V-Flyer

Arrived early for check-in because I knew to expect long delays associated with Security. PE check-in was quiet and smooth with only two pax in front of me and I was done within a few minutes of arriving. Upstairs, the queue for Security was exceptionally long, even at 08:00hr on a Saturday morning but it moved along and after about 25 minutes, I was through.[8D]
Did the usual shopping, nosey around and went for some breakfast, after which VS7 was called and I went down to the gate. Boarded on time and took my pre-assigned seat, 20A. The cabin filled quickly with only a few empty seats, including the seat next to me.[:D] Champagne/juice round commenced and I noticed how much more welcoming the FAs were, compared with the last time I flew Virgin. Aircraft was almost fully boarded when it was announced there would be a slight delay in departing this was not of any concern as I had already started to enjoy the experience and was especially pleased to have two windows by my seat!
A couple of late passengers boarded and one of them approached me and said, excuse me sir, would you mind changing seats with my husband whos going to be sitting over there, pointing to the middle seat (of three), also in row 20. I politely said, I pre-selected a window seat and I dont want to sit in the middle of three, sorry, to which she replied emphatically (to my astonishment), but Im travelling with my husband and hes seated over there! By this time I was somewhat irked by her attitude, and not exactly pleased that I was going to be stuck with her sitting beside me for the flight I politely said, sorry, Im not going to change seats.[V] She moved on and badgered the chap sitting in the aisle seat to swap with her, and he reluctantly obliged. Next, she wandered off to take a phone call, only to be escorted back to her seat 10 minutes later by two FAs, who were politely but firmly reminding her that only pax with UC boarding cards could sit in UC. She wasnt happy and began loudly protesting that the seat was empty so whats the problem?... There was an interesting tension building in the cabin as people began to wonder what would happen next with this woman[n]
During this time the crew were excellent in asserting their authority in ensuring she stowed her excessive number of designer-labelled carry-on bags, including the one repeatedly placed by the side of her seat in the aisle.
Eventually pushed back and the Captain announced it would be an 11hr flight and expected to make up much of the time wed lost. Uneventful take-off and climb and drinks service commenced, followed by start-up of V-Port. At this point, little miss-demanding asked the chap in 19A to close his window blind because she could not see her screen. He advised her to adjust the brightness and said he would close the blind further into the flight, which I thought was reasonable. She didnt agree and called for the FAs assistance, although the FA explained that it was very early in the flight and that they would make an announcement later to request that window blinds be closed within 5 mins, she was asking me to close my blinds and I was now really pd off with her self-centredness, and we were only 30 mins into the flight.
Anyway, my IFE would not start so it was re-booted by a very helpful FA who explained it could take 20 mins to re-boot. He brought me another drink and apologised for the IFE glitch. After a while, he came back to check that his corrective action had been successful. Unfortunately it was not and after three attempts at re-booting, lunch was served and I forgot about it for a while. Mozzarella salad starter, followed by the chicken dish that was accompanied by a broccoli/potato mash (delicious!), and I skipped the Profiteroles as I was vaguely attempting to stick to my Atkins-type diet. Then the FA finally got V-Port to launch Pride & Prejudice and I decided it was best to accept this and settled down to watch the movie (TV, music, etc would not play at all). Brandy and Baileys were offered post-lunch and overall, I very much enjoyed the standard of service I got.

Blinds drawn, seats reclined and miss-self-centred started again telling the chap in front of her that hed reclined too far into her lap (groan!!!) So now she wants to be moved into UC mid-flight. Whilst it isnt particularly relevant to V-Flyer, I only include such detail to illustrate how an excellent flight with really great FA crew can be marred by one irritating and bloody annoying pax. Lots of discussion took place, including telexing FBO with her demands to be upgraded (shed very publicly offered to pay now). During this time, the FAs and FSM were exemplary in their management of the situation; firm, polite, professional, apologetic but assertive, and under the circumstances, their management of the scenario (and other pax resulting irritations) was truly commendable.
Next miss-self-obsessed was cold and the cabin temp was increased in response to her complaints. Then she was too hot and the cabin temp was reduced again[}:)]

After watching the movie, my IFE crashed again, and I gave up trying to get it sorted. I had a couple of hours snooze, then the whole IFE system crashed. Two attempts at re-booting the entire aircrafts IFE system failed and with just over three hours to go, the back-up system was launched and comprised Shrek 2, and a comedy video. Alas, it was not to be and the back-up system also failed and I found myself thinking, I hope theyre having more luck with their systems on the flight deck!!
At all times, the FSM made regular announcements detailing the actions being taken in attempting to resolve the problems, and this was appreciated but there was NO IFE for the remaining three hours of the flight. I was bored senseless by this time.

After a smooth flight with virtually no turbulence we were straight into LAX and with minimal delay, I cleared customs and headed on to my connecting flight to PSP.

In summary, FAs, food and beverage service were all excellent. PE cabin was comfortable and reasonably spacious, compared with economy. The failure of the IFE was a complete pain and made the flight feel an awful, awful lot longer than it was.
[:?]

EXCELLENT TR Rod - sorry to hear about the IFE and the pushy passenger though. Good to hear just how good crew can be when faced with challenging Pax. Sorry we couldn't do the Clubhouse thing at LHR!

Thanks for the TR, Rod [y]

Shame about the IFE - but absolutely overshadowed by the pain-in-the-arse passenger you had next to you. Don't you just HATE people like that?

If you're that important, why aren't you in your own bl**dy private yet? Jeez. Oh - whoops, you're NOT that important, after all. Well done for standing your ground [y].

Excellent TR, Rod. The pax from hell, eh? Sounds like it.

Chuck-

Wow! Getting 'props' from trip report master deluxe Decker himself should not be taken litely IIRC Airliner magizine did a special on Palms Springs Airport this month. Look pretty

Great TR thanks [:D]

Shame about the PITA passenger, but as you point out it was a testament to the VS staff who dealt with it so professionally. I have been on flights in the past where this is not the case and the PITA takes up all the cabin crew's time meaning that you receive a lesser service.

We should be able to 'vote these people off' (even at 30,000 feet) [:D]

S

Rod a great T.R. [y] sorry to hear about the pushy passenger [}:)] and the IFE. [:)]

Originally posted by mavrick
Rod a great T.R. [y] sorry to hear about the pushy passenger [}:)] and the IFE. [:)]

Did Mrs. PITA's hubby purposefully book a middle seat apart from her, to escape from her for 11 hours?[:D]

Originally posted by ColourPhil

Originally posted by mavrick
Rod a great T.R. [y] sorry to hear about the pushy passenger [}:)] and the IFE. [:)]

Did Mrs. PITA's hubby purposefully book a middle seat apart from her, to escape from her for 11 hours?[:D]

I wondered that too. A great TR [y]

Thanks for the great TR - and for standing your ground with the idiot. You handled it a lot better than i would have, can't stand idiots like that onboard.

May I ask how the baggae reclaim times were at LAX?

Thanks,
Richard

Rod

Thank you for your TR[y][y] (and showing how restrained one can be in such very trying circumstances of a PITA in close proximity for 11 hours[;)][;)])

Perhaps you could have suggested that you knew someone sitting in UC who might be willing to trade seats[}:)][:D][:o)][}:)][B)][B)][B)]

Seriously, your commentary of how the flight crew dealt with the situation is a great comfort.

Thanks once again

Did Mrs. PITA's hubby purposefully book a middle seat apart from her, to escape from her for 11 hours?[:D]

I wondered that too. A great TR [y]

Well that is an interesting issue I steered clear of in my original TR [:0]

In reality, Mrs PITA's travelling companion was most certainly NOT (IMHO) her husband: for those who understand such matters, PITA's travelling companion knew Dorothy very well![;)]

PITA appeared to rate the 'my husband' notion as being a more worthy cause (for seat swapping) than simply being honest and stating she would have liked to sit with her companion.
I thought it somehow insulting of her to do this to him...[?] i.e. PITA should regard her friendship with him to be sufficient reason for them to sit together, without lying about it...[V]
(anyway, I'm going all philisophical about it now so I'll shut up and go back to lazing by the pool...[:o)])

Originally posted by RichardMannion


May I ask how the baggae reclaim times were at LAX?

Thanks,
Richard

I was probably within the first 20 pax through Customs and the bags started arriving just as I approached the carousel. My own case arrived very quickly (not sure if it was helped by me mistakenly leaving my UC tags on my case from my last flight...[:I])

A fantastic read Rod, many thanks[y] Wish I was there in Palm Springs as well, awful weather back here today! We're there this autumn, staying at Pepper Tree Inn, can't wait [;)]

Originally posted by rod10
In reality, Mrs PITA's travelling companion was most certainly NOT (IMHO) her husband: for those who understand such matters, PITA's travelling companion knew Dorothy very well![;)]

Sorry, you've lost me there! [:I]

Personally i would have found the annoying passenger far more entertaining than v-port! [:D]

Cracking TR, Rod - thanks!

Best wishes

David

A pushy and rude diva passenger on the LA?

NEVER!