As I'm not flying back to LHR I throw myself on the mercies of FirstCapitalConnect and the HEX to deliver me to Terminal 2 on time and they do not disappoint. Slightly worried about the seasonal stories of delay hell I find that at check in there seems to be some queues but nothing untoward. I use the check in machine with no problem, and within a few minutes am making my way to security.
On arriving at the security check, there's a lengthy snaking queue arrangement and a lot of muttering but everyone is through pretty quickly. Whoever has briefed the security staff has opted for the 'tell the punters everything several times' so by the time we arrive at the actual check a few people are quite brusque and reply that they fully understand they have to take their coats off...and then fail so to do. My rather self satisfied attitude (coat off, phone, wallet in bag, laptop out) was rather shattered by the 'shoes off' rule as I was wearing a pair of rather tight work shoes so I stumbled around for a few moments struggling with laces whilst balancing bag, laptop, coat.
Anyway, through all of that, shoes back on, and off to find something to eat. Unfortunately the lure of ale at Wetherspoons drew me into a seat in an area where the atmosphere quickly rendered my lungs into the consistency of tar paper. Oh well, at least it's on expenses.
Boarding and departure of the A319 pretty much on time. Reasonable leg room, and a good view of the lights of the south east as we depart. Service was prompt - as it had to be as they were just 3/4 way down the aisle when the flight deck announced the descent into Paris - and consisted of a bag of 'bretzels' and a drink of choice (not the finest red wine, I have to admit).
Landed a few minutes late on a runway several miles away from the terminal building judging by the length of time it took us to get to our stand. Waited a little longer than I would have liked for our bags, but to be honest I wasn't in a hurry as I'd arranged to meet a colleague arriving on a later flight from Newcastle. Having his flight's baggage mixed in with a 747 from Korea delayed his arrival on the far side of customs, but we were soon away in a taxi heading for the concrete delights of La Defense....
Paul
We can get better, because we're not dead yet
