Divers Paradise

Divi Flamingo Resort, Kralendijk - Local time 15.50

Yup, I'm in the 'divers paradise'... Bonaire. It was not in the planning, but I had an open roster and crewco called and asked me to do a BON-AMS without having to work the AMS-BON sector. You see, two CA's got the flu in BON and they doubted they would be better to do the return flight tomorrow. And because the flight is heavy (this means it's full in aviation terms), they needed all hands on deck, so to speak. So I went to BON as DHC on KL 769. KL 769 goes Amsterdam-Bonaire-Aruba, but I got out on BON. DHC is short for dead-head crew. This is someone who goes on a flight as a passenger for work purpose. The shit is that normally when you are DHC, you normally fly Business Class. But seeing that I was an unexpected DHC, and Business Class was full, I was put in Economy. Oh well.... I made it to Princess Amalia Airport in one piece.

Here is the landing video:


The funny thing is that Britta, a KLM CA and friend of Robin, was also in BON on lay-over. That same day she was flying back to AMS on another KLM flight... the KL 754. Due to technical problems in Quito in Ecuador the day before, it was delayed for 24 hours. So 15 minutes after I landed another KLM MD 11 landed as well. But the funny thing is that the crew decided to wait on the beach for the KLM flight to arrive and waive at us! I didn't notice anything.

So after I disemaberked, I had to find the KLM Service Manager for my taxi- and hotel voucher, as I was the only one who disemabarked. The rest of the crew on KL 769 lays-over in Aruba AUA. I was surprised when I saw Britta in the departure hall. So we laughed and talked a bit and then she told me about the picture. I told her as soon as she arrives in Holland to email it to me and of course I asked for permission to post it on my blog! And she did email it.

Here is an old picture of Britta and R. at the Niagara Falls in Toronto

Briita & crew welcoming us to BON. I think this is an amazing picture. Dank je Britta!

It reminded me of this picture I saw on an aviation website of a crew of Lauda Air of Austria welcoming their flight to St. Maarten SXM from Vienna VIE.

Picture from airliners.net

Anyway, let me go grab a bite to eat at the Drunken Seagull. Monday I start my new job. I can't wait! ANd I know you are dying to know what I am going to do....