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#252159 by ela123
28 Nov 2007, 21:01
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Checked in on line the day before and printed off our boarding cards. As we only take hand luggage, I was looking forward to a quick trip through security and straight to the Clubhouse in the morning.

Drove up to Gatwick, parked the car in the long term car park and then straight to the Hilton. Thanks to my trusty gold card, got an upgrade to an exec room, but more importantly access to the lounge for a happy 2 hours...or a bit longer as it turned out thanks to the Hilton staff[y]

The new fast track at Gatwick was a dream and we were through security in 5 minute flat. Went straight down to gate 95 to register for Iris recognition and then straight back to the Clubhouse. It was fairly busy, but cleared out alot when the early flights were called. I had the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and James had the full breakfast, both were great as always! I had my treatment (bubble and feet)and then felt happy to start on the champagne!

We were called for boarding about mid day as we got to the gate realised that the Q was massive. I put James in the Q to hold our place, but was sure that we'd be able to go to the front so I went down to the front to try 'priority boading'....how wrong was I [:0] I asked if we came to the front of the Q as we were flying Upper, was told no and sent back into the Q [n]

Once through this Q ....then things got worse!!! I showed by beautifully printed boarding cards and the agent said 'have you checked in at a desk' I replied no and he said where's your luggage then? I explained that I didn't have any. He then shouted accross to another agent, I've got another 2 that haven't been to a desk and asked me for my e ticket. I got this out and showed him, whilst explaining that I don't need to go to a desk if I just have hand luggage. He then told me that my hand luggage has to be weighed as I can only take 6kgs. I duly told him that it was 8kgs for upper at which he replied oh you're travelling upper are you? - even though it was clearly displayed on my boarding card and my e ticket that he'd insited on.....I despair!!!!! He really made me feel that I was in the wrong and really took the edge off my excitement [V]

Once onboard, we got ourselves settled in our fav seats 6 A&K and bubbly was very quickly offered. The cabin crew offered to show us how the suites worked but did say, it does look like you've used them before. Did notice the new seat belts though!

Menus and kits were already on thre ottomans, however as soon as I looked at the menu, noticed they were the wrong ones as no square pie, this was picked up very quickly by the crew and the right menus handed out.

Once airborne, more drinks offered with a choice of crisps or nuts, both were very nice, although I really do like the packets of pretzels from economy!!!

Entertainment system was Nova, which is always a bit od a disappointment, but never mind!

For lunch we both had the fish pate which was delicious. I had the square pie, which was OK and James had tghe chicken which he really enjoyed. No room for pudding but did have some cheese and biscuits but stayed on the bubbly rather than the port they offered! I'm know, I'm not refined [;)]

Went to sit at the bar for a drink, as soon as we'd sat down, the seatbelt signed went on...gutted!

We were relatively well looked after for drinks through out the flight, but I did feel the cabin crew were a bit more absent than usual for Upper.

The toffee ice cream was really tasty, but no clotted cream with the scone [:0]

Landed on time, quickly off the plane and straight through immigration. We were out of the airport and in a taxi heading towards the villa within 30 minutes of touching down, which was fab!
#427311 by n/a
28 Nov 2007, 23:31
Will they NEVER sort out boarding? My god...

At any rate, great TR! Thanks for posting!

GJ
#427342 by porsche911
29 Nov 2007, 10:53
The boarding is always aa pain in the ass with VS. There is never any real priority for UC passangers but in fairness because of the way they board the plane I always leave it till late to board so the Q is short as most of the passanges are already on board. Thanks for the TR
#427368 by jaguarpig
29 Nov 2007, 15:18
stayed on the bubbly rather than the port they offered! I'm know, I'm not refined

Thanks for the report, nothing wrong with staying on the bubbly.
#427380 by stars
29 Nov 2007, 17:05
Thanks for the TR. It's not just VS, there was no priority boarding in place for a BA longhaul flight ex-LHR for me last week.

J
#427595 by andrew.m.wright
01 Dec 2007, 17:48
Originally posted by ela123
how wrong was I [:0] I asked if we came to the front of the Q as we were flying Upper, was told no and sent back into the Q [n]


Welcome to my world on Nov the 5th ... I have written to Customer Services about this and IFE plus the lack of food !
#428082 by ela123
05 Dec 2007, 20:53
I wrote to Customer services too, got the reply today.
5000 miles and confirmation that I can just check in online with hand luggage and go straight through to boarding. I will now carry the reply letter with me everytime I travel so that I can show it to the next jobsworth who tries to tell me I have to check in at a desk!
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