Firstly Happy New Year to everyone. So the first trip of the year down to Birmingham (BHX) to catch the Etihad Cargo Boeing 777F that was operating into Birmingham today.
I didn't need this Aircraft as i saw it at Amsterdam last year, but with these visits being rare at Birmingham off I went. With the threat of snow all day and being bitterly cold I arrived at a packed Multi-storey car park.
The usual suspects where parked up with a Enter Air Boeing 737-800 parked up on the remote 70's stands and in front of me on the Elmdon Apron was National Boeing 747-400F N537CA. This would be later towed over to the terminal side to make way for the later freight arrivals, being a Maersk Air Boeing 767-300F and on its first visit to Birmingham Silkways Boeing 777F VP-BMU.
The nice thing about the Etihad freighter for me was that it was still wearing the old livery of the Airline.
Click Below to see the Airport Action Whilst I was there. Hope you enjoy!!!
Love it when the new operator decides to leave the aircraft in its former operators livery. Even more so when it something as exotic as the OHANA by Hawaiian
My anual day trip to Dublin Ireland started being picked up from my house around 2:30am for my 8:30 flight. I know this may seen a little extreme but the airport once again was getting alot of bad press about its queing system for departures.
So after a little over 40 min drive I arrived at Birmingham Airport being dropped off at car park 5. This is about a five minute walk to the terminals. I wasnt expecting to be in a large queue having only travelled a few weeks earlier and found going through the jet2 departures was a breeze. But how WRONG was I!!!!!
Since last traveling the jet2 departure entrance has been closed and you are directed down towards the main checking area, and you guessed it, join the queue. Now also on the last visit our taxi driver told you we could use the monorail train from Birmingham International Train Station and join the wait for security there but again your now directed down the stairs and join the queue in the main check in area.
So after and hour and half I made it through leaving me around three and half hours before boarding started. At least all the queues would be behind me surely. WRONG again. This time I think half of the West Midlands have had the same idea as myself and descended on the weatherspoons pub. After 45 mins of walking around looking for a table, a lovely couple took pitty on me and allowed me to join them.
Nothing of real note logged at Birmingham today. The aircraft taking me over to Dublin would be EI-DPV. The flight was smooth and some lovely views of the North Wales coast where seen even though the Birmingham weather was grey
After arriving at Terminal 2 getting through passport control I started my walk round to the famous mound on the southern side of the airport. With no shops anywhere near the mound i made a quick stop at the Spar shop located in the arrivals area landside in Terminal 1. After about roughly twenty minutes I arrived at the mound and spent the rest of the day there until it was time to head home.
I havent done any logs as most of the flight timetable was the same as last year. A few new additions and new airlines seen for the first time included Dan Air of Romania A320, Hi Sky Airbus A321Neo.
Around 17:00 I decided to head back round to the terminal building to grab a bite to eat before heading past security. So I found Burger king on the First floor of terminal one. i was surprised to see them serving larger and the national drink Guinnes there.
So Went through security and this is where my day turned for the worse. I had around three and a half hours to waste before boarding started so i grabbed a few drinks and then found myself hungry again so I ordered a burger from the airside Burger King only to have to wait nearly 45 Mins for my food. Lots of passengers asking for refunds or even just leaving to be able to catch their flights.
So My gate was called and i headed off. Walking past Ryanair Customer Service a couple where finger point and voices where raised and later then airport Police where call escorting the passengers away. Under my breath I was thinking I've never had any problems at all with Ryanair, 45 mins that would be a different story with the same member of staff!
I have always used the same rucsack on all my flights to carry my camera equipment, it easily fits under the seat in front i have never been questioned about it before. I was asked by the check in staff member to put my bag in the rack , i admit it was tight but arriving 14 hours earlier i had no problems. She told me that it needs go go in the hold, I tried explaining that it was expensive camera equipment and that i was allowed on other Ryanair flights with the bag beneath the seat in front. She grabbed my boarding card and told me that I pay 50 Euros or i dont fly.
When I asked her why this hasn't been problems for the other flights her reply was "They're not doing their job properly!" I very rereluctantly paid. The attitude of the Ryanair staff was very poor no wonder that coulpe got the police called if thats the way the company speak to their paying customers.
A few days later Ryanair emailed myself asking about the quality about the service. I gave the poorest review possible and in the notes asked for someone to contact me. But nearly a month later no one has.
Well done Ryanair First Class service once again!!!
