BZZ
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: In the State of Denial
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Steady, 'truckie' is a term of 'endearment' for a C130 operator, you seem to be confusing us with the 'shiny' sqns who do the airbridge. C130s & BZN/ Gateway is only in the very recent history.
To us truckies all freight is the same - whether on pallets, loose or self-loading. Although we don't give those delicious long-life boxes to non-SLF.
On consideration I suppose that we might have to grudgingly allow the 99 Sqn newbies to come under the truckie umbrella.
To us truckies all freight is the same - whether on pallets, loose or self-loading. Although we don't give those delicious long-life boxes to non-SLF.
On consideration I suppose that we might have to grudgingly allow the 99 Sqn newbies to come under the truckie umbrella.
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Sussex By The Sea
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Steady, 'truckie' is a term of 'endearment' for a C130 operator, you seem to be confusing us with the 'shiny' sqns
to make it more realistic I'm expecting an announcement just before the 2000hrs start to be told that 'technical issues' mean it will be delayed for a period yet to be determined. At which point I'll drive around the block, come back in to a meal from a plastic wrapper, get to the fridge for a beer just as it is closing and then settle down for along night of uncertainty! At least I won't have had the 12hr coach journey to get here first. 
Thank god those days are done for me - hopefully soon to be done for everyone.
Thank god those days are done for me - hopefully soon to be done for everyone.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: South of England
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Well let me tell you about the Gateway.
In nineteencanteen my dear old Dad became terminally ill while I was overseas.
The RAF gave me a comp A flight back to UK and my wife and 18 month old sprog came with me on indulgence.
Dad passed away and we headed back to base. As comp A, I was offered a flight immediately but wife and sprog would have to wait for the next available indulgence seats.
I negotiated with very understanding boss (by signal - remember them?) and elected to stay at Bzz until they could fly with me - result was 7 day stay in the Gateway - the guys and gals who worked there couldn't have been more friendly and helpful.
That was all a long time ago but whatever people may say today I reckon the Gateway guys and gals are still pretty fantastic!!
Rgds SOS
In nineteencanteen my dear old Dad became terminally ill while I was overseas.
The RAF gave me a comp A flight back to UK and my wife and 18 month old sprog came with me on indulgence.
Dad passed away and we headed back to base. As comp A, I was offered a flight immediately but wife and sprog would have to wait for the next available indulgence seats.
I negotiated with very understanding boss (by signal - remember them?) and elected to stay at Bzz until they could fly with me - result was 7 day stay in the Gateway - the guys and gals who worked there couldn't have been more friendly and helpful.
That was all a long time ago but whatever people may say today I reckon the Gateway guys and gals are still pretty fantastic!!
Rgds SOS
Join Date: Feb 2002
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I have to concur with SOS - the Gateway's not the Ritz but it compares favourably with a great many military camps and is more than adequate transit accommodation. The staff always try to be accommodating considering that many of the 'guests' turn up unannounced or with little notice at all times of the day & night. It's not the fault of the Gateway that flights are delayed, they just have to deal with the consequences and the stress and aggravation directed at them by said 'guests'.
I've only ever stayed there because I've had to, and as such tend to view the place with a slightly jaundiced eye, but the staff have always been friendly.
At least there is a place to stay & it's provided free of charge. Next time your Ryanair's delayed see what they provide you with......
I've only ever stayed there because I've had to, and as such tend to view the place with a slightly jaundiced eye, but the staff have always been friendly.
At least there is a place to stay & it's provided free of charge. Next time your Ryanair's delayed see what they provide you with......
Join Date: Oct 2004
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On the whole I thought it was fairly reasonable. Given that most of the target audience probably know nothing about the RAF I'm sure they would have found it fairly informative.
No programme would be complete without interviewing some brown types with berets on though. The Lt was rather 'ditsy', especially watching her tinkerbell impression in the back of the Herc
No programme would be complete without interviewing some brown types with berets on though. The Lt was rather 'ditsy', especially watching her tinkerbell impression in the back of the Herc
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Ah - Luqa transit mess. Remember the triangular tinned sausages, and the neat lace covers with beads to keep the flies out of the water jugs.
About 8 hours Abingdon to Luqa in a Bev - longer back if the Mistral was blowing.
About 8 hours Abingdon to Luqa in a Bev - longer back if the Mistral was blowing.
Can't polish or sex up a turd. At the end of the day, routine Ops at Brize are never going to be compelling viewing like troops in contact.
And focusing on a pallet of eggs(!) that were delayed going to the FIs? Really? Surely a better storyline than that could have been found...
And focusing on a pallet of eggs(!) that were delayed going to the FIs? Really? Surely a better storyline than that could have been found...
Going through Brize has never been a pleasant experience, but then that's not really the idea, is it? It's purpose is to move people and stuff around the world safely. Being a military outfit there's no requirement to provide any more than basic comfort and convenience. They feed you, give you somewhere to sleep and even have a bar. Pax are not customers, we're military assets in the wrong place.
I've always gone there expecting the worst - and have seldom been disappointed. It's just the way it is. Of course, the RAF Olympic Baggage-Smashing Team could lighten up a bit.
As for RyanAir, I have never and shall never fly with them. I'm just booking flights to the South of France for Mrs CM and me. I have elected to fly to a completely different (less convenient) destination airport and pay around £200 to fly BA in order to avoid RA - even though they are only charging £50.
I've always gone there expecting the worst - and have seldom been disappointed. It's just the way it is. Of course, the RAF Olympic Baggage-Smashing Team could lighten up a bit.
As for RyanAir, I have never and shall never fly with them. I'm just booking flights to the South of France for Mrs CM and me. I have elected to fly to a completely different (less convenient) destination airport and pay around £200 to fly BA in order to avoid RA - even though they are only charging £50.
the Shack crews would be at one end of the bar in their sweaty flying suits shouting at each other having been deafened for 8 hours getting to Luqa, while the shiny Britannia and Comet crews would be in their smart uniforms at the other end of the bar trying to ignore the rabble.
Quite fond memories of the Transit Mess. Based at Luqa on 203 sqn Nimrods,
they (the Transit Mess) were involved in our in flight rations and often (more often than not) converted some of our in flight money allowance to a case(s) of Hop Leaf. We, therefore, claimed for maximum number of people on board (I think 22 at the time) for an 11 hours duration.
Our inflight food was mainly fresh fillet steak and we had a Rima grill on board (which used to set off the under floor Smoke/Fire warnings almost every time). In the mess, and in Gan as well, the Shiny (10s, Brits and Comets) crews used to exclude themselves from some really good and often wild parties but then again - as one of their crew told us one time - they were 'operational'. He was cabin crew on one of the Comets. A Master to boot.
At the time - quite good fun.
PS Sweaty flying suits were a thing of the past. We had a modern Flying clothing section just beside Ops and were often en route to a party after landing, especially if we had just taken a load of Matelots flying with us.
For Matelots, also read WRNS from Whitehall Mansions (which also had another name but I cannot remember what it was)
Quite fond memories of the Transit Mess. Based at Luqa on 203 sqn Nimrods,
they (the Transit Mess) were involved in our in flight rations and often (more often than not) converted some of our in flight money allowance to a case(s) of Hop Leaf. We, therefore, claimed for maximum number of people on board (I think 22 at the time) for an 11 hours duration.
Our inflight food was mainly fresh fillet steak and we had a Rima grill on board (which used to set off the under floor Smoke/Fire warnings almost every time). In the mess, and in Gan as well, the Shiny (10s, Brits and Comets) crews used to exclude themselves from some really good and often wild parties but then again - as one of their crew told us one time - they were 'operational'. He was cabin crew on one of the Comets. A Master to boot.
At the time - quite good fun.
PS Sweaty flying suits were a thing of the past. We had a modern Flying clothing section just beside Ops and were often en route to a party after landing, especially if we had just taken a load of Matelots flying with us.
For Matelots, also read WRNS from Whitehall Mansions (which also had another name but I cannot remember what it was)
Courtney - you are right.
I would rather walk than fly as a pax with Ryanair.
Everything about their airline is just awful.
Why do they still exist is the point?
Does anyone on this website work for them?
I would rather walk than fly as a pax with Ryanair.
Everything about their airline is just awful.
Why do they still exist is the point?
Does anyone on this website work for them?
5aday / Courtney,
Come, come gentlemen. Whilst I agree, Ryanair are one of the worst airlines in this hemisphere, they are nevertheless a very cheap transport option that covers big distances fast.
Yes, everything about their airline is awful with the exception of cost and running on time. They exist because there is demand for their services and they are a healthy profit making company to boot. If you think of them purely as a transport option, in a similar vein to the London Underground, then it is a more palatable comparison. Ask yourself - would you not use the underground because it is full of scumbags?
Meanwhile, for those of us still serving and working south of Watford with families living in Scotland, NI etc, the weekend commute between MB and Kinloss (as an example) means options such as walking or driving are neither realistic or practical and we will take whatever we can get.
Come, come gentlemen. Whilst I agree, Ryanair are one of the worst airlines in this hemisphere, they are nevertheless a very cheap transport option that covers big distances fast.
Yes, everything about their airline is awful with the exception of cost and running on time. They exist because there is demand for their services and they are a healthy profit making company to boot. If you think of them purely as a transport option, in a similar vein to the London Underground, then it is a more palatable comparison. Ask yourself - would you not use the underground because it is full of scumbags?
Meanwhile, for those of us still serving and working south of Watford with families living in Scotland, NI etc, the weekend commute between MB and Kinloss (as an example) means options such as walking or driving are neither realistic or practical and we will take whatever we can get.
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Not a Bad Effort
Show last night was Ok - no better or worse than many other military fly on the wall documentaries.
However, based on many of those on camera, I would say OC Catering Flight deserves some sort of award. The grub is clearly good at Brize!
However, based on many of those on camera, I would say OC Catering Flight deserves some sort of award. The grub is clearly good at Brize!