Richard Yeomans

Another day, another airline. After a late briefing we are taking an airline to Zurich then flying to Moscow arriving at 4 in the morning. I am so lacking in motivation with this duty as we have a short ferry flight after we arrive in Moscow. Then we are off to the Imperial Park Hotel, a hotel so strange and spooky it could be a film set. I dont know what makes it like a rather comfortable prisoner of war camp: maybe the armed guards, maybe the barbed wire fence or wooded secret location.  www.imperial-park-moscow.ru/en/

As I write this I have managed to secure another upgrade with CityJet. I just used the application of English charm and a smile. They moved me and my 3 colleagues through the cabin to business class, much to the disgust of our fellow passengers. I am looking forward to the delightful snack they will provide us with.

I read in an article on the Guardian website that Netjets is losing about $1 million a day in the USA. It is a worry that the industry I have decided to work in has gone from the most popular to the most repugnant. Will there be a return to the good old days? I think with my experiences with airlines over the last few days, people will start to move back into private flying again. Using large airports is so unpleasant, if you had the money, you would opt out of the ‘pleasures’ of airline travel. I am sure that GA still has a place in aviation as it is such an efficient way to move around the globe. I just hope there will be an increase in our flying as it would be a shame to make any pilot redundant.

Well, today is a special day, Im off flying for 6 days and it has started so well. The drive was easy to Heathrow, the shuttle was ready to go from the car park and now, I have been upgraded to Business class by Air France. It is a shame I cant gave a little glass of fizz but, it is a little early. Paris Charles de Gaule is a zoo today. You would think they would put some more seats in the terminal but, no. People are sitting on top of each other and there isnt really enough room to move. Especially if, like me I am pulling my wheelie bag, carrying a coat, 2 newspapers, café latte and a little mi cuit chocolat cake. And another thing, it is criminal to charge €7:20 for my little cake and a small coffee. Air France provide such bad meals now I have to get something to eat before boarding. What did people do before wheelie bags? I bet conditions were better in airports 40 years ago. Have we really made progress? Having such bad conditions is great for my job security and the future of Netjets. 

Another strange sandwich, this time it was a hotdog with cheese. Interesting but, better than the pineapple thing.

There were lots of people wearing face masks at Heathrow, the authorities say they are little or no use. I tried to take a picture but failed.  I did manage to steal one from The Sun.

The Swine Flu is getting people worried but, I have no concerns. Maybe I should. The best place to catch the H1N1 has to be the airport and I spend so much time in airports I reckon I must have a dose already. I will have to take myself home to bed for a week until I have to go flying again.