Strap on your lederhosen, we’re heading to Dusseldorf!

Look I am flying the plane!!!
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We had the pleasure of flying there in one of the few remaining Airbus 330’s. The oldest in the fleet. We are really quite spoiled, apparently we have one of the youngest fleets in the industry, so ever time we have to fly the 330’s someone complains. And honestly, they are not that old. In comparison when I flew form Vancouver I few Air Canada to London then switched to Emirates. The Air Canada plane was built in 1988, vs. the Emirates plane was built in 2003. So all things considered we really have nothing to complain about, but if we did it would be that the 330 has less space and fewer amenities.

Ah, fellas, were are the control sticks?
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The passengers sure loved the attendant call button. And half the time they had no idea that they pressed it! “How may I assist you?” “Pardon me?” “You pressed the assistant call button?” “ The what?” “This button?” “Oh that’s what that is for!” It gets trying after the 15^th time.

The passengers sure loved the attendant call button.

The Purser asked if I wanted to sit in the cockpit for landing. I happily took him up on his offer (Please see pictures attached.) It was fantastic! The Airbus flight deck is far less complicated then the Boeing. That means more room for windows. The clouds below looked like the see from the altitude we were at. Then as we went in for the landing we flew down into them, it really was an interesting experience. Under the clouds it was a dreary, rainy day.

Look at all the shiny buttons!
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Düsseldorf is a nice little city, full of old European charm. That is really all I can offer on the subject. The place was very Germany; orderly, clean, efficient. That night a few of the crew had drinks in the bar. The next day I was invited by Mariya, a Bulgarian cabin crew member if I wanted to explore the city with her. I gladly excepted. We wandered around down town for a few hours before she got tried and cold. Once back at the hotel I had a nap in preparation for the 6 hour night flight home.

Check it out, we are high enough to see a curvature of the skyline! 42,000ft!
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The flight back was with out event, more oblivious call button pressing but once everyone got settled and ate most then slept for the remainder of the flight.