V-Flyer

Hello All

First off - a big thanks to all who have helped me out over the last 8 Months. What is great is that I have taken some little bits of knowledge to help my friends out - especially on missing miles and upgrades!

So now it is finally (seems like forever) time for my Honeymoon and our return to New York. Last time we visited I proposed under the Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Centre. This time we have upgraded to PE and have CH access through VH (the only way I could ever afford this!) and are on VS003. I was hoping you guys could help me out with a few things...

First off, I will only get about 2 hours in the CH - what time will they call the flight, and what would you do first? Yes, there will be drinking me thinks in true V-Flyer fashion! I plan to be there at about 6:30 as we are in the Hilton T4 the night before so will leave there about 5:30 to go to T3...

Second, what will JFK be like - last time we were in the customs queue for about 3 hours! Is 03 a better flight to avoid this? Any super clever tips on what to do?

I will of course do a TR - especially as I will be experiencing many of the things that people often ask about on here - from hotel the night before, to CH - with a VH pass and the total PE experience that seems to be bereft of TR on VS003...

Any way, thanks again for all your help! I must say this is one of the best forums on the whole of the interweb...

Dan

I've caught the VS003 three times and immigration has never been longer than 20 minutes. For me it has been one of the quietest times to arrive at JFK.

You'll need to leave the CH at 08:50ish onwards dependent if the flight is on time.

Congratulations!

Flown 3 many times from the ch. They will call around 850-9.
Just remember the opening times ... As fast track security is so quick, I've been caught waiting for the shutters to open - never fun!
Have fun!

I don't really have any advice, but just wanted to say Congratulations

Leanne wrote:I don't really have any advice, but just wanted to say Congratulations

Thanks Leanne..! See, what a bloody nice place this is!

samfarmer wrote:Flown 3 many times from the ch. They will call around 850-9.
Just remember the opening times ... As fast track security is so quick, I've been caught waiting for the shutters to open - never fun!
Have fun!

I was planning on waiting for the doors to open, however I didn't think I could take fast track as im PE only invited to the CH via VH..?

Can I do that too?

samfarmer wrote:Flown 3 many times from the ch. They will call around 850-9.
Just remember the opening times ... As fast track security is so quick, I've been caught waiting for the shutters to open - never fun!
Have fun!

I was planning on waiting for the doors to open, however I didn't think I could take fast track as im PE only invited to the CH via VH..?

Can I do that too?[/quote]

Ah, not sure about that. Prob not.

Haven't flown PE in a while, but I seem to recall from memory you get the Fastrack Security sticker on your boarding card?

marshy11 wrote:Haven't flown PE in a while, but I seem to recall from memory you get the Fastrack Security sticker on your boarding card?

That was probably in LGW where PE do get the Fastrack security sticker.

Congratulations! I hope you have a wonderful time.

We'll be taking VS3 in May. I thought the flight was at 9.05, surely they will call earlier than 8.50?

Daniel: you old romantic you!

Is there any possibility you could get to LHR any earlier? I've only been to the Clubhouse at LGW (first time, like you, courtesy of VH), and even 3 hours raced by.

I have a five-stage process for the Clubhouse;

1. Book a massage and order a Red Head

2. Sip at a cheeky Red Head

3. Have a massage followed by a Red Head

4. Have a burger or eggs royale. (Washed down with a Red Head).

5. At first call for your flight, enjoy a Red Head.

These simple steps have always worked for me!

mikethe3rd wrote:I've caught the VS003 three times and immigration has never been longer than 20 minutes. For me it has been one of the quietest times to arrive at JFK.

VS3 is my favourite flight for this reason - I've taken it on a number of occasions and my average wait has been roughly 10 minutes or less and usually out of the airport within 45minutes of landing.

Jonathan

LetThereBeFlight wrote:Is there any possibility you could get to LHR any earlier? I've only been to the Clubhouse at LGW (first time, like you, courtesy of VH), and even 3 hours raced by.

ISTBC but I think the LHR CH doesn't open until 7am so unfortunately there's a hard constraint on how much time Daniel can spend there.

@Daniel - have a great time!

Thanks for all the responses V-Flyers..!

Unfortunately I cant spend more than 2 hours tops in the CH due to a 9:05 flight and the 7am opening time... But I had to go for it, now I worry I am more excited about this than the holiday! I do worry that I will seem a bit lost - but I will just talk to everyone who works there... Mrs Armstrong wants a massage (She will no doubt be taking the LetThereBeFlight approach to the whole CH experience!)...

Personally, I will get some breakfast (sanz black pudding at a guess ) and go to the Greg Goose Vodka bar for some bloody Mary's - along with champagne! Then sit looking out over the airport...

Im a chuffed this is a decent time to fly, JFK can be a nightmare..!

Thanks for all the advice guys - it really is appreciated...

Now, all I need to do is find a cheeky way to get into the JFK clubhouse ):

One other thing - can we upload pictures on here for our TR..?

Hi Daniel,

Please ignore my suggested time of 08:50. I didn't realise the VS003 now departs at 09:05. This will bring your boarding time closer to 08:30.

Mike

mikethe3rd wrote:Hi Daniel,

Please ignore my suggested time of 08:50. I didn't realise the VS003 now departs at 09:05. This will bring your boarding time closer to 08:30.

Mike

OW - well I have an hour and a half to enjoy the CH..! I think that's only enough for breakfast and a few drinks...

Daniel Armstrong wrote:One other thing - can we upload pictures on here for our TR..?

Yes you can. ISTRC it's via the "Upload Attachment" tab that you see below the text entry screen.

Then, please all be prepared for the most bias TR ever..!

Unless its awful and my dreams are shattered and I will sound (more) like a teenager than normal!

I doubt you'll have delays at immigration on the VS3. Also, given that most sensible people won't want to drink heavily before that flight, a short stop in the Clubhouse for breakfast should not be a disappointment.

at240 wrote:I doubt you'll have delays at immigration on the VS3. Also, given that most sensible people won't want to drink heavily before that flight, a short stop in the Clubhouse for breakfast should not be a disappointment.

Are you saying V-Flyers are not sensible.. ):

honey lamb wrote:

marshy11 wrote:Haven't flown PE in a while, but I seem to recall from memory you get the Fastrack Security sticker on your boarding card?

That was probably in LGW where PE do get the Fastrack security sticker.

Yes, that must be it.

Daniel Armstrong wrote:

at240 wrote:I doubt you'll have delays at immigration on the VS3. Also, given that most sensible people won't want to drink heavily before that flight, a short stop in the Clubhouse for breakfast should not be a disappointment.

Are you saying V-Flyers are not sensible.. ):

Are you saying they are ?

Daniel Armstrong wrote: and go to the Greg Goose Vodka bar for some bloody Mary's - along with champagne! Then sit looking out over the airport...

ISTBC but the Grey Goose Lounge only opens in the afternoon so you will have to enjoy your Bloody Marys downstairs in the main bar.

ISTBC but the Grey Goose Lounge only opens in the afternoon so you will have to enjoy your Bloody Marys downstairs in the main bar.

Ow - never mind..! I am sure I will find a seat for breakfast somewhere and that will do me...

Is there anywhere you can go outside in the CH with good runway views..?

Daniel Armstrong wrote:Is there anywhere you can go outside in the CH with good runway views..?

There is something called the Viewing Deck!