While flying is a routine event for everyone in the airline industry, going as a passenger on a freighter aircraft becomes something special, but being the 17th crew member on an AN124-100 Russian freighter aircraft turns out to be an adventure and a life-long memory. 

     That is the reason why I could not say no when the sales manager of the AN124-100 operator asked me if I would be interested to join a charter flight on its journey from Venice, Italy to Chicago, U.S.
     Equipped with a paper ticket and not much sleep, I met the flight crew at 05:00 AM at Venice airport.
     As the loading of the aircraft took place the night before, the 8 members of the loading crew spent the night at the aircraft, while the flight crew went to a hotel.
     New to me and different from all other freighters was that the flight crew of an AN124-100 consists of 16 people, including 8 engineers, who are responsible for loading and any maintenance-related issues.
     So a total of more people than play on a football team operate this gigantic plane and make it their “home away from home,” at least temporarily.
     On thing is apparent right away.
     When you “live” on an aircraft a reliable and qualified handling company travels along for the ride so that any problem at some origins and destination is eliminated!
     Upon arrival at the aircraft, I was shown my seat, which was in the upper deck of the AN124-100 where I joined the rest of the engineering crew.
     Having heard stories of vodka drinking and smoking Russians, I was surprised at the genteel, warm and friendly atmosphere, that welcomed me on board.
     AN 124 is not all that different than being aboard a passenger aircraft, just bigger and without windows.
     Bigger spaces aboard AN 124 include a nice sized kitchen to hang out in, which proved to be the place (like every other kitchen) where later the conversation really got started.
     As soon as I sat down, fresh coffee was served and an hour later we were in the air heading to our first stop Santa Maria, one of the islands of The Azores.
     After a short nap I woke up, realizing someone must have put a blanket over me before we arrived.
     Now the aircraft had landed in the Azores, on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
     Eager to go outside, the flight manger obliged and took me to the airport, where he ordered fuel and catering.
     On every AN124-100 flight there is a flight manager, who basically coordinates the supplier services for the aircraft and takes care of the well-being of the crew.
     He is part of that “team” mentioned earlier and a welcome addition at that.
     Unfortunately our Azore adventure lasted only two hours.
     But once again freshly catered and with fuel tanks brimming full, the aircraft took off to its next destination in Gander, Newfoundland.
     Enroute a wonderful meal of fresh fish from the island enhanced the journey as my Russian improved while asking questions about pictures onboard from previous trips of the AN124-100.
     Roughly five hours later, the giant Russian bird landed in rainy and much colder Gander, where after clearing immigration, I was shuttled with the flight crew to the hotel, with the loading crew promising to follow later.
     Despite a scheduled wake-up call at 02:30 AM, I gave in to my “tourist urge” again and explored beautiful Gander a bit and finished the day with a nice dinner accompanied by my new best friends, the AN124 crewmembers.
     The somewhat languorous feeling of travel was brought abruptly back to air cargo reality when I arrived next morning at 03:00 AM in the reception area.
     I was told rather directly that everyone of the flight crew was already sitting in the bus ready to go to the airport.
     In fact the engineering crew left earlier for the airport to crank up the aircraft and prepare it for its next journey to its final destination—Chicago.
     Being very tired and actually not ready to start my day, I was welcomed by my Russian crewmembers with fresh coffee and cookies.
     As this was already my second day among them, I felt more and more a part of the crew and realized that English was a quite familiar language to most of them.
     After an effortless on-time departure from Gander, we landed as scheduled at 06:00 AM in Chicago.
     After the freight had been offloaded, it was time for me to say goodbye to my new friends, who allowed me to be part of their great team for 36 hours.
     The loadmaster (hope he meant it) told me that I am allowed to join them any time.
     Truth is I already look forward to my next journey with the AN124-100.
(Mirja Nissen)