V-Flyer

After the journey up the M4 and the prompt car drop off we arrived to the shambles that area A now is. It doesn't seem that many other v-flyers have encountered difficulties at check in but Mr DL and I found it a nightmare -the PE check area was chock full with people (who it transpired were trying to use the self -service booths even though I'd asked them if they were using self serve or the main desks ).Ground crew were just standing around and not the least bit interested in sorting out the mess (which would have been easily done by putting up a few tensa barriers).I'd used online check in to move our seats but hadn't printed off our boarding cards so we needed to use a manned desk. We eventually got to the front of the queue and were dealt with by a fairly surly agent.
As I'd been having nightmares for the past few days about being in Y I asked about a cash upgrade as PE was still wide open. Surly agent was offering 149 each (PE fare was only 240 extra return when I'd booked) which in the Queen of Mean spirit I declined.
Boarding cards collected we headed off for security which was moving quickly (why oh why do people not remove belts jackets etc before getting to the front of the queue???). No shoe carnival either so the whole process took about 15 mins.
Off to the CH (care of the Matterbox offer)where we were confirmed as being on the manifest list and granted access.CH was reasonably busy but we still waited over 10 mins for one of the wait staff to offer a drink (irritating as we were in full view and numerous wait staff were gathered at the bar).Several coffees and a couple of Mojitos later I eventually found Locutus(nice to meet you Mike) who joined us for some lunch in the Bistro before he headed off to New York and we headed to Boston.
We left the CH shortly after boarding was announced and made the short walk down to gate 7 (I think) where Dancing Queen was waiting to depart and most of the passengers were already boarded.
Having not travelled in Y for a while it was a bit of a shock to squeeze into our little spaces but I reminded myself that this wasn't a long flight and so all would be well.
Shortly before take off the Captain announced that because of the high winds it would be a full throttle take off and that the flight would possibly be very bumpy for the first couple of hours (it wasn't).
I didn't recognise any of the crew but was glad to see the FSM was visible pre-departure and continued to be so throughout the flight.
Take off was unremarkable and the IFE was turned on quickly. Only one drinks round was offered and I made do with a generic G+T [:0].
Meal service followed shortly after -I'd chosen the beef which was pretty awful really (all gristle and no beef)but the yummy Gu chocolate orange pot hit the spot.
The champagne I'd pre-ordered (to soften the blow of Y) was brought after the meal was cleared and once it was established that we wanted to drink it on board was returned in an ice bucket with proper UC champagne glasses and a plate of kettle chips also on a purple plate [;)](because of the light load the crew informed me only one bag of nuts had been loaded for upper) .
The flight quickly passed (although it was a bit longer than expected because of the winds)-aided by the champgne and V-Port. A couple of juice rounds were completed with the crew reminding passengers of the water fountain positioning.
An hour before landing coffee/tea was served in paper cups and another chocolate Gu offering accepted.The snack service was promptly cleared away and we landed without drama.
As there was no priority disembarkation for us we made swift progress up to immigration knowing that dawdling would cost us dear in the long run (and we had to collect the car and drive down the coast).
By US standards immigration was rapid and the official was was very pleasant (but very very thorough) and we on our way to baggage reclaim 20 mins after disembarkation. There were no problems from the first outing of my new biometric passport either which was a relief[^].
Baggage took an eternity to arrive with no sign of the priority baggage system working. All priority/ordinary baggage seemed to spew out together.Once the bags were collected off through customs and then out to catch a shuttle bus to Dollar. Car collected with no problems and we were on our way out of Boston an hour after arrival.
So was Y the nightmare I was anticipating? No actually. Granted I had CH access which softened the blow but the crew were generally excellent (FSM leading by example again) and the whole process wasn't unpleasant. We'll see how the return journey goes but if it's as good as the outbound flight there'll no complaints from me.