50th anniversary 1974/2024

[atuk]

Yes folks the glorious 12th August 1974 saw me take my first flight from GLA to LGW with British Caledonian Airways on a BAC1-11 500. As an excited 17 year old not only was it the first time I’d flown to LGW it was the first my only other flights having been on the smaller 200 version. This time it is G-AWYU, Isle of Colonsay

Fast forward to 12AUG24 and it is BA 320 G-EUUE. No longer BCAL which was taken over by BA in 1987: I remember that takeover well as I worked in Stock Exchange Services where a large institutional client was a major shareholder. Anyway replete after a hot breakfast and drinks: they were feee and served to all passengers in 1974. Today’s low fares come at a cost.

Back in 1974 my onward flight from LGW was a Dan Air Comet4 to NCL leaving from gate 4B. The Comet at gate 4A was bound for Nicosia! Anyway G-APZM climbed out of LGW like a homesick angel. Landing at NCL gave a great view of the flaps which were like the proverbial barn doors!

The return from NCL was onboard another BCal1-11-500: this time G-AXJK,Isle of Staffa.

Anyway, back to 2024. My onward flight was originally LGW -AGP then cancelled with an alternative LHR departure therefore cue the Oxford Express coach to LHR. Quite a different departure from runway 26 at LGW: a minor traffic jam on the M25 near Chertsey instead. The Oxford Tube is a fraction of the prices charged by National Express, useful to bear in mind if you need to use this airport transfer.

Arriving at LHR around noon gave me ample time to check in,use the lounge and proceed to terminal 5B for my onward flight to AGP operated by an A321neo,deep joy. Today it’s G-NEOV and the hostie greeting pax noticed my BCal badge, luggage tag and polo shirt. Yes there may well have been Caledonian Girls but today it was Caledonian boy! I told her it was a special day and also my birthday so when she came round with drinks asked of the birthday boy would like some champagne to celebrate. I replied the birthday boy would really like a large gin instead.

After a really good flight down to AGP, the pax opposite me having seen me recoding details in my log asked if they could see it as they were both avid aviation fans. On deplaning the hostie who had spoken about BCAl told me she had worked for UTA ( the French second force airline just like BCal were the UK second force airline) before joining Air France then BA. I told her I remembered Aeromaritme, Air Liberte, Air Outre Mer and she couldn’t believe I knew so much about these French companies. Then she said “you really need to come and join us. We are always looking for older staff and you’d be great” I thanked her but remembered that if I came home and told Mrs C that I had a new job and start training in LHR I would be met by a look of abject horror.

One wee post script: you’ll notice I quote the aircraft names. How I wish in the UK we would have the fleets named after castles, rivers, regions, towns and cities. I know Virgin name their aircraft but I have a long lasting memory of boarding a BA 757 back to Glasgow with the Stirling Castle name plate on the galley door panel.

[Speedbird Julie]

What an incredible journey, thank you for sharing with us.

[atuk]

What an incredible journey, thank you for sharing with us.

Thanks Speedbird Julie, there’s more to follow. AGP was only a night stop then AGP-AMS-FRA for two nights then FRA-LHR-GLA.

[1-11]

Great post Atuk, and Happy Memories.
I agree with you on Aircraft names. My first was also on a BCal 1-11, Gla-Lgw, Royal Burgh of Nairn, and back on Royal Burgh of Dumfermline. That was back in 1976!