Finally, inside the neat 757 meant to take us to Vail, we sat back and relaxed. The flight seemed to be pretty full from people mostly coming from different connections.
We waited at the Gate for some 20 minutes and pushed back at 15.50, about 20 minutes behind schedule.
After the push back, the FAs announced that the total flight time would be 1h59m and flying at an altitude of 36.000ft. After that, I took some pictures out of my window at DFW:
Later, we arrived to the runway and without holding, performed a pretty soft take-off:
Some pictures after our Take-off:
Then, we climbed to FL360 and enjoyed the flight where ‘CBS Eye on American’ was showed and some beverages and snacks were given by this funny male flight attendant who had such big arms that had to fold his sleeves almost all the way up. He looked like a Johnny Bravo Flight Attendant .Obviously I did not take a picture of him!
The flight was very enjoyable. We suddenly started to fly over loads of snow and, inside Colorado State, got to catch DEN!
Right after that shoot, I got to take some nice pictures of the ground difference from the flat to the rocky:
After that cool sight, the captain announced our descent towards Eagle at 17.28. I got some nice pictures from the event:
Then I got to enjoy the best approach I have ever been on. Flaps were deployed at 14.000ft flying over snowy mountains.
There you can see some ski slopes
Then, I recorded the approach and landing:
Approach:
Landing:
As you can see, we made an amazing landing and a powerful stop at 17.53.
What an experience… This landing is unique and the place is just stunning.
I got to take this picture after we exit the runway:
After the airplane parked, we deplaned by the rear door:
…and, there’s a picture of me frozen with the skinny 757 in my back!
Our flying journey was over. Even though we rushed a bit, the experience was pretty nice and all that run would have its price paid! We’re at Vail! Wohoo!
Our days at Beaver Creek were too good to be true. We spent a whole week there skiing and sightseeing. Weather was beautiful; it snowed the first two days and then, had blue skies and soft snow.
Vail is recommended for aviation freaks (like me). I went on my birthday to the airport to spot some landings and spent an amazing time. Got to see 6 757s passing over my head
and cached a couple take-offs. That place is paradise!
Conclusions:
FLL:
- FLL is a NIGHTMARE on rush days. I thought MIA was horrible, but now that I have tried both on tough days, I choose MIA with my eyes closed.
- FLL has the big problem that is too small, the ticketing place is too tight for the screening machines to be there, and it has way too many passengers and flights to handle.
- FLL’s staff is horrible (not the airlines’). They seem to be from a French island because they all speak French between them and don’t speak fluent English; they’re not nice to people and don’t do a good job.
- The F Gate Area needs some changes. Too old and obsolete.
American Airlines:
- At FLL, the staff wasn’t as good as expected. I fly AA very often and I can surely say that the staff at CCS and MIA is much more likable than the ones I found at FLL.
- The FLL-DFW flight wasn’t as good as expected. After that flight I can say with property that AA domestic is the dark face of AA international. No food served and angry FAs. This flight 4/10
- The DFW-EGE flight was pretty good. It cleaned the image of the previous flight. The FAs were all nice and made pax feel more comfortable. They served drinks and snacks with a smile on their face and were eager to do their job well. 7/10 for this flight.
EGE
- Beautiful airport. Owns one of the best approaches on the planet and the waiting areas have a nice sight of the tarmac. 10/10 for staff and infrastructure.
Guys I really hope you liked all of this report. I enjoyed writing it as much as what I lived. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask me, I’ll be very happy to answer them all!
Thanks for reading!
Enrique.
Flying isn't dangerous. Crashing is what's dangerous!
IAHFLYR From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 4723 posts, RR: 25 Reply 1, posted (6 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 4732 times:
WOW great report! Love the pic of DEN, awesome.
Yep that ride into EGE is so beautiful, but the crew has to configure the airplane a long way up in the sky, but not so far when you consider you're landing at 6,535' above sea level.....but it is a very steep appoach into EGE from over Kremmling.
Well done and thanks for sharing.
Any views shared are strictly my own and do not a represent those of any former employer.
767747 From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1750 posts, RR: 26 Reply 3, posted (6 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 4632 times:
Amazing pictures of DEN and of your arrival into EGE! Glad you had a good flight. I always enjoy flying on the 757-200. What a great aircraft.
MCOflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 8553 posts, RR: 14 Reply 5, posted (6 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 4548 times:
Very good videos. I liked the pictures. I never what an exciting approach EGE was until now.
Edgaren From Venezuela, joined Feb 2006, 68 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 4440 times:
Excellent trip report Enrique... It was so well detailed that I kinda felt for a second like I was in that plane....nice sunset arrival too...keep the good reports coming.....
Longhornmaniac From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 3094 posts, RR: 48 Reply 9, posted (6 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 4368 times:
Wow, it's really interesting that you just flew this flight, because no more than 4 days ago, I did AA2205 DFW-EGE on Flight Simulator 2004 in an AA 757-200. Haha! While I've never had the privilege of flying in there in real life, EGE sure is a fun approach on flight simulator!
Excellent report, I really enjoyed the videos! I was curious to see how that approach looked in real life, it sure was breathtaking in the game. Wow!
RCS763AV From Colombia, joined Jun 2004, 4282 posts, RR: 13 Reply 10, posted (6 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 4243 times:
Quoting 797 (Thread starter): - FLL is a NIGHTMARE on rush days. I thought MIA was horrible, but now that I have tried both on tough days, I choose MIA with my eyes closed.
I have never used FLL for domestic flights, it may be hell, as indeed the check.in areas are too small. But the international concourse is always deserted and customs take no more than 10 minutes, it´s much better than MIA on the international arrivals aspect, whenever i go to south florida, i take AV 36 BOG-FLL.
BTW, very nice report and though i haven´t been there for a while, i remember Vail and Denver and a town called Breckendridge being very nice.
KLM685 From Mexico, joined May 2005, 1577 posts, RR: 21 Reply 11, posted (6 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 4206 times:
Hey Enrique!
Astounding pictures with an astounding trip report! Great Jobs and great pictures. Hope you get part 4,5 & 6 as equally cool. I envy you so much cuz I need to go skiing soon or i'll go crazy!
Luisde8cd From Venezuela, joined Aug 2004, 2516 posts, RR: 34 Reply 12, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 4023 times:
Enrique awesome report, excellent pics! That camera sure is very nice. When the new bridge to CCS opens we must go to CCS to do some spotting with that camera. Did you get any telephoto lenses?
Again, very well written report. I'm currently writing my MTY-MEX-PTY-CCS report. Hope to share with all of you soon.
Quoting 797 (Thread starter): They seem to be from a French island because they all speak French between them and don’t speak fluent English; they’re not nice to people and don’t do a good job.
Haitians I guess?
Saludos desde Caracas,
Luis
Viasa we miss you!. Good times will return after Chavez is gone!
RICARIZA From Colombia, joined Apr 2005, 2356 posts, RR: 29 Reply 14, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 3895 times:
My dear friend, keep those TR coming, I enjoy them very much. Loved the pics of the plane on the platform.. amazing and really liked your descriptions and details!!! THANKS ENRIQUE!
Quoting RCS763AV (Reply 10): ... the international concourse is always deserted and customs take no more than 10 minutes, it´s much better than MIA on the international arrivals aspect, whenever i go to south florida, i take AV 36 BOG-FLL.
Dinker225 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 1049 posts, RR: 20 Reply 16, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 3730 times:
Excellent report. Sorry I missed you that Saturday you spent spotting at my home airport and place of employment! Oh well. It was really cool to see somebody else's perspective on this airport. Those pictures you posted showing ski slopes I believe are Beaver Creek and Arrowhead. Glad you enjoyed. I am looking forward to your next reports.
Dinker
[Edited 2007-01-10 04:33:37]
Two rules in aviation, don't hit anything and don't run out of gas, cause if you run out of gas yer gonna hit something.
Mke717spotter From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 2315 posts, RR: 5 Reply 17, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 3718 times:
Great trip report and pictures! I started skiing this year and was maybe gonna go to Vail in February but I've only been able to practice once since there's been no snow here in MKE! While you were on the slopes skiing, did you have a chance to spot some planes coming in for takeoff or landing?
Will you watch the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions on Sunday? Only if coach Eric Mangini resigned after a loss.
MATURRO727 From Colombia, joined Apr 2004, 297 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 3706 times:
Congrats Enrique
awsome very detailed, i loved the photos you can create the whole scene in your head very good indeed.
im working on my personal TR BOG-IAH-DEN-IAH-BOG on CO and BOG-CTG-BOG on P5 with lots of pics, they will be surfing the web soon as it is very detailed(i took as an example Enrique's TR)
as i said very good job on these TR and for sure welcome to my Respected Users list.
RICARIZA From Colombia, joined Apr 2005, 2356 posts, RR: 29 Reply 19, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 3651 times:
Quoting MATURRO727 (Reply 18): im working on my personal TR BOG-IAH-DEN-IAH-BOG on CO and BOG-CTG-BOG on P5 with lots of pics, they will be surfing the web soon as it is very detailed(i took as an example Enrique's TR)
Can't wait...
Quoting MATURRO727 (Reply 18): as i said very good job on these TR and for sure welcome to my Respected Users list
He sure deserves it. (He is on mine a long time ago.. )
I miss ACES, I am proud of AVIANCA & I am loyal to AMERICAN
797 From Venezuela, joined Aug 2005, 1821 posts, RR: 26 Reply 20, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 3605 times:
Woah thanks you all for those cool comments, I really appreciate it.
Quoting Dinker225 (Reply 16): Sorry I missed you that Saturday you spent spotting at my home airport and place of employment!
Yeah man, I went with my dad to the Costco parking lot for a while and took some nice shots there, even if they're not a.nettable . Got to see 8 757s over my head and one A320 and 73G. What an amazing day, I LOVE that airport.
Quoting Mke717spotter (Reply 17): did you have a chance to spot some planes coming in for takeoff or landing?
Nope, when I was on the slopes I got to see one 757 but very far away approaching EGE. I think that Beaver Creek (where I was) is not in the approach path, thus I'd be very hard to see it.
Mexicana757 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 2958 posts, RR: 30 Reply 23, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 3445 times:
797
What can I say? Your TRs are great! You always have fantastic pictures and videos on your TRs. Great pictures of the Rockies. I need to go to EGE one of these days, looks like a beautiful place.
Sponsor Message: 
From Venezuela, joined Aug 2005, 1821 posts, 
.Obviously I did not take a picture of him!
From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 4723 posts, 
From Israel, joined Jul 2005, 1779 posts, 
From Mexico, joined Jan 2005, 374 posts, 
From Colombia, joined Jun 2004, 4282 posts, 
From Canada, joined Jun 2005, 1769 posts, 
I need to go to EGE one of these days, looks like a beautiful place. 
Sponsor Message: 
Printer friendly format
