flyin phil:
Didn't have a chance to get my two penn'orth in before you left - I've only just read the posts. Glad you enjoyed (and survived!) the experience. Reassuring perhaps to see that the SU aircraft are registered in Bermuda!
My past flights in that part of the world have included just about everything they've ever built - TU104/134/154, IL86, An 24/26, Yak 40 /42, IL-18, and a few helicopters. Yes, a few of them have been scary, (people standing up throughout the flight because there weren't enough seats etc.,) but I've worked a lot with Russian pilots, and I've never ceased to be impessed by their flying skills, given they equipment they operate.
My long-held ambition is to fly in an IL-76, just for the hell of it!
Regarding the cabin crew not being ready, I posted an item a couple of months ago about a flight from VNO to TAS where the crew were too busy selling booze and sandwiches pre t/o to do a safety demo!
No doubt in years to come, the pages of PPRuNe will be filled with nostalgia for the -154!