🏈 Oatmeal creme pies

[Guest]

Really good stuff Delta, thanks for the great story. I'm guessing Coach wasn't real hungry for Little Debbies being mentally drained and all.

 

[BAMAFSTBACK]

TOO COOL.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Sandra. That was really cool, you taking us along on the flight.

It sounds like they are all what we hoped that they would be.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the updated BD. Get some sleep now.

 

[Tideboy]

Great update Sandra! So the oatmeal cream pies weren't delivered?

 

[Guest]

Good stuff BD. ;tr

 

[spooky112483]

that's awesome! I'm so excited for you

 

[bear facts]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Delta. Glad that you were able to get this opportunity. If I'm not mistaken you flew with the '92 team, right?

If so, maybe this '08 team will end up having something in common with that group.

Regardless of how the rest of the season pans out, this team has already exceeded my expectations, especially considering the youth this team possesses. Watching this group play, it is so easy to overlook how young it really is.

Again, glad that the flight worked out so well.

RTR!

 

[Guest]

Glad you and the team/coaches are safe. Roll Tide and happy to hear you enjoyed yourself.

 

[Guest]

Great update Sandra! So the oatmeal cream pies weren't delivered?

Uh, no. I had them with me too. :?

As I came on board with my shakers and poster for decorating the airplane I introduced myself to the rest of the crew and the Delta coordinator. At that point Alabama was only up 6-3, and I was a nervous wreck. I had on my Roll Tide and A+ program pin, so it was a little obvious that I was a fan. :wink:

I had never met this particular Delta rep. and come to find out our regular rep., who also does the Falcons, was with them in Philly. Anyway, I didn't know how to feel this guy out, but he made it clear to me (as the one in charge) to stay clear of Saban. He talked about his less than friendly disposition and made sure I understood no one was to bother Saban. That kind of changed my plan of action.

Now that I'm back in the charter "business" I might even try to do another school here and there to find out how they do things. I assume if/when I do another charter the coaches (and possibly Coach Saban) will be familiar with me and be more "inviting". Like I said it really doesn't matter anyway, and I'm certainly not complaining.

In that environment my job is to take care of them and provide them with a safe and professional experience. I definitely did that. If the "rules" stay in place I'll just have to get my pictures and autographs another time.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Delta. Glad that you were able to get this opportunity. If I'm not mistaken you flew with the '92 team, right?

Good memory! Yep, I thought the same thing. I didn't fly with them at all during the Shula, Fran or Dubose years...if that tells you anything.

 

[Swamptick]

That sounds like a really cool experience Delta. Thanks for sharing. For a few minutes I was right there with you.

How do the players dress after the game?

 

[Guest]

That sounds like a really cool experience Delta. Thanks for sharing. For a few minutes I was right there with you.

How do the players dress after the game?

All in suits.

They've been doing this for as long as I can remember. I don't know that they did during the Shula days though.

Many SEC teams dress for travel...not so much when you get out of the SEC and south though.

 

[Guest]

OK, a few other items to note.

Greg asked me about that '92 team and it got me to thinking. I used to do charters and spend all my time with the players. I got to know players like George Teague, Derrick Oden, Jay Barker.

The other night I spent most of my time with the coaches. What does that tell you? :wink: Don't worry though I didn't neglect JPW. I'm gonna tell you that JPW is exactly like he appears on TV. You talk to him like you've known him for years. He isn't the least bit egotistical. He is very down to earth and a fine representative of our university. I know I was just an old lady to him, but he certainly didn't act that way. He's big on eye contact which is right up my alley. I promise if my daughter was older I would have brought out pictures right then and there and gone to work. :lol:

Mal Moore and Dave Hart sat on the 1st row, so I was able to talk to them some as well as Coach Steele and Coach Pendry. Coach Steele and Coach Pendry probably have nothing in common, and it was funny to watch them try to make small talk. I'm telling ya' Coach Steele is sharp. Dresses sharp, talks sharp, looks sharp, etc... I never thought much about Coach Steele leaving, but now he'll have to go through me first before he does....LOL.

Coach Smart and Coach McElwain sat together as well. Coach M was very polite, but he was working while Coach Smart slept. Mal Moore and Dave Hart very polite as well. Either Dave Hart is always smiling or he was very happy Sat. nt. Mal Moore looked whupped; Dave Hart just the opposite.

Really the only other coach I had much interaction with was Coach Bobby Williams. For some reason he took to me but in a nice way. He's probably just a fun-loving jokester with everyone. I will say the coaches and players seemed to appreciate having an Alabama grad/fan there. Some probably never even knew it 'cause they had their I-pod's in the whole time. That's aight though.

One of the fa's in the back of the airplane complained saying that there was lots of foul language and such in the back. Looking at my seating chart it was mostly younger guys, and this was probably an emotional win for them. She got mad that Saban was allowing/not controlling this behavior and made the comment that he must run a loose ship....ha! I think we all know that's not the case. In fact I told her this was probably one of the few times he wasn't controlling what they do and when they do it. I'm certainly not excusing the behavior. There were several players that obviously didn't have the advantages that some of us had growing up either.

BTW, Julio Jones is very quiet. I think I scared him. :shock: I asked him about signing autographs after home games or another time I could get one for my 12-year-old. He said he isn't allowed to sign. What does that mean? ;scr

 

[Swamptick]

All of that is really cool to hear. Most of the time, when I come to the forum it is to hear stats, debate game planning and stuff like that.

It is VERY refreshing to get a perspective like this Delta.

It is nice to know they were all dressed well. I think that speaks volumes of the standards we continue to maintain.

Thanks again Delta!!!!!! Your posts are made of WIN!!

 

[Tideboy]

Great update Sandra! So the oatmeal cream pies weren't delivered?

Uh, no. I had them with me too. :?

As I came on board with my shakers and poster for decorating the airplane I introduced myself to the rest of the crew and the Delta coordinator. At that point Alabama was only up 6-3, and I was a nervous wreck. I had on my Roll Tide and A+ program pin, so it was a little obvious that I was a fan. :wink:

I had never met this particular Delta rep. and come to find out our regular rep., who also does the Falcons, was with them in Philly. Anyway, I didn't know how to feel this guy out, but he made it clear to me (as the one in charge) to stay clear of Saban. He talked about his less than friendly disposition and made sure I understood no one was to bother Saban. That kind of changed my plan of action.

Now that I'm back in the charter "business" I might even try to do another school here and there to find out how they do things. I assume if/when I do another charter the coaches (and possibly Coach Saban) will be familiar with me and be more "inviting". Like I said it really doesn't matter anyway, and I'm certainly not complaining.

In that environment my job is to take care of them and provide them with a safe and professional experience. I definitely did that. If the "rules" stay in place I'll just have to get my pictures and autographs another time.

Cool. Hey, just curious, what sized aircraft was it?

 

[ExiledTidefan]

BamaDelta, that's a great write-up of your flight the other. Awesome, and thanks for it!

One thing stood out to me about it and it was the comment by Juliohco that he can't sign autographs. I bet Saban doesn't let the younger guys do that. I mean, Saban can't control everything, but it adds to the humility that a champion must have. Even the Seniors could exercise this same level of humility at times, after all, they are still "amateur" status as long as they are NCAA eligible. However, I think those older guys on the team are going to be asked quite a bit especially at fan day, spring game, etc for autographs, so I can see that being permitted.

Interesting observations. I wonder if the FA you spoke of was a UT or Auburn fan?

 

[Guest]

Great update Sandra! So the oatmeal cream pies weren't delivered?

Uh, no. I had them with me too. :?

As I came on board with my shakers and poster for decorating the airplane I introduced myself to the rest of the crew and the Delta coordinator. At that point Alabama was only up 6-3, and I was a nervous wreck. I had on my Roll Tide and A+ program pin, so it was a little obvious that I was a fan. :wink:

I had never met this particular Delta rep. and come to find out our regular rep., who also does the Falcons, was with them in Philly. Anyway, I didn't know how to feel this guy out, but he made it clear to me (as the one in charge) to stay clear of Saban. He talked about his less than friendly disposition and made sure I understood no one was to bother Saban. That kind of changed my plan of action.

Now that I'm back in the charter "business" I might even try to do another school here and there to find out how they do things. I assume if/when I do another charter the coaches (and possibly Coach Saban) will be familiar with me and be more "inviting". Like I said it really doesn't matter anyway, and I'm certainly not complaining.

In that environment my job is to take care of them and provide them with a safe and professional experience. I definitely did that. If the "rules" stay in place I'll just have to get my pictures and autographs another time.

Cool. Hey, just curious, what sized aircraft was it?

737-800

16 up front and 134 in back. The final numbers ended up being closer to 130 instead of 150. Players like Andre Smith, Brandon Deaderick, Zo Washington, Josh Chapman, etc... had an empty seat next to them (obvious reasons).

Thing that surprised me was how many extras came along. By that I mean many if not all of the student trainers and/or managers. Also all kind of staff and ga's. Years ago it was only the team except for bowl trips.

FWIW Peter Kim was on the flt. up but not back.

One other note that I forgot to mention earlier. Josh Chapman slept the whole time. Think he was tired (emotionally and physically) from this past week?! Great job Josh!

 

[BAMAFSTBACK]

We saw Julio leaving the Ole Miss game in a suit and he did not stop and sign autographs. I wasn't sure what to make of it either. I just assumed he wasn't encouraged to do so. Oh well, as long as he makes opposing teams pee themselves he's ok in my book. Glad to hear John Parker was nice to you Delta! I waited for awhile outside the Ole Miss game and didn't see him. That's the only autograph I wanted.

 

[Guest]

Really really fun stuff to read Delta.