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Booking
My family and I had to travel to Atlanta for my cousin's wedding. After comparing flight times and prices between LGA and HPN (no reason to schlep to EWR or deal with JFK for a flight to ATL), we found that HPN flights were cheaper and offered better times. We compared DL (connection operated by EV) and FL. We ended up splitting the reservation between FL and EV as my mom, one of my brothers, my grandmother, and myself would travel down Friday while my other brother and dad would fly EV as my other brother had a conflict for Friday evening (it ended up that they would switch spots, and that eventually my dad and brother would switch to FL-both long stories that I won't go into).
I made both reservations online. The DL reservation went smoothly. However, the FL reservation proved to be problematic. First, it wouldn't accept a perfectly valid credit card. After several attempts, I got it to go through with another card. I assumed we were all set. A week or so later my mom informed me that she never recieved confirmation for the flight. I called AirTran, and they found no record of the flight. They seemed very unprofessional on the phone, using a lot of slang and not seeming to care very much. This persisted through subsequent calls I had to make due to complications with the itinerary, however with each call they seemed to get more professional. I rebooked the flight and was able to get the same fare class (whatever was cheapest) or one simialar for both flights. With that, we were ready to go.
Friday, June 8th, 2007
Westchester County (HPN)-Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Internatonal (ATL)
FL653
Scheduled Departure: 1:46 PM
Scheduled Arrival: 4:04 PM
Seat 24A
Aircraft: Boeing 717-2BD
Registration: N895AT Del. 1/05
Check-in:
We arrived at the airport around 12:20-12:30. We unloaded the luggage and I waited at the curb with my grandmother while my mom and brother went to park the car. This took awhile as parking at HPN is limited and due to the recent growth in service is pushed to the limit. At around 12:45 we headed to the check-in line. There was a little bit of a line, but it went pretty quickly, especially considering the amount of flights FL has at HPN and the small size of the terminal. We had already printed our boarding passes so all we needed was to check our bags. The agent was unexceptional (B6 is the only airline at HPN to employ their own agents-the rest are employed by the company that runs the airport Avports, which also manages HVN, ACY, ALB, TEB, and FRG). She did, however, tell us that the flight was delayed until 4:00. She told everyone in line to remain at the airport, which was good on her part.
Security and Boarding
I had called FL to confirm that the flight was delayed, but their call line said that the flight was on time. My mom decided we should go through security. The three of them went through, while I went up to the observation deck (which is pre-sterile zone). I only took one photo as I was apprehensive due to the over zealousness of HPN security. I saw a lot of bizjet activity, as well as our 717 land with the clam shell thrust reverse rs. Pretty cool. After about 15 minutes my mom and brother started frantically calling me saying to come through security because the plane ontime and was boarding. I had known that beforehand and had timed it out accordingly, but it was pointless for me to argue, so I went downstairs. Security went pretty quickly, and I joined my family in the overcrowded airside portion of the terminal. Every seat was taken and many were on the floor or standing. The flight wasn't boarding. Typical maternal anxiety had brought me downstairs. Oh well.
One shot from the Observation deck; FL 717 destined for Fort Lauderdale I believe
About fifteen minutes after I had made it through security, they started boarding the flight. They attempted to do it by zones, but it was no use. Everyone just lined up, although single file as there was no room for more than three abreast. Our boarding passes were scanned quickly, and we proceeded through the hallway that led to the Jetway.We proceeded to row 24. We had the whole row to ourselves, and I got seat A.
Photos taken while at the gate
A view at the Landmark Aviation Hangar with a Bombardier Challenger outside
HPN's fire department
Fuel Truck.
Aircraft interior
The aircraft seemed relatively trash-free, however it was clear that they hadn't vacuumed it. There was significant visible condensation/steam visible from the A/C vents, which I had noticed on my last FL 717 flight. Maybe something with the 717's A/C design? The seats weren't great. They were thin, not really padded, and had no adjustable headrest. There was no foot rest, and the 30" pitch made it a bit cramped. However, not bad for a two hour flight, and certainly not bad considering the price.
The head flight attendant came on the PA, welcoming us aboard, etc. Next, the Captain came on and made the usual announcement. He seemed like a very nice guy. Interesting to note that in all of the announcements, the F/O is referred to as a Co-Captain. Interesting. The F/As did the safety briefing as we pushed back (read from a script and manually demonstrated as there are no monitors onboard). After we disconnected from the tug, we proceeded to taxiway F (HPN Diagram:http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0706/00651AD.PDF), where we stopped. The Captain came on and told us that the computers at Air Route Control at HPN were down, and that they were issuing clearances manually, one by one. Probably not so comforting to non aviation aware passengers, who could have confused ARC with ATC.
Numerous times the F/A's had to come on telling passengers who had stood up to sit down. Some people just don't get it. I had a perfect view of the terminal, and was able to see all of the activity. Numerous bizjets landed and took off, although taking pictures were hard due to our position and my being on the left hand side of the plane (runway 16 was the active). I began to notice that aircraft were starting to build up over by the threshold of runway 29 and the end of taxiway K. At the most, there were four waiting over there. There was a FL 717, a UA (I believe OO) CRJ, a DL CRJ (most likely EV), and finally a US CRJ (I couldn't catch the operator). My theory is that they were having trouble getting planes out, and as a result, had to keep planes from coming to the gates (HPN has only 2 gates and around 3 hardstands at the terminal). Slowly, planes pulled out and those waiting were able to proceed to the gates. After about 45 minutes we finally got our clearance. We proceeded across the active and down taxiway L. We were number two on line for takeoff. After the first plane took off (I couldn't see it due to my vantage point). We proceeded onto the active, and as soon as we completed the turn, the pilot opened the throttle as fast as possible and we blasted down the runway. Along the way I was able to see numerous plane that had taxied behind us still waiting. These inclued a B6 E190, a MQ ERJ (parked off the end of Taxiway A), a ZX 1900, as well as many aircraft still waiting to be cleared to the gate around the vacinity of runway 29. At least we were finally airborne.
A view across HPN from Taxiway A. My flight school is the hangar on the right.
A NetJets Cessna Citation V landing on runway 16.
N184JB, destined for somewhere in Florida.
The Same Citation taxiing behind us on Taxiway A.
An Eagle Fight ERJ-135, N840AE resting in the sun.
An overview of part of the Terminal ramp as well as Hangar A. Next to the aforementioned ERJ-135 is an Air Georgian Beech 1900 C-GORF. It was on the ground for a while. To the right you can see some of the airplanes that were forced to hold due to too many planes being at the gate.
C-GORF taxiing behind us.
A UAX CRJ, N920SW, operated by SkyWest, taxiing to the gate after holding by runway 29.
N840AE taxiing behind us. It went to park off Taxiway A.
FL 717, N991AT, taxiing to the gate after holding.
Another Eagle Flight ERJ-135, N801AE, taxiing off the active. It would remain over there until after we took off.
View after taxiing across the active after we finally received clearance.
Inflight
The climb was smooth, and at 20,000 feet the Captain came on to tell us that we were 690 miles north of ATL and that he would turn off the fasten seat belt sign. We continued our climb until we reached FL350. Beverage service didn't start until we were at cruising altitude. It was the usual free drink plus a bag of pretzels, which I am pleased to report are no longer those disgusting artificial butter flavored ones. The flight attendants only made one service during the flight. Overall I found them to be non-exceptional; neither bad nor great.
Climbing out of HPN.
Procedure turn over Westchester.
Hudson River
In flight service on AirTran.
My family and I had to travel to Atlanta for my cousin's wedding. After comparing flight times and prices between LGA and HPN (no reason to schlep to EWR or deal with JFK for a flight to ATL), we found that HPN flights were cheaper and offered better times. We compared DL (connection operated by EV) and FL. We ended up splitting the reservation between FL and EV as my mom, one of my brothers, my grandmother, and myself would travel down Friday while my other brother and dad would fly EV as my other brother had a conflict for Friday evening (it ended up that they would switch spots, and that eventually my dad and brother would switch to FL-both long stories that I won't go into).
I made both reservations online. The DL reservation went smoothly. However, the FL reservation proved to be problematic. First, it wouldn't accept a perfectly valid credit card. After several attempts, I got it to go through with another card. I assumed we were all set. A week or so later my mom informed me that she never recieved confirmation for the flight. I called AirTran, and they found no record of the flight. They seemed very unprofessional on the phone, using a lot of slang and not seeming to care very much. This persisted through subsequent calls I had to make due to complications with the itinerary, however with each call they seemed to get more professional. I rebooked the flight and was able to get the same fare class (whatever was cheapest) or one simialar for both flights. With that, we were ready to go.
Friday, June 8th, 2007
Westchester County (HPN)-Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Internatonal (ATL)
FL653
Scheduled Departure: 1:46 PM
Scheduled Arrival: 4:04 PM
Seat 24A
Aircraft: Boeing 717-2BD
Registration: N895AT Del. 1/05
Check-in:
We arrived at the airport around 12:20-12:30. We unloaded the luggage and I waited at the curb with my grandmother while my mom and brother went to park the car. This took awhile as parking at HPN is limited and due to the recent growth in service is pushed to the limit. At around 12:45 we headed to the check-in line. There was a little bit of a line, but it went pretty quickly, especially considering the amount of flights FL has at HPN and the small size of the terminal. We had already printed our boarding passes so all we needed was to check our bags. The agent was unexceptional (B6 is the only airline at HPN to employ their own agents-the rest are employed by the company that runs the airport Avports, which also manages HVN, ACY, ALB, TEB, and FRG). She did, however, tell us that the flight was delayed until 4:00. She told everyone in line to remain at the airport, which was good on her part.
Security and Boarding
I had called FL to confirm that the flight was delayed, but their call line said that the flight was on time. My mom decided we should go through security. The three of them went through, while I went up to the observation deck (which is pre-sterile zone). I only took one photo as I was apprehensive due to the over zealousness of HPN security. I saw a lot of bizjet activity, as well as our 717 land with the clam shell thrust reverse rs. Pretty cool. After about 15 minutes my mom and brother started frantically calling me saying to come through security because the plane ontime and was boarding. I had known that beforehand and had timed it out accordingly, but it was pointless for me to argue, so I went downstairs. Security went pretty quickly, and I joined my family in the overcrowded airside portion of the terminal. Every seat was taken and many were on the floor or standing. The flight wasn't boarding. Typical maternal anxiety had brought me downstairs. Oh well.
One shot from the Observation deck; FL 717 destined for Fort Lauderdale I believe
About fifteen minutes after I had made it through security, they started boarding the flight. They attempted to do it by zones, but it was no use. Everyone just lined up, although single file as there was no room for more than three abreast. Our boarding passes were scanned quickly, and we proceeded through the hallway that led to the Jetway.We proceeded to row 24. We had the whole row to ourselves, and I got seat A.
Photos taken while at the gate
A view at the Landmark Aviation Hangar with a Bombardier Challenger outside
HPN's fire department
Fuel Truck.
Aircraft interior
The aircraft seemed relatively trash-free, however it was clear that they hadn't vacuumed it. There was significant visible condensation/steam visible from the A/C vents, which I had noticed on my last FL 717 flight. Maybe something with the 717's A/C design? The seats weren't great. They were thin, not really padded, and had no adjustable headrest. There was no foot rest, and the 30" pitch made it a bit cramped. However, not bad for a two hour flight, and certainly not bad considering the price.
The head flight attendant came on the PA, welcoming us aboard, etc. Next, the Captain came on and made the usual announcement. He seemed like a very nice guy. Interesting to note that in all of the announcements, the F/O is referred to as a Co-Captain. Interesting. The F/As did the safety briefing as we pushed back (read from a script and manually demonstrated as there are no monitors onboard). After we disconnected from the tug, we proceeded to taxiway F (HPN Diagram:http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0706/00651AD.PDF), where we stopped. The Captain came on and told us that the computers at Air Route Control at HPN were down, and that they were issuing clearances manually, one by one. Probably not so comforting to non aviation aware passengers, who could have confused ARC with ATC.
Numerous times the F/A's had to come on telling passengers who had stood up to sit down. Some people just don't get it. I had a perfect view of the terminal, and was able to see all of the activity. Numerous bizjets landed and took off, although taking pictures were hard due to our position and my being on the left hand side of the plane (runway 16 was the active). I began to notice that aircraft were starting to build up over by the threshold of runway 29 and the end of taxiway K. At the most, there were four waiting over there. There was a FL 717, a UA (I believe OO) CRJ, a DL CRJ (most likely EV), and finally a US CRJ (I couldn't catch the operator). My theory is that they were having trouble getting planes out, and as a result, had to keep planes from coming to the gates (HPN has only 2 gates and around 3 hardstands at the terminal). Slowly, planes pulled out and those waiting were able to proceed to the gates. After about 45 minutes we finally got our clearance. We proceeded across the active and down taxiway L. We were number two on line for takeoff. After the first plane took off (I couldn't see it due to my vantage point). We proceeded onto the active, and as soon as we completed the turn, the pilot opened the throttle as fast as possible and we blasted down the runway. Along the way I was able to see numerous plane that had taxied behind us still waiting. These inclued a B6 E190, a MQ ERJ (parked off the end of Taxiway A), a ZX 1900, as well as many aircraft still waiting to be cleared to the gate around the vacinity of runway 29. At least we were finally airborne.
A view across HPN from Taxiway A. My flight school is the hangar on the right.
A NetJets Cessna Citation V landing on runway 16.
N184JB, destined for somewhere in Florida.
The Same Citation taxiing behind us on Taxiway A.
An Eagle Fight ERJ-135, N840AE resting in the sun.
An overview of part of the Terminal ramp as well as Hangar A. Next to the aforementioned ERJ-135 is an Air Georgian Beech 1900 C-GORF. It was on the ground for a while. To the right you can see some of the airplanes that were forced to hold due to too many planes being at the gate.
C-GORF taxiing behind us.
A UAX CRJ, N920SW, operated by SkyWest, taxiing to the gate after holding by runway 29.
N840AE taxiing behind us. It went to park off Taxiway A.
FL 717, N991AT, taxiing to the gate after holding.
Another Eagle Flight ERJ-135, N801AE, taxiing off the active. It would remain over there until after we took off.
View after taxiing across the active after we finally received clearance.
Inflight
The climb was smooth, and at 20,000 feet the Captain came on to tell us that we were 690 miles north of ATL and that he would turn off the fasten seat belt sign. We continued our climb until we reached FL350. Beverage service didn't start until we were at cruising altitude. It was the usual free drink plus a bag of pretzels, which I am pleased to report are no longer those disgusting artificial butter flavored ones. The flight attendants only made one service during the flight. Overall I found them to be non-exceptional; neither bad nor great.
Climbing out of HPN.
Procedure turn over Westchester.
Hudson River
In flight service on AirTran.
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