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Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 19:41
by mdvipond
It's a good job I'm a neurotic, obsessive compulsive. If I wasn't, and didn't check the booking and seat maps for any forthcoming flight we're due to take at least twice weekly, I wouldn't have been aware that our 747 from MAN to BGI next year has morphed into an A340-300.

I've never been on an A343 before - and a little variety is supposed to be a good thing - but what would have happened if I hadn't checked the seat map? They've let us keep our pre-selected seats of 6A and 6 & 7K, which is nice, but they aren't quite as convenient on an A343 as they are on a 747 ie. they're all over the bloody shop! Would it kill the bods at VS to send out an email letting folk know when these changes occur?

Now, which new seats should we go for...?

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 19:58
by Neil
Now Mark, you do know that it is only a 'request' and not guaranteed booking for your pre selected seats don't you![;)] And the main reason for changes are due to aircraft changes like has happened with your booking.

Oh, and re the change to the A343 operating BGI, it was discussed is 2 different threads, including the one about MRU supposedly being cancelled. VS have added some extra flights to BGI/MCO ex MAN and the result is that BGI is now A343, so if only you read the fine words written on these fantastic boards then you would have know sooner[:w]

What seats to choose? Not got a clue as haven't flown UC on the Airbus yet...
Neil

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 20:02
by Scrooge
And by the time the flights come round you will find that it has switched back to a 744

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 20:09
by mdvipond
quote:Originally posted by Neil
And the main reason for changes are due to aircraft changes like has happened with your booking.


So the reason for aircraft changes is... aircraft changes? Thanks Neil, much clearer now.

I was aware of the shifting around at MAN, but didn't think it was going to be applied as early as next spring. And my point still stands - why can't they let customers know when these changes are made.

Dave - fair point you make there. Although the way things are going, by the time our flights come around VS will have gone into receivership, the pound will be worth 25 cents and our Caribbean jolly will have to be replaced by a wet weekend in Skegness. Oh, the horror...

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 20:11
by DragonLady
Tizer, presumeably, needs to be observable by either you or the mrs?

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 20:13
by mdvipond
quote:Originally posted by DragonLady
Tizer, presumeably, needs to be observable by either you or the mrs?

It's for the best, otherwise the next thing we know she'll be making an announcement from the cockpit...

Looking at doing something similar to our trips on the A346 and go for 7D for Tizer, and 6A & 5D for Mrs V and I.

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 20:14
by Neil
quote:Originally posted by mdvipond
[quote]Originally posted by Neil
And the main reason for changes are due to aircraft changes like has happened with your booking.


So the reason for aircraft changes is... aircraft changes? Thanks Neil, much clearer now.



Erm, I didn't actually say 'the main reason for aircraft changes', I just said 'changes'! I actually meant seat changes, but obviously wasn't specific enough[ii]

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 20:24
by DragonLady
quote:Originally posted by mdvipond
[quote]Originally posted by DragonLady
Tizer, presumeably, needs to be observable by either you or the mrs?

It's for the best, otherwise the next thing we know she'll be making an announcement from the cockpit...

Looking at doing something similar to our trips on the A346 and go for 7D for Tizer, and 6A & 5D for Mrs V and I.





Might want to go a bit further forward.The chattering classes at the bar might be a bit of a disturbance (remember SYD??[}:)])

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 21:47
by Scrooge
quote:Originally posted by mdvipond

It's for the best, otherwise the next thing we know she'll be making an announcement from the cockpit...



With the Pirates ?

quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Originally posted by mdvipond
quote:Originally posted by Neil
And the main reason for changes are due to aircraft changes like has happened with your booking.


So the reason for aircraft changes is... aircraft changes? Thanks Neil, much clearer now.



Erm, I didn't actually say 'the main reason for aircraft changes', I just said 'changes'! I actually meant seat changes, but obviously wasn't specific enough[ii]


[?]

As A and D face each other, I would go for that side, maybe around the 2-3 area, or you could go for the mini cabin, give Tizer a chance to stick her head through the curtain, hours of entertainment for her.

PostPosted: 18 Dec 2008, 23:50
by lorelai
They did this to us last year, and we unfortunately didn't check back on our booking, and ended up being at complete opposite sides of the cabin. I don't know why they dont a) amend your chosen seats so that when you booked seats in order for you to be sat 2 on each side ie opposite each other in a group, you would get this similar seating situation on a different config or b) like you said, at least contact you to let you know that the situation has changed! It pretty much ruined our flight out to LA not being able to sit together in a group, all because we didn't obsessively check the booking online!

PostPosted: 19 Dec 2008, 00:16
by honey lamb
One of the difficulties about notifying people (which has been discussed here at length previously) is the different routes people take in making their bookings. It would mean not only notifying people who have booked directly with VS but also others who have done it through various other routes such as VH, travel agents, other websites etc. Because it is merely a request and seat allocations are not guaranteed there is no obligation on them to notify of any changes. Indeed aircraft can be substituted at the last minute if a plane goes tech.

PostPosted: 19 Dec 2008, 02:53
by napamatt
How about alerts if you're AU :D

PostPosted: 19 Dec 2008, 03:10
by Guest
I guess all UC Gold + pax will be dotted around the cabin like we were earlier this year when this happened to us - hey ho it happens . . . .

PostPosted: 19 Dec 2008, 12:04
by mdvipond
quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
[quote]Originally posted by mdvipond

It's for the best, otherwise the next thing we know she'll be making an announcement from the cockpit...



With the Pirates ?



That's right, up there with the pirates. [:o)]

HL - I agree that it would be difficult to let everybody who's booked via VH or travel agents know of a change, but for FC members who've booked directly with VS, it shouldn't be too difficult to send an automated email out should it (asks the man whose knowledge of these things extends to the 'New Mail' and 'Get Mail' buttons)?

PostPosted: 06 Mar 2009, 13:50
by McMaddog
Sorry to drag up an old thread but I thought I'd give my experience - our VS251 flight has changed schedules and we've had 2 confirmation phone calls (missed the first yesterday) and an email all from VS advising us of the change. Pretty good going.