This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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Since the new security regulations had come into force, I had attempted something that I had never managed before. Travelling with only my handbag[:0] Last month I had decided to banish my Samsonite carry on bag that used to carry my hairdryer, shampoo, creams, makeup, books etc,etc,etc. Anything that could make my travelling experience better security wise, I figured could only be a good thing[:D]I have felt quite liberated by it[:D]
So armed with only my handbag for company I set off. My luggage had been checked through from BDA (which always gives TSA licence to have a good old rummage round my undergarments[V]) but I of course would nave to check in again with VS. It is well signposted throughout and you have to catch the little train (I think it's called AirTran or something similar)that takes you to Terminal B.
Having safely negoiated my way there, I arrived at the check-in desk. The security agent asked me the usual questions and stuck a red stamp on my passport. These stamps have now formed a hard lump on the back that are virtually impossible to remove! There was a single sign which indicated check-in for UC, Au and PE. It looked chaotic behind the desk, staff running around seeming to be doing nothing in particular[V] Queueing for the PE check-in had brought me to the desk for ticket sales[?] The chap at the desk wore a red t-shirt and looked very scruffy. I was asked several times by passing staff was I collecting tickets? 'No, I'm here to check-in please!'I replied. There were no UC passengers checking in so the lady at UC sat chewing her nails while myself and another pax waited[:(!] Eventually a lady who looked to be in charge checked me in. I asked her if I could have 75A which I could. I used to like sitting upstairs in the bubble but recently I 've had a thing for the 75 seats[;)]
Unusually, I was sans MrG [:#](and his wonderful Au card[}:)])
on this flight. No EWR clubhouse for me(it is my favourite after LHR)this time[n] Straight through to security then, hoping, eventually to get to Gate 53. It was the usual bad experience. I always remove my shoes and belt, seems to be the right thing to do these days. However, after putting my stuff in the tray, I haD to walk into a cubicle that then sprayed puffs of air onto me looking for any traces of explosive. I think I should have kept my shoes on for this?[?]
I arrived at Gate 53 around 6.15pm. There were around 10 pax sitting there already. I spent the next couple of hours reading a mixture of tat mags (People, Vanity Fair) and a really good book (Zadie Smith's 'On Beauty')which I really recommend[y] I can't remember what time boarding commenced but when it did it was scrum time as usual. Virgin just never seem to get this part of the journey right anytime I've travelled with them[V] As I was queueing to board I heard a gentleman behind me reveal to his wife that they were flying UC tonight. She was really excited. It made me smile, 'Lucky thing' thought I.
We were flying on Tubular Belle this evening and she had looked magnificent as she pulled into the gate on arrival earlier. On boarding the aircraft I was met by possibly the two most bubbliest CC I have ever seen. They looked genuinely pleased to see us pax[y] As I was sitting right behind them I was able to watch them do their thing. The CC member standing in front of me apologised to me for having her bottom being stuck in front of my face, which made me chuckle[:p]
As I was watching pax enter the aircraft, I was offered a drink. I had the champagne and gave a quiet toast to MrG back in BDA, battling away with Florence. It was also 7 years to the day of my first transatlantic flight and my first flight with Virgin, so had a quiet toast to that[:D]
Eventually the seat next to me was taken by a young lad, late teens I think. He looked to be about 6ftish so obviously needed the extra legroom that his seat allowed. I'm 5ft 2 so I guess that just makes me selfish?[}:)] We started to chat while he glugged down his champers. He told me that he had a bottle of baileys stowed above if I wanted to join him. 'Ooh,young man. Are you trying to get me drunk?'[}:)] He then asked for some more champagne and to my surprise he got it!
We took off at 10.15pm with a flight time of around 6 hours. I like seat 75A as it allows me to get up out of my seat without interupting anyone. Just a step across and I'm up the stairs to the toilet on the upper deck. Good excuse for a bit of excercise too.
Not long after take off, we were offered drinks. I had an orange juice, my travelling friend next to me had more champagne. Secretly I liked his style[;)] He also asked me if I'd like to play battleships or chess? Well, the last time I played battleships it was with pen and paper and my chess was non existant. So the answer was a big fat 'no thanks'.
For dinner I had a chicken and pasta dish with salad and a key lime pie. It was fairly tasty, nothing special. I had to help my new friend wrestle with his tray table as he had no idea how to release it[ii] Felt a bit like his mother!
I managed to get some sleep and woke up 40 minutes from landing, having missed breakfast. No problem, I was glad to get some shut eye.
We landed about 9.15pm. I could have been first off but let some UC pax who were chomping at the bit, go. Straight through passport control and outside T3 waiting for my taxi ride at 10am. Not bad[y]
Thanks VS for a good PE flight. Night flights can be prety bad but the staff were professional and courteous at all times. Nice one VS[y][y]
