V-Flyer

The return leg of my week in DC! Check-in was handled smoothly, although I was saddened by the fact that there appeared to be no seats available in UC. (I was happy to use my miles rather than expect an op-up). I made my way to gate B32 and decided to use the VS Lounge as I am FC Au. No problem there although I found the oriental lady behind the desk very difficult to understand. I'm well-travelled, not a bigot in any way but it was just difficult - I'll leave it at that. (She also wasn't that helpful with my request to move up to UC, but more of that later.)

The lounge was nice but as I didn't feel like eating I missed out on the Chicken Tikka Masala (chef's special for the day). It smelt wonderful and looked pretty good too! I settled for a couple of glasses of Baileys and settled down with my laptop to get some work done and check e-mails.
Call me a skinflint if you like, but I think $7.95/day to access the internet via WiFi is a bit much! Let's face it - most people who use the lounge have paid out a fair chunk for their flight. Free WiFi would not be too much to ask, would it?
As I had arrived at 2.30pm, I checked regularly with the Lounge desk to see if there was a possibility of UC. 'No seats available' was the stock answer, although I understand I was waitlisted.
Anyway, the flight was called and I headed for the gate, directly across from the Lounge. One final try, I thought, as I approached the gate. 'Any chance I can upgrade using miles? Any seats free in UC?' 'Certainly, Sir - there is at least one free. You need to speak to the staff on the gate podium.' Cue much gnashing of teeth and a quick sprint to the podium. The ladies there were VERY helpful and couldn't understand why I hadn't been upgraded earlier as the seat had been free all afternoon. Thank you ladies!

Back to the gate, UC ticket in hand - no problems and smoothly on to the plane (Airbus A340 - African Queen again). Service on the way home was nothing short of outstanding. Dinner was excellent (Chicken with asparagus) and the FA responsible for my side of the cabin was polite, attentive and showed a sharp sense of humour. A great advertisement for VS cabin crew. By the time dinner was complete and I'd changed into my sleep suit, there must have been scope for about 3 hours' sleep. Another glass of Baileys and settle down for some serious snooze time. I asked not to be woken for breakfast but woke myself just before Top of Drop. Not a bad approach and back to a wet and windy LHR.
After thanking the crew, I headed for immigration (no problems) and baggage reclaim; this was where the fun started. 30 minutes went by without an announcement or any message on the boards explaining the delay. Finally (due to pax asking repeatedly) a tannoy was broadcast, declaring that the bags were held up due to airside congestion. The bags started appearing 10 minutes later and I suppose my total wait must have been 45 minutes or so.
The lack of care in keeping pax informed seems to be a common theme in UK airports at the moment. It doesn't take much for staff to find out what's going on and make an appropriate announcement - this calms everyone down and manages expectations. Most of us won't get too upset at having to wait, as long as they tell us why, and how long we can expect to wait (if known). A vacuum of silence helps no-one.

Anyway, the drive home was long, if not that eventful. All in all - a nice trip! I've been credited with the 50% bonus miles for my PE booking and fly again on 3rd Feb - this time to LAX.

Cheers all!

Tony

P.S. The ladies at the podium were even nicer than I thought as they op-upped me rather than take the 20K miles. Thank you again!


Edit by mod to remove VS staffers name... Nick

So you bet this - http://www.nbc4.com/health/10824562/detail.html

The Asian lady that works at the CH is crap. There is another nice lady who is wonderful.

Nice TR, Tony - thanks. [y]

Your experience of the IAD CH staff just about mirrors my own. I found them very pleasant and helpful, but they weren't very knowledgeable about the way VS work, and I got the impression that they have very little 'hands on' involvement with the flight loads and movements etc.

I may be wrong, but it seems the staff at the gate are very much in charge.

Nick

Thanks Nick - I'd missed the Forum FAQs item on staffers' names.

My colleague and I were staying in the Dulles Hilton! And he was pretty sick on the day he flew home (18 Jan).....

I called him a girl and said he couldn't handle his beer...[:I]

Tony

Nice TR!

Well done on the op-up! [^][y]

Originally posted by sbg
P.S. The ladies at the podium were even nicer than I thought as they op-upped me rather than take the 20K miles. Thank you again!

Result [y]

Thanks fellows. I was calm and very polite throughout, and explained carefully what had transpired throughout the afternoon. Seemed to work!

Cheers

Tony

Thanks for the TR[:D]

Have fun in LA[y]

VS.

Good TR, Tony, thanks.[y]

If there was a seat available why not say? Though in this instance it worked well for you. What a result. [y]

Is it some airline tradition, as the majority of staff seem to find it easy to tell the punter a few porkies.[n]

Not sure really - it all seemed a bit difficult for the poor dear! The podium staff didn't seem too surprised when I described the 'helpful' individual, either! Looking forward to doing it all again in a few days!

Cheers

Tony

Not experienced IAD myself. Don't know if the CH staff are VS employees or not.

Originally posted by jamie
Not experienced IAD myself. Don't know if the CH staff are VS employees or not.

That would be no, expect one.

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin

Originally posted by jamie
Not experienced IAD myself. Don't know if the CH staff are VS employees or not.

That would be no, expect one.

Expect one of what?

GJ

Except rather than expect I think.