V-Flyer

Reg: G-WOWE
Type: Bombardier Dash 8-300
STD: 1955hrs / ATD: 2015hrs
STA: 2105hrs / ATA: 2110hrs

I awoke from my alcohol-induced coma around lunchtime on Sunday - me & my best mate Jamie decided that the pub looked favourite for the afternoon: football on the telly, greasy food on the menu, and some recovery drinks.....Well ok, ok, Coca-Cola - since both of us had to drive (me from BRS back home, him to the airport to drop me off). So, we spent most of the afternoon zombie-like in the pub, glazed eyes focused on Man U v Charlton, playing pool & bumping into an old mate that I hadn't seen for a few years. Highly enjoyable lazy afternoon - though in due consideration, it's probably worth the 120 for the taxi so that I don't have to face the embarassment of non-alcoholic drinks again [;)]

Come round to 1730hrs and we decided it was time to set off for the airport (we have to allow a fair bit of time as Jamie has a wonderous sense of direction....NOT [:D]). Just as we got in the car, the skies decided to open up and a fair old rainstorm was deposited on the glorious hillsides of Eldwick as we headed off to LBA. That & the black clouds did not bode well for a smooth flight home....

At around 1815hrs, we arrived at LBA, and the weather had cleared up a bit. Got to check-in, but there was no sign of an agent - until around 1830hrs, when the ServisAir folks turned up. It was all very efficient, I secured extra legroom in seat 2A, being the 1st to check-in [:D]. Didn't attempt to get my bag on as carry-on this time, as I knew it didn't have a chance of fitting in the overhead. Boarding card in hand, I wandered off to have the very normal security check - jacket (complete with curry stains) off, keys & mobile in jacket pocket, able to keep cash & wallet in jeans pocket...sensibility itself [y] NB the outbound security check at BRS was the same, I neglected to mention that (now corrected) [:I]

Onwards through the Duty Free shop and the veritable cloud of overzealous perfume (*cough*) to the Departure Lounge. Saw there was no gate assignment as yet, so went into the cafe to pick up a BLT sandwich & a medium Coke (5.08 [:0]) - settled down to read my paper with a view of the apron. After that, I went in search of the smoking area. I found that LBA has now changed its smoking area to be a tiny room in the upstairs section - there's literally 4 table/ashtrays in there and a fruit machine (no sign of a departures board in it either) [n] Still, a few smokes later, and a few quid taken out of the bandit, and I wandered around outside for a little while. Departures board was now ominously saying 'Delayed' next to the flight - no sign or announcement of how long the delay was though [n]

Went back into the smoking room and took another few shades of capacity off my lungs - by now I was thoroughly bored and just eager for boarding to be announced. At around 1930hrs, 'Delayed' changed to 'Wait at Gate 7' - hoorah, it's getting closer! As there was a complete lack of anything else to do, I wandered off to Gate 7 to be bored there for a little while. LBA/ServisAir were obviously aware that everyone waiting for the flight was bored, since they decided this was part of an elaborate game.....at about 1945hrs, when everyone was nicely gathered at Gate 7, they announced that the boarding would take place from Gate 2 - right across the other side of the building & downstairs [n] Well, at least it was something to do...[ii]

Off we trudged to Gate 2, where there was a very short walk across the tarmac to the plane. Boarding was again swift & efficient, only around 27 people on the return, and we were doors closed & ready to push back & start engines at around 2010hrs. There was no passenger in 2B, so I had 2 seats to myself [y] Engines fired up and the familiar drone of the props filled the air - though this was a little quieter as I was sat in front of the engines this time. Short taxi and take off roll (barely any pause for clearance) and we were wheels up on the Westerly departure. As we rose through the dark clouds, there was a few small bumps, but not a great deal of turbulence - about 10 mins in, the seatbelt sign was turned off. So the iPod came out and I promptly fell asleep again - next thing I knew was the announcement & seatbelt sign being turned on for the descent into BRS!

As it was a dusk/late evening arrival, during the descent the cabin lights were completely turned off as normal. Smooth descent & landing just 5 minutes late [y] Bags took 15mins to get to the baggage belt, and then we found that BRS had moved the car park payment machines - LOL - they'd been moved outside for some reason. Anyhoo, I was straight onto the shuttle bus, and with no other pax on board, it was my own private bus to the car parl [y] Car was all in one piece, started first time (always a plus), and a very uneventful 1hr journey back to Swindon followed....

In summary, Air SouthWest do a decent job for the price - a completely reasonable flying experience with them again. Maybe I'll try getting back home more often next season, it was an excellent weekend [:)]

Cheers

Michael