew if I could have another glass of water. I thought she’d forgotten until she reappeared about 5 minutes later with this:
- Short of cups?
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Look away if you are of a nervous disposition! Definitely in need of some TLC!
- Wow, love the mop in the loo!
Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): And Bangladesh, well it was quite the thrill ride. I didn’t see a single other sightseeing tourist for my entire stay outside of hotels. It really is quite off the beaten track!
- Well it's not yet known as a tourist destination, you are indeed a trail blazer!
gabrielchew From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2005, 2512 posts, RR: 13 Reply 24, posted (1 year 3 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 7230 times:
Thanks for the comments!
Quoting sfflyer123 (Reply 19): Well, as nice as India seemed, Bangladesh doesn't seem as appealing! But this was a great view into this world. Thank you for posting!
Glad you liked it! Bangladesh is only for the hardened traveller!
Quoting signol (Reply 20): Some good pictures and insight of India and Bangladesh as well. Fascinating stuff.
And there's more to come in Part 7!
Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 21): Fantastic report - thanks again for sharing this with us, and especially showing us the sights of Dhaka.
Thanks! Glad you liked it
Quoting ba319-131 (Reply 22): Yet another good read GC, I'm amazed at the travel you manage to pack in, I wish I had the time and money for more myself.
Thanks. I think this is my last big trip for a while
25 rvxkaz: Hi Gabriel, I chance upon your TR and its a true gem. Really enlightened by your sharing of this unique and exotic experience on the air and on the gr
26 MSS658: Hi Gab Great continuation, flying a DC10 is not so common nowadays. Until a few years back they where a very usual sight in BRU on their DAC-BRU-JFK r
27 gabrielchew: Thanks for the comments Gavin and Marc! Thanks Gavin! I just found your youtube reports - very amusing, esp when you spilt that Singapore Sling on the
28 lukeyboy95: Gabriel... Please, I'd love that. Wait to you see my next report... you'll have a hernia! A good magnet would have determined that...
29 gabrielchew: I'm looking forward to it. I clear my diary for an afternoon, and get some asprin ready
30 akhmad: Hi Gabriel, That is what I call exciting time travel! On board of a DC10! I love your pictures of Bangladesh as well! What a dilemma! It reminds me of
31 gabrielchew: Thanks Suryo Lucky timing I didn't realise how strict they were with it. I actually picked some BG ones up at the desk Yup, lucky I was approved Ha,
32 Quokkas: Hi Gabriel. Shame, but wait... Perhaps the agent only said the first thing that came into her head. Well I suppose they do have their routines to foll
33 gabrielchew: I guess there are so many equipment changes the agents have no idea what's happening I suppose Probpably. I just don't understand how these delays bu
34 eastafspot: This is speechless and from another era, you flew the airline for the sake of flying pleasures.. congrats ... As soon as the maintenance meets the req
35 gabrielchew: Yes, a snapshot of yesteryear Quite - the planes seem very well maintained No courage necessary!
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), where Biman’s station manager appeared not to be the problem solving man he had to be. Yes, Biman used to operate DAC-BRU-JFK with the old smoker and flower seats!
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