RE: SAS

Kabir, your comments about the airline on it’s Indian sector prompt me to comment on another airline that has very different ambiance depending on the sector.
Emirates between London and Dubai, is a totally different Airline compared to Emirates between Dubai and Manila. The first sector is obviously the “cream”, whilst the second, carrying lots of Philippino seamen and domestic workers is definitely considered much lower grade. I find the attitude on this sector quite unforgivable especially as the Philippinos are almost without exception polite, happy, and sober.
Regards

RE: Alitalia?

When I have used Alitalia,usually Barcelona – Milan, I have been impressed. The MD80 (Alitalia operate more than any other airline? or perhaps European airline?) always seems very clean and tidy,the cabin staff are pleasant,and the food OK!
Let us know how you find it.
Enjoy your holiday.

RE: 747 SP

Back in December 2000, when Qantas were using them, we flew from Manila to Sydney via Rockhampton. It was the first,(and possibly last?) time a 747 had visited that fairly small airport.
We stopped there to pick up about 150 Japanese students for the onward flight to Sydney. It was not a straightforward operation, 747 passenger doors are considerably higher than the average medium sized aircraft aren’t they? Did anyone check if the steps would reach? No. Can Japanese students jump that far. No. Solution – put the steps onto a lorry.
The other problem was technical in that , for some reason, due to a fault with Number Three engine, it could only be started with a “special tool”. Was there such a tool in Rockhampton? No. Never mind, there are some clever tractor mechanics there, and one of them helped to get the engine started “by improvising”.
By the way, if you have to share the aircraft with 150 students,hope they are Japanese – totally well behaved and polite!