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#259353 by Sunshine
27 May 2009, 20:07
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Well a month had passed and it was mostly sunny days and turquoise sea except for the last week which was unseasonably wet with mostly gray skies (I felt sorry for any family that had picked that week to visit Disney etc) [:#]

Hopefuly you are sitting comfortably and I will begin....

I was supposed to fly back on the 24th May but due to my daughter having an accident [:0](she's ok now) I decided to try and change my flight. I rang the number on the back of my Gold card and was straight through to a very helpful man who offered me a ticket if I upgraded to D class. As it came with a CDC to Orlando from the Gulf Coast I could return my rental car early and save a third of the cost and also save on the gas and toll money too....so I said yes please. He arranged a time for the car to collect me which I did question as I thought it was cutting a bit fine as its a long drive on the hairy I75 and I4. [:(]

The morning of the 21st I waited indoors until the after the alloted time then went down to the lobby so as to speed things up a bit. After 20mins of pacing I phoned the Premier Team and after being put on hold for which seemed an eternity I was told that a car wouldn't be coming due to an error. [?] I am still waiting to hear why.

Anyway they said I would have to sort out transportation. I explained that I live on an island which doesn't have a taxi company and I would have to get one from the mainland. This of course all takes TIME which was ticking by fast. I eventually found a company with an available cab but it took 30mins to get to me. [ii]

The premier team were in contact with me and realised that I was running very late by now. I also explained that it was tipping down with rain so it wouldn't be a fast journey. So they said they would call MCO and explain.

The taxi turned up......it was dirty and held together with tape and was making the most awful noises....I thought the wheel was going to fall off... Then the driver got out...and I had a flashback to my journey out. It was if the obnoxious passenger from hell had morphed into the taxi driver from hell. He was dishevelled wearing dirty, stained clothes[:$]but I didn't have time to get another taxi so into the stained seat I got (after loading my own luggage in)[:w]

Then the journey I never thought I'd survive began. He weaved in and out of cars during a torrential storm while telling me about his 6 DUI's and listening to an offensive radio chat show. I kept telling him I was scared and he just laughed[:0] At one point I had my eyes tightly closed and he said lady you can recline the seat if you want to sleep.....I said SLEEP... I was praying that I wont die!!!

Anyway as you can all guess I lived to tell the tale. I had to pay him $230 for the privilege got a receipt and fell into MCO.

I was met by the most wonderful lady [:X] who cleared a path to the check in desk for me, gave me a huge hug and refunded my $230 in cash. She then escorted me past all the crowds and through staff security and I was first on the plane. I can't thank her enough. [^]
She didn't stop apologising on behalf of Virgin and had phoned ahead to LGW to confirm that a CDC would be waiting for me.

Buns - I did miss out on my Cosmo in the lounge and you have witnessed me enjoying a few of those [:w]

Once on the plane the two CC's were fantastic and I couldn't have been looked after better. [y] The Bubbles kept flowing and I relaxed. I didn't notice any difference in service since the loss of a CC and they were another one down so didn't see the FSM at all but couldn't fault anything. We took off on time and landed early. LGW was empty and my bag was off first and a lovely driver was waitng to take me home.

Another month and I have to repeat this journey...I'm not sure if I am up to it......[:?]

Sorry if I've bored you all
Sunshine[8D]
#716191 by buns
27 May 2009, 20:53
Sunshine

You did not bore us one iota[:D][:D]

To receive such a welcome by the MCO Ground Team after such a nightmare journey must have been a huge relief to you and helped settle you.

I have always respected the Ground Team there as they handle so many flights within a short time on a daily basis and yet still get it right when there is a genuine need[y][y]

I am sure the rapid reimbursement of your cab fare and escort made up for an endless stream of cosmos[}:)][}:)]

Take care and I hope that your next trip is not so eventful[:D]

buns
#716198 by DMetters-Bone
27 May 2009, 21:21
What a nightmare journey to MCO. But the ground and flight crew seem to be top drawer!

DMB
#716220 by Roxy-Popsy
27 May 2009, 23:33
Sunshine
Brill report [^][y]& I didn't fall asleep whilst reading it - honest!

You shouldn't attenmpt a journey without Mr & Mrs Buns & ME[;)]

We are sooo pleased that VA pulled out all the stops for you when needed.[^][y]
R-P
#716224 by Sunshine
27 May 2009, 23:54
Thanks R-P and the Buns...I did think of you all as I was racing through MCO and how different it was to last time....[;)]

Sunshine[8D]
#716225 by willd
28 May 2009, 00:06
quote:Originally posted by buns



I have always respected the Ground Team there as they handle so many flights within a short time on a daily basis and yet still get it right when there is a genuine need[y][y]


Exactly my opinion Buns- a well organised, first class team VS have at MCO.[^]
#716245 by DarkAuror
28 May 2009, 09:39
Thanks for the TR![y]

Well done to the ground team to make your journey better after the bad start![oo][oo]

I would had thought the taxi driver would have been banned if he had 6 (6!!!! [:0]) DUIs[:?]

Glad everything worked out well in the end.
#716292 by Sunshine
28 May 2009, 15:28
Thanks. Yes he definitely said 6. He should have been banned and probably was. He said if you can find your car and get the key in it you couldn't be too drunk to drive!!!!! That's why I was so worried.[V]

I cannot praise the ground team at MCO enough...especially when you look at what they put up with most days[:w]

Sunshine
#716323 by Alex V
28 May 2009, 21:22
Great report so glad you got back in time, what a carry on with the taxi.

cheers

alex
Virgin Atlantic

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