26 October 2003
(There are three pictures which will open in their own windows if you elect to see them. If you scale to 100% they are entirely legible, but as such they take time to download and consume memory. I've indicated the sizes next to each picture.)

I just did something stupid. But, I’m very proud of it, and because of that, it’s been a stressful few days for me. Last week Karen (my travel agent) mentioned to me that British Airways was auctioning off the last two seats on the very last Concorde flight on 10-24-04. The auction 2196572420 (158K) was a private auction, a rarity on e-bay. First you had to find the auction (over 23,000 people did); then you had to fill out a questionnaire. Then, after that, you were e-mailed a link. That link led to instructions on documents you had to have your bank send by overnight messenger (by 10-18) to the auction manager. If all that was in order, then you were entitled to bid.

The document from the bank had to irrevocably guarantee funds up to your approved bidding amount. My bank, and I’m sure other people’s banks, was reluctant to issue this paper. Why? Well I could remove all the money from the account after they wrote the letter, and they’d still have to pay. Happily, I got the letter authorizing me to my predetermined maximum bidding limit. (I decline to state the amount, sorry, because I am a more than a bit embarrassed at how much debt I was willing to incur to make my dream come true).

The first bid was placed by David Hayes on 10-14. I was the second bidder, placing my bid 10-17 and was winning through 10-18. On 10-19 other people (who, I assume, had gotten approved by the Saturday deadline) began bidding. At that time, I was still within my limit. I wasn’t going to bid again until 11:59 eastern time Monday (since the auction closed at 12:00 noon).

During this time, a number of e-bayers had e-mailed me asking if I were the winner, asking if they could come with me. I was offered 50% of the bid plus bonuses well into the upper four figures to say yes. I have received lots of friendly e-mails from fellow Concorde passengers who were amongst the bidders. This was a terribly unique auction and the participant interaction was so unlike any other on-line auction I’ve been involved in. E-mails from other bidders continue to roll in nearly 6 hours after the auction ended.

Today (Monday morning), I put in my final bid which did not take as someone outbid me whilst I was typing! I was crushed as bidding had already shot past $30,000 by the time I got to work. By 11am it was past $40,000 and then it began skyrocketing, finally settling in at $63,300 (94K) with 69 (201K) bids from 9 unique bidders. David Hayes won. I sent him a congratulatory letter and let him know if his wife (and travelling companion) was unexpectedly hit by a bus, I was available. He replied in good humour and indicated he has received numerous congratulatory e-mails.

Before I give you a cut and paste of what was included in the auction, let me describe what is expected to happen on Concorde's last passenger flight. The last three Concorde flights will arrive 90 seconds apart Thursday 10-24-03 at London's Heathrow airport. The first will be a flight that has been touring UK cities subsonically, followed immediately by the supersonic circle-the-country flight full of ex-Concorde crew, finally followed by the last passenger Concorde flight (for which we were all bidding). All three Concordes will taxi to the maintenance bay and park nose-to-nose for the retirement ceremony. Passengers will be greeted by Tony Blair. Rumour also has it that the Royal Family may be represented, and indeed Windsor Castle is confirmed as being lit up at night for the first time since World War II as a tribute to Concorde as she passes over head.

Some of the confirmed passengers on this last flight include Joan Collins, Sir Elton John, Sir David Frost, and Tony Benn who gave Concorde the go-ahead as aviation minister in the 1960s, former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani, and Sir Paul McCartney.

I really wanted to do this more than anything in recent memory. It is impossible for words to describe what flying Concorde is like. Yes, I've tried to relate the experience on my various Concorde web pages, but if you’ve never been, you just won’t understand and can't understand. Ask an astronaut what it’s like to be in outer space; they all say they can’t explain that either. I realize I’m extraordinarily fortunate to have been on Concorde before, and it remains the single most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced. Nothing else comes close. Nothing.

It’s a bit difficult to go through life knowing everything else is going to be second-best and that there's nothing better to look forward to except a memory of the past. My last trip on Concorde meant a lot to me, and I realized it would be my last Concorde trip when I took it. I thought I had a chance to win this unexpected chance at going again, and I think I let my expectations get a bit out of hand. Unfortunately, I didn’t have $63,300 lying about, nor did I really believe it would go that high. (In retrospect, had they made it easier to register, I think it would have easily passed $100,000 -- I’m not sure most people were able to jump though all those hoops in such a short time.)

An era has ended. I'm not sure if the sad part is that I know what everyone is missing or that most people don't know what they're missing.

"... with silent lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and touched the face of God."

Thanks for reading,
Eric

Lastly, here’s an excerpt from the auction description (full description may be viewed in the pictures I link to above):

Concorde has long been the supersonic shuttle of celebrities, dignitaries and captains of industry, but soon she will retire to live only in the memories of the elite few who have been fortunate enough to fly her. British Airways extends that rare privilege to the winner of this charity auction, as they will receive two tickets - for the last two remaining seats - on her final scheduled flight October 24th, 2003 from New York to London.

The auction's winning bidder and their guest will truly become a part of aviation history - among the last to ever fly the legendary Concorde. Arriving in New York on Oct. 22, 2003 (winning bidder and guest must be able to arrive in New York by 10/22/03) you'll check-in to an elegant hotel for two nights. After a full day in New York on Oct. 23, which begins with a live appearance on the Today Show and ends with an exclusive Concorde reception, the next morning you'll be whisked via chauffeured car to John F. Kennedy International Airport to depart New York on Flight BA002. As her wheels leave the ground Concorde will quickly carry you to 60,000 feet and achieving Mach 2. En route, you'll gaze outward to the edge of space and look down upon the curvature of the Earth.

Upon arrival in London with your VIP travel companions invited exclusively to participate in this historic event, you will witness the official retirement ceremony of the world's most celebrated civil aircraft. A night's stay in a four-star London hotel will top off the events of this most remarkable day before returning to New York in British Airway's award wining business class where you can relax and recap your priceless journey.

Adding to the inestimable value of this extraordinary experience is the assurance that the entire winning bid will go directly to the following charities: UNICEF, Reading is Fundamental, The Fred Rogers Fund and The Boys and Girls Club of America.

Whilst Concorde takes her place in history British Airways honours her innovation and unequalled achievements, recognizing that she will remain well ahead of her time even into retirement. As British Airways moves forward into the twenty-first century the legacy of Concorde is upheld with continued innovation and superior standards across the remaining classes of travel.

These innovations and many others carry on the forward thinking and superior standards exemplified by Concorde, further establishing British Airways as a global leader in international travel.The winning bidder and a companion will receive:

* Does not include meals, unless otherwise specified; also does not include any tips, laundry, phone charges or any other items of a personal nature such as beverages, taxi fares, and shopping expenses.