V-Flyer

Another trip to NYC for a few nights, to make up for the last one where I came down with a mystery illness at Toronto Airport on my way to NYC, and spent most of my trip looking at the walls of my hotel room.

Made the schlep across town on the DLR, tube and then HEX to arrive at LHR about 11:15. I now remember why I like LCY so much. One short DLR ride and youre there.

Anyway, had checked in on line, but picked the PE check in desk, so rocked on up with one person checking in, with 2 people (trainees?) watching. Was called over to the bag drop desk and very few words were exchanged between me and the check in assistant. She didnt seem interested in anything, just printed my boarding pass, told me the gate and I moved right along. No little PE wallet for my boarding pass to go into like the man at the PE counter was given either. No PE tags on my luggage, no enjoy your flight. [V]

Off to security, after flying to AMS weekly and finding my belt sometime set the metal detectors off, I changed belts, and now I breeze through without even a pat down. Then the shoe scan and off into the departures area.

Headed off to the clubhouse as I had bought access from VH. Not really sure its worth the 60 but I decided I only go on holiday twice a year and Im worth it ;-) Was very full, always hard to find a seat in here without feeling that about 7 people are facing you. Settled down into the sky lounge area. Soon 2 flights were called and the place emptied. Had a nice shepherds pie, then a Kentish apple stuffed with raisins. Quite tasty. Time seems to pass quite quickly here, and it was soon time to wander down to gate 23, which was just next door, so not far to walk. Saw Tubular Belle (G-VHOT) at the stand. Passed security and there was an announcement that Families with children under 6, UC, Gold and PE passengers can priority board very soon. Sure enough, soon the doors opened, and the announcement came, firstly about families and UC, then she added gold as well, but no mention of PE. I just got up and went anyway, no one was checking seat numbers.

Usual seat of 74C was waiting for me. There were 3 empty seats, including 70A&C, so 71A&C were asked to move for take off and landing. What I dont understand is when we got off the plane, no one was sitting anywhere near the door downstairs, is this not needed?
Wheels up was 2:22pm, and a 7h10m flight time was announced. V-port started quite quickly so settled down to watch Running with scissors. Found my headset port was loose, so kept loosing sound, tried new headphones, same thing, so reported it. Just hope its fixed by Sunday or I get a different plane.

The crew started off well, very friendly, though the pre flight drinks took some time to arrive. Just after takeoff there were two drinks runs, but Id only had about 2 sips before asked for the second time, so was a bit pointless. As the flight went on though I got the impression the crew started to lose interest. There was no water and OJ offered throughout, there were no drinks at the back like on other flights Ive been on, no fruit bowl service well, there was in UC, but I presume us lower class people arent allowed through the curtain (which was open all flight) to use it? Either way, no one dared go forward and take the forbidden fruit and there was none in our cabin. Food was ok, and there was a choice of roll which was offered separately.

Flight was very empty in Y, I wandered round for a walk and couldnt believe how empty it was, so tried sitting in a Y seat. The seat in front seemed to close to me. I could do Y if I knew Id have 4 rows to myself, but couldnt do it if it were full up.

The FA then spilt wine (luckily it was white) over my jeans and just walked off and as the flight went on, he started calling people mate and getting very familiar with them, not sure thats very professional.

I also feel I have to mention the two people sitting to my right, who will remain nameless. Halfway through the flight, It seems one of them guffed as the exclamation euwww you guffed could be heard throughout the cabin. Everyone looked round at them. This was made even louder due to the Bose QC3s the gentleman was wearing. Later on, gentleman 1 was looking at gentleman 2s ipod. Suddenly, the exclamation Youve got Phil Collins on your Ipod was heard. Apparently thats a bad thing! Was quite amusing seeing the FA explaining about how loud they were to them.

Landed at JFK on time, to be told it was -6 degrees outside, lovely! Managed to get down the stairs first in an attempt to beat the rush at immigration. Not too long in the queue I guess, and my case was on the carousel already, so grabbed that and made my way towards the airtrain.

This was my first time at JFK in a number of years. At EWR theres never been any queues at immigration, so not sure if Ive been lucky or just the plane lands at the right time.

Bought myself some QC3s at the Bose store, so looking forward to being loud on the way back, so see how effective they are.

Back on VS046 tomorrow, hopefully itll be a different plane, and the new PE services have been explained to the crew.

[:I][:I][:I][:I]

Originally posted by slinky09
[:I][:I][:I][:I]

Go on, slinky! Admit you're the guy with Phil Collins on the iPod [:p]

Good TR, thank you.[y]

Originally posted by honey lamb

Originally posted by slinky09
[:I][:I][:I][:I]

Go on, slinky! Admit you're the guy with Phil Collins on the iPod [:p]

Actually that was the whole point - I was travelling with my colleague and friend and we had one of those, OK so what's on your iPod sessions and swapped headphones ... then discovered he had Phil Collins. Now forgive me Phil Collins lovers (Genesis is better), but after too much pop in the Club House, when I discovered this, I had to exclaim. At this point the very nice FA came over and pointed out that my exclamation was a little loud [:I].

In shame, on the return in Upper I didn't drink a thing [V].

Thanks for the TR.

Dominic

Enjoyed the TR, thank you.

Originally posted by slinky09
In shame, on the return in Upper I didn't drink a thing [V].

Oh Slinky, I think that's punishing yourself a tad too far. Maybe just not let your colleague drink so he can tell you if you are being loud? [}:)] Hope you had a good trip back, just made it back myself.

Oh, enjoyed my new QC3s too, made the flight a lot quieter.

Originally posted by locutus

Oh, enjoyed my new QC3s too, made the flight a lot quieter.

Probably helped also by the fact that slinky and his pal were not on the flight also [}:)]

Hilarious! Remarking about fellow passengers onboard, only to find they are fellow V-Flyers [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah