British Airways Sponsored Swiss Flight Number 1
Gorgs’ Diary Extract
Tuesday 1st September
Well here I am, at the end of my days travelling. A day I will never forget for all the good reasons.
Not being able to take my .22 pistol on public transport, my day started by driving that well worn path up the A303 to Heathrow. But being one of the very few times I’ve flown on my own, for the first time this Devonian Lass’s destination was Terminal 5’s Long Stay car park. This I was able to pay for with the kind sponsorship I’ve gathered over the past couple of months.
Catching a bus to the Terminal was a breeze, where I met up with Nick Moorish, a photographer for British Airways. Not quite Posh Spice, but still made to feel like a celebrity, Nick photographed me in the middle of the huge check-in hall proudly wearing my British Airways t-shirt! I would be lying if I said the crowds gathered, but those photos will be another to add to the ‘Hall of Fame’ the Geikie’s call the downstairs loo!
Check-in was my next task, which usually with a gun would be a nightmare, but with Terminals 5’s very efficient procedure I was through in no time at all. Even with time spare to browse the fantastic shopping facilities!
Casually boarding the plane, I was greeted by the cabin staff (by name) and ushered onto the flight deck, where the Captain wanted to speak to me. This debatably was my days’ highlight up until this point, seeing all the controls and meeting those that guide the highly engineered bird of the sky I had so often passenger! A lovelier team of people I couldn’t met made me feel so welcome and special. Finding my seat and thinking my day couldn’t get any better, I was lead to the front of the plane, where a seat in First Class had my name on!
As I was tucking into my delicious meal, the Captain came onto the public address system informing us of out travel progressions. Then going very red in the face as people turned to look at me, he continued “and on this flight we are please to welcome Georgina Geikie,” and elaborated about my story that once again put me on cloud 9 ½!
Reaching Zurich we disembarked the plane and I was bared farewell with a hand shake from the Captain and a “good luck” from the crew and I set foot on Swiss soil with my head held high! What an experience I had had and this was just the start of the week!
I would just like to thank British Airways for sponsoring me this flight. Travelling in such style has really started the week as I mean to continue. Putting me in the right frame of mind to train and compete to my best capability. The small factor that made my day, was being greeted with a true smile at EVERY check point in British Airways adventure. I very much look forward to the further two flights I have won.
I will never forget the day I was made to feel so special.