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iflytb20 · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:17 am Post subject: 9W 353 VABB-VIDP

DATE OF TRAVEL 15/06/08
ACFT: VT-JGC B737-900
SEAT NO: 28F
STD: 1700 HRS
STA: 1855 HRS
LOAD: 100 PAX appx
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This was a last minute rushed trip. I was initially supposed to travel by IC but the company goofed up with respect to the date of travel. Needless to say, had to literally rush to the airport and catch the first available flight. The flight was chosen in this manner:
a. Look at your watch
b. Look at the Departure board
c. Look for a departure with minimum difference between points a. & b. above
d. Buy a ticket on the abovementioned flight.

Ticket Purchase / Baggage Screening
So when I reached the Airport (Terminal 1B) at 1610 hrs, I was actually looking for the first flight to Delhi. A quick mental calculation later I concluded that 9W 353 was the best bet with a departure in 50 min. Buying the ticket was a breeze and the counter staff had me believing that I was buying the second last seat available. Had the mandatory minimum 5 minute wait for the baggage screening before joining the queue for check-in. Jet was using 10 counters at that time for check-in of Y-Class passengers and a short 5 min wait later I found myself being directed to one of the counters.

Check-In
I was directed to counter # 54 (?) and a very pleasant lady asked me for my barely-15min-old ticket. I just glanced at my watch and noticed it was 1726 hrs, so I had, quite literally, just made it.
And because of this reason, and after being told that I was the proud owner of the 2nd last seat, I had really no hope of getting a choice in seat. But throwing caution to the wind, I asked the lady if I could choose my seat. She said that it was not a problem and whether I would like a window, aisle or a middle seat. And I did get a seat of my choice...... Right hand side window, close to the rear And with a boarding sequence of 95, I was looking towards a half full plane.
My check-in baggage disappeared before my eyes and in less than 2 min, I was walking away from the counter towards the security hold.

Security check & Boarding
As there was only 30min left for Departure, I decided to go straight away to Security. There was a bunch of other departures at the same time, so there was a queue for screening. After a wait of about 5-6min, I had my boarding pass stamped. At that point I had been in the airport for less than 30min. I was heading towards the shopping area when my flight was announced. They were using 2 desks for boarding and as a result, the waiting time was short. But then since the waiting bus was full, had to wait for a few more minutes before another bus came around. The aircraft was parked at Bay 12 (Which is the first one on the left facing the Arrival/Departure gates) and getting there meant a small detour of about 5 min. The bus was not stuffed with people and kudos to the ground staff to ensure that. As I was seated towards the rear, I boarded through the Left rear door (or L2 as is known to the crew)

Aircraft
The aircraft was VT-JGC, a B 737-900 in the old colours of Jet Airways. It was parked at Bay 12 with the nose facing towards the terminal or to the West. The Aircraft was clean on the outside (Mr Monsoon to thank for that I presume) as well as on the inside. The seats were the fabric ones and they definitely looked wider than the ones on our airplane. The only disappointing factor was the lack of newspapers (There was only one Mid-Day for the entire block). The windows were clean from the outside but had some oily stains on the inside. Now this is one thing i’ve seen with many companies (mine included). While the cleaners do a good job with the cabin, the inside of the windows are often neglected. And it the previous occupier of that seat was a fan of coconut oil and mid-flight siesta, you have quite a mess on the windows which is quite a party pooper for the next guy ( in this case me). After boarding was over, cold towels were given but water was being distributed on request only.

Pushback, Taxi out and Departure
The normal departure time was 1700hrs. The doors were closed at 1703hrs (On time as per industry standards which say up to D+3 min is counted as on-time). The delay in pushback was due to company VT-JGK which had pushed back from Bay 13. Finally pushback commenced at 1706hrs with the aircraft being pushed back Via Taxiway A1 to D facing East. The Engines were started #2 followed by #1 and soon after that the aircraft started moving at 1710hrs. The Taxi route was via D R14/32 A3 A4 to holding point R27. We were #3 in sequence behind DN VT-ADT and 9W VT-JGK. As there were no arrivals in between, the holding time was very less and soon at 1719hrs the takeoff roll was started. The takeoff roll lasted exactly 49sec and the aircraft was airborne at 1720hrs, almost right abeam the position where we were parked.

In-Flight
The climb out was uneventful with no turbulence whatsoever. During the climb, fresh juice was served with the choice between Lime and Orange. The meal soon followed. The choice offered was either Hara Bhara Chicken or Pav Bhaji. Since I was in no mood for chicken at 5 in the evening, I chickened out and opted for Pav Bhaji. The tray consisted of Pav Bhaji (of course), a coleslaw sandwich, pastry and an unidentified version of bhelpuri. The usual Tea Coffee service followed. And during the meal service, the aircraft levelled out at 1739hrs. After this I got engrossed in a book, and did not notice much till the aircraft started its descent.

Descent, Approach, Landing & Taxi In
The descent started at 1832hrs, and after a short delay, we were on final approach for R27. The weather was cloudy with overcast skies and recent rain. The Aircraft touched down smoothly at 1901hrs, and after a brief period of hard braking, vacated to the left via E5. The Taxi in was via E5-E2-E-Stand 131(?)-F3-F-B3-C to Bay 17. The crew were on their feet the moment we vacated the runway and made their presence felt in the cabin to dissuade people from switching their mobiles on and to prevent signal jumpers to get up before we parked at our stand. I don’t know it that is their company policy but was, nevertheless, a very thoughtful thing. The aircraft finally chocked-on at 1910hrs – a delay of 15min.

Disembarkation and Baggage collection
There was the usual mad dash to the exits and a few minutes later, the aircraft was empty. I guess the DEL ground staff lacked the foresight of their BOM colleagues as we were stuffed like sardines into the bus. Thankfully it was a short ride and a few minutes later I joined my fellow pax in THE wait where you hope your bag followed you onto the flight. A 15min wait later the baggage started arriving and a few minutes after that, I got my baggage.

Overall
Overall I was happy with the experience and would give the following ratings:
Ground Service 8/10
Cabin Service 7.5/10
Cleanliness 6/10
Punctuality 8/10
Catering 7/10

(1)My 2nd TR so far...... all comments & suggestions are more than welcome
(2) Sorry for the lack of pictures ..... I forgot my camera at home

avbuff · Member Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 5031

crew320 · Member Joined: 20 Dec 2006 Posts: 301 Location: New Delhi

Interesting details iflytb20,

Is it true that the 9W flight attendants have had another change in their uniforms? Pants instead of skirts? Back to all blue ?

A very zany adventure, keep em coming!

aM
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sreenath_y · Member Joined: 27 Apr 2008 Posts: 528

Very nice TR!!! And funny too.

Akshay · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 315 Location: Mumbai

Nice report. And a good way of choosing the flight too Very Happy

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karatecatman · Guest

iflytb20 · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject:

unfortunately its true Crying or Very sad

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

heheh nice one.
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eP007

HAWK21M · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject:

Fantastic Explanation.Pity about the Pictures though.

About pushback sequence.If a company Aircraft was pushing back on Bay#13 on D facing East.If they had pushed back beyond Bay #15,it would have enabled your Aircraft pushback on D facing East to stop ahead of it.Would have saved some time Smile

Bay#12 because of its location has a long push irrespective of facing East on D or facng South on A1.

regds
MEL
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