The_Fat_Controller

You can follow the ash cloud here http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/vaacuk_vag.html http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/corporate/pres...centration.html Not looking good for Monday onwards. High level forecast winds are here http://www.metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/jetstream.asp

I always email to :- info@arecalodge.com Usually get a reply within 36 hours.

You can help this organisation. http://www.thaichildrenstrust.org.uk/

Jacko, you posted as I edited to remove the airspeed definition. Hope you have a safe trip home. I have to go and keep the skies over the northern UK under control today, but it is a lovely sunny and mild day.

Jacko, you seemed to have missed the point, my replies were to try and settle the differences in claimed speeds between you and Samsonite. You started off by mentioning airspeed when talking about the maximum speeds quoted on Wikipedia ! The A388 and B744 file exactly the SAME speeds on their daily plans, that's how the airlines fly them despite different maximum available speeds. In real life, neither is actually flown consistently faster than the other, airspeeds are the same. In the cruise, airspeed is CONSTANT, GROUNDSPEED varies due to relative WINDSPEED and it's the speed

Jacko, now you have really made me laugh ! The AIRSPEED of an aircraft has absolutely NOTHING to do with the wind, it will fly at the same INDICATED airspeed irrespective of ANY wind component. The GROUND speed however varies considerably with headwind or tailwind components By the way, I am also a pilot, so I am not talking out of my bottom. I checked a couple of flight plans at work, A388 and B744 both file within a few knots of 500 TAS (True Air Speed) Take a minute to think about it before your next post.

However, Jacko, in the REAL world, which is what Samonsite and I were talking about, you WILL find that both aircraft are flown within a gnat's cock of M 0.85 ! Cost Index is what airlines worry about these days, not ultimate speed.

The 747-400, the latest version in service, is among the fastest airliners in service with a high-subsonic cruise speed of Mach 0.85 The A380-800 has a design range of 15,200 km (8,200 nmi), sufficient to fly from New York to Hong Kong for example, and a cruising speed of Mach 0.85 (about 900 km/h or 560 mph at cruising altitude). Jacko ,both lines direct copies from Wikipedia, maximum possible speeds may be different but normal cruising speeds for both is exactly the same.

A388 and B744, almost exactly the same NORMAL cruise speed, around M 0.85 I am The Fat AIR TRAFFIC Controller, it is my job to know, but if you doubt me, look at Wikipedia. Airbus about 20% more economical per passenger than the 747-400. Looking forward to seeing the B787, but still slightly concerned about an aircraft that needed reinforcement in the wing/body join area !

Free wireless internet now on all floors of the two older wings, Evergreen has LAN cable in every room. Wireless also available in Cafe de Blanc, where they have relocated the paid-for computers. I much prefer using my laptop in the privacy of my own room and had no problems with the wireless connection, though the whole system had a few hiccups during my stay.

Here it is, http://www.atsb.gov.au/newsroom/2009/release/2009_16.aspx

What about the over-run on landing at Bangkok Don Muang a few years ago that ended up on the golf course ? That was a BIG accident but luckily very few injuries. Cost them a fortune to get it fixed, some commentators said the only reason it was not written off was so they could say they had never "lost" an aircraft in an accident. Summary and link to report http://www.atsb.gov.au/newsroom/2001/release/2001_11.aspx ATSB Executive Director Kym Bills said: "The Qantas Bangkok runway overrun was a serious accident that fortunately did not result in fatalities and serious injur

100% sure about safes in ALL rooms now, not sure if the boxes in reception still available as the room is now used as an office (Feb 2010). The safes in Areca and Corona wings are pretty small, would not take a 10 inch Samsung netbook. The Evergreen has bigger safes but am not sure what size of computer would fit.

Mind Resort is Areca's dumping ground for Russian and Arab customers ! I stayed there once for a week as the Areca was full, loads of rude and noisy Russians, breakfast nowhere near as good and not a great location although the room was excellent. I am back at the Areca Lodge in June for 3 weeks, overall nowhere has come close ; 2 pools, 2 gyms, great breakfast and friendly and helpful staff.

I have just bought a 40 inch Samsung LED TV and the picture is stunning in High Definition and great on normal satellite here in the UK. It runs nice and cool too !

Hi Kev, I was on a very tight connection to Glasgow last month, 0900/1005. We got on stand at 0926 and I just made the flight, but my checked baggage didn't, no surprise there ! I have been using Gazelle Travel for a few years, mainly dealing with a lovely lady, Pat Cooper who is now semi-retired and for this last trip, Gordon. They do a LOT of business with China Airlines and I reckon you'll get a similar price to me.

Are you sure about return time, CAL from BKK lands in AMS around 9am. I use them 3 times a year with the KLM connection from Glasgow. The 747-400s they use are not old, but the cabin could do with updating. According to the Cabin Service Manager I spoke to at the end of Feb, this should happen next year. The seats are OK, entertainment system passable and the cabin service is excellent. I just booked for June with Gazelle Travel in Newcastle, cost £1239.

With world interest rates so low, especially Thailand, if it sounds too good to be true......it probably is, beware !

Areca and Corona wings are full right now. New Evergreen wing 60% occupied. Standards are being maintained, I love Thai food for breakfast ! Free wifi in the older buildings, new rooms are cabled. Personally, don't want to stay anywhere else, it's got all that I need.

The answer to your problems is TRUECRYPT. This is an excellent shareware encryption program. You make a truecrypt folder and copy all your sensitive data there, it is password protected. The real beauty is that once created you can add a different filename extension, call it backup.avi and it will LOOK like a video file and Windows will try and open it with a media program, it won't work but will look like it's corrupted. The only program that will open the file is still truecrpt.

Areca Lodge used to charge 200 Baht for non-resident pool use. However, they were not accepting casual users in November as they were extending the decking area around the large pool. As the new wing opens soon, meaning more congestion around the pool, I think management may stop non-resident use completely.

The Sportsman is one of the few places that enforce the smoking regulations !

The Areca has just about all you need. Comfortable rooms, plenty of hot water and they do have a rolling programme of redecoration now, however this has not been easy as the hotel is often full. I have stayed there 3 times a year since it opened and the staff are great. Breakfast is good if you can manage to get up. There is a small gym and two swimming pools. For the money I think it is very good value.

I have been using China Airlines from Amsterdam for about 7 years, 3 trips a year. They use 747-400 aircraft which are not actually that old although the cabin decor is a little dated, no personal TVs in economy. However, the cabin crew are excellent and they are the only airline that seem to care about the state of the rest-rooms THROUGHOUT the flight in ALL classes. On my first trip in economy I was very surprised to find that the toilet tissue was folded into triangles, the toilet spotlessly clean 8 hours into the flight. Food and beverage service is good. I have never b

Hi everybody, just a little helpful info if you stay at the Sabai Lodge. In my room, Large Pool, Deluxe B, the aircon unit in the room appears NOT to have a thermostat, just an On/Off button and fan speed control on the bedside unit. The thermostat is hidden INSIDE the aircon unit, all you have to do is drop down the filter panels and you will find it. I found a setting of 26 C made the room comfortable both day and night.