After a relaxing holiday ,with wonderful weather in Florida , it was time to take a deep breath ahead of the drive back to Miami Airport. One gets lulled into a false sense of tranquillity as one drives east for a couple of hours across Alligator Alley with just the occasional neighbouring car and very few trucks. Then suddenly on the horizon looms a nightmare version of Spaghetti Junction and all hell breaks loose. We actually managed to get lost about 4 miles out from MIA and had a worrying & nervous time before we managed to get back on track. What a relief it was ,& I was so happy , to see Miami Airport - and I never thought I would say that !
Dropping the car off proved to be easy then it was back on the train into the terminal. The check in was due to open at 2pm. We saw the desk with the sign saying "BA First " so at 2pm we strolled there & watched as various agents started checking in economy passengers. Finally at 2.10 a lady sauntered out to the desk alongside us. A couple sitting nearby got up & approached her . She started checking them in & I realised they were First Class. So I waited till she had finished with them & leant across before she could start the next couple in her queue . I politely enquired was I in the right queue for First Class, pointing at the sign above my head. " Oh no, we've stopped using that desk ! This is the queue here ," & she waved in front of her & started to see to the next people by her desk. With an indrawn breath we moved across to the next line. The people in front of us were then told that this was not Club World so they were despatched to the back of the next queue to their left. A bewildered World Traveller Plus man silently raised his hands in the air & left his queue to go to his left. It was a sort of stand up version of musical chairs. Welcome to MIA !
At the desk my companion bent down to get something out her bag just as I handed the e-ticket to the agent. "Where's the other person ?" she demanded. " It says two passengers here !" My friend stood up. " Oh ! " was the only apology we were given.
So, we were checked in, eventually, and moved along to security. It was like the Marie Celeste. I looked around convinced I couldn't be standing in the right place ( again ) as there was no queue. But I was waved forward, put my bag to be checked, and was out the other side in seconds. It felt weird !
I found the lounge used by BA to be a soulless , unwelcoming place albeit a haven from what is outside. I know V-Flyers complain about the VS lounge but quite honestly I actually prefer it - dare I admit ! The reek of fish and some soup permeated the atmosphere and the lounge soon busied up and was very noisy.
It was a very short stroll to Gate E8 and we were called to board at 4.55. And here the magic returned. Welcomed back at the door by name & escorted to my suite 2A , with champagne arriving before I hardly sat down. The ambience was as good as I remembered. I sat back and prepared to be spoilt once more. There was a slight blip in that there was a problem with the heating onboard which caused a departure delay of nearly one hour. The cabin became unpleasantly hot for a while but the Captain apologised and said it was actually 95 degrees on the Flight deck if that made us feel any better !
So it was sorted. Cool air washed over us. The cabin crew came round just before take off with smiles and " A Cold towel, madam ?" and an icy flannel refreshed me. On my flight out we had had an all female crew in First Class but on the way home it was all men. I must confess the aftershave could be rather overwhelming at times. The CSM came round to shake hands and have a short chat & left me enveloped in more after shave.
We hardly taxied before we were airborne and heading out over Miami Beach. I was ready to embrace the luxury of the cabin. Pre dinner drinks & those gorgeous warmed nuts were quickly served. I popped to the loo & found on my return my drink had been replenished . ( Gentlemen be warned. There is a window behind the toilet seat. Fine when airborne !) Menus, sleeping suits, slippers and amenity kits were handed out. I was asked if I was ready to dine and I sat back cocooned in my suite of happiness as my large table was set with a precision worthy of a banquet at Buckingham Palace.
I started with a large portion of smoked salmon and decided I would dare to try the breast of duck as my main course. I needn't have worried. It was so tasty and not dry or tough and I loved the dauphinoise potatoes with seasonal vegetables. It was all washed down with a delightful Viognier. I was too full for dessert or cheese but managed a coffee & some chocolates. My bed was quickly made up and I promptly fell asleep .
And woke up far too soon ! Why ? I was comfortable , a pleasant temperature and the worries of getting to Miami were behind me. But at least I lay awake feeling relaxed and pampered. I moved the bed to slightly sitting up and a waft of after shave quietly asked if I wanted something ? So , I sat sipping coffee and relishing the last hours of my Second First. ( Is that a university qualification ?!)
My breakfast was served at 5.45am. I got over my initial disappointment that no cereals were offered and asked for plain yogurt instead . Silly me. I was expecting a pot to be delivered. A bowl of refreshing plain yogurt was served, followed by pastries and coffee. I couldn't face a cooked meal.
Unlike all my previous flights I was not aware of other people having breakfast nor were my nostrils assailed by various cooked smells. I didn't hear the rattle of cups & saucers being made ready nor any other noises of preparation from the galley. First class had 12 passengers.
We were warned we would arrive in heavy rain and goodness I didn't realise how loud rain could hammer down on the lower deck of a 747. We landed without stacking & just before 7.15 deplaned from the door behind First . The walk wasn't too bad to immigration and although it looked very full, with the e gates still not operating ,we moved along at a good pace, our cases were already on the carousel , and we exited to our awaiting friend by 7.35 !!
So. My return flight didn't disappoint . I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the experience of being nurtured in First Class. I have finally ticked the box of my dream and don't feel in any way let down. In fact I still feel exhilarated by it all.
Thank you for reading. I'm off to check my bank balance .....
Dropping the car off proved to be easy then it was back on the train into the terminal. The check in was due to open at 2pm. We saw the desk with the sign saying "BA First " so at 2pm we strolled there & watched as various agents started checking in economy passengers. Finally at 2.10 a lady sauntered out to the desk alongside us. A couple sitting nearby got up & approached her . She started checking them in & I realised they were First Class. So I waited till she had finished with them & leant across before she could start the next couple in her queue . I politely enquired was I in the right queue for First Class, pointing at the sign above my head. " Oh no, we've stopped using that desk ! This is the queue here ," & she waved in front of her & started to see to the next people by her desk. With an indrawn breath we moved across to the next line. The people in front of us were then told that this was not Club World so they were despatched to the back of the next queue to their left. A bewildered World Traveller Plus man silently raised his hands in the air & left his queue to go to his left. It was a sort of stand up version of musical chairs. Welcome to MIA !
At the desk my companion bent down to get something out her bag just as I handed the e-ticket to the agent. "Where's the other person ?" she demanded. " It says two passengers here !" My friend stood up. " Oh ! " was the only apology we were given.
So, we were checked in, eventually, and moved along to security. It was like the Marie Celeste. I looked around convinced I couldn't be standing in the right place ( again ) as there was no queue. But I was waved forward, put my bag to be checked, and was out the other side in seconds. It felt weird !
I found the lounge used by BA to be a soulless , unwelcoming place albeit a haven from what is outside. I know V-Flyers complain about the VS lounge but quite honestly I actually prefer it - dare I admit ! The reek of fish and some soup permeated the atmosphere and the lounge soon busied up and was very noisy.
It was a very short stroll to Gate E8 and we were called to board at 4.55. And here the magic returned. Welcomed back at the door by name & escorted to my suite 2A , with champagne arriving before I hardly sat down. The ambience was as good as I remembered. I sat back and prepared to be spoilt once more. There was a slight blip in that there was a problem with the heating onboard which caused a departure delay of nearly one hour. The cabin became unpleasantly hot for a while but the Captain apologised and said it was actually 95 degrees on the Flight deck if that made us feel any better !
So it was sorted. Cool air washed over us. The cabin crew came round just before take off with smiles and " A Cold towel, madam ?" and an icy flannel refreshed me. On my flight out we had had an all female crew in First Class but on the way home it was all men. I must confess the aftershave could be rather overwhelming at times. The CSM came round to shake hands and have a short chat & left me enveloped in more after shave.
We hardly taxied before we were airborne and heading out over Miami Beach. I was ready to embrace the luxury of the cabin. Pre dinner drinks & those gorgeous warmed nuts were quickly served. I popped to the loo & found on my return my drink had been replenished . ( Gentlemen be warned. There is a window behind the toilet seat. Fine when airborne !) Menus, sleeping suits, slippers and amenity kits were handed out. I was asked if I was ready to dine and I sat back cocooned in my suite of happiness as my large table was set with a precision worthy of a banquet at Buckingham Palace.
I started with a large portion of smoked salmon and decided I would dare to try the breast of duck as my main course. I needn't have worried. It was so tasty and not dry or tough and I loved the dauphinoise potatoes with seasonal vegetables. It was all washed down with a delightful Viognier. I was too full for dessert or cheese but managed a coffee & some chocolates. My bed was quickly made up and I promptly fell asleep .
And woke up far too soon ! Why ? I was comfortable , a pleasant temperature and the worries of getting to Miami were behind me. But at least I lay awake feeling relaxed and pampered. I moved the bed to slightly sitting up and a waft of after shave quietly asked if I wanted something ? So , I sat sipping coffee and relishing the last hours of my Second First. ( Is that a university qualification ?!)
My breakfast was served at 5.45am. I got over my initial disappointment that no cereals were offered and asked for plain yogurt instead . Silly me. I was expecting a pot to be delivered. A bowl of refreshing plain yogurt was served, followed by pastries and coffee. I couldn't face a cooked meal.
Unlike all my previous flights I was not aware of other people having breakfast nor were my nostrils assailed by various cooked smells. I didn't hear the rattle of cups & saucers being made ready nor any other noises of preparation from the galley. First class had 12 passengers.
We were warned we would arrive in heavy rain and goodness I didn't realise how loud rain could hammer down on the lower deck of a 747. We landed without stacking & just before 7.15 deplaned from the door behind First . The walk wasn't too bad to immigration and although it looked very full, with the e gates still not operating ,we moved along at a good pace, our cases were already on the carousel , and we exited to our awaiting friend by 7.35 !!
So. My return flight didn't disappoint . I had a wonderful time and really enjoyed the experience of being nurtured in First Class. I have finally ticked the box of my dream and don't feel in any way let down. In fact I still feel exhilarated by it all.
Thank you for reading. I'm off to check my bank balance .....