To Johannesburg or Bust
This trip started from my home near Pittsburgh on Wednesday, May 2. Our departure was rushed to say the least. I’ll spare you the details but it’s likely the same list of things you’ve dealt with in preparation for leaving your job and family for two weeks… trouble finishing things at work, problems with the lawnmower at home, last minute auto maintenance, and kids functions to attend. My brother, the handier of the two of us, came to the rescue and repaired the mower while I was still at work. We wrapped things up later than expected and made our way to his home three hours closer to Dulles International airport where we were to fly from the following day.
I actually didn’t have a chance to start the journal until we arrived in Namibia and here’s what I wrote about the trip.
Friday, May 4, 2007 @ 3:30pm
This is the first chance I’ve had to write in my journal.
Eric dropped me and all the luggage directly in front of the South African Airways check-in counter. After getting things inside, he drove to the long term parking lot ($9/day) and returned to the terminal via shuttle. Things went smoothly and we found ourselves at the counter with an hour to spare (even before the ticket agents arrived). As soon as the first agent showed up, we got in line hoping we could manage to get exit row seating. We checked in and were told we would have to request an exit row at the gate.
Getting the guns and ammo checked in proved to be no problem at all. The first agent asked us to open the case and fill out a declaration form. After looking briefly at the guns, she placed the form inside the case and instructed an airport employee to take the gun case and luggage containing ammo to TSP for inspection. At the TSP area, we were asked to stand by until they were done. Each bag was scanned and the one containing ammunition was opened and examined (as was the gun case). After inspection, they were all placed on a belt leading into a secure area.
Free to leave now, we made our way through security where our carry on bags were screened and on to the gate area. There we found that Gold Star frequent travelers [which we were not] get preference for exit row seating and it was a full flight. We began boarding an hour before the flight. Eric and I trailed along at the end trying to get a little walking and stretching done before the flight. As it turned out, the gate didn’t lead directly onto the plane but rather into a large transport vehicle raised up level to the Airbus 340-300.
I was pleasantly surprised when we entered the plane. It was roomy and each seat had a small plastic pouch with oversocks, an eyecover, toothbrush./toothpaste, and head phones. A small video screen was located in each seatback and a tethered control for it was located in the armrest. Initially, only the audio and one video channel were operating. Later, after take-off, there were choices of TV, DVD’s, CD’s and video games.
The initial video channel showed the standard safety information but in a clever cartoon fashion. Later, the screen showed flight information and a live feed of our plane as it taxied down the runway. The camera was located in the tail of the aircraft and it was interesting to watch take-off and, later, landing on this channel.
Cabin service and amenities on the flight were far, far better than any US domestic flight I’ve been on. Refreshments included wine, beer, and liquor in addition to soft drinks and juices. [Note: I think free alcoholic beverages have been discontinued today.] Dinner was served fairly soon after we reached cruising altitude. [Food must be pretty important to me as I noted in reading this journal that I managed to record the menu on nearly all occasions! I’ll spare you all those details.]
I forgot to mention that early in the flight, the flight attendants walked down the aisle spraying a deodorizer of sorts. It was a pleasant smell but left a heavy mist in the air for a minute. They made an announcement prior warning people with sensitivities that they may want to cover their nose and mouth. I thought the process may have been an airline policy but later on the SAA flight from Johannesburg to Windhoek this was not done.
Eric and I were seated in Row 53 D&E near the wing section. There was plenty of leg room even for Eric [6′ 3″]. I was able to recline the seat back and extend my legs under the seat in front of me. I used a neck pillow too to try to get comfortable but I still found it difficult to sleep initially. I was restless from 10pm until about 1:30am when we got up to stretch a bit and use the restroom. My lower back was hurting pretty bad and I was beginning to become concerned that it might be a problem that could mess up my hunting plans [I’ve had lower back problems periodically.] Fortunately, from about 2am until 8am I slept much better. I found a way to lay a little more on my side and my back felt much better in the morning.
In the journal, I again elaborated on the food served for breakfast. Obviously, I was impressed with the food and service on SAA. After breakfast, I watched a movie and soon we were landing.
Again, it was interesting to watch the plane land from the camera in the tail. After landing, the Captain informed us that periodically they must test the autopilot by allowing it to land the plane. He indicated that our landing had been one of these tests. While it was a “positive” landing, it was a safe one. Those were his words. Apparently we landed a little too hard for his liking.
After a long taxi (we wondered if they chose a distant runway for the autopilot test landing!), we exited without incident and made our way to the transfer terminal.
Africa at last!