V-Flyer

Overall, a nice flight but a long day.... my transport turned up at my house (Lincoln) at 0550 for a 1200 flight from LHR. He was miffed that I didn't want to listen to his choice of radio station (Radio 1, which I despise - especially at 6am) and his choice of routes wasn't too smart either (A1 - M25). Three and a half hours later I was dropped at LHR Terminal 3 for check-in. As I am FC Au and was travelling UC, I didn't see the point of using OLCI. Funnily enough the UC check-in was busier than PE or Economy! After a small wait, check-in proceeded smoothly and I headed for departures via Fast Track. It was nice to see active management of the security queues and a few of us we ushered to a queue that was shorter than the Fast Track line. Out the other side and walking towards the shoe x-ray, which seemed to be selecting passengers rather than checking everyone. Fine by me as I wasn't selected! A quick bit of retail therapy then off to the VS Lounge.

This was the first time I had used the lounge and I have to say I was impressed. A nice breakfast of eggs benedict, coffee and orange juice, followed by a quick e-mail check then settle in the multiscreen area. The retro armchairs are the most comfortable I have ever sat in! The flight was called, and a short walk to Gate 34. As the flight was already boarding, queue management was not so good here, and I'm not the sort to wave the Au/UC card and breeze right in! Still, it didn't take long and once the gate staff staff identified me and a couple of other UC travellers, we were whisked through.
It was my first time travelling UC in an A340 (the African Queen) and the suites do seem more cramped than on a 747! I'm not the biggest of blokes, either...
The UC cabin crew were pleasant and attentive, although the young male FA calling me 'mate' every so often did make me grit my teeth a little. I'm no snob but I would have thought VS would have expected a little more from their UC cabin FAs.
Dinner was absolutely excellent: crab cakes with dill sauce, followed by the beef hotpot, washed down with an excellent Australian Shiraz (in a screw-top bottle, surprisingly). This was topped off with a nice selection of cheeses and a glass of port. Baileys to follow, and settle down to watch 'The Queen' and 'The Last King of Scotland'. I'd signed up far a neck & back massage, but due to turbulence later in the flight this never happened. The bumps weren't too bad, although there was cracking headwind (210 kts over the eastern seaboard of the US) and we landed about 40 minutes late. Not a problem though, as the captain had kept us in the picture during the flight. There's always discussion as to the correct level of announcements - the chap in this case got it spot on. Clearly, the approach was flown by the FO as we certainly tested the undercarriage on touchdown! (It wasn't really that bad, but a little on the heavy side and the runway wasn't wet). Offload and the bus to Arrivals was smooth enough and I've got a US visa Immigration was quick and easy. Not so for the foreign national queues, whcih were enormous! I have no clue as to why the baggage handlers in IAD insist in unloading bags from the carousels immediately, leaving piles of luggage sprawling everywhere, interspersed with passengers picking through the piles looking for their bags! This was a real farce, with VS021's bags initially flagged for carousel 6, followed by an almost inadible annoucement declaring our bags would be on Carousels 3 and 1! There must have been 5/6 flights' bags arriving at the same time, which were all handled by 3 carousels, leaving the other 3 (maybe 5?) carousels empty. It makes no sense to me...

Anyway, all in all a very pleasant flight. Unfortunately I'm not flying UC on the return leg (unless my Au mebership bags me an upgrade on Friday.....)

Cheers

Tony

Originally posted by sbg
Overall, a nice flight but a long day.... my transport turned up at my house (Lincoln) at 0550 for a 1200 flight from LHR. He was miffed that I didn't want to listen to his choice of radio station (Radio 1, which I despise - especially at 6am) and his choice of routes wasn't too smart either (A1 - M25). Three and a half hours later I was dropped at LHR Terminal 3 for check-in.

Thanks for the TR. What route would you have used to get to Heathrow ?

Paul

Originally posted by sbg

The UC cabin crew were pleasant and attentive, although the young male FA calling me 'mate' every so often did make me grit my teeth a little. I'm no snob but I would have thought VS would have expected a little more from their UC cabin FAs.

Totally agree, I had this on my last UC flight, really creates a bad impression. I'm not one for being called 'sir' or anything, but 'mate' is very grating, especially in UC.

Thanks for the TR. What route would you have used to get to Heathrow ?

I've tried lots of different ways - to me the best at that time in the morning is the A46 to the Leicester bypass via Newark, then down the M1. Usually <2:45 - 3:00 hours rather than the 3:30 taken yesterday. It also gives you more options if there's a traffic problem.

Any thoughts?

Tony

Originally posted by sbg

Thanks for the TR. What route would you have used to get to Heathrow ?

I've tried lots of different ways - to me the best at that time in the morning is the A46 to the Leicester bypass via Newark, then down the M1. Usually <2:45 - 3:00 hours rather than the 3:30 taken yesterday. It also gives you more options if there's a traffic problem.

Any thoughts?

Tony

But isn't the low end of the M1 completely stuffed by roadworks below Luton ? I know my Satnav has started to recommend nipping across from the A1 to Milton Keynes (since the new bypass opened) and thence down the M1 to the M25 for my current trips out to Winchester from Huntingdon but I've been put off by having to pack a picnic for the roadworks.

Paul

Yup a 40mph Average Speed Cam for about 6 junctions ISTR

What route would you have used to get to Heathrow ?

M1 is the quickest to our neck of the woods if it's moving. I came back in 1hour 40 minutes after new year T4-M1 J28 usual time is 2-3 hours.I have been using the M1-A42-M42-M40-M25 at busier times about 2.5 hours(plus you get to play spot the red kite on the M40).One of my delivery drivers says the very quickest is M1 down to Northampton J15A cut across the A43 bypass near silverstone to the M40-M25.

Thanks for the TR[y] There seem to have been quite a few complaints lately about the speed, or rather lack thereof, at UC check-in. Maybe VS should take note...

VS.

hummm... nowt wrong with Radio 1 ;-)

Originally posted by jaguarpig
One of my delivery drivers says the very quickest is M1 down to Northampton J15A cut across the A43 bypass near silverstone to the M40-M25.

That is the route we have taken the last few times we have gone to the great Metropolis! Usually stopping at the Green Man near Silverstone for a meal en route. [y]

Nick

Good TR, Tony thank you. [y]

Originally posted by jaguarpig
One of my delivery drivers says the very quickest is M1 down to Northampton J15A cut across the A43 bypass near silverstone to the M40-M25.

It isn't until you look at a map that that route begins to make sense. It just seems almost non-sensical until you do so!

The A43 is a really slick road now that whole section is dual carriageway.

Originally posted by jaguarpig
(plus you get to play spot the red kite on the M40).One of my

Spot the red kite?[?]

Originally posted by Speedbird223
The A43 is a really slick road now that whole section is dual carriageway.

But the junction with the M40 is brain-dead and causes hideous queues on the A43 itself and tailbacks down the sliproads onto the M40.

I'm surprised it's not more of an accident blackspot.

It's just ugly hack after hack, done on the cheap, to try and make the junction work, piled one on top of another.

Mike

Great TR with no bull. Glad you enjoyed the flight but honestly.....how does it compare with others you have flown as I get the slight impression that you enjoyed the flight but lets just say.. was it something to remember??

Spot the red kite?

Not a twitcher then[:D].
You can spot their black cousins in Hong Kong they seem to be more common than sparrows.

Originally posted by jaguarpig

Spot the red kite?

Not a twitcher then[:D].
You can spot their black cousins in Hong Kong they seem to be more common than sparrows.

Ahhh, if I was thinking in twitcher mode it might have been OK. I was thinking of one of these kites...for some reason [:I]
[img]http://www.setikites.com/kites/desire_ul_stunt_kite_hot.gif[/img]

I don't like being called 'sir' or 'mate' either but i guess everyone has different preferences