As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
Constellation.

I have had many experiences and stories here is one I though I would share
so we all can lighten our day.

I was taking a red-eye from LAX to Boston for a 2:00 PM appointment with an
important customer. This flight was routed through the NEW DFW on A/A. We
left LAX with no problem and got into DFW easily & I boarded the 767 I think
for a 7:00 AM departure.

Problem. Something was wrong with the computers they told us.

It was hot and the flight attendants had the back door open for some air to
circulate. So I was standing there chatting with the flight attendant just
to pass the time. I asked her what was the worst thing that ever happened
to her on a flight.

She asked if I remembered the AA flight 191 the DC 10 (the 3:00 PM flight
from Chicago to LA) which lost an engine and wend down? I said of course I
used to take that flight all the time. She explained their normal procedure
for AA is to change the time and flight number and the time for the next
day. For some reason AA forget to do this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America...nes_Flight_191

She explained then very next day she was part of flight 191 form ORD to LAX
and they had a brand new attendant right out of training in Dallas.

They departed with a Bang (funny noise). A few minutes later to pilot got
on the horn and explained they had lose the hydraulic pressure to the nose
gear steering. The FAA procedure is they would leave the gear down - go out
over Lake Michigan dump most of their fuel and come back in to a runway with
all kinds of crash equipment at the ready. He went on to explain the gear
would stay straight and at landing speeds they steer with the tail (vertical
stabilizer anyway).

Now I don't know about you but I always keep one eye on the crew. If they
start breaking out the Champaign and drinking it themselves and start
playing grabass you know you're in trouble.

As it happens while they were out over the lake dumping fuel and the crash
equipment was getting in place the brand new flight attendant LOST IT!

SHE RAN UP AND DOWN THE AISLES SCREAMING HYSTERICALLY, "WE'RE ALL GOING TO
DIE"

I said, "my god is this true? What was the reaction of the passengers?"
She assured me this was true, they had to physically restrain the new flight
attendant and the passengers, well the passengers simply ignored the
hysterical flight attendant and went about their business as if nothing had
happened. She said it was a deafening silence.

They fixed the computer and off we went to Logan 2 hours late none the worse
for ware.


I am sure you have some stories - care to share?


--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)

On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:15:34 -0700, "Dimitri" >
wrote:

>As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
>bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
>Constellation.
>
>I have had many experiences and stories here is one I though I would share
>so we all can lighten our day.
>
>I was taking a red-eye from LAX to Boston for a 2:00 PM appointment with an
>important customer. This flight was routed through the NEW DFW on A/A. We
>left LAX with no problem and got into DFW easily & I boarded the 767 I think
>for a 7:00 AM departure.
>
>Problem. Something was wrong with the computers they told us.
>
>It was hot and the flight attendants had the back door open for some air to
>circulate. So I was standing there chatting with the flight attendant just
>to pass the time. I asked her what was the worst thing that ever happened
>to her on a flight.
>
>She asked if I remembered the AA flight 191 the DC 10 (the 3:00 PM flight
>from Chicago to LA) which lost an engine and wend down? I said of course I
>used to take that flight all the time. She explained their normal procedure
>for AA is to change the time and flight number and the time for the next
>day. For some reason AA forget to do this.
>
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America...nes_Flight_191
>
>She explained then very next day she was part of flight 191 form ORD to LAX
>and they had a brand new attendant right out of training in Dallas.
>
>They departed with a Bang (funny noise). A few minutes later to pilot got
>on the horn and explained they had lose the hydraulic pressure to the nose
>gear steering. The FAA procedure is they would leave the gear down - go out
>over Lake Michigan dump most of their fuel and come back in to a runway with
>all kinds of crash equipment at the ready. He went on to explain the gear
>would stay straight and at landing speeds they steer with the tail (vertical
>stabilizer anyway).
>
>Now I don't know about you but I always keep one eye on the crew. If they
>start breaking out the Champaign and drinking it themselves and start
>playing grabass you know you're in trouble.
>
>As it happens while they were out over the lake dumping fuel and the crash
>equipment was getting in place the brand new flight attendant LOST IT!
>
>SHE RAN UP AND DOWN THE AISLES SCREAMING HYSTERICALLY, "WE'RE ALL GOING TO
>DIE"
>
>I said, "my god is this true? What was the reaction of the passengers?"
>She assured me this was true, they had to physically restrain the new flight
>attendant and the passengers, well the passengers simply ignored the
>hysterical flight attendant and went about their business as if nothing had
>happened. She said it was a deafening silence.
>
>They fixed the computer and off we went to Logan 2 hours late none the worse
>for ware.
>
>
>I am sure you have some stories - care to share?

Wow, that would be irritating! Good story.

My Dad, long dead, flew often in the 50's. His favorite story that
has stuck with me, was on a long trip on Pan Am. The pilot could not
budge the brakes. The first class passengers were asked to either
pull up or push down the brakes-sorry I don't remember. So they
rolled up their sleeves and bent down to the opening in the floor
where the brakes were located and they fixed the problem. My Dad said
it was fun. He did have his small pilot's license.

I fly enough and I too always keep a close eye on the flight
attendants, especially if I hear a weird noise. Figure they're a good
gauge.

OT: Going to the Netherlands in a few weeks and although I leave here
(Hawaii) at 8 pm, it takes 2 days to get to Amsterdam. Pretty much
flying straight through. Just time zones, mainly and I can't wait!

aloha,
beans
roast beans to kona to email
farmers of Pure Kona

> wrote in message
...
>

<snip>

> OT: Going to the Netherlands in a few weeks and although I leave here
> (Hawaii) at 8 pm, it takes 2 days to get to Amsterdam. Pretty much
> flying straight through. Just time zones, mainly and I can't wait!
>
> aloha,
> beans
> roast beans to kona to email
> farmers of Pure Kona

BTW are you the one who used to post as KonaMacFarmer?

Especially on the Mexican cooking group


--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)

Dimitri wrote:
> As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite
> a bit.

I've lain in bed at night trying to imagine how much you've flown. It
often keeps me up until the wee hours of the morning.

-sw

"Sqwertz" > wrote in message
...
> Dimitri wrote:
>> As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
>> bit.
>
> I've lain in bed at night trying to imagine how much you've flown. It
> often keeps me up until the wee hours of the morning.
>
> -sw

I think you may have a problem there.

You really need to get rid if your envy and start thinking about your own
life and how you can make it better ALL BY YOURSELF.

:-)


--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)

On Jul 17, 11:53*am, "Michael \"Dog3\"" > wrote:
> They offered complimentary cocktails but who
> wants to be swilling vodka when it was so hot? *

I think the vodka would improve things immensely.

Karen

Dimitri wrote:
> As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite
> a bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
> Constellation.
I crewed on Connies in 1958 with the Navy. We lost our last passenger
Connie when the pilot knocked the landing gear off on a sea wall coming
out of a Naval Air Station in Nova Scotia. Had to sit on the fuselage
all day waiting for the tide to come in so the crash boat could come and
get us. No one was hurt
>
> I have had many experiences and stories here is one I though I would
> share so we all can lighten our day.
>
> I was taking a red-eye from LAX to Boston for a 2:00 PM appointment with
> an important customer. This flight was routed through the NEW DFW on
> A/A. We left LAX with no problem and got into DFW easily & I boarded
> the 767 I think for a 7:00 AM departure.
>
> Problem. Something was wrong with the computers they told us.
>
> It was hot and the flight attendants had the back door open for some air
> to circulate. So I was standing there chatting with the flight
> attendant just to pass the time. I asked her what was the worst thing
> that ever happened to her on a flight.
>
> She asked if I remembered the AA flight 191 the DC 10 (the 3:00 PM
> flight from Chicago to LA) which lost an engine and wend down? I said of
> course I used to take that flight all the time. She explained their
> normal procedure for AA is to change the time and flight number and the
> time for the next day. For some reason AA forget to do this.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America...nes_Flight_191
>
> She explained then very next day she was part of flight 191 form ORD to
> LAX and they had a brand new attendant right out of training in Dallas.
>
> They departed with a Bang (funny noise). A few minutes later to pilot
> got on the horn and explained they had lose the hydraulic pressure to
> the nose gear steering. The FAA procedure is they would leave the gear
> down - go out over Lake Michigan dump most of their fuel and come back
> in to a runway with all kinds of crash equipment at the ready. He went
> on to explain the gear would stay straight and at landing speeds they
> steer with the tail (vertical stabilizer anyway).
>
> Now I don't know about you but I always keep one eye on the crew. If
> they start breaking out the Champaign and drinking it themselves and
> start playing grabass you know you're in trouble.
>
> As it happens while they were out over the lake dumping fuel and the
> crash equipment was getting in place the brand new flight attendant LOST
> IT!
>
> SHE RAN UP AND DOWN THE AISLES SCREAMING HYSTERICALLY, "WE'RE ALL GOING
> TO DIE"
>
> I said, "my god is this true? What was the reaction of the passengers?"
> She assured me this was true, they had to physically restrain the new
> flight attendant and the passengers, well the passengers simply ignored
> the hysterical flight attendant and went about their business as if
> nothing had happened. She said it was a deafening silence.
>
> They fixed the computer and off we went to Logan 2 hours late none the
> worse for ware.
>
>
> I am sure you have some stories - care to share?
>
>

I've got a funny one: was crewing on an Navy R4Y, Convair 340 twin
engine transport, was about early 1959. Flying between a NAS in Florida
and Guantanomo Bay, Cuba with a full load of about 36 civilian
dependents going to be with their loved ones. As you know the wings on
aircraft flex a bit, on the R4Y's they flexed a bit more. One older
woman (well, old to me, I was about eighteen or nineteen at the
time)pointed out to me that the wing was moving up and down. Told her it
wasn't anything to worry about but to keep an eye on it and let me know
if it quit moving. I think she kept her eyes on that wing for the rest
of the trip.

We had a pilot (Navy called them plane commanders)who was a joker. One
flight we had a full load of Marines we were taking somewhere they were
needed. Pilot strolls down the aisle casually putting on a parachute. I
had my hands full for a little bit. Military transport pilots are all
crazy IMHO. But, Lordy, I did love to fly on those old propeller driven
birds back then. Took us a couple of days to cross the continent back
then and we often followed highways and railroad tracks.

Dimitri wrote:

> As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
> bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
> Constellation.

The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.


--
Blinky
Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project: http://improve-usenet.org
Need a new news feed? http://blinkynet.net/comp/newfeed.html

On Jul 17, 9:28*am, wrote:
> On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:15:34 -0700, "Dimitri" >
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
> >bit. *I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
> >Constellation.
>
> >I have had many experiences and stories here is one I though I would share
> >so we all can lighten our day.
>
> >I was taking a red-eye from LAX to Boston for a 2:00 PM appointment with an
> >important customer. This flight was routed through the NEW DFW on A/A. *We
> >left LAX with no problem and got into DFW easily & I boarded the 767 I think
> >for a 7:00 AM departure.
>
> >Problem. Something was wrong with the computers they told us.
>
> >It was hot and the flight attendants had the back door open for some air to
> >circulate. *So I was standing there chatting with the flight attendant just
> >to pass the time. *I asked her what was the worst thing that ever happened
> >to her on a flight.
>
> >She asked if I remembered the AA flight 191 *the DC 10 (the 3:00 PM flight
> >from Chicago to LA) which lost an engine and wend down? I said of course I
> >used to take that flight all the time. *She explained their normal procedure
> >for AA is to change the time and flight number and the time *for the next
> >day. *For some reason AA forget to do this.
>
> >http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America...nes_Flight_191
>
> >She explained then very next day she was part of flight 191 form ORD to LAX
> >and they had a brand new attendant right out of training in Dallas.
>
> >They departed with a Bang (funny noise). *A few minutes later to pilot got
> >on the horn and explained they had lose the hydraulic pressure to the nose
> >gear steering. *The FAA procedure is they would leave the gear down - go out
> >over Lake Michigan dump most of their fuel and come back in to a runway with
> >all kinds of crash equipment at the ready. *He went on to explain the gear
> >would stay straight and at landing speeds they steer with the tail (vertical
> >stabilizer anyway).
>
> >Now I don't know about you but I always keep one eye on the crew. If they
> >start breaking out the Champaign and drinking it themselves and start
> >playing grabass you know you're in trouble.
>
> >As it happens while they were out over the lake dumping fuel and the crash
> >equipment was getting in place the brand new flight attendant LOST IT!
>
> >SHE RAN UP AND DOWN THE AISLES SCREAMING HYSTERICALLY, "WE'RE ALL GOING TO
> >DIE"
>
> >I said, *"my god is this true? What was the reaction of the passengers?"
> >She assured me this was true, they had to physically restrain the new flight
> >attendant and the passengers, well the passengers simply ignored the
> >hysterical flight attendant and went about their business as if nothing had
> >happened. *She said it was a deafening silence.
>
> >They fixed the computer and off we went to Logan 2 hours late none the worse
> >for ware.
>
> >I am sure you have some stories - care to share?
>
> Wow, that would be irritating! *Good story. *
>
> My Dad, long dead, flew often in the 50's. *His favorite story that
> has stuck with me, was on a long trip on Pan Am. The pilot could not
> budge the brakes. *The first class passengers were asked to either
> pull up or push down the brakes-sorry I don't remember. *So they
> rolled up their sleeves and bent down to the opening in the floor
> where the brakes were located and they fixed the problem. My Dad said
> it was fun. *He did have his small pilot's license.
>
> I fly enough and I too always keep a close eye on the flight
> attendants, especially if I hear a weird noise. *Figure they're a good
> gauge.
>
> OT: Going to the Netherlands in a few weeks and although I leave here
> (Hawaii) at 8 pm, it takes 2 days to get to Amsterdam. *Pretty much
> flying straight through. *Just time zones, mainly and I can't wait!
>
> aloha,
> beans
> roast beans to kona to email
> * farmers of Pure Kona- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Wow- have a great trip- that's someplace I'd love to go...

wrote:

>
>
> My Dad, long dead, flew often in the 50's. His favorite story that
> has stuck with me, was on a long trip on Pan Am. The pilot could not
> budge the brakes. The first class passengers were asked to either
> pull up or push down the brakes-sorry I don't remember. So they
> rolled up their sleeves and bent down to the opening in the floor
> where the brakes were located and they fixed the problem. My Dad said
> it was fun. He did have his small pilot's license.
>
> I fly enough and I too always keep a close eye on the flight
> attendants, especially if I hear a weird noise. Figure they're a good
> gauge.
>
> OT: Going to the Netherlands in a few weeks and although I leave here
> (Hawaii) at 8 pm, it takes 2 days to get to Amsterdam. Pretty much
> flying straight through. Just time zones, mainly and I can't wait!

Have a great trip. I was at Schipol airport twice last month, once on the way to
Estonia and then two weeks later on the way back from Denmark. We spent a few
days in the Netherlands 7 years ago. We had an enjoyable stay in the village of
Bronkurst, which bills itself as Holland's smallest, oldest city. We also had a
very enjoyable one night stay in Breda, which has a wonderful downtown pedestrian
square. Watch out if you are driving. I got a (photoradar) speeding ticket in
the mail almost 5 months I was there. I was clocked doing 54 in a 50 kph
zone..... walking speed over the limit.

On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:56:30 -0700, "Dimitri" >
wrote:

>
> wrote in message
.. .
>>
>
><snip>
>
>> OT: Going to the Netherlands in a few weeks and although I leave here
>> (Hawaii) at 8 pm, it takes 2 days to get to Amsterdam. Pretty much
>> flying straight through. Just time zones, mainly and I can't wait!
>>
>> aloha,
>> beans
>> roast beans to kona to email
>> farmers of Pure Kona
>
>BTW are you the one who used to post as KonaMacFarmer?
>
>Especially on the Mexican cooking group

No. Foremost I am coffee.

aloha,
beans
roast beans to kona to email
farmers of Pure Kona

On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:54:32 GMT, "Michael \"Dog3\"" >
wrote:

:
>in rec.food.cooking
>
>>
>> OT: Going to the Netherlands in a few weeks and although I leave here
>> (Hawaii) at 8 pm, it takes 2 days to get to Amsterdam. Pretty much
>> flying straight through. Just time zones, mainly and I can't wait!
>
>Have a wonderful time. I can't recall one international flight that has
>been worse than usual. Most of my horror stories have been of the domestic
>variety.
>
>Michael

Thanks Michael, I can't wait!

with aloha,
Cea
roast beans to kona to email
farmers of Pure Kona

On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:14:56 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> My Dad, long dead, flew often in the 50's. His favorite story that
>> has stuck with me, was on a long trip on Pan Am. The pilot could not
>> budge the brakes. The first class passengers were asked to either
>> pull up or push down the brakes-sorry I don't remember. So they
>> rolled up their sleeves and bent down to the opening in the floor
>> where the brakes were located and they fixed the problem. My Dad said
>> it was fun. He did have his small pilot's license.
>>
>> I fly enough and I too always keep a close eye on the flight
>> attendants, especially if I hear a weird noise. Figure they're a good
>> gauge.
>>
>> OT: Going to the Netherlands in a few weeks and although I leave here
>> (Hawaii) at 8 pm, it takes 2 days to get to Amsterdam. Pretty much
>> flying straight through. Just time zones, mainly and I can't wait!
>
> Have a great trip. I was at Schipol airport twice last month, once on the way to
>Estonia and then two weeks later on the way back from Denmark. We spent a few
>days in the Netherlands 7 years ago. We had an enjoyable stay in the village of
>Bronkurst, which bills itself as Holland's smallest, oldest city. We also had a
>very enjoyable one night stay in Breda, which has a wonderful downtown pedestrian
>square. Watch out if you are driving. I got a (photoradar) speeding ticket in
>the mail almost 5 months I was there. I was clocked doing 54 in a 50 kph
>zone..... walking speed over the limit.
>

Thanks. I am sure I will be taking public transport or biking or
walking- no driving.

aloha,
beans
roast beans to kona to email
farmers of Pure Kona

On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:51:43 -0700, Blinky the Shark
> fired up random neurons and synapses to opine:

>Dimitri wrote:
>
>> As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
>> bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
>> Constellation.
>
>The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.
>
And the B-47 was the most beautiful aircraft Boeing ever designed.

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd...the Bomber Pilot's Kid
--
"If the soup had been as hot as the claret, if the claret had been as
old as the bird, and if the bird's breasts had been as full as the
waitress's, it would have been a very good dinner."

-- Duncan Hines

To reply, replace "meatloaf" with "cox"

Terry Pulliam Burd wrote:
>
> On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:51:43 -0700, Blinky the Shark
> > fired up random neurons and synapses to opine:
>
> >Dimitri wrote:
> >
> >> As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
> >> bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
> >> Constellation.
> >
> >The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.
> >
> And the B-47 was the most beautiful aircraft Boeing ever designed.
>
> Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd...the Bomber Pilot's Kid
> --
> "If the soup had been as hot as the claret, if the claret had been as
> old as the bird, and if the bird's breasts had been as full as the
> waitress's, it would have been a very good dinner."
>
> -- Duncan Hines
>
> To reply, replace "meatloaf" with "cox"

Just the other day, I saw an authentic, refurbished B-17 fly overhead my
house! I heard the engines beforehand and ran outdoors. I was lucky
enough to catch a brief glimpse as the aircraft flew northwards. I only
wish I had had my camera ready at hand! It was some sight to see!
Gleeming silver and four engines in the bright crystal blue sky!

Sky, who says "THANK YOU" to all "military service" personnel!

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:15:34 -0700, "Dimitri" >
fired up random neurons and synapses to opine:

>I am sure you have some stories - care to share?

Years ago, the DH was flying out of New Delhi when he experienced what
could only be loosely termed "turbulence." Man, that aircraft dropped
like an elevator with a broken cable. Dropped hundreds of feet in
seconds; overheads spilled open, flight attendants thrown all over the
place - one of them had her arm broken, absolute mayhem. When the
plane finally stabilized, screaming and yelling from the rear of the
aircraft could be heard. Some guy had been in the lavatory when the
plane dropped like a rock - when the flight attendants opened the
lavatory door, there was some poor guy just covered with blue dye and
toilet paper.

--

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd

"Some weasel took the cork out of my lunch!"

-- W.C. Fields

Sky wrote:
> Terry Pulliam Burd wrote:
>> On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:51:43 -0700, Blinky the Shark
>> > fired up random neurons and synapses to opine:
>>
>>> Dimitri wrote:
>>>
>>>> As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
>>>> bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
>>>> Constellation.
>>> The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.
>>>
>> And the B-47 was the most beautiful aircraft Boeing ever designed.
>>
>> Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd...the Bomber Pilot's Kid
>> --
>> "If the soup had been as hot as the claret, if the claret had been as
>> old as the bird, and if the bird's breasts had been as full as the
>> waitress's, it would have been a very good dinner."
>>
>> -- Duncan Hines
>>
>> To reply, replace "meatloaf" with "cox"
>
> Just the other day, I saw an authentic, refurbished B-17 fly overhead my
> house! I heard the engines beforehand and ran outdoors. I was lucky
> enough to catch a brief glimpse as the aircraft flew northwards. I only
> wish I had had my camera ready at hand! It was some sight to see!
> Gleeming silver and four engines in the bright crystal blue sky!
>
> Sky, who says "THANK YOU" to all "military service" personnel!
>

A few years ago I heard a B-17 coming in... I'd never heard one before,
but OMYGODAB17!!! Couldn't believe it when I saw it.. Those R-1820's
just sounded like hot-rods....

In article >,
"Dimitri" > wrote:
>
> I am sure you have some stories - care to share?

That story beats anything I could come up with. I have been flying about
an average of three times a year since I was nine. On my first business
trip, I went out to Anaheim from Philadelphia for a conference. I was
thrilled because it was the first time I flew where neither me nor my
parents had to pay.

It was an AA flight the day after Thanksgiving, more years ago than I
care to think about. PHL had a small pin ball arcade by the terminal
where my flight departed from. I was early for the 12:30pm flight. It
was supposed to stop in Chicago where I planned to meet briefly with a
friend for lunch. I never got to Chicago.

I started playing pin ball and I kept winning games. I do not wear a
wrist watch, so I lost track of time. After I played several games, I
realized I might miss my flight. Yup, I had zoned out playing pin ball.
I never heard the warnings over the PA system and the jet was just
pulling away from the gate as I walked up.

The gate attendant there was very polite and helpful. I explained
exactly what happened, figuring honest was the best policy. She put me
on another flight to John Wayne Airport that left only 20 minutes after
my originally scheduled flight without any financial penality. This
time, I did not play any pin ball while I waited!

The flight I ended up on stopped in Dallas, not Chicago. I called my
friend from a pay phone to let him know I couldn't meet him in Chicago.
Of course, as luck would have it, I only had a few minutes to run across
the airport in Dallas to board the next leg of my flight. While I was
running, my boarding pass fell out of my pocket. The gate attendant at
the AA desk in Dallas gave me a lot of grief, but he allowed me to board
the flight.

As we got about 20 minutes from landing, the turbulence was terrible. I
never felt anything as rough as that turbulence before or after that
flight. I really thought I was going to die, and all because of a stupid
pin ball machine!

Well, we landed, no problem. I ended up having a great time at the
conference I attended on that trip, and I even got to do some sight
seeing, as it was my first time to California.

There was also the time when I was scheduled to board a flight in East
Lansing, Michigan to PHL via Pittsburgh when the plane (a turbo prop)
arrived with one of its engines burned out. Lightning hit it and the
engine on the starboard side caught fire. It was extinguished by the
time the plane pulled up to the gate to allow the passengers to
de-board. Those passengers sure looked nervous, and I am sure I would
have looked the same way if I was on that flight. The flight to PHL was
canceled and everyone was booked on alternate flights. I ended up
waiting several hours, but I was more then happy to wait because of the
circumstances.

Sky wrote:

> Just the other day, I saw an authentic, refurbished B-17 fly overhead my
> house! I heard the engines beforehand and ran outdoors. I was lucky
> enough to catch a brief glimpse as the aircraft flew northwards. I only
> wish I had had my camera ready at hand! It was some sight to see!
> Gleeming silver and four engines in the bright crystal blue sky!
>
> Sky, who says "THANK YOU" to all "military service" personnel!

Two weeks ago I had been out cycling along the Niagara Parkway and had stopped at
a point along the gorge where there are almost always lots of turkey vultures
soaring and you can often see them roosting in the trees. I had taken my new SLR
digital camera with me and snapped some photos. When I got home I was sitting on
the patio previewing my pictures and hear a familiar sounding roar in the air.
Sure enough it was the one and only flying Lancaster in the country flying right
over my house. I managed to get a few pictures of it.

Dimitri wrote:

> I am sure you have some stories - care to share?

I know this isn't really the kind of story you were looking for,
but it's airline and it's a story. A repeat I posted years ago:

The last time we went to Disney, it was a hassle boarding (everyone
has kids, what do you expect on a flight to Orlando) ... this one
guy held everyone up. He was driving me crazy. He finally sat down
(on the aisle). Great, now the rest of us can sit, isn't that nice?
Grrr. We're sitting one row behind him, opposite side of the aisle.


Well, we're in the air, the seatbelt light goes off, and his wife and
daughter have to use the bathroom. He lets them out of the row.
Before they come back, the refreshment cart is there. He won't get
back up to let them in, and the refreshment cart is stuck, with
everyone waiting for their coffee. I swear, two minutes go by, and
he finally heaves himself to his feet to let them back in then
settles back down.


That's when my husband said, in a very low voice, 'he sat on his
muffin'. I think, I'd swear he just said, 'he sat on his muffin',
that can't be what he said. What? He says ... 'he saaaat on his
muuuffin'.


Well, now, tears are running down my face from the effort not to
laugh out loud and I see the guy looking around. Can't find his
muffin, he knows he just had it. Sure enough, he stands up to look
and on his butt is this flaaaaaat corn muffin pancake.


Too funny. Made his aggravating self worthwhile after all.


nancy

In article >,
says...
> On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:15:34 -0700, "Dimitri" >
> fired up random neurons and synapses to opine:
>
> >I am sure you have some stories - care to share?
>
> Years ago, the DH was flying out of New Delhi when he experienced what
> could only be loosely termed "turbulence." Man, that aircraft dropped
> like an elevator with a broken cable. Dropped hundreds of feet in
> seconds; overheads spilled open, flight attendants thrown all over the
> place - one of them had her arm broken, absolute mayhem. When the
> plane finally stabilized, screaming and yelling from the rear of the
> aircraft could be heard. Some guy had been in the lavatory when the
> plane dropped like a rock - when the flight attendants opened the
> lavatory door, there was some poor guy just covered with blue dye and
> toilet paper.
>
> --
>
> Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd
>
> "Some weasel took the cork out of my lunch!"
>
> -- W.C. Fields
>

Now that was funny. Worst flight I've ever been on was Providence RI to
Dallas TX. Said flight did the drop a few hundred feet in a matter of
seconds trick on us too.

Blinky the Shark wrote:

> Dimitri wrote:
>
> > As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite
a
> > bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
> > Constellation.
>
> The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.
>


Yep, it was...I have a model of one sitting right on my desk here, it's in a
beautiful Qantas livery. It just has a perfect "line" to it, looks good
from any angle...

[I collect model airliners, amongst my other fascinating hobbies ;-) ]

IIRC the Connie still holds the record for longest non - stop scheduled
flight ever. TWA flew an advanced version fitted with extra fuel tanks on
their trans - polar LAX - LHR (London Heathrow) route, it was slightly over
*24* hours in the air...all first class layout, natch, with sleeper seats.

Second longest IIRC was a SAS DC - 7C (aka "Seven Seas" - I LUV that
moniker!) on their LAX - Copenhagen run, slightly under 24 hours...natcherly
westbound these flights had to make a stop somewheres for re - fueling,
Iceland or Greenland or Gander or wherever.

This was c. '57 - 58, jets would shortly replace those propliners...but I
coulda dug that LAX - LHR flight.

[OTOH think what a great thing the first jets were for a place like
Australia, it put them a whole day or so closer to the world...]


--
Best
Greg

Gregory Morrow wrote:

>
> Blinky the Shark wrote:
>
>> Dimitri wrote:
>>
>> > As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite
> a
>> > bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
>> > Constellation.
>>
>> The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.
>>
>
>
> Yep, it was...I have a model of one sitting right on my desk here, it's in a
> beautiful Qantas livery. It just has a perfect "line" to it, looks good
> from any angle...
>
> [I collect model airliners, amongst my other fascinating hobbies ;-) ]
>
> IIRC the Connie still holds the record for longest non - stop scheduled
> flight ever. TWA flew an advanced version fitted with extra fuel tanks on
> their trans - polar LAX - LHR (London Heathrow) route, it was slightly over
> *24* hours in the air...all first class layout, natch, with sleeper seats.

Wow!

<snip>

> [OTOH think what a great thing the first jets were for a place like
> Australia, it put them a whole day or so closer to the world...]

True.

Valley Trivia: We have a flying Constellation based at Van Nuys, the burb
just to the west of me here.


--
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Killing all posts from Google Groups
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"George Shirley" > wrote in message
...

<Snip>

>> I am sure you have some stories - care to share?
>>
>>
>
> I've got a funny one: was crewing on an Navy R4Y, Convair 340 twin engine
> transport, was about early 1959. Flying between a NAS in Florida and
> Guantanomo Bay, Cuba with a full load of about 36 civilian dependents
> going to be with their loved ones. As you know the wings on aircraft flex
> a bit, on the R4Y's they flexed a bit more. One older woman (well, old to
> me, I was about eighteen or nineteen at the time)pointed out to me that
> the wing was moving up and down. Told her it wasn't anything to worry
> about but to keep an eye on it and let me know if it quit moving. I think
> she kept her eyes on that wing for the rest of the trip.
>
> We had a pilot (Navy called them plane commanders)who was a joker. One
> flight we had a full load of Marines we were taking somewhere they were
> needed. Pilot strolls down the aisle casually putting on a parachute. I
> had my hands full for a little bit. Military transport pilots are all
> crazy IMHO. But, Lordy, I did love to fly on those old propeller driven
> birds back then. Took us a couple of days to cross the continent back then
> and we often followed highways and railroad tracks.

Great Stories.


The best thing to do if you're sitting nest to a WHITE KNUCKLE flyer is wait
for the announcement and the magnificent Marketing speak " in the unlikely
event of a water landing" you look over to the person and say " Water
landing did you see any pontoons on this bird? We used to call that
DITCHING AT SEA! I wonder how long this thing can float?"

The go beck to reading something and wait for the person to rip out the arm
rest.


--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)

"Blinky the Shark" > wrote in message
news
> Dimitri wrote:
>
>> As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite a
>> bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
>> Constellation.
>
> The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.
>
>
> --
> Blinky


I agree, I was looking the other day & realized the capacity was under 60
people. I especially likes the half round cocktail & card game section in
the tail of the plane.

The only real problem was the Giant Blue flame covering the wing at
take-off.


--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)

Blinky the Shark wrote:

> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>
> >
> > Blinky the Shark wrote:
> >
> >> Dimitri wrote:
> >>
> >> > As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown
quite
> > a
> >> > bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
> >> > Constellation.
> >>
> >> The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.
> >>
> >
> >
> > Yep, it was...I have a model of one sitting right on my desk here, it's
in a
> > beautiful Qantas livery. It just has a perfect "line" to it, looks good
> > from any angle...
> >
> > [I collect model airliners, amongst my other fascinating hobbies ;-) ]
> >
> > IIRC the Connie still holds the record for longest non - stop scheduled
> > flight ever. TWA flew an advanced version fitted with extra fuel tanks
on
> > their trans - polar LAX - LHR (London Heathrow) route, it was slightly
over
> > *24* hours in the air...all first class layout, natch, with sleeper
seats.
>
> Wow!

Hard to imagine...24 hours with those NOISY prop engines...

[cue up the Dimitri Tiomkin score to _The High And The Mighty_...]

In the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in DC (the one on The Mall), there is
a fuselage from an old Eastern DC - 7, you can walk through the passenger
cabin. Pretty small, I got claustrophobia just being in there, can't
imagine being in that tight of a fuselage for *24* hours.


> <snip>
>
> > [OTOH think what a great thing the first jets were for a place like
> > Australia, it put them a whole day or so closer to the world...]
>
> True.
>
> Valley Trivia: We have a flying Constellation based at Van Nuys, the burb
> just to the west of me here.


Is that the last one in the US still flying? I think a group bought it and
restored it. IIRC there is a similar Connie restoration project in
Australia...

Here's my new fave site at which to waste time, scans of airline timetables
from all over, and a number of complete timetables:

http://www.timetableimages.com/index.htm


Here's the Qantas page:

http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/qf.htm


There's a complete 1953 timetable, even with a Connie it took a few days to
reach Europe on the "Kangaroo Route", they had to overnight the passengers
at some stops. It's makes me tired just to read it...!!!


--
Best
Greg

"Dimitri" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Blinky the Shark" > wrote in message
> news
>> Dimitri wrote:
>>
>>> As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown quite
>>> a
>>> bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
>>> Constellation.
>>
>> The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Blinky
>
>
> I agree, I was looking the other day & realized the capacity was under 60
> people. I especially likes the half round cocktail & card game section in
> the tail of the plane.
>
> The only real problem was the Giant Blue flame covering the wing at
> take-off.
>
>
> --
> Old Scoundrel
>
> (AKA Dimitri)
>
Dimitri-
email me privately, I need the correct address. I have something you will
love about dealing with annoying seat mates.
-ginny

Gregory Morrow wrote:
>
> IIRC the Connie still holds the record for longest non - stop scheduled
> flight ever. TWA flew an advanced version fitted with extra fuel tanks on
> their trans - polar LAX - LHR (London Heathrow) route, it was slightly over
> *24* hours in the air...all first class layout, natch, with sleeper seats.

That's longest _duration_, not distance. The record,
which stands today, is 23 hours, 19 minutes from London
to San Francisco. The winds are against you in that
direction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockhee...lation#Records

From LAX to London the winds are with you. The record
for the Connie on that route is 18 hours, 32 minutes.

Gregory Morrow wrote:

>
> Blinky the Shark wrote:
>
>> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Blinky the Shark wrote:
>> >
>> >> Dimitri wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > As you might have imagined over my, well many years, I have flown
> quite
>> > a
>> >> > bit. I started flying at the ripe age of 7 about 1950 in the TWA
>> >> > Constellation.
>> >>
>> >> The Lockheed Consetllation remains the most beautiful airliner ever.
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > Yep, it was...I have a model of one sitting right on my desk here, it's
> in a
>> > beautiful Qantas livery. It just has a perfect "line" to it, looks good
>> > from any angle...
>> >
>> > [I collect model airliners, amongst my other fascinating hobbies ;-) ]
>> >
>> > IIRC the Connie still holds the record for longest non - stop scheduled
>> > flight ever. TWA flew an advanced version fitted with extra fuel tanks
> on
>> > their trans - polar LAX - LHR (London Heathrow) route, it was slightly
> over
>> > *24* hours in the air...all first class layout, natch, with sleeper
> seats.
>>
>> Wow!
>
> Hard to imagine...24 hours with those NOISY prop engines...
>
> [cue up the Dimitri Tiomkin score to _The High And The Mighty_...]
>
> In the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in DC (the one on The Mall), there is
> a fuselage from an old Eastern DC - 7, you can walk through the passenger
> cabin. Pretty small, I got claustrophobia just being in there, can't
> imagine being in that tight of a fuselage for *24* hours.

My first airliner flight was in a DC3.

This line, and probably about this year:

http://www.timetableimages.com/i-mn/nc541201.jpg

>> <snip>
>>
>> > [OTOH think what a great thing the first jets were for a place like
>> > Australia, it put them a whole day or so closer to the world...]
>>
>> True.
>>
>> Valley Trivia: We have a flying Constellation based at Van Nuys, the
>> burb just to the west of me here.
>
>
> Is that the last one in the US still flying? I think a group bought it
> and

I think there may be another one, but don't quote me on that.

> restored it. IIRC there is a similar Connie restoration project in

Yes, it is a restored bird, not a beater.

> Australia...
>
> Here's my new fave site at which to waste time, scans of airline timetables
> from all over, and a number of complete timetables:
>
> http://www.timetableimages.com/index.htm
>
>
> Here's the Qantas page:
>
> http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/qf.htm

I note the Connie on the 1954 cover and the 707 on '63.

> There's a complete 1953 timetable, even with a Connie it took a few days to
> reach Europe on the "Kangaroo Route", they had to overnight the passengers
> at some stops. It's makes me tired just to read it...!!!




--
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Killing all posts from Google Groups
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Mark Thorson wrote:

> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>>
>> IIRC the Connie still holds the record for longest non - stop scheduled
>> flight ever. TWA flew an advanced version fitted with extra fuel tanks on
>> their trans - polar LAX - LHR (London Heathrow) route, it was slightly over
>> *24* hours in the air...all first class layout, natch, with sleeper seats.
>
> That's longest _duration_, not distance. The record,
> which stands today, is 23 hours, 19 minutes from London
> to San Francisco. The winds are against you in that
> direction.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockhee...lation#Records
>
> From LAX to London the winds are with you. The record
> for the Connie on that route is 18 hours, 32 minutes.

What a difference a jet stream makes. Or were those non-JS winds?


--
Blinky
Killing all posts from Google Groups
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Blinky the Shark wrote:
>
> Mark Thorson wrote:
>
> > From LAX to London the winds are with you. The record
> > for the Connie on that route is 18 hours, 32 minutes.
>
> What a difference a jet stream makes. Or were those non-JS winds?

Since it was a record, I think it's safe to assume
that at least some time was spent in the jet stream.
Of course, the jet stream doesn't always go where
you want it to go, but airlines do use it to save
time and fuel when they can.

However, the winds in general blow from west to east,
even when you're not in the jet stream.

On Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:22:02 -0700, Mark Thorson >
wrote:

>Blinky the Shark wrote:
>>
>> Mark Thorson wrote:
>>
>> > From LAX to London the winds are with you. The record
>> > for the Connie on that route is 18 hours, 32 minutes.
>>
>> What a difference a jet stream makes. Or were those non-JS winds?
>
>Since it was a record, I think it's safe to assume
>that at least some time was spent in the jet stream.
>Of course, the jet stream doesn't always go where
>you want it to go, but airlines do use it to save
>time and fuel when they can.
>
>However, the winds in general blow from west to east,
>even when you're not in the jet stream.

FYI it usually takes about a half hour (5.5 hours) longer to come to
HI from CA than to return- just approximately. Don't bet the fuel on
me though.

aloha,
beans
roast beans to kona to email
farmers of Pure Kona

Mark Thorson wrote:

> Blinky the Shark wrote:
>>
>> Mark Thorson wrote:
>>
>> > From LAX to London the winds are with you. The record
>> > for the Connie on that route is 18 hours, 32 minutes.
>>
>> What a difference a jet stream makes. Or were those non-JS winds?
>
> Since it was a record, I think it's safe to assume
> that at least some time was spent in the jet stream.
> Of course, the jet stream doesn't always go where
> you want it to go, but airlines do use it to save
> time and fuel when they can.
>
> However, the winds in general blow from west to east,
> even when you're not in the jet stream.

That depends on your latitude.


--
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