OK, sitting at the bar, waiting at the airport. No plane here yet from Miami. Travel is such sweet sorrow!

Time to start planning the next one. Hope you have a great return trip.

Just ordered round two, if I remember correctly the mia flight -- update mia flight just landed.
Eric

bluejacket--hoping for a return in the fall, but got to get airfare that we can live with!!!

Have a safe journey home you guys. We’re hoping our trip Saturday back home isn’t effected by the storm.

Listening to PJIA ATC sounds like AA2219 to MIA has requested 28 for departure instead of 10; the opening bid from ATC was a one hour delay for 28 since they are using 10 for everyone else. Expect they will figure something out before too long.
Dave.

Was there any explanation on why it was delayed?

The AA pilot said they required 28 for departure because of the aircraft weight, not sure exactly what the details are, terrain/obstacle clearance after takeoff and during initial climb with a high takeoff weight maybe? Anyway ATC weren't able to give them 28 immediately.
Dave.

Was wondering why it was late departing MIA not PJIA.

air fare to live with? You must be dreaming. Maybe with rising costs we all here should plan to travel together and make our own charter.

Dave--I never understood that "28 versus 10" runway stuff, but we took off the "wrong way", with basically no delay after we got on the plane. A friend sent me a picture of the takeoff. Thanks, Lynn!



We arrived home around midnight last night. Tails are dragging today, will be a very short day at the office.

By the way, they moved the Joneyburgers and the Dominos down by the bar, so it's much easier to get something to eat there close to the bar now. And the bartender there recognized us, even though we hadn't been to SXM in a year.

Glad you are home safe and sound! Re-entry to reality is always a difficult one. I've found the bar at the airport to be a very pleasant experience with very well made drinks--but to be recognized there, well that's a whole different level of famous! Makes the journey home a little more tolerable.

That same lady has been the bartender there for a while. A few years ago, we had a REALLY long delay at Juliana--something like 4 or 5 hours--which we spent at the bar, so she remembers us from that.

28 vs 10 is the direction of the runway based on 360 degrees, 280 and 100. Basically, East and West or 90 degrees and 270 degrees

You're welcome Carol! Not a bad photo since it was taken off the screen of my computer with my iphone. Glad you got home with no more incidents. Wow & you went to work today. We usually need at least one day at home to acclimatize!

Lynn--Well, I just checked the mail, messages, and my email and beat feet home! Eric is still there, bless his heart!

Neil--thanks. Which way is the 'regular' way?

not Neil but most planes leave runway 10 from the beach end. Depends on the wind though, right,Neil? Lol. Air France is always 28 at least that's the only end I've seen. KLM usually 10. Can you tell I've seen a lot from my office computer!

The regular way is flying over the mountains. Primarily because it takes you away from incoming traffic.....although wind speed and wind direction come into play. As someone said, Air France almost always takes off over the beach. I think partly because they usually leave late in the afternoon when there is less traffic.

Carib--yes, for sure the regular way is over the mountains. I still don't get the numbers thing, but I guess I have a mental block on that. I thought the numbers were for which way the plane takes off.

" I think partly because they usually leave late in the afternoon when there is less traffic."
I believe it has to do with the extra fuel it takes for such a heavy load to clear the mountain. KLM, when they flew the 747, had to stop in Aruba to refuel before heading back to Amsterdam.

Runway numbers align roughly with the compass heading the runway faces. Runwy 10 is 100 degrees, where North is 0 degrees, the same runway will be 28, or 280 degrees, I did say roughly, as there are only 360 degrees in a circle, when it is used the other way as planes will be taking off 280 degrees from North.

Great clarification and explanation. 👍Thanks.

We've been flying from SXM since way back when that I remember when planes had to stop in Peuto Rico to gas up because they couldn't be full due to weight of fuel to clear that mountain.

Likewise on PR. Our first flight was in ‘73 or ‘74 on Pan Am and we took off over the hill and headed to SJU. Only once in all our 48 years of at least once annual trips do I recall we ever took off over Maho Beach and it was pretty cool.🙂🙂