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M.B.A.I 7: The Jet Airways 737-800 back to Sri Lanka.....

 
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jbalonso777
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Joined: 05 Jul 2012
Posts: 1501
Location: Never, never land

PostPosted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:25 pm    Post subject: M.B.A.I 7: The Jet Airways 737-800 back to Sri Lanka..... Reply with quote

Hello everyone.
And Welcome.
To the last part of my mad India mostly Boeings trip!

I flew into Mumbai on Jet Airways, a reasonable flight. That was followed by a slightly underwhelming flight on Vistara to New Delhi. That was followed by what possibly was one of my best flights that I was ever on, on an Air India Boeing 787. I had a plan. A plan to get on a big plane. Some of it were shot down when I had to fly in with Mum from Kolkata to Mumbai. A win win situation, since I was under the watchful eyes of my Mum, while on a new type for me, the Boeing 737-900ER. Following a fairly ordinary flight on a SpiceJet Boeing 737, it was a fairly eventful flight on the ulterior motive, the
Boeing 747-400 operated by Air India. It was now time to head back home.....

I was sitting in the Hyundai black and yellow taxi. We were at the T2 parking exit when I asked the question, preparing for the worst - how bad is the traffic on the road? A standstill, is what the cabbie said. As soon as we reached the Western Express Highway, I just knew how badly screwed I was: an absolute standstill. It took us half an hour just to get to the domestic terminal! I was scared. My Dad kept asking me why I was going to Hyderabad for nothing (the B747 is not a good enough reason, of course…). Every time I came to Mumbai, I never had an issue with the rains, because it never rained! However, I was in Mumbai on the 21st of July, getting my bags from South Mumbai. I knew I was screwed. Badly screwed. Despair soon turned into hope as the traffic moved on at the usual speed limits on the Western Express highway. Not a jam. Things got brighter as some sun ray pierced through the clouds, as we reached the Bandra World sea-link. It was looking good. From there on, it was a smooth drive to the Jaslok Hospital. Of course, I had to rant at my friend who condemned me to the horrible weather on the day of reckoning Twisted Evil Four rants for her, three of which where I was actually mad about Razz And the fourth was a joke.

I picked up the stuff from Jaslok and headed back for the airport. Times were good. It was 1330 hours, four and a half hours before departure. I honestly just wanted to get on the plane and get back home already. I also gave a call to my uncle who was quite interested about the routing I did, flying on the B747 just for joy of flying!

Almost there...not the friendliest of weathers!

PRE-CHECK IN AND CHECK IN
At around 1405 hours, I reached the impressive Terminal 2, in some increasing rains. I already felt like I was home, and I still had over seven hours till I’d actually get on my bed and sleep! I thanked the cabbie driver profusely for his super driving skills and getting me to the airport well in time!

I took some time before I entered the impressive T2. The calm down mode had activated and I still had four hours till my flight departure! The Jet Airways check in counters were closed, well most of them were. I asked the agent at the Customer Service if they'd open check in soon. He said that check in for a flight opens three hours before scheduled time, so that's okay!
A word on him - there was an elderly lady and her helper flying to Dubai. He explained to her that check in would open in an hour, and he came out of the counter to help her with her trolley and assign her a seat at the other end of the check in island, a good long walk. It honestly felt awesome to see a Jet Airways worker go out of their way to help the elderly! I hadn't seen that in a while..



Anyway, I also had to sit down for a bit. I had to wait for the Dubai check in to open. For about 40 minutes I sat around like it was my house - remove shoes and put the legs up Razz Importing all the pictures took a while, but that was okay.
I soon saw a person man the online check in baggage drop counter.

JET CHILD - BUT NOT THE KIND YOU'D EXPECT!
I caught the agent with surprise as I asked him if check in for the Colombo flight opened. He replied in the affirmative as he put his Bounty Chocolate Bar away. Check in was fairly smooth, until I asked for a fragile tag. That's when he called a baggage handler for fragile stickers to which he said something along the lines of requiring more money and also the very bad hindi MC word. That’s when the check in agent said - 'passenger hai!’ (there’s a passenger) in surprise. Well..that wasn’t nice especially since I know what it meant..had it been a non-Indian passenger, that would’ve been okay….or not. Not that I cared about it, I just wanted to get on the Boeing 737 back home.

SECURITY, IMMIGRATION, SPOTTING!
Very quick procedures, both security and immigration, thanks to many counters being open for all. This felt good! I walked through the duty free once again into the impressive Mumbai Terminal 2 gate area.

Duty free

I took note of the departure screens: the Iran Air flight to Tehran was heavily delayed, while I also saw a certain Air India departure to Hyderabad and then Jeddah. That only meant one thing: VT-EVB again!!!

VT-JBB operating flight 9W538 to Dubai

It was quite a long walk towards EVB: of course, when I arrived a few hours ago, it was an equally long walk for me! Final calls were being made for the departure of this flight, and the Emirates EK507 B773 (A6-EMU) service to Dubai, where else. VT-ALS, an Air India Boeing 777-300ER was undergoing some pretty intense maintenance, and it had come in from Riyadh as AI922. I headed for main activity I was interested in: VT-EVB. The last passengers who hadn’t shown up yet really got some of the ground staff agitated as AI965 was facing a delay. The same with EK507, the latter had one woman supervisor who kinda got angry Rolling Eyes

We meet again!


A6-EMU to DXB

FUN CONVERSATIONS?!
The ground staff at the Air India gate were quite the experienced kind. I was so bored that I eavesdropped into their very interesting conversation - one person argued that the Air India Boeing 747-400s have been around for around only 15 years, while another one argued that they have been around for more than seventeen years. While the latter was right, he did say ‘Gand mein marunga….’ (I’ll kick you on the butt…along those lines Rolling EyesEmbarassed) while making his statement. I quietly got my camera out and started taking pictures of the bird who treated me very well not too long ago! There also were some arguments about the differentiation of between a Boeing 747-200, a Boeing 747-300 and the Boeing 747-400, all of which have been in the Air India fleet at some point of time, and suffice to say, has served them well. Again, that did lead to some rude yet on point replies. He also had some very interesting things to say about the Captain of the flight. I remember the Captain’s name exactly, but for the sake of privacy, it shall be withheld……

ON TIME PERFORMANCE?
AI965 was pushed back at 1537 hours, 12 minutes late. Some were happy, some were said. Some were happy that it was only a 12 minute delay, some were quite unhappy that it was yet another late departure for Air India. And that’s when I struck up a conversation with of the more experienced people there. I asked him - wasn’t there a fifteen minute grace period? He replied in the negative, and said that there is no grace period these days. I found this to be interesting because the DGCA does give a fifteen minute grace period (meaning that, if AI965’s departure time in 1525 hours, it won’t count as a delay even if it departs at 1540 hours). So in their eyes, it was another delay, but in the DGCA’s books, this was an on time departure, much needed for AI’s tattered image in this regard! I continued talking to him, and he found it to be surprise when I told him I am about to go into college, and that I was in fact on board EVB not too long ago!



I asked him about AI102’s arrival into Mumbai from Delhi and New York and JFK, fully expecting to hear an arrival time before my 9W252’s 1805 departure. When he said - more or less on time, 1915 hours, I was puzzled. I then asked him if it was rescheduled. I confused him and myself because I actually meant AI144, the Newark - Mumbai flight (that would later head to Ahmedabad), which too was on schedule, and was to arrive in just over an hour. While this all happened, like I had experienced not too long ago, the beautiful Boeing 747-400 took its time to have its engines up and running! I saw her taxi past and waited for this beauty to depart….

While I waited, I bid adieu to the Air India personnel, as he rushed towards the AI144 gate. Interesting stuff I spotted - the other B73J of Jet, VT-JLJ, had touched down from Dhaka. An Oman Air Boeing 737-800, A40-BE was taxiing for its departure to Muscat, which was followed by A6-EMU.


This GE90 has been to places, and its now going places...on the flatbed of a truck this time... Laughing





I saw her come, I spent many hours with her.
She slowly became distant from me.
As she distanced herself further from me, it was a sudden realization that I was no longer going to see her.
She disappeared into thin air quickly.
I knew I’d never see her again. I saw her come, and I saw her go…..


This might sound like a guy who broke up with his girlfriend, but I really am just talking about VT-EVB. I saw her arrive at around 0755, and I was now seeing her going, exactly six hours later. 1555, EVB once again blew off the standing water on the runway……



VT-JLJ from Dhaka





It is in the first column...

I decided to roll up my sleeves…and have a snack. I ordered some Fiery Chicken Wings (or something like that!) from KFC…and it just looked quite sad. I The food court has (rather inconveniently Sad ) covered off the glass, so no views of the tarmac. However, trust our crowd to vandalize, through the torn vinyl, I saw a Jet Airways A330 parked. Not sure why it was there! Shocked


I expected just a *bit* more.


Why are you sunbathing...I mean getting wet in the rain?!

Meanwhile, my gate had changed from 65 to 86A. The same was announced. I was unhappy because I knew that would be a bus-boarding departure. Sad
Both my parents have been on 9W252 (Dad on VT-JFS, and Mum on VT-JFA), and both times they were assigned the first aerobridge for their flight. My luck didn’t seem so good, as always.



THE JET AIRWAYS ROTATIONS!
Jet Airways has managed to use their Boeing 737s very efficiently off recent, especially the B73Hs and B73Js. The B73J from Dhaka had its aerobridge removed and boarding stairs attached. For a good while I thought this was the plane operating 9W572 to Kuwait (departing ten minutes before 9W252 to Colombo), and so, a very stupid thing to do, and even more so with the heavy rain shower that just went by! Similarly, VT-JGR came up to one of the aerobridge gates, but instead had stairs attached. With my brain malfunctioning due to the long day, I couldn’t process the thought that these planes were actually going through the much talked about international-domestic turnarounds that Jet have managed to pull off recently! I nearly headed for the lifts that take passengers downstairs to the bus boarding, when I saw that gate 86A was actually neatly tucked away in one corner of terminal 2! Nice, not a very long walk for the passengers!

Our forum expert for all registration related stuff, Abhijeeth, told me that VT-JGR had operated 9W432 from his hometown in Mangalore, to Mumbai, and parked at the international terminal so the domestic passengers would be bussed all the way to domestic, while JGR would undergo its turnaround for an international flight: 9W252 to Colombo. My flight. I hadn't really bothered about what plane would operate this flight, since at times it was a B73H with IFE, and others with BSI. Come what may, all I wanted was a new registration. Target achieved with JGR! Seven flights, seven new registrations. I was enjoying this! But more than, all I wanted was to get on a flight back to Colombo. Soon.
Previous rotations also suggested that the plane flying Ahmedabad - Abu Dhabi (9W520) is followed by the Abu Dhabi - Mangalore flight (9W501), which then comes back to base at Mumbai as 9W432, and then more often than not, to Colombo as 9W252.
Sistership VT-JGQ also had the stairs attached initially, which was followed by the aerobridge. She’d head to Dubai as 9W544.

Take me home, Golf Romeo!

BOARDING
I sat down. The gate change announcement was made. And a bit later than scheduled, at 1713 hours, the boarding announcement was made. A torrential downpour had arrived. VT-JLJ departed for its flight 9W357 to Delhi, as VT-TTB silently waited before its flight to Bengaluru.

To Bengaluru!


And to New Delhi!



A very civilized row-wise boarding was imposed for 9W252. It started off with the Premiere guests, followed by the Jet Privilege elites, passengers requiring assistance and then, finally, row wise boarding, starting off with rows 25-36, and then 10-36. Having selected row 14, I had to wait.

When the line cleared up, I made my way towards VT-JGR. The passing shower had shown no mercy, but I was confident of an on time departure.... But I didn’t want a delay… I wanted to embrace whatever time I had back in Colombo. Despite the organized boarding (I don't remember if it was strictly enforced), there was quite a grown line at the aerobridge.

Rain rain, so much rain...



Not the warmest of welcomes but at least I was acknowledged, I stepped inside VT-JGR at 1731 hours. Some nice in flight music played. JGR was very well maintained on the inside. The nice man sitting in 14D got up for me and offered me to stow my bag in the overhead locker, which is always nice! Very Happy
I quickly had a look at the JetScreen touchscreen..unfortunately, unlike on VT-JBF, VT-JGR’s screen was pretty close to what I refer to as a hammer screen. The IFE was set to a Mumbai - Colombo route, of course.

I looked outside the window: a beautiful Gulf Air A321 from Bahrain pulled in, and so did the AI144 Boeing 777-300ER from Newark. VT-JFZ pulled in after its flight from Kathmandu, and later headed for Bahrain.




A6-EBJ (Emirates Boeing 777-300ER) pulled in after its flight EK502 from Dubai, and would later head back to Dubai as EK503. Now this was quite a coincidence: when I flew into Mumbai from Colombo on 9W255 nine days prior to this trip, I saw A6-EGD, which operated my first ever B77W flight. A6-EBJ operated by second B77W flight! Very Happy

We meet again, EBJ!

DEPARTURE
The Captain came over the PA system and asked for the doors to be armed at 1752 hours. Three minutes later at 1755, pushback started: ten minutes before time departure is always awesome! Very Happy
A flying time of two hours and five minutes was announced: back home in Colombo early is always awesome!
Like the VIstara flight, even JGR’s push back at the new Mumbai T2 was quite unique: pushed back, a turn to the left (backwards), before being pulled all the way to the front..well, some of it…
Both CFM56-B27 engines were fired up as JGR began its taxi towards the runway. Runway 27, of course. The rain had calmed down a little a bit, well, it went away completely, pretty much. A video showing Jet’s position as an Etihad feeder was played, which was neat, but it shows Jet’s position today…



An IndiGo A320 with sharklets had stopped on the main taxiway…and so did we. It was 1804 hours, one minute before departure time. For the minute or so, I was entertained by a mini-tornado whirpool that had formed because of the physics/chemistry/biology/etc stuff occurring because of the engine operating at idle on a surface that had specks of rain water on it. In fact, dry patches had started to form on the taxiway, while there was not too much of water being sprayed due to the jet blast of the jet engines.
The Captain found this to be time to make his announcement. He announced we were number 7 (lucky?) for departure. He also gave details of the cruise, arrival times, etc. Pretty good!
The usual domestic stuff departed and arrived, but the interesting stuff around was an Iran Air Boeing 747-200 (heavily delayed), and a United Airlines/Star Alliance Boeing 777-200ER, both arriving from their respective home bases.

Here’s something interesting: I had boarded a Jet Airways Boeing 737 from an aerobridge at Mumbai’s International Terminal 2, for a flight to Colombo (and not Dubai, Singapore, etc), something unthinkable barely a year and a half ago. I saw the United Boeing 777-200ER pull up to a remote bay, so stairs and all attached, poor passengers were miserable after a 14-hour flight and would now have to enter in rainy conditions, on a very wet tarmac. How the tables have turned eh? You’d expect it to be other way round. Razz WinkWinkWinkWink Laughing





Anyway, this wait was getting a bit boring. We chipped in front of the waiting IndiGo A320, which was nice. It was a good half an hour wait. We held short of runway 27. I saw a SpiceJet Boeing 737-800 arrive, which turned out to be VT-SZA from New Delhi, the same plane which was parked right beside my VT-SGX the same morning. However, due to Mumbai’s weather, SZA was delayed (and so was SGX!)
We taxied on to the active runway 27. If VT-ANT’s start was the most beautiful, VT-JGR’s take off roar was the most beautiful! 1832 hours, the very loud CFM56 engines came were applied full power as a wide wide smile grew on my face - I was back on this seat for the first time since 2012 (on sister-ship VT-JGS!), and I was enjoying what I heard! Oh, screw the B787 and A380 for their quietness, the Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s have THE best take off sounds in the whole world! The domestic bay relatively empty, where I also saw: VT-JLH! The pilots maneuvered JGR through the thick clouds as she loudly reached her cruising altitude. We made course towards the south. Sri Lanka, I’m coming back, one last time! Announcements of the new website were made as soon as the seatbelt signs came off.




Obligatory winglet shot!

IN FLIGHT
A lovely sunset awaited as we pierced through the many clouds over Mumbai. I knew something was wrong with the IFE system when I used it on the ground first - it was way too unresponsive! A full IFE reset was done, and then it worked a bit better, but no where close to the smoothness I had seen on VT-JBF. More minus points to Jet because the nice man in 14D could not see anything since his screen was Frozen. I saw Frozen with a capital F because it was a white screen. That’s all he saw. I put the airshow channel on seat 14E, since no one was there.


Beverage service started at 1843 hours, and unfortunately, it was limited only to Orange and Apple juice. A few minutes later, the beer followed. I was expecting some more choices, in the nonalcoholic department, at least. I saw something new - the flight attendants were offering a small packet of snack along with the beer. I knew this was there on international flights, I just never expected it to be on the Colombo bound flight! Very Happy Truly awesome, Jet.






A spectacular show was put up by Mother Nature as the sun set through the monsoon clouds. Dinner service started at exactly 1900 hours. The flight attendants would play the tray (with dessert, curd, cutlery, cup and for the first time since 2012: A STARTER!) before they'd explain the content of the vegetarian and non vegetarian meals! Truly amazing, not just the usual 'veg' or 'non-veg' question! The rather hot container would then be handed out.





The meal started off with a nice preparation of grams and sev, garnished with coriander leaves and a tomato slice. The main course contained two layers of wrapping, which meant that a paratha was neatly tucked in between the two layers. The main course consisted of a reasonable cauliflower curry, white rice and chicken. The latter was cooked really well, but I have had better pieces of chicken before on a plane. There was a cup of curd and another pretty awesome JetDessert! All in all, a fairly reasonable meal, a sign that Jet Airways are coming back.




Looking out of the window was no longer a choice as the sun had set...
I once again watched the 2015 Australian Grand Prix Highlights. I'm just saying, had they put the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix on instead, I'd be the happiest person on the plane! (And now, looking at how late this TR has come up, I hope Jet now screen the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix instead.. which happened a few days after this flight Razz
Tea and coffee was served, I drifted in an out of sleep. The trays were collected back, lights dimmed, we were into the final stages of the flight.




DESCENT AND ARRIVAL - SRI LANKA, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!
I was sad this flight was coming to an end. I couldn't believe I had managed to pull off such a trip: one new airline and aircraft type, wide bodies around India, seven new registrations, the challenge given by the weather...it had all come to an end way too soon, it was time for my last and final arrival into Sri Lanka, as a resident.
Lights came on, cabin secured, JGR began its dash towards Colombo and Earth, beginning a very steep (but fun!) descent. The infant in the bulkhead row was crying because of this, and rightfully so! It was a pretty bad ear popping experience, but I enjoyed it.



My camera was not helping, it stopped recording at times! That sorted, we had made a smooth touchdown on runway 22 at 2039 hours, four minutes late. We taxied on to the aprons, I was immediately reminded of my first flight into Sri Lanka: onboard a Jet Airways Konnect plane, very empty flight, annoyingly in the early red-eye morning. Four years on, a lot has changed: a pretty full flight, nicely in the evening, allowing us to go back home and sleep, and of course, an international plane!

While of this happened, the crew made a terrible terrible mistake on the PA system: after welcoming us to Colombo, she said: 'To all international guests welcome to India, and to fellow Indians, a warm welcome home...' No no no no!!!! You don't say that! Sri Lanka and India - two very different countries (well, the cricket teams at least, we're better. Twisted Evil ) But in a way, this did apply to me - I was home, one last time.



The 16th time I flew Jet in or out of Colombo. Thank YOU, Jet Airways!



Doors were disarmed, I thanked the crew for a wonderful flight. I made my way towards immigration.

Oh boy...

There were long queues, but I was okay with that. I was embracing every second that I passed by. Walking back on the travelators towards immigration...SL, I will miss you! I soaked in every moment I had. While the queues were long, they were moving very very quickly. Vastly different from what I have experienced before. The immigration officer did his thing, no questioned asked. The stamp said - 'RV', meaning residence visa. That's the last time I'd be getting that. I walked past the pretty extensive duty free, and the people trying to lure us away - be it 5am in the morning in June 2011, or 9pm in the evening in July 2015, somethings never changed....

Crying or Very sad

At the baggage claim, there was an agent who was there helping out with the identification of the bags. Like every other Sri Lankan I've generally known, he had a smile on his face, a very accommodating attitude. I got my bags out and he came running towards me asking if I had the correct bags, I told him I already did the luggage tag thing. He wished me an enjoyable day ahead, I thanked him.

Heading for customs, I was stopped by the officials. Pretty much a custom with me now, I've always been stopped hahaha
But they cleared me through. I entered the arrivals hall one last time, and it was bustling with people, exactly the same as I had saw in the wee hours of the morning on the 26th of June 2011. I was at our family's pre-designated parking spot. I was too tired to drive home. It felt great to be in humid tropical weather. Sri Lanka, you are beautiful.

Our pre-designated spot...one last time!

I wasn't greeted by the windmill wagging, problem solving, solution to the world's energy needs tail of Dobby. He scratched his eye to the extent that a cone had to be put around his head. However, the moment I removed it from his head, Dobby was back! He came to my room and slept for the night, something that he rarely does.

When I usually wake up after a flight on my bed, the first thing that happens is that I used to get annoyed by was the sounds of crows and squirrels, the sounds of a Sinhala song playing, the sound of the ice cream fan going, the smell of Sri Lankan food, the tropical sunlight - it gave me a reminder that the vacation had come to an end. However, on the morning of July 22nd, I just lay down on the bed, for half an hour, embracing the sights and sounds and smells. There was exactly a week for me in Sri Lanka. The atmosphere was no longer the same. Something had changed, and that too, drastically. Sri Lanka, you will be missed.

Fernando Alonso said on the eve of his last race with Ferrari: from tomorrow, I will no longer be a Ferrari driver, I will be a Ferrari supporter. Along those lines, the night before SG421 I said to myself: from tomorrow, I’m longer a Sri Lankan resident, but a Sri Lankan tourist.
And that, concludes part 7 of 7 of this mad India tour. Thank you ALL for reading this trip report(s), and a special shout out to you all, Hiren, Sanjeev, ShivJi, Sumantra sir and Yatrik for taking time out of your busy schedules on Sunday the 12th of July. It was absolutely great meeting so many people with various backgrounds, but the one thing uniting us: aviation.

Regards
Jish

PS - here's some bonus content I would like to share because my lovely mother realized the importance of it!

Veggie meal on 9W251 CMB-BOM 06JUL15 (VT-JBG)


Non veg breakfast on BOM-CCU on 09JUL15




VT-JFA did 9W252 two days before my flight...so here's what the vegetarian option looked like!

And once again, me signs off!
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ameya
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice TR ! and some nice pics
1. of the 744 pushback
2. G8 with nose cone replaced
3. GE on the truck !

The meal look far better than what and how they serve on the domestic !
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sumantra
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What a sweet last part to a memorable trip! Sweet, funny, and poignant as well. I guess the last part sums it up well, and just like an American sitcom, it does not end at the end point, just to keep the nostalgia in, and make the reader enjoy a little bit more, you have added your Mummy's food pictures as well. Brilliant.
This follows the time-tested path of delightful JB-esque trip reports, with the usual delights. This was special, since it captured Mumbai during a monsoon fury period. And thanks to your camera-operating skills, we have seen some delightful high-speed pictures in some rather horrid weather for photography. That Iran Air B742 was splendid.
I really enjoyed your BOM T2 spotting, the interesting side-discussions among both Jet and Air India staff, with their colourful language to light up a drab and dreary greyish-black rainy day. And you mixed the photos with some lovely memories, and descriptions, to keep the reader's interest alive, till the last word. Of course, with such a lovely TR, you will always have the last word. Literally, as well as figuratively.
The trademark winglet shots and food pictures were superb.
Oh, the wind-milling, and coming to your room to sleep. I am sure both of you miss each other dearly,; and both will be looking forward to meet each other on your next India trip!
Thank you Sir, once again, for an enthralling trip report.
Cheers, Sumantra.
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avbuff
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PostPosted: Sat Oct 10, 2015 8:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice TR ... and excellent set of pictures .. especially the 744 and Emirates 777 ...

Good to know you were privy to some intimate discussions of AI staff Razz

thanks for sharing!
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dan
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If VT-ANT’s start was the most beautiful, VT-JGR’s take off roar was the most beautiful! 1832 hours, the very loud CFM56 engines came were applied full power as a wide wide smile grew on my face - I was back on this seat for the first time since 2012 (on sister-ship VT-JGS!), and I was enjoying what I heard! Oh, screw the B787 and A380 for their quietness, the Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s have THE best take off sounds in the whole world!



SO TRUE!!! I agree with you on this completely. Great trip report JBalonso. I look forward to an ATR/ B737 TR because I havent flown on them for 2-3 years. I am so fed up of the A319 at this point. Lovely pics. Mumbai+ Rain=JAMS. THat could have ended in the negative too. Lucky you to make it in time and see EVB again(great pics of the queen).
Look forward to your next TR.
Regards,
Dan
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jbalonso777
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PostPosted: Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ameya wrote:
Nice TR ! and some nice pics
1. of the 744 pushback
2. G8 with nose cone replaced
3. GE on the truck !

The meal look far better than what and how they serve on the domestic !

Thanks Ameya! Jet's meals have improved leaps and bounds on international route, and this awesome to know! If only they did the same on domestic.....

sumantra wrote:
What a sweet last part to a memorable trip! Sweet, funny, and poignant as well. I guess the last part sums it up well, and just like an American sitcom, it does not end at the end point, just to keep the nostalgia in, and make the reader enjoy a little bit more, you have added your Mummy's food pictures as well. Brilliant.
This follows the time-tested path of delightful JB-esque trip reports, with the usual delights. This was special, since it captured Mumbai during a monsoon fury period. And thanks to your camera-operating skills, we have seen some delightful high-speed pictures in some rather horrid weather for photography. That Iran Air B742 was splendid.
I really enjoyed your BOM T2 spotting, the interesting side-discussions among both Jet and Air India staff, with their colourful language to light up a drab and dreary greyish-black rainy day. And you mixed the photos with some lovely memories, and descriptions, to keep the reader's interest alive, till the last word. Of course, with such a lovely TR, you will always have the last word. Literally, as well as figuratively.
The trademark winglet shots and food pictures were superb.
Oh, the wind-milling, and coming to your room to sleep. I am sure both of you miss each other dearly,; and both will be looking forward to meet each other on your next India trip!
Thank you Sir, once again, for an enthralling trip report.
Cheers, Sumantra.

Thanks so much for your kind words, sir! I'm not overly happy with the pictures I took, but I guess it did the job to be honest! Very Happy More of it coming up really soon, do stay tuned! Very Happy

avbuff wrote:
Nice TR ... and excellent set of pictures .. especially the 744 and Emirates 777 ...

Good to know you were privy to some intimate discussions of AI staff Razz

thanks for sharing!

Hehe, thanks so much, Ojas!

dan wrote:
SO TRUE!!! I agree with you on this completely. Great trip report JBalonso. I look forward to an ATR/ B737 TR because I havent flown on them for 2-3 years. I am so fed up of the A319 at this point. Lovely pics. Mumbai+ Rain=JAMS. THat could have ended in the negative too. Lucky you to make it in time and see EVB again(great pics of the queen).
Look forward to your next TR.
Regards,
Dan

While I'm not exactly bored of the Boeing 737, I am excited for my upcoming A319 flight/s. One flight is definitely going to be an A319, while there are two more flights that could be A319s, or A320s, or A321s. I will see how that goes! I'm glad that it all worked out for the better to be honest!

Regards
Jish
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Max737
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 27, 2015 11:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A well written TR & some great shots too enjoyed reading it JiB Very Happy
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Max737 wrote:
A well written TR & some great shots too enjoyed reading it JiB Very Happy

Thanks so much, Sachin! Glad you liked it! Smile

Regards
Jish
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 7:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

And the videos from this flight:
Start up: https://youtu.be/TYw7j5gq974
super epic sounding monsoon take off: https://youtu.be/b7I1ovbyQkk
landing (and the screw up in announcement!): https://youtu.be/sIaxFhy-na8

trip report: https://youtu.be/2Ym4aBZYLBY

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Jish
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