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ameya · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:21 pm Post subject: G8241 from BLR to PNQ

Flight Details –

G8241 1234567 180320 BLR1640 1755PNQ

After spending a rain soaked evening in BLR, we got up the next day only to realize that its cloudy again. None the less a quick trip was made to Forum in Koramanagala. I had already spoken to one of the shops there – Model Art to check which latest scale model was available and they had the A350-900 with them for close to 1000 bucks. Forum was full and chaotic as ever, and I prefer this mall over Garuda many a times, if I have to kill time. Forum now has a simulator for Boeing and MiG on the top most floor and it was priced at some 2500 for half an hour or so. The same place also had 1:200 scale models of AI and some others, but were pretty expensive – over 3000 bucks.

Back to hotel, we packed and decided to check out, head out for a walk on Brigade road and then call the cab. Brigade road was being prepared for the new years eve with a lot of police force busy in erecting control towers. We changed our plan, called the meru and decided to head to the airport. I have never complained going early to the airport. We set out from MG Road around 1240 and reached airport around 1330, with the driver beating all signals.

Quickly checked if the flight was on Time, it was. The G8 staff said that the counter would open only at 1440 for the 1640 flight. SO we managed to find a place near the arrivals end. The food options outside, included Chinese, kathi roll, tea/coffee, subway and some sandwiches. To kill time we ordered some noodles combo and had coffee, by which it was 1420. SO we decided to go on. As soon as we cleared the CISF checking at the gate, a CISF lady constable came in front and asked us to put our bags in the scanner for some random checking, which I later observed was being done to a lot of people.
The check-in was smooth, boarding passes were quickly printed and we headed upstairs for security.

I have always hated security at BLR and the trend continues. Nowhere, do they ask you to keep your wallet inside the bags. Despite the fact that there was no baggage around going for screening, one CISF chap was yelling on people to keep the luggage only when he calls them one by one. As my turn came, they made me open the bag, as expected, saying there is some metal pen inside. I promptly showed the scale model and requested them to send the model inside again. Meanwhile, yelling on people continued. The ladies line was longer than the men and taking a lot more time per lady as well.

None the less, we were in the security hold area where we ordered food from Tastes of India and had a good meal. Few things have improved, like now there are more charging points along, unlike before where there hardly was a charging point for laptop and nothing for the mobile apart from few mobile charging towers kept along. However, the terminal design and management continues to be in mess, more than one gate sharing a single staircase. People coming out from the aero bridge and having to walk down and not having escalator.
Time went by quickly, noticed INdiGo flight from Goa being cancelled and its departure to Goa as well. Looks like it inadvertently came on FIDS a few days before it was to be launched.
I had always been a little worried about the G8 flight being on time because this is what its rotation is

Nimish · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 2:21 pm Post subject:

Hmm - you were probably on the same flight as Rohit (Aeroblogger) and his dad - we'd gone spotting on Sunday late morning with them, and they were due to take a 4 or 5 pm G8 flight to PNQ!

I noticed you took the Vayu Vajra on arrival at BLR, but a cab on the return sector? Any particular reason? Offtopic: but what I do myself and suggest to folks is to take an auto until Mekhri Circle (should be about 6 km from MG road => 66 Rupees), and there's a Vayu Vajra from there till the airport every few minutes (as it's the meeting point for a lot of the buses headed to the airport)... No waiting involved, and you're traveling in the right direction.
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We miss you Nalini!

Nimish · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 2:23 pm Post subject:

Oh and before I forget - I love the food court area outside the airport, especially the Haati Kaapi - delicious stuff!

At night you'll see a steady stream of students on bikes coming to the food court area for a "long drive + late dinner" joy ride.
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We miss you Nalini!

ameya · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 12:05 pm Post subject:

Nimish - you are right about the mekri circle rick + Vayu Vajra stuff. Have tried this multiple times before when I was in for work.

But its simpler to call a cab when you have some luggage and wife along. The Vayu Vajra website is not friendly enough to tell which stop you should be at to go to airport - it gives vague details, unless I have missed something.

I also recommend taking rick to mekhri circle since all the routes coverge there before proceeding to the airport.

As for Rohit, I suppose, he was seated on 13F, with his dad on 13E. Because there was a chap clicking pics, of the Inflight magazine and the safety card.
I had full plans of asking the person if he is part of any group, but they were quick enough to disembark. Infact they checked in just ahead of us in BLR

Interesting, I wish he had also updated his next flight on the respective topic Smile

ameya · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2013 12:50 pm Post subject:

VT-WAN multiple color by ameyajoshi, on Flickr

Dual color engine

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

This engine picture is interesting! The same number of characters on either side of the `thin dividing line'.

ameya · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2013 12:03 pm Post subject:

The back side of the cowl is from VT_WAJ which is a sky blue colored plane

TKMCE · Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 957

Ameya

All the Vaju Vajra routes do not converge at Mekhri Circle, they converge at Hebbal (there is a Vayu Vajra route to Electornic City which takes the ORR from Hebbal). The stop for Vayu Vajra towards airport is opposite Esteem Mall.

But that said, Mekhri Circle stop is better if you are catching the bus outside daylight hours as the Hebbal stop is poorly illuminated at night. From Mekhri Circle you will get Autos (at fancy prices) even at very late hours but not so in Hebbal.

Also last time I was there many of the Airport volvos towards the IT areas like HSR layout, Kadugodi etc have lots of city travellers getting in from Hebbal onwards (BMTC allows this to/from Hebbal) during the morning office hours. Be aware of this and keep an eye on your bags as bag lifting do occur in Volvos and these particular departures do get crowded. I believe the airport coaches in HYD do not allow local pax.

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

You were early hehehehe.
Same here, I never liked the security at BLR. It's not so much the CISFs attitude but IMO the airports fault with the setup of the xray machines/lines etc. With a little thinking and reorganizing they could make the process much smoother.
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eP007