So got the directive from the Minister for Home Affairs to clean out the garage, specifically the collection of aviation magazines that have accumulated over the years. It took me the better part of the whole day (and quite a few Stone and Wood lagers) to sort through all the various publications as I couldn't help but read an article or two. Some of these dated back to 1995 and it was such a trip down memory lane ( I was a uni student then and often bought the magazines to read on buses or trains). The articles on Ansett were especially poignant as were the post 9/11 ones. It was also strange to read the articles on Qantas back then, full of optimism and bravado with orders for A380's (and later the 787's). I particularly loved the "on the airbands" column in Australian Aviation on the older issues which made many hours of travel on Brisbane Transport buses much more bearable (this was pre smartphone when you actually had to read something or look out the window).
Looking at the June 2001 issue, the cover shows Ansett 767's which were grounded due to missed engine pylon inspections (a precursor to the eventual collapse). I often wonder about the thousands of employees affected by the closure, and at the time, free from the pressures of mortgage repayments and business loans I just couldn't see what a dire situation this was for Ansett employees. There was also an article on the QF1 incident in Bangkok that I had forgotten about (hope that wasn't you JB in the left hand seat). In 2001, I had just flown my first domestic sector in Australia (as far as I can remember), my first Ansett flight was on a CRJ from Brisbane to Mackay during Easter but I can't remember the year and the return was in a Fokker 100 from Proserpine to Brisbane around about the same time. I thought the Fokker was a much better plane than the CRJ, although it seemed to take an awfully long time to reach V1 (according to my back seat pilot observations), so much so that I remember wondering how long the runway was at Proserpine. The landing in Brisbane was spectacular, lot of bank on finals so the Gateway Bridge (just one back then) filled my window. I have had many, many flights since then and thanks to the contributors to this forum, my family and I have flown J in SQ, CX, QF and MH; experienced many lounges and all the various perks that goes along with those. But that Fokker flight remains one of my best.
Anyway, fell free to add your thoughts as I'm sure many of you have insights especially those who flew or worked for Ansett. Also, anyone who wants a pile of aviation magazines, please let me know. Free to a good home.
Looking at the June 2001 issue, the cover shows Ansett 767's which were grounded due to missed engine pylon inspections (a precursor to the eventual collapse). I often wonder about the thousands of employees affected by the closure, and at the time, free from the pressures of mortgage repayments and business loans I just couldn't see what a dire situation this was for Ansett employees. There was also an article on the QF1 incident in Bangkok that I had forgotten about (hope that wasn't you JB in the left hand seat). In 2001, I had just flown my first domestic sector in Australia (as far as I can remember), my first Ansett flight was on a CRJ from Brisbane to Mackay during Easter but I can't remember the year and the return was in a Fokker 100 from Proserpine to Brisbane around about the same time. I thought the Fokker was a much better plane than the CRJ, although it seemed to take an awfully long time to reach V1 (according to my back seat pilot observations), so much so that I remember wondering how long the runway was at Proserpine. The landing in Brisbane was spectacular, lot of bank on finals so the Gateway Bridge (just one back then) filled my window. I have had many, many flights since then and thanks to the contributors to this forum, my family and I have flown J in SQ, CX, QF and MH; experienced many lounges and all the various perks that goes along with those. But that Fokker flight remains one of my best.
Anyway, fell free to add your thoughts as I'm sure many of you have insights especially those who flew or worked for Ansett. Also, anyone who wants a pile of aviation magazines, please let me know. Free to a good home.
