Bahamas FAM Trip 2010 - Thursday 8-26-10

Today was the first day of the Familiarization Trip to the Bahamas, and I didn’t sleep at all the night before; my nerves were going crazy since it was going to be my first time in a general aviation aircraft. I hitched a ride to SheltAir, the FBO at FLL and was the first one there. I hung around and waited for the rest of the 40+ people to show up. Usually I am a sociable butterfly, but being in a room full of people I didn’t know at 8:30 am when they all pretty much know each other had me resigned to the corner until my boss and co-worker, Lisa, arrived.

Before pairing off and taking off, we had a short debriefing from Greg Rolle from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. I was still nervous. I have done the commercial jets, tons of times, heck I basically lived in them for a while, but this is a plane that seats 4 people! WAY DIFFERENT! AND to make matters worse, our pilot had yet to show up. So there is me, pacing the room, freaking out internally (and a little externally) because I believe there is a saying. “When the pilot doesn’t show, it is usually a bad sign” and if there isn’t such a saying…there really should be!!! Because seriously...

Since time was ticking by...everyone else went a head and left. Telling me, "oh, your pilot is on his way 20 min out". This left Lisa and I to continue and wait on our pilot, while I am screaming inside what the heck...where is he! Our pilot, who, because of some last minute changes was now running over an hour late! Yes, everyone had left about an HOUR ago! Not good considering the flight was only about 45 min long. Lisa found a great way to calm my nerves…Screw Drivers...gadda love that girl!!!

Just as we were about to catch a ride with some other pilots heading to Freeport, through the door comes our pilot, Guillaume. He apologizes for running late and explains the situation after introducing himself. He collects all of our information and passports and files our eAPIS, a must do when flying to the Bahamas, and in no time…we were off.

Walking onto the airfield was also different. The biggest plane out there was a Gulfstream (or something...I am still learning), which is still a baby in comparison to a commercial jet. There was no walking down that long runway tube and waiting for people to retardedly put up their bags, wonder around and try to find their seat and just basically act incompetent (I hate that about flying). We walked over to this plane that I swear you could have flown with a remote. But I swallowed about 45% of my fear and started getting excited. Being my first time, Lisa and Jean was nice enough to let me ride up front and nothing compare to the experience!!!! After Guillaume did a detailed check of the aircraft (of course I was watched like a hawk...I didn't feel like dying today) he gave us a overview of emergency exits, seat belts, etc….he called the tower and we started to taxi. The take off was spectacular…seeing the pilot actually take off…actually work…was fascinating. 

And I have to say…even if our pilot was late…he was great! He went out of his way to make sure that my first take off and landing went smooth. He made sure that I was comfortable and answered any questions that I had…and I always have a lot of questions!

On a side note – I am so proud of myself for not touching any of the buttons! Yah me!! And with all those buttons and knobs and stuff to pull, it really wasn't easy! I like to touch things...so the fact that I didn't touch a single one, well for anyone that knows me, knows I deserve a cookie!!!!

The flight was short, but Guillaume let me take the wheel…no…Yoke…yes that is right! That was so much fun!!! And I am proud of myself for not crashing us into the blue ocean below (I am pretty sure he did have the Auto Pilot on anyway). We were getting close to where the sea and ocean meets and he tells me "you are suppose to be going down"...I looked at him like he was a crazy man and I was thinking...I don't want to go towards the ocean! I wanna go away from the ocean!!!!

Landing in Freeport was great. We landed at Grand Bahamas Airport and when we touched down…I was not tossed around my seat, my stomach did not jump up to say hi to my tonsils, it was smooth and painless. Landing till that day had been the scariest thing for me when it comes to flying. I always had a little voice in my head as the wheels would touch down saying, please stop this gigantic plane before we run of the runway and die!

At Grand Bahama Airport we were greeted by a representative, line crew, a photographer…it was so much hustle n’ bussel. They took our bags and after a few snap shots they whisked us off to Customs, Right outside of customs the feel of the Bahamas was already in the air as we were greeted with Bahama Mamas and conch fitters. The passengers enjoyed the sun and music, while the pilot went inside and got everything settled. Going through customs was a breeze and soon we boarded a bus to The Radisson Our Lucaya Resort. The bus ride from the airport to the resort was short, but I was already bouncing around like a rabbit trapped in a cage. I wanted to get out and touch and see everything (I love going somewhere new). The driver gave a nice overview of the island (pointing out their KFC...hehe) and what it had to offer both pilots and tourists alike. Admittedly, I only payed attention to half of what he said, because looking out the window watching the city go by, you knew you were in the Bahamas. The houses were bright Caribbean colors of green, pink and blue. 

We checked in and my roommate, Lisa and I headed up to our room to drop off our bags before heading off to the Round Table seminar. Our room was on the 8^th floor and view were spectacular…and I am pretty sure it held us up as we took pictures of the view. It over looked the horse shoe pool that ran up to the ocean front. We took pictures of everything, the pool, the room, each other! Looking out over the pool and out into the ocean, gave me a since of freedom that I sometimes forget, loose and can’t find being trapped in the office all day.

We sat down for a nice working lunch, Greg Rolle ran the Round Table Seminar. Karen Seymour from the Grand Bahamas Ministry of Tourism greeted us and we went around the table introducing ourselves. Around that table were representatives from every inch of the general aviation industry, the melting pot of aviation movers and shakers that were on the trip was astounding.  After a presentation from James Turner the Commercial/Business Development Director for The Grand Bahama Airport. A number of the pilots/groups who lead fly-ins to the Bahamas had a lot to say about today’s reception at the airport…and almost all of it was positive feedback.

We got about 1 ½ hour for leisure time that Lisa and I took full advantage of, while we explored the island and did a little shopping (you know girls and shopping) before heading back to the airport where we got to have happy hour. I have drank AT an airport tons of times...what else do you do while waiting for your flight, but I have never drank ON an airport...next to the tower. This trip was full of a firsts for me!!! :) We even got to go up (in groups of 10) and take tours of the control tower. Being up in the tower...was again, another first for me. They went over how the manage the planes coming in and out of the airport. It was a lot of fun. The Grand Bahama Fire Department did a demonstration and everyone watched the sun set over the runway.


Note: Yah for me not touching any of the buttons...it was harder in the control tower then it had been in the plane. SO MANY SHINY BUTTONS!

After everyone had a chance to go into the tower, we headed back to the hotel where we could shower, and change before  heading to dinner at Luciano’s. Dinner was great…and besides our huge group that took up a majority of the restaurant there where a few other individuals that had come out to enjoy the beautiful evening in Port Lucaya.  We had a couple who where clearly in the fight of a lifetime. The girl was so mad at her boyfriend (I am sure for cheating). The boyfriend got a cappella group to come up an “serenade” her, it didn’t work, they didn’t say one word to each other the either dinner. We all keep looking over and talking about it :). It was rather humorous. The second couple that stood out, I guess I shouldn’t say "couple", was this very old gentleman who had obviously paid for the company of a very young and attractive "girl".

After dinner we walked back to the hotel and Guillaume, Lisa, the Miami boys and I went down to the pool and spent the last few hours before exhaustion would force us to sleep enjoying the cool breeze flowing off the ocean and the dark night sky that allowed us to see 2x as many stars as you could ever hope to see in south Florida.

That night…even though it was a strange bed in a new city…I slept amazing! :)