Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)
Hola amigos!!! I returned from my cruise of the Mexican Riviera (I think
'riviera' in Spanish means poverty). It was a fabulous trip and the reason
I have taken so long to return to this very wonderful group, is because of
an accident I had while in Mexico which really hurt my back. While taking a
'jungle tour' in Puerto Vallarta, all the participants proceeded into the
jungle, which was pretty dusty and dried up. While trudging along this
miserable, winding trail, I noticed what looked like a snake in my path. I
immediately got scared out of my wits and turned to go the other way, when
the old back said "No, I want to continue going the way we were going".
Subsequently, my back got twisted to the point it has not forgiven me to
this day and I am spending most of my time not moving. I was later told the
snake was an irrigation hose and was perfectly harmless to gringos.
However, enough about Mexico. This is a flying group and I expect you'll
want to know about my flight in an Air Canada A321 Airbus, and if you don't
want to know, skip the following:
I will use the 'I have learned....' format because I did learn a great deal.
I have learned that when you pick your seats on the internet before the
flight, they will not necessarily be the ones you get. I picked a window
seat between the wing and the tail and got one right over the wing. This
meant I couldn't see the ground, and I really wanted to spit. Since the
plane was full, I couldn't switch seats.
I have learned the A321 is a very functional, homely-looking aircraft and
the drab Air Canada livery and bland interior did nothing to excite me.
However, the plane goes like a bat outta hell when it wants to.
I have learned that Air Canada pilots fly the Airbus like it's on an
aircraft carrier.....when taking off, they throttle up until the bird is
shaking, release the brakes and become airborne before I can spell barf.
Geez, the pilot has over 3 miles of runway and had to get the bird off in
1.5 miles. When landing, they only use the first 1/3 of the runway with
full thrust reversers and brakes. I began to wonder if they pay the airport
by the yard of runway they use.
I have learned that sitting over the wing in an A321 bucking a headwind is
like sitting in the cab of a Mack truck stuck in 3rd gear for 4 hours. The
noise from the No. 2 engine was awesome.
I have learned that Dallas/Forth Worth airport is soooooo big, it looks like
it takes up half of Texas, even from 32,000 feet. I recognized it right way
because of all the go-arounds I've done on FS9, so many I know where every
restroom is.
I have learned the American Rocky Mountains are so awesome, I actually put
down my Big Boobies magazine to look at them.
I have learned that the A321 can fly sooooo slow on final approach to LAX
(Los Angeles Airport for the unknowing), that we were passed by a family of
vultures which thought we were 'dead bird flying'. Seems that throttling
into LAX is an art, which I know all about from FS9 where it's a lot easier
because we can fly through aircraft in front of us. Unfortunately, that's
still not possible IRL.
I have learned that arriving at LAX 15 minutes early can make a captain feel
really good, until he has to wait on the taxiway for 15 minutes for his gate
to clear. Clearing a gate area at LAX is like flushing a toilet.....three
planes will push back almost at the same time and parade out like ducks
following their mother. At LAX, is like an ant hill with aircraft moving
around everywhere all the time. Kinda scary.
I have learned that LAX is the kind of place you would like to visit for a
few minutes and then get the hell outta there. It's a madhouse of people
and traffic.
On the return trip, I learned that flying with a tailwind might make the
company happy because of the fuel savings, but it was one bumpy ride until
we got to FL370.
I have learned that one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen was a
full moon above a brilliant sunset. I doubt if I will ever see that again,
and what really bugs me, is that I couldn't reach my camera in time to
capture it.
I have learned that we began our descent 250 miles west of Toronto over
Detroit, and did a straight in. My ears were killing me but I was very
distracted by the fact I couldn't see a thing out the window until we were
about 250 feet above the runway. except a brilliant landing light shining on
No. 2. It was raining so hard, the pilot used full thrust reversers and
then slammed on the brakes when it was safe to do so, and when I say
slammed, that's what it felt like. If I hadn't had such a sore back, I
would have really smooched with the ground at that point.
All in all, a very wonderful and educational experience and I'm glad I'm
back here safe and sound with FS9, where crashing is still optional. : )
Arthur
PS: Dallas....thanks for the birthday wishes : )
Hola amigos!!! I returned from my cruise of the Mexican Riviera (I think
'riviera' in Spanish means poverty). It was a fabulous trip and the reason
I have taken so long to return to this very wonderful group, is because of
an accident I had while in Mexico which really hurt my back. While taking a
'jungle tour' in Puerto Vallarta, all the participants proceeded into the
jungle, which was pretty dusty and dried up. While trudging along this
miserable, winding trail, I noticed what looked like a snake in my path. I
immediately got scared out of my wits and turned to go the other way, when
the old back said "No, I want to continue going the way we were going".
Subsequently, my back got twisted to the point it has not forgiven me to
this day and I am spending most of my time not moving. I was later told the
snake was an irrigation hose and was perfectly harmless to gringos.
However, enough about Mexico. This is a flying group and I expect you'll
want to know about my flight in an Air Canada A321 Airbus, and if you don't
want to know, skip the following:
I will use the 'I have learned....' format because I did learn a great deal.
I have learned that when you pick your seats on the internet before the
flight, they will not necessarily be the ones you get. I picked a window
seat between the wing and the tail and got one right over the wing. This
meant I couldn't see the ground, and I really wanted to spit. Since the
plane was full, I couldn't switch seats.
I have learned the A321 is a very functional, homely-looking aircraft and
the drab Air Canada livery and bland interior did nothing to excite me.
However, the plane goes like a bat outta hell when it wants to.
I have learned that Air Canada pilots fly the Airbus like it's on an
aircraft carrier.....when taking off, they throttle up until the bird is
shaking, release the brakes and become airborne before I can spell barf.
Geez, the pilot has over 3 miles of runway and had to get the bird off in
1.5 miles. When landing, they only use the first 1/3 of the runway with
full thrust reversers and brakes. I began to wonder if they pay the airport
by the yard of runway they use.
I have learned that sitting over the wing in an A321 bucking a headwind is
like sitting in the cab of a Mack truck stuck in 3rd gear for 4 hours. The
noise from the No. 2 engine was awesome.
I have learned that Dallas/Forth Worth airport is soooooo big, it looks like
it takes up half of Texas, even from 32,000 feet. I recognized it right way
because of all the go-arounds I've done on FS9, so many I know where every
restroom is.
I have learned the American Rocky Mountains are so awesome, I actually put
down my Big Boobies magazine to look at them.
I have learned that the A321 can fly sooooo slow on final approach to LAX
(Los Angeles Airport for the unknowing), that we were passed by a family of
vultures which thought we were 'dead bird flying'. Seems that throttling
into LAX is an art, which I know all about from FS9 where it's a lot easier
because we can fly through aircraft in front of us. Unfortunately, that's
still not possible IRL.
I have learned that arriving at LAX 15 minutes early can make a captain feel
really good, until he has to wait on the taxiway for 15 minutes for his gate
to clear. Clearing a gate area at LAX is like flushing a toilet.....three
planes will push back almost at the same time and parade out like ducks
following their mother. At LAX, is like an ant hill with aircraft moving
around everywhere all the time. Kinda scary.
I have learned that LAX is the kind of place you would like to visit for a
few minutes and then get the hell outta there. It's a madhouse of people
and traffic.
On the return trip, I learned that flying with a tailwind might make the
company happy because of the fuel savings, but it was one bumpy ride until
we got to FL370.
I have learned that one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen was a
full moon above a brilliant sunset. I doubt if I will ever see that again,
and what really bugs me, is that I couldn't reach my camera in time to
capture it.
I have learned that we began our descent 250 miles west of Toronto over
Detroit, and did a straight in. My ears were killing me but I was very
distracted by the fact I couldn't see a thing out the window until we were
about 250 feet above the runway. except a brilliant landing light shining on
No. 2. It was raining so hard, the pilot used full thrust reversers and
then slammed on the brakes when it was safe to do so, and when I say
slammed, that's what it felt like. If I hadn't had such a sore back, I
would have really smooched with the ground at that point.
All in all, a very wonderful and educational experience and I'm glad I'm
back here safe and sound with FS9, where crashing is still optional. : )
Arthur
PS: Dallas....thanks for the birthday wishes : )
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