Station
51, Move-Up to Athens Greece Station #1 -
Part III
by
As the plane took off from the runway, the crew of station 51 relaxed in
their seats, knowing that they were on the final leg of their journey, and
they had seats across from each other.
"Hey Cap, did you happen to hear how long this flight is supposed to
be??" Chet asked.
"About 14 hours, with the time zone changes. I hear they are supposed
to have some interesting movies on these overseas flights. I also heard
that this airline serves steaks for the meals too." Cap said with a
smile.
"Look at the bright side Chet. At least you'll be well rested and fresh
when we land." Johnny added.
"Great!!! I'll be ready to take on whatever comes our way and the ladies
out there. Think there'll be many visitors from other countries???"
Chet replied.
"There should be guys. From what I read, we're going at the peak season
time, so there will be people from all over there." Roy added.
"I hear that the women in Greece are pretty hot looking, and some of
those foreigners are also. And can be pretty imaginative." Mike &
Marco added.
"Just remember guys, we're there to observe & assist their department,
let's not do anything to embarass ourselves or the La County Fire Dept."
Hank reminded them.
"Right Cap," they all agreed.
As the men finished their conversation, the stewardess showed up with the
dinner cart and started passing out the meals to the passengers.
"Man, this looks better than I expected, and it's hot too. Thanks."
Johnny said, smiling at the flight attendant.
"No Problem sir." She said back with the cutest tinge of an accent.
"Take it easy Johnny, you too Chet, she's got the ring on the appropriate
finger." Hank said.
The 6 men ate their meal without any further comments and enjoyed their
drinks, as they relaxed and prepared for the flights movie.
As they finished their meals and drinks, they relaxed and prepared for the
movie about to be shown.
"I hear it's supposed to have gotten good reviews from the critics."
Roy said.
"Yes it did, and I think this is one we all may enjoy." Marco
added.
As the men lay back and got comfy, they watched the movie and smiled, then
felt the sleepiness overtake them from their long journey and each man fell
asleep watching the movie.
Next Morning
As the passengers start waking up and stretching, they look out the windows
and see it's gotten light and they can see some land through the clouds
As Johnny gets up and stretch, he sees the flight attendants coming around
with breakfast, so he wakes up his stationmates.
"Hey guys, they're coming around with breakfast. Roy, Marco, Chet,
Mike Cap."
They each stretch out and see the food coming and say, "thank goodess,
need something to get us going." Chet was the first to speak up
As they get ready for breakfast, the plane's Captain comes on and says good
morning to them, and tells them about where they're at in the air, about
how much longer they have to get to their destination and to enjoy their
breakfast.
In a few hours, the plane begins the final approach to Athens Greece International
Airport and the passengers are enthralled with a wonderfull view of the
city and country areas as they fly lower to the ground and closer to the
runway.
"Man, look at all this beautiful country and mountains. It looks like
the ones at home are just as tall, if not taller than the ones here."
Johnny said.
"I believe there are a few that are a bit taller than ours back home
Johnny, they're just not close to Athens, according to the book that I got."
Chet chimmed in
Roy looked out the window and noticed in the distance a distinctive plume
of smoke rising from the city areas.
"Hey Cap, check out the header I just spotted out my window just now!!"
Roy yelled. Hank leaned across and took a look, "Yes that is quite
a column, hope they're handling it ok."
As they continued admiring the scenery, Roy thought of his family at home
and how much he was missing them now, and was gonna miss them during the
trip and made a note to get a few phone cards and use them to stay in touch
with them back home.
In a few more moments, the plane glided down onto the runway and landed
smoothly, as the passnegers applauded the pilot for his flying skills and
getting them to their destination safely.
As they slowed down more, they looked at the airport and noticed the fire
equipment at the airport's crash station, and the interesting assortment
of apparatus that was stationed there.
"Man, those rigs are bigger and built a little more different than
ours back home. Wonder what the pumping capacity and their tanks hold??"
Mike said.
"Well, being this is Europe, they are all probably in litres, instead
of gallons." Marco added as the plane taxied up to the terminal area
and had the jetbridge hook-up to the plane.
As soon as the plane stopped, everyone stood up and got their carry on luggage
from the bins above their seats and got in line to get off.
As the 6 men from station 51 exited the custom's area upon receiving their
bags and vlearing both immigration and customs, they found a man standing
near the front of the doors, wearing the uniform that idenrified him as
working with the Greek Fire Service.
"Hello, are you the 6 firefighters i'm supposed to meet coming in from
LA????" he asked when he noticed their semi official looking t-shirts.
"Yes we are. I am Captain Hank Stanley and these men are my crew from
my station and shift."
"I am Lieutenant Panagiotopoulos, stationed here in Athens at station
#1. which is also the headquarters for every fire station in the country.
I have a van parked outside, If you will just follow me, we'll head out."
"Excellent. Let's go guys." Capt Stanley said.
"Right" the 5 men said together as they headed out to the waiting
van.
"We saw a large column of smoke as we were flying in here," Roy
said. "What's burning???"
"It's a large factory that started 3 hours ago and was still going
a few minutes ago. From what I last heard, they're fighting it from the
outside. It's quite a ways from the city, so we won't be going near it at
all." The lieutenant said.
As the van pulled out into traffic, the men asked their driver questions
about what to expect their visit and what were recommended for them when
they weren't on shift, and were very pleased with the responses they got,
especially when they were told of another book they could buy at a bookstore
in the area of the station.
An hour later, they pulled into the station's/headquarter's driveway and
they got out, taking their bags with them and were met by the on duty firefighters
for the station as the visitors were surrounded and barraged with questions.
To be continued in part 4
