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binaiks · Member Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 162 Location: VOBL/VOCI

A quick report about my first ride on the DASH8 (Q400) from IXE to BLR (SpiceJet 1032).

The journey was on June 29, 2015.

This was a trip planned at short notice (The trip was known in advance, but this particular booking was made at short notice). Selecting the SG flight was an obvious choice since I've never flown on the Dash-8 earlier. Check-in was performed online - since SpiceJet charges for seat selection now (irrespective of type of seat), I did an OLCI and selected the seat. I couldn't take a printout, and hence collected the boarding pass from the Airport Check-in counter.

The aircraft came in around 1635, while boarding commenced at 1642. The aircraft was VT-SUE ('Elaichi'). Passengers were bus'd to the airport. My first impression on boarding the airport was that the aircraft was quite congested - the corridor at entry was narrow and felt very claustrophobic. The gangway was quite narrow as well. My seat (#11A) was a "windowless window seat". Boarding was completed at 1658 and doors armed at 1703. The aircraft powered out of the parking bay, did a "u-turn" and headed towards the runway. We had to hold short of the taxiway since VT-AXZ was inbound. We then taxi'd to the runway, and had a rolling takeoff, and were airborne by 1716 from Rwy06.

There was some turbulence post takeoff, and seatbelt signs remained on for most of the time. A full buy-on-board service was done. I had prebooked a sandwich (they offer only Sandwiches for pre-booking). My sandwich was served quite soon - and a serving of water was given when the trolley came to my row.

The attendant checked my date-of-birth while serving water, and later came around with a birthday greeting - a really personalised approach, I must say.

The flight was largely eventless - except for around 10 minutes of holding over Bangalore due to "air traffic congestion". We landed at 1810hrs, and parked at the stand by 1816hrs. I was out of the airport by 1830hrs.

The coleslaw sandwich had very soft bread, and a wholesome filling. The service was outstanding - with the attendants (Jyothi & Akani) really attending every single passenger individually, and ensuring everyone had a smile when they got off the aircraft.

This particular trip is one of my favorites - I had really built an impression about SpiceJet. (But a later flight my parents took on SpiceJet, on a different sector, made me lose that impression).

A detailed report can be read on my blog, Platform7.[/img]
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Regards,
Binai

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

First, a big thank you, Binai.
I cannot remember a trip report which brought back a gush of memories.
You wrote out a precis for me!
As a kid, I used to love reading the Readers Digest Condensed books.
Later on, when I got access to the actual books themselves, I would sit back and marvel at the abridgement. On seeing an article in its entirity, if suddenly asked to get it in a smaller number of words, what would you do, even if it was your article? I remember our English teacher saying so. And also mentioning that it may be harder for the author himself or herself, since the writer would be possessive about the content, given the effort which had gone into it. And you have managed to churn out an absolute marvel. I read the abridged version, and then read the original. Lather, rinse, repeat.
And I marvelled at the work of art.
You are an extremely talented writer, Sir.

You have a beautiful sense of having the reader with you, with myriad details, that catch one's interest. And the way you use your words to convey a sense of different activities taking place at different speeds: and all this, through words alone, with the words also raising a vivid picture of the activities in one's mind: is a treat for the senses. Your tiring day, the heart beating fast with every minute of the taxi wait, and 15 missed calls, and finally struggling up the gradient to Bajpe: was a pleasure to read.

You have described the monsoon beautifully. And need I forget clocking each important instant? It is nice to hear about good food on board SpiceJet again. I hav fond memories of my cheTTinAd(u) sandwich on my first SpiceJet Q4 trip, circa 2013. It was never the same again, as the food took a more conventional turn, from the culinary delights which came in with the Marans taking over the airline. I also note with interest, that the sun (logo) goes behind the clouds in the monsoon, as it pours, with the exit of the Marans from the airline. You have taken some lovely pictures, as well.
The personal touch provided by the crew, was simply wonderful. It does not cost much to provide a personal touch: SG has amply displayed this fact. Someone simply looked at the booking data, and pushed this lovely gesture towards you. This is thoughtful management, which does not cost a fortune. It brings satisfied customers, who will give positive feedback about the airline, and possibly have a loyal customer base as well. The airline needs to get back to a good operating economics.

Bajpe has always been an exotic airport for me, and I am loving the set of TRs involving Bajpe: from you, Pradeep Kini, and Srinivas. Have I forgotten someone? Perhaps yes, I am sleepy and tired, but contented at having read a lovely piece.

A bit of an aside: a Q4 will ordinarily not vibrate any more than an ATR, if both are in good shape. In fact, a Q4 is supposed to be a wee bit quieter, unless one is near the engines, which you were. I love row 10 as well, jsut to hear the sound of the propellers. The vibration is more if the plane's interior is not in very good shape. You should experience one of the older Air India Regional AT4s as the captain releases the clutch after putting on full power, for take off. Captain Optimus.Prime would have been at the controls of so many such a plane. Most of the Jet AT7s are in very good shape, from the inside, as well as the outside. Many of my colleagues like the little extra personal space on the Q4s, as compared with the ATRs. Personally, I haven't felt much of a difference, but then I have enjoyed sitting near the props on an old AT4 as well, to hear the throaty whine.

And did I forget the pun in the title? No Sir, not at all.
Please keep it coming, Binai. Just put in a link to the article on your website, on this forum, in a separate thread. And we will lap it up.
Promise.
Cheers, Sumantra.

jbalonso777 · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2015 11:09 am Post subject:

A wonderful TR Binai, the forum continues to have more and more Q400 trip reports Smile

I couldn't quite enjoy my one and only Q400 experience since that was an unearthly 0040 hour departure from MAA to CMB. That said, I couldn't make a judgment for myself - I felt the Q400 was the same as the ATR in terms of sounds. Vibrations, yes.

Nice personalized touch by the crew with the birthday card! Really nice of SG. And yes, I had a similar announcement on my SpiceJet flight yesterday. I'll explain why they were my only choice in the TR, when I write it...

Thanks for sharing this, Vistara TR coming up soon?

Regards
Jish
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http://www.youtube.com/c/JishnuBasu777

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

binaiks · Member Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 162 Location: VOBL/VOCI

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

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

- Too bad about your impression of SG. That's how it works unfortunately, one bad experience can overshadow the good ones.
- short flight, good sandwich and good crew. sounds great!
thanks for writing.
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eP007