Time for a Cuppa!

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Me and my family on board the aircraft of Air 2000

My Flight On

Air 2000 Airlines

Well I'm back from another trip to Cyprus, where Betty and I went to celebrate our “thirtieth wedding anniversary,” and we had a wonderful time. Well we did, after a few things were sorted out prior to my finally getting settled in our hotel. The story is in two parts, first regarding "Air 2000," and the next concerning "First Choice" tour operator, and "Apollo" travel agents. http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/cyprus4.htm

My actual holiday is separate to this, and I didn't include it. If you would like to read about my holiday, entitled “Mermaid,” after reading these minor setbacks, then you can find it at. http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/mermaid.htm

When I originally booked my holiday to the Mediterranean Isle, "1st choice tour operator" informed me that I would be flying with "Air 2000" from Manchester directly to Cyprus. But after the disaster of September 11th, when travellers cancelled flights and bookings went completely down, my flight plans were changed. I was informed that I would still be leaving from Manchester, but instead of flying direct to my holiday destination, the plane would be stopping off at "Bristol Airport" to pick up more passengers. I didn't mind this small setback; after all, the company is running a business. Anyway I had my two weeks of sunshine and relaxation to look forward to.

This was the first time that I had flown with "Air 2000," so I was looking forward to comparing the "airline company" with other airline companies that I have used previously. I will admit that I was a little nervous, especially with all the reports in the media about people being afraid to fly, but I was assisted on to the plane and to my seat with no problem at all, and the assistants were very curteous and helpful, as well as patient. The flight from Manchester to Bristol was great, and the airline hostess's were very pleasant and went out of their way to ensure the passengers comfort, but most of all, I was pleased with the way the staff had genuine smiles to offer each passenger. I sat back and relaxed, the nervousness now completely gone. Approximately "fifty minutes" later, we landed at Bristol Airport. It took quite a while before the rest of the passengers were on board, and we took on a complete new flight crew. Just when everyone thought that we would be taking off again within a few minutes, the captain's voice sounded over the intercom, and he informed us that there would be a delay of around "one hour" as there were "thirty meals" short for the five hour flight. The pilot couldn't take off until they had enough meals for all the passengers. By now I was getting nervous again as I wondered if this was a genuine excuse for the delay or had a screw come loose somewhere in the engine, and I wasn't helped much by the "non smiling" new flight attendants, who appeared to be more nervous than I was.

Over an hour later we eventually took off again, destination, Cyprus. It took me a while to relax again, and just as I was settling down, a party of three already well suntanned passengers sitting directly in front of Betty and me decided to push their seats back, causing pressure on Betty's legs. I politely informed the passengers that they were causing discomfort to my wife and I, and requested that they placed their seats in the upright position. The woman in the party stated that they hadn't got their seats in a reclining position and promptly turned round with a large grin on her face, but the seats were not returned to the upright position. I called the unsmiling stewardess and explain the situation and she requested that the three passengers give some thought to other passengers by placing the seats to the original position. They did so, but as soon as the stewardess left, the teenage girl in the party and the male party member immediately placed there seats back, and to add insult to injury, the teenage girl placed her feet up against the cabin wall in front of her and pressed back causing even more pressure on Betty's legs. I knew the time for talking was over, so I took hold of the seats in front of me and gave a hefty push causing the man to lurch forward and the teenager to almost fall from her seat. Then I had immediate eye contact with the man who after a few seconds, looked away and said something to the woman and the girl. The next moment their seats were upright and we had no more problems from them. Whether it was the look I gave him or the sight of my six-foot four, well-built son standing at my side that caused the man to changed his mind and allow us some comfort? I'm not sure, and was that a flicker of a smile from the stewardess as she passed?

The rest of the journey was relaxing and uneventful until finally we landed in Cyprus and the start of our holiday.

Now it's time for my cuppa!

Note: The return trip to England with Air 2000 was relaxing and pleasant, and I would fly with them again.

Mike Coatesworth

Visit my other disability access pages

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/disaccess2.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/disabacc.htm

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My novels can be seen at

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/onetear1.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/cuppa1.htm

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