jb747's last operational flight

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Was there a water cannon salute?

 

[Bundy Bear]

Two no shows who had to have their bags removed were the reason for late departure.

How do passengers check into a flight with bags and then don’t board.
Must be some good stories.

 

[Hvr]

Am home now and will update this thread.

The flight up on Saturday in Y+ was my first trip in that class and quite enjoyable. It was nearly empty and as I've previously mentioned the same crew were rostered to return the following night. This meant that as I entered the plane the FA saw me walking up and greeted me by name without having to look at my BP. It does give you a little thrill when other passengers are looking at you wondering who you are to be greeted by name. There was more to come.

In 11F the FA came up to me and we were chatting about the flight and she saw the woman in 11J. The passenger had been on board QF30 many years ago with the FA and jb747. She was travelling with her husband (seated behind her) to celebrate jb747s final flight. We were the three pax on board specifically for this event.

We (the pax) were seated and ready to go when there was an announcement made that two people had failed to board and their luggage needed to be removed.

Once this was done we took off an hour late. During the delay were were kept informed of what was happening all of us being eager to get underway.

Just before we left the gate the FO came on the PA and told us all of the significance of the flight and a history of jb747's career.

After takeoff when things were settled jb came out and met us three just near the J lounge and spent several minutes with us. It was an absolute privilege to meet him again during flight. Photos were taken which will be forever memorable.

I then had a lovely dinner, watched Crazy Rich Asians on the IFE which was so appropriate when leaving Singapore.

The FA had advised us that upon landing that we would be taken down the stairs for a visit to the flight deck. We were also given a task to perform.

Next: flight deck.

 

[Hvr]

I got a couple of hours sleep on the droopiest A380 J seat I've ever sat on. Still, I was there. Upon landing there was clapping which I happily participated in.

Our task, which we gladly accepted, was to ensure that jb was kept on the flight deck for a few minutes while the crew brought a cake forward. I got to sit in the left hand seat and have a photo taken as did the 2 other pax. The FO was marvellous, happily doing photos as required.

The cabin crew got all the pax off (except us 3) and a Qantas person came aboard. The FO presented a gift to jb, a framed photo signed by all the crew of the actual plane he flew in to MEL. A plane spotter group were asked to provide some photos for the celebration and the best was chosen. He was then given the cake and a gift from the Qantas rep who had made the trip out especially to see him.

I was pleased to be able to take photos for the crew of them on the stairs with jb at the front.

It was an absolute privilege to witness the presentation and be part of the celebration. The cabin crew were absolutely unanimous in their respect for jb and his professionalism. They (and jb, and the FO and SO) were very generous in sharing the celebration with us as well.

It was interesting to hear the lengths at least one of the FAs took to ensure she was working the flight. She was only able to get on at the last minute due to colleagues changing with her.

 

[Quickstatus]

@Hvr What happened to the cake. You didn’t mention the champers?

 

[Hvr]

Some final thoughts:

All 3 of us pax had booked Y+ and were upgraded, me on Friday the other 2 on Saturday. The lady hadn't realised it was jb's last flight until she and her husband were on board. He had arranged it as a surprise and had to do some fast moves on various social media platforms to keep the secret.

The flight was packed, a crew member needed to be seated on the flight deck.

Mrs jb wasn't permitted by ABF to go airside.

Being the absolute last pax to leave the plane meant that the queues were horrendous. Several flights had come in while I was participating in the celebrations.

The priority immigration queue took forever with at least one desk closed due to computer failure. All of the SmartGates had massive queues. The priority card for passing through Customs was used to bypass huge queues.

I had an absolute ball and some wonderful memories of this event.

Thank you @jb747 and your crew for including me in this special event. I will never forget it. May your retirement be long and joyful. You've certainly earned it.

 

[Hvr]

@Hvr What happened to the cake. You didn’t mention the champers?

jb got to take the cake with him, it was boxed after the presentation. There was champers after take off and I was offered but declined due to being a teetotaller. The two other pax there for the celebration did enjoy as did the FAs.

I didn't see or hear any champers on the ground.

 

[ellen10]

Sounds like a great experience and a special memorable one too. I think your special effort to be on that flight and that of the other couple added to the special occasion for JB.

 

[Quickstatus]

So @jb747 would have to tick Yes on the declaration

The non alcoholic celebrations Might be an OHS thing.

Any chance of some piccies?

 

[ric_melb]

Have been following this thread with great interest and enjoyment.

I wish to offer jb747 a wonderful retirement, and hope he has many opportunities to make the most of it.
He certainly has had an amazing career, and represents Qantas employees at their best.
I also value the great contribution he has made to AFF, and hope to see him posting here in the future.

Many thanks to HVR who took the time and expense to be on this last flight.
HVR, a great flight report written so soon after landing, which brought the experience to life for all of us.

 

[Hvr]

Was there a water cannon salute?

There were attempts to get a water cannon salute but apparently we're in drought and the firies didn't want to use the water.

 

[por930]

Hvr, As this is a very special thread, can you post the pics you took of the event. I have several questions for JB, but will wait a few days until he finishes all his exit interviews? and settles down to retirement.

I always found I was more busy retired than when I worked full time.

 

[flyer89]

All the best with your retirement JB and a big congratulations. 34 years in any job is admirable. Enjoy the travel without having to brief the departure beforehand.

 

[Hvr]

I got to the gate early and was rewarded by seeing jb747 on the tarmac taking photos.

I do have lots of photos of staff on the plane but won't post them on a public forum without permission of the people involved.

I will provide them all to jb747 and will be guided by him as to which ones can be posted.

 

[por930]

You might have to photoshop edit the pics. As long as JB and his big girl(A380) are there, most will be happy.

 

[jb747]

Ah, I was a bit naughty, with no yellow vest. But the SO had that, and I think he figured I was expendable.

When I get my head around it all, I'll write something longer here, and a lot of thank you letters to various players.

The FO on my last sector was with me for only the one sector (though we'd flown many times before) and he'd gone to a lot of trouble to make the day memorable. Thankfully he refrained from reminding me at 200' not to f it up. The SO was a character...one of those people that aviation needs more of.

My cabin crew were wonderful. Two of them were from QF30, and and third was in Singapore to see us off. Two of the passengers were also from QF30...and they were very game to come flying with me again.

HVR from AFF was with us...and the crew were amazed at the reason he was there. I hope he had good time.

We were also met by one of the base management people, a lady whom everyone in the base loves, as she always lives up to her promises. Coming in at 6am on a day off, is not really in the job description, but it was really appreciated.

Sadly I couldn't manage an entire journey to London, on time at both ends. Got close though...

 

[love_the_life]

Sounds like it was a wonderful last flight for you jb747. Hope retirement is absolutely wonderful for you and you get to do everything you want.

 

[jb747]

This is the end of the line....

 

[jb747]

I got to the gate early and was rewarded by seeing jb747 on the tarmac taking photos.

Had to get a few shots of the girl....

 

[VPS]

Are planes always girls?