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#921258 by buns
13 May 2016, 17:18
Ground Staff
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After a busy weekend of shopping (keeping within the UK Duty limits of course!!) it was time to return back to the UK and complete the necessary Tier Point s to re-qualify.

After trying many options, i now prefer to book an extra day at the hotel and have a leisurely final day at the Hotel. Thinks to V Flyer, i had an inkling that flight would be delayed and sure enough an hour or so later i received both text and e mail saying the flight would be delayed by an hour and a half. Unfortunately, on this occasion, i was having a driver pick me up so was not able to take full advantage.

After a quick 20 minute journey down the 417 (thanks to the new interchange at Boggy Creek Road) I was at the Terminal and with a hop skip and a jump from the kerb, i was in the UC Check In area. The usual agent was there and she welcomed me back and thanked me for my custom. I was able to ask if Row 20 was still free and she obliged by moving me to 20A. After being issued with Boarding Pass and Lounge Invite I had a stroll around before tackling the TSA Endurance Test.

Not they say familiarity breeds contempt - in my case not looking properly at the instructions on the back of the Lounge invite and i went to where i normally do - which is no longer the priority line. That said, it make no difference as the whole thing is a shambles aided and abetted by passengers not taking things out of their pockets before going through the x ray and taking their worldly goods with them as hand luggage. I can see a business opportunity to offer fast track at a price 8-) 8-)

It took over half an hour to get through and this is why I get to the Airport early and no longer use McCoy's for a pre-flight meal. After enduring the farce i made my way to their Outback Steakhouse for a final US Burger and Beer, before popping across to the Duty Free and picking up a bottle of Tanqueray for £16 as opposed to a bottle of Gordons on the Plane for £13 (when you can get in Tesco for £15).

I then went to an empty Delta Sky Club. At first i thought it was merely because it was a monday, but it was later pointed out that BA now go somewhere else - this means it is a haven of peace and quiet.

There are some food offerings , but nothing substantial and whilst you can still get complimentary basic drinks (such as Jack Daniels and Beefeater Gin) you can opt for "premium" brands (such as Tanqueray 10) for between $6 - 8.

Never let it be said that V Flyer do not tell you about bargain offers. You can pick up a bottle of Dom Perignon in the Delta Sky Club for $250 :-O :-O

One of the benefits of the Delta Sky Club is VS provide a member of staff to escort you onto the aircraft. Although this was in place, due to the fact the flight had been delayed, boarding had started early, so it was not the case that we were boarded before normal boarding commenced.

As such i was one of the last to board the upstairs PE Cabin (I am sure my seat companion was hoping for a free seat next to him!) and after settling down and putting my things in the side bin accepted the glass of sparkly stuff.

With only 221 passengers boarding was quickly finished and we pushed back slightly before the planned 9:05. Quick taxi and we were airborne.

The Male crew member working the upstairs PE Cabin was splendid and appeared to really enjoy his job (which is more than can be said of the non existent member of crew on the outbound flight). Menus handed out (as well as a service feedback form) and the drinks run undertaken.

THE MENU

Starter
Seasonal Salad - Peppery radishes with lemon oil

Main Meal
Beef Stew
Chinese three cup chicken
Spinach cannelloni (V)

Pudding
Passion fruit, raspberry and Chocolate dome
Cheese and crackers


Being in Row 20, I was served first and opted for the beef. Whilst tasty, it was grey in appearance and my feedback comment to VS was it was memorable for all the wrong reasons. VS have stopped shopping at Waitrose and now shop at Aldi. Just the tray presentation and the packaged products now used just look cheaper.

After the meal I settled down for some sleep. One of the downsides of Row 20 is whilst it has a lot of leg room the light pollution from visits to the bathrooms can be distracting

Breakfast is now:

Fresh Fruit
Yoghurt and a sachet of granola
warm cinnamon bun

Not much else to say, got into a rainy Gatwick as predicted at 10:30 and nice to see the automatic gates in use at passport control. I remembered my £1 coin for the trolley as as soon i was at the carousel my bags were waiting for me. Through Customs and met my Tristar driver to take me home.

Overall, PE remain a solid package from VS, but it is the little things (like no longer newspapers and hot towels) that are no doubt going to impact customer perceptions. When i was in the US, I was amazed how many people i spoke to who now fly premium with Thompsons - this is the true competitor to VS in this market and not BA.

What saved them on this flight was a super member of crew

Thanks for reading

buns
#921260 by dickydotcom
13 May 2016, 17:28
Thanks for the comprehensive TR.

On my last trip I was one of those who got it wrong and held the queue at the TSA checks.
Mainly because I was being told different things regarding watch and shoes. Take them off, then leave them on, then take them off. When I challenged the last instruction he just said, "Are you over 75?" I didn't answer, just took off the shoes.

Dick D
#921275 by Concorde RIP
13 May 2016, 19:54
Hi again Buns,

Glad to see that this flight was much better.

BA now use "Club MCO" much closer to the gates, and it's a really nice lounge.

MCO really need to sort out that security scrum, my second last trip there took 50 minutes to get through and it appears to be totally dis-organised.
#921277 by Fuzzy14
13 May 2016, 20:55
Thanks for the TR buns, I always look out for yours for all the tidbits. Pleased that Outback is still a sensible choice.

Interesting comment about Thomsons (using a 787) they do seem to be on the ball these days and some prefer Sanford as it's quicker to get through. My impression recently is that while Virgin's premium cabins have taken a quality hit the economy cabins have not, I'll confirm in a few short weeks.
#921284 by buns
13 May 2016, 21:47
Concorde
Thanks for your comments
MCO really need to sort out that security scrum, my second last trip there took 50 minutes to get through and it appears to be totally dis-organised.

I am surprised the US Airlines have not pushed for something by now - "Clear" and other points do not work as the queue just merges

Fuzzy
Thanks
My impression recently is that while Virgin's premium cabins have taken a quality hit the economy cabins have not, I'll confirm in a few short weeks.


Hope you have a good flight

buns
#921401 by spacedog
15 May 2016, 22:56
buns wrote:Not they say familiarity breeds contempt - in my case not looking properly at the instructions on the back of the Lounge invite and i went to where i normally do - which is no longer the priority line. That said, it make no difference as the whole thing is a shambles aided and abetted by passengers not taking things out of their pockets before going through the x ray and taking their worldly goods with them as hand luggage. I can see a business opportunity to offer fast track at a price 8-) 8-)


This really made me laugh! Some of the sights I see at security are breathtaking. This morning I witnessed a gentleman arguing his case about why he ought to be able to take his bottle of water through with him. And on a previous flight, there was a woman with a carry on so big it didn't fit through the scanner! But she was trying to convince the TSA that it would...

Anyway, congratulations on a) a far better flight experience, and b) renewing AU! As we fly in PE quite often I'm curious to see how our flight to HKG fares next month. Hopefully it's a similar experience :-)
#921408 by Johntea
16 May 2016, 04:26
Wow, London to Orlando and back in a weekend? I bet your body clock loves you, and having just returned myself from a 16 day break there but already wanting to return don't think I could ever bring myself to doing such a thing!

I fly in Economy but I do wish Virgin would offer some sort of choice for Breakfast, I'm not a big fruit eater at all so a tub of fresh fruit, blueberry yoghurt with granola and cinnamon bun didn't really inspire me, even a bowl of cornflakes would have gone down better with me :D
#921494 by buns
17 May 2016, 16:42
declansmith wrote:There should been hot towels and newspapers!

Seems the crew member enjoyed his job so much he forgot these 'extras'


Thanks for the confirmation - i am sure the 90 minute delay in the original take off time prompted ultra quick service.

Still far more happier than the outbound and the crew member was one factor in saving VS this time

buns
#921495 by buns
17 May 2016, 16:45
Sealink wrote:Thanks for the TR!
Shame about the food, although I have to say that Lidl and Aldi aren't so bad ;-)
As always, it all comes down to the people, doesn't it?


Thanks Sealink

The sole purpose of choosing those Brand names was to provide readers with an analogy to aid understanding - no slight or promotion of either was intended :-D

buns
#921600 by jilly
19 May 2016, 14:52
declansmith wrote:There should been hot towels and newspapers!

Seems the crew member enjoyed his job so much he forgot these 'extras'


I presumed these were no longer given out. On our outbound in April and return this month, we didn't receive either. We also didn't get after dinner liqueurs or any offers of hot drinks after the meal on the inbound flight.

I did have other issues on the return flight and I sent the feedback by email to Virgin Customer Relations.

However, I received a personal telephone call yesterday which was very much appreciated along with some compensation of miles.

Jilly
#921664 by horburyflyer
21 May 2016, 13:55
Thanks Buns for a helpful TR as always. The whole MCO security shambles needs urgent attention and like you I am surprised the U.S. Airlines have not asked for this to be tackled.

Great to see you had a great member of cabin crew in PE which really does make the difference. Interestingly, a work colleague returned from MCO recently (after the in flight service changes) in PE and he didn't receive any hot towels, newspapers and the offer of hot drinks after the main meal. The CC just said they were no longer provided and hot drinks were on request only! When he provided feedback to VS they came back and said the CC should have provided those elements of the service.

Thanks again for sharing.

Jon
#922034 by willd
29 May 2016, 16:53
What is going on with MCO Security?

On the most recent of our bi-annual jaunts to visit my old folks, we did AA via MIA. We had AA Priority status due to BAEC Silver and traveling in first so presented ourselves at the priority line for security at airside 1. The priority line merges after the passport check with the line for those passengers requiring assistance in boarding. It took us over 60 minutes go get through security and this was having priority. I dread to think what it was like for the regular lines. The issues seem to be the lack of info coming fromTSA agents. They don't bother speaking to people until they are at the head of the line. that combined with two X-ray scanners for bags combining to one metal detector caused chaos. Out of Five US airports used on this trip (others being IAD, MIA, PHL, DCA) MCO was by far the worst. Gone are the good old days of five years ago when security at MCO Was breeze and one could have a lovely meal at McCoys before a last min trip through security.
#922052 by buns
30 May 2016, 05:41
willd wrote:What is going on with MCO Security?

Gone are the good old days of five years ago when security at MCO Was breeze and one could have a lovely meal at McCoys before a last min trip through security.


Could not agree more!!

buns
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