VS032 UVF-LGW 3 Oct 08 (PE)

This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin

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Our outbound flight to Antigua was so superb - I guess it was going to be easy for our return from St Lucia to be a poorer experience...

We checked in Online the day before - much to the frustration to the the Virgin Holidays rep who seemed most confused as to why we might not want to check in and chill out. I explained that we wouldn't be able to chill out as well as if we had all our clothes etc ready to do a shower and change before the arduous trip to UVF. Note to all VH passengers: Check In Chill Out is compulsory where offered if you want to use the VH transfer. If you refuse to check in and then chill out and want to chill out before checking in then you have to forfeit your VH transfer and get a taxi at your own expense!!!

Anyway, we arrived at UVF a little over an hour before SDT after a rather nauseating 2 hour drive from Le Sport.

The only desk open by then was the upper class one but the agent allowed us to bag drop there. I asked if the flight was on time as we hadn't seen a VS plane on the tarmac when were driving towards the terminal, but was told they were still expecting the flight to leave on schedule. I did wonder how they would turn around a 747 in an hour - but thought they must know more than little old me and left it at that!

Once in the security queue we were being followed by the cabin crew for the departing flight. I heard the FSM call out to all the crew not to venture into the lounge and to wait for him. The others started to shout back 'Why' 'Whats wrong' etc and I tried to make a joke with the crew member nearest me that perhaps we had been cancelled or something. Not realising that perhaps I was missing a vocation in fortune telling! She didn't seem to be up for a joke though and gave me a very quick forced smile before scurrying off.

Anyway, we waited in the lounge for a while and then rumours started circulating that the inbound flight had been diverted to Martinique.

I went hunting for an agent who told me that the rumour was true and the flight had been diverted due to poor visibility earlier that day and would be on its way soon.

However, the saga continued and apparently after diverting, once the weather started to clear the plane was ready to push back from Martinique for the hop over to UVF and the groundstaff had managed to dent a door or something and by the time that had been checked out as safe to fly the crew were out of hours. And the flight was cancelled.

Now, credit where it is due, within about 45 minuted of being told the flight was cancelled, the VS grouond crew had us on the way to another hotel which I thought was pretty good. Sadly it was another 2 hour drive to the north of the island. I had asked if we could have been sent to the Jalousie or the Coconut Bay wich were closer but apparently those hotels were not being used.

Anyway, unlike some we made the most of it and enjoyed one of our best meals on the island (fillet mignon and lobster) courtesy of Sir Richard.

Next day, take 2. We arrived back at UVF to complete chaos. There was no priority check in for PE or Upper. Econ passengers were checking in where ever they fancied.

After an hour or so of waiting we got through security and Hot Lips left at 17:00 on the 4th October.

While waiting I was dissapointed to learn that the Jalousie and Coconut Bay had been available but was only used for those who made a fuss - so as a reward for us just accepting what we were told and not making life difficult for ground staff we were forced to endure a further 2, 2 hour nausious road trips. Also, those passengers who had really made a fuss had been treated to Lounge Passes. Why is it always the people who make a fuss that get rewarded and not those of us who appreciate when people are having a rough day and don't want to make it worse?!

The crew were Manchester based and not a patch on the crew we had o/b to ANU. With one exception they were surly, grumpy, and occasionally blatantly rude.

I am not going to go into much detail other than I don't blame VS for the delay, but their crew on this flight really made the experience unpleasant.

Anyway, it is all over now - and back to planning the next trip!

[buns]

Note to all VH passengers: Check In Chill Out is compulsory where offered if you want to use the VH transfer. If you refuse to check in and then chill out and want to chill out before checking in then you have to forfeit your VH transfer and get a taxi at your own expense!!!

Thank you for passing on this snippet[y]

Full marks for the VS Groundstaff, but the impression left on you by the Flight Crew should make VS sit up and realise that this is one way to loose passenger loyalty[V]

buns

[mitchja]

Oh dont you just love the VH 'You will use the Check-in and Chill Out' service [V] [n]

That's one of the reasons now why I dont use VH for transfers to/from any airport now. Much rather do it in my own time at my own pace. It's also cheaper too.

Was it VS or VH that sorted out the hotel for your unexpected extra night? That could well also make a difference.

Regards

Having spent most Novembers holidaying in the Carribean, I must admit the Check in Chill out has never been a problem for myself or Sue. We tell them we do not want to use it for the same reasons Banstaple used , we like to swimm during the day and we always keep our room on late. My hotel has always gladly arranged a taxi for us to trek to the airport 30 mins before the rest of the guys and gals who get bundled in the bus.

Lets see if this is the case next month :-)

I thought Check in Chill out was a service if required not to be made compulsory for the ease of check in staff.


Jurgen and Sue

Originally posted by barnstaple
I am not going to go into much detail other than I don't blame VS for the delay, but their crew on this flight really made the experience unpleasant.

Sound thoroughly unpleasant, I hope you write in to VS with your comments, apart from that, you're very stoic!

It was VS who sorted the overnight hotel.

Given the airport was heaving with people at that point so maybe they just weren't in my vision, but I didn't see any VH reps - just the VS ground staff.

[HighFlyer]

Not a great start to a flight home but its good to read that you made the best of it. I guess those who complained to get their extras were probably still complaining, and too much to enjoy what they got.

I dont like the sound of the forced Check In Chill Out service. I'm not a fan for the reasons others have stated and if this really is the case then its another negative for VH in my book. Normally I'd be happy booking my own transport but many wont think its fair that they have to pay out more due to VH's inflexibility. Especially given how long and treacherous the journey to UVF is from most hotels in St Lucia. [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

We are going to Sandals Halcyon St Lucia in mid Nov and whilst the idea of check in chill out is good for some depending on flight times, I am not sure if I feel it is a good idea for us. I think our flight is around 9pm so it would mean our day clothes/sun creams/toiletries etc (which we would ordinarily pack just before we leave into our main luggage) we will have to carry in our hand luggage (and I hate carrying loads of hand luggage) so our option would be to either have to leave toiletries that are over the liquid limits or restrict what we have on our last day and pack them and say goodbye to them in the morning. I am not happy that we may be charged if we decline the check in chill out service as we have not been informed when booking, part of the holiday includes the transfers surely Virgin still have an obligation to provide transfers? Any feedback and advice what to do should we be told we have to do this at the resort would be good thanks x

Sandals provide free transfers of their own so you don't have to use the VH ones.

Thank you for your quick reply, much appreciated. So glad I found this website!

I have submitted two TR's outbound and return for our trip to Tobago. I feel I have to defend the Check n Chill as we found it great. While I understand it may not suit everyone, in our circumstances it worked. We were in a villa. We arranged late departure time when we checked in. As such laundry facilities were available. We had the day at the beach using villa towels. A quick spin of our swimming gear and it was placed in our hand luggage which, consisted of one backpack between us. We were not forced to take transfers and so made our own way to the airport without a fuss. A little forward planning made check n chill an easy and excellent service.