Beijing 2008 - The Summer Olympiad: Event ticket prices are insane

Just checked eBay and the tickets went for US $1,852.77!

Beijing 2008 - The Summer Olympiad

So I've never been to a Summer Olympics and I'd like to go to this one.  In 2004, I missed Athens, due to scheduling and I could not join a friend of mine who was going there.  As a matter of fact, I must call him now that I remember as I am sure he is perhaps going.

I did make the winter Olympics in Slat Lake City in 2002 and Turino, Italy in 2006.  Both every nice events and got a chance to see Ice Hockey at both events; go figure..

I did World cup Soccer in Niigata, Japan and also in Hamburg, Germang as well.

Last week when I checked hotels they were in the $500 and up range.  This week I found that the Holiday Inn has good rates at about $138! Marked difference, plus you can use only 15,000 points for a night's stay.  So I'm getting things in place to make the trip.

The room is booked and the flights are sorted out, well kind of...Getting there looks fine, coming back is looking better as I look at options.  There is emirates over Dubai and I may get to log the 777-200LR and there is also Northwest Airlines (NW) over Tokyo-Narita, Japan (NRT); a route I had flown once before, or was it Shanghai to Narita, umm...  In addition, there is Air Canada (AC) to Vancouver, BC Canada (YVR) and Dragon Air (KA) to Hong Kong (HKG) and then Cathay Pacific to Los Angeles, CA (LAX).

Options, options...

Oh, I want to go see the swimming on the 10th of August, but so far I have not secured any tickets.  A guy on eBay wants $600; good grief dude.  They only cost $13!

Texarkana, TX (TRK): Not going today

Well, I did not make it to Texarkana. It will have to be another time.

Delta's Boeing 777-200LR: Putting Together Quickly

Boeing makes these videos for their customers. This one is putting together quickly the Boeing 777-200LR.
Enjoy it.

PTQ DL's Boeing 777-200LR

Texarkana, TX (TRK): Have you been there?

Have you ever been to Texarkana, TX (TXK)? I've been through there once when I drove from Indianapolis, IN to Houston, TX. Now it is time to log the airport. I thought of doing it on Saturday, but it required an overnight stay so I bailed on that. The plan was to do a turn to Asheville, NC (AVL), then Texarkana, but I was tired and had a few things to do so I did not.

There are two flights on a Sunday to Texarkana as opposed to one on Saturdays, so it makes for a 20 minute turn.


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The Emirates A380

London delayed

I had planned on going to London this weekend, but a little stomach flu on Friday afternoon put a damper on that. I thought of going to Texarkana, TX (TRK) when I felt better tomorrow, so we will see what gives there.

San Francisco, CA July 2008: Departing Dallas/Forth Worth International, Dallas, TX (DFW)

It was 5:48p when I arrived at Terminal E. I paid the drive the $18 plus a tip and went upstairs using the escalator.

There was no issues getting through security, except that the lady in front of me had an expired driver's license. Apparently she needed the receipt that said she had renewed it. The lady allowed her through anyways; she was with her husband I guess.

I then checked at the gate for my boarding pass which I got and scored a middle seat. I then went to the Presidents Club, showed my credentials and gained access.

I had a banana, a bagel and two muffins and some juice and relaxed for a bit. Soon it was time to go so I headed to the gate and boarded when it was my turn.

San Francisco, CA July 2008: It is way too early to be getting up

It was 4:00a when the phone rang. I had also set the mobile to ring at 4:00a, but I awoke at 3:59a and turned it off before it did so.

I was heading to San Francisco via Houston this morning before heading back to Houston later that day.

My body ached as I dragged myself out of bed as I had only gone to sleep less than an hour earlier.

By 4:30a, I was downstairs so I could wait for the Super Shuttle van to arrive at the pre-arranged 4:45a. At 4:44a, the driver called me and advised he was running late. he figured about 20 minutes or so. I reminded him of my 6:30a departure and he said no issues I should be fine.

He called again at 5:15a and said he was pulling into the parking lot. I went outside and jumped into the van. There were four others in there as well. They all had flights on American. We made one more stop and then we were on the highway to the airport.

He asked which terminal and gate and the folks who were taking American had no idea. So I asked for the flight number and called American at 1-800-433-7300 and got the information. The lady was quite impressed by the generosity.

When we got to DFW, the airline names were written on huge boards, but unless you knew your gate, you were pretty much hosed if you were flying on American as they used almost all the terminals. And DFW is so weird that you there are different stops for different gates. There has to be a better system I thought.

Dallas, TX July 2008: Arriving in Dallas-Love Field, Dallas TX (DAL)

26JUL08 Dallas-Love Field, Dallas TX (DAL)

It was 12:52p when we touched down on runway 31R. The airport seemed vacant, but that's cause we were on the American and Continental side.

We pulled off the runway and headed for the gate. I could see a boeing 767 on the left, but not sure who owned it. it seemed like a private ownership.




You can see the tower here as we pulled into the gate.

The Control Tower by the gate.

I deplaned and headed for the Baggage Claim area. There was a tiny sign pointing that way and the lady who was walking with me was not sure where to turn. I helped her along as I'd been to that airport before.

I called my friends, but they were a ways away so I decided to hang out in the Southwest terminal for a bit. I saw the following planes:





I did not think they still use Boeing 737-200s.

Eventually I went to wait outside security and in about an hour my friends showed.

Dallas, TX July 2008: Houston Intercontinental, Houston, TX (IAH) to Dallas-Love Field, Dallas, TX (DAL)

CO2826 26JUL08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH) to Dallas-Love Field, Dallas TX (DAL) 12:00 noon 1:00p ERJ N??933

Flight Time: 0:40
Seat Map

As I walked down the jetway, I could see that the cabin bags that are too big for the cabin were still in the jetway. There was also a little backup at the doorway as well. I looked over at the lone female flight attendant and smiled an hello; she reciprocated. Then she got on the PA and made a welcome aboard announcement.

The Embraer Regional Jet 145 (ERJ-145) is just about 6’2” in interior height so I had to bend a little as I negotiated my way down the 1-2 configuration of 50 leather seats. I had a window seat on the two side.

The lady at the aisle let me in and noting how tall I am volunteered for me to sit at the aisle instead. I told her thanks but took the window as it was a beautiful day for flying and I wanted to see out. I got settled in, stuffing my backpack under the seat in front of me.

The Captain came on the PA at 11:50a and announced that the flying time was a quick 0:40 today, the temperature was 29C/85F and the visibility was 10 miles.

At 11:55a, the flight attendant made another announcement that this was the flight to Dallas so please ensure that this is where you wanted to go. Two minutes later the door closed and came with a notification to turn off the electronic devices especially those blackberries, strawberries and raspberries; this brought a chuckle as did the prior announcement.

It was 12:02p when the safety announcement started playing and the flight attendant did the demo. Pushback started about the same time as did an engine start. Our taxi out to the runway started at 12:06p.

It was a quick taxi and by 12:10p, we were airborne having used runway 33R-15L.

It was a nice take off and we made a hard right hand turn so I could see the entire airport in its glory. I could even see the airplane that was behind us on the runway, a Continental Boeing 757-300.

The flight attendant came on the PA and announced that due to the very, very short flight, there would be no beverages served onboard, but she was available if anyone needed her. I always think it strange that U.S. carriers don’t serve a meal on short flights when in Europe, you sometimes get a hot meal on a 0:45 flight between London and Amsterdam or Paris.

As I was really tired, I went to sleep and awoke when the Captain said we had 0:25 to go and had started our descent. He also added that it was 90F at the moment on the ground.

It was great to see the city below as we descended.

Dallas, TX July 2008: Arriving in Houston Intercontinental, Houston, TX

26JUL08 Houston Intercontinental. Houston TX (IAH)

I made my way to through security, then headed for Terminal B via the overhead train. There was no waiting as a train arrived just as I made it to the platform. It was 11:23a when I arrived in Terminal B. I checked the Flight Information display (FID) to ensure that my flight was still at gate B71. It had actually changed to gate B73, so it was flashing on the FIDs. As I had some time, I made it to the Presidents Club but I had missed breakfast, so I just had some cheese, crackers, some water and a banana. I also picked up the weekend edition of the Financial Times.

I made my way down to the gate shortly and inquired if I had received a seat as yet. As it turns out, this was not the case. I was not really worried as this flight still had a few open seats. The boarding process started at 11:45a and soon after everyone had boarded, I received a window seat assignment at the rear of the plane.

I collected my boarding pass and boarding right away.

Dallas, TX July 2008: Leaving downtown Houston, TX

Downtown Houston, TX

I did not check the times for the bus and had decided to just wing it as I went along. I figured at most I’d have to wait 40 minutes for a bus to the airport. As such, I was in luck and caught the 10:08a departure which was scheduled to arrive at the airport at 11:21a, it arrived at 11:11a. The bus after that one would have arrived at 11:51a and would have made it a very anxious morning.

As I approached Terminal D, I noticed that a Lufthansa Boeing 747-400 was sitting at the hard stand. Odd, I guess yesterday’s flight had a mechanical issue.

Farnborough 2008: Videos from the Show

More videos to follow...

The Kingfisher A330 and the Airbus A380 standing around


Preparing the Kingfisher A330 for take off


The A380 moving into position for takeoff


The A380 Landing; people kept getting in my way...


The Kingfisher A330 taking off


Avro Vulcan B-2 taking off


The Dassault Falcons

Farnborough 2008: Pictures from the Show

General pictures around the Airshow

The Air India (AI) Boeing 777-300ER

The Airbus A380

The Airbus Company's Static Display

The Boeing Company's Static Display

Aerial Display of two Dassault Falcons

Kingfisher Airlines (IT) Airbus A330

The Red Arrows Aerial Display

The RAF Avro Vulcan B-2

Aerial Display of the USAF B-1B

Vintage Warbirds

Funny TSA Song

I saw this on one of my newsgroup and I think it is quite funny...

http://www.crainium.net/jdjArchives/2005/04/tsa_theme_song.html

Farnborough 2008: Departing London-Heathrow International

19JUL08 Arriving in London-Heathrow International, London England (LHR)

I had decided that I'd had back home as I felt rotten as my cold continued. I had breakfast and then headed out.

It was 9:07a when I got to Terminal 4 via the Picadilly line, exactly an hour from when I boarded the train at Kings Cross St. Pancras station.

I made my way up two floors to the departure level, found the Continental counter, checked in, did the security checks then headed to the security lines.

I was through there in no time and made my way to the Holideck near gate 11. I showed my credentials and entered the Lounge. Of course, I headed straight for the tower area so I could see the planes.

I was surprised that the Singapore Airlines (SQ) A380 was not at its gate. It must be late or not operating today I thought. I watched a few more planes land before going downstairs to the Quiet Room. I am still amazed each time I see a Boeing 747-400 land as it is a spectacular site!

I got online and watched a few more planes land. Eventually the Continental Boeing 777-200ER that would hopefully take me back to Houston landed and made its way to gate 24. It was indeed about 30 minutes late in arriving. That made our departure time 11:34a as my TripAlert had said.






At about 10:45a, I began to head to the gate area. It was quite a walk. Once there, I asked the agent if the I had a seat and indeed I did thankfully.

I was looking around for my colleague's wife as I knew that she was on the flight as well. As it turns out there were only two more empty seats so she would not make it. We talked a bit and it made sense for her to try the British Airways (BA) flight at about 1:15p or so.

Boarding started about 11:10a and I boarded when it was my time. It was odd as this lady pushed right in front of me and the guy checking the passports did not see that, oh well...

Farnborough Airshow 2008: It was FAB

If you don't know, the airport code for Farnborough is FAB...

Here are some pics to tide you over.







More Photos and videos to follow...

Farnborough 2008: Ariving in Houston Intercontinental (IAH) from London Heathrow (LHR)

18JUL08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

We touched down on the far runway, 8L I think at 4:48p. It was a really smooth landing and the guy next to me and I commented on it as we turned off the runway.

We waited for a sec and then crossed the second parallel runway and made our way to gate D12 at 4:56p. I was expecting Terminal E, but I guess the gates were full over there since we are a bit tardy.

To add to our lateness, the agent could not get the jetway to the plane, so it took about 15 minutes for the doors to open.

I finally deplaned and headed for Immigration where there was no line and it was easy to get through. After a quick pass through Customs, I headed to Terminal C for the bus. Sadly, I just missed the 5:29p bus so had to wait for the 6:09p.

Farnborough 2008: Arriving in London-Gatwick International from Houston Intercontinental (IAH)

18JUL08 London-Gatwick International, London England (LGW)

We touched down at 7:16a on runway 8L. We crossed the right parallel runway, 8R and then turned right and taxied back to the terminal.

We passed a few airplanes that I'd not seen before. It's been a while since I landed in Gatwick; I think the last time was in March of this year.



I don't know who is operating this white A321.

There must be a Sheik in town.


So I did not realize that easyJet got Airbus A321. When did they get those?


Eventually, we taxied up to our gate at the Satellite terminal with a First Choice Boeing 757-200 on our left.

I deplaned and caught up with one of my colleagues. We talked all the way to the Immigration counter, where he went to the UK residents line.

We would have both used the IRIS as the line were really long, but unfortunately, it was broken. It was broken the last time I was in Gatwick in March! :-(. It was 7:36a when I got on the queue and 8:40a when I saw an Officer...

I did a quick change in the bathroom and then headed through Customs. I checked if there was a bus to Farnborough from Gatwick, but there was not. I then headed to the South Terminal and got the next possible train to Farnborough via Clapham Junction.