Baby's first...flight
With the alarms set for oh my god o'clock on Saturday morning, how did Junior take to the rude awkening and the first time at 37,000 feet?
Friday night. An "early" night ended up nearly 10pm, after setting the alarms:
- Alarm 1 on my alarm, for 03:30
- Alarm 2 on my alarm, for 03:35, just in case I hit the off button instead of snooze or get up
- The TV to come on circa 03:30
- The iPod alarm to go off at 03:30
All was quiet in the deep dark wood. We live surrounded by them. Mummy and Daddy saw the bed and the bed looked good. Unfortunately it wasn't going to be, we had to leave around 4ish. Not a Gruffalo in sight, but something far more scary - the tiny one we had to wake up. There we were, two grown adults, both scared stiff at the prospect of opening the bedroom door at that time in the morning. 03:50... here we go...
Not a whine, not a cry, nothing. Just over the shoulder, straight into the car, wrapped up and belted up. Front door locked, and off down the road. We got a good running commentary for most of the drive in, with only a short snooze. Oh, we'll pay for this later then, probably in security.
Right, the bus. Oh, we're excited about the bus from the car park to the airport. "Thank you man" as we get off. All this chat and it's only just gone 5am. Well, security wasn't the hell hole it can be, but still very busy. At that time on a Saturday morning with next to no business travel I was surprised at just how busy it was. So while we sat staring at the screens I guessed at them having to get someone through security every 6 seconds to get the planes out that were scheduled. Not bad going really.
And there it is, at Gate 3, the Orange plane. Obviously been there a while and possibly on the first flight of the day, given it was all dark and there very early. Unlike the 25 minute turnaround at Luton and arriving back home.... And now we're getting excited. "Want to go on plane". Just as well. Which one? "Purple one". Whizz air isn't going to Luton, son, we're stuck with the orange one. "Hmm, orange plane". Yes, that's right.
No sign of Stelios...And right after the speedy boarders we get on, finding a row right behind the wing with a good view of the flaps. And a view of the sidewall, that row in front has a better window position, so switched before group B got on.
Pushback came at the right time, avoiding the impending boredom tantrum. As did the engines revving up...
V1.... "fast"
Rotate... Here we go, son...
V2... "plane in the sky"
And were off, next stop, Lorraine Chase's territory.
