LH3389 LHR-DUS 27 OCT 11 (BUSINESS)
Posted: 14 Nov 2011, 01:20Seat = 3F
This was the first leg of my trip to NYC. Travelling via DUS was not part of doing something similar to the AMS ‘trick’ to avoid APD but a means of getting to fly in F on LH on the trans Atlantic leg.
I managed SEQ2 for this leg which I was surprised at as the LH website didn't initially like my booking details plus then I had to enter the APIS data too. The flight(s) were reward bookings made on the CO website and although booked and confirmed I don’t think CO passes the data on until close to OLCI opening. I didn't change the pre-selected seat assignments allocated during booking 3K seamed reasonable enough and LH policy is to keep the middle seat free in the J cabin on short European flights.
I arrived at LHR at about 05:30 (eek). Would have been earlier but the car driver took the wrong route trying to cross the Thames via a bridge that was closed!
Check-in at T1 was in a glassed in area for *A premium pax. There were a couple of comfy chairs and self check-in machines but I do prefer dealing with a human! Formalities were dealt with quickly and efficiently and my pre-printed BPs replaced by some horrid BMI stock! The agent made a point of showing me the bags were checked through to EWR and that I didn’t need to collect them and re-check them in DUS.
The only adverse comment I have was due to the shouting from some group of travellers nearby who felt this was the only way to communicate with each other. Even the check-in agent commented on it.!
The priority security lane was working except I got caught by a total idiot in front who simply could not follow instructions to empty his pockets and take off his belt - I got the impression that he had been back and forwards through the scanner several time. When I did get through the scanner (no beep) and to the other side he had SIX trays with his various items with him. Even then he tried to help himself to my belt and bag of toiletries. I gave up waiting for him so simply picked up my stuff and found a chair to dump them on to sort things out. The annoying thing was that he had two family members there waiting for him at the end of the security belt but they did nothing to help him.
However I then got 'caught' for secondary screening and asked to step into the body scanner. The chap was friendly and explained it was a trial so could I empty my pockets etc and stand in it. He asked if I had used one before which I had confirmed I had. After the scan he showed me on the screen a picture with lots of yellow areas highlighted. One was my back pocket and it turned out to be a folded hanky, The other area was my upper arms where my shirt was creased up. After a quick pat down I was given the OK. The chap said the trial was being used to assess the sensitivity of the machines as at present it was picking up a lot of dense fabric as well as metal etc.
Having been cleared I made my way to the A* lounge which I know many of you are familiar with. They were still setting out some things (one of the coffee machines was still warming up!) but I managed to get some bacon, sausage, egg and mushrooms plus some OJ and a coffee.
Due to the boarding time (06:05) and being held up by security I was going to get less than 30 mins there but that was time enough for breakfast and to pick up a couple of papers.
Boarding was flashing on the monitors so I started the walk to the gate and what a walk it was! At one point it felt like I was walking to Dusseldorf!
Boarding was quickly completed but then we were told of a 30 min delay before we could even leave the gate so the CC did a quick round of OJ/Water in business.
My seat area was clean and I had the row to myself so I could stretch my legs and use the tables from the other seat. It seamed a bit strange that the other 5 pax were all on the A/B/C side with only me on the D/E/F side
When we did leave the gate it was another 30 mins to taxi to take off (past T3 and a row of VS planes) so we were an hour late in departure. - we landed about 45 mins late. We were due to depart at 06:40 and arrive at 09:00 (German time) for a flight time of 1:20
Once we reached cruising altitude the service began which breakfast was made up of a fruit plate, cheese and ham and some yoghurt served in a glass. OJ and Tea/Coffee were added as was a selection of bread and pastry.
As there were only 6 of us this was all pretty quick and the CC allocated made regular checks to see if we needed anything else. There was no IFE so I looked out of the window at the passing countryside.
Before too long the cabin was secured for landing. Once we arrived at DUS we went to the apron and lined up amongst some other aircraft before waiting for steps to be driven up and the bus to arrive.
The bus journey to the terminal was a bit round the houses until we arrived at our debussing point (which we had passed on the way round but on the wrong side!)
After a quick passport check we were admitted into the terminal proper and I made my way to the LH/ *A Senator Lounge which would be my home for the next couple of hours.
.
tick tock 
we're waiting...
