Author Topic: Re: Welcome back Bellagio... (Read 3621 times)

flygt · « **on:** May 17, 2005, 01:43:00 AM »

Hope you had a good trip.

cheers
flygt

bellagio · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2005, 08:17:00 PM »

Thanks flygt for your good wishes. The main problem with the holiday was very similar to your handle - the flight.

When I arrived home there was already a letter of apology from Thomas Cook with regard to the outbound flight and on the return leg we were couped up in a tiny room at Santa Clara airport for 5 hours.

It took them nearly 4 hours to turn the plane around at the airport, the original intention when we boarded was to stop to refuel at Gander (as we had done on the outbound leg) but I sensed the Captain changed his mind due to the unrest on board and took on more fuel so he could make it home without stopping.

Every single one of the 280 passengers on board were sick to the teeth with Excel Airways. Thomas Cook should never have given them these routes as the aircraft they fly (Boeing 767 200 series) are too outdated to fly long haul to caribbean destinations.

I felt sorry for the Cabin Crew as they had been at our hotel for 4 days before our departure. They were a really nice bunch of guys and gals and they did a stirling job under great pressure.

Much as I love Cuba, even I would think twice before I flew with Excel Airways again.

solchica · « **Reply #2 on:** May 18, 2005, 05:35:00 PM »

Hi bellagio

Glad you had a great holiday!! :( .

Anyway just wanted to say hi, I have been lurking for a while but joined, I think, when you where away. I just noticed your a fellow "midlander" ;) I live in Hinckley (or as the locals call it inckley :confused: ).

Hope you have got a great tan!! Not much chance of getting one here...

solchica

bellagio · « **Reply #3 on:** May 18, 2005, 06:54:00 PM »

Good grief 'solchica' you are my close neighbour. You can't live more than ten miles away from me.

Hope to see more of you on the forum. Tell us your plans - have you ever been to Cuba? If so where and when and if not are you planning to go?

Look what happened to me through posting on a forum - I finished up spending a fantastic 9 days with a forum member in Alberta, Canada just over a month ago.

Who knows we could become great friends and you could invite me to fly over to your pad in Hinckley. <img border="0" alt="[doh]" title="" src="graemlins/doh.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[doh]" title="" src="graemlins/doh.gif" />

Second thoughts though - no Timmies, no Alberta Beef, no Crappy Tire (all Canadian 'legends')- I'll think I'll stay at home. Sorry about that Hinckley's no improvement on Narborough (though you do have a B&Q)!!!

huskypup · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2005, 07:35:00 AM »

Welcome Solchica

Im not far from you either, not as near as Belagio though, maybe we should organise our own Cuban nights.

We are all nice on here, very friendly, hope you enjoy your dip in the Cuban Ocean,

:s: :s: :s:

Freedom Ryder · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2005, 08:41:00 AM »

Mr."B"

It is too bad that there were problems with your flight after an excellent vacation. It kind of puts a damper on your vacation memories. It was very kind of you to complement the crew on the flight ("They did a sterling job under great pressure"). Often the crew get verbally abused because of reasons which are out of their control.

Freedom Ryder :7: ...............

bellagio · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2005, 10:10:00 AM »

Freedom Ryder:

Thanks for being so courteous and polite in not mentioning my incorrect spelling of the word 'sterling'. I did wonder at the time if I had spelled it incorrectly. I opted for the incorrect spelling as I thought that 'sterling' just referred to the standard British currency and not to being sound, genuine or of solid worth.

Stirling is, of course, a very beautiful city in Scotland. Dictionary to hand in future!!!

With reference to the cabin crew, they were one of the friendlist bunch I have ever flown with. Apparently they did have to endure some verbal abuse from some passengers when the Captain originally announced that we would have to stop for refuelling once again at Gander on the return flight and he came on the intercom to say that any abuse against his crew would not be tolerated and he would take it as abuse against himself.

There was great applause though when he later announced that he would be taking enough fuel on board to make the journey home nonstop.

solchica · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2005, 04:19:00 PM »

Hi bellagio - thanks for the walcome! Sorry its taken me so long to reply. I havn't been to Cuba yet, but we have booked to go to the Tryp Cayo Coco in november, and I am really looking forward to it!!