VS012 BOS-LHR 18 Mar 08 (Econ)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

So after 6 days in Plymouth/Cape Cod/Boston it was time to return home. I'd checked in online so that we could take advantage of arriving at the airport later as I wasn't sure of the matterbox offer position (even though I had read of mediamonkey's good fortune at JFK) . However, when I did this a note appeared on the page stating I had lounge access and could collect the passes when I dropped off the bags.All of this info was saved in a document format on the laptop for later retrieval if neccessary.
After checking out of the Sheraton at 4pm we headed for a last visit at the very handy (Prudential Centre) Cheesecake Factory and following a final fix (for the next 4 months)were on our way to Logan in a taxi to terminal E.
The check in area was much better organised than our experience at LHR last week and we were dealt with immediately.We were then advised that there was at least a two hour delay due to a technical problem with the inbound flight. No mention was made of CH passes so I advised the agent that online check in had advised us that we had CH access and that these were to be issued when we dropped off the bags.A supervisor was called (after hauling out the laptop)who then disappeared to speak to somebody more senior.Whilst waiting for the supervisor to return I asked what a cash upgrade to PE would cost and was advised it would be 250 each. I did query as opposed to $ and was told 'yes- 250'. I would have taken it for $250 each but not for 250.The supervisor returned shortly afterwards bearing two CH passes[:D].I was happy to stay in my pre-booked seats 60 H and K and we headed off to security.
Security was a shambles with the TSA staff being their usual unpleasant selves and yelling at all and sundry. Shoe carnival in full swing and the woman in front of me had the worst smelling feet I have ever had the misfortune to encounter[:$]. I was nearly retching (and believe me that takes a lot smell-wise).Mr DL had wisely loitered back a bit so was spared the vile odour (but found my non verbals regarging the obnoxious smell highly amusing).Process complete and shoes returned to their rightful positions it was off to the CH which as previously reported is in the bowels of the airport along with the other lounges.
We were greeted by a very pleasant chap who advised us that the delay was now standing at two and a half hours but that they were hoping no more than that.
The CH at Boston is quite bijou but does feel a bit dungeonesque as there is no natural light.It is still very new and as others have commented a bit 'Ikeaish'.Although it is supposed to hold 75 I think this would be a very tight squeeze.There were plenty of staff milling about but it's all self-service - I would prefer a waitered service for drinks but that's just a personal preference.I had some cold salads/cheese from the deli and Mr DL had some veggie soup both of which were very pleasant.A couple of glasses of fizz were consumed (Verve incidentally)and several glasses of water /cups of coffee. The staff kept us constantly informed about the delay and boarding was eventually called at 10.50.Back in the main terminal boarding had commenced and was more chaotic than security. Priority boarding was in operation ( and functioning well with it's own channel) but economy was a bunfight with the boarding by row being ignored by the majority and passengers getting irate when being turned back as their rows hadn't been called.
Being at the back we were quickly on Lady Luck (which had brought us back from SYD last September- shame I'd be sitting in 60H and not 4K like then[}:)]).The rest of the plane filled up quickly (only about two thids full) and we were away at just after 11.30 with the CSM announcing that due to a nut allergy sufferer being on board no nuts would be served and could passengers refrain from eating any items that they might have brought with them that contained nuts.
Take off was unspectacular and the Captain came on fairly quickly apologising for the delay and advising we might encounter some turbulence during the flight (we did[:0]).As the Y amenity kits no longer contain ear plugs I asked for some but was advised they don't bother carrying them at all any more.Do passengers snore less loudly/ is engine noise not disturbing just because you're in Y[:?]????I thought some were carried but had to be requested?
Meal service and drink service were combined (which I don't like)because of possible turbulence. Dinner for me was pasta salad,chicken rissotto and chocolate cake which remained largely uneaten as it was pretty unappealing.
The service level was generally pretty lacklustre with the crew seeming keen to get us fed so they could turn up the heat in the cabin and disappear back to the galley(which they pretty much did).The curry they were all scoffing when I went to get to get another drink smelt a lot nicer than the slop we'd been served.
I'd again pre-ordered some champagne to be served during the flight - it arrived(literally) in a plastic bag almost 3.5 hours into the journey.Bit of a shame that the order clearly stated that it was to be presented chilled to Mr DL. The message card (to Mr DL) was also missing[V].Oh well.
Being on Lady Luck meant V-port so a few more films that I wanted to see were watched (Juno and Talk to Me).Breakfast,either a granola bar or a muffin (both unappealing to me again) and tea/coffee was served about an hour before landing.
Arrival into LHR was uneventful with us landing and moving to a stand immedaitely. Disembarkation was swift and as IRIS was out of order we had no option but to join the 'normal' EU channel which only had a small queue,so were through in a matter of minutes.
The bags were already in the hall([:0]) so were quickly grabbed and we were on our way half an hour after landing.
All in all for what I paid for these flights I'm generally happy (ridiculously low bargain basement N fares).I'd manage another East coast trip in Y (and spend my savings in the shops[}:)])but probably nothing further than this.
Next trip to the West coast is back up the front[:)] The service level on the way out was much better than the inbound journey(which seems to be the case regardless of cabin though)and this time there was little visible evidence of the FSM down the back, with him walking down once just before arrival (unlike the outbound journey where the FSM was highly visible).
DL

Really interesting report, thanks.
Great to learn that you were able to access the CH especailly as there was such a delay. [y]

Good TR, especially as I am considering flying out from Boston on a trip to Europe in June. Would you have taken PE with hindsight, or is it just too short a flight to make that worth it?

In fairness to the crew, this is a very short flight in which to squeeze much of anything. But the handling of the champers was a faux pass, for sure.

Lots of recent complaints about the breakfast service and how it has changed, what I find most annoying is that of all the things they traditionally used to serve, the muffin thingy was by far the worst to eat, though the easiest to store, probably. I recall fresh fruit and yoghurts on the trays, and most folk eating those, and sending the muffins back. Do you think that would be a more appealing breakfast snack, especially on such a short flight?

Originally posted by MarkedMan
Good TR, especially as I am considering flying out from Boston on a trip to Europe in June. Would you have taken PE with hindsight, or is it just too short a flight to make that worth it?

In fairness to the crew, this is a very short flight in which to squeeze much of anything. But the handling of the champers was a faux pass, for sure.

Lots of recent complaints about the breakfast service and how it has changed, what I find most annoying is that of all the things they traditionally used to serve, the muffin thingy was by far the worst to eat, though the easiest to store, probably. I recall fresh fruit and yoghurts on the trays, and most folk eating those, and sending the muffins back. Do you think that would be a more appealing breakfast snack, especially on such a short flight?

At the time of booking it was only £240 more return for PE but I decided that as the dollar is so weak it meant more goodies from the shops for me if we travelled Y and used Priceline to boot[}:)]. I like my creature comforts (hence the champagne) and the prospect of being in Y had caused me some anxiety prior to the trip.These worries were generally unfounded - the trip isn't long but is certainly long enough for the crew to do more than the bare bones.If you can get a good price for PE in June then go for it, but for such a relatively short flight I'd prefer to spend my cash on fripperies for myself in future[:D].I too remember the good old days when breakfast in Y was reasonably substanial (edible even!!).Fruit would be fine - in fact anthing would be better than the current offering (good job I had some from the CH to sustain me.)Maybe I've just become a spoilt diva of late and have been accustomed to bacon rolls in bed [:D]....

Just to let you know that a combined meal and drinks service isnt a lazy crew, its the standard service flow on a 6 hour flight. Hope this helps.

Originally posted by Smile High
Just to let you know that a combined meal and drinks service isnt a lazy crew, its the standard service flow on a 6 hour flight. Hope this helps.

No it doesn't help. Actually the captain apologised for the cabin service (but that's another tale).Also I've used the East coast route intermittently over the last 15 Years (JFK,EWR, BOS) when in Y/PE and can only remember a couple of combined services to date.
I've also used the short route to DXB and never had such such shoddy service. What DO the cabin crew do after the first 90 mins of an an inbound flight?