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EWR-FLL on SONG (12-25-03)

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  • EWR-FLL on SONG (12-25-03)

    This is PART I of my EWR-FLL-EWR trip:


    FLIGHT-1463 (??)
    DATE- 12/25/03
    AIRCRAFT- B757
    SEAT- 30C
    DEPATURE AIRPORT- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
    ARRIVAL AIRPORT- Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
    SCHEDULED DEPARTURE- 12:00 PM
    DEPARTURE GATE- B44
    ACTUAL DEPARTURE- 12:00 PM
    ACTUAL TIME WHEELS OFF GROUND- 12:16 PM
    CRUISING ALTITUDE- 39,000
    SCHEDULED ARRIVAL- 3:01 PM
    ARRIVAL GATE- D5
    ACTUAL ARRIVAL- 3:10 PM
    ACTUAL TIME WHEELS ON GROUND- 3:00 PM
    OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 4.5/5

    Getting to the airport
    On the night of the 24th, I stayed at my mom's house (she lives about 30 minutes from EWR).
    The next morning, I decided to try taking the train to the airport (which I had never done). My mom dropped me off at the South Amboy NJ Transit station, and I ran to make my train, which had already pulled in. Following my 25 minute train ride to the airport station, I used my big magnetic ticket to board the monorail to the terminal. Anyway, overall, this was a waste of time and money. The monorail dropped me off at some desolate section of terminal B, away from where I needed to be.

    Check-in and security
    When I finally got to the Song Check-in desk, there was a long line; as there were 2 Song flights and only 1 representitive. Finally making it to check-in (which was horribly slow), I got my boarding pass and checked my 45 pound bag. I was about to go through security, but seeing the lines, I had second thoughts. I headed away from security toward the International Terminal (B2 & B3), where most of the stores were closed (it was only 10:30 AM, and it was X-Mas). I found a Starbucks with some chairs, and sat down to drink my coffee and crumb cake .
    I finally decided that it was time to head through security. Much to my surprise, there was no line when I got there .
    Security was a breeze and I walked down the LOOONG hallway to the gate area (the only domestic gates in Term. B). I used the bathroom and sat down at my gate (B-1-44), to wait for my flight.

    The Flight

    For those of you who have flown on Song, you know that they don't board by row, they board by "zone" (What does that mean?). Anyway, since I was in Zone 3, I waited for the boarding call and walked down the jetway . Getting onto the 757, I got extremely dissapointed when I found out there were no PTV's . Anyway, I walked all the way to the back of the A/C to row 30 and sat on the aisle (30C).
    The cabin door was shut and every seat on the plane was occupied. We began to taxi and the FA's did a great Christmas version of the safety briefing, which including singing, ryming, a "fashion show", etc. .
    We taxied to runway 4L, where we were #5 for takeoff. Finally, after about 15 minutes, we taxied onto the runway and held; for about 30 seconds. We started down the runway, and during rotation, the woman next to me was shaking horribly . We finally lifted off to the south and flew straight over Monmouth County, before turning to the left over the Atlantic. After the turn, the plane dropped 3 times, what felt like 500 feet each time , which let out quite a shock from the rest of the passengers. The FA's announced that it was an empty gap left by Santa's sleigh (??). After we reached the 39,000 mark, inflight service started. Menus were passed out, and the special of the day (Ham and Cheese Sandwich) was announced. Since I was in one of the last rows, it took about an hour for my food to come (I got the ham and cheese sandwich- $8- and a Coke- THEY GAVE ME THE CAN!!!! After I ate my food, the plane started to bump around, and the seat belt sign was turned on. The turbulence got worse, and lasted for about 45 minutes; I think it was the worst I've ever had (it was BAD!). The turbulence finally ended, but the seatbelt sign was kept on, as we began our initial decsent into FLL. As we got lower and lower, the FA's came around a couple of times with the trash bags, and more turbulence started. I used the bathroom (in the front of the plane), and when I got back to my seat, I heard the four "beeps" that signaled we had passed 10,000 feet . We continued to lose altitude, until finally we passed over I-595 and touched down (great landing ) on runway 4-L, where an American MD-80 was lifting off, about 1000 feet in front of us
    There was a DL 767 occupying our original gate (something was odd at the DL terminal that day), so we waited on the ramp for a new gate assignment. About 10 minutes later, we taxied to Gate D5, and the jetway came forward. I waited for most of the plane to de-board, and then I walked through the jetway, coming out in a far corner of the DL terminal. The DL terminal at FLL is by-far my favorite FLL terminal, as it is small and never crowded. (You feel like you're in a small airport at the DL terminal; there are only 8-9 gates).
    I walked past the newsstand and the security checkpoint and downstairs to baggage claim, where I waited for about 20 minutes for my bag . I saw my uncle standing in the corner after I got my bag, so I went over and said hi. Then we left

    PART II (FLL-EWR on New Years Eve Coming soon!!)

    QUESTIONS?? COMMENTS??
    www.acairport.com

  • #2
    Nice report.
    There is no 4L at FLL.
    Try to catch me flyin dirty...

    Comment


    • #3
      Congrats for
      the emoticons dotting
      sueezing lots of interesting details in limited space.
      Thanks in advance for your return leg.
      Regards
      Alain
      Thanks for visiting
      *Avimage's Monthly Slide list *
      *JetPhotos*
      Airliners*Pbase.com

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by mikecweb
        Nice report.
        There is no 4L at FLL.
        Thanks!

        Oops.... wasn't paying attention; I was typing fast.
        It's supposed to be 9L.
        www.acairport.com

        Comment


        • #5
          No worries.
          Try to catch me flyin dirty...

          Comment


          • #6
            EWR-FLL on SONG (12-25-03)

            Well written. Can't wait for part 2 and your final opinion on Song. If possible, please take pictures!!!

            Comment


            • #7
              Just posted the return (seperate)
              www.acairport.com

              Comment


              • #8
                Nice to know someone other than me uses FLL!
                Fly From the 27th Busiest U.S Airport.....

                Fort Lauderdale International Airport
                Nonstop Service to over 60 Destinations
                And
                The Home of Spirit Airlines

                Comment


                • #9
                  By the way, I don't like the DL terminal at FLL!
                  It is too small and uncrowded.
                  Fly From the 27th Busiest U.S Airport.....

                  Fort Lauderdale International Airport
                  Nonstop Service to over 60 Destinations
                  And
                  The Home of Spirit Airlines

                  Comment

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