V-Flyer

Time to leave and no panic this time with OLCI as I had paid the princely sum of £60 to reserve a seat for the way back This is my major problem with BA and having always flown VS for many years I am just a lowly nobody with them and my VS gold status is meaningless and I am now going to lose that too due to that damn BA sale....cue violins

I was getting ready to leave my condo when a tornado warning was announced on the tv and the area covered the whole of my drive to TPA Great! I looked outside and saw the palm trees almost horizontal so finished packing very fast and decided to leave early. What a journey!!! I drove with constant warnings on the radio and the car moving lanes on its own accord It took over double the usual time to get to the airport but I was just happy to get there.

The lounge at TPA is airside and not really worth bothering about..it was even more crowded than the gate areas and had no food worth eating in there Also the WiFi wasn't working either .... Because of the severe weather the incoming flight was delayed so I made the best of it for a while and then went walkabout before waiting by the gate. So I was first to board and down a glass of bubbles

We were quite late leaving and were warned that it would be a bumpy flight....luckily that doesn't bother me too much. Had a glass of kir royale when offered and then had to drink it in one as the bumping started...a bottle of red wine fell off the trolley and sprayed everyone sitting in aisle seats for about 4 rows!!! In stages we had our dinner when the CC's were out of their seats. Again I can't remember but this time it was due to bubbles

I woke up after breakfast had been served just before landing and felt rather delicate Managed a black coffee and bar of chocolate.

We landed at a gate that I think was in Man...as I walked forever before passport control. I smugly skipped the queues for passports and went into the Iris machine where after 3 attempts it spat me out as it couldn't recognise my rolling eyes and so I had to slink to the back of the passport queue

Bags were out quickly and Roxsy Popsy was waitng for me to take me home

The BA experience wasn't as bad as I had expected so I have less dread about my upcoming flight next week... At least I got an amenity kit...with a couple of ok things in it. Although when Mr Sunshine returned from his trip in FIRST with his unopened anya hindmarch kit I fell on it happy days.....

Sounds like an interesting flight but the bubbles induced amnesia probably helped! An anya Hindmarch amenity kit sounds fab.

Sunshine

Thanks for the return TR

What your experience shows is that VS cannot take loyalty for granted and if an equal product is available elsewhere, at a cheaper price, then VS will loose custom.

Like you, I do think 60 squids just to pre-book a seat is a bit OTT

Be interested to see how these flights compare with you upcoming via MIA

buns

Thank you for the great TR.

Great TR sunshine thanks for taking the time to write it, Florida=weather=delays dont think i have taken of on time always due to a rain cloud spewing its guts up right over the airport.

cheers

alex

Buns..I will look out for your Miami report I have another BA flight booked for next week so let's see how that goes too

Jacki - OMG you would love the Anya Hindmarch kit...crystal eye gel, milk of cucumber and roses cleanser etc etc. Oh and he also got me a pair of slippers and a wrap!!!

Sunshine