V-Flyer

After a very pleasant weekend during which I met the very charming GJ and discovered that he and my host had a friend in common, worked round the corner from each other and had in fact worked in the same building and to think I had to come all the way over from Ireland to introduce them [:?] it was time to head back to SFO. My host dropped me off early at SEA-TAC as he had to go to work. In fact it was so early that the first VX flight hadnt yet left for SFO. Mind you it was late! Check-in was deserted and I was quickly checked in and once more advised of delays around San Francisco because of the fires. I made my way to the gate area and although I had had a snack breakfast already I grabbed another snack while I waited. I noticed that the early flight was very delayed although I didnt actually see it depart and I felt it boded no good for our flight. That wasnt a problem for me as all I was doing was picking up a car and heading north to the redwoods to visit friends. Incidentally they were offering upgrades to First Class for $50. I briefly considered it but then decided against. I felt the Premium rows were good enough for a 2 hour flight.

The incoming flight arrived on time but still we waited for our call. We were regularly apprised of our situation and didnt board until 30 minutes after our departure time. We were told that there was a 30 minute hold before take-off but they wanted us on board in case they got an earlier slot. The load seemed very light and I was the only one in the Premium row of seats. However a couple in row 4 suddenly gathered their goods and chattels and moved forward into row 3 which had me glaring at them and muttering under my breath. [V] As my blood pressure steadily mounted I considered my options. I could complain. After all I was justified. I had paid $15 extra for these seats and why should they have a freebie. [:(!] On the other hand they would know it was I who complained and they may well have a hit man to greet me. Decisions! Decisions! I need not have worried. One of the cabin crew going past asked them their seat number and explained very diplomatically that people paid extra to sit in those seats. They in turn had the grace to look embarrassed and professed not to know and rather shamefacedly returned to their original seats with a couple of fleas in their ears while my blood pressure returned to normal. [}:)] Finally one hour after our original departure time we pushed back and were on our way to SFO.

After gazing one last time at the beauty that is Mount Rainier and a few other of the snow-covered extinct volcanoes that pepper the landscape I sat back to enjoy the flight. This time I watched a little TV but as we all know US daytime TV is cr*p (not that ours is much better) and read. At one stage I wandered back to the loo. The front toilet was designated for First Class passengers sorry guests and this was rigorously enforced (VS take note!)
The flight was virtually empty and I was shocked at the light load. [:0] Several rows were empty and most had one or two passengers sorry guests at the most. I really could not see this flight as being viable and for the first time worried about Virgin America. Nottingham Nick was due to take the same flight some days after me and perhaps he will be able to comment as to whether it was a blip or not. All the other flights were full or reasonably so and every flight was a joy compared with my other experiences of internal US flights with the exception of jetBlue and I would hate to see it go down the tubes, especially after such a long and tortuous gestation period.

We arrived an hour late to gate A2 and there I learned how to exit from the International Terminal if you were airside and, for example wanted to go outside for a quick ciggie. [}:)] The bags took some time to arrive to the carousel but mine was in the first batch and soon I was at the Airtran for the car rental and the rest of my adventures in California including having the King of Jordan rub shoulders with me [:o)]

Great TR HL and indeed I hope the load was a 'blip' however - you need to chill out a bit if someone blagging their way into an £8 'premium' row upsets you so much!! No wonder they didn't realise.

Regards

John

Originally posted by JAT74L
Great TR HL and indeed I hope the load was a 'blip' however - you need to chill out a bit if someone blagging their way into an £8 'premium' row upsets you so much!! No wonder they didn't realise.

Regards

John

Me and 'Chill out' are not phrases you would use in the same sentence. After all what is £8 to you is Û10 and when you are a pensioner [:o)]

Ah the 'Fightin Irish' !!! I've got the blood and should've known better!

JT