Mungous
07-28-2005, 07:07 AM
Okay, here goes.
Date: 15/07/05
Route: Christchurch, New Zealand (NZCH/CHC) to Nadi, Fiji (NFFN/NAN)
Carrier: Freedom Air
Flight #: 432
A/C Type: Airbus A320-200
Reg: ZK-OJK
[photoid=491898]
Alright, so we got to the terminal at about four AM, which was two hours earlier to our flight, and after check-in, customs, security etc. I still had an hour to spare. That hour was pretty damn boring. Moving on, we finally came around to board, uneventfully entered the aircraft to find - uncomfortable, cheap looking seats. How the hell Freedom are going to compete with Jetstar's nice plush leather seats (seen here (http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=441277)) I don't know.
We pushed back onto the taxiway at our scheduled time, the usual vibrations and hum of the engines winding up started. Then there was this terrible sound from the rear of the plane. No idea what it was, I've never heard it before. It's quite hard to describe, about the closest thing to it is the pump which starts when stopped at traffic lights on the Melbourne City Circle Tram (which barely anyone will have heard no doubt :-P).
Okay, so there's this wierd pumping sound which other passengers start to notice too. Then all of a sudden the whole plane rocks back and a few people gasp in wonder. The captain comes on to inform us that "that jolt was the tug disconnecting". I'd say it was more like the parking brake was applied, and the genius driving the tug forgot to stick it in reverse, effectively ramming the nosegear with the connector. The captain comes on again stating that we're going to taxi back in and have an engineer check for damage, and that this will take only two minutes. Half an hour later ( :roll: ), we're pushing back again, apparently it was only a "minor scratch". Judging by the pilots' exaggeration so far, this probably meant "Oh, there's a chunk is missing but it'll cope".
The rest of the flight was pretty uneventful, I ordered a PepsiŪ and a can of PringlesŪ from the snack service and decided to pass on the rather expensive movie hire ($15NZD a pop!). We had a tailwind so despite our delays at the start we ended up arriving on time (if not slightly early).
[photoid=515089]
We throttled back and began our descent, I decided I'd better get out my chewing gum and my camera. The most unenjoyable thing about flying is that confounded air-popping thing. Damn it sucks. And unlucky for me, I can't unblock it unless I either a) go swimming in a deep pool b) yawn. If I try holding my nose & blowing out air just comes out my eyes - wierd huh.
[photoid=515090]
Finally we were on approach. I didn't know exactly what to expect, I thought there would be lovely scenery & nice waters, as well as old cars and run-down houses. I saw mostly sugar canes actually. Well, the arrival into Nadi Intl was successful. I had a squiz in the flight deck before stepping off onto the open-air boardwalk which despite being in the shade was very hot. Now I felt kind of silly wearing trackpants.
We were welcomed by a Fijian singing group before proceeding through customs & baggage claim to a cheery taxi driver, whose taxi's suspension was slightly shot.
I could also tell you about our flight back (via Palmerston North :shakehea: ) with a church group of singing, balloon animal making, and seemingly drunk kids, but I'll save you from that one.
The End ;-)
Date: 15/07/05
Route: Christchurch, New Zealand (NZCH/CHC) to Nadi, Fiji (NFFN/NAN)
Carrier: Freedom Air
Flight #: 432
A/C Type: Airbus A320-200
Reg: ZK-OJK
[photoid=491898]
Alright, so we got to the terminal at about four AM, which was two hours earlier to our flight, and after check-in, customs, security etc. I still had an hour to spare. That hour was pretty damn boring. Moving on, we finally came around to board, uneventfully entered the aircraft to find - uncomfortable, cheap looking seats. How the hell Freedom are going to compete with Jetstar's nice plush leather seats (seen here (http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=441277)) I don't know.
We pushed back onto the taxiway at our scheduled time, the usual vibrations and hum of the engines winding up started. Then there was this terrible sound from the rear of the plane. No idea what it was, I've never heard it before. It's quite hard to describe, about the closest thing to it is the pump which starts when stopped at traffic lights on the Melbourne City Circle Tram (which barely anyone will have heard no doubt :-P).
Okay, so there's this wierd pumping sound which other passengers start to notice too. Then all of a sudden the whole plane rocks back and a few people gasp in wonder. The captain comes on to inform us that "that jolt was the tug disconnecting". I'd say it was more like the parking brake was applied, and the genius driving the tug forgot to stick it in reverse, effectively ramming the nosegear with the connector. The captain comes on again stating that we're going to taxi back in and have an engineer check for damage, and that this will take only two minutes. Half an hour later ( :roll: ), we're pushing back again, apparently it was only a "minor scratch". Judging by the pilots' exaggeration so far, this probably meant "Oh, there's a chunk is missing but it'll cope".
The rest of the flight was pretty uneventful, I ordered a PepsiŪ and a can of PringlesŪ from the snack service and decided to pass on the rather expensive movie hire ($15NZD a pop!). We had a tailwind so despite our delays at the start we ended up arriving on time (if not slightly early).
[photoid=515089]
We throttled back and began our descent, I decided I'd better get out my chewing gum and my camera. The most unenjoyable thing about flying is that confounded air-popping thing. Damn it sucks. And unlucky for me, I can't unblock it unless I either a) go swimming in a deep pool b) yawn. If I try holding my nose & blowing out air just comes out my eyes - wierd huh.
[photoid=515090]
Finally we were on approach. I didn't know exactly what to expect, I thought there would be lovely scenery & nice waters, as well as old cars and run-down houses. I saw mostly sugar canes actually. Well, the arrival into Nadi Intl was successful. I had a squiz in the flight deck before stepping off onto the open-air boardwalk which despite being in the shade was very hot. Now I felt kind of silly wearing trackpants.
We were welcomed by a Fijian singing group before proceeding through customs & baggage claim to a cheery taxi driver, whose taxi's suspension was slightly shot.
I could also tell you about our flight back (via Palmerston North :shakehea: ) with a church group of singing, balloon animal making, and seemingly drunk kids, but I'll save you from that one.
The End ;-)