This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
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No.1 son has a severe peanut allergy, so travelling in a metal cage at 36000 feet always adds a little excitement/apprehension to our holidays.
We had been through the medical assistance route previously, and this time was no different. We submitted the completed medical questionaire and were given permission to fly.
On our arrival at UC check in, again all went smoothly and we were assigned the seat I'd requested. We were then informed there was an extra form for us to complete to allow us to travel. This I was told has only been recently introduced. They didn't have any to hand , so the check in girl escorted around to the new CDC wing reception to wait whilst she found the form. On her return we were asked two questions, whether my son had been hospitalised in the last month due to his allergy, and a second question I can't remember now.
It was then off to the clubhouse for 3 haircuts and a spot of lunch. We hadn't told the boys we were flying upper class (blowing all my miles), so we had allowed plenty of time for them to enjoy the experience. I had check prior to see if my son would be able to eat in the lounge, and was told it should be okay, if not there was a M&S just outside. I spoke to the chef at the deli counter who recommended he didn't eat off the menu. We had a 24 hours food supply with him so we weren't too bothered about this. No need to take any risk so close to departure of a trip they are unlikely to do again for many years.
We were one of the last group to board. I wasn't therefore too worried when I didn't hear the announcement that we usually get when he flies (...would passenger mind please refraining from eating peanuts) , as I thought we may have already missed it. Nor did we get the customary reassuring visit from the FSM as we had had previously, but it was a fullish flight, so again I wasn't too concerned. We were travelling upper class, which made me feel more comfortable, more personalised service and we had chosen 2-3-4-5k seat to partially isolate ourselves in the corner.
Quickly into the air, and drinks were served. Maybe I'd drank a little to much in the lounge, but I was soon on my first visit to the loo. On returning to my seat, I could immediately see the look of horror on my wifes face. During the drinks round, they had given number one son a bowl of nuts. Although his allergy is only to peanuts, they are crafty little things. To keep costs down , some suppliers are known to bleach peanuts and reflavour them to taste like more expensive types. But even if they were real 'other' nuts, it still seemed an insensitive thing to do, my son although realistic about his allergy, never goes near anything with a risk attached, especially locked in an airplane. If he went into anaphylactic shock,
he needs to be injected with adrenalin (which he carries everywhere and the crew have onboard) within minutes and then hospitalised.
A swift chat followed with the steward. He was mortified, no one had informed him. He dashed off to the FSM, and soon after there was the announcement over the tannoy I had expected earlier. The steward then returned and told us the crew hadn't been told about my sons condition. I think he either said it had been a last minute crew change or plane change which had upset the system. Later my other son had as a starter to his meal a twix, a yoghurt and a bag of sweets, I got the impression there was a complete lack of information provided to the crew about who was travelling that day and the steward had used some imagination to create something for him (which he loved!).
Rest of the flight went smoothly, though I did think that the FSM might come over to see us. I don't remember this unless they spoke to my wife when I was sleeping.
Arrived a little late at LAX , when travelling with my son,landing provides a greater feeling of relief than normal.
The next day I fired off an email to Virgin. The reply a few days later was very apologetic. They said they could see all the information was available, and that they would be speaking to all the managers involved to see where the breakdown in communications occurred. As an apology, they are going to send my son a gift.
Two weeks in LA, Arizona , Utah and Nevada to follow. Then a two connecting economy flight to look forward to on our return. We were flying back with Maxjet, so alternative one way returns were limited without breaking the bank. A trip report will follow for that later, which was eventful for other reasons.
All in all, the experience of the upper class suites was slightly tainted by my sons experience. He would still prefer to travel in UC obviously, but I don't think he fully relaxed throughout the flight after the bowl of nuts he was served.
Oh, no IFBT on the flight.
