Red Sea Trip March 2006

Buddha Boy

Hey Lasse,

Great to know you're going to be there as well!

We'll be taking as much sofnolime as we can (2L coke bottles, etc). Re the flight and weight issue we're flying from Gatwick with Monarch, but guess you'll be on another carrier?

We plan to but an extra weight allocation to allow us to take the YBODs in their boxes plus another case/bag each with other bits.

We're not taking drysuits, just 5/3 steamers.

(Thanks for the heads-up on the Slime Ed, we'll make sure to check what they've got on board.)

See you on the 19th,
Cheers,
Pete

Beanie

Check in early as early as possible and as a group, this worked for us we got away with some 29kg bags mostly 26kg without charge.

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Beanie
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Buddha Boy

Thanks for the advice Beanie,

We plan to get there for about 0630 for an 0900 departure so (hopefully!) should be early enough to not cop too much grief at checkin (then through to the duty free for books and booze!).

I'll pass on any feedback after I've phoned Monarch to book the allowance.

Cheers,
Pete

Nicholas von Rosen

Hey Pete

I'm going wiyh Lasse... - We'll arrive at Gatwick saturday at app. 2 pm... - the later fly from Copenhagen was sold out .

We are not that worried about the weight issue from Gatwick, - but from Copenhegn... - hmmm

Se you

Nick

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NICK

LS_DK

Cool,
As Nick mentions we are actually on the same Monarc flight as you guys.
No DK flights to the Middle east at the moment. I am sure you know why.
We were forced to fly over to Gatwick the day before... The first morning flight from CPH to Gatwick was too late for the Monarc flight...

If you see two chaps sleeping on the pavement outside Gatwick airport with a lot of gear, then please wake us up.. We might aswell do the old group check-in trick Beanie mentions...

Buddha Boy

Well, I've phoned Monarch and (as many of you probably already know) they don't know their a*se from their elbow.....Grrrrrrrrrr

Despite their website explicitly telling passengers to pre-book bulky gear, ie a YBOD in a box, the reservations agent (having checked with her supervisor) told me that on production of a cert card, we get an additional 5 kg on top of the 20 kg. So that's fine for the case with fins, mask, wee suit and toothbrush. Then we also get to carry the 2nd item, ie the YBOD for £15.00 per sector.

But, sez I, your website tells me to call you.

We don't accept pre-booking on charter flights, sez she.

Sensing it was time to finish the call and commence banging my head on the desk, I asked if their handling agents (Servisair) were up-to-speed on this rule?

The response? 'They should be but if you have any problems, you'll need to write in and complain later'

So, it's put V V V smiley head on at 0630 on Sunday and hope for the best.

Nick and Lasse, there's loads of Bed and Breakfast accomodation in Horley (right next to the airport), if you're arriving mid afternoon, that would be plenty of time to scout out a pit for the night if you want to. It would also give you the opportunity to check out the bright lights of (Creepy) Crawley, 10 mins down the road for a pint in the evening, you lucky things!

Will watch out for you at the airport.

Cheers,
Pete