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jbalonso777 · Last edited by jbalonso777 on Tue Dec 04, 2012 11:07 am; edited 4 times in total

Link to previous TR: http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?p=115557#115557

INTRODUCTION
A few days after Jet Airways launched its direct BOM-CMB-BOM and DEL-CMB-DEL flights, Dad had got his transfer order to open the office in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I hoped that Jet Airways launched a flight somewhere in China, then hopefully we would have been transferred there instead of Colombo Razz

This route was started ever since since acquired a former Air India Express Boeing 737-800, VT-JBT. After a quick 48 hours visit to Johannesburg, Dad started his one of many trips to Colombo. So, prior to this trip of mine, Dad flown on 9W-256 and 9W-255 3 times each, but with only two aircraft: VT-JBT and VT-JGN. How boring is that?! Now this trip was only because of my admission tests, looking for houses, etc, so the bank wouldn't pay for it. This left us with two options, either fly through Chennai (overnight on a 73H and a 738) or use the redemption points on the direct flight (well, it was showing a 73H, while it actually is a 738, ugh). So, we used the redemption points. Being an international flight out of BOM, this flight had the worst timings ever: departure at 0210 hours, arrival at CMB at 0440 hours. Extremely bugging! This flight isn't even a ULH!

DEPARTURE DAY
Exactly one year after my flight to HKG, on 20th June, I woke up to web-check in for the three of us. Altough many seats were blocked by travel agents, the flight didn't look full. I was the second person to web check in for this flight. Well, the day went really slowly. As per Dad's previous experiences, he felt that arriving at the airport 3 hours would be enough. So, we left home at around 10 at night.

ALL THAT STUFF BEFORE WE BOARD
Going through the traffic, we reached 45 minutes, only to realise the decision taken was WRONG! Passengers on the flights to Bangkok, BRU/JFK/EWR/YYZ, London, Hong Kong and very few to Colombo were checking in, all at once in the same counters. We took the web-check in counter line, because for some reason, they didn't allow Dad to go the Premiere counter for Gold and Platinum Jet Privilege passengers. In front of us, was this..person who was going to Hong Kong that night. He was complaining about the less baggage allowances in the 9W flights. After a listening to him for 15 long minutes, Dad finally let it out on him. It was a scene to be honest, as that guy surely had smells of vodka from his breath (only Kimi Raikkonen can be smart with vodka Razz

). But then even the staff came and TRIED to help, but they did nothing. Nothing at all. What were they there for? I kept looking back, acting as if I didn't know my Dad Rolling Eyes

, but he was unstoppable! But finally, everything was quietened down (obviously, being Indians, they kept looking at us, but I REALLY wanted to give that standing ovation from that ONE finger). Immigration and security took, in total, 20 minutes. Pretty fast for BOM international! The flight was to depart from Gate 12, which meant, unsurprisingly, the bus.

The airport that never sleeps in the city that never sleeps!

To pass time, I saw the destinations of all flights leaving. I also made a quite depressing discovery: I was going to fly in the shortest International flight out Mumbai. How brilliant. Crying or Very sad

At around 1250, we went down to our boarding gate. After a wait of about 15 minutes, boarding started, everything looking on time.

BOARDING
So, the LONG trip around the airport followed.

So many interesting birds!!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBimx-7XVmI

There were a couple 9W 738's parked together, ALL of them were in the International configuration, expect for one. That was our bird, VT-JBM. It was going to be my second flight on that bird in less than a year. A very cheerful crew welcomed all the half asleep passengers. I kind of felt bad for them, because none of the passengers replied back, despite their cheerfulness. I gave a smile and greeted them back. There wasn't too many changes in the aircraft, except the fact that Jet Airways's 'new' advertising style was implemented, which meant all the tray tables had a plastic cover over the ads. Well,being an international flight I expected pillow and blanket on the seats, which was, obviously, missing. I didn't get the international feel to this flight. But, that was covered up. Because of cost cutting, airlines have stopped giving face towels before departure. But just like on my HKG flight, the crew gave us cold face towels. Well, too wet to be honest. But, it woke me up, even more!! By now, I was awake for 17 and a half hours at a stretch, and there was still 3 and a half hours to go. As the doors were closed, like most others, the middle and aisle seat in my row was empty.

JET AIRWAYS FLIGHT 9W-256 MUMBAI-COLOMBO 21ST JUNE 2011
AIRLINE/FLIGHT NUMBER: Jet Airways (9W/JAI) 9W-256
REGISTRATION/AIRCRAFT TYPE: VT-JBM/ Boeing 737-86N(WL)
SEAT: 14A Economy
SCHEDULED DEPARTURE: 0210 hours, ACTUAL DEPARTURE: 0211 hours.
SCHEDULED ARRIVAL: 0440 hours, ACTUAL ARRIVAL: 0427 hours
LOADS (ESTIMATED):J=75% Y= 65-70%

VT-PPM also being prepared for an international flight..

DEPARTURE
Pushback (followed by pull front Shocked

) started just one minute behind scheduled departure time, not too bad! The engines were fired up and we slowly taxied towards the active, Runway 27, for our departure to Colombo. We passed many Desi wide bodies (9W A332 and AI B744, all I can remember) and held short of the runway. We waited for a Bangkok Airways A319 to depart.

Start up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-QibGBdtjU
Taxiing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEUwfJ8y0mI

After back-tracking upto the end of Runway 27, a pure Boeing 737 take off followed, except for the sound. We hit a few clouds early on and started heading south towards Sri Lanka.

Take off: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb9Pm5d8a-U

INFLIGHT
Because of a light load and insane flight timings, I was one of few people awake in the flight. The crew served beer to anyone who was awake. Being under 18, I went to the washroom, to test my vocal skills. Now this is something you may find out in my other TR's: in all flights, I go to the washroom, and like a weird idiot, I sing, as loud as I can, so that I can beat the sound of the engines roaring!! Razz

But anyways, as I came out, the crew were still warming up the food, for ANYONE who was awake.

LMN given before take off..

Service started about half an hour into the flight. Not too many people ate food. I was told that they usually serve a big piece of tandoori chicken for snacks, so I wasn't letting this go! The FA/s didn't take long to reach my row.
'Good morning, sir! Would you like to join us for snacks?'
'Yes please!'
'We have tandoori chicken...'
Without letting him finish; 'Yes, I'll have that'
'And a soft drink?'
'Yes, a Pepsi for me.'
'Would a coke do?'
'No, Pepsi please.'
'Sure sir!'
He opened a new bottle of Pepsi, poured it in a glass, and said 'Enjoy your meal!'
'Thank you!'

Well, I took ages to finish. Tea and coffee was served after that. I didn't have that. I was given the assignment to stay awake all night, and take a video of every hour (twice) in the flight, so that I could prove to my friends that I am not a complete sleepy head!! Razz

Lights were turned off for those who wished to sleep, which was for about 35 to 40 minutes in the flight. No, not for me. I stayed awake. Despite taking a pillow and blanket, I just laid on the three seats. Just before descent started, while we were still flying over India, I quickly visited the washroom, while the galley, the crew were chattering away, obviously because there wasn't any calls at that time!

DESCENT AND ARRIVAL
After I came back from the washroom, lights were being turned on, making me feel like God as I walked to the front of the aircraft Razz

. It was pretty cloudy, so descent was a bit bumpy. Anyhow, it was all rewarded my a super smooth touch down, which even my father described as a 'carpet landing'. There was an Etihad Airways A320-200 holding short of the runway to head back to Abu Dhabi. There wasn't too much of activity in the airport (or its just I was sitting on the wrong side of the aircraft
Confused

). The aircraft was parked at Gate 6, which is an aerobridge. Everyone got off pretty quickly, while the aircraft had just a bit more than 2 hours to turn around and head to New Delhi. Colombo Airport is small, but a very neat airport. But whats more promising was the ads for the new airport in Hambamtota. Bags didn't take too long to come. But the real crowd was in the pick up area, where there were hundereds of people (mostly workers) waiting for just a few people. Just as the sun rose, my KERS gave up, and I dozed off, even in the hotel's lobby!

Landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iEsOY4BKLI&list=UU-ctDj1bPedp4Dg5mDNxxxg&index=7&feature=plcp

We had 4 extremely important days ahead of us. I gave exams in 4 different schools (got selected in all). We also looked at many different houses all around the city. With that, a bit of sight seeing as well. Colombo may not be as fast as Mumbai, but I was positive about the few years in front of me.

Auto rickshaws...or, in Sri Lanka, TUK TUK'S!!

Mumbai still has the world's most active local train network Very Happy

Nice views from the train!

The story of every evening in Galle Face Green: Kites everywhere!

I know there isn't space for 'All airlines', just to be sarcastic: where is South African Airways? Surprised

DEPARTURE DAY
After having dinner for one last time at our already favourite Amravathi Indian restaurant, it was time to web check-in for our return flight 9W-255. The usual exit row seats were taken for Mum and Dad, while I took seat 27F. The next day, we left for the airport at 2 in the afternoon.

ALL THAT STUFF BEFORE WE BOARD
Despite reaching the airport about an hour later, we still had about 2 hours to kill. God, why did I force Dad to take us to the airport so early?! Evil or Very Mad

There was nothing too dramatic in those 2 hours, except for the fact I went to pee about 6 or 7 times. Confused

There was an announcement which said 'Jet Airways flight 9W-258 from New Delhi has arrived'. In other words, my aircraft back to BOM, with a 50% chance of it being VT-JBT.
Anyways, there were 4 check in lines: 2 for economy, 1 for web check in and one fore Premiere. Because the aircraft had only 8 seats in Premiere, I was sure that line would be used for the rest of the economy class passengers. But that wasn't the case. 9W-255 wasn't the only flight out of CMB at that time: 9W-251 was to head back to Chennai only 35 minutes after our flight left. Check in was done pretty quickly, while the boarding passes were already printed for the web check in passengers. So, we had about two hours to kill, so went to the Palm Strip Lounge. My father told there were very good views of the tarmac from there. Immigration was also quick, so we headed up into the departures area. There was a 7-series BMW car up for lottery, and, for the first time in ANY airport, AIRPLANE MODELS!! I quickly checked their prices, and asked Dad if I could buy one. He said yes, only after he takes a drink. Oh, well. Not too long to wait then! At that point of time, there was a QR A321, UL A320 and A332, MJ A320 and a GF A320 taxiing in. Honestly, it is quiet rare to see a Boeing aircraft in Colombo!

Timing!

This sight helped me to differentiate the two types of engines the Airbus A320 uses. Success!! Laughing

HEADLIGHTS! HEAD ON!!

See? Despite the protests in 2011, even Bahrain is calling me for Formula One! Surprised

Turn around..

4R-ABK to Kochi (looking at the A330, even that is off to...somewhere...)

Oh wait, I was right!! Very Happy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbkUeAxyU1A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4d7RRQgWdg

I like that style!! Very Happy

Being a Boeing person, it is humiliating for me to say that this is only my third Boeing aircraft in my collection fleet! Crying or Very sad

Just before I took the above picture, I saw the tail EK-652 from Dubai and Male. That was only the second Boeing aircraft in the whole airport at that time! I then went to browse the public internet to have an update of the 2011 European Grand Prix: Alonso had just overtaken Webber and hunting down Sebastian Vettel for the race lead. Oh yes!

The Arabian 'Knights' Very Happy

After all the duty free stuff, it was time to head to our gate, Gate 6, for our flight back to Mumbai.

Just going a bit ahead of Gate 6, Vesak decorations still around!

Walking down towards the gate, I saw the registration of the aircraft, and I was right. VT-JBT it was, 9W's 5.6 year old 'New' addition to the fleet. Dad was quite angry tough, as even he remebered that it was his fourth flight on JBT on the BOM-CMB-BOM sector. Colombo Airport security is not like the ones in India. Before the holding area for each flight, there is a security check. I still don't get the idea Confused

After that, Dad asked me to click a few pictures, while HOLDING MY BREATH. Oh, low light pictures. Results? Sadly not too good (but I have improved now!!) Here is what I got:

SriLankan Airlines UL-109 to Male. If only the A340 services were in the morning.

And that is our bird, VT-JBT. (I love that winglet!!)

BOARDING
Boarding had started a few minutes later, everything looking pretty much on time. Crew? THEY WEREN'T THERE! Once again, I separated from Mom and Dad. When I took my seat, I was in for a nasty surprise: VT-JBT was the only Boeing aircraft in the airport. The Emirates aircraft wasn't a 773 or 772 as I expected. It was an A332.

Looking around, I noticed this; but I'm sure it doesn't necessarily mean that JBT will undergo an interior change, just for IFE.

The cabin, just a few moments after the cockpit door was shut. Damn, I hate my auto focus Evil or Very Mad

They did everything for an on-time departure (in other words, throwing the bags. Same story, everywhere)

Its not as small as I always thought....

Cold towels were also given out to all passengers.

JET AIRWAYS FLIGHT 9W-255 COLOMBO-MUMBAI 26TH JUNE 2011
AIRLINE/FLIGHT NUMBER: Jet Airways (9W/JAI) 9W-255
REGISTRATION/AIRCRAFT TYPE: VT-JBT/ Boeing 737-8BK(WL)
SEAT: 27F Economy
SCHEDULED DEPARTURE: 2020 hours, ACTUAL DEPARTURE: 2024 hours.
SCHEDULED ARRIVAL: 1045 hours, ACTUAL ARRIVAL: 2322 hours
LOADS (ESTIMATED):J=100% Y= 65-70%

DEPARTURE
Just four minutes after departure time, the aircraft was pushed back and the engines were turned on. After a pretty slow taxi, and absolutely NO sign of 9W-251 (or 9W-252 arriving), we took into the dark skies and headed north (slightly north west-ish). Uneventful, nothing too unsual here.

Start up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-N24bIj3JQ
Taxiing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaXwu6P54Pg
Take off: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SAWoUgJqS4

Yes, I know I struggle here Crying or Very sad

INFLIGHT
Once again, uneventful. I went back to the washroom, just after seat belts signs were switched off (to sing Fuel Razz

). The FA looked at me while I came out, because I had my camera. She asked, 'Sir, why do you have a camera?' I said, jokingly, 'Well, I trust no one on this flight'. We had a light laugh and went back. I went up to Dad to get a pen, to fill the immigration forms, because I had lost it in the mystery of my brilliant bag pack. I came back to my seat, and saw the same FA go up in front of the cabin to serve beer. On her way, she once again smiled at me. And I smiled back.
Except for that, the crew took quiet a long time to serve the food to everyone onboard. It was almost an hour and 15 minutes before I started eating. I had got the vegetarian option, when I asked for non-veg. Evil or Very Mad

But anyways, I got my non-vegetarian meal.

Thai Chicken curry and roti. Brilliant fusion 9W! Laughing

Well, the lights were out once again, and a delay was certain, because of circling in the Mumbai airspace. Nothing too surprising there. So, what did I do? Asked for a Pepsi (yes it was Pepsi), and it came pretty quickly!

What was I doing? Nobody knows!

YEAH!

Why not Sri Lanka? Well, because I am staying there already! Razz

I went to the washroom one last time, and asked the FA whether or not this aricraft would get PTVs. She said it surely would over the next few months. She also showed me a big IFE box type thing in the over head bins. This looked like a bright future for Bravo Tango!

DESCENT AND ARRIVAL
Descent was shaky, because of the rain clouds all over. One thing in Mumbai is certain: if your flight is delayed for circling, you know will be delayed for...everything. That's exactly what happened. After a pretty okay landing, the aircraft taxied SLOWLY towards the international terminal with heavy rains just starting to pour in.

Landing and taxiing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UthjDtSS17g
JUST LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL BIRDS IN THERE Surprised

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ats5JBIllnU

The top 3 favourite aircraft of mine in one frame: B77W (to LHR), A332 (to SIN) and B73H! (from CMB)

The coach took FOREVER to arrive. I was one of the last passengers to get off, so the Captain and First Officer were in the same coach as me. Immigration took another 20 minutes, while luggage took another 40 minutes, with NO TROLLEYS AROUND! This was only the first time I was going through the Mumbai International Airport nightmares, which my father had faced many times more! And waiting for the cars took even longer, because two drivers got in to a fight, one of them ended up with a bleeding nose.

This is definitely not the sort of arrival the non-Indians would like. Being an Indian, I am ashamed of how the Mumbai Airport authorities could not handle this.
The next day, it was worse. Dad's office had been told that license for the bank would take another 50-60 days, in other words, back to school for me. I hadn't even touched any of my holiday homework as I was confident that I'd be out of India in a few weeks after. Troubled times laid ahead, troubled times. It was hard for me to get through.

Verdict of the two flights? Well, only the duty free, IFE, blanket and pillows were missing. Or else it was pretty much similar to my flights with 9W on the BOM-HKG-BOM, pretty much international.

Thank you for reading, all comments and criticism welcome!

Link to next TR: http://airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=12466

Regards
Jbalonso777
_________________
http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Lovely trip report describing the first half of the journey, Jishnu!
I liked the interspersed humour, and the large number of videos, and pictures. The take-off video was nice, with a view of the fully lit Jet hangar to the left. Keep it coming, we are enjoying every bit of it!
Cheers, Sumantra.

ameya · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 8:14 pm Post subject:

Nice TR

Considering your dad likes to travel, Airbus family, like me , why dint he try SriLankan in his previous trips ? Company tie up ?

Nimish · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:26 pm Post subject:

Lovely TR - thanks for posting. And good for you - getting selected into all 4 schools you applied for.

I loved the city pictures from Colombo and the picture of that train line right next to the sea. Sounds like a fabulous train journey - especially in the evening, sitting at the open door (don't know if that's possible in Srilanka) and watching the sun, sand and sea.
_________________
We miss you Nalini!

jbalonso777 · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 10:59 pm Post subject:

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Lovely, Jishnu!
- Very interesting pictures from the lounge at CMB.
- You have a nice sense of humour, I liked the `only after he takes a drink', the `Arabian Knights', the `everything for an on-time departure', with the `I trust no one on this flight' taking the cake!
- You seem to like Mountain Dew and Pepsi immensely. I however, find your `bottoms up' picture of the evil spirits, more encouraging. Most of the brands to the left are fairly standard ones.
- The food looks interesting, though I wonder what was really Thai in the chicken curry - some part of the taste, I guess. It looks too oily for comfort. The overall appearance is that of a standard curry, done in the North Indian style - something I have seen quite frequently on Jet Airways.
- What is hiding under the rotis? Is this a pulses dish, or something else? The roti is interesting - yes, it looks like a roti, instead of the more usual parantha. It looks a bit thick too - how did it taste? It doesn't look too dry, so that is nice.
- Sorry to hear about your arrival experience, it was indeed disappointing
We look forward to many, many more lovely reports from you!
Cheers, Sumantra.

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

...a tiny Sri Lankan connection, on a trip report I posted a few minutes back,
``The Call of the Vaigai! Madurai, Oct 2011''
http://www.airlinersindia.s4.bizhat.com/airlinersindia-ftopic12465.html
Cheers, Sumantra.

shivendrashukla · Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:39 am Post subject:

Nice TR. And your videos are a treat to watch everytime.

Cheers
Shivendra

jbalonso777 · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2012 4:28 am Post subject: