LBB trip report for General Lee

[NuGuy]

I wanna go !

But can you buy the beers !

Heyas JF,

Don't forget, DC-9 guys ALWAYS have MOT.

Same thing, except without that pesky 100 degrees of extra heat you don't need.

Last time I flew that, off of 30R, checked in with MSP Center, and it was "climb to 350, fly present heading, proceed direct when able". Got exactly 3 ATC calls from center.

I'd take flying any day out west or in MI before the best day in GA or FL.

Of course, those DAL guys might not remember how do get your clearance from Flight Service in the morning, so that might be a problem for them...

Nu

 

[satpak77]

Of course, those DAL guys might not remember how do get your clearance from Flight Service in the morning, so that might be a problem for them...

Nu

:laugh:

 

[General Lee]

I hadn't had a LBB (Lubbock Texas) overnight in years, so when one popped up on my line I was actually excited to see what the General is always menstrual about.

We got our clearance from DAL to LBB with no ground stops, EDCT's, flo-restrictions, etc.

We departed DAL on-time with a nice full airplane of pleasant folks.

Abeam DFW, and looking down at the charlie foxtrot of blinking lights it was, we were cleared direct to LBB, with speed our discretion.

About 100 miles from LBB we were given descent at our discretion. LBB active was 17, but we asked for straight-in 26. "no problem" was the answer. We were cleared direct to the FAF. Speed and descent were our discretion.

Approach cleared us for the visual, cleared us to land, and cleared us to taxi to the gate.

Landed 26 and turned right into the gate. No holdouts, no ramp control. We underflew by several minutes (that we were paid for anyway.)

Two minute walk to the curb. Hotel van was waiting for us. Van driver told us that we receive 2,2,3 at the bar, 50% off in the restaurant, fridge and microwave in the rooms with free bottled water and popcorn, plus free high speed wireless, and sleep number beds (55, just like home). He also told us there was a nice Cajun BBQ place across the street, plus he would gladly drive us anywhere else we wanted to go.

The hotel designates a floor just for flight crews and had a big banner welcoming us on that floor.

All in all it was a great overnight.

I'll tell you what General, you may be too "real Delta" to enjoy a LBB overnight, but you can have your gate holds, flow times, conga line taxis choking on diesel 9 fumes, delay vectors, slow downs, hold out for gates, 20 minute walks to 20 minute curb waits. I've never endured any of that at LBB.

When you get a few years in and the neophyte excitement wears off, you'll discover that low stress, friendly people, peaceful rest, good times with the crew, and great food, mean more than the exotic locales swarming with tourons.

Thanks to you, I have a new addition to my favorite overnights.

Wow, sounds FANTASTIC. I think you should continue to bid LBB. Sounds like easy flying, and really nice people. That report is NOT the one I heard directly from a Southwest FO a few months ago, who told me that he got really sick on a quesadilla from the hotel restaurant. He proceeded to tell me that the hotel staff was not very comforting, and that he barely made it back to Love Field where he called in sick. He said he had the "faucet" from both ends for the next couple days, and that he wouldn't bid it again, since just thinking about it made him "crown" from his back end.

But hey, if you like going to Lubbock, great. I tend to go for cities that really make me excited about the layover. Certain cities in Europe, like Lubbock probably, have great history, and cuisine that is a lot different than the average American fare. Sure, it can be a bit expensive with the exchange rate, but a lot of our hotels give great discounts too. My last trip involved a 6 day trip to London Heathrow. We left on schedule from ATL at about 1030pm, and arrived into Heathrow at around 1200noon local. I took a short nap and got up with enough time to see some sights. Kensington Palace was very close, along with all the sight within a short tube ride--very accessible from our hotel. Meeting the crew back at the hotel, we all (including younger stews) had a few pints, and even had a meal together (all for 14 pounds--thanks to the 30% discount from the hotel). Later the next day we left for JFK, which was a comfortable 8 hour flight, arriving at about 7pm. A breeze through customs and we all set out (the three of us pilots) to enjoy a 31 hour layover in Manhattan. We stay at a very nice hotel, and it is on Madison Avenue, with nice hotels and Times Square nearby. I had time to see a first run movie, and some shopping for the wife, along with a good meal with the Captain and other FO. The next morning we set out for JFK again, for a 7 hour flight to LHR, with a night arrival. During the flight I watched more movies and had a first class meal, and upon arriving at LHR (around 910pm), I was tired enough to fall right asleep when I got to the hotel. I woke up the next morning and got a nice pastry nearby, and got the pick up for a 130pm departure, arriving home at 630pm. For the six day trip we got 34 hours of pay, and I got to see London twice, which I enjoy, and Manhattan once, which I also love. You can't find enough good restaurants in NYC. The late departure from ATL and the early departure from JFK had NO delays, and customs was always a breeze.

In the Winter I do a lot of Rio and Buenos Aires flights because it is Summer down there. But this Summer up here, I try to see different places in Europe. I have another 6 day coming up, with Rome the destination, and I intend to see the Vatican, go to the Trevi Fountain, and eat a lot of pasta---on Delta's dime. Enjoy Lubbock. Try Midland next.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[johnsonrod]

Yeah, I'll pass on Lubbock. I got the $hits from eating at a DQ there a few weeks back. That DQ seemed to be the hotbead of activity in the city that night.

 

[400ADude]

This is what you really meant to say:

Wow, sounds FANTASTIC. I think you should continue to bid LBB. Sounds like easy flying, and really nice people. That report is NOT the one I heard directly from a Southwest FO a few months ago, who told me that he got really sick on a quesadilla from the hotel restaurant. He proceeded to tell me that the hotel staff was not very comforting, and that he barely made it back to Love Field where he called in sick. He said he had the "faucet" from both ends for the next couple days, and that he wouldn't bid it again, since just thinking about it made him "crown" from his back end.

But hey, if you like going to Lubbock, great. I tend to go for cities that really make me excited about the layover. Certain cities in Europe, like Lubbock probably, have great history, and cuisine that is a lot different than the average American fare. Sure, it can be a bit expensive with the exchange rate, but a lot of our hotels give great discounts too. My last trip involved a 6 day trip to London Heathrow. We left on schedule from ATL at about 1030pm, and arrived into Heathrow at around 1200noon local. I took a short nap and got up and spent 9 hours on Flightinfo.com. Later the next day we left for JFK, which was a comfortable 8 hour flight, arriving at about 7pm. A breeze through customs and we all set out (the three of us pilots) to enjoy a 31 hour layover in Manhattan. We stay at a very nice hotel with free internet, and it is on Madison Avenue, with nice hotels and Times Square nearby, at least that is what they told me. I spent most of the time in my room on flightinfo but did go down to buy a cup of Starbucks at 3 AM and found out is was closed. The next morning we set out for JFK again, for a 7 hour flight to LHR, with a night arrival. During the flight I wacked off and had a first class meal, and upon arriving at LHR (around 910pm), I was tired enough to fall right asleep at my computer debating on Flightinfo.com when I got to the hotel. I woke up the next morning got on Flightinfo for a few hours, got a nice pastry nearby, and got the pick up for a 130pm departure, arriving home at 630pm. For the six day trip we got 34 hours of pay, and I got to see London twice from the Van ride to and from the hotel, which I enjoy, and Manhattan from my hotel window, which I also love. You can't find enough good internet service in NYC. The late departure from ATL and the early departure from JFK had NO delays, and customs was always a breeze.




Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Bye Bye--General Lee

...well aren't you a lucky guy.


Why can't we all be spoiled Delta FO's? :crying:

 

[Benhuntn]

Kiev- the locals will kick the crap out of you if they catch outside of a bar. Happened many times to crewmembers.
Paris-very expensive and the town is full of snobs

Barcelona-descent town if you like sangria or Tapa hoping.

Ben there done that and bought the t-shirt so I never have to go back!

 

[willNOTfly4free]

Kiev- the locals will kick the crap out of you if they catch outside of a bar. Happened many times to crewmembers.

What?

 

[Helos2Galaxy]

Complain and bicker all you want. I'll keep my $95/ hour FL turns out of NY and be home for dinner (and soccer games, little league games, dance recitals) ; haven't seen a hotel since June....

 

[Whataburger]

Well good for you that is your cup of tea, personally I miss the overnights in the Azores, or throughout Europe. To each his own!!!!!!!!!

The wind in Lubbock is the same as the Azores at least.

 

[satpak77]

ountain, and eat a lot of pasta---on Delta's dime. Enjoy Lubbock. Try Midland next.


Bye Bye--General Lee

For as much differences of opinions I have had with the General, the "try Midland next" had me laughing.

I am a San Angelo guy, and I know all too well both LBB and MAF.

General was ASA, no General? A-See trainer at 1 AM shooting approaches while SJT tower was closed ring a bell?

 

[Tejas-Jet]

I remember when the Delta mainline flew into LBB...seems they couldn't compete, so they pulled out of the market.

Even more recently, I remember when the Delta mainline had a hub at DF'n W....

 

[satpak77]

I remember when the Delta mainline flew into LBB...seems they couldn't compete, so they pulled out of the market.

Even more recently, I remember when the Delta mainline had a hub at DF'n W....

hell I remember when AA flew 727's into MAF

!!!!

 

[General Lee]

For as much differences of opinions I have had with the General, the "try Midland next" had me laughing.

I am a San Angelo guy, and I know all too well both LBB and MAF.

General was ASA, no General? A-See trainer at 1 AM shooting approaches while SJT tower was closed ring a bell?

I was ASA? Um, no. I flew for Midway Connect out of MDW. I drove through LBB once, and hopefully never again.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Kiev- the locals will kick the crap out of you if they catch outside of a bar. Happened many times to crewmembers.
Paris-very expensive and the town is full of snobs

Barcelona-descent town if you like sangria or Tapa hoping.

Ben there done that and bought the t-shirt so I never have to go back!

Wow, that's great that you flew to Europe a bunch and never want to go back. Now that you fly for Southwest, there is a good chance you never will. But you will have the opportunity to see ALL OF TEXAS, and you can go back for more. Then, for the fun of it, you can overnight in Ronkonkama, during your Islip layovers. That will remind you of Kiev I bet! Enjoy it.


Bye Bye--General Lee