Bulgaria Ski discussion board
NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
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posts : 13 (Beginner)Date : 02-11-08 14:08NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
For the last 5 years we have skied in Pamps and booked through Balkan.
I’ve noticed a few of you commenting about flight times changing etc, which yes, this has happened to us every year but hasn’t been a major issue. However this year they actually cancelled the Gatwick to Plodiv flight so we either had to fly from Gatwick to Sofia or travel to East midlands to fly into Plodiv. After discussions with our group of 16 we decided to fly from East midlands as we didn’t fancy the 5 hour ...
I’ve noticed a few of you commenting about flight times changing etc, which yes, this has happened to us every year but hasn’t been a major issue. However this year they actually cancelled the Gatwick to Plodiv flight so we either had to fly from Gatwick to Sofia or travel to East midlands to fly into Plodiv. After discussions with our group of 16 we decided to fly from East midlands as we didn’t fancy the 5 hour ...
For the last 5 years we have skied in Pamps and booked through Balkan.
I’ve noticed a few of you commenting about flight times changing etc, which yes, this has happened to us every year but hasn’t been a major issue. However this year they actually cancelled the Gatwick to Plodiv flight so we either had to fly from Gatwick to Sofia or travel to East midlands to fly into Plodiv. After discussions with our group of 16 we decided to fly from East midlands as we didn’t fancy the 5 hour transfer from Sofia.
Last Saturday we flew on time from East midland. After 3 hours we began our descent into Plodiv, we were minutes from landing when the pilot pulled full throttle back up which was quite worrying, we heard nothing from the Pilot and the stewardess seemed quite annoyed that we would ask what the problem was, so we thought there obviously wasn’t a problem as we were once again descending to land in Plodiv. Again we were minutes from landing when the pilot pulled full throttle to take us back up. At this point with still no news from the cockpit quite a few people and children were clearly upset including me.
Ten minutes later the pilot announced we were going to land in Sofia as the fog was so bad in Plodiv! SO WHY DID HE TRY AND LAND THE AIRCRAFT TWICE!!!
We then had to wait over an hour for the coach which wasn’t a problem as Sofia is very luxurious in comparison to Plodiv. Our driver could barely see 5 foot in front of him because of the fog all the way to Pamps, so overall our journey from East midlands to Pamps was awful!
However Pamps was great, snow conditions good and we didn’t notice a major difference In prices.
most importantly we’re happy to be alive.
I’ve noticed a few of you commenting about flight times changing etc, which yes, this has happened to us every year but hasn’t been a major issue. However this year they actually cancelled the Gatwick to Plodiv flight so we either had to fly from Gatwick to Sofia or travel to East midlands to fly into Plodiv. After discussions with our group of 16 we decided to fly from East midlands as we didn’t fancy the 5 hour transfer from Sofia.
Last Saturday we flew on time from East midland. After 3 hours we began our descent into Plodiv, we were minutes from landing when the pilot pulled full throttle back up which was quite worrying, we heard nothing from the Pilot and the stewardess seemed quite annoyed that we would ask what the problem was, so we thought there obviously wasn’t a problem as we were once again descending to land in Plodiv. Again we were minutes from landing when the pilot pulled full throttle to take us back up. At this point with still no news from the cockpit quite a few people and children were clearly upset including me.
Ten minutes later the pilot announced we were going to land in Sofia as the fog was so bad in Plodiv! SO WHY DID HE TRY AND LAND THE AIRCRAFT TWICE!!!
We then had to wait over an hour for the coach which wasn’t a problem as Sofia is very luxurious in comparison to Plodiv. Our driver could barely see 5 foot in front of him because of the fog all the way to Pamps, so overall our journey from East midlands to Pamps was awful!
However Pamps was great, snow conditions good and we didn’t notice a major difference In prices.
most importantly we’re happy to be alive.
re: NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
Soz you had a bad experience Twinkle. I have read loads this year about diversions, flight changes, fog probs. I don't recall this many in previous years - strange - must be just bad foggy weather this year. I would be annoyed at flight changes - again these seem to be at the regional airports i.e. I have always gone from Gatwick and never had a prob - I gather this is due to the flights not being filled up.
As for the weather - difficult really - kinda out of our hands isn't it. Just ...
As for the weather - difficult really - kinda out of our hands isn't it. Just ...
Soz you had a bad experience Twinkle. I have read loads this year about diversions, flight changes, fog probs. I don't recall this many in previous years - strange - must be just bad foggy weather this year. I would be annoyed at flight changes - again these seem to be at the regional airports i.e. I have always gone from Gatwick and never had a prob - I gather this is due to the flights not being filled up.
As for the weather - difficult really - kinda out of our hands isn't it. Just hope for better weather in future I suppose.
Glad you had a nice time once there.
As for the weather - difficult really - kinda out of our hands isn't it. Just hope for better weather in future I suppose.
Glad you had a nice time once there.
re: NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
Thanks Kim, I just wish he'd never tried to land with the fog as I now feel quite nervous about flying and when we finally landed in sofia the aircraft actually skidded to the right on the tarmac.Taking kids to Florida in 8 weeks and already nervous about flight even though fly a lot with all different airlines never had such awful experience!
re: NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
Mornin'The pilot was possibly quite happy to land in fog, but it may be that ATC weren't so happy about it.
On the Balkan flight that we went on, the inside had been "redocorated" with fablon and emulsion. One of the panels (with the oxygen masks in) dropped down, the stewardessess couldn't fix it, so the pilot came down with a roll of sticky plaster! Never worried about my DVT all through the flight! I just kept my eyes on the wing!
re: NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
I WILL NEVER EVER EVER FLY ON A BALKAN PLANE EVA. I am driving from Newcastle to Gatwick on saturday to get on a thomsons plane and it will be worth it. previously when travelling with Balkan I asked a guy on the ground as i was getting into one of their planes if it was air worthy and his reply after a snigger was "Only Just."re: NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
I think they should have to display a MOT certificate so you can check it before you board.Once the plane hit some turbulance (perfectly normal when flying over mountains) you could cut through the air with a knife, as people's bowels made a bid for safety!
re: NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
you can't blame the fog on balkan!!!!!!!!re: NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
In fairness though Markm... you are a mardase!re: NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
Thanks for all your comments, two years ago we had to hold the bulk head in front of us as it kept falling down But at least the food is good tonycott i don't blame fog on Balkan but i can blame the Pilot for trying to land TWICE it was scarey trust me!
re: NEVER AGAIN WITH BALKAN!
I have flown with Balkans but now fly with Thompson having booked through crystal the last few times....the reason for me is the state of the aircraft. I have in a previous time been an aircraft engineer. one look at the last balkan plane I flew on and it put me off. the emergency exit looked like it was from another plane, not just that but a different make/model...but then they do have quite a good safety record...
