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Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 18:48
by vji6697
Bit of bad planning has seen us arrive at JFK early to find that the upper checkin desks are unmanned. With 6 bags due to overshopping we are reluctant to even mover them to the little seating area. The rather surly delta staff say we can't leave the luggage by the virgin desks even if we are sat a few yards away within eyesight of both the luggage and the staff

I even got told off for sitting on the desks..though leaning on them is acceptable it seems

Hopefully the virgin staff will be happier and be here soon so we can get thru security and into the lounge

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 18:55
by gumshoe
Open from 2.15pm according to the VS website.

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 19:02
by vji6697
Yeah. Our Uber driver did too well in avoiding the traffic. 15 mins to go..

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 19:14
by Blacky1
Just think about enjoying yourselves in the CH and on board , a few mins is a small price to pay

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 19:19
by Sunseeker
Do tell about the ch due there 15/8 for about 4 hrs :)

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 20:00
by vji6697
In the lounge now :)... though a slight communication breakdown at the checkin desk has left us moving to an earlier flight and getting 25k miles but won't end up with us getting home any quicker as they couldn't change the ba leg to MAN

So the plan now is to exit at T3 and use arrivals before figuring out how to tlget to r5 later for our noon flight

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 20:20
by vji6697
I asked the check in agent if there was any way we could get to Manchester earlier. She then proceeded to move us from vs 46 to vs 4 and said we would also get some miles or credit as they moved our flight.

I asked if she changed the LHR-MAN leg too, but she said she couldn't. I then said, oh, leave us on VS076 then..."oh... I have already moved you.

Oh well. So, we lose the coveted 12A/K... so if any vflyer is quick, the could be available. She had put us in 17A/K but I quickly asked to change. . 1D and 2D were free so grabbed those.

So, not got the best seats, but 50k up and can now experience both arrivals and BA T5 lounges


One question... How do we get to T5 from T3 landside ?

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 20:22
by gumshoe
Just get the Heathrow Express train, it's free between terminals and only takes 5 mins. Presumably your luggage has been checked through to MAN?

So effectively you asked to move flights and they've paid you for doing so? That's a result!

Just be aware that on the A346 the toilet is right behind your head in 1D. Never sat there so don't know how big an issue it is but worth knowing.

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 20:42
by Blacky1
Poor show to try and put you in 17a/k , shows poor knowledge of the product they should know all about

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 20:49
by vji6697
Yeah, luggage is all checked thru to MAN.

1D should be fine as it's my seat and IF I can sleep, I wear earplugs.

I am still in a bewildered state about the miles, not quite sure what happened but..A result as you say

The lounge is nice, not a patch on LHR, service is a bit slow. Even with just a few folks in. Wonder what it is like if or when it gets busy..

Anyway, I am doing my best to get thru the cocktail list but watering the effect down with glasses of Sam Adams

Thanks for the tip re the Heathrow Express. Will Defford use arrivals now for a shower and breakfast. Now to read up on where it is

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 20:52
by Blacky1
The service is normally good there , give them time it's still early !

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 20:56
by gumshoe
Revivals is upstairs, landside. As you exit from customs, bear left and take the car park lifts at the back of the arrivals hall. It's clearly signposted.

It's good for a shower and a cooked breakfast but isn't somewhere you'd want to spend several hours. On balance the BA lounges in T5 are probably slightly more comfy although they can often be packed and there's no hot food between 0930 & 1200 if that matters to you.

Sorry to hear service at the JFK CH is slow. I agree with Blacky - I've always found the staff there very friendly and, overall, the food and service better than at LHR.

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 21:03
by vji6697
It is getting better now we moved from the formal dining area to the comfy chairs by the apron.

Just found out that the check in agent didn't transfer over my wife's meal request... we were told by the lounge hostess that we should have told the checkin agent to do so... hmm

Being a fussy veggie, she will now have to have another flat bread before boarding :)

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 21:07
by ColOrd
You get an earlier flight and you get miles off them?

Maybe there were oversold on your original flight and she jumped on the chance to move you for virtually nothing.

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 21:09
by gumshoe
vji6697 wrote:Just found out that the check in agent didn't transfer over my wife's meal request... we were told by the lounge hostess that we should have told the checkin agent to do so... hmm

Being a fussy veggie, she will now have to have another flat bread before boarding :)


Oh dear - though to be honest with such a short flight I'd be tempted to skip the meal anyway, in order to maximise sleep time. That's what the Clubhouse is for!

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 21:32
by vji6697
Aye. Already had the chicken samosa, the salmon and the cod croquettes. All excellent.

The wife had the margherita flatbread and some olives. And will have another and fries in a bit

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 21:45
by Blacky1
vji6697 wrote:Aye. Already had the chicken samosa, the salmon and the cod croquettes. All excellent.

The wife had the margherita flatbread and some olives. And will have another and fries in a bit


I think the key with any clubhouse is that don't be afraid to keep ordering , the portions aren't the biggest but it's not a problem as you can order as much as you like ,I remember my first few times in LHR thinking I have had enough when in reality I hadn't had enough !!!

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 21:58
by vji6697
I'm struggling to persuade the wife of this fact.... just ordered her a cheese on toast and fries :)

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 21:59
by Blacky1
vji6697 wrote:I'm struggling to persuade the wife of this fact.... just ordered her a cheese on toast and fries :)

Keep going :P

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 23:50
by Smid
vji6697 wrote:Oh well. So, we lose the coveted 12A/K...


IMHO these are crap seats I'd never choose, and seem prestigious because someone has often booked them because they looked theoretically together rather noticing that you will be travelling sideways to the direction of travel...

I looked at them on my first flight and went 'Nope, bad seats'

So no real idea why you use the term 'coveted'.

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 25 May 2015, 23:53
by honey lamb
Smid wrote:
vji6697 wrote:Oh well. So, we lose the coveted 12A/K...


IMHO these are crap seats I'd never choose, and seem prestigious because someone has often booked them because they looked theoretically together rather noticing that you will be travelling sideways to the direction of travel...

I looked at them on my first flight and went 'Nope, bad seats'

So no real idea why you use the term 'coveted'.

Because so many V-Flyers like them and recommend them. Just because you don't like them doesn't mean that others shouldn't.

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 26 May 2015, 00:23
by NYLON
Smid wrote:...rather noticing that you will be travelling sideways to the direction of travel...

Ummm, just like all the other VS UC seats?

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 26 May 2015, 04:40
by gumshoe
12A&K are very popular with couples because they're as private as you can get on VS and they're close enough together to be able to hold a civilised conversation that doesn't involve shouting across the aisle or risking a neck injury.

For single travellers or non-couples, though, they are probably too close together for comfort.

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 26 May 2015, 06:30
by oldboy
Smid wrote:
vji6697 wrote:Oh well. So, we lose the coveted 12A/K...


IMHO these are crap seats I'd never choose, and seem prestigious because someone has often booked them because they looked theoretically together rather noticing that you will be travelling sideways to the direction of travel...

I looked at them on my first flight and went 'Nope, bad seats'

So no real idea why you use the term 'coveted'.


12A & K are "coveted" by many of us when travelling with a partner, I am delighted that myself & my wife have managed to get them for our VS45 flight to JFK this afternoon, if travelling alone though they would be the last seats I would want.

oldboy

Re: Hello from the....empty JFK checking desks....

PostPosted: 26 May 2015, 07:19
by vji6697
In Revivals now. What a weird feeling after a 6 hour flight. Not sure if I should be sleepy or wide awake

Bacon butty time and then off to t5