V-Flyer

The final leg of our GE soon came round after 3 excellent days in San Francisco. After 2 Virgin Blue sectors, (Booked separately) and 4 sectors on Air New Zealand I was looking forward to get back to VS.

The day didnt start off too well though. We were travelling with my other halfs sister and her boyfriend. After leaving our hotel in Fishermans Wharf I double-checked that everyone had all possessions in hand. Upon reaching the International terminal exit off the 101 the other halfs sister had realized that she had left their passports in their room safe!!! Doh!! We had planned to arrive at 12.30 to grab some extra time in the Clubhouse time to forget that plan in a hurry...[:#]

We had booked a car to take us to SFO. Luckily the driver hadnt got a booking straight after our drop off and was more than willing to double his fare! The only problem was he subjected us to every last fact on the SF 49ers as we passed the Monster Stadium on a couple of extra occasions. He must have been the worlds biggest 49ers fan! [:p]

We rapidly returned to FW and collected the topical passports The driver had us back outside the terminal concourse by 13.20 which wasnt bad going in my book. We thanked him profusely for his added help and made our way inside.

I was expecting check-in to be busy by this time but it resembled a ghost ship. No passengers waiting in line for any of the 3 classes of travel. Our passports were promptly stickered up by the security agent and we were ushered through to an available PE check-in agent.

I asked out of curiosity why it was so quiet. I had checked EF earlier in the day and was aware that W and J were sold out and Y had 20 seats or so available. Apparently SFO check-in now offers an early bird check-in at 11.30 so 50-60 passengers had already been processed and it was just freakishly quiet.

The agent immediately asked us if we were willing to downgrade on today service from PE-Y. The offer was either, 30,000 miles or 250 in vouchers plus a guaranteed exit row. Miles and tier points were to be credited at PE rate also as expected. I asked about the difference in the fare being refunded also??? The agent said that this wasnt policy. I quickly declined the offer and we were issued with our pre-assigned seats 71A and 71C. Our companions were checked in Y by the same agent.

Upper was also over booked so any mileage upgrades or op-ups were well off the agenda today.

We made our way straight from check-in to the delightful Clubhouse. For those that arent familiar with SFO, access to the CH is via an escalator to the left of security whilst landside. Its well signed so you cannot really miss it, the directions might help someone possibly at some stage.

The concierge confirmed our access He was quick to say that Au passengers wouldnt be solicited for enforced downgrades so not too worry. I wasnt actually concerned but it was good of him to mention their policy I suppose.

The CH looked resplendent as per usual. It was a bright, sunny day and the light beamed in through the pink and blue Perspex panels over the windows. We were the 3rd group of passengers inside so plenty of seating options were available. After turning left on entry we selected a sofa at the far end. The next couple of hours flew by with the lounge filling gradually towards a point where it was close to maximum by the time the staff called the flight.

I indulged in a few Coronas and a CH sandwich with pasta which were all excellent. G-VROC arrived on schedule and taxied past the CH and onto stand A8 gaining admiring views from all inside. The bright day really made the colour scheme of the aircraft stand out particularly well.

Upon making my way o the gate, I got pulled for secondary screening which was a bit of a pain but a fact of life. Some of the other passengers being screened seemed to be heavily overreacting to what I believe are necessary and beneficial checks. Seemed very strange indeed...[?]

Boarding was already underway by the time we approached the gate. We boarded through the left hand channel and made our way straight upstairs. Welcome drinks were served immediately. A huge proportion of the cabin had probably been at Macworld as most passengers had laptop bags which wouldnt find in the over head bins. They were literally stacked in the back cupboard literally from top to bottom.

Captain announced a very quick flight time of 9hours 16mins. We pushed back at 16.35 and rotated as per schedule at 16.45.

V-Port was started pretty much as soon as the seatbelt sign went off which was a lot quicker than I can previously recollect. The system worked perfectly for the entire duration of the flight including the I-Map. This is the first time in probably the last 6-7 flights I have taken that it hasnt had to be rebooted for some reason which was great.[:D]

With drinks and the obligatory Penn State Pretzels out of the way the crew began serving dinner. The FSM had drafted herself in to help with the meal service in PE upstairs; they had left LHR a couple of day prior with a couple of staff shortages I overheard. The FSM was in a particularly sharp mood and didnt take too kindly to myself and partner not knowing what the menu choice was. We were told quiet harshly that the menu is contained within the amenity pack now. On route to SYD menus were given out??? I wasnt aware of this as I dont usually pay a great deal of attention to the smaller inbound kits.

I could have guessed what the choice would be though, I took the Beef as I had chosen Chicken coming over the Pacific with NZ. The meal wasnt very warm, even though it tasted pretty good and was soon polished off. A couple of other meals were sent back for re-heating so mine was the only one in amongst the small cabin.

Settled back for some sleep but couldnt really get very comfortable. I am not a huge fan of the now old LHR PE seating (Sorry cannot remember what they are called!!!). I havent had the chance to checkout the new PE seating yet but hopefully they are as comfortable as the current offering on the LGW/MAN configs.

The flight did pass quiet quickly even though I couldnt master the art of sleeping upright this time. I felt in a comedy mood so took in The Office, Only fools and horses, The Simpsons and Jackass mk2. I always find myself chuckling away to myself in the darkest parts of the night and find myself getting a couple of cheeky grins from the FAs as they do their rounds. Nothing like embarrassing yourself!!!! [:p][:I]

Our routing took us over Salt Lake City, North Dakota and over the border into Canada somewhere over Lake Michigan. We then followed a conventional East coast route towards Saint Johns and Ireland.

We made good time and we were grounded at 10.05 which was great and extremely handy. Immigration was a complete breeze, no queues whatsoever for UK and EU passports holders so straight into the baggage hall.

Wonders have it!! Priority baggage actually worked!!! [y][oo][oo][y]

I do now have PE and Upper tags which I put on my baggage before I check-in so it might be partially of my own making though.

Customs was cleared in a whirl and we were off on our way back to the Midlands. Had to skip Revivals today which was a shame but hey there definitely will be a next time.

An excellent service provided again by VS, I just look forward to experiencing the new seating in PE on my next A346 flight hopefully in April.

I hope you have all enjoyed my TRs over the last few weeks, I look forward to doing it all again soon...[:0]

Over to you Sarah for your flight back from SFO today[:p]

A great trip report and it has really whetted my appetite for my trip to SFO in July! In fact I've enjoyed all your reports from your GE. Many thanks [^]

The concierge confirmed our access Ð He was quick to say that Au passengers wouldn't be solicited for enforced downgrades so not too worry. I wasn't actually concerned but it was good of him to mention their policy I suppose.

If that is the case, how come they wanted to downgrade you at check-in? [:?]

Originally posted by honey lamb
A great trip report and it has really whetted my appetite for my trip to SFO in July! In fact I've enjoyed all your reports from your GE. Many thanks [^]

The concierge confirmed our access Ð He was quick to say that Au passengers wouldn't be solicited for enforced downgrades so not too worry. I wasn't actually concerned but it was good of him to mention their policy I suppose.

If that is the case, how come they wanted to downgrade you at check-in? [:?]

They were looking for volunteers at check-in so I suppose all passengers were asked regardless of status to try and get people to move of their own free will.

The Concierge was just stating that they wouldn't be enforcing any downgrades to Au members if they got no volunteers. The passenger list he had only showed 4 Au's were onboard so I suppose they would have plenty of other options available to them if required...[:D]

Enjoy your trip in July...[:D]

Over to you Sarah for your flight back from SFO todayÉ

Reading your escapades from the SFO Clubhouse right now! [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

I know somebody that will argue the AU not being forced to downgrade thing.

Thanks for the TR, yep the SFO CH is nice.

Hi Sarah ! See if they remember what a blue Mcuth is, I pounded them pretty hard on it last month.

Alas, all good things must still come to an end. I've enjoyed reading your TRs of your GE - thank you for each and every one! [oo][^]

Here's to your next trip! [y]
(with no forgotten passports, I hope! At least it wasn't yours. You must have had a Daytona fan driver as well as a 49er fan, to get around that quickly!)

Great TR Rob, thanks. And BTW, I agree that the current LGW/MAN PE seats are superb [:D]

'"With drinks and the obligatory Penn State Pretzels out of the way the crew began serving dinner. The FSM had drafted herself in to help with the meal service in PE upstairs; they had left LHR a couple of day prior with a couple of staff shortages I overheard. The FSM was in a particularly sharp mood and didn't take too kindly to myself and partner not knowing what the menu choice was. We were told quiet harshly that the menu is contained within the amenity pack now. On route to SYD menus were given out??? I wasn't aware of this as I don't usually pay a great deal of attention to the smaller inbound kits'.
Are you sure about that

Originally posted by Denzil
'With drinks and the obligatory Penn State Pretzels out of the way the crew began serving dinner. The FSM had drafted herself in to help with the meal service in PE upstairs; they had left LHR a couple of day prior with a couple of staff shortages I overheard. The FSM was in a particularly sharp mood and didn't take too kindly to myself and partner not knowing what the menu choice was. We were told quiet harshly that the menu is contained within the amenity pack now. On route to SYD menus were given out??? I wasn't aware of this as I don't usually pay a great deal of attention to the smaller inbound kits'.
Are you sure about that, the menu is always given out & never in the kit as it's a standard kit across Y & W.

The menu was a smaller version and a different design. The standard menu which is given out wouldn't fit in the smaller return kit. This was definitely a new version, I think they other half may have kept a kit - Will check when get home tonight and post a picture if I can...[:D]

Great TR Rob, Thank you. [y]

A great last installment THANK YOU! [y]

Dominic

Thanks[y]

Are the menus reused or new for each trip?

VS.