TAS – Preparation from an International Perspective

[rcdart]

Thanks Doc, yep, should not be a hassle, about another 3 hours and the boys will touchdown in LA, hope to get a call in to them just to ensure all arrived damage free.

Edit. Just checked and thier flight is actuall 35 min ahead of schedule, must be favorable winds sending them along, hopefully a good omen!

[Troy]

Yeah.. Hope all goes well for them.. Talked to Norm this morning and he said they didn't have a problem with customs.. only had to open up the wing box so it could be swabbed.. Can't wait to leave now.. getting all excited.. bags packed and ready to go..

[rcdart]

3 bodies and 2 airplanes all arrived safe in LA and are currently about 250km out of LA heading toward Tucson.

[NormJB]

Chris B here on dad's log in,

arrived safely in LA with all three boxes, the box with the 2.6m model in it came out perfect, no damage, as for the other metal boxes, tehy came out looking a little dented. Attempted to put all the luggage into the Ford E350 V8, but it wasn't as big as we expected but where theres a will, theres a way, we got everything in, litteraly piled to the roof and headed off for a 9 hour trip from LA to Tuscon to meet Dave and Bill at the DA shop, got a quick tour and then proceded to remove the chairs from the van and unpack the models from thier boxes. All is good! No damage to be reported. Went and checked in at the hotel and then went off to "Texas road steak house" and had some A+ meals. mmmmm... Got back to the hotel at 9:30pm and started putting the 2.6 together. Now sits all complete and we're all a bit buggered so off to sleep! More news tommorow!

Chris B.

[Howie]

..

[hj290993]

Nice to know that you all got there safely.

Aaron Garle

[rcdart]

Just packing the bag, ole Big Ted is so excited he keeps jumping out, he's on his last warning, one more outburst and he stays behind and I'll fill his space in the bag with duty free!

[excelpoint]

Glad everything went smoothly guys. keep the reports comming when you have time. Im as green as can be right at this moment.

[Imac Kiwi]

Glad to hear all arrived safe and sound.

Catch you guys at the moon on Sunday...... not many sleeps now.

[Ian comp extra]

Its great to read your reports on whats happening over there , best of luck !

[Troy]

All packed.. Just going to bed.. Pack up to the airport in the morning and then off to LAX.. Can't wait..

[NormJB]

Well it is 5am on Thursday morning - what can I say about this experience so far - awesome and we are not at the business end yet...... Did not gey much sleep on the big flying Kangaroo - take my advise NEVER travel with Howie and Chrisbie - they told me to watch the wingtip disappear once we left terafirma - now I have NEVER cared about watching wing tips in the past and I wish they had not brought my attention to the fact that yes the wing tip did disappear only to appear again when we landed at LA - phew thank goodness - apparently they flex about 7' during flight!!! Mind you when you see what they load into that airbus on the ground it is really no surprise.

LAX was something else - as we were taxing in planes were taking off - skimming past the wing tips that had just reappeared in the windows - on bothsides of us!!!!! We were not allowed to leave the plane once it had docked until 7am which is the start time for Customs and Immigration staff on the ground!! In the terminal we knew we were in a foreign country OK but I did not understand any of the annoucements as they were in Spanish ( I think ) and my word the immigration staff - well I said lots of 'yes sir' 'no sir' 'thankyou sir's' =LOL as they took our fingureprints and mug shots. Had a bit of a wait for the models to appear and when they did I was a bit concerned about the 3M fusebox as it appeared to have had some harsh treatment - but as Chrisby indicated all is well.

Will continue this post later as laptop battery is about to expire.......

[B*tch SlapingMama]

You guys sounds like you are having a great trip so far. Keep the posts up. Even though I will be in Tucson, it will be great for all of those not going. With you posts it is like we are with you guys.
Have fun until the rest of us get there.

[rcdart]

Ok Norm, see you soon, just about to leave home and get the flight across the puddle.

[Kiwi]

Hey Mick.

Drop a couple of Prozacs in Big Teds Bundy and coke mate. He wont annoy you until you reach Tucson at the very least.

Have a good one and a safe one dude. Wish to hell I could be there.