Re:Concorde
by wbrinkley on Tuesday October 25, 2016 @02:31PM
(#12790338)
Flew it once myself, must have 1986 or 1987. Some of the same memories:
- Not just tiny, but claustrophobic: seemed like it had about 30 or 35 rows, so if you were in the back it was like looking down a long too-narrow tunnel.
- The force, and the speed, of takeoff and landing. Ridiculously fast compared to today.
Plus:
- The view out of the too-small window: it was late morning, but the sky was a dark blue and you could see a couple stars. Also, I thought I could see a slight curve of the earth. As close to space as I'll ever come, I suppose!
- Steve Martin and at least four other people I vaguely recognized were on my flight.
- They offered (I think for free) transfers to LaGuardia or the World Trade Center by helicopter. I really regret not doing that!
- And I remember being underwhelmed by the "Mach 2" speed: other than the flight being only a little over three hours, it didn't "feel" fast in the air at all.
I forget how it much cost, but I remember using frequent flier miles to upgrade to Concorde from a paid first class ticket.
- Not just tiny, but claustrophobic: seemed like it had about 30 or 35 rows, so if you were in the back it was like looking down a long too-narrow tunnel.
- The force, and the speed, of takeoff and landing. Ridiculously fast compared to today.
Plus:
- The view out of the too-small window: it was late morning, but the sky was a dark blue and you could see a couple stars. Also, I thought I could see a slight curve of the earth. As close to space as I'll ever come, I suppose!
- Steve Martin and at least four other people I vaguely recognized were on my flight.
- They offered (I think for free) transfers to LaGuardia or the World Trade Center by helicopter. I really regret not doing that!
- And I remember being underwhelmed by the "Mach 2" speed: other than the flight being only a little over three hours, it didn't "feel" fast in the air at all.
I forget how it much cost, but I remember using frequent flier miles to upgrade to Concorde from a paid first class ticket.