V-Flyer

As has now become our regular routine when travelling from Gatwick (following the August chaos), Mrs Buns and I used the Twighlight Check in facility the night before our deaprture. Arriving at 7.30pm there were only a few passengers ahead of us and the three check in stations quickly saw us receiving our boarding cards and Clubhouse Invitation for the next day[y].

As we only live a short distance away, the next morning we took the train to Gatwick and arrived just after 8am to find the South Terminal much more crowded that I would have expected two weeks before the Easter break. The queues for security were horrendous[:0], but fortunately Fastrack has re-opened and with the ever so useful stickers adorning our tickets, we crossed through the line waiting to join the security maze (which by this time was stretching back to Boots) to the Fastrack lane where there was no queue and no assisted passengers. After only ten minutes, we were through security and making our way into the peaceful haven of the Clubhouse.

As always, Mrs Buns & I were given a warm welcome and we positioned ourselves in the dining area that is opposite the bar at the far end. I ordered the Clubhouse signature of smoked salmon and scrambled egg and Mrs B opted for the full Monty. Neither of us had expected to get through security so quickly, and the shock must have been apparent to the staff there as we were offered champagne[:w]. After breakfast we moved over to the comfy chairs and settled down to await our flight during this time we chatted with the staff, had our shoes shined and both had our pre-booked hot hand treatments. I have to say, the serenity of the Clubhouse at Gatwick is in stark contrast to the rest of the airside terminal which certainly needs to be expanded as there is literally nowhere for people to go once through security and the queues for shops like Smiths & Boots just cannot cope. (I hate to think what the place will be like on the run up to Easter).

After three and a half hours of peace and calm, we were called to Gate 19 for our flight this is on one of the main tiers so no trek to the satellite; because of this, there was no priority boarding line, but this was not a problem as we were ushered in and were soon on board Pretty Woman in our favourite seats of 79A &C. Although the aircraft has not yet been refitted, I noticed the seats in both PE and economy had been treated to new covers[y].

The dedicated crew on the upper deck made sure we were looked after before take off and push back was just 10 minutes late. There was no queue for the runaway and very soon we were airborne.

Although the Nova entertainment system, the films on the way out were excellent and included Casino Royale and The Departed. We were offered drinks soon after take off and hot towels and soon after the meal service commenced. This was one down point of the flight as by the time the cart reached us at the back of the cabin there was only the choice of chicken or the vegetable option. This was the second time this had happened to Mrs B & myself[:(!][:(!]; after a short discussion with the FSM, the situation was resolved all I will say, is, given the recent scares with poultry, it might be a good idea to offer fish as an alternative non vegetarian option.

The rest of the flight was pretty uneventful, other than to say the tea service commenced from the back of the cabin. Perhaps it was using my Bose Headphones (a Christmas present from Mrs that was able to take my mind off of things[:w][}:)][:w].

A smooth landing at MCO but I am not sure of the time as the four hour time difference seemed to cause some confusion from both the flight deck and cabin crew. All I know is that we were some of the first off the flight and caught the tail end of the VS flight from Manchester going through Immigration so this was not as speedy as I have experienced In the past. Fortunately, our bags were going round the carousel and we were not singled out for customs inspection so we dropped off our bags before making our way through the terminal (BTW the sterile pathway process is still being used) before getting the shuttle to the main terminal and making our way to Carousel 28 for our bags to emerge.

This is always a bit of a lottery and this time round, our bags took some time to be transported across and we waited some 20 minutes. (I believe what happens is the bags are transported from the satellite terminals by small truck and therefore it just depends on whether you bag is on of the last to make the truck before it makes its next round journey).

The trip through the airport was a rather slow hour and a quarter on this occasion, but before too long we were both settled in our airport hotel before picking up the rental car the next day for our trip to the Gulf Coast.

Welcome back, Buns.

Great TR, thanks [y]

PE pax not getting their first choice meal (again) is NOT good though.[V]

Nick

Thanks, buns, for an excellent TR

I ordered the Clubhouse signature of smoked salmon and scrambled egg and Mrs B opted for the Òfull MontyÓ.

I see these are back on the menu. [y] They weren't there last October much to my disappointment but the lady there said that they would probably come back as so many people were asking for them and bemoaning their absence

PE? Ms. Buns should only travel in first! [:)]

Thanks for the TR Buns [y] Makes me look forward to my upcoming trip to MCO

Regarding the food. The same thing happened to us on our last PE trip in February. They had run out of MrG's preferred option when they came to serve us [:(!] This was never a problem with the old PE service, when the PE food and Y food were the same.

Hope you had a good holiday [:D]

Originally posted by MrsG
Regarding the food. The same thing happened to us on our last PE trip in February. They had run out of MrG's preferred option when they came to serve us [:(!] This was never a problem with the old PE service, when the PE food and Y food were the same.

I remember that was one of the things that we were warned about if PE got it's own meal service.

Before, the crew would always serve the PE cabin first, so getting first choice shouldn't have been much of a problem. Of course, with the overall number of meals being less, it's now increased the likelihood of not getting your first choice.

One option could be to go and specifically take meal orders first from Silvers/Golds based on status (UA do this in their Business cabin) - or is that 'too Premium'?

I think I'd still prefer not to go back to the more offensive examples of the plastic 'glop in a tub' Y food. The new service seems really good, and much more professional.

I have a feeling this was an issue Air New Zealand found with their Premium cabin, and I think that they now serve a very similar service in their Business Premier and Premium Econonmy - I think the main courses are the same.

Mike

Great TR, Buns Thank you. [y]

Thanks for the TR, a very good read. Not so good about the meal thoguh [n]

Have a nice holiday,

Dominic

Great TR thanks Buns [y]

The 'new' PE service soes seem be still be a bit hit and miss.

I agree with Mike that your Flying Club status should be taken into account on-board, but from my experience, your FC status never really plays any part once you board the A/C when flying in W or Y.

Regards

Hi Buns

I was on the Manchester flight that day (which was fantastic) but usually go from Gatwick. Your piece about the clubhouse makes me wish I had changed our flights, but there's always the next time.

David

I was sitting in the same seats to LAS in Feb and they had run out of the chicken choice on both flights, they also rund out of normal trays on the way out and I somehow ended up with a diabetic tray!

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
PE? Ms. Buns should only travel in first! [:)]

Now that would be giving her ideas[}:)][}:)]

On a serious point, currently there are only 14 seats in UC on the LGW/MAN configuration and it was pointed out to me during my visit to the Clubhouse that these are now almost always full, so the opportunity to grab a Z fare becomes extremely remote[:(!]

I would not be surprised that when it comes to refit the fleet with the new PE, the current PE section situated behind the galley on the lower deck reverts to UC; as was the case before the suites were fitted[y]

originally posted by David
Hi Buns

I was on the Manchester flight that day (which was fantastic) but usually go from Gatwick. Your piece about the clubhouse makes me wish I had changed our flights, but there's always the next time.

David

I personally feel the Gatwick Clubhouse offers a 'special' service - the staff there (who are all VS employees) have a knack of spotting those for whom the Clubhouse visit is a treat and always go out of there way to make sure it lives up to expectations[^][^]

To those who have mentioned the food service thing - I am sure that VS are getting the message - of course trying to pre-empt what pax are going to choose on the day is always going to be difficult.

Thank you all for your kind comments

Another excellent report, Buns; your apt descriptions cause me to feel as I am going on the trip with you (which would be nice, by the way!).

Even in a non-refit configuration I agree with Nick -- first choice of meals for PE is a must.

Please say hello to Mrs B for me.

Chuck-

Originally posted by ChuckC
Another excellent report, Buns; your apt descriptions cause me to feel as I am going on the trip with you (which would be nice, by the way!).

Even in a non-refit configuration I agree with Nick -- first choice of meals for PE is a must.

Please say hello to Mrs B for me.

Chuck-

Chuck

You are too kind[:I][:I][:I]

Mrs Buns says Hi and hopes you are keeping well

Enjoyable TR as always Buns. Interesting to note that the cabin crew still can't get it into their head that PE shou;d get first choice of meals. Running out of stuff upstairs is irritating because it's so avoidable.

Regards

John

'the cabin crew still can't get it into their head that PE should get first choice of meals' [V][V]

We would like everyone to receive their 1st choice of meal. However now PE has a different menu from Economy we do run out of choices from time to time. This is documented on the flight report in order that the meal ratios can be adjusted accordingly.

If, for example, they have run out of chicken in PE, would it be possible / practical to offer the PE passenger a chicken meal from economy, as a better alternative to his / her second choice of PE meal?

I don't know the logistics of this, but it would seem a better solution.

Nick

Jetstreamer,

Please accept my wholehearted apology as I thought the PE food was the same as economy (but plated). I had an experience in PE coming home from NAS in 2005 where we had ZERO choice upstairs with only 20 pax in the cabin. My statement about it being 'avoidable' is also therefore invalid.

Sorry

John

Hi Nick,

Yes, that certainly is one possible solution. It would depend on the stage the service had reached in the main cabin as to what other choices were available from Economy.

There is a buffer of extra meals loaded for PE to try to ensure that everyone receives their 1st choice (although as illustrated in this trip report it's not an exact science).

Cheers Marc

Hi John,

Don't worry. It was just a little misunderstanding. I know I'm stating the obvious but you should not have been left with zero choice on your flight from NAS.

Cheers Marc

Marc,

I'll try not to sound so bolshy in future!!

Regards

John