ATrude777
09-30-2005, 11:44 PM
Baltimore, and Washington DC was so much fun. I came to the conclusion that city doesn’t sleep, hell I don’t think ANY big city sleeps! I know for sure I did not sleep. I slept possibly 10 hours total from Thursday night to Sunday morning. Sat night, I was still partying at my 2nd Cousin’s house, and it was 2:00am. I had to wake up in 2 hours to catch a flight back to STL. This was going to be an interesting day!
At 4:00am, having JUST gone to bed 2 hours earlier, I woke up. I showered, shaved, brushed my teeth and put on my best flying clothes. I always try to dress nicely when I fly, even on Southwest Airlines. I am one of those who thinks it is classy to fly, and I treat it as if it’s a fabulous thing, I love to dress up when I fly. I feel important. My Aunt and I left our cousin’s house to head for the airport at 5:00am. I was wide awake, and looking forward to flying another 757, and finally, the legendary DC-9. At 6:15am, we pulled into the Budget Car rental place. It was really easy, just pull up, leave your car, grab your stuff, and head to the shuttle bus. Easy enough! The Shuttle Bus announced saying it would have two stops, 1st stop would be for Southwest passengers ONLY, and the rest of the airlines would get off at the 2nd stop. I heard a loud groan, seemed not to many people were flying SWA today on this bus haha. My Aunt was flying SWA however, and I got off with her so we could say goodbye in the terminal. She checked in, and we walked to security. The area looked really nice! I look forward to flying SWA into BWI next spring (I plan to at least).
I said good bye, and walked down the small hallway past all the check in counters. Saw the new US Airways signs and check in and stuff. I found the Northwest Airlines check in. I walked up, took out my debit card and checked in. Asked me if I wanted to change my seats. I made sure I was on the 757 and DC-9 so far so good! I kept my seats I had originally booked. I grabbed my carry on bag, and walked to security. Woman screaming “ID’S AND BOARDING PASS BE CHECKED, KEEP IDS OUT, KEEP IDS OUT..” Over and over….It got a bit annoying. One of these times I wished I could turn my hearing aids off!! I gave the screaming woman my ID and boarding pass, she marked it and I went to security. Took off my shoes, belt, cell phone, you know the drill guys. My carry on bag got selected for searching, it was searched and finger printed marked whatever that meant. I grabbed my stuff and headed to the gate.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/NWA757.JPG>
It was quite dark outside, the sun was beginning to rise, and the 757 must of RON. I walked around some more, grabbed an AWA 757, OHIO. And saw the Cardinal 757 as well at BWI. Quite some cool traffic as well. Air Jamaica pulled in, and saw a lot of planes that RON being pulled to the gates. Quite some activety going on early in the morning.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/AWA757.JPG>
What is cool to think, if my Aunt had flown America West back to PHX (She flew SWA) she would have been on this flight, and she would have gotten to fly on Ohio Scheme. Kinda cool to think about.
A failed shot of a beautiful sun rise
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/BWISunrise.JPG>
I went back to the NWA gates, and sat down and did some homework. Watched passengers hurry by to catch their flight. Watched crews, F/A and Pilots walk by, and heading off to unknown destinations. Always cool to think about as well. At 8:45am, an agent came up and announced they would be boarding for the flight to BWI. So everyone stood up at once and lined up at the gate. (so much for the nice boarding that everyone thinks they have) this line was worse then SWA “cattle boarding call”. Agent announced for First class and pre boarding. Those got on, while they were boarding people would come up and ask, is this seat boarding yet? Over and over!! Agents would have to stop and deal with those. Delaying the line. At SWA, we just board, no asking about seats, no wondering if our seat or row had been called. Juat line up, and get on board. I like it that way to be honest. And as a personal reason to me, I am hearing impaired so it is hard for me to hear the announcements for what row is being called or boarding, so I am always bothering the agent asking if they called su or not. On Southwest I just know, I have an A card, they announce A, and there we go! Anyway they finally called my row, and I got on board. A 757 once again!
I sat down, and looked out the window. It was 10 after 9. Everyone boarded, and we all sat down and got settled. The door closed, and we waited. Waited. Waited. Hmmh..9:20am, an announcement came on and they said they were having technical difficulties with the engine or something in the cockpit. They needed to call a mechanic. They said expect a 10 minute delay. Groans throughout the cabin. Oh come on folks, its just 10 minutes relax!! Guess I was wrong… At 9:35am, the pilot came on and said it will be another 15-20 minutes, please hold on. MORE groans, now even I was annoyed because I had a tight connecting time in DTW and did not want to miss the flight. At 10:00am, they finally closed the door, and we started to taxi out. THANK GOD! We taxied around, past the WN gates. We braked suddenly. And 2 WN 737’s raced by us to head to the runway. Haha, that was “nice” of the NWA pilots to let the WN pilots go by, even though we were in front of them first. Gotta love SWA quickness to get to the runway first!
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/WNplanes.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/WNatBWI.JPG>
Two 737-300 at the gate, both in Blue Colors.
We got to the runway, and we waited for the 733 to take off. That rumbled down the runway and then it was our turn. The 757 turned left, and we stopped. Here it comes…any time now….*GRRRRR-BOOM!* The 757 shot down the runway, and 20 seconds later, we took off. I was AMAZED and keep forgetting how fast the 757 gets, and how it really is like a rocket down the runway. We had a nearly full load, yet it did not take long at all to take off.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/NWA757Wing.JPG>
We had a long climb to our flight level. Then the F/A commenced service. I got a full can of soda. There was some turbulence, but not a lot. I was getting worried about my connecting, and I know a lot of them were as well. I heard F/A call buttons going off, asking F/A about the connecting flights, a few missed theirs already, but to most of us she said we should be fine. She made an announcement saying those flying to BNA, STL and OKC, will be ok, it will be tight, but hurry up and you will be just fine. That was me so I knew I should be ok, but it meant I had to run. I HATE running. I put on my headphones and listened to music. It was quite cloudy so there was not much we could see but I snapped a few in flight pics of what we COULD see.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/clouds.JPG>
Soon our 757 started descending rapidly. He put up the speed brakes (?) and had them up for quite awhile.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/757wing.JPG>
Lake Erie passing underneath us. You can BARELY see the shore line there.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/757descending.JPG>
Still descending!
Soon, the ground came rushing up on us, and we landed. I got a video of it, If you would like to see the video please Instant Message me through AOL instant Message (ATrude777) and I will send it to you there.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/757landing.JPG>
We taxied past a 747 at the gate.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/NWA744atDTW.JPG>
Then an A330
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/NWA330.JPG>
We got to the gate. Everyone got off rather quickly. There were 3 agents meeting us at our gate to tell us our connecting flights. I told her my flight number and arrival city. She said gate A-29. and I was at A-64. EWWWWWWWW. This was going to be a long walk/run. And I had 15 minutes, and they were boarding my flight to STL right now.
I am going to pause here and add some DTW pictures I got GOING to BWI, many people have asked me to post them here so I will go ahead and do that. Remember these pictures are from when I was flying TO BWI, not coming home. Hope you enjoy these.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/DTWairport.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/DTW2.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/A3302.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/fountain.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/train.JPG>
Those are the DTW pictures that most requested, hope you enjoyed them.
Anyway, back to running my ass to the gate. I am running, walking really fast. Talking to my mom on the phone at the same time. It was fast, but I got there, just as they called my row for boarding. I ran on the plane, and got inside the DC-9. Finally, I am on a DC-9.
The interior of the DC-9 is very nice. Extremely clean inside. I did feel a bit cramped on the plane. We had a DC-9 Captain non revving back to STL sitting near me. Pilot came on and said we would be pushing back soon. So I started to nod off to sleep expecting a nice quiet pushback, and we would take off. But nope… grrrrr *ROAR*. And the plane started moving backwards. I woke up going WTF?! Then a surprise look on my face, HOLY SHIT! We are doing a powerback, without the tugs!!! This was my first power back I was so excited I turned to my seatmate and said omg, we r doing a powerback, without the tugs!! Naturally I got the strangest look, and she must have wondered if she needs to move to another seat or not. But I of course was so ecstatic!!!!! We finished the powerback, and we taxied pretty quickly to the runway. We sat down and got quiet. Hmmh wonder when- *BOOM---ROOOOAAARRR* The engines came alive and we shot down the runway, we used the whole runway to take off. Very exciting!! I enjoyed the take off. You really can tell it is a small plane, at least to me. We went straight into the clouds and we never saw land again till we landed at STL. I immediatly went to sleep, and slept nearly the whole way there. We were in the clouds the whole time, so no pictures. I was way to tired to take pics, because I literally did not sleep at all. Finally the flaps came out, and we were still quite high, extremely high actually. We descended into the clouds, and it got very dark, wings would disappear sometimes. Stayed in the clouds the entire approach. Finally the clouds went away and there was the ground, just like that! We landed, on R 12L, slowed down. Taxied to the gate. And right then 4 cell phones went off! It was LOUD!. We all got off and I headed to the metrolink to head home.
That’s my report!
Alex
At 4:00am, having JUST gone to bed 2 hours earlier, I woke up. I showered, shaved, brushed my teeth and put on my best flying clothes. I always try to dress nicely when I fly, even on Southwest Airlines. I am one of those who thinks it is classy to fly, and I treat it as if it’s a fabulous thing, I love to dress up when I fly. I feel important. My Aunt and I left our cousin’s house to head for the airport at 5:00am. I was wide awake, and looking forward to flying another 757, and finally, the legendary DC-9. At 6:15am, we pulled into the Budget Car rental place. It was really easy, just pull up, leave your car, grab your stuff, and head to the shuttle bus. Easy enough! The Shuttle Bus announced saying it would have two stops, 1st stop would be for Southwest passengers ONLY, and the rest of the airlines would get off at the 2nd stop. I heard a loud groan, seemed not to many people were flying SWA today on this bus haha. My Aunt was flying SWA however, and I got off with her so we could say goodbye in the terminal. She checked in, and we walked to security. The area looked really nice! I look forward to flying SWA into BWI next spring (I plan to at least).
I said good bye, and walked down the small hallway past all the check in counters. Saw the new US Airways signs and check in and stuff. I found the Northwest Airlines check in. I walked up, took out my debit card and checked in. Asked me if I wanted to change my seats. I made sure I was on the 757 and DC-9 so far so good! I kept my seats I had originally booked. I grabbed my carry on bag, and walked to security. Woman screaming “ID’S AND BOARDING PASS BE CHECKED, KEEP IDS OUT, KEEP IDS OUT..” Over and over….It got a bit annoying. One of these times I wished I could turn my hearing aids off!! I gave the screaming woman my ID and boarding pass, she marked it and I went to security. Took off my shoes, belt, cell phone, you know the drill guys. My carry on bag got selected for searching, it was searched and finger printed marked whatever that meant. I grabbed my stuff and headed to the gate.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/NWA757.JPG>
It was quite dark outside, the sun was beginning to rise, and the 757 must of RON. I walked around some more, grabbed an AWA 757, OHIO. And saw the Cardinal 757 as well at BWI. Quite some cool traffic as well. Air Jamaica pulled in, and saw a lot of planes that RON being pulled to the gates. Quite some activety going on early in the morning.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/AWA757.JPG>
What is cool to think, if my Aunt had flown America West back to PHX (She flew SWA) she would have been on this flight, and she would have gotten to fly on Ohio Scheme. Kinda cool to think about.
A failed shot of a beautiful sun rise
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/BWISunrise.JPG>
I went back to the NWA gates, and sat down and did some homework. Watched passengers hurry by to catch their flight. Watched crews, F/A and Pilots walk by, and heading off to unknown destinations. Always cool to think about as well. At 8:45am, an agent came up and announced they would be boarding for the flight to BWI. So everyone stood up at once and lined up at the gate. (so much for the nice boarding that everyone thinks they have) this line was worse then SWA “cattle boarding call”. Agent announced for First class and pre boarding. Those got on, while they were boarding people would come up and ask, is this seat boarding yet? Over and over!! Agents would have to stop and deal with those. Delaying the line. At SWA, we just board, no asking about seats, no wondering if our seat or row had been called. Juat line up, and get on board. I like it that way to be honest. And as a personal reason to me, I am hearing impaired so it is hard for me to hear the announcements for what row is being called or boarding, so I am always bothering the agent asking if they called su or not. On Southwest I just know, I have an A card, they announce A, and there we go! Anyway they finally called my row, and I got on board. A 757 once again!
I sat down, and looked out the window. It was 10 after 9. Everyone boarded, and we all sat down and got settled. The door closed, and we waited. Waited. Waited. Hmmh..9:20am, an announcement came on and they said they were having technical difficulties with the engine or something in the cockpit. They needed to call a mechanic. They said expect a 10 minute delay. Groans throughout the cabin. Oh come on folks, its just 10 minutes relax!! Guess I was wrong… At 9:35am, the pilot came on and said it will be another 15-20 minutes, please hold on. MORE groans, now even I was annoyed because I had a tight connecting time in DTW and did not want to miss the flight. At 10:00am, they finally closed the door, and we started to taxi out. THANK GOD! We taxied around, past the WN gates. We braked suddenly. And 2 WN 737’s raced by us to head to the runway. Haha, that was “nice” of the NWA pilots to let the WN pilots go by, even though we were in front of them first. Gotta love SWA quickness to get to the runway first!
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/WNplanes.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/WNatBWI.JPG>
Two 737-300 at the gate, both in Blue Colors.
We got to the runway, and we waited for the 733 to take off. That rumbled down the runway and then it was our turn. The 757 turned left, and we stopped. Here it comes…any time now….*GRRRRR-BOOM!* The 757 shot down the runway, and 20 seconds later, we took off. I was AMAZED and keep forgetting how fast the 757 gets, and how it really is like a rocket down the runway. We had a nearly full load, yet it did not take long at all to take off.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/NWA757Wing.JPG>
We had a long climb to our flight level. Then the F/A commenced service. I got a full can of soda. There was some turbulence, but not a lot. I was getting worried about my connecting, and I know a lot of them were as well. I heard F/A call buttons going off, asking F/A about the connecting flights, a few missed theirs already, but to most of us she said we should be fine. She made an announcement saying those flying to BNA, STL and OKC, will be ok, it will be tight, but hurry up and you will be just fine. That was me so I knew I should be ok, but it meant I had to run. I HATE running. I put on my headphones and listened to music. It was quite cloudy so there was not much we could see but I snapped a few in flight pics of what we COULD see.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/clouds.JPG>
Soon our 757 started descending rapidly. He put up the speed brakes (?) and had them up for quite awhile.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/757wing.JPG>
Lake Erie passing underneath us. You can BARELY see the shore line there.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/757descending.JPG>
Still descending!
Soon, the ground came rushing up on us, and we landed. I got a video of it, If you would like to see the video please Instant Message me through AOL instant Message (ATrude777) and I will send it to you there.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/757landing.JPG>
We taxied past a 747 at the gate.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/NWA744atDTW.JPG>
Then an A330
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/NWA330.JPG>
We got to the gate. Everyone got off rather quickly. There were 3 agents meeting us at our gate to tell us our connecting flights. I told her my flight number and arrival city. She said gate A-29. and I was at A-64. EWWWWWWWW. This was going to be a long walk/run. And I had 15 minutes, and they were boarding my flight to STL right now.
I am going to pause here and add some DTW pictures I got GOING to BWI, many people have asked me to post them here so I will go ahead and do that. Remember these pictures are from when I was flying TO BWI, not coming home. Hope you enjoy these.
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/DTWairport.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/DTW2.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/A3302.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/fountain.JPG>
<IMG SRC=http://www.jetphotos.net/user-uploads/train.JPG>
Those are the DTW pictures that most requested, hope you enjoyed them.
Anyway, back to running my ass to the gate. I am running, walking really fast. Talking to my mom on the phone at the same time. It was fast, but I got there, just as they called my row for boarding. I ran on the plane, and got inside the DC-9. Finally, I am on a DC-9.
The interior of the DC-9 is very nice. Extremely clean inside. I did feel a bit cramped on the plane. We had a DC-9 Captain non revving back to STL sitting near me. Pilot came on and said we would be pushing back soon. So I started to nod off to sleep expecting a nice quiet pushback, and we would take off. But nope… grrrrr *ROAR*. And the plane started moving backwards. I woke up going WTF?! Then a surprise look on my face, HOLY SHIT! We are doing a powerback, without the tugs!!! This was my first power back I was so excited I turned to my seatmate and said omg, we r doing a powerback, without the tugs!! Naturally I got the strangest look, and she must have wondered if she needs to move to another seat or not. But I of course was so ecstatic!!!!! We finished the powerback, and we taxied pretty quickly to the runway. We sat down and got quiet. Hmmh wonder when- *BOOM---ROOOOAAARRR* The engines came alive and we shot down the runway, we used the whole runway to take off. Very exciting!! I enjoyed the take off. You really can tell it is a small plane, at least to me. We went straight into the clouds and we never saw land again till we landed at STL. I immediatly went to sleep, and slept nearly the whole way there. We were in the clouds the whole time, so no pictures. I was way to tired to take pics, because I literally did not sleep at all. Finally the flaps came out, and we were still quite high, extremely high actually. We descended into the clouds, and it got very dark, wings would disappear sometimes. Stayed in the clouds the entire approach. Finally the clouds went away and there was the ground, just like that! We landed, on R 12L, slowed down. Taxied to the gate. And right then 4 cell phones went off! It was LOUD!. We all got off and I headed to the metrolink to head home.
That’s my report!
Alex