Thursday starts with my very own personalized "The Terminal" experience. Advancing a paraglider laden cart through a patrol circuit of domestic, international and US departures.
For 8 hours.
The only thing breaking the monotony - a visit to the bag wrapping store. Ten dollars for peace of mind that I won't need to dry a soaked through reserve from a passing storm as baggage is loaded or face a broken shoulder strap that became jammed in a conveyer. Small price to pay and a welcome distraction from the to and fro.
1530 hrs creeps into view.
My imaginary gatekeeper, forcing this circuit, relents. Wasting no time, I check my Saran Wrap'd wing and bee line for security.
On the other side, near Gate 64, awaits the first part of a self-gifted 40th b-day present.
Yes ladies and gents, this year we fly in style.
Once inside, we find:
A well stocked open bar.
Choice of wine and coffee.
And seating aplenty.
To top this all off, I even happen to chance upon a former colleague with whom I had worked on EAs Need For Speed franchise many a moon before.
8PM rolls around and its time to make our way to the gate. The steerage is growing restless, jockeying for position in some vain hope they might get on ahead of the person next to them.
Ushered onboard ahead of the stampede, I climb the stairs of the 747-400 to the upper deck and look for my seat - the much coveted 64A. 64A is a lie flat pod that is blessed with a unique location that effectively seals if off from the remainder of the cabin. No one walking past or over.
No departure is complete without the traditional glass of champagne.
This evening the upper deck is an oasis of tranquility in comparison to the cacophony of screaming babies and banshee snorers located below.
Take off is non eventful, though it is quite noticeable how much slower the Queen of the Skies is in relation to newer, more powerful offerings. It does not take long before menus are handed out and dinner orders are taken.
Selected are:
First Course:
Roasted Pear with baby lettuce, spiced pecans, and crumbled goats cheese.
Fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette.
Main Course:
Chilled main course salad of grilled chicken supreme with cranberry, apricot, and wheatberry.
I forego desert, reconfigure the seat into a bed, and call it a night.
Tomorrow - Heathrow.
For 8 hours.
The only thing breaking the monotony - a visit to the bag wrapping store. Ten dollars for peace of mind that I won't need to dry a soaked through reserve from a passing storm as baggage is loaded or face a broken shoulder strap that became jammed in a conveyer. Small price to pay and a welcome distraction from the to and fro.
1530 hrs creeps into view.
My imaginary gatekeeper, forcing this circuit, relents. Wasting no time, I check my Saran Wrap'd wing and bee line for security.
On the other side, near Gate 64, awaits the first part of a self-gifted 40th b-day present.
Yes ladies and gents, this year we fly in style.
Once inside, we find:
A well stocked open bar.
Choice of wine and coffee.
To top this all off, I even happen to chance upon a former colleague with whom I had worked on EAs Need For Speed franchise many a moon before.
8PM rolls around and its time to make our way to the gate. The steerage is growing restless, jockeying for position in some vain hope they might get on ahead of the person next to them.
Ushered onboard ahead of the stampede, I climb the stairs of the 747-400 to the upper deck and look for my seat - the much coveted 64A. 64A is a lie flat pod that is blessed with a unique location that effectively seals if off from the remainder of the cabin. No one walking past or over.
No departure is complete without the traditional glass of champagne.
This evening the upper deck is an oasis of tranquility in comparison to the cacophony of screaming babies and banshee snorers located below.
Take off is non eventful, though it is quite noticeable how much slower the Queen of the Skies is in relation to newer, more powerful offerings. It does not take long before menus are handed out and dinner orders are taken.
Selected are:
First Course:
Roasted Pear with baby lettuce, spiced pecans, and crumbled goats cheese.
Fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette.
Main Course:
Chilled main course salad of grilled chicken supreme with cranberry, apricot, and wheatberry.
I forego desert, reconfigure the seat into a bed, and call it a night.
Tomorrow - Heathrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment