DUB-LHR-DUB *SOME PICS*

By: SHAMROCK321 - 30th March 2005 at 12:06 - Edited 2nd October 2019 at 11:40

Hey everybody.

I booked this trip in mid Febuary and ever since then have been looking forward to some plane spotting around LHR. I payed a good €65 return which I found to be very cheap. Ryanair would have been cheaper to STN but why fly to STN when you want to spot at LHR.

Anyway the day had finally arrived an after a restless night my dad woke me at 5.30am. Up I got and had a quick breakfast.
My freinds dad picked me up about 6.10am and we made the 5 minute drive to DUB. We entered the terminal only to be greeted by huge crowds and this is were the self service kiosks came in handy. We had no baggage so there was no need for us to get any bags tagged.
Next I headed over to Hughes and Hughes and picked up a copy of The Irish Independent and then I had to take some pictures of the Ryanair ticket desk and check in area for a assignment I have due next week. I hope they dont mark the quality of them becasue they are terrible.
So with still over 2 hours to go until departure we went to secuirity which was litterally out the door. However it moved very very quickly and we were onto the street in no time. We headed down the the C pier to have a look at what was going on which wasnt much. The only thing of interest was the first ever Aer Lingus flight to Seville operated by an A320.
We headed back towards B21 where we would be boarding. The LHR flight before us was about to board operated by EI-CPH the one with the dodgy rudder. All we could do then was watch the comings and goings. Finally out of the low cloud came EI-CPE who would be taking us to LHR today.

Flight:EI156
Aircraft:EI:CPE-Airbus A321
STD:0835
ATA:0846
STA:0937
ATA:1037

Boarding was called for the rows towards the back so we had to wait. We were in row 4 which wouldnt have been possible a few months ago but now EI have gotten rid of premier class on European flights we were near the front.
Captain Padraig King annoucned a slight slot delay but we were shortly pushed back and began aour taxi to runway 28. An EUJet Fokker 100 departed and EI 735 landed and we lined up and began a rather powerless takeoff run before getting airborne. The difference near the front in comaprison to what it's like towards the back surprised me. We completed the Liffey 2 Alpha departure but couldnt see anything becasue of the low clouds.
Shortly after the seatbelts signs were switched off and the cabin crew announced the start of the inflight service. I had been looking forward to this because it's the first time I have flown EI since the LOCO changeover. I bought a ham and chesse samdwich and a cup of tea for €5.50 which was quite expensive but tasty.
As we approached London we began our descent. The captain who wasnt flying this leg announced we would be holding north of London for about 20 minutes. This is when things got interesting. We seemd to be following a bmi A321 with no problems. What was following us began to worry me. A BA 744 turned right to presumebly start a another lap of the hold. We could see him but I thought nothing of it. That was until he got closer,closer and closer. I am normally a very calm person who doesnt worry but this thing got very close. I began to worry but soon he or she descented into the clouds. Thanks god thats over. But no again a BA 777 got very close. After a boring wait we were cleard for the approach to Runway 09R. We only had a bit to go before we could see the ground and we made a rough enough landing on 09R before vacating around the Terminal 1 area. Shortly after leaving the runway a bmi A321 came through the clouds. We taxied away from where the other 2 EI planes were parked but we just did a U turn and headed back. We waited for a BA A319 to taxi away from it's stand and and EI A320 had just pushed so we took that stand.Doors were opened and we just sat there watching the landings until most people had left and then we got up and left.
At this stage the delayed flight had started to cause panic for the many people on board who had connections to make. One lady sat in front of us with a young girl had to get over to T4 in the next few minutes. Hopfully she made it.
So the moment I had been looking foward to plane spotting at LHR. A month of anticipation was blown away in a second. The cloud was lower than we thought and all we could see was clouds. Day ruined. We were only on the ground 45 minutes and I felt like crying.

There was nothing we could do but I didnt want to leave without any photograps so we walked down between the BA and bmi hangers to see the heavys parked up for the day. 3 South African 747-400s and a Qantas 744 as well as all the BA 744s and 1 777. We decided to walk over to the visitors centre because my freind is a model fanatic. he bought a NWA 757-300 and 747-400 in special colours. We had a quick look around and saw an Iran Air 747-200 landing.

We grabbed a McDs and headed back to Hatton Cross. Mr.Model fanatic decided he wanted to get some more models so we took the Piccadilly line all the way to Hillingdon and then got lost. Eventually we found where we were looking for and he got a Beluga and an Antonov. The we went into London and went to see the Queens house. Very nice it is to.

It was beginning to rain so I thought we'd head back and try and take some pictures from terminal 1. A long tube journey and into T1 again.
Straight to secuirity as we had our boarding cards.
The models caused some concern as the wings looked like knives.
I legged it through towards gates 80-90 and felt like killing myself when I looked out and saw we couldnt see out. The rain was so heavy.
Anyway we had noticed that most flights to Ireland were dleyaed by about 45-55 minutes except for a bmi flight which was a 1945 departure but would leave until shortly before us. And we had a 2 hour delay.

The gate area was quite busy. 3 or 4 flights to Dublin,2 to Cork and 1 to Shannon were dleayed so it was a little noiser than normal.
We waited and waited and waited and the departure board changed and chabged and changed constantly making the delay longer.
I could understand though unlike most people. The weather was pretty bad and the landing rate was noticably slower than when there is good weather.

Eventually after watching lane after plane EI-CPC Aer Lingus first A321 arrived and parked at gate 90.
After a while I began to wonder why no one was getting off. For those who arnt familar with T1 Irish departures arriving passengers come out onto the departure level.
So where were the passengers???
Jetway 90 had broken and the passengers had to use the stairs. Not to bad but it was lashing rain outside. All off we thought we would be on soon enough but no a further delay for unknown reasons.
Eventually boarding was called and we went down spiral staris and out onto the ramp. Up the stairs and waited to get in. Being an aviation enthusiats I noticed something that no one else did. The engine was making a very starnge noise. Sort of a clinking as it turned. I wasnt to concerned.
In we got and down to row 25.
Our night and our delay were about to get evn longer.
''Ladies and Gentlemen,This is your captain speaking. We have developed a slight technical problem and will be further delayed. Then of coure there was the loud sigh from the passengers. Well we either get the problem sorted or we take off with a probelm and risk killing everybody. We waited and waited and waited and finally the crew started the demo and we taxied to 09L.
There was few to depart and very quickly after a SK73G we lined up. Now I know Ive told people I like powerful takeoffs and I like to be stuck to the chair but this was unbelivable. In a desperte bid to make up some lost time the captain applied full power. The A321 may not be the most powerful aircraft but I didnt know it could do this. Up we went and then suddenly he pulled back on the joystick and we climbing very quickly. I enjoyed that.

A very quick flight again I bought a sandwich and tea. Approach to Dublin was cloudy,unexciting but dry. We landed on runway 10 and taxied towards the B pier passing a BT735,Lithuanian735 and LOT E70 parked for the night. The BT and Lithuanian were being boarded for flights back to Riga and Vilnius.
It was quite a light load tonight so everyone was off quickly enough.
As I walked up the cabin I got the guts to do what I always try to do.
I asked for a flightdeck visit. The female member of cabin crew went in and asked and he said yes. OMG!!!!! My first time ever. It was quite small with 3 people in there. Someone had jumpseated tonight. Lucky girl. I took some pictures with the captains permission and left. An absolutley terrible day turned out perfect.

So I was impressed with EI once again. Delay couldnt be helped and for €65 whos complaining.

Pictues below.

1.) First Aer Lingus flight to Seville (SVQ)
2.)Aer Lingus 737-400 .com colours being prepared for a flight to Milan Linate.
3.)Aer Lingus A330-200 just arrived
4.)Qantas 747-400 parked up for the day
5.)BA 747-400 crossing the road
6.)Same 744.
7.)Boarding when I heard the clnking noise
8.)In-Flight
9.)The moment the day was saved.