This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
2015-01-01 00.10.58 compressed.jpg (35.98 KiB) Viewed 5807 times
We broke the fast on the 1st January 2015 with this diet. Don't think I'll be telling my doctor.
2015-01-01 11.15.17 compressed.jpg (59.71 KiB) Viewed 5807 times
2015-01-01 11.43.03 compressed.jpg (57.01 KiB) Viewed 5807 times
And we did visit the spiritual home of Norm and Cliff for a swift jar and to discuss the Buffalo Theory of Beer.
2015-01-02 14.25.06 compressed.jpg (47.1 KiB) Viewed 5807 times
All good things come to an end, and after a day wandering North End, Beacon Hill and Back Bay we retired to the hotel for a slump before heading for the airport. After taking in the real time advice of V-Flyers about the Boston Clubhouse, we (errr....I) took the decision to head out there early as the mood was definitely slipping into to heading homewards. Not that we couldn't have stayed for at least a couple more days, just that once the tipping point in reached and you realise that the drinks are on the house...
Barely had we stepped into the taxi than we were stepping out of it. Is that the shortest distance between city centre and airport in the known world? And why was it so much shorter and cheaper than on our way in?
Now I might as well say it upfront, from this point until we exited the Arrivals Lounge we had excellent service from everyone working directly, or indirectly, for VS. This started with the agent at check in, who enquired whether we had used "our wonderful Boston Clubhouse before", gave us directions and said that "Gerry (not his real name) will take care of you when you are there" and "by the way. we're running a half hour late on the flight". I'll also be upfront about the fact that my heart sank as just about every other group at check in had either babes in arms or over excited ankle biters in tow, particularly as one set were clearly sat right next to us on the flight.
Now, it hurts me to say this, but Security was actually not too bad, helped as it was by a wisecracking agent who was ensuring everyone was best prepared to move through the scanners quickly. Shoes off for adults, but phones and iPads could be left in the bag.
Once at the Clubhouse, we were greeted very warmly by Gerry and introduced to the (rather boxy) facilities where we were to spend the next 3 hours or so. On the upside, relevatively recent UK papers, a good selection of New England beers (not sure about the one called "Tramp Stamp" though), a great Malbec and attentive service. I didn't find the food to my taste, as the cold offering was limited to smoked salmon, but I had (another) burger and MrsPJH declared a selection of the salads to be just the thing. On the downside (or so I felt at the time, curmudgeon that I am), we were about the only people there without a babe in arms or an ankle biter.
Tracking the inbound showed the flight as being an hour late, so I sent a message to delay our pickup the next day (Arrivals being part of the overall package of fun) and became sceptical about the idea of that compressing to a half hour delay in departure, but that was the first of the two things about which I was to be proved wrong. Gerry called us at exactly the time we had been told, and we ended up departing a half hour late.
And the second of the two things about which I was to be proved wrong? As you may well have guessed, babes in arms and ankle biters. All as good as gold. Nary a peep from any of them, save for the occasional, rather charming, delighted gurgle..
Even on this cramped SorryBus, service standards shone. Terry (again not his real name) was "looking after us today" was another star, keeping drinks topped up when low and putting up with my changing my mind about my dinner order from the Beef Wellington to just an Apple Cheesecake (for the first time, eating in the Clubhouse impacted my appetite on the aircraft, and for the first time we didn't eat together). It was also a first that I declined a top up of wine, as I seemed to be Malbec'd out. The service I received did, however, stretch to Terry attempting to refasten my seat belt without walking me up during one of my slumbers. For some reason sustained sleep eluded me, I think down to my state of mind rather than the comfort of the seat itself. Water was handed out and PJs offered before takeoff.
Service was swift and to the point, clearly intended to get us bedded down - perhaps they need a sandman service? When I lurched out to use the facilities at one point, the bar was fully stocked with drinks and snacks, but I didn't see it used at all during the flight.
IFE was virtually the same as on the outbound (though "Veep" had disappeared). This time round I stuck to various episodes of "Family Guy" and "Modern Family". It was also explained that as there is a dispute between music companies and the airlines, there would be no music tracks available (presumably the reason for their absence on the outbound too).
Breakfast started clattering about around an hour and a half before landing. Feeling a bit "off", I was glad I had declined and stuck only to a glass of water. I know you're supposed to be able to sleep through breakfast, but on the 330 I really can't see how. There's just too much noise and bashing about. .
Descent into London was through a typical english winter sky, grey and very wet. We were off the aircraft swiftly and on the route march to passport check (now probably renamed the "Border Force Checkpoint Bunker" or some other macho designation) where the combination of the empty-ish hall and the egates meant we were through to the baggage collection belt a full 15 minutes before it lurched into life. Which was almost what my stomach was doing, as by now I was feeling quite queasy.
Bags appeared in Priority (ish) order so we were in Revivals with an hour or so to spare, and thankfully the full english did the trick of calming my stomach. MrsPJH opted for a quick massage, and we both wondered "where is everybody"? From the accents on the flight, perhaps some were heading back north on Little Red but it does seem that Arrivals is perhaps not as widely known about as other offerings associated with UC ?
Our usual local company arrived spot on time and bore us home. I may have upset him a little when, seeing a Bentley collecting someone, I commented "now that's a car to be picked up in" as that spawned a conversation on his price point and how moving up the models in his fleet would impact his prices. After reassuring him that his prices and service are good and his cars are fine, I fell asleep for most of the journey home.
I always have a bit of anxiety coming home from being away (from many, many years ago when we returned home from holidaying with a friend to find his house ransacked) but all was well, the Christmas tree was still in shape and as it was such a short trip that the milk was still ok for coffee.
And best of all, less than 90 days to New York!.
Last edited by pjh on 07 Jan 2015, 09:11, edited 1 time in total.
We can get better, because we're not dead yet
