Finally, just after dinner on the 21st, Matt and I happened to encounter the Runway Czar. He’s the one that decides whether or not the C-17 can land, and thus the one who had been delaying my flight. He said that while the flight would be delayed a few hours, it would definitely land later that night. I was leaving, and I knew it!
So, at about 1am I donned full ECW gear (required for flights) and went to catch my transport. So did the 104 other people this flight had accumulated over a few days of delays, including Matt and Annamarie. At about 4am we boarded, and by 9:45 we were in Christchurch. Back in the real world, or at least somewhere very close to it.
- Heading to our transport
- Lots of people here (full Ivan plus three deltas)
- At Pegasus, the cargo is ready: checked bags, pallets, and a propeller
- Ivan waits for the arriving passengers
- The C-17 emerges from the clouds to land
- Then it taxis right up beside the cargo and Ivan
- The arrivals head straight from the plane to Ivan
- As always with large groups of people, a gaggle forms. Matt prepares to join
- Other planes at Pegasus: the LC-130s and Twin Otters
- Matt, while we wait (turns out the gaggle jumped the gun)
- And Annamarie too
- And a self protrait to complete the set
- Boarding. At last
- Engine and gear
- Most people sit in the four rows of jump seats
- But, some Distinguished Visitors (NSF reps, in this case) get airline seats attached to “comfort pallets”
- Big funny pipes
- Lots of Wires
- The view out one of the few portholes
- Stairs up to the flight deck. Unintimidated by us, the guard allow us to visit the flight deck
- The pilots aren’t above taking some pictures themselves
- “List below all countries you have been in, in the past 30 days: None”
- We land in Christchurch and it’s raining. Raining!
- [image title=”From My Seat” size=”large” id=”5310″ align=”left” alt=”The view from my seat: lots of people sleeping” ]
- The view from my seat: lots of people sleeping
- [image title=”Flight Deck” size=”large” id=”5340″ align=”left” alt=”View from the flight deck. Much nicer than a port hole” ]
- The flight deck
I really like the panorama of the people sleeping on the C17. Nice job Steve!
Thanks, Laura!