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#921375 by Amo
15 May 2016, 16:32
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
After a very enjoyable time away in Florida - it was time to return home. I was fortunate enough to book this as an M-G reward flight many, many months ago....before the drastic "price increase".

I completed OLCI 24 hours before - confirmed I was in my pre booked seat.

As is usual I rocked up at Disney Springs first thing the next morning to get rid of my cases. Even more of a miracle was that we managed to find our way to the surface parking area on the first attempt as the road layout has changed drastically since last year!

There was a bit of a queue on both sides as people had arrived before the 0830 starting time. I waited a few minutes before making it to the front of the Premium line. The person then looked at my ticket, saw I was in Upper and then wheeled my case over the scales for me. She then waved my ticket at the other person pointing out the Upper Class part for her to see. This second person then took me straight over to another desk, no waiting at all. Clearly the Disney Springs Check-In area have been told to really push the boat out for UC passengers, as this was a much improved experience on last time! I soon had my boarding pass in hand along with the Delta Sky Club invitation and was on my way.

I arrived at the airport later in the afternoon - as always, allowing plenty of time for security. This aspect never gets any better and can be rather inconsistent I find. Sometimes they want you to leave everything in your bags and shoes on...othertimes everything must come off...today it was the latter, so it took around 30mins all told. The "priority" line makes no difference at all to the wait time as you simply merge back into the queue. As Buns said...they are missing a money making opportunity here :D

I sat for a bit in the terminal but wanted to head up the the lounge so I could be escorted to the gate at boarding. I tried to make to my own way on board last time.......I nearly ended up like Mufasa in the Lion King!!

The lounge was a pleasant surprise - not only I did I get a seat within 20mins for the first time ever but there was a choice of lots of seats!! It was lovely and quiet and relaxing and everything a lounge should be. I am guessing the moving of BA with the new lounge has made quite the difference. I enjoyed a couple of drinks before boarding was called at 1900. We all gathered together before being escorted to the gate - safety in numbers and all that!! There was a last minute moment of confusion as the Manchester flight was boarding at pretty much the same gate so I think all of us double checked with the CC on boarding that this was indeed the 16 back to Gatwick!

I quickly settled into my seat area and was offered Champagne by our CSS, refills were also offered. The CSS also managed to get most of the drinks and dinner orders done before takeoff so we were served pretty quickly once airborne.

Dinner Menu was:

Starter:
Creamy spring onion soup
Mesclun Salad
Smoked salmon rillette

Main:
Beef Fillet
Chicken Breast
Vegetable Korma
Togarashi Salmon Salad

Pudding:
Bread and Butter Pudding
Duo of Mousses

The FSM also paid us a visit and introduced herself to us all individually soon after takeoff. She said if we had any issues to ask for her and she would come and talk to us. I thought this was a nice touch as with the new service the FSM is now required to work further back for most part.

The CSS looking after us was fantastic though. The other CC stayed mostly in the galley preparing everything but between them the cabin was very efficiently looked after. The CSS seemed to be everywhere doing everything at once and really was the best example of what VS crew should be. I have sent a note of thanks to Crawley Towers about her.

I had the salad and korma for dinner. The korma was excellent. I had already asked my lovely CSS if I could hold off ordering dessert until after my main, she said this was no problem at all and informed me that the bread and butter puddings were in the oven as I finished my main if I would like one. I said yes! It was lovely but I was stuffed after dinner so no room for cheese and biccies alas. I order some tea and a brandy which also appeared just moments later.

I then went about assembling my bed. I noticed the CSS was still busy clearing up from dinner as well as helping other people with their beds but no sooner as I had pulled the toggle on the bedding pack and she was there helping me do mine!

I rested very comfortably for a few hours - the temperature was just about perfect in the cabin. I noticed that cabin beginning to come to life again so decided to sit up and have a look, the ever present CSS once again magically appeared as if from nowhere with my orange juice!

The breakfast run had started so I thought I would make the seat back up. It was being a bit stubborn but despite having her hands full of breakfast trays just a second before, the ever helpful CSS appeared to fix the seat for me. I had the french toast and some fruit, along with a lovely cuppa this went down a treat! I must admit I was still quite full from dinner....

We landed bang on time to a sunny Gatwick. The E Gates were in a bit of grump this morning and seemed to keep shutting down so that gave a me a 15min wait to get through immigration. No matter though as the bags were also a little bit tardy in appearing! Luckily mine was one of the first off and I made my bus with about 5 mins to spare.

There were feedback forms on this flight as VS are trying the new service with reduced Cabin Crew. Whilst I have my doubs about this new "improvement" I couldn't rate the service as anything other than excellent. I do feel this was more down to our exceptional CSS who never stopped though.

An excellent flight all round - thanks for reading!
#921384 by buns
15 May 2016, 18:36
Amo

Thank you for a splendid TR.

Whilst I really do need to make the effort to re-visit Disney Springs (to visit Splitsville, which i informed by locals is very good) I am put off by the new parking arrangements, so thank you for giving me the confidence to have a go the next time i am out there.

Thanks for confirming there would be a super marketing initiative of providing escorts through the dreaded TSA security :D

As for your flight experience, you just confirm my point - if ALL VS flights were as good as yours then VS would be well on the way to profitability. You clearly had a committed FSM who in turn lead the rest of the Crew to make the most of the revised situation - I can understand the frustrations of those who have had their morale severely dented, but unless you start off with a positive attitude, it will only get worse.

Thanks once again

buns
#921391 by jfenney
15 May 2016, 20:55
Thank you for a great TR and your experiences with the reduced crew and I fully agree with Buns great crew means enjoyable flight and a positive comments goes a long way :-D
#921398 by spacedog
15 May 2016, 22:33
Thank you for the great report, Amo! I'very been reading these reports from Upper with great interest after the reduction in crew and it seems that, as ever, there are great crew and not so great crew, and we should all always hope for the former! I'miss glad you had such a great experience.
#921557 by tomthumb
18 May 2016, 18:32
Great trip report and as ever its down to positive leadership which sets the tone of all other members. Speaks volumes what can be done.
Many thanks
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