Greg
02-25-2003, 08:51 PM
<u>Introduction:</u> I will put to versions of the flight (return trip coming soon). One version will be the raw facts no emotions no thoughts bare facts. Second version will be my emotions, what happened person wise and conversations. All times Eastern Standard Time.
<u>Disclaimer:</u> This is what happened to the best of my knowledge. it has been a while and hopefully I will paint an accurate portrayal.(should be able to)
BWI-MCO
April 13,2001
Metrojet 737-200 N247US
V.1
Got to the airport at 1630 hours. Flight departed at 1830 hours. Seat 12E. Broke through low overcast. Cruised at altitude for 3 hours descended at 2122 hours. Landed at MCo taxied to the gate. Got off, took tram to main terminal. Got baggage at 2210. Departed arrived by car at Merrit Island at 2330.
V.2
Wet. That was the only word to describe that bleak wintry day in Maryland. The trees were still leafless and it was cold. Steady drizzle fell from the skies as I rode home that Friday from school. The high point of that day would be in a couple of hours. As I stepped off the bus into the damp street, I heard the roar of jet engines in the clouds. I smiled. Soon I would be above the clouds in the sun. I walked home quickly so as to pack the necessary things for a week of Beach,Birthday,and Easter. after I was finished packing I checked the US Airways site for delays. There were none. I remembered to pack my US Airways book so I could match our aircraft to an entry in it. We departed our house for BWI at 4:00 p.m. We arrived 4:30 our friends who had driven us waved goodbye. We walked in to terminal and got into the line to check in. We quickly made it up to the front. We checked our 4 pieces of luggage and received our boarding passes. Since we had time I went to the observation deck and took some shotsof WN and DL aircraft. (None of the shots mentioned are uploaded) After an enjoyable time I reported to the gate and took some shots of the US Airways ramp,and ate dinner(Roy Rogers) . We boarded the plane and I took my seat behind the wing and next to the window. I took some more shots of the terminal and other planes. We took off on schedule and as soon as the nose was lifted the plane was in the clouds. After about 30 seconds we broke into the warmth and light of the setting sun. We turned towards the South and started our trek. I watched the Sun set over the Western horizons and the night overtake us from the east. The ground was obscured by an ocean of clouds until we reached the North Carolina/South Carolina border. The sunset over this ocean was more beautiful than anyhting I’ve seen before even the sunset’s I’ve seen while on the beach at Point Mugu(north of Los Angeles). I received a Coke and a bag of pretzels from the flight attendant and then I leaned back and thought about the wonder of flight while listening to my C.D. player and viewing the lights shining up from the cities below us. I contemplated the airlines and their future. Little did I know that less than 5 months later 4 boeing jetliners and a group of radicals would send two buildings, massive amounts of people and themselves into premeditated destruction. The airline I was flying would be gone and it’s parent would be in bankrupcty. The ripples would be reverberating even now. Then it was quiet solace and the only international dispute was over a EP-3 and it’s crew. I was awaken out of my thoughts by the announcement to turn off portable electronics and for the flight attendants to prepare the cabin for arrival. I wonder where that crew is now. probably for the pilots furlough and the flight attendants reassignment. As we deescended slowly over Orlando I gazed out at the numerous baseball diamonds and residental communities. I also watched the reflections of lights in the numerous lakes of that region. I felt the gear clunk down and the flaps whir progressively downward as we slowed for our landing at MCO. I watched as we got lower and lower until it looked as if we were going to crash but just before we would have hit, we crossed the fence at MCO and plopped down safetly on the runway. The reversers clunked open on the rear of the engines and the spoilers popped up. The characteristic sound of the engines reversing filled the cabin and then we sloweded to taxi speed. As we taxied towards the terminal the co-pilot announced that it was clear in Orlando with 70% humidity and a temperature of 77 degrees(F). We slowly rolled up to the gate and the door was opened. The ground crews immediately surronded us after engine shutdown and opened the baggage hatch to remove our luggage. The air conditioner kicked on and music began issuing ffrom the speakers. i gathered my carry-ons, and prepared to leave. i said good bye to the fligth crew and exited into the hot and humis air of Florida. I walked up the jetwayand entered the terminal. I walked over to the passenger tram thing and found a place to stand with my carry-ons. after the short ride to the main terminal i went to the baggage claim and got my suitcase. I then exited the terminal where I found my Granparents waiting. All of us went up to the parking garage and left the airport. Seven days later I found myself back here for the return to the damp climes of Maryland. But that is another story.
Further Details provided on request.
<u>Disclaimer:</u> This is what happened to the best of my knowledge. it has been a while and hopefully I will paint an accurate portrayal.(should be able to)
BWI-MCO
April 13,2001
Metrojet 737-200 N247US
V.1
Got to the airport at 1630 hours. Flight departed at 1830 hours. Seat 12E. Broke through low overcast. Cruised at altitude for 3 hours descended at 2122 hours. Landed at MCo taxied to the gate. Got off, took tram to main terminal. Got baggage at 2210. Departed arrived by car at Merrit Island at 2330.
V.2
Wet. That was the only word to describe that bleak wintry day in Maryland. The trees were still leafless and it was cold. Steady drizzle fell from the skies as I rode home that Friday from school. The high point of that day would be in a couple of hours. As I stepped off the bus into the damp street, I heard the roar of jet engines in the clouds. I smiled. Soon I would be above the clouds in the sun. I walked home quickly so as to pack the necessary things for a week of Beach,Birthday,and Easter. after I was finished packing I checked the US Airways site for delays. There were none. I remembered to pack my US Airways book so I could match our aircraft to an entry in it. We departed our house for BWI at 4:00 p.m. We arrived 4:30 our friends who had driven us waved goodbye. We walked in to terminal and got into the line to check in. We quickly made it up to the front. We checked our 4 pieces of luggage and received our boarding passes. Since we had time I went to the observation deck and took some shotsof WN and DL aircraft. (None of the shots mentioned are uploaded) After an enjoyable time I reported to the gate and took some shots of the US Airways ramp,and ate dinner(Roy Rogers) . We boarded the plane and I took my seat behind the wing and next to the window. I took some more shots of the terminal and other planes. We took off on schedule and as soon as the nose was lifted the plane was in the clouds. After about 30 seconds we broke into the warmth and light of the setting sun. We turned towards the South and started our trek. I watched the Sun set over the Western horizons and the night overtake us from the east. The ground was obscured by an ocean of clouds until we reached the North Carolina/South Carolina border. The sunset over this ocean was more beautiful than anyhting I’ve seen before even the sunset’s I’ve seen while on the beach at Point Mugu(north of Los Angeles). I received a Coke and a bag of pretzels from the flight attendant and then I leaned back and thought about the wonder of flight while listening to my C.D. player and viewing the lights shining up from the cities below us. I contemplated the airlines and their future. Little did I know that less than 5 months later 4 boeing jetliners and a group of radicals would send two buildings, massive amounts of people and themselves into premeditated destruction. The airline I was flying would be gone and it’s parent would be in bankrupcty. The ripples would be reverberating even now. Then it was quiet solace and the only international dispute was over a EP-3 and it’s crew. I was awaken out of my thoughts by the announcement to turn off portable electronics and for the flight attendants to prepare the cabin for arrival. I wonder where that crew is now. probably for the pilots furlough and the flight attendants reassignment. As we deescended slowly over Orlando I gazed out at the numerous baseball diamonds and residental communities. I also watched the reflections of lights in the numerous lakes of that region. I felt the gear clunk down and the flaps whir progressively downward as we slowed for our landing at MCO. I watched as we got lower and lower until it looked as if we were going to crash but just before we would have hit, we crossed the fence at MCO and plopped down safetly on the runway. The reversers clunked open on the rear of the engines and the spoilers popped up. The characteristic sound of the engines reversing filled the cabin and then we sloweded to taxi speed. As we taxied towards the terminal the co-pilot announced that it was clear in Orlando with 70% humidity and a temperature of 77 degrees(F). We slowly rolled up to the gate and the door was opened. The ground crews immediately surronded us after engine shutdown and opened the baggage hatch to remove our luggage. The air conditioner kicked on and music began issuing ffrom the speakers. i gathered my carry-ons, and prepared to leave. i said good bye to the fligth crew and exited into the hot and humis air of Florida. I walked up the jetwayand entered the terminal. I walked over to the passenger tram thing and found a place to stand with my carry-ons. after the short ride to the main terminal i went to the baggage claim and got my suitcase. I then exited the terminal where I found my Granparents waiting. All of us went up to the parking garage and left the airport. Seven days later I found myself back here for the return to the damp climes of Maryland. But that is another story.
Further Details provided on request.