Norfolk-Sigonella-Rota-Norfolk

Author Message   D.B.M UK Senior Member Username: Overlandrover Post Number: 5855 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 88.105.121.239 Posted on Thursday, April 15, 2010 - 04:35 pm:    Alica, good to meet you in Norfolk. Good trip report, and glad to see you and the girls made it back to Va safe and sound, if not tired.   Alicia W. Advanced Member Username: Lilyfrog67 Post Number: 185 Registered: 10-2008 Posted From: 70.161.138.250 Posted on Thursday, April 15, 2010 - 04:10 pm:    Arrived at NGU Thursday, March 25 for the C5 to Rota/Sig. At that same showtime, a C40 from Ft. Worth to Sig showed up, said they were taking pax so I retrieved my luggage from pax services and headed home for the evening. Friday, March 26 I arrive at NGU, marked present and wait. Met Don Miller(DBM-UK) and his wife who were headed back to Mildenhall. We were all manifested on the C40, me and 2 kids to Sig and Don and his wife to Lajes. The flight to Lajes was about 5 hours with a 30 minute fuel stop. Another 4 1/2 hours to Sig..can't beat a direct flight with no problems!!! Monday, April 5 I began calling the Sig terminal and nothing whatsoever to Rota, Dover, Norfolk or McGuire. I showed up on Wednesday, April 7 for a C130 to Lajes/Norfolk but the crew decided to stay in Lajes as they were coming from Kuwait and had been diverted several times while in flight. Friday, April 9 I show up at terminal for a C9 from Souda to Rota/Norfolk. At the start of showtime, pax rep announced that the C9 to Rota/Norfolk would not be stopping at Sigonella. So I packed it up and went back to the husband's house. Saturday, April 10 I show up at terminal for a C40 going to Rota only. Hopped that flight to Rota, checked into Lodge and called terminal hourly for updates on a C5 to Norfolk and a C5 to Dover...both had been broken for a few days. A flight to Dover showed up early Sunday, April 11 but a waiver was not released by Dover so it took no Space A pax. The next flight was a C5 to Memphis and that was not an option since it would have been a 15 hour drive to Norfolk from Memphis. So I held out for the weekly C5 that travels from Wright Patt/Norfolk/Rota/Sig that would be arriving Sunday, April 11 early pm. They opened 40 seats. Monday, April 12 I arrive at Rota terminal, marked present and wait. Get boarding passes, checked one suitcase that was 41 pounds and forgot to pack my toothpaste in the checked luggage so that was confiscated at departure gate!! Dummy me! End of story, yes I could have stayed in Sigonella another day and tried for the C5 but I opted to take the first available flight out of Sig which was the C40 to Rota. It was not in my best interest to head to Naples or Souda Bay as my chances are better flying out of Rota and I knew the rotator was already having issues. The C5 flight arrived NGU at 4pm which was perfect timing for jumping in the HOV lane all the way to Chesapeake!! The C40 is my new favorite plane, the C5 I took from Rota to Norfolk needs a cosmetic overhaul...plastic trim hanging off seats, one bathroom, heat was about 200 degrees and I always sit up front because I like it cold but it was sweltering!!! For my next Space A trip, I am going to try for the rotator as the kids were missing the food cart!! Happy Travels!