Post by bounce on Dec 9, 2007 4:31:28 GMT -8
Oh joy! (cough, cough)
Delta Airlines is now serving Africa.
Man, that place is fucked up.
This is an e-mail I got from a homie of mine who is still in the industry.
Better HIM than ME!
**************************************************
> Dear Friends,
>
> I just returned Tuesday night from flying Delta's inaugural flight from
> Lagos, Nigeria to Atlanta. I thought you would enjoy reading a report
> about Delta's newest destination.
>
> Since the flight is over 12 hours, two complete crews are required to fly
> the trip. I deadheaded with the other first officer to London Gatwick on
> Friday November 30th and arrived early Saturday morning. The two captains
> (Delta management) deadheaded with the flight attendants to Paris, spent
> the night, and continued on to Lagos on Air France Sunday morning. The
> other first officer and I flew from London to Lagos on Virgin Nigeria,
> also on Sunday morning. The reason we did not go to Paris with the other
> crew members was due to the fact that our pilot contract requires us to
> fly in business class when deadheading on an off-line carrier. Since there
> were no business class seats available on Air France from Paris, the other
> first officer and I flew from London Gatwick. *Note: The Delta management
> captains flew in coach on Air France in an effort to save Delta money.
>
> Both sets of crews arrived in Lagos Sunday afternoon. We were met by Delta
> corporate security and stations personnel who had been in country a few
> days preparing for the inaugural flight. Since our crews arrived via
> off-line carriers, Nigeria required that we obtain an entry visa. Future
> inbound crew members will not require one.
>
> Our passports were collected by a Nigerian representative hired by Delta
> to coordinate our arrival, as well as transportation to and from the
> hotel. As soon as the passports were processed, we were led outside by
> corporate security. Darkness had set in and it was very crowded outside
> the airport. I will admit the crowds made all of us a little nervous. The
> crew vans were trying to pull into a loading area, but a local policeman
> did not approve and began to argue with our Nigerian representative. He
> did a great job distracting the police officer while we loaded up our
> luggage and got into the vans.
>
> We were led to the Sheraton Lagos Hotel (approximately 30 minutes away) by
> armed guards in vans - one in front and one behind. One of Delta's
> corporate security officers thought crews of future flights would be
> picked up by the aircraft, as is the case in London and Paris. That would
> be a good thing!
>
> The Sheraton Lagos is a very nice hotel. It is referred to as "the
> compound," and all of the airlines put their crews there. Delta strongly
> suggests no one leave the compound during their layover. Lagos is a very
> dangerous city and venturing out would not be a good idea. Other airlines
> follow these same procedures.
>
> The hotel rooms at the Sheraton are very nice. They are air conditioned
> and clean. And each floor has a guard posted in the hallway for your
> safety. The hotel pool is also very nice. There is an outside restaurant
> next to the pool, four restaurants inside the hotel, two bars, a workout
> gym, and free wireless internet in the lobby area if you bring your
> computer. The power goes out two or three times a day, but it comes back
> on within minutes.
>
> Our crew met in the Italian restaurant for dinner and it was very good.
> The food at the hotel is extremely expensive, though. So expensive that
> Delta is giving each crew member a $20 credit to be applied at checkout,
> provided you charge the meal to your room. I had a good night sleep and
> spent a good part of the next day at the hotel pool. Several of us met for
> dinner Monday evening and we left the hotel Tuesday morning at 9:25 am.
>
> Our caravan ride to the airport was slowed by traffic. It took over 45
> minutes to get to the airport and once again, we were escorted by armed
> police in front of and behind the crew van. Having tinted windows was
> nice, as many people walking in and out of the traffic tried to look in
> hoping to sell us some of their goods. It wasn't very comfortable.
>
> We arrived at the airport and made our way through security. The airport
> is modern and clean. Security is taken seriously and we had to put our
> bags through x-ray machines on two separate occasions. There were
> questions as to whether security would check our bags for liquids. I asked
> an Air France crew member at the hotel if plastic bags are required, and I
> was told that they are. But when we went through, no one had us open our
> bags.
>
> The B-767ER we flew has the new crew compartment with flat bunks located
> in the front of business class. The facility is very nice! The bunks are
> hard, though, and small fans that circulates air are located near shoulder
> level in each bunk. The vents cannot be closed, so you may have to place
> an extra pillow against the wall to keep the air from blowing on you.
>
> The flight home took approximately 13 hours. We had 14 in business class
> and approximately 45 in coach. I suspect the fares will be high, though,
> as Delta expects to earn $45 million in revenue over the coming year on
> this particular flight pairing. By the way, the coach ticket on Air France
> from Paris to Lagos was priced at $2,600 and my business class ticket on
> Virgin Nigeria from London to Lagos cost $4,700.
>
> For those of you considering this trip, realize that malaria is prevalent
> in Africa. You may have seen letters in your file regarding the dangers of
> malaria. Delta is offering Malarone pills to help prevent contraction of
> the disease and they are also providing small bottles of DEET spray. I
> picked up a package of the pills near the flight attendant lounge and
> decided to take them. I had already bought my own bottle of DEET. I would
> suggest you do the same.
>
> You are required to start taking the Malarone pills two days before
> arrival in country; while you are in country; and for seven days
> afterwards. I have a few more days to go before I finish my allotment for
> this particular trip and I have to admit I have not been 100% since I
> started taking them. Fortunately, no one saw or felt a mosquito while we
> were there. It rained during our stay, but we avoided going out from dusk
> to dawn, as Delta suggests. You will have to decide whether or not you
> should take the Malarone pills. Whether you do or not, Delta's contract
> physician highly recommends that you seek immediate medical attention if
> you suffer from flu like symptoms up to one year - yes, one year - from
> the time you spent in Lagos. That alone may discourage many from bidding
> this trip. Would I take the pills again? I can't say for sure. I would fly
> the trip again, though. It was certainly an adventure and I'm thrilled
> that Delta is flying to so many new international destinations. This is
> what I signed up for!
Knock yourself out, dude!
Delta Airlines is now serving Africa.
Man, that place is fucked up.
This is an e-mail I got from a homie of mine who is still in the industry.
Better HIM than ME!
**************************************************
> Dear Friends,
>
> I just returned Tuesday night from flying Delta's inaugural flight from
> Lagos, Nigeria to Atlanta. I thought you would enjoy reading a report
> about Delta's newest destination.
>
> Since the flight is over 12 hours, two complete crews are required to fly
> the trip. I deadheaded with the other first officer to London Gatwick on
> Friday November 30th and arrived early Saturday morning. The two captains
> (Delta management) deadheaded with the flight attendants to Paris, spent
> the night, and continued on to Lagos on Air France Sunday morning. The
> other first officer and I flew from London to Lagos on Virgin Nigeria,
> also on Sunday morning. The reason we did not go to Paris with the other
> crew members was due to the fact that our pilot contract requires us to
> fly in business class when deadheading on an off-line carrier. Since there
> were no business class seats available on Air France from Paris, the other
> first officer and I flew from London Gatwick. *Note: The Delta management
> captains flew in coach on Air France in an effort to save Delta money.
>
> Both sets of crews arrived in Lagos Sunday afternoon. We were met by Delta
> corporate security and stations personnel who had been in country a few
> days preparing for the inaugural flight. Since our crews arrived via
> off-line carriers, Nigeria required that we obtain an entry visa. Future
> inbound crew members will not require one.
>
> Our passports were collected by a Nigerian representative hired by Delta
> to coordinate our arrival, as well as transportation to and from the
> hotel. As soon as the passports were processed, we were led outside by
> corporate security. Darkness had set in and it was very crowded outside
> the airport. I will admit the crowds made all of us a little nervous. The
> crew vans were trying to pull into a loading area, but a local policeman
> did not approve and began to argue with our Nigerian representative. He
> did a great job distracting the police officer while we loaded up our
> luggage and got into the vans.
>
> We were led to the Sheraton Lagos Hotel (approximately 30 minutes away) by
> armed guards in vans - one in front and one behind. One of Delta's
> corporate security officers thought crews of future flights would be
> picked up by the aircraft, as is the case in London and Paris. That would
> be a good thing!
>
> The Sheraton Lagos is a very nice hotel. It is referred to as "the
> compound," and all of the airlines put their crews there. Delta strongly
> suggests no one leave the compound during their layover. Lagos is a very
> dangerous city and venturing out would not be a good idea. Other airlines
> follow these same procedures.
>
> The hotel rooms at the Sheraton are very nice. They are air conditioned
> and clean. And each floor has a guard posted in the hallway for your
> safety. The hotel pool is also very nice. There is an outside restaurant
> next to the pool, four restaurants inside the hotel, two bars, a workout
> gym, and free wireless internet in the lobby area if you bring your
> computer. The power goes out two or three times a day, but it comes back
> on within minutes.
>
> Our crew met in the Italian restaurant for dinner and it was very good.
> The food at the hotel is extremely expensive, though. So expensive that
> Delta is giving each crew member a $20 credit to be applied at checkout,
> provided you charge the meal to your room. I had a good night sleep and
> spent a good part of the next day at the hotel pool. Several of us met for
> dinner Monday evening and we left the hotel Tuesday morning at 9:25 am.
>
> Our caravan ride to the airport was slowed by traffic. It took over 45
> minutes to get to the airport and once again, we were escorted by armed
> police in front of and behind the crew van. Having tinted windows was
> nice, as many people walking in and out of the traffic tried to look in
> hoping to sell us some of their goods. It wasn't very comfortable.
>
> We arrived at the airport and made our way through security. The airport
> is modern and clean. Security is taken seriously and we had to put our
> bags through x-ray machines on two separate occasions. There were
> questions as to whether security would check our bags for liquids. I asked
> an Air France crew member at the hotel if plastic bags are required, and I
> was told that they are. But when we went through, no one had us open our
> bags.
>
> The B-767ER we flew has the new crew compartment with flat bunks located
> in the front of business class. The facility is very nice! The bunks are
> hard, though, and small fans that circulates air are located near shoulder
> level in each bunk. The vents cannot be closed, so you may have to place
> an extra pillow against the wall to keep the air from blowing on you.
>
> The flight home took approximately 13 hours. We had 14 in business class
> and approximately 45 in coach. I suspect the fares will be high, though,
> as Delta expects to earn $45 million in revenue over the coming year on
> this particular flight pairing. By the way, the coach ticket on Air France
> from Paris to Lagos was priced at $2,600 and my business class ticket on
> Virgin Nigeria from London to Lagos cost $4,700.
>
> For those of you considering this trip, realize that malaria is prevalent
> in Africa. You may have seen letters in your file regarding the dangers of
> malaria. Delta is offering Malarone pills to help prevent contraction of
> the disease and they are also providing small bottles of DEET spray. I
> picked up a package of the pills near the flight attendant lounge and
> decided to take them. I had already bought my own bottle of DEET. I would
> suggest you do the same.
>
> You are required to start taking the Malarone pills two days before
> arrival in country; while you are in country; and for seven days
> afterwards. I have a few more days to go before I finish my allotment for
> this particular trip and I have to admit I have not been 100% since I
> started taking them. Fortunately, no one saw or felt a mosquito while we
> were there. It rained during our stay, but we avoided going out from dusk
> to dawn, as Delta suggests. You will have to decide whether or not you
> should take the Malarone pills. Whether you do or not, Delta's contract
> physician highly recommends that you seek immediate medical attention if
> you suffer from flu like symptoms up to one year - yes, one year - from
> the time you spent in Lagos. That alone may discourage many from bidding
> this trip. Would I take the pills again? I can't say for sure. I would fly
> the trip again, though. It was certainly an adventure and I'm thrilled
> that Delta is flying to so many new international destinations. This is
> what I signed up for!
Knock yourself out, dude!
