Dear members of this fantastic group, With this post Id like to tell you guys more about the emotional factor of the KLM MD-11 trip to YUL (Montréal) I made last weekend, because to me it was way more than just flying to a distant destination and a 24 hour blocktime downtown in a very nice hotel, before to fly back home again. It was unique opportunity to experience a small bit of crewlife, and of course a journey with the mighty and gorgeous McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Audrey Hepburn (PH-KCE). One of the last operational full-pax MD-11s in the world, and operated by KLM. But there is more. As maybe many of you know by now, I have never flown in a commercial jetliner before. Hard to believe I suppose, regarding my passion for aviation, but its really true. You can imagine how excited I was! After checking a dozen times my little not-to-forget-list I was ready to go. Objective #1: pick up Machteld, the initiator of this fantastic adventure. Of course I departed home way too early so i had enough time left to stop at the carpool, just to shake down my nervosity. I didnt want to appear all jumpy and insecureat her door. :-P After loading her stuff into the car we went to the airport. In her presence I felt a little more relaxed, as she is a very experience crewmember of KLM, and knows how to comfort people in an obvious natural way. The cockpit- and cabincrew, they were all so great and gave me a feeling of acceptance in their group, and it meant a lot to me. Cpt. Edwin and F/O Robert tought me well about the cockpit and characteristics of the MD-11. After a wonderful flight it was time to head for Immigration. This young lady asked me why I only came to stay for one day in Canada, so I replied in my most innocent way: Im sorry but I am here with the KLM crew and they leave tomorrow again, but I promise next time I stay longer.. She smiled, put a stamp in my passport and wished me a good time. I went downstairs and waited there for the crew to appear, as they instructed me to stay put. Within a few minutes we joined again and started walking to the exit. Suddenly I saw something familiair. Was my brain messing with me? No it wasnt! There actually was a delegation of YUL/DAPG spotters there holding a huge banner with the DAPG and 55e logo on it, and a welcome-text Bienvenue à YUL Andres!. What the ....? How is this possible? I couldnt believe what I was seeing here, but quickly I started to recognize the faces of these great people. After greeting and thanking them for coming to meet me something else strange happened. Machteld started to hand out packs of stroopwafels to them... Aha, it was a conspiracy all along! I didnt have any clue! You thought you were going to the hotel, but youre wrong: were going to do some spotting right here, right now! she said with this huge smile on her face. Before I actually processed what was happening here I was sitting in a car to one of YULs spottinglocations where even more people were waiting for us, even with stepladders for us to use and something to eat and drink, too. We stayed there until after our beloved Audrey made here way into the Canadian sky again, and we were brought to the hotel. The entire crew also knew about this, I couldnt believe it! Too bad Saturday the weather didnt cooporate, it kept raining and raining. So we did some strawling through downtown Montréal and shop for souvenirs, and then it was already time to go home again. I cant wait to return to YUL after such a magical weekend! From my heart I want to thank all of you who were there, along the runway, on airside (the little guy with the big heart in the C14 van), in the tower, the cockpit- and cabincrew, at the computer following us on FR24 and FB, and of course the great people of 55e Ave. YUL!
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:12:48 +0000
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