By Ziya Akbas
Chicago O’Hare Airport’s Station manager
From October 1997 to September 2000.
“The Nomads” was, at that time, one of America’s biggest private travel clubs. They were famous for their “mystery trips” to a destination not made known to the travellers in advance. And, they were hugely popular. As one Nomad put it “we don’t know where we’re going and we don’t much care. That’s half the fun.” They even had their own aircraft and hangar at Detroit airport. And this hangar forms the backdrop for the Detroit Concorde operations.
Certainly, one of the Nomads most memorable trips must have been a “mystery trip” on the Concorde. The year was 1999. While the destination was known in advance, this new aircraft was not, and in itself a mystery. But it was enigmatic and pioneering and quite irresistible to the Nomads’ insatiable appetite for adventure. So they chartered not one but three Concordes, all out of Detroit, all of which quickly sold out.
Ziya Akbas Station manager at O’Hare at the time and responsible for Detroit, recollects the saga of the Nomad’s Concorde operation from that city.
Detroit being the auto capital of the world, most of the Nomads’ passengers were retired auto workers, all of whom had the same spirit of adventure and, of course the means to pay for their travels.
An Air France operations team was deployed to Detroit. It consisted of myself, my assistant Station Manager Veronique Potter plus a number of check-in agents and mechanics. The entire operation was to take place in the Nomads’ own hangar. Normally one thinks of Concorde as synonymous with luxury, elegance and French savoir faire. But the Nomads’ hangar was quite the opposite – a simple but functional industrial structure. It was the classic “No Frills” experience. And it had to serve as check-in area, where boarding cards and bag tags were all manually issued, and … “The lounge” … in fact there wasn’t one, just a space in the hangar. Luxury it was not, but this particular group was here for adventure, and new experiences. Nevertheless, we were determined that the savoir faire of Air France should not desert us entirely. We made the check-in welcoming and fun and, in keeping with the best of French traditions, we served French champagne to everyone (except the crew and technicians).
Here is Veronique Potter, with Concorde behind the Nomads hangar
The atmosphere in the gloomy Nomads hangar was transformed to one of excitement and anticipation, with everyone sipping, including check-in staff, enjoying their champagne. No one was complaining.
The incoming aircraft was the scheduled flight from CDG to JFK. It then ferried from JFK to DTW to take a full load of passengers from Detroit to Paris. And, by the way, lack of luxury in the hangar was fully compensated, as these club members were to stay in Paris in a 5 star hotel, then go on to London, to another fancy hotel, and return to New York on the Queen Elizabeth II !!
When it came time to board, we encountered a problem. As most travellers, our passengers were laden with carry-on bags and expected to take them on board. I remember their expressions of disbelief when I told them we had to check their carry-ons since the overhead storage bins could only accommodate one hat or one light coat, and not both at the same time. They looked at me askance … Then I had an idea: I asked for two volunteers to accompany me on the plane to validate my point. “A picture is worth 1000 words”. They were convinced and returned to the hangar to inform their group that indeed, these were not your usual overhead bins; everything had to be checked. With good humor, they all complied.
In addition to this, I was in charge of security arrangements. The problem was everyone who worked at the airport came over to the plane for a close-up view. I assumed the role of Concorde interior tour guide, and would take 3-4 people at a time, (making sure no one removed anything for souvenirs). You had to see their faces as I would stand on the aisle with my head touching the ceiling and both arms open, fingertips touching windows. Despite “No Frills” conditions, and an influx of unannounced visitors, the boarding operation was seamless and our passengers satisfied.
The Concorde in Detroit was, of course, a big event and everyone wanted to see it. The parking stand and runway were close to the perimeter, and the taxiing and takeoff were watched by crowds. The local authorities had installed 10-12 row portable stands behind the perimeter, at a safe distance.
After take-off, I remember the plane would do a “high angle dart”, to give them the fighter plane G force experience, I imagine.
Sadly, the Nomads club closed its doors in 2011. But for these passengers, their memories of the Concorde experience will certainly be passed on to future generations.
ZA
Transcribed by Ann Wadman – Amicale Air France USA
Schedule of completed “Nomads” flights:
– 21 May 1999. Concorde F-BVFB. Departure Détroit 17h34 local time – Stopover at New York JFK – Arrival Paris CDG, 22nd of May, 6h28 local time
– 22 May 1999. Concorde F-BVFA. Departure Détroit 17h21 local time – Stopover at New York JFK – Arrival Paris CDG, 23rd of May, 7h06 local time
– 23 May 1999. Concorde F-BVFC. Departure Détroit 17h17 local time – Stopover at New York JFK – Arrival Paris CDG, 24th of May 6h39 local time
Informations http://lesvolsdeconcorde.com