Trip back from IAD to CLE went as smoothly as the trip in. IAD was bit busier. A number of families flying and some business types as well. This time it was a plus size Barbie Jet E170. It didn't smell like it had been fumigated like the 737 the day before did but then I don't think it was the first flight of the day for the plane either.
I did notice, but was still not with it mentally enough to snap a picture of it, an Air France A319 or 320 sitting at a gate. Wasn't going anywhere, surrounded by cones and the jetway was back. Seemed strange, on the way to storage or transfer? Long way to go for storage.
Boarding was done the same and went quickly. Flight was about 80% full but no delays. Off the gate 10 early and once underway taxi out was quick and no delay at the runway. Flight was smooth and only event was that it seemed like there was a delay on the start of the descent to the start of the approach. As we passed over downtown I was thinking that this pilot was going to have to lose quite a bit of altitude and I was looking forward to how he would do that without building up energy in the process. Then we broke left and did a 180 around the steel mills just south of downtown. First time I've ever done that. At the end of the 180 he had lost just about everything he needed to and speed was still acceptable. Approach was stabilized but the engines but I didn't hear the engines come out of flight idle until a mile out from the runway. One of the smoothest touchdowns ever, no reversers just a smooth deceleration to turn off.
Getting off the plane was the same as boarding. I was going to ask the pilots about the approach but the cockpit door was still shut. I would say covid protocol but the door was open until just before they closed the main cabin door at departure. CLE airport was busier than on Sunday as well. Same mix of families and some business types. All in all not a bad trip.
GQfluffy wrote:I'd be willing to bet serious money de-planning went at the same 'speed' or even quicker this way...instead of the Pickett's Charge method.
It did. Only one person broke ranks and got up before their aisle was called.
What's the point of an open door policy if inside the open door sits a closed mind?